I flipped on my kitchen light upon entering my apartment after going out to a dinner party tonight, and spotted a spider on the wall. It was a little guy, probably an inch at most, black legs and abdomen with some white marks on its back. Lest you think I thought this spider adorable, I promptly debated the spider’s future. Was this a poisonous spider? The markings resembled a cello. Recluses (fairly common in Texas) have a violin marking, black widows have an hourglass. It probably was a harmless spider, here to save me from the disgusting moths that have taken over Texas of late. What to do, what to do? I could sign on the internet and try to look it up, but while trying to dial up, it might eat me. That won’t work at all.
Step One: Locate flat-soled shoe. Can’t use the nearby tennis shoe, it has gaps that could miss the spider. Must have the element of surprise so it doesn’t run away or, worse, jump on me.
Step Two: Smash it hard. Crap! Missed it. It’s on the floor! Bang! Bang! Bang! Smashed spider. Crisis averted.
It’s not that I dislike spiders. They provide a great service by eating bugs. But I can’t help but imagine them crawling all over me. Eww eww eww!
Interesting (shudder) spider links found while trying to identify the spider on the bottom of my shoe:
» web construction gallery: a look at how spider webs are constructed, put together by having a spider build a web in front of a video camera connected to an image scanning device connected to a computer.
» Field Guide to Common Texas Insects Resourceful.
» Big Hairy Spiders.com “I currently have 55 tarantulas in my closet along with a handful of true spiders, centipedes and other bugs. I’ll try to keep this page updated with current pictures and information about them.” That’s something you don’t want to find in your boyfriend’s closet.
» How to Kill Spiders: My method of beating it with a shoe until it is mush is not listed.
Interesting Travel Tip learned today on Oprah (another fabulous woman with a large head): “If you’re going to check in for a flight and it’s delayed or cancelled, ask the agent to invoke Rule 240. For any reason other than weather, under Rule 240, your ticket will be endorsed over to the next available flight — not just that airline’s next available flight, any next available flight!” More tips.
Soap Opera/Internet Misconception #2:
“The minute you put something on the Internet, you make money.” These poor, deluded characters…
Metafilter is back! Metafilter is back! Metafilter is back!
I only eat like a rock star when company is over. If you ever visit the leiascofield.compound, I’ll be sure to fulfill your food requests too.
Memorial Day weekend was very nice. Friday, Julie came to Dallas, and after driving all over creation to find her in Arlington, we watched Pearl Harbor, ate chips and dip, played Uno like the rock stars we are, and ate more food than we needed to. (Julie’s accounts here and here).
Saturday I took a nice long nap to recover from our hard-rockin activities of the night before. Ashleigh called and asked if I wanted to go see a band, but my allergies were bothering me and I didn’t figure that standing around in a smoky bar was the right idea. I don’t recall doing anything really for the rest of the night.
Sunday was also uneventful. I spoke with Amanda around 1pm. She told me she would be going to Sam’s and then lunch with her mom and would give me a call. I thought I would go bum around some local stores while waiting. Hours go by. I have gone to every store I want to visit. I return home. Amanda calls about 7pm. She fell asleep and now has to go up to church. I sigh heavily and feign annoyance. We make plans to go out to dinner after her church thing.
Amanda picks me up and we eventually decide that seafood is the meal of choice. Amanda and I have way too much fun griping about things and catching up on life. The ladies at the next table are sharing a bottle of wine and one of them snorts when she laughs.
Monday, I slept in and didn’t do much at all. My allergies are still bothering me and I think I may be getting slightly sick as a result of some post-nasal drip. Yummy. I went out and bought some shorts, ate a salad, watched TV, and went to bed by 9.
An uneventful weekend, but it was much needed.
My version of Internet Explorer seems to have regressed. It used to act like a 5.5 version browser, now it acts like maybe 3.0. It can’t read style sheets to save its life. It only brings up the occasional site. It is frustrating the beans out of me. Argh.
“Your husband’s name is (best choice) and you have 2 children. You’re a Professional Wrestler who drives to work everyday in a Navy BMW.
It’s truly a wonderful life when you consider the countless romantic nights you have spent with (best choice) in your mansion in London.”
Tee hee hee. Online MASH makes me feel like a middle schooler again.
Well, the short sticky-outiness of my new do makes the individual hairs more visible, and today, I spotted it. My first grey hair. My rock n’ roll lifestyle is finally catching up with me.