Stolen Swans are Sweet/ Fall Sickness

Everyone in the Orlando area has heard a lot about missing swans of Lake Eola. It was a coincidence that one of the Dr.'s I work with had been at the lake the week the swans were noticed to be missing. Since they are microchipped, he noticed a few were gone. They weren't totally surprised, since they roam free and could die or run away, or be stolen. The following night after the round-up for their vaccines, a couple was seen taking 2 swans. The witness took down the license plate and called the police. Come to find out, the two were stealing the swans and selling them to a broker of exotics up in Jacksonville. It was obvious it was someone who was familiar with large exotic birds. Because, seriously, who wants to really go up against mean, black swans? They are vicious.

A few days later, when some of the swans were returned, they were checked over at the clinic. They were slightly dehydrated and scared. One of the swans had surgery 5 weeks previously and had an injury at the incision sight. Two of the stolen were the mating pair. These people obviously knew what they were doing. Dr. Brown had mentioned earlier that babies go missing all the time. They are probably easier to sell and catch. And they are stinking adorable. Don't believe the whole "ugly duckling turning into a swan" thing. Those little things are just almost worth stealing. Just kidding, guys. I would never, ever steal a swan. Have you ever smelled swan poop? Just gross.

I have contracted my yearly dose of October/November sickness. I believe it happened Sunday when baby Austin, who is recovering from a cold, decided to drip his juice from his sippy cup into by Bacardi and Juice. So much for the alcohol killing the germs. I've had a sore throat for 4 days and it was confirmed today that it is not strep. Good to know. Right now, I have no voice to speak of. (literally) It's not more than a whisper. So reluctantly, I will have to take a sick day for tomorrow. I am so sick of eating wonton soup, but it's all I can stomach for now.

Swan Lake

Anyone who lives in the Orlando area is well aware that the fountain at Lake Eola has crapped out, due to lovely lightening bolt. Not is the fountain a lovely thing to look at, but it also help aerate the lake to keep the fish and other wildlife in the lake healthy. Since the fountain has been broken, some of the swans have become sick. Dr. Brown brought this female black swan in on my day off. Erin educated me in the fact that swans, unlike other bird, are easy to sex. Male swans have a definitely obvious penis. A fun fact to know.

White Gators and Evil Birds

Jason and I went to Gatorland last weekend. It was nice to spend a day with the animals.

Busy busy week.

I've had so much to do in the last week. My head feels like it is spinning. Between dj gigs, getting together with old friends, work, cats, birds, and every day life. One thing at a time.

Jason and I were woken up at 2:30 in the morning last Thursday by the police. No one ever wants the police to be at their door at 2;30 am. for anything. This was actually a good deed. My brake lights were stuck on. If he hadn't woken us up, I would have had a dead battery. Thinking something was terribly wrong with the white car, I would have called the mechanic and wasted his time over a dead battery.

I learned something from that experience. My paper arrives very, very early. At 2:30 it was already there. Talk about prompt service.

I spayed another of my garden kitties. That my nice way of saying "stray." Jason decided on the name Trixie because she sort of did a trick by jumping into my arms when I got near her. She stayed in my bathroom all weekend. I had to throw her out because she refused to use the litterbox. She was so sweet inside. I thought she'd stay that way. She won't even let me touch her now. I think she is upset with me for fixing her and not allowing her to have her love litter. Yes, she was a little bit pregnant. opps.

I had to save a baby blue jay for infinite destruction, aka owls and the garden kitties. I don't think the baby blue jay or his parents would appreciate my sweet nickname for the cats. After successfully rescuing the birdie from the cats, I let it fly onto the carpet in front of Bronx. It was okay, until I stepped on him. He screamed like I killed him. Then his little black eyes rolled back into his head and his neck swung around like it was broken. I felt like scum. I kept him in the bathroom over night in one of Bronx's cat carriers with some seeds and some mashed up cat food. I rushed him to the Haven in Altamonte the next day. One more bird on this earth to poop on my car. He was pretty cute, though.

Got my U2 tickets. I don't know I mentioned that earlier. I'm super psyched because they are floor seats.

2 Cups by Eight AM

So I am busily working at my lap top. Have Jason piece all done for this evening, with a slight amount of ink to spare. Like I've said before, my printer is an inkaholic. I spend so much on ink each year. It's ridiculous. Beyond that, I've got everything squared away.

Jim Gaffigan tickets go on sale this weekend for the Orlando show. We must go, we must. We went with Kathryn and Lyronn back in August, and he was a riot. I was just sad we couldn't stay and meet him, especially after he wrote me a personal email. I know, I won't let the email thing die.

My owl is back. Yesterday evening, I was cleaning and I took the recyclables out back and the bard owl flew directly over my head. I took some pictures of him perched on the tree. They aren't the best quality. They really are amazing creatures. I wish I knew more about them.

That is one of the reason that I love living in this part of Florida. So close to nature, but not so far away from civilization. It is just a beautiful part of the world, no matter what Jason's says. As much as he says he would rather be up north, nothing can beat beautiful weather and nature. I would trade the summers and the hurricanes.

My concert is tomorrow. I can't wait. I think I'll be able to leave work a hair early to meet Erin at her hotel. Gotta get primped for the New Kids. I am actually more excited to see Jaberwackees. They really are awesome. The new season of ABDC was great. I was really pulling for the Beat Freaks, but I do agree that Quest Crew was the best.

Looking at Ricardo and Melissa's pictures of Italy on Saturday made me want to look at my art history books. I've got like a million of them, back when I collected them. I was surprised to see that I still remember a lot. I would really like to go someday soon. My sister went 3 years ago, and she didn't even act like it was a fun experience. To be around all that great art and culture and not even appreciate it. Well, at least I got a Michaelangelo calender that was off the chain.

My New Edition.....

So now I have two of what Jason calls useless fish. He's just jealous. I don't have a name for him yet. I like Danielle's suggestion of Sumo for the red one. Now I have 1 fish, 2 fish, red fish, blue fish.

My New Edition.....

This is not technically my new fish, but he looks just like it. I haven't named him yet. Any suggestions?

Hoot, there it is!.......in my backyard

This is why I don't have mice near my house. I pay these guys. They actually scared me one afternoon. They were sitting on my fence in the middle of the day. I actually thought they were fake. They really are quite gorgeous. Then, there are the large red headed woodpeckers in the front.
For someone who has never liked birds, I've become a bird lover. I've even put out a feeder in my back yard beside the kitchen window. That really is for the cat's enjoyment.

I watched The Transporter II again. Love that movie even though I'm not an action movie girl.

The Ringneck snake

This is what I found in my yard. I hope I find another one. I think my snake phobia is gone. That is, until I run across another coral snake.