In the last couple weeks, two friends have been kind enough indulge my weirdness and complete change into scientist. Transcripts of the conversations follow ...
'J' sent me a text message about how he was driving down out of Auckland for work for the day. I reply with a comment on all the harriers to be seen out in the country. J responds with "I almost hit one with the ute."
Me: um, ok, so I know this is a bit weird, but if you should hit one, or if you find one ... could you collect it for me?
J: yeah no worries
'S' tells me "I think I saw a dead harrier just before the motorway onramp on my way home."
Me: oooh, I'd love it. Can you drive by slowly tomorrow and get a better look?
(The next day)
S: sorry, I didn't get a chance to stop this afternoon. I was gonna go at lunch, but then I thought what would I do with it for the afternoon.
Me: don't you have a freezer at your work??
S: yes, but I don't think my workmates would be very happy if I did that
What surprised me the most about these two conversations was that both friends were quite unconcerned about it all. It is not a normal, everyday occurrence to collect dead birds off roadsides and neither of them seemed to bat an eyelid over my request. In the end there was no collection of specimens, which I feel is a good thing for our friendships, as I'm sure they both secretly think I'm mad and delivery of a bird carcass would have only served to confirm their suspicions!
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