I just checked our T-Max (or formerly known as Sentricon) stations outside for Termite activity. I installed these not long before I left Terminix, and have an ample supply of refills and extra stations as needed. I prefer these to chemical treatments because of the little impact on the environment, despite the need to maintain them and the fact that they aren’t effective unless the termites find them (which they generally do).

The two stations out front by the front door were still full, no activity there. Not surprising since a technician volunteered to do a liquid treatment there a couple years back (we had lots of termite activity back then).

The station by the garage, however, was completely empty as expected. I will refill it tomorrow to see if there is still activity in a couple months. Most likely the cellulose has eliminated the colony, but you can never be too cautious.

On the way to work today I saw a huge snapping turtle crossing the road by this old farm. I’ve never seen a snapping turtle crossing a road before, and it’s the weirdest thing to see. I see box turtles all the time, but snapping turtles are odd and alien looking. This one was almost the size of a tire.

When I came home the peacock was strutting his tail in full glory, and we have a new brood of baby ducks that I held for a while.

This weekend there were a lot of things going on that I had to choose from. Faerie Festival, a Beltane Ritual up at Highland farms, and a cousin’s baby shower. I chose the baby shower because I know my cousin has been having a hard time and wanted to support her.

I got her some organic baby items that I know she’ll need like powder, diaper ointment, chlorine free diapers, etc. I would have gotten her cloth diapers, but I don’t think she’s the type of person to use them, so I do what I can.

I wrapped her gifts in newspaper and cloth that I had saved from a gift someone gave me for my birthday. One of her friends came up to me and said they were very impressed to see me doing that, compared to all the other gifts that were wrapped in brand new fancy one-time-use wrapping paper. Maybe it’ll make some of them think?

She also loves my music so asked me to play for her shower, which I did. I actually enjoyed it a lot because apparently some of her friends listen to my music myspace quite a bit and know a lot about me, or they talk a lot about me, or something like that.

I also got to meet a cousin who I used to be very close with growing up, but hadn’t seen in 15 years. That was probably the highlight of my day, because I did miss her quite a bit. I talked with her mom about some genealogy stuff and got some more information for my genealogy website.

All in all was a calm family weekend, which is a nice change from how busy I’ve been with rituals, camping, pagan conferences, etc. Even though I have the Grove’s Beltane next weekend -and- a Sweatlodge later this month, -and- other stuff I can’t remember right now.

I ran across a site today that allows you to take YouTube videos and convert them to .mp3’s. They do this by taking the .flv file and converting them either by you uploading the .flv file, or through the YouTube video URL. It’s actually quite easy and painless, and I got a few songs I’ve been wanting off of YouTube earlier today.

1. Go to Flvto.com
2. Enter in the URL of the YouTube video you wish to create OR upload the .flv file that you’ve already downloaded to convert. (I’ve noticed this does not work on all URL’s, but so far only on URL’s that are marked as adult content due to the URL encoding).
3. Click “Okay” and wait for it to convert
4. You should either receive an automatic download window or if that doesn’t show up, click on the link it supplies to download. The former will name the file for you automatically, the latter will require you to name it yourself.

Pretty straightforward. Happy converting!

Our technician just left from installing our Comcast Triple Play so we now have their phone service. It was quick and painless, and I have this big new modem thing with all these lights and things.

Everything appears to be in working order, and I’ve done a test call to my cellphone. Time well tell I suppose.

Here’s to saving $400/year Now to call and cancel Verizon and then head to work.