labmistress.com

I’m driving Bri to school this morning, and she tells me that she and her friends have decided to make a movie this summer. A documentary. It’s going to be called the “The Most Haunted Places: Nevada.” I don’t know what this kid’s fascination is with ghosts and the paranormal, but she has always had it. I nod approvingly, just trying to get her to school on time, and she starts telling me about all the places they have on their list so far. Somehow, I just knew this would involve me driving.

One place in particular is the Goldfield Hotel in Goldfield, Nevada. It’s a town that has a population of about 220 people and is located in Esmeralda County–about a two and half hour drive from here. I’ve been out there once on business, and trust me, there is NOTHING out there. Anyway, all these bizarre deaths occurred in this abandoned hotel, and it is haunted by their ghosts. She tells me that it’s supposed to be the scariest place in the state, and is known for being one of the seven doorways to the “other side.” Great.

I tell her that she is going to have to talk to Mark, because there is no way I am taking her and five kids alone to one of the potential doorways to hell. Can you imagine? It would totally be my luck that my presence would initiate the portal.

Any of you have a strong belief in the paranormal? Would you encourage this if your kids were interested?

Mark and I have always had to keep some separation of our animals. Simba, his male cat, gets along very well with my dog, Kitty, but Nala, his other cat, wants no part of the super-cute black Corgi mix. Normally, she will come down the stairs, hiss from the landing and then flee back up the stairs. Last night, for the first time in almost two years, we had a semi-breakthrough.

She came down to the landing, and STAYED. Oh she was growling the whole time, but sat there for about twenty minutes just staring at Kitty. Simba was stretched out next to Kitty, almost like he was trying to reassure Nala and mentally saying, “The dog’s OK, just a hyperactive pain.” Kitty’s tail was wagging furiously as she focused on the cat staring her down from the landing. You know she was thinking, “I want to taste the white one, I already know what the tan one tastes like.” Silly animals. We’ll keep at it, but still not sure if they will ever get along.

For the most part, Kitty is really good with Simba. Sure, they play fight a lot, but she never tries to hurt him and rarely gives chase. However, there was also another first last night. Simba inched toward me on the couch for pets, and Kitty flew up, body slammed the cat to the other end of the couch, and maintained a position between us. She was jealous! Simba just kind of stared at her like she was some kind of freak.

We had a great time at Mark’s friends’ house yesterday, watching the game. It was pretty interesting, and surprisingly, I was never bored. There was a dicey moment, when his friend stated that he hated hackers and joked about public executions over the internet. Normally, I would take the opportunity to educate on the benefits hackers provide, but since this was the first time I was meeting these people and Mark worked with the guy, I kept my mouth SHUT. That in itself, was an amazing moment. You guys know how hard that is for me to do. Next time, I will take my stance and explain all the yummy goodness that comes from exposing the holes in the false oblivion of security some IT folks want to live in.

Congratulations to the Saints!