OK, it wasn’t hot water, and I haven’t been called baby for a while, but I love that quote from Rain Man, and it relates to the situation I’m in right now. I had planted some Jalapeno peppers in my garden, and they have gone nuts. I went out today and picked everything that looked ready, must be around 50 peppers. I had read on the internet (did you know they have that on computers now too?) that you could just freeze them without even blanching, and not wanting to learn how to pickle them (the other option, short of trying to eat them all in a week) I decided to do that. I sliced them all up, just like the kind you get in a jar at the store, rinsed them off in a container of water to get rid of all the loose seeds, and put them on a baking sheet to freeze (once frozen I’ll put them in a big freezer bag). Well, about a half-hour after I was done, I noticed my hands had a few spots that felt irritated. Within an hour, this small irritation had turned into quite a burning sensation. The tops of both hands were burning like I had poured boiling water on them. No discoloration or any visible sign that something was wrong, just a burning feeling. While I was cutting them, I occasionally had to cough, kinda like how onions make your eyes water, peppers make your throat itch. Anyway, it’s been this way for about an hour now, I’ll report back on how things go, but this is proof that you never stop learning, especially when it’s the hard way. Be careful when cutting up a couple pounds of peppers!
I’ve been a fan of Brett Favre since his start with the Green Bay Packers (and I’ve been a fan of the Green Bay Packers since birth). OK, maybe I wasn’t fully on board the first year or two when his interceptions seemed to outnumber his completions, but we can all agree he came around quite nicely. What Brett has accomplished, and what he’s helped the Packers accomplish, will live on forever. Considering how many of us live vicariously through our hero’s, this makes his legend not only his, but ours. Who doesn’t love to reminisce about the time they witnessed Brett pull off some unbelievable feat? It’s what makes sports worth watching, and it helps to bring us all together as we share our memories.
Brett needs to retire so the Green Bay Packers can turn the page. Staying around for one more year not only will further tarnish his legend with memories of dismal performances due to lack of a supporting cast, but will delay the rebuilding process for another year as well. Both are important points to consider. The good of the team is most important, the Packers are bigger than Brett Favre, and Brett needs to realize what is best for the team, and take a bow. Brett’s legend is important as well though, and though his play wasn’t very impressive last season, in time most will forget that. What may not be forgotten though is the process we are going through now, Brett’s delayed decision. With every day that passes, Brett looks worse in the eyes of the media, in the eyes of the players, and in the eyes of his fans. Had he retired earlier, we wouldn’t have heard him say “If I don’t tell them by Saturday, what will they do, cut me?”. If he’d made his decision we probably wouldn’t be hearing “He’s a selfish guy…” from one of his former best friend’s, Mark Chmura. The more time that passes, the more ugliness we’re going to witness. 
Shortly after I moved into my house I got a cat. I’m more of a dog person, but living alone, I thought it would be to difficult to make sure the dog was cared for properly. Cats don’t need as much attention (don’t have to let them out, take them for walks, etc), so I got a cat to keep me company, and help me get used to supporting a pet. Picked her out at the Humane Society, was a tiny kitten, 6 weeks old. Named her Kitty, after the cat on South Park (no Kitty that’s my pot pie!), though I later learned the South Park cat was really named ‘Mr. Kitty’. 
Kitty didn’t take well to Stinker. Living alone and not having many visitors before Tiffany moved in, Kitty isn’t all that social with others, and she wasn’t to happy about a new cat in her house. Stinker on the otherhand, wanted to play all the time, so their was tension. After breaking up with Tiffany, Stinker still remained. She’s an almost all white cat, and for some reason seems to shed 1000% more than Kitty. Their is white hair on everything. The cats still fought as well, Stinker being more playful about it, and Kitty making a lot of racket hissing and screaming. I would constantly be awaken by a cat chase in progress.
A trucker that was already going to be around northern Chicago and was then headed south offered to take her. I accepted the bid and made arrangements to meet with him yesterday. I got a pet carrier for her, some food, a litter box, some water, and a leash and collar. A little after 8pm last night I met up with him in a parking lot (he’s got a huuuge truck) and I handed over Stinker. Turns out he does this often, and even had food and water in the truck already. I’m guessing it adds a little interest to an otherwise boring drive. He said he was going to let her out to roam the cab of the truck, which is good, cause she was crying in the carrier. Not sure how you handle the bathroom aspects of a traveling cat, but that’s his problem now, and luckily one he’s already dealt with in the past. Monday he’ll roll into Houston and Tiffany will have her cat.
