Under the Dome

Although I watch little tv when it is on, I DVR a few favorite shows and enjoy binge watching shows I didn't watch when they first aired on Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video. Recently I watched all seasons/previous seasons of American Horror Story, Dexter, and The Americans while working on work proposals and paper mache (that's right, paper mache, it's for adults too! Check out Proof I Have a Right Brain).

My most recent Netflix obsession is a series called Under the Dome: Under the Dome. So far it is a thoroughly enjoyable series, built on a completely fascinating premise. The Pilot summary will give you  and idea of what the show is all about, for those of you who, like me, had not previously been aware of the series: "When the residents of Chester's Mill find themselves trapped under a massive transparent dome with no way out, they struggle to survive as resources rapidly dwindle and panic quickly escalates."

Celebrating V-Day the NZP Way

I have never been a fan of the commercial holiday of Valentine's Day, but I do like what the keepers come up with to make the day special for our orangutans:

There is also a lot of creativity surrounding birthdays. Here is a sign that went up last year during a nautical-themed party for one of our gorillas: 

Elmer, the Simple Screamer

I have finally found the perfect hobbies to keep me occupied in my free time - Geocaching (geocaching.com, Dr Pongo's Geocaching Escapades) in the Spring, Summer and Fall and Paper/Cloth Mache in the Winter.

I named this Simple Screamer (following the methods of Dan Reeder) "Elmer", like the glue, since Dan's methods of cloth mache require a LOT of Elmer's Glue-All (for more photos of the process of making this guy, see Proof I Have a Right Brain:

Chewie participated in all steps of the creative process, including most attempts I made to photograph my creation:

Happy 2015!

How is it possible that 2015 is a few days away?! This year the biggest change in my life was a new job, which brought me back home to Washington, DC around this time last year.

Here is a nice little video put together by the Zoo's Communications Department to commemorate our 125th anniversary: 125th Anniversary Video

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas in Washington

This was the first Christmas I have had back in DC for many years, since my parents always came to me during the holidays when I was living in the Philly suburbs. This year I was able to spend Christmas with my parents, just across the Potomac. Since I live in a small apartment, my holiday decorations are simple:

Unique Bathroom Reading Material

Whenever I visit my parents over the Potomac in Falls Church, VA, I am reminded of just how unique my parents are…here is the collection of books in a guest bathroom at my parents' house (my father works for EPA in the Office of Wastewater Management; not pictured, an "Outhouses of the World" calendar is hanging in the same bathroom):

ZooLights at NZP

I couldn't resist a photo op with Panda Claus when I passed by Panda and his FONZ escort on my walk home from work tonight. 

Starting Nov 28th, ZooLights has returned to the National Zoo - whether you are local to the D.C. area or are in town visiting, or work in some other area of the Smithsonian, you should check it out--there's nothing quite like it: ZooLights

ZooLights runs from Nov 28 through Jan 1 (all nights except Dec 24, 25, 31) from 5-9pm. Admission is free and includes over 500,000 environmentally-friendly LED lights, tubing down Lion/Tiger hill, and lots of other events. We are even keeping some of the animal buildings open each night for evening visitors.

Check out the ZooLights commercial: ZooLights commercial

Among my favorite of the ZooLights are the gibbons and naked mole rats: