Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Leaping Rats and Roller Coasters

Last week I was walking along a sidewalk at 23rd & E St. in NW D.C. when I saw a very weird, very D.C. thing:

It was broad daylight, and there were some little brown sparrow-like birds flitting in and around some large landscaping bushes edging the sidewalk. The birds were landing on the sidewalk and then jumping or flying into the bush, back and forth. All of a sudden, a huge brown rat jumped out of the bush! At first I was like, "whoa" I think my mind said "squirrel" and then I was like "OH MY!" when it registered it was a rat! I'm not sure if the birds were tormenting the rat from inside the bush, or defending their territory, or trying not to get eaten or what, but they didn't fly away when the rat leaped out at them, they just avoided it in this abrupt game of tag. It darted at a couple of them as they flitted and jumped around it and then it lunged at one of them, reaching into the air toward it with its front legs!!! CRAZY!!! I think it was trying to catch them to eat them!!! Then the rat ran back into the bush!!!! BIZARRE!

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This past weekend, we went to Hershey, Pa. It was a lot of fun! The B&B was really nice. There is a lot to do in Hershey, and it was fun to see Neil's friends who are up there. Fernando is doing his residency through a Penn hospital and Melissa is taking a break from chemistry and caring for their 11-day-old baby!

We went to Hershey Park and rode a couple roller coasters. I definitely do not like roller coasters. I tolerated the first one, with my eyes closed the whole time, hating it. On the second one, I kept my eyes shut as I completely freaked out, started sobbing hysterically and almost passed out. We had to buy the photo to hang on the fridge. I felt I was a flimsy harness away from a sudden and violent death, and the children around me were having the time of their life. Luckily I was rewarded afterward when we saw a concession stand selling s'mores!!!!! They were actually making them over a fire and of course using Hershey's chocolate! It was all worth it!!!!
Click the pic:

7 comments:

Stephanie said...

ahahahahaha! you are the COOLEST! i love that you not only bought it for your fridge, but are posting it here for our viewing pleasure. ahahahaha!

Julie said...

el oh el. wow, i just had a good hearty laugh for 8 AM. that is one of the best roller coaster pics ever. good job.

leslie said...

oh my, i just read another blog that made me cry real tears, someone who just had a miscarriage. then i read yours and my belly is shaking with guffaws. i feel like i'm on my period or something, these wild mood swings.

Lincoln and Alisia said...

oh my gosh I laughed SO HARD at that pic of you... so funny.

Taralyn said...

that is so funny! man, can i go on a rollercoaster with you too? :) That's my reaction on the drop zone and Kings Dominion. HA! Good thing you got a picture to remember :)

modestmuse said...

Glad you all enjoyed. I sure didn't! But it is fun to laugh at now.

Liz said...

wait, that was a hilarious post, megan. i despise the invention of the roller coaster, so kudos for even stepping foot on one let along two! hope the smores went down okay!