So... does anyone on my friends list want to go to a Rooney concert with me tomorrow night? it's at 8 at the Hawthorne Theater. It'll be fun and have nothing to do with either Christmas or classes...

Nanowrimo is terribly tiring, isn't it?

"Hi! It's so great to meet you! My name is Sir Sniffs-A-Lot, and this is my bestest buddy Walks in Circles. We're the Butthead Brothers!"

When did dog walking become an extreme sport?

The couple on the train in front of me tonight were either drunk or just dumb, maybe both.
The guy on the phone who announced loudly "Just because I showed up with a wad of cash in my pocket it don't mean I was set on seduction!" needs to either stay very far away or finish the story.

I want a no talking car.

I sat down to write up a report at work today that is, depending on how you count either a month late of about a year and a half late.  I had some notes that I had written down earlier outlining what I wanted to say.  I had to recheck some things that I had written down, but for the most part they were nice and useful.

But at the bottom of the page I had written:

"Culture= Windmills"

Uhmm..... What?

To this evening's eyerolling patron:  There are many things in the library that I can find for you using nothing but the powers of my mind and memory.  There are many things that I can't.  I suppose I could have explained to you why I couldn't tell you were the typewriter guides in Chinese are at the branch we were in, because they aren't there.  I suppose I could have explained why they have never been there, but that would have taken more than the 4 minutes that the library was still open.  So I sent you to the reference desk instead.  Just be greatful I didn't answer with "Beijing in 1950." 

Ta.

I went to a high school reunion like thing today and spent time listening about people I only sort of remember.  I was ambivalent at best, while this was my graduating class, I spent sophomore year sick and the junior and senior years at the alternative school.  I went thinking that my life was boring, and left thinking that having never been a fugitive, put on suicide watch in jail or stabbed to death by my spouse that I was actually doing fairly well.  Everybody is a work in progress, as Treycat recently mentioned.  My life has gone or in some cases not gone where I thought it would, but whose does?  It was nice to see the couple of people I did know and remember that despite the time they were my friends for a reason.

Today I finally got into the second class that I wanted for the fall term!  I'm now duly registered, I've got my federal aid figured out (for now) and I just need to send in one form verifying that I really didn't graduate and to please defer my student loans. 

I feel like the hardest part of the term is done and classes don't start for another 2 1/2 weeks.

I once found an endorsed $800 dollar check in a library book.  We were looking up the name to get a phone number when he came back.  There is a guiding principle to libraries: Don't take what isn't yours.  If you can return something you should.  If you can't, well then tip your waitress well.

My remedy this week was a combination of sleep, hot tea, and dog cuddles while rewatching Chuck.  Scientificly sound? No.  But you can't really hear the line "I don't care how stressed you are, it's never ok to murder a women's suoffle."  and not feel at least a little better.

And that friend would be is new doctor, and very nice veterinary neurologist.  After several episodes where he suddenly quit being able to walk right and almost as many trips to his regular vet, who told him to quit freaking her out, the diagnosis is that he has epilepsy.  As scary as that sounds it's still better than, a brain tumor, poison, a heart problem.... It's treatable and manageable.  Of course he's never done it when the doctors can see and we've had several suggestions that we carry a video camera with us to catch it.  When Dad mentioned that he actually does, in the form of his digital camera, the vet gave him a high five.

We hadn't had a special needs pet in a while.  i guess the universe decided it was time again.

So, goodbye yellow brick road....  Please?

To add to the list of "Songs that should never be played near small children, yet someone has turned into a children's song anyway":

The Smiths- Girlfriend in a Coma

As the sun starts to set, it is currently 84 degrees in my bedroom.  This is a good five degrees cooler than it was last night at midnight.  Actual sleep may happen soon.

Conversation pieces from my day.  The first two are from the library, (I'm the she being referred to in the second one) the last two are from the halls of Providence Hospital.

"Look Mommy!  A princess, a trashy princess book!" 
"Actually, it's a trashy bride book."

"I told her not to encourage you, but she said that a good Scotty impression deserves appreciation."

"You know, they have the nicest toilet paper here."

"...And now I'm going to have to go all day with it on my nose."

Went to see one of my favorite bands, Carbon Leaf  this week.  I like to call them the best band no one has heard of.  The concert was great, they played for two and a half hours, played lots of old songs as well as their new album, had a long discussion with the audience about what was an appropriate bribe to play a song, (Barry the singer declared that they don't play for booze.  Carter the guitar player replied that he does) and did their encore unpluged.  As in the stood on the edge of the stage and sang.

And now I'm left with a lingering wish to watch Stargate Atlantis.  (Carter is on the end to the right in the picture, if you need the extra guidance...)

Mini-Rant:

I was out at a farmer's market today with my dog Owen.  We had a really nice time and he got to meet many new people and other dogs and he got a new matching leash and collar set.  We went basically to work on his tendency to get excited about other dogs.   It is a slow and ongoing process.

While we were there, I stuck my head into a used bookstore that is A) named for a dog, and B) I've been told it's ok to bring my dog into in the past.  I stuck my head in first to check and was told by a guy who has to be one of the world's worst clerks, "well ok, but usually I just let in small dogs that you can pick up because some people are scared of dogs.  He's a lab, (Owen's not) so he's probably really friendly (he is) but you can never tell."  (you really can)

We went in, I looked for the one book I was looking for, not bothering to ask said clerk for help having been down that dead end before.  Owen stayed next to my side, he looked around and got petted by a customer who put her hand out for him.  Then we left.  I never would have asked to come in if I he wasn't well behaved, because learning, having and maintaining good doggie manners is my side of the dogs in public bargain.  He did not nor has he ever, screamed at the top of his lungs, run loose, played tag, left used lollipop sticks on shelves, knocked the books off, or peed on the chairs.  (all things that children have done at work in the last two weeks.)  I understand that not everyone wants to meet my dog.  That's fine. 

When you live in an urban environment, especially one has dog friendly as Portland, you should know dog body language.  Think of it as akin to knowing the rules of the road.  Even if you don't drive, you should still know the difference between a red light and a green or you're going to end up as food for the crows.

I'm a big believer that everyone has a part to play in creating public peace.

But being afraid of dogs?  I'm sorry.  If you are afraid of dogs that's NOT my problem.  It's yours. 

End Rant.

We were actually just discussing this at work the other day.  The winner was being a mall Santa in Peru. 

I' ve had an ongoing and occasional themed photo collection.  And what are photos for but to share?

( Kitty in a Box! )