For your enjoyment, how I spent the last hour of my life:

Look at relatively normal specimen under microscope

Notice unusual character that shouldn’t be there

Say “Huh…”, quietly

Check other specimen of same species for confirmation

Find confirmation

Say “Huh…” again, louder

Quickly scan literature to make sure character really shouldn’t be there

Confirm character really shouldn’t be there

Say “Huh…” again, with confusion and slight excitement

Scramble to check other species you thought might be related to see if character present

Find character there, too

Say “Holy shit…” to no one in particular

Sit and think about character & potential implications for 10 minutes

Check original specimen to make sure it’s not your imagination

Smile and remind yourself this is why you love what you do

Blog thought progression because you find your work to be exciting & fulfilling and you want the world to feel it too

~ FIN ~