I finally got a chance to go fishing with my Dad this summer, and what do I catch? An eel.
This one was about two feet long, and as big around as a homemade kielbasa. It pulled like hell, bringing it in. I thought it was a much larger fish, but my dad could tell right away what it was, dancing across the water as I reeled it in.
I’ve never caught an eel before, and I must say, I was vastly disappointed.
Except: now I’ve got more fodder for stories. This thing will come up somewhere, I’m certain.
I never knew eels were so slimy. Yeah, I knew there was a slime factor involved, but not *this* slimy. I swear.
While taking it off the hook it wrapped several times around my arm. I let the slime dry there, thinking I could brush it off, or wash it off easier once it dried.
Not so: there was no brushing it off, or even peeling it, like a facial mask.
I had to resort to washing. And when the dried slime got wet? It reconstituted. Ew! I had to scrape it off. Soap did not cut it.
Definitely story fodder there: Perhaps human-sized zombie eels able to spit venomous slime… Maybe land-walking eels with slime that burns through everything, who come to take over the world (or at least summer camp. A good horror story always starts at summer camp, eh?)
…apparently, your local contractor will happily accomplish…whether you want them to, or not.
My poor sad office:
And by that I mean, of course, help me to get rid of all those books that I have been collecting.
See that great expanse of office in the corner missing its drywall? Waterlogged. Along with a great many books on the bookcase that exactly fit that space.
A few months ago, the Husband of Awesome™ and I decided that our 30-year old roof needed to be re-done. We’ve been putting it off for years for a number of reasons, mainly of course, because it didn’t leak. But we realized we were pushing our luck, so we finally bit the bullet and signed a contract.
When newscasters forecasted rain, the local contractor put up some black paper (“guaranteed to hold through several rainstorms”) and called it a day.
I know you probably know this already, but I’ll say it anyway: paper is not waterproof. (It is my opinion, that the local contractor did not adequately prepare.)
The other local contractor at our house today–the one that handles clean up after fires and floods–spent their time ripping out drywall (wet-wall, really); sucking up standing water in my attic space, ventilation, and upper floor; pulling up carpeting, and hauling in blowers, fans and dehumidifiers.
Quoth the Husband of Awesome™: “We’ve got like a thousand machines upstairs and in the attic.”
It’s really noisy in here right now. And the machines have to run continuously until Friday.
I’ll be spending that time weeding out the books. Again.
I joked on Facebook last week that the earthquake which knocked many of these same books to the floor was telling me then that I needed to do another purge.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted a fortune-cookie fortune.
When I do, I usually jump on my soapbox and rant about fortunes not being fortunes anymore. (Seriously, when was the last time you heard, “You will be lucky in business.” ?)
Fortunes should predict something. Anything.
I’m tired of these modern slips which provide such pithy commentary as, “We have too many sounding words and too few actions that correspond with them.”
Worse, are those that tell you what to do: “Find release from your cares. Have a good time.”
Once, I got a ‘fortune’ that told me I have idea problems–not good for a writer– and rather rude, too. That’s tantamount to name calling, in my opinion. Sadly, I’ve even cracked open cookies which had no fortune at all.
At least this one put me in charge of everything for the day.
It’s been pointed out to me that next week Atlas Shrugged — the movie — is being released (April 15).
How serendipitous! (Or not, really…)
I had no idea a movie was in the making (but I generally don’t follow that stuff anyway – so, please, cut me a break 🙂 ).
There will be limited showings, so, I hope there’s one in my neck of the woods — or close by. I’ll define “close” as within a 2-hour one-way drive. I’d like to see it ASAP since I’ve finished the book so recently.
Apparently, the book is so long, that the movie needs to be produced in three parts. Only part 1 is available next week. You can see the trailer, which I’ve plugged in below, as well as several scenes from the movie at the official web site. There are also two spankin’ movie posters on the site.
I love the “Who is John Galt?” poster. I’m going to hang it here in my office.
I’m remembering history today, as the attack occurred decades before I was born. I can only imagine the anguish it caused– and the sheer pissed-offed-ness — that this kind of attack engenders…
Thank you, WWII Veterans. Thank you, service men and women of today.
I finally got a chance to go fishing with my Dad this summer, and what do I catch? An eel.
Last year on this day it rained all day — not, a gentle, soaking rain — but torrents. 