This is the view outside my back door.

What you don't see in this picture are the hundred (or so) geese just outside of the edges of the picture. Last year, it seemed like there were maybe half this many. Since they're reproducing unchecked with no natural predators, the population is exploding.

I hate geese. They're mean, territorial creatures that shit everywhere. They'll actually attack you if they're having a bad goose day. I know they are protected creatures and all, but I don't know how much patience or mercy I'd have if attacked by a goose.

Swans, on the other hand, are freakin' sweet. They're about 4-5x as big as the geese and they just like to swim around and pick fights with geese, groups of them even. They move like Imperial Star Destroyers amongst puny X-wings. That's right. I went there.

So here's the dynamic in this lake. (1) Geese constantly fight for territory amongst themselves (and shit all over everything). (2) Swans swim around the lake in large circles while the geese scatter to get out of the way. (3) I take pictures and blog about it.

RIP Tweakachu

When I came home from work today, my cat was lying on the floor meowing loudly.

I decided to take her to the vet, and when I tried to pick her up and put her in the cat carrier, I noticed her back legs were stiff - and cold.

As it turns out, she "threw a clot" and her back legs hadn't had blood in them for likely much of the day. Another clot was affecting her front paw as well and the vet said the same thing would happen to both of her front legs. There was nothing they could do and the only humane choice was to have her euthanized.

I miss her like hell. She was one of the sweetest animals I've ever known in my life.

RIP Tweakachu (aka Tweak aka Tweakers).

OK, one more pic:

Scream Silently, Monkey

This is quite possibly the funniest picture I've ever seen in my life. Every time I look at it, I laugh. I thought it was lost forever, but it's turned up.

Snack Wraps? More Like Snack CRAPS! Muhuhahaha...

The other day I was out shopping and got really hungry. I didn't want to stop for a big meal and happened to be driving by a McDonald's. I remembered they have a new line of chicken wraps, so I thought "perfect! I'll try one of those relatively-healthy, relatively-easy-to-eat-in-the-car and relatively-tasty new snack wraps!!"

It was mooshy. The produce was not good. The chicken was all burny and had really crunchy bits in it. The sauce tasted just...nasty. Chipotle Ranch? Really? It tasted like Chipotle Ranch from the 1970's. The Honey Mustard tasted like....more like horseradish than Honey Mustard. There was WAY too much sauce, which made it nearly impossible to eat in the car.

I ate about half of each so that I wouldn't be hungry anymore. I was disappointed because I liked the idea of having a healthy-ish snack at an omnipresent restaurant.

So anyways - this was my bi-yearly trip to McDonald's. I won't be going back for at least a couple of years.

Ouch Ouch Ouch!!!

I bought a new chef's knife this weekend. I've been cooking and felt I deserved an upgrade. My last one would become dull while cutting onions. I'm fairly certain my new one could cut through several sheets of drywall and be vewwy sharp still.

So this weekend I was cutting fresh parsley and stripping off the stems. I was tossing the stems into the trash with my left hand (into the trashcan on my right). It turns out that was a bad plan because I ever so slightly grazed my left fist against The Knife™. Immediately I began to bleed profusely. It was more like I cut into a balloon, full of blood. Since the cut was located right above my main knuckle on my index finger, every time I made a fist or even partially closed my hand, I would bleed like hell. I haven't bleed that much in years.

Ever heard that old wife's tale about how it's better to be cut by a super sharp knife than a dull knife? It's true. I was on the fence about going in to get stitches and already now, just two days later, the cut is closed and well on its way to being healed. I'll have a small scar, but it's healing super fast.

In other news, I have made some awesome tuna lasagna, turkey meatballs and other tasty vittles lately.

Git some.

The Nintendo Wii

Well, what can I say about the Nintendo Wii that hasn't already been said? It's truly a work of art.

Everything about the console feels "solid" - quality workmanship. It was even a pleasure to unpack.

It found and connected to my wireless networking on the very first try (and wireless access is included with the Wii).

I spent several hours the first night I owned it playing around with all its features and built in fun, without even putting a game in.

Then I put in the sports game it comes with. I am not a big fan of sports games, but this one was good.

I could spend about 5 pages on a full review, but it's been done, done and done.

Congratulations, Nintendo. The Wii is beating the pants off of the other consoles, and for good reason.

Oh and if my sister is reading this - you can download Mighty Bomb Jack for $5 and play it on your Wii forever.

Black Tower Wine

I weep. I weep because I can no longer find Black Tower wine anywhere. Bigg's, Kroger, various wine shops - they are all out of Black Tower. They've all removed the slot for Black Tower off their shelves. They have burned the path to Black Tower and salted the fields.

Black Tower is the *perfect* wine to eat with Dijourno pizza covered in gorgonzola cheese.

Black Tower is by far my favorite "go to" wine. If anyone out there in blog-land sees any Black Tower, BUY IT ALL. I will buy it from you. $200 limit. No joke. If Germany no longer exports it, I am going to lobby my senator for war against Germany.