Much has been going on in my life over the past two weeks so I offer this summary:
- attending a wedding in San Francisco is fun. Buying new clothes in San Francisco for the wedding is even better.
- sharing this embarrassing story with a bunch strangers during the reception dinner = priceless.
- my nephew turned 21 last night. He was born on my first day of seventh grade and now he can legally drink. Crikey I’m old.
- I realize I haven’t shared much about the Ironman yet, but it will happen soon enough. I hope to get back to a more normal life after putting everything on hold for the Ironman. Here’s a very long and detailed teaser I started on my Triathlon blog.
- raccoons are cute critters, but damn are they ever noisy. A pack of four rummaged through our yard last night scaring all the cats and humans (me and my wife) within earshot.
- Seattle is making its way through the driest summer on record. Less than an inch of rain has fallen all summer long. Yes, less than one inch people.
The Continued Life of Monkey Boy 
Is that “crikey” a tribute to the late Crocodile Hunter?
Don’t you just love San Fran? It’s so incredible there. sigh
[green with envy]
Kelwhy – yes, it’s a tribute to Steve. It’s sad to hear how he passed away, but I guess he was doing what he loved. How many of us really find a job we truly love? Good for him, but it’s sad he left behind his wife and young son. San Francisco is beautiful. My wife and I vow to go down there much more often. It’s like a small version of Manhattan sans the attitude.
Don’t forget Bindi (his 8 year old daughter.) Steve was such an inspiration to our whole family. Yesterday was a sucky day.
Do you love your raccys for chasing away the cats? 🙂
Tall Chick (Candace) – yes, I love how raccoons terrify little kittens. It’s what makes the nocturnal carnivores so special. Steve Irwin was cheated, but I guess he probably cheated death a few times before the stingray took his life. So sad I tell you, so sad.
I saw a little ‘possum in someone’s back yard at a yard sale on Saturday. It was actually kind of cute in a rat-like way. You know, as long as I didn’t dwell on the diseases it can carry or that fact that it hangs in trees upside down.
L – we had possums in West Seattle when we lived there. Those are some ugly creatures, if you ask me. Raccoons are sort of adorable, but damn are they ever crafty. Watch out for their fake limp routine.
I imagine that shopping in San Fran is a little pricey. That would take all the fun out of it for me.
Flounder – amazingly it’s about the same price as things in Seattle. I didn’t notice a difference, but Seattle isn’t all that cheap either. I guess it’s the price I pay to live in such a beautiful city.
Seattle may be back on the horizon. I have way too many options right now, I think my head may explode!! Did you wear flowers in your hair at this wedding in San Fran?
Stephanie – I’m stoked to hear Seattle may be back in the running. Nope, no flowers on the head this time. I did fight off my urges to breakdance in my CK suit. Instead I shared stories one should never share with a bunch of strangers.
I think we’ve stolen all your rain.
Melissa – give it back dammit!
sorry, i’l post it over to you if you send me an iPod (which isn’t woring again) sock
Melissa – it’s going to take a lot more than an iPod sock to produce rain here in Seattle. Driest summer ever! So bizarre.
I should not read from the bottom up. Yes, less than one inch people did catch my attention, however.
I have been quite busy as well, Egan. Perhaps things will even out for both of us.
~d – that’s too funny. I didn’t even think how that would read if you are a bottom-to-top reader, but perhaps I should. Yep, one inch of rainfall that is… not actual size.
Hey Egan, that waterslide is in CANADA eh! In beautiful Victoria BC.
Celeste – all the cool things are in Canada, including bilingual packaging.
Sydney has been suffering a drought for a few years. We even have water resitrictions. Put on your Speedos, that might bring the rain!
ChickyBabe – I miss my Speedo. I haven’t put that sucker on for more than two weeks. It might even be pushing three weeks. I’ve been wearing my triathlon shorts (combination of bike shorts and swim shorts) instead. Droughts are no good as they tend to lead to crazy wildfires.
Sydney and Seattle can come suck up some of the damn rain we were getting here in Florida. Enough already!
Brooke – you sound bitter. I’m not in control of this weather thing. I wish I was because I do miss the rain. I’m sick of watering our plants yo!
If only I WERE coming to Seattle, I could see this record breaking dry spell for myself. Alas, I am not. There are “issues”. I am sad. And gray. Like the Seattle weather of olden times.
have you tried a rain dance – maybe throw some of your stellar breakdancing moves in with it – what storm cloud couldn’t resist???
Jennifer – sorry to hear about the “issues”. Here’s hoping to a future Seattle visit. May the clouds part and bring some cheer to your gray days.
Kelwhy – I have considered it, but unlike last year… I’m not missing the rain as much. The air quality is much better this year vs. last year’s dry spell. Rain does love me though.
wow such a busy man!
Racoons are cute but I wouldn’t want them keeping me awake I like sleep
I loved your teaser, sounds like an amazing day! well done, I’m proud of you Monkey Boy! :)) And the best part of it is that I didn’t know you started off as an ordinary fitness freak a year ago and accomplished so much in 12 months! Very very inspiring, thumb up for you!
Phats – it’s fair to say I’m much less busy though now than I was about 2-3 weeks ago. I’m a new man as they say. Not a changed man, just a new man. I even love raccoons now.
Dora – ha, perhaps I worded things a little funny in the teaser. I was actually in better physical shape last year, weighing about 10 pounds less than I do today. However, I am in better mental shape than I was at this time in 2005. I hadn’t attempted any really long triathlons or runs. My longest training/workout was about 2.5 hours. I shattered that mark many times in the past four months. About 26 months ago though I was about 20 pounds heavier than I am now and that’s where it all started. The Ironman scene is new to me, but I think I like it. 2008 I will be back, now I sound like a politician. Wow, that was long winded. Thanks for the kind words Dora.
Speaking of loud feral animals, did you know a wild fox can sound like a woman being attacked in the middle of the night? The Antidote and I were (fortunately) warned my one of our neighbors before it happened…otherwise I would’ve been calling the cops!
Raccoons are apparently not very smart either because I see many taking naps on the road. Dropping in to say “hey”.
I hope your nephew didn’t see me naked in Tricks backyard. I am pretty sure that was in July and not November.
Curare_Z – you’re full of great information. I think cats in heat sound the same way.
Peek – yes, but doesn’t that tend to coincide with full moons and stuff? “Hey” right back at you.
Cake Lady – nope, my nephew would never notice a naked woman. Well, I don’t know why I say that because he’s pretty cool. I believe he’s not in Alabama though.
ever seen the movie the great outdoors? Those racoons weren’t that cute!
Phats – yes, I’ve seen that John Candy classic. Great campy movie alright. Raccoons aren’t slouches by any means. They are very thoughtful creatures. Every move of theirs is perfectly thought out.
I love that movie! so funny
I had a friend who had a pet skunk
Phats – tell me something, was that friend of yours slightly odd?
Hello Monsieur Singe, l’homme de fer.
I read through the comments on this post – entertaining, comme d’habitude, of course.
What does a skunk smell like? What is the odour similar to?
I’m just a kid from the suburbs of London, and have never sniffed one.
No she wasn’t she was cool. Her family found the skunk and got it deodored or whatever you would call it.
Skunk smells BAD!
Winters – skunk is a nasty smelling animal. Let’s just say you would never want one as a pet. There’s a reason when someone says “you smell like a skunk” it’s an insult. The smell is similar to really stinky and wet gym socks.
Phats – who in their right mind finds a skunk and decides to keep it as a pet? Getting a skunk “deodored” is just wrong. Would you remove all the quills from a porcupine? I think not. I’m going to keep a pet human, but will chop off their arms and legs and then put duct tape over their mouth. Just a thought. We can agree on this, skunk does smell terrible.
I wouldn’t want a pet skunk no thanks. She kept it as one, and I was never to found of it when I went to her house. even deodored I wanted nothing to do with it. I agree I think it’s wrong to do that, poor skunk.
Phats – skunks need love too, but not like that. I think that’s what the Humane Society specializes in, but I could be wrong.
i’ll keep my dog 🙂
Phats – I will remain pet free.
Our raccys are much smarter than dogs. We cover their food bowl so the stuff doesn’t get soupy if it rains. It keeps our friend’s dog out very effectively, and when the raccs come, they simply lift off the cover and eat, LOL!
Tall Chick – that’s pretty funny. It’s those damn opposable thumbs I tell you. Why do you feed the wild raccoons though? Shouldn’t they forage for food on their own? I’m confused.
don’t dig pets egan? I love my dog, so cute and friendly
Phats – I’m happy you love your dog, I am. I’m really not a pet person though. I do love animals, but I don’t want to pick up shit, train them, find a sitter when we leave town. All that good stuff. I enjoy other people’s pets, just don’t want any myself. That could change later in life though.
haha what a wuss! JK! 🙂
My grandparents raised and bred dogs so I have been around them all my life, I used to read to them when I was little. Some people just aren’t pet people you sound like one of those, and probably better off not getting a pet then! 🙂
Phats – it’s true. I know my limits and being a pet owner is one of them. Besides when we were young we had two dogs which were totally neglected. I don’t ever want to see that happen again on my watch.
It keeps them out of the busy road. They get squished when they try to cross it. 😦
Besides, YOU try saying “tough rocks” to a nursing mother who has brought her 6 babies and actually knocks on your door. I’m not strong enough, LOL!
Also, this keeps em outta the garbage, right? I have all kinds of justifications. (ie excuses.) I could go on all day. . .
I wouldn’t either.
BTW I can’t remember if I said this or not, but CONGRATS on the ironman, that is really great how well you did. I was kind of busy during that, and sorry if I didn’t say it sooner!
Tall Chick – huh, do you plan on feeding the babies forever? Are you going to teach them how to hunt too? Trust me, the raccoons can manage without human intervension. I do see your point though.
Phats – thank you sir. I have updated the Triathlon blog with most of the details. I’m not completely done yet, but you will get the picture. I do appreciate your interest whether it be belated or not. Thanks man.
Ooh, did you get to see Pants while you were in SF? I’m going there this weekend and I plan on harassing her.
Seattle has less than an inch, Montreal has some 15 meters…. it’s the end of the world.
Actually, raccoons eat songbirds, snakes, frogs and turtles among other things, so, yeah, they can keep coming to my house for leftovers instead, LOL! See how many animals I’m saving with stuff that would otherwise go to waste? I rock, LOL!
Burr-ee-toe – well funny you should mention the lovely Pants. I met her today in Seattle. It was nice to meet her and her friend. I showed them just a tiny bit of Pike Place Market. You’ll have fun hanging with her I’m certain.
M – something is going on when Seattle has less than an inch of rain over the past three months. It’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel FINE! Damn I love REM.
Tall Chick – please tell me that’s not your justification. Raccoons eat many other things too including fruit. Ecosystem represent yo! How many more elle oh elles will Tall Chick use? Crikey.
But yeah, I shouldn’t.
Tall Chick uses LOTS of LOLs and faces. I learned some new faces from Mollusc.
O_O
That’s one of my faves.
I like this one, too: ^_^
There’s no fruit growing in MI, Mr. West Coast Temperate Climate Shit Like That Grows Here Man. At least not by my house. Them there raccoons is all about the meat.
I don’t have a real justification other than really loving to watch them and knowing the babies are getting fed. I feed the possums in winter, too, and the occasional skunk or 2. And feral cats. And I put a plastic-wrapped, towel-lined box out there in the winter to shelter the cats, though the possies like it, too. I think my neighbour has now adopted all the feral cats around here, though. Seriously.
BTW. I am part of the Ecosystem. So are you. Nobody ever counts humans, but we are.
Tall Chick – correct, you really shouldn’t.
Tall Chick – animals are animals for a reason. I’m sorry Candace I object to feeding wild animals though since it forces them to get lazy and not forage on their own. Making animals dependent on humans as a food source is bad. Trust me, Steve Irwin agrees with me on this. Great, your neighbor is awesome. I will send her a bag of apples from our trees.
Tall Chick – sure we are part of the ecosystem, but are you eating raccoons, feral cats, and possums for dinner? Are you saying we contribute to the ecosystem by feeding these animals? Just curious where you’re going with that logic. Thanks Candace for this dialogue.
critters. hehe, that’s such a cool word 😀
Next time you need your giblets removed, just give me a ring.
you should catch those coons and send them to sprizees house.
We had a pretty hot summer as well but I think it is over up here in Ontario Canada. The nights are perfect for sleeping with the windows open and there is fog in the morning and sunny 20 degrees celcius afternoons. I love autumn.
Interesting discussion about the racoons. We had some in our backyard a couple of years ago (they had moved in under the deck). We never fed them, but we did love to see them and occasionally put out water in the really hot dry weather (but we had to be carefull about standing water). One night in the fall we looked out and saw 5 sets of eyes lined up along the fence. We turned on the outside light and there was the whole family sitting on top of the fence looking at us as if they were expecting something! We had to keep our garbage in a shed.
Please tell me how to do the trademark thing again, please.
I get to see raccoons and skunks as I walk to work at 4:45 am. They’re not so much fun to see in the dark. I don’t know how impressed my coworkers would be if I showed up smelling like skunk.
Wow!!! Less than an inch of rain all summer? In Seattle? That’s pretty scary, Egan.
Mez – me loves me some critters. Especially those critters that only come out at night. I don’t like critters in my house.
BabyJewels – I will keep that in mind. Cooking a turkey with giblets, never a good idea.
Johnny – I know better than to mess with wild animals. They carry all sorts of diseases and stuff. Sprizee just told me she doesn’t like raccoons.
MsMachine – I will never feed wild animals because I think it’s wrong. They are smart animals and can fend for themselves without human intervention. Send rain our way!
~d – are you serious chica? ALT + 0153 and voilà ™.
Janice – skunks are a rare site in our neck of the woods. I think the raccoons eat them or something. Seeing any of them in the early morning wouldn’t be fun. Those glowing eyes can be a touch freaky.
Jess R – yup, less than an inch. Thankfully we got a ton of rain in the first six months of the year that we’re still ahead for the year. Yeah for Seattle.
No, I’m saying that, like it or not, we are part of the Ecosystem and how we behave, instinctively, as humans, is as valid a part of that system as how anything else behaves.