Just caught up in Natter. Smiling a little now - Hellboy Make-A-Wish and ita_!'s Abed gif did wonders...

Cheek's house in Husband is our house. They changed all the art on the walls and added some knickknacks, but otherwise, it's pretty much unchanged, I know I have mentioned this before, but I am way thrilled about it still.

What! Awesome! I think I vaguely remember this, but that is still awesome. Jane Espenson was in your hooooooooouse.

Mmmmm, that TJ's honey goat Gouda is indeed high in the rank of nomtasticness. Also their goat cheddar. Mmmmmmm. Not up there with the extra sharp cheddars I used to indulge in, but is still darned fine for non-cow-milk cheese.

Some gems from OKCupid tonight (I'm catching up on a couple weeks of back messages):

- A self summary that begins with: "People in Oregon are fucked up.Dating is weird, especially on the internet."

While I appreciate the second statement, the first made me think "then move, jerkwad, Oregon doesn't need you and Portland could use the extra housing for awesome people who need to move here from other, far away places."

- A probation officer who has messaged me three different times, and doesn't seem to get the hint that anyone who willingly works in a jail is full of way more issues than I can handle.

- 2 people asking for my real name. With no preamble. Um, I'd like to save that for someone I'm willing to meet in person, thx.

- An absolutely charming gentleman. In Ireland. Too far away *sniff*

eta: the guy that hates Portlanders messsaged me with: "Hi pretty/sexy lady.. =]" And then changed his profile pic to a very grainy camera phone shot of him undressed. Ick. Too bad for the creeps, 90% of the messages I get are extremely polite and thoughtful.

I am finally back in NJ, after a great week in Maine, and then a horrible drive back. We had to pull over to the side of the highway because a bike fell off the bike rack. Twice. After the first time, we tried to put the bikes on the rack differently, in hopes that it would help them stay on. It didn't. After the second time, we put one of the bikes into the backseat, which already contained a whole bunch of bags and a beach chair. Miraculously, the bike that fell twice doesn't seem to have any major damage -- it's scratched up, and has a flat tire, but nothing looks like it's bent out of place or anything.

I've taken a half dozen calls on deer in the roadways today (and must admit it's almost a nice change from the incessant fireworks calls) but it's also silly. I live in an urban area. This is getting out of control ridiculous. One caller even suggested that his particular deer MUST have RABIES because it was in the middle of a highly trafficed treet and didn't move for an oncoming car. Um, it's a DEER. That "deer in headlights" metaphor exists for a reason. *sigh* Now there are apparently 2 elk on the freeway by the zoo, so half the callers thinks they must have escaped from the zoo. We called the zoo yesterday (same animals, same problem) and an employee said all their elk died last year. I think the zoo should go grab these two and set up a new herd! And get them away from the freeway. Of course the police aren't going to do anything until there's actually an accident, they are rightfully scared of large animals with hooves and hornes and drive by in their cars and close out the calls with notes like "deer noshing on blackberry bushes out of traffic." *sigh* Can't wait till end of shift when I can get in my workout, finish my sandwich, and watch an episode of Downton Abbey on my comfy sofa while snuggling with the kitties.

Here in rural Oregon, I've learned that deer or elk in the road at this time of year is just part of the morning commute - which, to be fair, extends it from five minutes to seven minutes for me so it isn't much of an inconvenience. It's like living in the middle of a "Northern Exposure" episode!

I have deer hanging out around my apartment complex--in the middle of town--all the time. We have to be careful coming in the driveway, especially in the evening, to avoid hitting them. There was a mother with a spotted fawn munching the lawn this morning. They're beautiful, but I'd rather they didn't see my garden as their own greengrocers.

I live in a major city and there are deer in front yards and 4-lane streets pretty often as we drive to the kids' school. We do not call 911 about it, though we do rubberneck.

I agree the zoo should capture the wayward elk. They clearly WANT to be in the zoo. (But first the zoo should figure out why all their elk died. That doesn't sound good.)