Of Spiders and Saviors

Yesterday was an interesting and funny day. By interesting I mean I pretty much wanted to die, and by funny I mean I got scared enough for my heart to stop just a little.

One of the absolute best things about my job is my co-workers. They are awesome. They are amazing. They take great delight in picking on me. But don't worry, I suppress my natural instincts to be a fragile desert flower and I fight back. Maybe just occasionally, I start the battle.

Yesterday I was working with two of these guys, and we had some equipment to check outside. As they were working, one turns to me and says, "Hey, will you grab my keys and open up that enclosure? It is the key right on top." Being the good little worker I am, I grabbed the keys and went to wrestle my way into this particular box. As I pulled the front off, there about 6 inches from my face is the biggest freaking spider ever to walk the earth.

I'd post a picture here, but I don't have a camera with a wide enough lens. You can use your imagination. At this point a VERY mild expletive escaped my lips. One that I would say to my grandma or my 3-year-old nephew.

So there I am, staring this spider down. And it's winning. The thing is smack dab in the middle of it's web with the lifeless form of a smaller and less fortunate spider gripped in its little pincers, sucking the life out of it. Meanwhile, I have stopped breathing. And I'm afraid to move because spider-zilla might decide I am a tastier treat that what it has already. About the time my heart decides to start beating again, I look up and my co-worker is shaking so hard with laughter I think he's going to hurt something. So I did what anyone would do who has recently come back from a near death experience. I kicked him. When he stopped laughing enough to be able to speak again, he said, "Best. Response. Ever. You just made my day!" And I exercised a little restraint and didn't kick him again.

Story #2

Have you ever been driving somewhere and you don't really want to stop for gas? It just doesn't work well into the schedule. Have you ever pushed it to the limit, and made it to your destination just as your gas light comes on? It is kind of gratifying (and a little scary) when you know your car well enough to know exactly how far you can go. Have you ever made it to that destination far away from your home, pulled in to get gas, and realized your wallet is not with you? That every method of payment or cash you have available is roughly 2 gallons of gas away and you are running on fumes? If you haven't had this experience, then you have also never know the relief that comes from knowing you have someone to call. And hearing them say, "I'll be right there."

It is good to have friends. It is good to be loved!!