Researchers can say what they want about pedestrians being less safe in the south than in the midwest ("Regional differences in walking safety are stark. Twice as many walkers die in traffic accidents in New Orleans, San Diego and Phoenix than in Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Boston.") But I have to contend that I have never been so paranoid about cars as I am here in Iowa City (see these articles for examples). With extremely high proportions of DUIs, and stupid young drivers, this is a scary-ass town to walk in. The worst thing (which happens every single time) is when a car actually stops for me (which I never assume they will and hope they won't because of this) they hit the gas when I'm about half-way across the path of their car. If I don't pick up speed, my ankles will get clipped. If they're in such a hurry, why don't they just zip past me so I can cross in safety? AAARGH!!! /rant

I am in fact, still alive (just writing a lot of term papers these days). And now I've found my christmas gift for myself: A Fairly Oddparents fishbowl!!! So cute.
I had a lot of success with a beta once (that bad boy lived over 2 years), but I think I'll downgrade to some fish I can keep in groups without them eating each other (but not goldfish, I can't keep going back for more).