Wednesday, May 24, 2006

more spider pix

yep, he was a big one. I guess leaving a dirty sink is one way to find these guys (this is the actual spider in my sink)

Disposal of the Biggest


I dont know why, but I am repeatedly called on to clash with nature head on around 5am a lot these days. This time....a wolf spider in the sink. Seriously, this boy was 3 inches wide. No joke (about the size of the one in the pic above, see the scale). Somebody left a pot with water that perhaps it enjoyed drinking from..I dont know. It was there, next to the pot in the sink. It was dark, you see, then I turned on the light and there it is. That will really wake you up.

I took a picture and a short video clip that would probably remind you of the Blair Witch Project (I was scared), and then I approached it armed with a pitcher of water, and I flushed it. I was not sure what it would do, but I overturned the pot on it, and then added my pitcher water to the mix, and down the drain it went. Then I turned on the disposal and hopefully took care of the problem. I dont know. I repeated this about 3 times with more water and more disposal action. I think its pretty nasty, but I didnt know what else to do.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

restaurants

I posted this a year ago, but after a discussion of favorite restaurants last night, I need to again. the two that I told last night arent on the list...its hard to capture them all...should I update the list with new favorites?

-Pizza Nova, Harbor Drive, San Diego CA
-Huck's Waterside Cafe, Pascagoula MS
-Busara (Thai), Tysons Corner VA
-Yama (Japanese), Chain Bridge Rd, Vienna VA
-Grace's Fortune, Bowie MD
-Rivermill, Draper St, Blacksburg VA
-The Homeplace, Catawba VA
-Steamers, Chincoteague VA
-Squatters Seafood, Indian Beach NC
-Old Town Mexican Cafe, San Diego CA
-El Guadalupe's, Blacksburg VA
-Anthony's, Harbor Drive, San Diego CA
-Pot Belly's, Harbor Center, Annapolis MD (also in Crystal City VA)
-Burrito Brothers, Rte 7, Mclean VA
-Bottoms Up Pizza, Richmond VA

Monday, May 15, 2006

Eventful weekend

We had a good weekend. Saturday Jenn and I wandered over into Virginia for a meal tasting at the place our wedding reception will be held...very good, we're happy. Now we can decide what food options there will be. We also talked to a flower person.

The interesting part was that we collided with both ends of the funeral that was held at McLean Bible Church for the cop that was killed last week in Fairfax. The story isnt online anymore, I dont think, but she was gunned down in the police station parking lot. Anyway, about 4,000 people attended the funeral, and we came across the procession as it was heading to the first part, in the morning. There was a line of cop cars all with lights on, that was miles long, and as 270 and 495 came together, they were all there, and all of us poor cars that werent told what was going on were left to figure out how to get to our proper exits and what not. It was a bit confusing. Jenn guessed it was a funeral. They all got off the first exit on the toll road.

Then, as we began to make our way back home at around 1:30 or so, route 28 was real backed up just past the toll road, and we hop on the toll road, to find that there are TONS of cars on the other side of the road pulled over, with people out just watching the road, even with cameras ready. As we continue every overpass contains a firetruck, ladders up, with firemen lined up standing in salute on top of their vehicles, and there are helicopters every mile. Seriously. We really didnt connect the mornings events to this, but then we started seeing policemen lining the side of the road as well, then we see people on our side of the road pulling over. Then we guess it must be the same thing. We turn the radio on for information. Then we came across the procession, 100's of motorcycle cops, and then cop cars, then the bulk of the funeral procession. The radio confirms what is going on, and I found out later that they were actually heading out to Warrenton, VA to lay her to rest.

It was almost like being in a scene from Independance day, or War of the Worlds, where everybody is stopping to get out of their cars to look at something, and you have no idea what it is, and you feel dumb because you dont know, but traffic is getting all weird and stuff. People were waiting for a while out there...and the procession was phenomenal.

Then, we got home and had a cook-out. I'll let Jenn tell you about that.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

oh deer

yesterday was interesting, it had its ups, downs, and corkscrews, yeah, it was pretty much like a roller coaster. The highlight was my Bible study that was sort of a little party for me since I'm stepping down from being a leader. So, that was very nice, very encouraging.

Earlier in the day (very early, like 5am), I had a run in with a deer in Davidsonville. Its hard to say who won, but I'm still alive, so I guess you could say I did. Really, it wasnt a bad "accident", but the damage to the car looks to be more than the car is worth. I was driving my reliable Grand Am, so I'm glad it wasnt my Mazda.

So, a few plans were changed, and now we're dealing with what to do with the car. It may turn out to be perfect timing, since I just pulled my good radio out of the car to give to my dad (two weeks ago), and there really are a number of things wrong with the car. Well, its not that they're wrong, its just that they arent right. Heating, A/C, defrost, they just dont work. Turn signals are finicky, not always working. Exhaust is rusting out, very loud (kinda cool). Sometimes it leaks when it rains, and I have to perform emergency towel action (I had like 2 inches of water in the floor of the car once). The interior light doesnt work, the electric door locks dont work (but the auto lock which isnt supposed to engage until the car is moving, it sometimes locks me out). There's a 2.5 foot crack in the windshield. It performs very well though, and its been faithful to me for 8 years.

I'll probably take the money if the insurance company decides that its totaled. Believe me though, I will be a little emotional. I'll keep you updated....

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

verse of the day

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer"
-Romans 12:12

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

(3(5+1))+((20/5)+5)

Thanks to everybody who made my birthday special :-) I got to see most of the important people on my actual birthday: My sister, my Grandparents, my parents, and Jenn. The trip to NY was a success....I'll put some pictures up when theyre ready (might be a while).