Old School

Rad.

Just Another Day

I don't really have many interesting ideas to contribute to the world wide web today, but I will say that having a dog has been so far both a rewarding and challenging experience. I am going to need a good professional carpet cleaning once we get over the apparent housebreaking hurdle.

I much more enjoy going home for lunch now than I did before, and I'm a little more motivated as well. Today I made iced tea while I was heating up my lean cuisine, and then we played fetch and watched The People's Court. Judge Milian RULES! hehehe

Defying Logic

At first, I was somewhat afraid to tell my parents and my mentor that we were leaning towards getting a dog. I felt that it was a somewhat irresponsible decision as far as time and money were concerned. But when I told my parents, they were very understanding and didn't bat an eye. When I told my mentor, she was understanding and almost had the "of course" reaction. So I felt an odd sense of peace about it. It didn't make much actual sense, because even to start everything up (bed, collar, leash, adoption fee, etc) was at least $200.

And then tonight, as Scout and I were walking around the apartment complex, I felt this incredible peace. The world made sense again, I was enjoying a brisk walk with my very well-behaved dog, burning calories and relaxing at the same time.

I have some work I had to take home because I got it under the wire today, and I'm sitting here plugging away on a powerpoint presentation, yet I'm reminded by a little wagging tail that "every little thing's gonna be alright." I'm intentionally listening to some David Crowder Band, which I haven't really felt like doing in a while. It's like the God of the Universe is using this little shaggy dirty mutt to remind me to take some time to just be. Be at home. Be outside on a walk. Be alive!

So tears come to my eyes because I can't remember the last time I really just felt glad to be where I am, which is currently at home, yet working on a project for my church, while Aaron and Nathan laugh in the living room, and occasionally I hear the clink of metal tags on a small black collar. I'm not feeling guilty for being holed up in front of the computer, I'm not feeling sorry for myself over what I don't have yet, and I'm not staying in bed until the last possible minute in the morning anymore. I look forward to getting up, even when I'm tired, to taking Scout outside and feeding her. And then I get to sit on the couch and watch Good Morning America with my coffee and my dog and not feel rushed to do anything in particular.

I'm pretty sure we made the right decision in getting this dog. In fact, I'm pretty sure this decision wasn't all ours, and that somebody was looking out for us and made sure we got just the dog we needed.

Plus it's motivating me to finish reading To Kill A Mockingbird, since I just went with Aaron and Joe's opinion that Scout was one of the most awesome characters to grace the page.

How marvelous, how brilliantly
Luminous, You shine on me
And who can fail to give You awe
To fear You, God, so sovereign and strong
What a glorious day
What a wonderful day, today
What a glorious day
What a wonderful day, today
Glorious day

The Dog Blog

This is the long and somewhat sordid tale of our search for a dog.

It all started with our friends' dog, Otis. Otis is part Pug, part Boston Terrier. He is basically an awesome dog who really pushed Aaron and I over the edge as far as wanting one soon. Aaron wanted a dog exactly like Otis, and me, I would have settled for a pug. We agreed, in November, to talk about getting a dog in February.

Then there was the IGE weekend in Big Bear. En route, we discovered that a friend of a friend was going to be giving away some pug puppies. Yes, giving away. So we got our name on that list quickly, and waited a couple weeks to hear how many puppies there were and when we could get ours. We were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little puppy.

Then came the sad news of how our Mama Pug gave birth to 8 little puppies, only to have 2 of them survive. Those two had already been spoken for, leaving us feeling a bit disappointed. We really discovered just how badly we wanted a dog.

So we decided to go looking at shelters. You hear all the time that shelters are a great place to find a great dog, right? You're a hero, you're saving a poor little dog from a terrible fate, it's less expensive than buying a purebred puppy, it's humane, yada yada yada. Well, maybe if you have the option of having any size dog. But when you are limited to a 30 pound weight restriction and a small apartment, really, it's a fight to get a dog in that range. Want a puppy? Forget it! On our first visit to the Rancho Cucamonga animal shelter we found this guy the shelter was calling Nutter. This picture doesn't really do him justice, but here he is. He was a sweet dachsund-beagle mix (yes, I wanted to call him the Oscar Meyer Snoopy Dog), who warmed up to us immediately in the meet & greet room.

Our happy little bubble got burst when someone from the shelter came in the room and said he had just been approved for adoption to another family, so they took him out and we were quite sad. We went looking at several other shelters, but no one compared to this guy and his little perma-puppy face (he was full-grown but still had the look of a puppy).  We were out of town for the weekend so we gave it a rest with the shelters, but went back today and got to meet someone who we are hoping to bring home very soon. We tried to adopt her today only to find out she's not available until tomorrow (doh!) because of the holiday. So we'll be there when the shelter opens at 1pm to secure her for sure. Her name is going to be Scout, and she is the sweetest mangy mutt you'll ever meet. Aaron was convinced he wanted a male dog, someone to be his buddy, but when she ran into the room and went straight to him, she had him. :) I'm very excited, but trying to keep my head on straight in case we have yet another shelter mishap. I think the worst that could happen is that her owner could claim her today, but I am doubtful of that happening.

So here is her picture from the website, not very flattering, and a couple I snapped while we were in the meet & greet room with her.

Ben Harper Yelled At Me and All I Got Was This Blurry Picture

I have decided to forgive Ben Harper for the incident that I am about to describe.

Because that's what I believe is the right thing to do. But, it was emotional and interesting, so I have to blog about it. It was the best birthday, it was the worst birthday.

For over three years now, I have been a fan of Mr. Harper's. His music resonates with me, both in style and in content. I have been excited about the possibility of seeing him in concert since August when I found out he was going to be in the Los Angeles area in November, near enough to my birthday for it to be in the realm of possibility that we might go.

Sure enough, Aaron bought us tickets. He booked us a room in San Diego so that we could truly enjoy the evening without having to endure a 2 hour drive home after the show. We got a later start on Sunday than was originally planned. Since we did not arrive in San Diego in time to go to dinner before the show, we opted to go after. We finally ate dinner around midnight, and as we drove back to our room (getting a bit turned around on the Gaslamp Quarter's one-way streets), we ended up passing by the theatre where the concert was held. And I noticed people outside waiting by the loading area, and there were trucks, and tour buses, and we decided to turn around in the hopes of getting to shake a few hands and take some pictures with my new cam (which, by the way, I love).

We weren't waiting very long when the first Innocent Criminal came out. He was jovial and kind, shaking hands, taking pictures with fans, signing cds, etc. When it was my turn, we informed him that it was my birthday and he asked how old I was, didn't believe me when I said 27, and happily smiled and hugged me for a picture.

Next was Leon. Also jovial, very talkative, gracious, he initiated conversation with us and gladly took a picture as well.

The third guy was interesting, we didn't get a picture with him, but it turns out he was a bit on the skeazy side anyway. As in, he tried to take a girl on the bus with him, a bit forcefully. It was very awkward to watch and he certainly didn't seem like he was used to being rejected on such an offer.

We waited about another 20 minutes. This was when my feet really started to hurt, as I was wearing cute boots that were not designed with comfort in mind. It was cold, it was almost 2am, and there was only one musician who had yet to emerge from the theatre.

Then he came out. Ben Harper. The man himself. A musician who came up with two songs that ended up in my wedding. Someone who I thought of as a sort of "kindred spirit" in some ways (politics, religion, etc).

First, the gaggle of Brazilian girls got to him and were snapping pictures and giggling excitedly, then the boy celebrating his 10th birthday with his parents got his shirt signed, his dad snapped a picture, and then it was our turn. We had befriended someone else who was waiting and asked her to take the picture, she had our camera in hand. Aaron spoke up, asking Mr. Harper for a birthday picture.

That is when Ben Harper looked me in the eye and proceeded to tell me about how he tries to say no to pictures, at first sounding somewhat apologetic. Then he started in on how after a show he's shiny, and then the flash of the camera makes his eyes red, and people post the pictures on their myspace, and then the press gets them and edits them and uses them to make him look bad, and on and on.

I just stood there, I think with my mouth hanging open, and he turned to Aaron, shook his hand, and said, "But I will say, Happy Birthday."

Aaron corrected him, that it was my birthday, and he turned and wished me a happy birthday (I think, I can't remember because I was stunned). And he walked away.

I turned to our new friend Heather, took my camera back with my tail tucked between my legs, and was ready to cry. Then Mr. Harper turned to me and said to hang out for a minute, and that he would get me one birthday picture. I was not really wanting the stupid picture at this point, I was feeling pretty sorry we had asked in the first place. But we had waited in the cold for all that time and I was not going to refuse it based on his rude behavior.

So Heather again took my camera and snapped the picture.

As we walked away, I looked at the one picture I got with Mr. Ben Harper, and it was blurry. I had to laugh, after all of that, I just had to. It really does add something to the story. In hindsight, I am rather impressed that Ben consented to the picture after verbally vomitting on me. Because honestly, I can't say I would have done the same in his shoes. My pride would not have allowed it. So for the moment, I do have a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to Ben Harper. I was excited because I thought he was going to be my new "favorite." I just can't be as excited about him after that exchange. It was hurtful. And although I do forgive it, it still stings.

No joke, this is the name of one of the jobs the plumbing company I work for is on. Lol. Double-frick!

A New Love

 

So I love this song. Just love it. I admit, it was the ipod commercial that hooked me in - but it's just such a great l'il song. It makes me happy inside.