oh, you know the story..
e:theecarey,45899
e:theecarey,35925

and now for the exciting season premier of

Itsy Bitsy Monster part 3!!

That's right folks, we have another monster sighting.

Laundry. I actually like doing laundry. I have a laundry shoot in my bathroom which leads to my finished basement that is rather cozy. It could only get better if I had a dumb waiter to hoist the clean laundry back up the stairs!

So why do my most traumatic scream inducing moments have to revolve around doing laundry? This also reinforces that basements of any kind (even clean ones with humidifiers) are scary. I hate dishes. So it would be much more appropriate to have traumatizing events paired to a sink full of dirty dishes.

And so, the story of last nights episode begins with my running down stairs at 11pm to throw in a load of whites. I usually do my laundry at night, which does not help the creepiness factor at all.

I was picking stuff up off the floor and cramming it in the washer while it is filling with water. As I proceed to stuff the last item in, I notice movement.

ugh.

I do a double take and immediately realize what it is.

It is the star of the show!

(scream #1)

"It" is trying to get away from the water! I quickly turn the water off and watch it attempt to climb the washer basin. It is grabbing onto the little holes in the washer to pull itself up. I think I saw it pull out some rope and carabiner all the while swearing at itself as it slide back down to the dampened laundry.

I was frozen in my moment of being grossed out and freaked out, but then I thought of e:tinypliny and her concern over not having any real updates on the monster in quite some time (almost a year!). So I ran back up the stairs and grabbed my camera.

and a dried up mop that hangs in my stair case.

(I need protection)

How would I get it out? I did not want to try to wash it to his death. As:
1. That thing is so huge, I do not want soggy spider bits strewn throughout my laundry.
2. I would actually feel bad. No, I really would.
3. We all know it wouldn't die. It would enjoy the water ride and then get fluffed and de-static in the drier. Maybe a mani-pedi afterwards?

So how to proceed?

If my neighbor (who I share the building with) was home, I'd have called him to help me. Seriously. He is a Sheriff/Seargent and *should* have something in his arsenal to take down a mutant spider, right?! It was too late to lure anyone over to help me. Alas, I was alone.

(well, not really...)

Not sure how to get "him" out, I thought I would "encourage" him to come out on his own. We seemed to have one thing in agreement: he didn't want to be in there and I didn't want him in there.

I made a towel bridge. Took a towel and dangled it down into the washer and offered him a ramp to climb up and out of the washer (no, I had not thought yet about what to do once he got to the top). He seemed receptive to this.

Once he got partway up the towel, he maneuvered along the back of it so I couldn't see where he was going. Silly me poked my head in for a closer look.

These bastards JUMP.

and so do I.
(scream #2)

(Next time I wanted to see where he went, I used my camera to take shots into the washer to see if I can find him without having to shove my face in for a closer look. This worked! I shall write a hand book.)

Although he got the idea of the ramp, he didn't follow through to getting himself out, so I knew at this point I needed to lend a helping hand (separated by the distance of a mop, that is).

The handle of the mop has a hole for use in hanging the mop on a hook. This hole (as with most everything else in existence) is smaller than the spider. If I could get him to sit his fat ass down on the handle, then I could swoop him up and out of the washer.

Now some people would have just squished the hairy freak with the handle, but (OMG) I didn't want to be sprayed with spider guts.I had prodded him a bit, and it felt like I was pressing into an animal. This thing has substance. I'd need a bow and arrow rather than a mop handle to do any real damage.

So I proceed with this rescue lift attempt.

Again, he seems receptive to this.


A few attempts and some 40 minutes later, we've got it. I scoop him out of the washer and before I can think of what to do next, he hops off the broom and gallops across the basement into the darkest corner under the staircase.

Turned the washer back on, added some bleach and got out of the basement.

My throat hurt from screaming (I'm not much of a screamer) and my heart felt like it was in my throat for awhile.

He is still down there.. somewhere.. eating children and puppies.

Until next time, friend*..


I actually thought to take a video sometime during that whole episode (I'll work on uploading it).


The star:

*Ok, at this point, He/She needs a name. Go for it!




The Towel Ramp





Dirty socks


The underside of the towel ramp

Ok, here is the deal. I've been slacking on updating this journal for quite some time. I have partially- to fully written journal entries saved for eventual publishing, but they were just in need organized thought and/or of my getting photos off the camera, resizing them and then putting it all together here. The way my mind works is that too much time went by, so I didn't bother- figured it was too late-- and some entries just couldn't be posted without other ones in place, so I just kept putting it off.

A years worth.

Oh damn.

So now it is bugging me that I don't have anything organized, published for reference or amusement. Therefor for the sake of prosperity and the need to have a 'home base' for everything to be in one spot, I am going to work on completing and publishing those entries.

Even besides that, I need to do a photo dump in general, so between the two needs, there will be (hopefully the procrastination is over) several posts on the way as I do not want to stuff them all in one entry.

I haven't decided how I want to organize them, but alas, they are coming. If only for my benefit to look back at in years to come. I hate not having those various things documented here (or anywhere).

I think I will start current and work my way back.

To start the "back posting" off:

1. (9-13-09) Spider web sans spider:
View out the window next to my home desk. Appears to be a bee (yellow jacket?) wrapped and entangled in a spider web, like a burrito.





0909/September200908810914.jpg

0909/September200908710914.jpg


2. (8-28-09) Mouse in the house:
My cat Joey, who is strictly an indoor cat, is let out into the attached garage to play. He seems to have a lot of fun out there exploring and finding new 'toys' to play with. Sometimes he brings these toys into the apartment- a piece of string, a milk ring from the recycle bin, or a mouse who unwittingly wandered into the garage. This is where I have to step in and save or throw away a mouse.

This one was completely uninjured and rather cute. I scooped him up into a cup* and snapped a few pics before releasing him into the woods, away from the apartment.









* see also, mass consumerism.


3. (5-20-09)Just Joe
Vegging out after a long day hunting prey in the tropics of youngstown (garage)






4. (8-31-09) (since I can't leave out his sister) Just Kayla:

Trying to get some work done:





and by work, I mean reading e:strip:
(e:tinypliny in this picture!)


5. 8-31-09 (ok, and Emmy) watching me write an email.



5. (9-6-09) Snowing on Labor Day weekend:
Waiting at a light in Niagara Falls,I caught a glimpse inside the Snow Park, Labor Day weekend.






I had wanted to wander around the Falls, but the park was so packed, even the parking lots were filled to capacity. I decided to leave as my heart was set on walking around somewhere yet not necessarily the falls. Instead, I back tracked to Lewiston and headed into Art Park on my own. Just a few pics were taken.



7. (9-6-09) Art Park
looking out over Art park facility and Niagara River





I can't remember the name of this statue on Canadian side as seen from Lewiston.

edit: e:vincent commented that, "The monument is named after General Sir Issac Brock a hero in the War of 1812. He is pointing across the river to the U.S. in essence saying "Stay on your side of the river."" Thanks, Mike! awesome!

ah, see.. that statue in the back ground. that's the one I cant remember the name of. at all.



Niagara River, zooming in to activity on Canadian side






simply liked the texture of the grate and grass



rear of house on hill over looking the Niagara River. I would very much like to see what they see at night out their back windows. At the very least they would have a spectacular view of Lewiston, Youngstown, Niagara Falls Ontario, Niagara River, Lake Ontario and Toronto.If this is your house, please invite me over with my camera. Thank you



green swampy pond- visually interesting except for the beer can.









I don't know... pointing to my car, maybe?






took a short rest on some fun colorful picnic tables before leaving



on a trail








and that's it for now. All in the past week or so..
and I want to work my way back to last September? oy!

I also aim to break the entries down into 25 pictures or less even if related to the same story.

Back Post: 8-5-09

One night I walking around Wegmans and stumbled upon the produce (and pastel paper) in question contained in e:paul,49397

The funky looking produce is Oca (or Oka)

"The stem tubers of oca form in the ground in the autumn. These are commonly boiled before eating although they may also be eaten raw. The leaves and young shoots can be eaten as a green vegetable......The flavour is slightly tangy, and texture ranges from crunchy (like a carrot) when undercooked, to starchy or mealy when fully cooked. Though the original Andean varieties are widely variable in colour from purple to yellow, the usual New Zealand variety is a fleshy pink."

The "pastel paper" is a roll of paper. I don't know what role it plays in produce. Any thoughts?

Back Post: 9-1-09

I had returned home on the late evening of August 31st and upon entering my kitchen and turning on the light, I hear through the window leading into the back yard, my name being called. It was my duplex-neighbor asking if I "knew who these kittens belonged to?". "Kittens?!?" I peered out the window and saw that he (and his pre-teen daughter & daughters friend) had a couple of kittens in their presence. A sucker for all animals, but especially kittens, I dropped everything to go outside and see these mysterious furblobs.

There were two, and neither were very young. The older looking of the two is an orange (ginger kid!) male who appeared to be 16 weeks old. The much smaller and younger kitten, a mottled gray colored girl, appeared to be 10-12 weeks old.

We sat around the fire pit and talked about who the kittens might belong to. The kitties just came up to them and were screaming for attention, food and water (and were easily obliged). The two kittens even tried desperately to get into the house. All evening the kittens didn't leave their sides, and even once I arrived, the kittens continued to hang out. As it was nearing 11pm, we decided to come up with a game plan:

--The kittens would not be left outside at night.
--He loves animals, I love animals, between the two (well, four) of us, we'd get the kittens set up for the night with everything they need. Litter, food, water, toys, comfy sleeping spots.
--We'll keep the kittens in the basement. (We share a staircase to the basement, but have totally separate doors that splits into our sides of the basement. We'd open our doors and let the kittens have the run of the basement).
--The girls would knock on neighborhood doors in the morning to see who they might belong to.
-- If one or both are homeless, my neighbor knew he'd be screwed- as the kittens are so damn sweet and cute he'd have to/want to keep them.

Forward to pictures of the kittens settled in for the night. I gave the girls some art material to create signs and have fun making the kittens comfortable.


Sat around the fire for awhile before and after..







What we saw when we came in. The signs were too cute not to take pictures of. The girls (temporarily) named the kittens, Owen and Lily.

seen at the base of the stairs before doors leading to our basement sides:
















"Owen's Bed Suite"- (on my neighbors side of basement)




"Lily's Bed Suite" (on my side of basement)



"Lily" loved sleeping in her "suite" ...

and did "Owen"!!





so that night they, and everyone else, piled up on the bed in my basement to shower the kitties with affection. Stray kittens never had it so good!

The next morning, the girls had not only made signs for the basement, but also fliers to place in nearby mailboxes. Ends up that the orange kitten belongs to a neighbor two doors down, but they don't know who the gray younger kitten belongs to. It had just started hanging around the orange one. Search attempts continue with no luck. In the mean time, "Lily" continues to have a nice stay in our basement. I come down and play with her a few times a day:








I love how they come equipped with weapons.



She has a thing for stalking my eyelashes and batting at my nose piercing. Here she goes after the camera string.






We've bonded a little at this point. I brought her upstairs into my house for a minute to look out the door. She wasn't allowed to interact or get near my cats. Anyway, I snapped this and think it is cute:




"Owen" who is actually, "Leo", is returned to his rightful owner, but he comes back to visit every day. Here he is sniffing out mice, bugs and other cool cat stuff off my porch. He is too consumed in this to ever look up.




Almost three weeks have gone by since she first appeared at our building. "Lily" is now, (I think) "Miley" and seems happy living with her new "dad" and is getting used to her big dog "brother". Naturally, I'll be able to see her as time and opportunity allows.

and Owen/Leo still visits as well.

It's all good!


Certainly one of the cuter-furry things in my basement, right?

(generally cross posted to other sites)

8-20-09

typical summer evening temp inside my apartment.


I invited e:pyrcedgrrl to come along with me to visit family across the state (Esopus & Manhattan). As we were leaving early in the morning, she came and stayed the night before. It was a hot evening and I thought it to be the perfect opportunity to make an Mojito Slushy and get packing for the trip.

Slightly altered but essentially the same, In blender: Lime, Rum, Ice, Peppermint Syrup (for sweetness and extra mint taste) topped with club soda and mint sprigs.





So Yummy!



mmmmm it worked for the Mojito, what else can I make a shlushy out of. Peering into my fridge, my eyes land on some recently purchased beer. Laughing, I figure, 'why not?' And so I try experimenting in creating a "Guinness Slushy"

Fresh cold bottle of Guinness Extra Stout


Guinness Extra Stout Sacrifice:




End Product


So not good.


My offerings to you..


Dana politely taste-testing the brown slosh


Again, it was... not good. Slushy FAIL.

Ooh such a nice day- what do we have, one or two days of "summer" left?

I'm wearing jeans, sweatshirt(old UB sweatshirt that has held up amazingly well) and sneakers- I get kind of excited to wear that combination. It is so comfortable and I feel like I am ready for anything. I'm definitely heading out the door in a minute to find somewhere to walk around. The sweatshirt might end up being a bit too much in that sun though..

not complaining

Then tonight I am heading out to Sterling Tavern (corner of Hertel and Sterling Ave). It is a bit out of the way for me, but its a nice dive to grab a really yummy burger and lots of fantastic beer. Time isn't confirmed as yet, but if in the area.. pop in!