Centipedes and other creepy-crawlies

P. found this centipede in our bathroom last week, just where I'd been standing only seconds before. You can't tell from the picture, but it's about four inches long and vicious! It writhed and twisted madly when Peter put it into the bug box. I'm not usually too scared of bugs, but this one was a veritable monster, and I was sure I'd seen the same creature in the Aquarium's Dazzling but Deadly exhibit. A quote from the California Poison Control website: "A bite from a California centipede may cause immediate burning pain, redness and swelling. The clawed tips of the feet may cause puncture wounds that can become infected." A quote from Dangerboy (two favorite words lately): "Ew, gwoss."



Speaking of poisonous, last week I played for one of my favorite clients, a rising young opera singer (OK, he's my ONLY client that's close to being well-known in his field)--we recorded a couple of arias, and he brought his fiancee along to two of the sessions. She was just mean--she talked to him as if he were five years old (in a bad way); she called him stupid and insulted him to me when he left the room; she criticized his singing and gave unsolicited advice though obviously not a musician; she mentioned getting him Botox (he rolled his eyes at me); she made him nervous. OK, so I only met her on two occasions (third session, she stayed home and the recording took a fraction of the time because things were so relaxed). But it took all my energy not to tell the poor guy to run in the other direction--or at least send an anonymous e-mail. He seemed so scared of her! It's obviously none of my business, as they're both really just acquaintances, so I'll just leave my "filter" on (thanks Jana) and my mouth shut. Agree? Disagree?