Linear view vs. Masonry View

Archive for ‘Funny Friday’

Be. More. Specific.

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Play Money, Rockport, Texas December 2019

During the week before I moved from Texas I made it a point to re-visit my favorite places. One of them was a peaceful, little cove on Copano Bay with stellar sunset views. It was such a relaxing spot that I made it a point to swing by there at least once a week.

On my last trip, I espied this green rectangle from a distance and though it looked a little funny I was hopeful that I would get my wish and find a bunch of money. Technically, it was $100,000 (which is a lot of money to me). It just happened to be play money.

Once again, I was reminded that though the universe conspires to help me, I need to be a lot more specific with my wishes!
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ID-10-T Problem

Anyone who spends time trying to capture moments in nature knows that things do not always go as planned. Weather and uncooperative subjects often pose challenges and then there’s just plain old photographer error.

My recent encounter with a tiny octopus was one such frustrating example. After gently tossing it out into the surf I videoed its progress as it swam away. Or, at least, I thought I did.

Apparently, in my excitement I neglected to press that one important button (same button for start/stop). Instead, I captured my reaction to my epic fail, which I am sharing for your enjoyment (you’re not laughing at me, you’re laughing with me). As they say in the computer industry, it was an ID-10-T problem (remove the hyphens, you’ll get it).

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Eat It!

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Sign at Myakka River State Park, Sarasota, Florida December 2019

After working in the environmental education field for two decades (and being a bit of a word nerd), signs like this really make my skin crawl.

I’m not alone in my reaction. I recently had a chance to visit with two of my former colleagues and we ended up swapping work-related stories: In answer to a question about a mushroom on a nature hike, Jeff replied, “Well, technically, everything is edible. Once.” Which is in a similar vein as one of Julie’s favorite sayings, “The poison is in the dose.” Because even water can kill you, if you drink too much of it.

There is a huge difference between poisonous and venomous: if you bite it and it kills you, that’s poison; if it bites you* and kills you, that’s venom (so yes, you could eat a venomous animal, if you were exceptionally careful, but I don’t recommend it). Then again, you’re dead, what do you care?!

*Or breaks your skin in some other manner.
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