My wife and I went for a walk last night near the UT campus. I saw what I thought at first was a large, ugly cat walking across the street. But then I realized that it was a large, ugly raccoon.

It was walking across a grassy area between the road and the sidewalk when it encountered a squirrel. The raccoon sped up a little as if it were going to attack the squirrel. The squirrel took a couple of steps back but stood its ground.

Then as the raccoon started to walk away the squirrel actually chased after it. Brave little squirrel.

I wish I had my camera with me.

Don’t Treat Your Employers Better Than They Treat You: Words of wisdom at Violent Acres.

I think I’ve worked in that same department. I shouldn’t have ever given them any notice. If your office doesn’t treat you decently at all, here’s the procedure: Go to the office, clean out your desk, say goodbye as you head for lunch, don’t come back. (Found via digg.com)

I read an interesting article awhile back about why people steal things from the office. I’ll have to see if I can find it again. The main gist was that if employees don’t feel respected and aren’t compensated appropriately, then they will return the disrespect in one form or another and find their own way to make a little extra compensation — no matter how petty it might be.

Joe Rogan vs. Carlos Mencia: According to Joe Rogan, Carlos Mencia steals material. Watch the video. (I miss News Radio | Quotes.)

Escher’s Relativity in Lego by Andrew Lipson: That is just so freaking cool! A re-creation of Escher’s “Ascending and Descending” in LEGO. I always thought that the stairs were an optical illusion that could only happen in two dimensions. Apparently, not.

She is mine and I am hers.
Her God is my God.
She makes me a better person.
She encourages me in all that I do.
She is absolutely gorgeous.
She’ll listen to me babble on about most anything.
She asks me about my day.
She tells me about hers.
She has beautiful brown eyes.
I love her long hair.
She loves the TV show “24″.
When I miss an episode, she can’t wait to tell me about what happened.
She gets scared sometimes.
She allows me to comfort her.
She encourages my passions.
She understands that she does not have to be passionate about the same things that I am passionate about.
She makes me laugh.
I can make her laugh.
She laughs at my silliness.
We are very sarcastic about many things.
She didn’t grow up watching all of the same shows that I did.
She is wonderful with children.
She has great friends.
My friends love her.
My family loves her.
She is passionate about cooking and baking.
She loves cheese.
She is energized by being around people.
I love her hugs.
She’s a great kisser. ;-)
She loves BBQ.
She loves exploring new restaurants with me.
We have great vacations together.
We’ve never had an awkward moment.
She will walk beside me all of my days.
When I’m sad, she consoles me.
When I am happy, she shares in my delight.
When I am tired, she lets me sleep.
She allows me to be myself.
I know that she will always stand beside me no matter what.
I find that I am more myself when I am with her.
My wife is my best friend.
I am her best friend.
When she is sad, she allows me to calm her.
She makes my lunch for me in the mornings even though she doesn’t have to.
She makes me cookies, cake, and other desserts.
She is a great cook and wonderful baker.
We connected with each other from our very first conversation.
I cannot imagine not having her in my life.
We had an incredible wedding.
We’re going to have a great life together.
I am excited to think about the future with her.
We have so much in common.
We have so much that is different.
Family is important to her.
She wants to have children.
She will be an amazing mother.
She lets me have my space when I need it.
She is my ever-present companion and friend.
She makes me feel like the most important person in the world.
I love that she knows that she is the most important person in my life.
I miss her when I am not with her.
She is seeking after her dreams and desires.
My wife loves me dearly.

… people who talk on cell phones in public restrooms.

Ooo… IKEA and Macintosh. Everywhere. I like how this guy thinks! Check out Soyburger’s Basement Mac Collection. It’s awesome!– Found via TidBITS.com

On a side note, the wife and I just made a short trek to the new IKEA near our home. It’s quite impressive! We spent an hour there and didn’t see anything. It’s like Disneyland but with slower rides and more storage options.

All I can say is that this is the most bizarre story that I’ve heard in a long time. A bit scary as to what people will do. I’m curious to hear from the husband of Lisa Nowak, the alleged attacker in this case. I’m wondering what the male astronaut at the center of this has to say as well.

Yep, I’m pretty much a rubber-necker on this story.

Read the full story at ABCNews.com

UPDATE: The most curious part of this whole story… reports say that Lisa Nowak wore diapers, as astronauts do at launch and re-entry, so that she wouldn’t have to stop for the bathroom on her 900+ mile drive. She allegedly ditched two soiled diapers in a garbage can. Also found in the garbage can were a steel mallet, a four-inch knife, a BB gun, and a love letter to astronaut William Oefelein. Ms. Nowak says that she just wanted to talk with her rival but not harm her.