Archive for July, 2008

My Two Dogs

{ July 25, 2008 @ 9:42 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Baxter. And Dad's foot....

Baxter. And Dad's foot....

Sydney and Bax

Sydney and Bax

So I’m gonna type this out once and try very hard to not dwell.  If you are a regular reader of this blog (the two of you, and thanks!!) you know that I love my dogs ridiculously tons.  Both yellow labs.  Both rescue.  Both getting up there in age–joints are a little creaky, and like all of us in the same boat, the spirit may be willing, but the body would like to rest first, thank you very much.

I found out yesterday that Baxter has cancer.  He’s an old dog-we aren’t going to put him through a biopsy to find out what kind, nor are we going to put him through surgery and chemo.  We’re just going to keep him as comfortable as possible, while the two tumors growing on his liver gradually take him over.  As long as he is happy and tail-waggy, we’ll keep giving him the heart pills and the liver pills and the pills that make him pee.  As soon as his head droops, though, and he’s not loving life, we’re going to let him go.  Then I’ll probably curl up into a ball and cry.

Sydney does not have cancer.  Turns out she has pneumonia.  Like Bax, she’s an old dog, and she’s having trouble getting over it.  She wheezes and hacks and trembles and tries so hard to just breathe.  She’s always had allergies and skin sensitivities (if you want a lab someday, be forewarned–yellow labs tend to have skin problems like that) but it just seems to get worse every year. 

My poor dogs.  And poor me.  ‘Cause I love them so much.  Hopefully, Syd will get better soon, and hopefully I have a while longer with Bax.  But I think once they’re gone, I’m not gonna be a pet owner for a while.

The Izzy Busy Season

{ July 22, 2008 @ 10:20 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Sorry, not very bloggy for the next couple of weeks.  It’s getting down to the wire and my conference is coming up in less than week (it will be over one week from tomorrow, but who’s counting).  Chauceriangirl put up the rest of the Portus photos, so go visit.  We’ll talk soon…

Portus Day Three Update

{ July 13, 2008 @ 3:28 am } · { Uncategorized }
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Being Sorted

Being Sorted

Femme Snape and Chauceriangirl
Femme Snape and Chauceriangirl
izzy and Jim Dale
izzy and Jim Dale
Fawkes, Hedwig, and Fluffy the three-headed dragon
Fawkes, Hedwig, and Fluffy the three-headed dragon
BFFs Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape

BFFs Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape

Peeves

Peeves

 As you can see, we are having a great time here at Portus.  This morning we attended the plenary session with Jim Dale.  The voice.  That voice.  As recognizable as James Earl Jones or Ian McKellan.  It was wonderful and perfect and perfectly wonderful.  He read segments from the Harry Potter books and told how he came up with various character voices.  For example: McGonagall came from his aunt; Hagrid from his uncle; Dobby from an encounter in an elevator with a very short man, “Excuse me sir, could you please get your bum out of my face?”; Peeves from a favorite radio character in Dale’s childhood; and Snape?  Well, you see, Jim Dale is very good friends with Alan Rickman.  Snape’s voice was always based on Rickman.  Clearly Alan Rickman and Severus Snape were preordained to cross paths.  It was amazing and worth the price of admission alone.  Hope the rest of you are having as good a day!

Portus Day Two

{ July 12, 2008 @ 7:05 am } · { Uncategorized }
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View from hotel window

View from hotel window

View from hotel windo

View from hotel windo

D. Umbridge
D. Umbridge
Madame Rosmerta

Madame Rosmerta

There’s something incredibly decadent about eating pizza in a posh hotel room.  I don’t know why that is, but there you are.  We’ve been taking it easy tonight, gearing up for a busier day tomorrow.  We started the day with a presentation on Gred and Forge the twin twicksters.  It was a little dry but got better when the presenter put her paper down and just talked to us.  She posited an interesting theory that perhaps Gideon and Fabian Prewitt were also twins-precursors to Fred and George.  The next workshop dealt with issues of employment law and pedagogy in Harry Potter.  We liked that one a lot and were once again amazed at the sheer amount of awesomeness that is J.K. Rowling.  The last one we attended was about building your fantasy world.  I got some really good ideas for my future best-selling novel…:)
We had a two hour break before the next session, so since Faith needed a wallet, we went to Sam Moon’s.  Wonder of wonders, we puchased at Sam Moon’s only the item we came for.  How freakin’ amazing is that?  Only on the way back, while trying to find somewhere to eat that doesn’t rhyme with RcRonald’s, we got good and lost.  We wound up eating at Denny’s and being too late for the last session we wanted to attend today.  But it’s all good.  We’ve sort of just been lazy schmoes.  Faith got her blupdate up while I took photos of the view from our 25th floor hotel window.
Oh, I forgot!  We invented a new phrase today: funched up (a hybrid of munched and eff’ed up), as in, “wow this construction sure is funching up the traffic flow.  Sweet.  It’s the little things, ya’ll.
We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.  The Jim Dale plenary session followed by pathetic autograph seeking.  Plus there are about three other workshops we’re planning on.  We decided against going to the masquerade ball, but we’re planting ourselves near the action so we can stalk take pictures of the creative peeps with the fabulous costumes.  We’ll be sure to post again tomorrow night.
I’m having so much fun!!  I’m really glad c.g. and I are doing this.  For another take on day two, go visit her blog. 

Umbridges, Snapes, and Malfoys, Oh My!

{ July 11, 2008 @ 10:28 am } · { Harry Potter, My Sisters and Me }
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izzy's lightening bolt necklace

izzy's lightening bolt necklace

Izzy's Badge and Hufflepuff Tie
Izzy’s Badge and Hufflepuff Tie

After a positively grueling 25 minute drive to Dallas (round trip repeated once I realized I left my meds at home) I knew I was at Hogwarts when I passed Sir Cadogan on his way, no doubt, to fulfill a thrilling and heroic mission.  Besides Sir Cadogan, we saw a truly awesome Draco Malfoy, Lord Voldemort (who appeared to be in two places at once as we saw him in the buffet line next to ours and then again just moments later across the room–watch moldy voldie-he’s a tricky one).  I was hugged by no less a personage than Severus Snape (hawt!) and we had dinner with Delores Umbridge.  You know, Percy was right…she is truly delightful once you get to know her.

We went to the vendor fair and bought ties for our houses as well as spiffy lightening bolt earrings (chauceriangirl) and a spiffy lightening bolt necklace (me!).  We were also awarded a gen-yoo-wine phoenix feather from Ollivander (I think he was trying to get us to look at his wand-hehe).

We forgot to bring the camera with us to the welcoming feast (sorry!!) but I’m sure we’ll see lots of costumes tomorrow and we’ll be fully armed and loaded.

The hotel is gorgeous.  I think this is the nicest hotel I’ve ever stayed in-eastern influences in the decor and sheets with a highest thread count I’ve ever snuggled up in.

I’ll do another update tomorrow.  For more pictures and details of the day, go visit chauceriangirl.

My Visit to the Humane Society

{ July 9, 2008 @ 7:36 am } · { animals }
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I went today to see if Elle’s cute little fellow, Milo, was there, but he wasn’t.  That was heartbreaking in and of itself.  I wanted to give Elle good news.  I wanted to call her and tell her to get her butt over there, because Milo was there and ready to go home, only it didn’t work out that way.  According to the employee I spoke with, it usually works out that way.  She said she loves her job when an animal and it’s person are reunited, but days like today make it difficult.  This is why:

  1. They can only keep an animal for three days.  If the animal is an even-tempered pure breed, it will be one of the lucky ones, mostly likely rescued by a breed-specific no-kill group, to be fostered and, hopefully, adopted.  If the animal is an even-tempered mutt, the Humane Society will try to adopt it out, but even then, there are no guarantees.  They put more animals down than they want to.  If the animal is a puppy, even better chances of being adopted…  A kitten or cat?  Can be kind of rough. 
  2. The Humane Society has three walls covered with “Lost Animal” notices-one for lost cats, one for lost large dogs, and one for lost small dogs.  The walls were plastered with photographs of animals, big trusting eyes practically smiling into the camera.  They scour the boards every time an animal is brought in. But they can only keep the notices up for two weeks. 
  3. There were more pit bulls in the shelter than any one breed of dog.  The employee said they had so many because they were rescued from a fighting ring.  A few of them are adoptable, but most will be put down.  People can be cruel to animals.
  4. There was a pure-breed great pyreneese who was chipped.  Problem was the address file hadn’t been updated in years.  They’ve been having trouble finding the owner.  They’ll do all they can, but the dog has already been in the shelter for two days.  It’s a sweet dog-very adoptable, so in the end, it has good chances of survival.
  5. They do the best they can, but the Humane Society is run solely off donations and volunteer hours.  Maybe if there was more money, they could save more animals. 

I asked her if she ever wanted to just take them all home and love them.  She replied, “of course.  We all do and we all try at first-they even let us try.  But eventually we learn they can’t all be saved.”  It’s a difficult job.  So from the Humane Society to me to you, here are two tips that may help if your pet is ever lost: (1) keep a current tag on your dog or cat’s collar.  (2) consider investing in a microchip-it’s a chip actually inserted under your dog’s skin with your contact information-almost all vets and shelters use this technology to reunite lost pets with their people.  The chip costs around $50 and is worth the investment. 

My friend Elle loves her dog-he’s part of her family and she’s heartbroken.  My hope is that someone found Milo and thought, “wow, cute dog–I’m gonna keep him.”  If they really loved him and really took care of him, it would hurt less.  That’s what I’m going to believe anyway.

I gave a little money to the Humane Society when I left.  Not enough-not nearly enough to help, but I gave what I could.  If you love animals, consider donating–they take in-kind donations like pet food and pet beds too.  Or just give time.  Even better.

Random Comments and Observations July 7, 2008 Edition

{ July 8, 2008 @ 6:53 am } · { animals, movie review, random thoughts, self improvement }
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  • I am in pain.  Big pain.  The biceps hurt.  The abs hurt.  The quads hurt.  The gluteous whatevers hurt.  About the only thing that doesn’t hurt is my fingers-so typing up a blog entry?  Not too painful.  I’ve finally gotten serious about my exercise regimen.  I’ve been fairly good about doing two aerobic sessions per week in the form of the treadmill and recumbent bike, but I just added water aerobics and weight training into the mix.  The weight training comes courtesy of soleil’s gemma.  (Technically gemma is his own person, but I kind of like referring to him as soleil’s gemma, because as a couple, they make me really happy)  He’s very kind and encouraging while he beats the crap out of me.  (Kidding.  There is no beating the crap out of me, but he is challenging me, and isn’t that the point?)  So, long story short, I’m in pain, but I’m happy about it.  Weird.
  • Good holiday weekend for the most part except for one not-happy thing.  Friday, I ran errands with the monster–they were actually my errands for once, so that was kind of cool.  Then I saw Hancock (see next bullet) with elle.  The suck part was the jerk-tard(s) who lit off fireworks, scaring the crap out of elle’s dog.  He pulled a Houdini and we weren’t able to find him.  Elle has been scouring the pound in the hopes that someone found him and turned him in.  Being the massive dog lover I am, I can imagine exactly what elle is going through.  I’m still hoping he can be found.  He’s cute and more importantly, he’s part of elle’s family. 
  • Hancock was…okay.  I won’t ruin it for anyone.  I’ll just make a few observations about it.  One, the script had large, gaping holes that truly distracted from the enjoyment-it was like it was trying to be a comedy and then trying to be kind of a darker drama and it just couldn’t make up it’s mind.  The end result is an incoherent storyline.  It was sort of like multiple personality script disorder.  Huh.  Think that diagnosis is in the DSM?  The acting was good.  It’s virtually impossible to dislike Will Smith-he’s just so freakin’ cool.  And Charlize Theron was terrific, as was Jason Bateman as the PR guy trying to clean up Hancock’s image.  Ultimately, it was kind of forgettable.  I enjoyed it while I was there and then forgot about it by the time I left the theater.  I’d give three out of five stars.  Just for kicks and grins and also because they show half of Will Smith’s naked behind and he’s just so purty.
  • I’ve been at work 10 hours today.  I’ll do the same thing Tuesday and Wednesday, but then…I’m off.  Outta here.  On a vacation of the staycation variety.  That’s right, I’ll be staying in a four-star hotel approximately 20 miles from home experiencing dorktitude at it’s finest.  A fan convention.  An adult symposium on Harry Potter.  Because I am that much of a geek.  It’s gonna be fun.  I’m very excited on account of I’m a dork.  Geek.  Spazz.  Nerd.  Whatever. 
  • So, seriously, what’s the difference between a dork, geek, spazz, and a nerd?  Any insight?  I think geek is kind of techy and science like, so maybe I’m not a geek.  But I’ve been called dork, spazz, and nerd at various times by different people.  Really, Internet, what is the difference?  Any thing you have to offer would be much appreciated.
  • Here endeth the randomness.  Get off the computer, ya’ll.  It’s a pretty day outside–at least here in Texas.

Random Thoughts July 1, 2008 Issue

{ July 1, 2008 @ 10:08 pm } · { random thoughts }
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1. Yesterday was a good day.  First, we got the good news at work that we’re piloting a 4-day work week schedule with four ten-hour days and three days off.  I frequently work late anyway so it won’t be anything new.  I’m liking that schedule a lot…  Second, my new car came in a few days earlier than scheduled.  I did the paperwork last night after getting off work late and was there till bazillion o’clock.  I enjoy driving the new car, but I loathe the buying of it. 

2. Speaking of new cars, which of my friends (and by this, you should be inferring that I am begging on my hands and knees) is willing to come with me to the new car workshop being held next Thursday?  There will be free Red, Hot, and Blue BBQ.  Mmmmmm…  Unless you don’t like BBQ, in which case, they have the BEST potato salad ever.  Please.  *whimper*  I’ve been to these.  They consist primarily of the dealership trying to sell it’s own maintenance programs, which is boring and lame, I admit.  But there’s free BBQ and also chances to win door prizes like free oil changes, etc.  I’m a fan of door prizes, especially when I win them. 

3. Conference planning is headache inducing.  Seriously, at the moment I feel like someone is cruelly beating me over the head with a rubber mallet.  And while I appreciate the fact that it is just a rubber mallet and not a sledgehammer (which would make me extra dead), it still causes the head to ache and me to whine.  And that is fun for no one.

4. In one week and two days, but who’s counting, the one and only chauceriangirl and I will be on a mini-vacation attending Portus.  We’ve never done a fan conference like this so not 100% sure what to expect, but it should be fun.  Because we are dorks, we’ve already highlighted which sessions we absolutely must attend.  Because we are broke, we didn’t pay for most of the extras, like the afternoon teas and some of the keynotes and the dance.  But we’ll get to see Jim Dale present, which I’m very excited about, and there are some fantastic speakers.  I’ll have to post while we’re there and give the low-down. 

5. I’m doing water aerobics tonight with my co-worker.  Texas is hot so swimming is good.

Aaannd, can’t think of anything else to add, so this concludes today’s randomness.