Posting Time!

Its been an interesting couple of weeks here in Barrington. From this I have a couple of entertaining stories to share, and at least one cute photo.

First, I have decided on one aspect of my job that I really enjoy. Its not a big thing, just a small little sliver of my job, that makes me smile every single day while I am at work. On every bank draft (well most of them), there is a line on the back with text that states:

"Do not write, stamp or sign below this line.
Reserved for financial institution use."

When I am at work, I am acting as an agent of a financial institution. Everyday I print, validate, stamp, and initial below that line. And everyday it makes me smile. Keep in mind its not against the law, its merely a suggestion to leave that space alone. However, for me, writing below the line is like cutting that annoying tag off the bottom of your mattress.

Second, about a week and a half ago, one of our cats (Biskit) lit herself on fire. That's right, I said fire. Christina and I had snuggled up on our lazy boy, watching TV with a lit candle on the table next to the chair. Biskit climbed up onto our laps because she cannot resist the chance to be petted. In doing so, despite Christina trying to move the cat, and me trying to move the candle, Biskit still managed to drape the long hair on the end of her tail, over the flames, and ignite her tail. Christina, quickly grabbed Biskit's tail and patted out the flames. Then she ran her to the bathtub to run the cats tail under cold water. I called Christina's Mom for advice on what we should do next. After the flames were out and the cat's tail soaked; Christina snipped the singed hair from the cats tail. This left Biskit a tad lopsided, yet otherwise confused and unscathed. It also, briefly left the apartment smelling like burnt cat hair. Biskit was very annoyed at being soaked, but Biskit is so unobservant a creature that I don't think she ever realized she caught fire at all!

Third, I think I have found an interesting financial product and the worst example of reading from cue cards ever seen. The financial product is weather futures and options contracts. That's right, in some sense you can invest in the weather. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange is where such products are created, sold and traded daily. Its part of their alternative investment department. The website is: www.cme.com/weather On this site, there is a link on the right hand side of the page to watch a product brief all about weather futures. This video is quite possibly one of the worst public speaking examples ever, even better, its expected to sell people on weather futures. Don't get me wrong, I think its a neat idea, only its poorly marketed.

Fourth, the other four legged creature in our house, Java, has a nifty hobby. For unknown reasons, burrows under blankets and flattens herself as far as possible most of the time. Be careful where you sit or crawl into bed around here, you'll probably find a cat. Anyway the point here is that its very cute when the cat comes out from the blankets or is discovered when the blanket is pulled back. Last week I caught a snapshot of this phenomenon.

Grrr.....blogger is not cooperating right now, so I will have to post the cute kitten photo later.

Also, this weekend I am going to Michigan with Christina and her folks. I've been into southern Michigan before, and its very pretty. This will be my farthest venture north into the state, so hopefully I'll be able to post some nice pics.

Until blogger cooperates for me to post pictures I leave you with a few questions:

1) What is the most outrageous thing your pet(s) has ever done?
2) What are people's thoughts on investing in the weather?
3) Will the Broncos meet the Bears in the Super Bowl?