Even with the "view at your own risk" I couldn't stop myself from opening the thread, kind of like the ditzy girls in horror movies who insist on walking through the door into dark rooms unarmed. 'Bout the time the pics loaded, Charlie's tail brushed my calf and I'm surprised y'all didn't hear the shriek wherever you are.
Really glad I didn't see this last night before I went to bed.
Rocketman, I can't believe you let that thing loose. You know it's just going to get bigger and come back for a second shot at you, right? I went through a phase where I tried to live and let live but the little bastards just come back for round two when they're even bigger. Best to just be sure and kill them on sight.
As to spiders eating bugs - I've never seen one actually nab a mosquito or a bee, which are the only two bugs/insects that annoy me, so what good are they? Lizards eat bugs too and they're cute and lacking in creepy skittering movements. They also don't jump on you or try to bite you intentionally. Bats are good too. As are many species of birds, garden snakes, all manner of other critters out there that eat bugs. Therefore, no need for spiders.
Best bud and I have a theory that September spiders are the worst. And sure enough, I've seen several of them the past two days. Most recently last night in my kitchen. One built a web between bar stool and bar. Dumb ass saw it earlier in the day and shrieked like a girl (I have an excuse, I AM a girl) and I thought he'd killed it but apparently he was too freaked out (proving he is of absolutely no use whatsoever). Charlie saved the day and ate it. Good to know the dog will protect me from the hideous beasts, but still kind of creepy.
Over the years I've come up with some pretty creative ways of killing spiders that don't require me to get close enough for them to jump on me. Hair spray and a grill lighter is far more effective than throwing a hammer and less alarming to the neighbors than shooting it.
Ben: Portland and wherever Birdman, the Larries, and Regolith live - those locations are OUT OF THE QUESTION.
On a side note, if anyone's interested in reading a couple columns I wrote a few years back on spiders, PM me. They're a bit too long to post here.