No TAL tonight...

As has become my habit, I was listening to This American Life (TAL) just now (Friday evening). But I am rather hungry. I had a nice big lunch, though that was at 12:30 this afternoon, and I haven’t eaten much since. So I turn on TAL, grab the left over beans and rice (definitely leaving something to be desired in the way of a Shabbos meals), and start eating. Tonight’s show is on animals and how they are not human, and what is Act One about? The food chain. Specifically, Catherine Chalmers experiences during a photo exploration of how small animals and insects eat each other. I have a strong stomach for such topics, but it was beyond my ability to eat while she was describing how a female praying mantis started eating her male before they had finished matting!

An Itch...

I’m in trouble. I was able to go hiking in Oregon with Ryan a couple of weeks ago, and suddenly, I’m hooked on the outdoor thing. Although, if I am being honest, what has really happened is that all of the desires to be playing outside I have been suppressing for the last number of years are finally boiling over. Between Ryan’s imminent return to Washington, the possibility of dragging Emily around, and my realization that I don’t need to wait for someone else to take me on a hike (I didn’t know where to go), I’ve suddenly decided that I need to complete my gear list and get the hell on the trail.

I have purchased two books of hikes in Washington to aid this process, and while I have plenty of gear for the occasional day hike, it is about time I gathered the necessary elements for overnight’s and multiple day trips. To do that, I’ve made a $600 wishlist, so if you randomly feel like buying me something special, a gift card to REI would be great.