This would never happen at UM...

Here's a little warning note issued by OSU yesterday:

"Advisory: Prepare for colder campus conditions Thursday, Friday

Oregon State University has been notified that a “gas curtailment” is expected to be in effect from 7 a.m. Thursday to 7 a.m. Friday, due to extreme weather and heightened demand.
Because of the natural gas restrictions and the potential for temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees (Fahrenheit) on Thursday, it will be difficult to meet heating demands for campus. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear warmer clothing on Thursday and Friday.
Researchers should take precautions, as necessary, to safeguard animal facilities against colder building temperatures. Faculty and staff are further asked to be sure that windows and doors to the outside are closed.
Weather forecasters also are warning that there is a significant chance of a snow accumulation over the next 24 hours. As a precautionary measure, please safeguard critical research areas or sensitive equipment since during these types of weather patterns there is an increased potential for power outages to campus. Please shut down all personal and all non-essential electrical devices and loads by the end of business today. This will reduce risks associated with restoration of power and services."

Wow. We have two inches of snow. It is, at 8am, 31.8 degrees according to wunderground. I suppose I'm lucky that I survived the night!

I wonder what would happen here if we got an ice storm like the one that hit Kearney... Widespread rioting and looting?

At any rate, this all just emphasizes how silly the gas fireplace in the house is (not that it is even hooked up)... and makes me sad that I am under a constant "natural gas restriction" in the form of Leslie. Hopefully my office is warmer than my house because I only have so many layers to wear.

Look at your tongue in a whole new way!

First, I would like to assure everyone that we made it home safe and sound. Second, I would like to say that school has started up just fine. That is, I haven't gone to the bookstore and seen the textbook prices yet.

Third and most importantly, I just heard about this crazy thing: supertasters! Apparently, a quarter of people are supertasters and taste things more strongly than others. Half of people are normal tasters. A quarter of people are nontasters. Imagine, a quarter of people are NONtasters! (Grandpa is this you!?)

Supertasters on Wiki

I think I might be a supertaster, and I am according to the BBC quiz. However, I DO like most of the foods that most supertasters aren't supposed to like: spinach, cabbage, grapefruit, soy... I have to do the at home taste bud counting experiment, but I don't have food coloring yet.

BBC quiz