Lots to blog about but I don't want to forget this one on the heels of my last post.
1. My nephew, Simon. I was talking to my sister last week and she told me that Simon had a spider incident. They were at an outdoors play that took place at an arboretum. During one of the scenes, a spider crawled on Simon. He let out many loud screams. I would have done the same thing except I probably wouldn't have been excused since I am not 4 years old.
2. Last week at a local park, a little girl was riding her bike on the path. Next thing I know, she jumps off her bike, throws it to the ground and starts screaming. Mother tries to reassure her as she is looking over the bike. She tells the girl that there is no web or spider on the bike. The little girl screams, "there are still webs on the bike and the spider is there." The mother continues to examine the bike as the girl has a meltdown and refuses to get back on the bike. Apparently, she rode through a web. I completely sympathized with the little girl and wanted to tell her never to let her guard down. I didn't think the mother would appreciate my advice so I kept my mouth shut.
Apparently, I am not the only target or the only person uncomfortable with the spider situation.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Distressing news from Spider headquarters
Spider headquarters issued grim news this morning. Agent 2010 was killed as it tried to enter Primary Target's hallway via the back stairwell. Primary Target identified the Agent by its markings and utilized brute force by using shoe artillery. Objections were immediately raised by Director of Agent Forces at the inhumane second and third stompings of the shoe. Canine again appeared oblivious to Primary Target's concerns.
As this news filtered into Spider Headquarters, images were broadcast that show the last moments of Agent 33445's life.
It is still unclear how this image arrived at Headquarters and why it took nearly a month after the Agent's tragic death. Messy handwriting noted that this was the last view of the Agent before Primary Target killed it in #314. Analysts are being brought in to see if it is the writing of the canine or some other ally of the Primary Target.
There is still no word on the progress of Agent 919 in the Land of Lincoln. Concerns about the breakdown in communication have been raised to field representatives.
Director of Agent Forces did issue a statement that losses are expected until the Agents can prepare the field for the Orb Weavers to enter #314. There was no comment from Head W Spider or Director of Web Artillery.
As this news filtered into Spider Headquarters, images were broadcast that show the last moments of Agent 33445's life.
It is still unclear how this image arrived at Headquarters and why it took nearly a month after the Agent's tragic death. Messy handwriting noted that this was the last view of the Agent before Primary Target killed it in #314. Analysts are being brought in to see if it is the writing of the canine or some other ally of the Primary Target.
There is still no word on the progress of Agent 919 in the Land of Lincoln. Concerns about the breakdown in communication have been raised to field representatives.
Director of Agent Forces did issue a statement that losses are expected until the Agents can prepare the field for the Orb Weavers to enter #314. There was no comment from Head W Spider or Director of Web Artillery.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Hummingbirds
I have always enjoyed watching hummingbirds.
Today there were at least 30 of them in two trees. There could have been more. I stood there just fascinated to see so many of them at once. I usually see one or two in that tree but never this many.
I realized that any large numbers of things become a little creepy after awhile.
Today there were at least 30 of them in two trees. There could have been more. I stood there just fascinated to see so many of them at once. I usually see one or two in that tree but never this many.
I realized that any large numbers of things become a little creepy after awhile.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Elston acting normal
As a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, here she is in her glory with a toy duck.
Looking more normal with the fireplace behind her:
More photos here
Looking more normal with the fireplace behind her:
More photos here
Fires
A few minutes ago, 4 fire trucks went racing down the street to what was a false alarm. It reminded me of when I lived in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood. In the 3-4 years I lived in that neighborhood there were at least 3 homes that were destroyed, at least 10 cars completely torched and various garage fires. At the time, I lived with Nicole and she would discount me whenever I smelled smoke. Actually, she discounted most things I said or did.
One night she was at class and I smelled smoke from the vents. I went outside to see if I could see anything in the basement. My landlords were a little crazy and I could write an entire blog about their techniques in fixing gas leaks. It wouldn't have been unusual for something to be happening in the basement since they used space heaters to warm the apartment's pipes in the basement or for there to be an electrical problem. My upstairs neighbors were coming home so I asked them if they smelled smoke. Yes. They said I should call the fire department. I did but I was very clear that it didn't require a ton of trucks or a huge response.
Seconds later, I could hear the sirens. Multiple sirens. 4 fire trucks. They traipsed through the apartment and also tried to see if anything was coming from the locked basement. Nothing. I was so embarrassed. I made Elston promise to never tell Nicole because I knew I would never hear the end of it. Two weeks later, I was walking Elston and I saw a fire start in the garage across the street. I saw someone run away from the garage. Huge fire and it was definitely arson. Even then, I irritated her even though our place smelled like smoke for several days. What is my point in this entry? I have absolutely no idea other than I felt my neighbor's embarrassment at a false alarm.
One night she was at class and I smelled smoke from the vents. I went outside to see if I could see anything in the basement. My landlords were a little crazy and I could write an entire blog about their techniques in fixing gas leaks. It wouldn't have been unusual for something to be happening in the basement since they used space heaters to warm the apartment's pipes in the basement or for there to be an electrical problem. My upstairs neighbors were coming home so I asked them if they smelled smoke. Yes. They said I should call the fire department. I did but I was very clear that it didn't require a ton of trucks or a huge response.
Seconds later, I could hear the sirens. Multiple sirens. 4 fire trucks. They traipsed through the apartment and also tried to see if anything was coming from the locked basement. Nothing. I was so embarrassed. I made Elston promise to never tell Nicole because I knew I would never hear the end of it. Two weeks later, I was walking Elston and I saw a fire start in the garage across the street. I saw someone run away from the garage. Huge fire and it was definitely arson. Even then, I irritated her even though our place smelled like smoke for several days. What is my point in this entry? I have absolutely no idea other than I felt my neighbor's embarrassment at a false alarm.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Where to even start
Hmm..what captions could we come up with for this one?
I am watching for spiders in the wrong place. Isn't this what I am supposed to be doing?
Why is there a light?
When is Santa Claus appearing?
I am so pissed off at my human that I am going to turn my back to her and freak her out by staring into this fireplace.
Seriously. This is the second time in three days that I have caught her sitting like this in front of the fireplace.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Randomness
As I try to recover from too many margaritas last night:
- Karl Rove's resignation. After I took in my moment of happiness, I wondered what he was really going to do with his extra time. A shudder went through me. I bet he is going to work for the Spiders. Who else would hire his evil self?
- The title of a 1982 review of Joyce Carol Oates by James Wolcott keeps cracking me up, "Stop Me Before I Write Again: Six Hundred More Pages by Joyce Carol Oates." I like both of them, so that just makes me giggle.
- The New York Times had an article in the Sunday paper comparing the "good" war in Afghanistan to Iraq. It is an excellent article detailing how the Iraq war detracted from the efforts against the Taliban. We have spent $19 billion in Afghanistan compared to $42 billion in Iraq. Billions, people, billions.
- C. Ray Nagin, the mayor of New Orleans, continues to screw up - at least in my little mind. His most recent comment had to do with all of the murders and that even though the city seems dangerous "it is getting the New Orleans brand out there." I would love to have my city's brand be murder. That will really excite people to travel again to New Orleans, let alone resettle in the city. I do agree that keeping the media interested in New Orleans is a good thing because there is still so much that needs to be done in the city. It disturbs me how the city has dropped off our radar. But, can we find a different way of raising our concerns instead of hoping that the bad news keeps a murderous brand out there.
- Karl Rove's resignation. After I took in my moment of happiness, I wondered what he was really going to do with his extra time. A shudder went through me. I bet he is going to work for the Spiders. Who else would hire his evil self?
- The title of a 1982 review of Joyce Carol Oates by James Wolcott keeps cracking me up, "Stop Me Before I Write Again: Six Hundred More Pages by Joyce Carol Oates." I like both of them, so that just makes me giggle.
- The New York Times had an article in the Sunday paper comparing the "good" war in Afghanistan to Iraq. It is an excellent article detailing how the Iraq war detracted from the efforts against the Taliban. We have spent $19 billion in Afghanistan compared to $42 billion in Iraq. Billions, people, billions.
- C. Ray Nagin, the mayor of New Orleans, continues to screw up - at least in my little mind. His most recent comment had to do with all of the murders and that even though the city seems dangerous "it is getting the New Orleans brand out there." I would love to have my city's brand be murder. That will really excite people to travel again to New Orleans, let alone resettle in the city. I do agree that keeping the media interested in New Orleans is a good thing because there is still so much that needs to be done in the city. It disturbs me how the city has dropped off our radar. But, can we find a different way of raising our concerns instead of hoping that the bad news keeps a murderous brand out there.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Cats
Weird happenings in the neighborhood. On our morning walk, we started down the street. In the distance, I saw four cats. Three of them were slowly approaching an oblivious fourth cat. They stopped and backed off when they saw us coming down the street. The fourth cat owes us something for that unintentional rescue.
I thought it was pretty cute and moved along in my thoughts. We turned the next corner and saw two more cats. There was also a hummingbird making its little bird noise and a baby squirrel chasing its tail. I started to think things were becoming a little bizarre. I thought to myself that things would be really weird if we saw more cats when we turned the next corner. Guess what? Three more cats on the next stretch. What the hell?
- Some of the cats just walked away in their cool cat-like strut. Others just hunkered down in the grass and thought they were being super cool and hidden - "look at me, I am a cat that no one can see except I am a cat so people can see me in this really short grass" and others just sat and stared at us. I admit the staring cats kinda creeped me out.
- They were all pretty cute with the exception of the staring cats. I am sure they were doing hand signals and hiding their pocket knives.
- The true question has to be what are these cats doing on a Sunday morning? Is it a community potluck? Organizing event against the dogs? Religious gathering? Book club? Meow chorale gathering? Maybe they are organizing against the Spiders? Local? National?
- Do the parents of the kittens approve of their little ones sneaking out and crossing streets? What does this say about cat family values?
- Elston? Did not notice a single one. Not a single cat. How will I ever get her to notice a Spider if she doesn't notice a cat giving her death stares???
- Do you know where your cats are between 7-7:30 on a Sunday morning?
I thought it was pretty cute and moved along in my thoughts. We turned the next corner and saw two more cats. There was also a hummingbird making its little bird noise and a baby squirrel chasing its tail. I started to think things were becoming a little bizarre. I thought to myself that things would be really weird if we saw more cats when we turned the next corner. Guess what? Three more cats on the next stretch. What the hell?
- Some of the cats just walked away in their cool cat-like strut. Others just hunkered down in the grass and thought they were being super cool and hidden - "look at me, I am a cat that no one can see except I am a cat so people can see me in this really short grass" and others just sat and stared at us. I admit the staring cats kinda creeped me out.
- They were all pretty cute with the exception of the staring cats. I am sure they were doing hand signals and hiding their pocket knives.
- The true question has to be what are these cats doing on a Sunday morning? Is it a community potluck? Organizing event against the dogs? Religious gathering? Book club? Meow chorale gathering? Maybe they are organizing against the Spiders? Local? National?
- Do the parents of the kittens approve of their little ones sneaking out and crossing streets? What does this say about cat family values?
- Elston? Did not notice a single one. Not a single cat. How will I ever get her to notice a Spider if she doesn't notice a cat giving her death stares???
- Do you know where your cats are between 7-7:30 on a Sunday morning?
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Crows
I love watching the crows in the neighborhood. I find them beautiful and interesting little creatures. I've been thinking a lot of my father, so it is only appropriate that I share something he wrote once about crows. I took him for two classes - Intro to Philosophy and Rhet & Comp. He distributed this to my Comp class as a writing sample. By the way, I opened a file this morning that had a letter from him. The smell of the paper and ink reminded me so much of him that I was transported to his office. Man, I miss him.
"Crows are imperturbable. I see them sitting in the Highland parking lot when I arrive at 7 a.m. or I watch them summer mornings on the golf course. Usually in pairs, they peck in the wet grass, waddle a few feet, and then stop, cocking their heads quizzically or looking straight ahead as though in a reverie. They look like retired gentlemen relaxing in a city park.
Crows are not nervous, edgy like sparrows. They maintain a sense of calm. When a car approaches too quickly or closely or when my mower moves within twenty feet of their position, they will crow hop, a kind of lurching jump about a foot forward. Their hops are somewhat heavy, like the movement of a man who is swinging an ax for the thirtieth time.
And when man or machine invades their comfort zone, they also fly in a deliberate, measured manner. They leave the ground as if saying, "Oh well," and hop, flap their wings slowly, and head off low in a single direction, usually in a 40 degree angle to some distant destination, such as an old oak or hickory or another patch of open field.
Crows are black, a black with depth that can't be penetrated, like looking down a well or into a tunnel. They aren't glossy like a grackle. Crows do not reflect. No flash and dash like other birds. Crows are just basic, imperturbable black."
- Gerry McElroy
"Crows are imperturbable. I see them sitting in the Highland parking lot when I arrive at 7 a.m. or I watch them summer mornings on the golf course. Usually in pairs, they peck in the wet grass, waddle a few feet, and then stop, cocking their heads quizzically or looking straight ahead as though in a reverie. They look like retired gentlemen relaxing in a city park.
Crows are not nervous, edgy like sparrows. They maintain a sense of calm. When a car approaches too quickly or closely or when my mower moves within twenty feet of their position, they will crow hop, a kind of lurching jump about a foot forward. Their hops are somewhat heavy, like the movement of a man who is swinging an ax for the thirtieth time.
And when man or machine invades their comfort zone, they also fly in a deliberate, measured manner. They leave the ground as if saying, "Oh well," and hop, flap their wings slowly, and head off low in a single direction, usually in a 40 degree angle to some distant destination, such as an old oak or hickory or another patch of open field.
Crows are black, a black with depth that can't be penetrated, like looking down a well or into a tunnel. They aren't glossy like a grackle. Crows do not reflect. No flash and dash like other birds. Crows are just basic, imperturbable black."
- Gerry McElroy
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
You know..
You know you are no longer in New Jersey when the local grocery store is offering energy bar tastings over the weekend.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Just plain tired
It has been one of those weeks when I can hardly wait to get home so I can nap. Fatigue? I'll show you fatigue. Fatigue is when you are so tired that you don't think you can walk across the street to the cafeteria because it feels a million miles away. I think I am fighting something because I have become more and more achy throughout the day and my throat kinda hurts. Elston could really help out a little by making some chicken soup during the day.
Friday, August 3, 2007
For your entertainment
I am following up the heavy post with something that proves my insanity.
Updates from Spider Headquarters
Despite the losses incurred the other day, Spider Spokesperson, Tony Orb Spider, reported new measures to lift up the spirits of Portland Spiders. Special Assignment "Go for the Children" is in motion. Agent #919 had entered Apartment 314 with our two brave comrades last Sunday afternoon for a different mission. This Agent burrowed in the luggage of Primary Target's family members. The Agent has now made it safely to the Land of Lincoln, the symbolic name for some former human president. This Agent will track the Primary Target's family to detect any familial patterns that could benefit our cause. In addition, this Agent is prepared to take any children hostage, and is also poised to have photographic evidence sent to Headquarters that will show the Agent hovering over their sleeping bodies.
In other news, tent camps have been set up in a neighboring lawn while Spider Headquarters are quickly repaired. Special Forces have moved across the street to further prevent the Primary Target and Canine from walking down 41st Battlefield. All paths on this critical battlefield need to remain in Spider webs.
Updates from Spider Headquarters
Despite the losses incurred the other day, Spider Spokesperson, Tony Orb Spider, reported new measures to lift up the spirits of Portland Spiders. Special Assignment "Go for the Children" is in motion. Agent #919 had entered Apartment 314 with our two brave comrades last Sunday afternoon for a different mission. This Agent burrowed in the luggage of Primary Target's family members. The Agent has now made it safely to the Land of Lincoln, the symbolic name for some former human president. This Agent will track the Primary Target's family to detect any familial patterns that could benefit our cause. In addition, this Agent is prepared to take any children hostage, and is also poised to have photographic evidence sent to Headquarters that will show the Agent hovering over their sleeping bodies.
In other news, tent camps have been set up in a neighboring lawn while Spider Headquarters are quickly repaired. Special Forces have moved across the street to further prevent the Primary Target and Canine from walking down 41st Battlefield. All paths on this critical battlefield need to remain in Spider webs.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Definitions
I am tempted to delete this post because it is probably the most personal post I've written in a very long time. I'll keep it up for awhile. Don't worry about me. I am okay. I just have some work to do.
I can't sleep tonight. I have been thinking about an email exchange I had with someone tonight who was wondering how I was doing now that I was back in Oregon. I started thinking about how I came across to him when he knew me back in NY. I was almost at the peak of my frustration/sadness/fear and this was only when I had been in NY less than a year. I said that I was trying to find myself again. I guess I can't sleep because I wonder...who am I? I'm not the scrawny (yes, at one time) kid who had a wild imagination, a troubled adolescent, indecisive young adult and so on. I just have these pieces of memories where I have felt either tremendous joy or sheer pain. All of it has made me who I am but I sometimes wonder which side will take over.
Exiting the Holland Tunnel and entering New Jersey for the very first time in my life.
Watching Cate Blanchett perform as Hedda Gabbler and thinking I had died and gone to heaven.
Seeing the last performance of Sleater-Kinney at Webster Hall
Celebrating the first holiday together
Wanting to destroy the person on the other end of the computer who was working on our implementation and then mocking her with co-workers
Never ending drama or fires that had to be put out at work
Sitting at my computer without any dinner and just trying to catch up on email from a day when I had been in solid meetings.
Wondering if I would come home to a note or a conversation that I dreaded with very bone in my body
Looking at a building where Matthew Brady had a studio
Seeing Elston overjoyed when all of the humans were home
Just feeling consumed with anger at my job
Looking across the Hudson River from Weehawken
Weekend with S and B - Chinese New Year and hanging out at the apt
Listening to Burning Spear say, "talk to me people, talk to me" over and over
Hanging out at Cedar Tavern with co-workers
Drinking Mint Juleps in Peter's backyard
Just feeling so safe and comfortable like never before in my life
Passion, laughing, and comfort
I don't know. Last week, I changed the subtitle of this blog after Mary said that I had my soul back. I really wonder if that is the case. I have everything in neat little compartments that are rarely examined. Reality? What is that?
I hope I have my soul back but I also have to figure out what I want. What did someone tell me recently - oh yeah, my mental cul-de-sacs.
I can't sleep tonight. I have been thinking about an email exchange I had with someone tonight who was wondering how I was doing now that I was back in Oregon. I started thinking about how I came across to him when he knew me back in NY. I was almost at the peak of my frustration/sadness/fear and this was only when I had been in NY less than a year. I said that I was trying to find myself again. I guess I can't sleep because I wonder...who am I? I'm not the scrawny (yes, at one time) kid who had a wild imagination, a troubled adolescent, indecisive young adult and so on. I just have these pieces of memories where I have felt either tremendous joy or sheer pain. All of it has made me who I am but I sometimes wonder which side will take over.
Exiting the Holland Tunnel and entering New Jersey for the very first time in my life.
Watching Cate Blanchett perform as Hedda Gabbler and thinking I had died and gone to heaven.
Seeing the last performance of Sleater-Kinney at Webster Hall
Celebrating the first holiday together
Wanting to destroy the person on the other end of the computer who was working on our implementation and then mocking her with co-workers
Never ending drama or fires that had to be put out at work
Sitting at my computer without any dinner and just trying to catch up on email from a day when I had been in solid meetings.
Wondering if I would come home to a note or a conversation that I dreaded with very bone in my body
Looking at a building where Matthew Brady had a studio
Seeing Elston overjoyed when all of the humans were home
Just feeling consumed with anger at my job
Looking across the Hudson River from Weehawken
Weekend with S and B - Chinese New Year and hanging out at the apt
Listening to Burning Spear say, "talk to me people, talk to me" over and over
Hanging out at Cedar Tavern with co-workers
Drinking Mint Juleps in Peter's backyard
Just feeling so safe and comfortable like never before in my life
Passion, laughing, and comfort
I don't know. Last week, I changed the subtitle of this blog after Mary said that I had my soul back. I really wonder if that is the case. I have everything in neat little compartments that are rarely examined. Reality? What is that?
I hope I have my soul back but I also have to figure out what I want. What did someone tell me recently - oh yeah, my mental cul-de-sacs.
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