Here in the neighborhood, they are all fangs and attitude. Not pleasant at all.

Of course, the website I linked to is for a pest control company. Our possums are prettier, but they're no more welcome in suburban areas.

My favourite of the New World opossums is the yapok. It's the world's only aquatic marsupial. (There's no room for an aquatic marsupial in Australia, because the platypus already occupies that niche.) Not only can the female seal her pouch completely watertight (allowing it to keep feeding without the young drowning), but it's the only marsupial in which the male has a pouch too. Not just a pouch, but a posing pouch. It tucks its genitalia in the pouch when it dives, presumably to stay streamlined and avoid getting its dangly bits entangled.

Man! That's some evolutionary efficiency right there!

Reminds me of those minivans where the seats tuck into the floor. Genius!

Huh. I wonder if the car designers took a page out of the aquatic marsupial book?

Billytea - how cool. I have never heard of the yapok before.

Packing and ADD do not mix. At all.

Oh god. I've been stressing about packing for my trip next weekend for two weeks.

Going on vacation is kind of horrible. Well, vacation is fine, but it's the period leading up to it that's hell. We are planning a vacation for late June/early July, and Tim is already stressed about it.

So, I've been going to the gym since January, several times a week. I *like* lifting weights. I have curves that go in, now, instead of just bulging out, and that fat that hangs down over your elbows is starting to retreat. The folks who work at the gym now recognize us, and they said, "So you're not some of the 'show up for two weeks then disappear' types." And I'm down 15 pounds from when I started!

However, I was listening to my music this afternoon, and the title song from the movie "Heavy Metal" came on, and I'm afraid I may have gotten too enthusiastic on the upright rowing machine. I may not be able to lift my arms tomorrow.

I have curves that go in, now, instead of just bulging out, and that fat that hangs down over your elbows is starting to retreat.

It is amazing how lifting can re-shape your body. I lost significant circumference around my hips and waist without actually losing any pounds.

I don't particularly care about what size I end up, but I want to be strong. And not have jiggly, fat-middle-aged-lady arms.

Congrats Connie, it's so exciting to get down a work out regimin that works.

That's awesome Connie

Steph - I havent' gone on a long trip in a while. But the last time I went to the beach for the weekend (meaning 2 nights) I packed 5 different outfits. The weather was kinda chilly so I had to have long sleeve, and short sleeve, and shorts and jeans, and comfy loungy things, and pajams. And three pairs of shoes.

Last week when I went over night (and really only needed 1 change of clothes) I managed to get it down to 2 shirts, 1 cardigan (in case it was cold), shorts, loungy pants, and pajamas.

I ♥ the State of Vermont.

I so wanted to click a "like" button here. I think I've been spending too much time on Facebook.

Instant Boss

I need this. Only, I can't put it on my work computer because it's all locked down, and I can't put it on my home computer because it's a mac. See how the universe conspires against me!?!

packing

I'm in denial about this. I have too much stuff. Even if I choose to buy the house where I live, my brother says I should pack everything and move out to be in a better bargaining position. I recognize the wisdom of this, and yet, I don't wanna pack everything and move out! Of course, should I go with the more conservative choice of not buying the monstrously expensive house that I can't afford unless most of it is rented out, and that I would be totally screwed with if I couldn't keep it rented, and instead buy an only slightly too expensive condo, then I would have to move anyway.

See. Denial, interspersed by brief periods of packing and throwing away stuff, is really the only way to go.