Mullethunt Update!

Yes friends, it's time once again for...*drumroll*...a Mullethunt 2007 update!

2007 has continue to surpass our wildest hopes and dreams for a banner Mullet Year. As our hunter ranks swell, so do the numbers of excellent and unique captures. The summer months this year have yielded some fantastic catches. It is well known that mullets cause their owners much discomfort during the warmer months. It's been my hypothesis that while dealing with soaring temperatures and trying to stay cool, mullets are forced to spend less energy on staying concealed and must risk a venture out of their "safe zones" and risk facing more predators in order to stay hydrated and cool. In the most common mullet habitat, air conditioning is a rarity. This situation, while uncomfortable for the mullets, can result in a greater number of captures for dedicated hunters.

However, it is important to remind all hunters once again that mullets are an endangered species, and extra precaution should be taken when hunting in these sweltering temperatures when mullets are most vulnerable and at their most aggressive.

Mullet Hunter Justin caught this mullet out with his gal at a local truck stop. Truck Stop mullets are fairly common, this one sporting common summer plumage - white muscle shirt, tight black jeans, and pointed-toed cowboy boots. A very nice catch, Justin, of a classic mullet.

This "Courtroom Mullet" was caught by Travis. This constitutes a rare "double-catch", as this mullet was already in custody in the county court, having been apprehended once, mostly likely for the crime of "lookin' awesome." Travis shows his talent for covert mullet capturing by keeping his camera under wraps and coughing during the camera click. Nice work, Travis.

Next we showcase the excellent work of two new members of The Hunt, Daryl and Judith. Not only are their captures superb up-close specimins, but these are also INTERNATIONAL mullets, caught in Nova Scotia!

O Canada! This is a "Mullet Under Cover." While we don't actually SEE the mullet in all it's glory, we know through years of experience and stringent scientific analysis that it's definately there, under cover, most likely for the purpose of infiltrating the ranks of unsuspecting tourists. The camo "wife beater" and tan lines also aid in positive mullet identification. Nice catch!

Next we have another VERY impressive specimin - the "Mowhawk Mullet." This youth is proudly showing his independence by taking what would be a classic mullet and closely clipping the sides, such as a professional groomer would clip a show poodle. This extra grooming care not only keeps the mullet cooler in the summer with the added ventilation, but aids in achieving a healthy scalp tan to sustain the mullet for the long winter months ahead.

This is, perhaps, the best mullet thus far in our collection. Captured by yet another new mullet hunter, Trace. Trace shows he definately has the talent for world-class mullet hunting with this extaordinary specimin, captured at extreme close range. Trace obviously had to put himself in mortal danger to get close enough to this mullet, which has been dubbed by other mullet hunters as a "skullet." Skullets are by nature elusive, very volitile, and are definately the most aggressive of the mullet species, making their capture risky business indeed. Notice the redness in the facial area, perhaps indicating that Trace had soon vacate the immediate area or risk possible dismemberment. Also worth noting, this particular skullet is actually a sub-species, the extremely rare "Golden Skullet." Excellent piece of hunting, Trace...your moxie is to be admired.

Keep it up Mullethunters...2007 still has a long way to go! Stay safe, and happy hunting!

Big Bag 'O Socks

If you ever find yourself in need of a Bag 'O Socks, Walgreens is your store. I don't know HOW many times I've been sitting around wishing I had a new Bag 'O Socks. If you'll look closely, they also come in pink. What more could a person want?

I mean, besides a car with a good transmission???

Well, I have returned from what has to be the worst vacation. Ever. When did vacations go from being relaxing fun-filled getaways to stress-filled work-a-thons? When we bought a house, that's when! I figured in the nearly two weeks I had off we'd come close to completing at least part of Hooter Manor, but alas - no. Everything that could go wrong basically did, and that along with having to come back and work two days in the middle of my "vacation" because we don't have enough staff coupled with Marden's grandpa passing away - in plain English...it sucked.

My time off did have one bright moment - when we decided to go fishing for a day. I had a major struggle burying the guilt of spending a day at the river instead of working on the house, but luckily I got over it enough to go along. By the time I was standing waist-deep in the cold stream, attached my favorite summertime fly (black beetle size 16), and had hooked my first trout, all cares had melted away and I was, for the first time in MONTHS lost in the moment, totally relaxed. I've since determined that I need a solid week of trout fishing, thinking of nothing but what fly will work best and hearing nothing but water, birds, and wind in the leaves.

Fat chance that happens anytime soon! Our lives lately have been nothing but go, go, go...drive, drive, drive. Isn't it supposed to be fall soon???

Tough Summer

So sorry for my absence once again...this time it was due to taking some time off. Well, time "off" is a bit of an exhaggeration. I guess I was technically off official work, but I used my time doing unofficial work at our new abode. And what a vacation it was...

It started off with taking Lucy on an emergency vet visit, as her stump was looking kind of bad. They removed 6" of rubber drain tube that should've been removed the week before, but my braniac dog had bitten the end off and it disappeared, making the vets think she'd pulled it all the way out. Instead it was wedged way down in the wound, of course causing problems. And chalk another $70 bucks up for antibiotics, an added week for stitches and still having to wear the huge lampshade.

So one minor obstacle taken care of, then on to the new house! I had my explorer sport packed to the max, which included 1 3-legged lab who with her lampshade collar resembles a reciever for Dish Network, 1 beagle, 2 cats, and 2 ducks, pulling a trailer loaded with furniture. Temp is officially 103 degrees with a cloudless sky and baking sun, but we're relatively comfy in the A/C.

That is, until nearly Hardy, where my transmission blew.

We're pulled off the side of the road, engine compartment smoking, animals all panting in the scorching heat. Long story short - 2 hours later we limped into the driveway of Casa de Hooter in a very testy mood, but grateful to be off the road. Found out a couple days later that I have to have a whole new transmission. There goes a paycheck, plus some...

Met mom and dad at the new place and spent our days mostly painting...we went a little nuts with color, but I LIKE. The place is actually starting to look like a home, and with the new wood floor and furniture it should be warm and friendly. We actually got to the point to buy new ceiling fans, as the old ones were HIDEOUS and must've come from some goth cathedral. Or something. So we got nice new ones which looked perfect in Lowe's, only to get them home and installed to find out that they only take those tiny little bulbs. ??? Called Lowe's, where they tell us that all ceiling fans will soon only have fixtures that take the little bulbs (despite the fact that nearly ALL their floor models have regular bulbs - including the fans I picked out - which is why I never bothered to look at the box). What's the POINT? Why get ceiling fans with lights if they don't put out much light??? So after a minor meltdown over that, we decided we liked the fans, so screw it. Turns out they actually put out some signficant light, and we'll have lamps anyway. So beware - if you're looking for new ceiling fans, look at the box to be sure you're getting what you THINK you are.

Anyway, we did make some headway. If we can get some flooring in and get the well figured out, and if it EVER cools off again and maybe we get some rain, my stress level should go down a few notches. But there's still a lot of summer left...

Dog Days

Whew...I think I detest August more every year. We ushered in August with incredibly hot temps, hazy skies, and still no rain. My flowers, despite watering, have been fried to a golden crisp...and they looked so GOOD a month ago!

I'm officially 5 days from vacation! I'm so excited, even if I'm doing nothing but working on the new house, at least it won't be spent at the park, which as of late has felt like my arch-nemesis. You know it's time for a vacation when you stall in order to get to the office at the last possible second before getting in the car to go to work....then when you get there, pause dramatically to give a scathing scowl to the building before going in. Throughout the day, said scowl grows in intensity as it's aimed at paperwork, the computer, and any other unsavory piece of equipment or task. If I were a superhero, deadly laser beams would be issuing from my eyeballs, destroying everything in their path without prejudice.

Luckily people are not subjected to this horrid visage...we have essentially no visitors during this time, mostly because sitting out in a fishing boat under the scorching sun will result in fishermen being reduced to pathetic puddles of goo. In other words - nobody wants to frolic in a park while it's this dang hot. So, the few visitors we do get are heartily welcomed as a way to break up the monotony of the day. The UPS man has taken to shoving packages in the door and running away just to avoid having to have a 20 minute conversation with speak-starved visitor center workers - all two of us. Actually, one of us for this month, as Amy is currently on vacation, and upon her return I will make a hasty vamoose.

It is possible I may be suffering from a work-related malady called "burnout"....but it's just a theory.

In other Hooter news, Lucy is home! She had a successful amputation, and despite the tremendous pain I imagine she's been in, she's now a happy dog once more. The difference is amazing! With her bum leg, Lucy wasn't able to negotiate stairs...now she's zipping up and down them faster than ever. Also running, playing, jumping...which she's NOT supposed to be doing during her recovery, so I have to keep her confined, but it's just so great having the old Lucy back. I will, however, be very glad when she's healed and done with the giant lampshade collar...she's much like the proverbial bull in a china closet.