After almost two years of near isolation working from home, I caught about five mild colds in the first three months after returning to work. Fortunately nothing serious enough to put me down but annoying since I so rarely get them.

It's a financial bomb - the best sort to freak him out. Plus, he's a control freak and he's NOT going to like the fact that we have to put a $1000 deposit down to rent some equipment (not to mention that MY photographer already had said equipment). I could go on a looooooong rant right about now.

So.... The great state of Utah is known for many things... Mormons, extra fancy liquor license to go into a real bar, lush mountains covered with winter snow and.... HORNETS.

I've had a weird-a$$ed day. Woke up, kinda tired, watched TV, set about on some homework, etc, decided that the rice from yesterday wouldn't be good for making fried rice tonight and started up a new pot. Being that there is no rice cooker here (the reason for the horrible (IMO) rice from last night), I took extra care in measurements, temperature, etc, and walked off to the computer to do a number of things, including going to this very website.

It seemed as though a few minutes had gone by, when I noticed something smelling funny. Apparently when surfing the LoT - time flies. I walk to the kitchen and to my horror, the pot has smoke coming up, the water is all gone, and it's burnt, burnt, burnt. I turn on the fan, and go to open the kitchen window. After raising the blinds, I realize that the window isn't "normal" to me. I search for the clips to pull up by running my hands around the edges. Luckily, I look down as I'm going across the bottom because there was a hornet!!

The smoke detector goes off, and I scream! I leave the hornet to fan the detector, open the front door (which is nearby) and just stand there contemplating how I would get rid of Mr. Hornet. I go to Google, type in Hornet, and what should be on the first page? The University of Utah, talking about the horrible hornet situation Utah faces annually. So, this is going to be a big problem, eh?

Pissed and distracted, I drive to Target, looking for some kind of spray. I should go for the big stuff, right? This is going to be a big problem? Apparently, this must be the season - over half the pest control section was filled with wasp and hornet specific artillery. I grab the biggest, blackest, meanest-looking can I can find (realizing that I will choke and gag after using such a menacing device) and head to the counter. I pass the small electrics, and what do you know... the rice cooker is on SALE! Grabbed one of those and realize I could use some TUMS. Grab a bottle of that and off to the counter I go!

I popped a couple of TUMS, and nearly chickened out on the spray. What if it didn't work right away? I don't want pissed off pests, no, no! Once my stomach settled, I blasted away and watched the hornet die a cruel death. I felt bad for the hornet and sick from the can of raid - but it was a choice, either me or the hornet, and the hornet had to go.

Now, time to take a shower. I smell like smoke and insecticide. I'll deal with the rice cooker later.

Glad to hear you are ok. Any idea how the hornet got in? Are there any nests nearby?

Well, I couldn't wait for them to call me, so I called the mechanic. Transmission's shot. Still waiting on an estimate for a rebuild.

Can't help wondering if I should bother...

I'm going to guess that there are probably a ton nearby. I checked the quick areas I tend to pass and didn't see anything, though it doesn't mean there isn't one hidden away somewhere. We'll just have to see how it goes. EEEK! :eek:

If this was Iron Chef, you'd have trapped the Hornet in the rice cooker and had "Hornet-Flavoured Rice".

Or made Ice-cream out of it. Anyone for a "Hornet Cornet" ?

I guess it depends on the repair cost, and comparing that to your other options (something else new/used?)

Okay, Lash, I LOVE, LUFF, LURVE, LOVe you... my sides hurt, how much more spectacularly fun you will be in person, I can only imagine.

I don't know a heck of a whole lot about hornets but I sort of recollect a bit....

I don't what type of dwelling you reside in but you might want to walk about the perimeter and look up in the eaves {I think that is what it is called where the roof overhangs? I dunno...go with me here} and see if you see anything that looks like a clump of mud.

Or, do hornets make their nests in the ground? Really something to look in to and do a check now and again.

Reminds me to go take a walk around my house. I worry so much about our kids and our doggie being attacked by a swarm of bees!

Well, either way, check on google what you should look for. Be on top of it, I always say.

Well, I always say it but I don't always do it...

Good luck!

Morri~so sorry about the car problems. I sympathize completely.