Ok, I checked with Jil. No open windows in the last few days that we can remember.

I guess it was just a strange squirrel day worldwide. It happens.

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I just dropped my kids off and returned home. Upstairs, I hear Ellie (the dog) going nuts, running around. So I got up to see what the heck is going on.

The bedroom looks like it’s straight out of a Tom and Jerry cartoon. Lamps are knocked over, the blanket is off the bed, random shoes are lying around, and Ellie is in the closet acting like she’s done something wrong, with one paw over her head.

Then I see the squirrel by the bed. A big, fat one. It’s surreal. I’m looking around trying to figure out how the heck this thing got into our bedroom. Where did it come from? All of the windows are closed.

For some reason I had a cousin that kept two squirrels in captivity in his back yard when he was young. He ended up with huge scratch marks on his back and eventually his parents (wisely, duh) decided to let these squirrels go. I just remember that squirrels do not like to feel trapped and are basically one big muscle with serious claws.

I took one step back.

The squirrel stared me down for a while. I closed the main bedroom door and opened the bedroom balcony door, and sort of pointed in that general direction. The squirrel gave a few head fakes, then bolted out the door and jumped onto a nearby tree.

I still have no clue how that thing got in there.

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I’ve sort of reconnected with the world of education in the past few months. I’ve spoken in two different universities about TechStars in the past couple of weeks, and just met with my 5 year olds kindergarden teacher and principal today. Every time I’m around a teacher, I always get the urge to sincerely say “thank you for all you do.” This is a very under-appreciated group.

Maybe next time you meet a teacher, tell them thanks.

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LOST starts back up tonight. This is one of two TV shows that I always watch (duh, 24, of course).

I get ready kinda like this:

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Just finished an hour “workout” over at Ben Casnocha’s place. I think we played 6 games of ping pong, and somehow I managed to split with him, including one clutch comeback (down 17-20). I like to think that he didn’t let up, either, but maybe he did. I had predicted “shock and awe” in a late night email flurry last night, but it turns out that Ben is mentally tough.

After I saw his post about another epic ping pong battle, I asked if I could come give it a shot. I play alot of tennis so I naturally “get” racquet/paddle sports, but don’t get to the ping pong table very much. But when you’re playing somebody else who’s good, it’s pretty fun.

Playing against Ben is tough, because he can reach literally anything. If you challenge him, my advice is twofold. First, hit into his body and let his wingspan work against him as much as you can. Second, when you really need a point, float an easy serve to his forehand once in a while and he’ll sometimes overhit. His backhand is too good, and he’s expecting it on most serves.

Thanks Ben. Sorry to give away your secrets.

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