Go figure

Who knew so many people were interested in a squirrel named Chester. LOL Well if you didn't see my comment in my last post, here's an update for you. I tried to say hello to him last Friday. I was walking up to his tree, I see him, so I started to say "He...." and he scurry's up the tree. Now this is unusual for him because he usually just stops and stares at me. But no, he ran up the tree and started throwing nuts, or whatever they were, at me. How rude! So I yelled at him "hello to you to Chester!" and laughed all the way to my car. The other students may think I'm this crazy girl talking to trees but I don't care. So I decided to get him back. Yes, it may not have been the right attitude, but it's not nice to throw nuts at someone that's trying to be friends with you.

So for most of this week I haven't even walked by his tree. Nope, he could stare at someone else and throw nuts at them. I was standing firm until one day I completely forgot I was boycotting the sidewalk next to his tree and happened to walk down it. I figured well since I'm here, might as well make amends. Guess what? The little stinker wasn't there! So now I figure he's boycotting me! I vow that the next time I see him to sit down with him, human vs squirrel, and have a talk, whether he likes it or not. I don't know when that will be, he could be part of a secret of groups of squirrels who hibernate after human encounters. But when I do see him, we'll get this resolved. Who knows the effects that could happen with him and his potential family. Not to mention I could lose sleep over this and continue to blog about it for months on end, boring all of my friends. It could be catastrophic! I may never be able to look at another squirrel again! So here I wait....

Chester

I see him almost everyday. The same spot. Doing the same thing. I wonder why, but I have yet to ask. I first met him a few weeks ago. Next to a tree, eating. I smiled and kept walking, not thinking twice about it. But then I saw him the next day and the next and the next and almost everyday since then. He's always doing the same thing, staring at me and eating. I walk by, I smile, he stops eating and watches me until I get about 50 feet away then goes back to eating.

I don't really know his name, I've never asked. But the other day I found Chester to be the most fitting. So now when I walk by I smile and silently say "hello Chester." No, I haven't mustered up the courage to actually say hi. It's strange because usually I'm not one to not say hi to someone. Maybe it's because a smile usually is a form of saying hi. You know, you smile, nod your head. That's sort of a universal hi right?

I didn't see Chester today. I admit I was a little disappointed. Maybe he was in class or there was a family emergency. Does he even have a family? I didn't see a ring, just food and the usual stare. Maybe I should take a different route. I wouldn't want to give him the wrong idea. What would people think? Maybe I'll see him on Friday. Maybe I should say hi out loud.

Oh, by the way, Chester is a squirrel, in case you were wondering.

Backpacks

Since going back to school, I've found it interesting to look at what types of backpacks people are wearing. There's the people without backpacks, perhaps they think they are too cool for one? Then there's those that wear just the one strap backpacks. Usually seen worn by girls, but some guys have them. Then there's the two strap backpacks, like the one I have. Then there's the people with backpacks that are more like suitcases because they have wheels and you drag them on the ground. The suitcase like ones I mostly see older people using.

Then there's the style of backpacks. Most are pretty simple, the normal black and blue. A few reds and pinks but not many. Mine is purple. So what does this say about a person I wonder? Maybe the darker colored ones, the people don't want them to stand out so they don't stand out? Then the opposite, those that are bright colors that do stand out, is that that person's intent to stand out amongst the crowd? I saw a guy with Superman on his one strap backpack, my guess is he likes Superman. When I bought mine, I thought it looked nice, not boring, and it was big enough for my books. Simple as that.

But I know it's not that simple for most people. I remember in grade school what kind of backpack you had made you "cool." I always looked forward to a new year where I would get a new backpack. So exciting! Ok, that's my rambling thought for the day. LOL

"All the animals have gone mad!"

A line from "Finding Nemo" for those who have not seen the movie. That scene comes to mind every time the word "dentist" comes up. That part where the dentist wants to give his niece, Nemo as a present. Nemo pretends he's dead, the dentist goes to through him away, then the pelican flies in through the window, the dentist yells, the niece screams and chaos breaks out. Then you have the other patients in the waiting room looking through the fish tank and all they can see is the dentist running around and they can hear a little girl screaming while the dentist's tools go off. Ahh, a fun scene.

So what is it with people not wanting to go to the dentist? I mean seriously. Yes it hurts, yes it's not fun, yes it's expensive. But wouldn't you rather PREVENT something serious from happening? Really, going in every six months won't kill anyone. Maybe your pocket book though if you don't have insurance, which I can understand not always going in. But they clean your teeth, which sometimes isn't too fun but bearable, maybe you get some fluoride, which doesn't taste all that great either, but again bearable. It's not like you're going into labor or anything.

The worst part for me to see the dentist are the x-rays, they make me gag, and the shots to numb me. But again, I deal with it because I would rather prevent and have them catch anything early so I don't have huge problems down the road. I don't want periodontal disease or my teeth to fall out or end up having a root canal. All of these things plus a million more could happen. Yes, there are people who never go to the dentist and their teeth are incredibly healthy and they have zero problems. Lucky them. Most of us are NOT that blessed.

Today I almost literally had to drag my husband to the dentist. I think if I was dead, he wouldn't go and probably wouldn't take our girls. I'm big on clean teeth, healthy teeth. So sue me. What's the first thing you look at when you're talking to someone? Their mouth! Who wants to be chatting with a friend and all of a sudden see a piece of who knows what sticking out between their teeth? "What the? How long has that been there?" (Emperor's New Groove reference, also a funny scene).

All in all, prevention is key. Unless you like root canals, large dentist bills, and/or dentures. More power to you if you do!