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GrrlScientist is an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, aviculturist, birder and freelance science and nature writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she relocated from Seattle to NYC with her parrots after earning a BS in Microbiology (emphasis in Virology) and PhD in Zoology (Ornithology) from the University of Washington. In NYC, she was the Chapman Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History for two years, pursuing part of her "dream" research project by reconstructing a molecular phylogeny of the parrots of the South Pacific islands. GrrlScientist and her five parrots are currently relocating to Germany, where she will continue writing her blog while also writing a book and learning German. (Meanwhile, her parrots will continue to nibble on her extensive personal library.) If you appreciate GrrlScientist's writing, you can help pay her living expenses by hiring her to "blog" your conference, speak at your club or write articles for your publication (or by clicking on the Paypal button below). If you read an essay on this blog that you especially enjoyed, please nominate it for inclusion in OpenLab2009.
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Posted on: May 11, 2007 1:30 PM, by "GrrlScientist"
The decomposed corpse of a German man was found in his bed after nearly seven years, said police from the western city of Essen. The man was 59 and unemployed, and probably died of natural causes on 30 November 2000, which was the date he received a letter from the Welfare Office that was discovered in the apartment.
"No one missed him. No missing person report was ever filed," the police said.
I worry that this will be my ultimate fate as well, although I am younger.
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Comments
It is thinking that no-one gives a damn (in this mans case it was true) that knocked me down a lot of years ago.
I still worry about it, not paranoia but fear.
Took a lot of love from my friends and family to get me through it.
My only suggestion, to everyone, is don't be afraid to get to know your neighbours. They don't normally bite.
I know that it does take courage to build upto it if you are shy and scared about the reaction, but it does help them and you.
Posted by: Chris' Wills | May 11, 2007 1:50 PM
Plenty of people would miss you!
Posted by: The Ridger | May 11, 2007 4:03 PM
GrrlScientist,
There is no way you could vanish without that fact being noticed by your loyal and concerned readers. That unfortunate man whose death passed unnoticed for years was apparently not part of a 'network', either a physical or a virtual one. You, my friend, are undeniably part of such a network.
Posted by: Elf Eye | May 11, 2007 9:06 PM
I sometimes worry that this may be my fate too, and its a painful thought.
When I first read this post it upset me, but after I slept on it I woke up motivated. Many times reading GrrlScientist's blog reminds me that having bp requires effort to have a better life. A better life is definitely possible, but I can't let the problems overwhelm me.
The past few weeks I have been feeling overwhelmed. I needed a reminder that there is hope and this post did that for me.
Posted by: JPS | May 12, 2007 9:06 AM
Don't worry...Be Happy : http://upchucky.com/flash-be-happy.html
Posted by: Diane in Ohio | May 12, 2007 10:18 AM
I am confused as to why such a post-mortem fate is to be feared.
After death, what did this man care that he was undiscovered?
I agree, though, that his life before Nov 30 2000 was probably not very enjoyable. But perhaps he preferred solitude?
Posted by: TheBrummell | May 14, 2007 2:11 PM