I really have nothing to work with this morning, but in the interest of keeping my rather remarkable streak alive I shall retell some of the notable things I saw over the last week.  Of course the term “notable” is in the eye of the beholder.

Last weekend I saw some movement outside the front window.  Curious, I peeked through the blinds and there was an enormous hawk in the front yard tearing up a bird it had caught.  Now there’s something you don’t see every day in midtown.  Looked like something off the Animal Planet channel or something.  I ran upstairs and got the camera but when I raised the blinds it startled him and he flew off carrying his dinner.  Left a big mess behind too, part of which the cat carried in.  Yuck.

I was riding the bus home the other day and sat across from one of the largest people I have ever seen.  Humongous.  I tried not to stare, but that was one big fella.  As we bussed merrily along, I couldn’t help but notice he was sucking his thumb.  Now there’s an interesting quirk.  Around Linwood or so his phone rang, and as the very loud conversation ensued I quickly realized he was actually a she.  Never would have guessed that without the phone call, but it was very apparent.  The call went on for a while, then she hung up and the thumb went right back in the mouth.  Fascinating.  I could fill many pages with “interesting bus people” sightings but this one particularly stood out.  Plus I often wonder if people look at me and think “Dang is that guy really going to work like that?”

Yesterday I was heading to lunch and saw a bald eagle fly over the river.  Two interesting bird sightings in one week.  This was notable because it happens to be only the second (wild) bald eagle I’ve ever seen, despite occasionally going looking for them.  I may well just trot down to the river this afternoon too and see if I can spot any more.

Nothing to report.  All quiet on the mid-town front.  I did stop by the Brooksider last night for a bit of a diversion.  Donette is home sick so I didn’t want to catch anything.  No real excitement at the ol’ Brooksider, which is a good thing.  Probably stayed a little longer than necessary but I found myself at a good table so I decided to hang out for a while.  “Good table” is a phrase I use to describe a rather inexact combination of patrons, staff, time of day, menu specials, and sometimes weather.  It’s actually a rather rare occurrence so I’m compelled to take advantage of it when the opportunity presents itself.

I have oncall looming on the horizon, and as such I should probably be cranking things up a notch this week.  So far that plan has consisted of…  Nothing.  Somebody needs to get out here and entertain me.  I realize those options are a bit limited with the residual snow and all, but surely you can think of something.  Slush-ball fight?  Build a snowman?  Tacos at the new restaurant in Waldo?  C’mon, work with me here.

Wow, not even 9:00 and I have already declared this the best day ever.  I better hurry up and post something before it all comes crashing down.  What do I base this glowing review on?  Well, I got to bed early and slept pretty well last night, so that’s always a good start.  Then, I managed to get out the door on time and caught the early bus.  The bus was remarkably uncrowded, and I didn’t get stuck next to talking-person, crazy-person or even stinky-person.  Needless to say, I was already fairly skipping down the sidewalk on my way to the office after that pleasant ride.  Already brimming with optimism for the day, I walked in the break room and BOTH coffee pots were totally full!  I kid you not, I have never, ever seen that before.  Ever.  Generally, the best case is there is enough in one to fill my cup, and more often than not one is all but empty and the other is covered with baked-on smelly crud because nobody can switch off the burner when it’s empty.  And THEN, if THAT wasn’t enough, guess what happened next??!!!  Well, nothing, that was it.  I try not to get too lofty with my expectations these days.  I’ll tell you what though, if stinky-person doesn’t sit next to me on the way back home, it is ON, I’m going out and partying somewhere.

I am not particularly inclined to recap that weekend.  I am tired, cold, hungry, and I probably need another cup of coffee.  Wah.

I will, however, hit the highlights I suppose.  That shouldn’t take long, as there weren’t many of them.  Friday I stopped by the Brooksider to say “hi” to everybody.  I hung out there for a bit, then Donette came down and got me and we went to Cantina Del Ray for some dinner.  We haven’t been there in a while for whatever reason.  Matter of fact, they had totally new menus since the last time we ate there, with a few new plates in the mix.  Need to get up there more often, it’s always good.

Saturday was sort of a “hunker-down” day I guess.  Too dang cold to do anything.  I watched all the basketball games and that was about it.  We made some fish stew for dinner, which came out rather nicely if I do say so myself.  Have to add that one to the regular rotation.  Easy, tasty and even healthy;  A rare combination.

Sunday the cabin fever started kicking in again, so Martin came down and rescued me.  Donette was at the movies with Susan and Kelly, so Martin and I went and hung out at 75th Street.  We stayed there a good part of the day, watching the football games and plotting next season’s BBQ strategies.  The girls came up after a while, and we headed down to the Brooksider for a bit.  Watched some more football, but it was pretty loud and crowded, so we headed back south and rounded out the evening with some dinner at Waldo Pizza.  MAN that is some good pizza.  All that running around effectively cured my cabin fever, at least until about noon today.