H1N1 Swine Flu Giant Microbe Plush Toy

David vs. Goliath, the Avian Version

Cool photo!

Gaines had focused his camera on one red-tailed hawk because the bird had been screaming. As he followed the hawk across the sky, a kingbird dive-bombed the hawk.

The hawk, which is not a predator of the kingbird, flew as fast as it could from the kingbird. For a moment it appeared the kingbird had stopped attacking. But then it began the pursuit again and — to Gaines amazement — landed on the hapless red-tail’s back.

“He rode the hawk for 25 yards. The hawk was not trying to fight back — it was just trying to get out of there,” said Gaines.

As the kingbird rode bareback on the hawk, it pecked away at the hawk’s head.

“They (the kingbirds) are not afraid of anything,” said Gaines. “Until this happened, I had never seen one perch on a hawk’s back.”

Has anyone ever had any dealings with Keane, the lost property recovery company? [link]

Nice picture -- I've seen hawks mobbed by crows, blue jays, and mockingbirds. (Not all at the same time, which would be awesome, but in separate incidents.)

Why do I google after the fact?? I just found a bad review of the apartment I'm moving into -- outlets that don't work, water leaking, and a break-in. So they recommend keeping your windows locked. Um, yeah. That I can handle. At least they said there's no vermin of any kind!

My suggestion Jesse, then is to be really diligent and thorough testing and looking for stuff in the first month. Document everything and do everything in writing. It will set the tone that you won't let things slide.

Work is being frustrating. I keep flailing from task pile to task pile and feel like nothing much gets done. I know that part of it is my boss' ADD influencing my day, but part of it is my reluctance to just dig into some of the big work. Off to LJ to start a DONE list.

My suggestion Jesse, then is to be really diligent and thorough testing and looking for stuff in the first month. Document everything and do everything in writing. It will set the tone that you won't let things slide.

Yeah, good call.

I am totally not getting anything done at work, and that could quickly become a problem. Meh.

I skipped. Or I missed. Jesse, did you already get a job offer?

In other news, I'm trying arrange something for the National Day of Writing in two weeks. YAY?

This is in fact correct.

That is very cool to know.

hub's birthday dinner:

Ooo, yum.

You know I never knew Utz was a real brand until last weekend.

Growing up in PA, we could get Utz potato chips fresh bagged at the Lancaster farmer’s market. It’s still my favorite brand of regular potato chips, and I mourn the disappearance of their Carolina Barbecue flavor. That and Cheerwine used to fuel my driving stints for rugby road trips.

Used cats are good cause someone else can tell you their personality. Foster agencies are good that way.

I changed my cats’ names. Emma and Scruffy? No and no. They live up to their new names, though. Xusa is a total Russian peasant kitty, bossy and demanding affection: Bella is dainty and graceful.

Has anyone ever had any dealings with Keane, the lost property recovery company?

Yeah, they keep sending me letters about how I have unclaimed assets and I need to call them. Sounds like a scam to me.