Just finished an interview with Jay Thomas this morning and I have to say I was a little deflated. I'm not exactly sure why...I just was. They called about 15 mins. later than scheduled (granted, things happen and other interviews can run over -- I mean, it's HIS show after all...he can take as long as he wants) and I waited for another few mins. while he finished up his interview before mine. I'm not sure I wanted to hear all that. F-bombs were flying like they were going out of style. (Pete said it was most likely a satellite broadcast which might explain the free flying f's.)
Anyhoo -- they finally got to me and it lasted no more than 5 mins. He did most of the talking -- again, fine. It's his show. -- so, there (1) wasn't much to say and (2) there was little time to talk about the whole episode because he was already on the next subject. It just felt really weird.
I have to say that the interviews I did with The Moffit and Frankie Show in Kansas City and The 2 Dorks in Iowa were much more enjoyable. Heck, even the one here in my hometown, WJBQ in Portland, was more entertaining. Ah well, what do you expect? After all, it's old news by now....and that's probably a good thing. :)
check out these guys:
http://www.2dorks.com/
http://www.kcfx.com/
http://www.wjbq.com/ (Lori, Meredeth and Jeff are a hoot!! LOVE YOU, GUYS!! :) )
When all is said and done -- it was a ride!! I was on the local (WMTW 8) and national (Good Morning America) news! Heck, it even went world-wide! Can't beat that with a stick now can you? :) My friend in Australia couldn't believe it and said the story was other there as well -- she emailed everyone she knew too..heh heh...wow! Crazy times here in Gorham, Maine!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
snake adventures....
It looks like my 15 mins. of fame have come and gone. I can't say that I'm not relieved. I'm not a snake lover and having to relive the entire episode of finding a python in my washing machine is not something I relish. Frankly, why couldn't have been for a short story or song I wrote and published? :) Such is life.
I have laundry to do today and I'm a bit wary. No reason I should be -- I just am. It will pass, I'm sure. In the meantime I really will be doing what I told the reporter I would do: Checking EVERY possible opening/crevasse there is to be seen before I plunge unseeingly....again.
It looks like an eventful day. I'm getting to projects that took a back burner since my trip to Colorado, of which I haven't had the chance to write about yet. Golly! I better get on that. :) I went to see my dear friend Trish and her mountains. They took my breath away...literally! heh heh So much for adjusting quickly to high altitudes without too much ado. No matter. I was able to see her again and meet Pete. In my (humble, as always) opinion, I got the better end of the deal. :-D
tot ziens!
I have laundry to do today and I'm a bit wary. No reason I should be -- I just am. It will pass, I'm sure. In the meantime I really will be doing what I told the reporter I would do: Checking EVERY possible opening/crevasse there is to be seen before I plunge unseeingly....again.
It looks like an eventful day. I'm getting to projects that took a back burner since my trip to Colorado, of which I haven't had the chance to write about yet. Golly! I better get on that. :) I went to see my dear friend Trish and her mountains. They took my breath away...literally! heh heh So much for adjusting quickly to high altitudes without too much ado. No matter. I was able to see her again and meet Pete. In my (humble, as always) opinion, I got the better end of the deal. :-D
tot ziens!
Friday, July 18, 2008
snake in my washing machine...
UPDATE, July 22: Just talked with my dad today and he was chatting with a guy at work who has snakes as pets (shudder). The guy told him that coming through the drain was absolutely credible. He's found his in places that no one would think and says, "If they want to get some place, they will." Apparently, "where there's a will, there's a way." (shudders again)
*****
UPDATE, July 19: I may have an idea about how the python could have entered. Of course, the itty-bitty tubes would be impossible for such a snake to enter -- that's a given. BUT...it could have slithered through the drain pipe. I mean, the PVC piping is definitely big enough for a python to enter, especially since its state of being dehydrated and hungry. What do you think???
*****
UPDATE 11:45am: Just talked with a radio DJ who is/was also a plumber and we came to the conclusion that, since the possibility is slight -- that the python traveled through the water pipes it IS possible that it COULD have come up through the old walls and somehow got in through the back of my washer. (NOTE: Snake handler was the one who said it came through the pipes!!!!!) I still don't see how, but it could have been that way. OR somehow, the python got in via the PVC piping which is a lot bigger. Still, it's a mystery!! ?????
*****
Just read some comments from "professional plumbers" who say,
"As a professional plumber there is no way possible a snake could get into a pressurerised water pipe. I also see no way that a snake could get through the pump motor that discharges the water out of the washing machine, or through the 1/2 inch water lines or the selinoid valves in the washing machine. I see no way possible that a snake could do what this article says. Espically a python that is probibly 2 1/2 inches in diameter" Jenn
Well, all I have to say, Miss Imaprofessionalplumber is...It was THERE and it didn't crawl in through the bloomin' window! So YOU explain to me how is wasn't possible?! My new plumbing is big enough to have 'housed' it...I TOUCHED IT! So THERE! (I know...real mature, huh? It just irks me how some people just "know"!) Idiots!! Especially Rusty here who adds,
"In water pipe? Ask any plumber.... a little suspicious to me."
BAH!
Gorham woman finds snake washing machine...that would be me
OK -- so, I'm on the news everywhere.
It's crazy!
I'm going to have to put the phone on mute or something for getting so many calls. People are starting to lie about who they are (thankfully, this has happened only once) and it's not funny. I had an interview scheduled with one radio station and another led me to believe it was they who were the right station...aargh!
Anyway -- here is the whole story. You know, the one without editing....
Wednesday, July 16, I bring my laundry down to wash. There is nothing unusual in or around my laundry basket and/or washer and dryer. I put it in and wash. The washing machine stops and I forget about it until approximately and hour later. It is somewhere before or just after 2:00 pm and I reach in the washing machine, without looking, and start unloading.
I never dry my jeans (for comfort issues) so, I laid them out to air dry. I immediately reach back in and grab onto something solid. A movement catches my eye to my right (about 1 foot from my forearm) and I see a snake head, tongue slither, starting to come out of the wash tub. Time seems to have slowed down to a crawl and I gasp, jump back and stare! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!! A SNAKE is in my washing machine! For some reason, I have the where-with-all to slowly lower the lid. Apparently, I'm still humane during a major shock that has taken my breath away.
I went around to my kitchen to where my Pomeranian (Mocha) is safely hemmed in and start to dry sob (probably hyperventilating while trying to determine whether or not to cry). My brain starts kicking in and I'm starting to ask myself how in the world a large snake could get into my washing machine.
This is the question that everyone is asking and there is already a LOT of speculation and incredulity. Why not? I was asking myself the exact same thing. Now, I am not versed in reptile-ology, but I DO know I didn't place it there. I would never TOUCH a snake, no matter its size. (shudder) I immediately thought it might be my roommate's fiance's pet snake, Sierra and contacted her. He had it up (from Mass.) with him on Monday and neighbor's saw him with it. Em, my roommate, made him keep it outside (rightfully so) and said that he took it back with him.
Another possibility was my new tenant, who is not even moved in yet. He asked if it would be OK to have his pet snake in the apartment downstairs. I hemmed because I'm not fond of the idea. He assured me that it would be tightly ensconced in it's cage...aquarium...whatever. So, he was the next person I thought of. I promptly dismissed it because his snake is till in Pownal...too far away from here (phew!). I eventually called him to see if he could possibly take it out when I couldn't find anyone less expensive to remove the snake.
I made several phone calls before resorting to the TV stations. My vet. The animal hospital down the road. The town office. The police department. Animal control (they don't remove snakes...what??!!!). Private snake remover guy (too expensive -- after all, I am a private voice teacher who's budget is pretty well planned ahead and doesn't allow for a casual dropping down of $75 or more at a moment's notice). Finally, (at the suggestion of my hero, Pete!!) TV stations. After all, they have connections...right?!. At this point, I just want it to be GONE!
I got a response from the ABC affiliated local station here who wanted to come and check it out smelling a possible story. Meanwhile, I'm still alone (yes, for those scoffers out there - I was completely alone) in my apartment 1 hour AFTER finding it. My mother was curious and came in for the last half hour before the news team came. I kept washing my hands because I couldn't get over the fact that I actually touched the darn thing.
I realize people dismissed it as, "Oh, she's a woman -- she'd think ANY snake was a big one." Obviously, I do not exaggerate! Of course, it being coiled around the wringer, it was hard to tell, but I told those I talked with that it was about 3-4 feet long and 3 inches in diameter. It looked black and gray to me at first but, then, I didn't look again to see (shudder) that it was actually brown/tan. UGH! It had yellow-orange eyes...creepy!
No one knew how long the snake was or what type of snake until Richard, from Lewiston, came to get it out (he was referred to me by the TV station) and was willing to take it off my hands for less than the first guy and split it into two payments -- much appreciated. He arrived somewhere between 6:30pm and 7:00pm.
While waiting for Richard to come, the evening crew decided they wanted to broadcast it live for the 11:00pm news and arrived to "take over" for the day crew. They were all wonderful! The people at WMTW here in Maine are fabulous. I don't know what I would have done without their quick response and help. It was also comforting to find that the camera guy afraid of snakes. Even so, he did a great job at capturing the sight. Kudos!!
My roommate arrived followed shortly by my new tenant who came after I called to tell him he did not need to come after all to help. He was curious to see it for himself. After all, he owns a small one himself. Why not? Actually, I am glad he was here because (and they omitted this on TV -- probably because it would have changed Richard's image a little) he had to help Richard get it into the bag he brought to take it away in.
As Richard starts pulling up the snake (later identified as a reticulated python), it keeps coming and coming! The whole room is shocked (you can hear my mother exclaiming, "Oh, my stars and garters!" in the background! heh heh) by its length. Richard announces that it is 8 feet long, hungry and very dehydrated, explaining the reason why it is much skinnier than it normally would have been (shudders again) under normal circumstances. The python starts wrapping itself around Richard's arm as he gets the bag to place the snake in. It goes into the bag, but comes right back out, falling to the floor, moving in our direction. Richard holds onto the tail and promptly puts the bag down to regain control of the python. AJ, my new tenant, puts his gloves on (he came prepared) and starts helping Richard place the python into the bag. After a few minutes, the python is secure.
(SIGH!)
I talked a little more with Richard when he came back up from putting the python in his truck and got a bit watery in the eye thinking about the whole thing again. I told him how much I appreciated his willingness to help me the way he did and for taking two payments for his services. I noticed in the Sun Journal that he was quoted as saying, "she was still crying (about it) when I left." Er....let's get it right, bucko...I was not crying! Men! After all that and I'm still a little woman who goes into hysterics at the littlest snake!!!! HUMBUG! Yes, he did have more sympathy for the python than me, but that's ok....it's his job and passion. I can respect that as a voice teacher who literally sings for her supper, but gimme a break, will ya?! YEESH! As much as I am good in a crisis I am still allowed to be totally FREAKED OUT once in a while!
Well, there you have it. The truth as it happened.
I am without a python and glad that "Maytag" (jokingly named by the Gorham Times people) is safe and sound and being well taken care of. For those interested, he will be on display at York Wild Animal Kingdom. Go take a gander. But, don't be expecting to see me there. I've already had my close encounter......
It's crazy!
I'm going to have to put the phone on mute or something for getting so many calls. People are starting to lie about who they are (thankfully, this has happened only once) and it's not funny. I had an interview scheduled with one radio station and another led me to believe it was they who were the right station...aargh!
Anyway -- here is the whole story. You know, the one without editing....
Wednesday, July 16, I bring my laundry down to wash. There is nothing unusual in or around my laundry basket and/or washer and dryer. I put it in and wash. The washing machine stops and I forget about it until approximately and hour later. It is somewhere before or just after 2:00 pm and I reach in the washing machine, without looking, and start unloading.
I never dry my jeans (for comfort issues) so, I laid them out to air dry. I immediately reach back in and grab onto something solid. A movement catches my eye to my right (about 1 foot from my forearm) and I see a snake head, tongue slither, starting to come out of the wash tub. Time seems to have slowed down to a crawl and I gasp, jump back and stare! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!! A SNAKE is in my washing machine! For some reason, I have the where-with-all to slowly lower the lid. Apparently, I'm still humane during a major shock that has taken my breath away.
I went around to my kitchen to where my Pomeranian (Mocha) is safely hemmed in and start to dry sob (probably hyperventilating while trying to determine whether or not to cry). My brain starts kicking in and I'm starting to ask myself how in the world a large snake could get into my washing machine.
This is the question that everyone is asking and there is already a LOT of speculation and incredulity. Why not? I was asking myself the exact same thing. Now, I am not versed in reptile-ology, but I DO know I didn't place it there. I would never TOUCH a snake, no matter its size. (shudder) I immediately thought it might be my roommate's fiance's pet snake, Sierra and contacted her. He had it up (from Mass.) with him on Monday and neighbor's saw him with it. Em, my roommate, made him keep it outside (rightfully so) and said that he took it back with him.
Another possibility was my new tenant, who is not even moved in yet. He asked if it would be OK to have his pet snake in the apartment downstairs. I hemmed because I'm not fond of the idea. He assured me that it would be tightly ensconced in it's cage...aquarium...whatever. So, he was the next person I thought of. I promptly dismissed it because his snake is till in Pownal...too far away from here (phew!). I eventually called him to see if he could possibly take it out when I couldn't find anyone less expensive to remove the snake.
I made several phone calls before resorting to the TV stations. My vet. The animal hospital down the road. The town office. The police department. Animal control (they don't remove snakes...what??!!!). Private snake remover guy (too expensive -- after all, I am a private voice teacher who's budget is pretty well planned ahead and doesn't allow for a casual dropping down of $75 or more at a moment's notice). Finally, (at the suggestion of my hero, Pete!!) TV stations. After all, they have connections...right?!. At this point, I just want it to be GONE!
I got a response from the ABC affiliated local station here who wanted to come and check it out smelling a possible story. Meanwhile, I'm still alone (yes, for those scoffers out there - I was completely alone) in my apartment 1 hour AFTER finding it. My mother was curious and came in for the last half hour before the news team came. I kept washing my hands because I couldn't get over the fact that I actually touched the darn thing.
I realize people dismissed it as, "Oh, she's a woman -- she'd think ANY snake was a big one." Obviously, I do not exaggerate! Of course, it being coiled around the wringer, it was hard to tell, but I told those I talked with that it was about 3-4 feet long and 3 inches in diameter. It looked black and gray to me at first but, then, I didn't look again to see (shudder) that it was actually brown/tan. UGH! It had yellow-orange eyes...creepy!
No one knew how long the snake was or what type of snake until Richard, from Lewiston, came to get it out (he was referred to me by the TV station) and was willing to take it off my hands for less than the first guy and split it into two payments -- much appreciated. He arrived somewhere between 6:30pm and 7:00pm.
While waiting for Richard to come, the evening crew decided they wanted to broadcast it live for the 11:00pm news and arrived to "take over" for the day crew. They were all wonderful! The people at WMTW here in Maine are fabulous. I don't know what I would have done without their quick response and help. It was also comforting to find that the camera guy afraid of snakes. Even so, he did a great job at capturing the sight. Kudos!!
My roommate arrived followed shortly by my new tenant who came after I called to tell him he did not need to come after all to help. He was curious to see it for himself. After all, he owns a small one himself. Why not? Actually, I am glad he was here because (and they omitted this on TV -- probably because it would have changed Richard's image a little) he had to help Richard get it into the bag he brought to take it away in.
As Richard starts pulling up the snake (later identified as a reticulated python), it keeps coming and coming! The whole room is shocked (you can hear my mother exclaiming, "Oh, my stars and garters!" in the background! heh heh) by its length. Richard announces that it is 8 feet long, hungry and very dehydrated, explaining the reason why it is much skinnier than it normally would have been (shudders again) under normal circumstances. The python starts wrapping itself around Richard's arm as he gets the bag to place the snake in. It goes into the bag, but comes right back out, falling to the floor, moving in our direction. Richard holds onto the tail and promptly puts the bag down to regain control of the python. AJ, my new tenant, puts his gloves on (he came prepared) and starts helping Richard place the python into the bag. After a few minutes, the python is secure.
(SIGH!)
I talked a little more with Richard when he came back up from putting the python in his truck and got a bit watery in the eye thinking about the whole thing again. I told him how much I appreciated his willingness to help me the way he did and for taking two payments for his services. I noticed in the Sun Journal that he was quoted as saying, "she was still crying (about it) when I left." Er....let's get it right, bucko...I was not crying! Men! After all that and I'm still a little woman who goes into hysterics at the littlest snake!!!! HUMBUG! Yes, he did have more sympathy for the python than me, but that's ok....it's his job and passion. I can respect that as a voice teacher who literally sings for her supper, but gimme a break, will ya?! YEESH! As much as I am good in a crisis I am still allowed to be totally FREAKED OUT once in a while!
Well, there you have it. The truth as it happened.
I am without a python and glad that "Maytag" (jokingly named by the Gorham Times people) is safe and sound and being well taken care of. For those interested, he will be on display at York Wild Animal Kingdom. Go take a gander. But, don't be expecting to see me there. I've already had my close encounter......
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