things that fascinate me about concerts

1. People get into physical fights during the performance.

2. Doing drugs in public becomes PC once the lights are dimmed.

3. You can’t bring plastic soda bottles out of the venue; you have to pour the remnants into a paper cup before leaving (at least at jobing.com arena in Glendale).

4. People become obsessed with taking camera phone pictures of the band from hundreds of feet away that usually end up looking like nothing more than a bright blur, but the individual who took the shot will insist they can identify members of the band.

5. The security team always includes a woman in her 70’s. Why is Nana working nights?

6. Even if the show is at the end of a band’s tour, they are still so passionate and engaged in the performance. I want to be that passionate about something someday.

7. Encores. Why build anticipation at the end of the show? If you’re going to have these, do them in the beginning.

8. A beer costs $7. Mmmmrecession?

9. Cellphones have replaced lighters.

10. You have to get your hand stamped and wear a wristband for no apparent reason.

I scream, you scream

Sunday afternoon I was reading on the couch and started hearing strange music. For a dessert fiend like myself the sound was immediately identifiable as an ice cream truck. I peered through the blinds and sure enough, an ice cream truck was making it's way down our street. Seriously, was I dreaming this? I live on a street where there's an ice cream man? HEAVEN!

Unfortunately, in the midst of my excitement I missed it altogether, but vowed that I would do better given another opportunity. As luck would have it, i didn't have to wait very long.

Yesterday before dinner I heard the magical chimes once again. This time Jim heard them too, and before I could even grab my wallet he had flown out the door and across the street. It was like the Pied Piper was in town; children were mindlessly flocking to him as though they'd been brainwashed. Jim stood in line behind several children a quarter of his age (yes, he let them go first) and returned home with a Strawberry Shortcake bar and a Drumstick.

It baffles me while making me completely happy, that ice cream trucks still exist today. And that they still have the same treats they sold when I was six. And that I still react to them like they're giving away free cars.

I sincerely hope that when I have children these are still a thriving enterprise.

Timeline of a storm (with dogs)

3:34 a.m. – Thunder and lightening begin; dogs wake up, begin running in and out of the house via doggy door. Jim and I wake up from the combination of noises.

3:48 a.m. – It starts pouring; dogs are completely enthralled and insist on running outside into the mud and then conveniently track it all over the carpet.

3:53 a.m. – Jim loses virtual coin toss (because he’s the boy) and has to get out of bed, bring the dogs inside and clean the mud off their paws.

4 a.m. to 4:56 a.m. – Dogs run around the house hyper as can be and yipping, annoyed that they can no longer play outside.

5:37 a.m. – Storm subsides, dogs finally pass out.

6:22 a.m. – Both dogs wake up and insist on going back outside and I let them. This was a psych out; I was convinced they had to go to the bathroom, they knew this, and played it up so they could go play in the puddles. I have given up on getting any more sleep at this point as alarm is set to go off at 6:35.

6:46 a.m. – I go outside and play in the mud with both of them, getting completely filthy but loving it. Bruno stuck his entire head into a deep mud puddle and then rolled around in the grass, spreading it all over himself. Molly laid down in the doggy pool (full of rain water) and was soaked from head to toe.

Needless to say, both of them will be outdoors all day and will need baths before bed.

Things that fascinate me about sporting events:

1. The reactions people have when they discover themselves on the Jumbo-tron.

2. The amount of alcohol people can consume on weeknights.

3. The fact that adults will scream “you suck” to perfect strangers. This includes players and fans of the opposing team.

4. The phenomena that men can eat and drink for the entire duration of the game and never have to go to the bathroom.

5. There never seems to be a shortage of adults who want to pose with the team mascot.

6. People have the audacity to text during the National Anthem.

7. Regardless of the weather or the individual’s physique, there’s always a hairy shirtless man who yells at the officials.

8. The sheer number of mullets.

9. People who would refuse to consume a hotdog in any other scenario will immediately give in and enjoy one.

10. Tens of thousands of people will cooperate to execute the wave, and then try to kill each to exit the parking garage first.

11. No matter how old I get, who’s playing or what mood I’m in, there’s always something purely exciting about attending a live event.

bargain vet

When we adopted Molly at the Humane Society, they micro chipped her on the spot for only $25, plus a $16.95 registration fee we paid on our own when we registered her. For any non pet owners, having your furry friend chipped is a permanent form of identification. Basically every shelter and vet in the country has a chip scanner that can immediately identify the pet's owner and contact info. I used to think it was creepy, but it's actually pretty genius.

I can't imagine my panic if the dogs were ever lost, but it happens all the time and the chip can be a life saver. In fact, in Arizona, if your dog is picked up as a stray by Animal Control but has a chip, they never even have to go to the shelter; they're driven directly to you for return.

I'd wanted to get Bruno chipped too, considering he's a complete flight risk, but hadn't wanted to pay the $120 at the vet for it (plus $16.95 registration). Then I found out the Humane Society does it all for $30 for outside clients. Only downside is it's walk-ins only, and only on Fridays.

I packed a book and set off yesterday with Bruno. When we arrived there were easily 50 dogs ahead of us in line. There was a number machine like you find at deli counters and some very interesting people in line. Sigh. TGIF.

After nearly three hours we were called and got the chip in within two minutes. It wasn't fun, but we saved almost $90 bucks. Bruno and I were both filthy and exhausted, but I'd still recommend this for the colossal savings; they also spay/neuter and vaccinate for a fraction of regular costs.

This show makes me feel icky.

I’m not even sure how to start this because I’m bothered on so many levels. The new FOX show, More to Love, is touting it self as an “inspirational series” about “one regular guy's search for love among a group of real women determined to prove that love comes in all shapes and sizes.” Sounds ok, right?

Here’s what’s wrong with this picture: the premise of the show is a search for love among ordinary people and breaking the mold of the typical reality TV star. That’s great, but the producers apparently associate “ordinary” with “obese.”

Every female contestant competing for Luke’s love and affection is substantially overweight. Their ages, height and weight are displayed on screen along with the individual’s name during each monologue. I think it’s ironic that while we’re trying to get away from focusing on weight and looks it’s the central point of the show.

Had I been consulted to cast for this show (sadly I wasn’t), I wouldn’t have selected only overweight women. I’d go farther outside the box than weight range. What about a woman who’s been divorced, is independently wealthy, has children, survived cancer, is an immigrant or who is transgender? I think that all of those things and a million more comprise today’s ordinary woman, but maybe no one wants to watch that.

The producers of this show have tried to show that even women who don’t meet the traditional stereotype of beauty can find love…but only with a fat guy. They make it so black and white I want to gag. Beautiful or ugly. Skinny or fat. Do or die.

Having overweight female contestants compete for a proposal from an overweight man sends the message that it’s all they’re deserving of, and that fat people most certainly belong together. This makes me sad. Giant step backwards.

Jerome Wineries

"Located high on top of Cleopatra Hill (5,200 feet) between Prescott and Flagstaff is the historic copper mining town of Jerome, Arizona. Once known as the wickedest town in the west, Jerome was a copper mining camp, growing from a settlement of tents to a roaring mining community. Four disastrous fires destroyed large sections of the town during its early history, resulting in the incorporation of the City of Jerome in 1899."

Ollie

The following is an excerpt from an e-mail conversation I had with Dan today, centered around a childhood toy.

Dan: WTF was this thing named? Ollie?


Me: no, I think Ollie was an amorphous horse-like thing we sat on.

Dan: Best Sentence of 2009: "I think Ollie was an amorphous horse-like thing we sat on"

Me: OMG



Dan: OMFG

Me: To find a photo I googled "80's ride toy yellow" and it came up immediately. Ollie impacted a lot of lives. You can get one@ http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/bab/1288384838.html

Dan: I will get this for you if you will keep it in your backyard and ride it when you are hammered.

Me: Dude I absolutely would. No doubt. I'd also bring it to work and leave it tied up to a post outside my cube, no explanation.

Dan: It would be awesome bringing it on the plane as carry-on

Dan to Craigslist seller:

Greetings,

Do you still have this toy? If so, I would like to purchase it. I lack a vehicle to pick it up though, so would you consider delivering it to my residence in La Jolla?

Also, you mention the nose is completely broken off. Do you have the nose? Or is it lost forever?

Cheers

irony

Saw this on the way to work, I heart my Volvo too.

hide-n-seek

Jim has this game he plays with the dogs that he used to always play with Auron too. It’s a version of hide-n-seek that goes like this:

He'll start playing with the dogs until they are completely hyped up. He throws one of their toys across the house, and while they run for it, he hides.

His usual spots are in the shower, in a closet, etc.
The dogs then return to continue playing, but Jim is missing. Bruno usually panics.

It’s so funny but kind of sad because they can so clearly smell him, and know he was just there, but they don’t really put it together to really look around for him.

They’ll often come into the room he’s in but only look straight ahead when he’s right behind them. Then, as soon as they run out, he makes a noise and they’re back again.
On average it only takes about two minutes for Jim to be discovered, at which point the dogs insist on licking him obsessively for several minutes (they worry he is dirty from hiding).

Happy Hour

"Whoever invented happy hour should have a religion named after them or something. It's the hour after work when you realize life doesn't suck anymore."
-Daniel White 7.22.09

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

I love baking and this bread is one of my absolute favorites. I got the recipe from Elissa's mom years ago when we lived together. Her mom used to send up loaves for us after Thanksgiving but I'd lose self control and eat it all by myself. Eventually I felt guilty so I asked for the recipe in order to restore what I'd consumed.

I know it's the middle of July, and this is more of a winter recipe, but why conform. I have two loaves in the oven right now for Bailey's birthday tomorrow.

Random note: canned pumpkin is great for a puppy with a tummy ache. They love it and it soothes their aches away!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Grease two standard loaf pans OR 3 disposable loaf pans (I use Pam for Baking)
3. Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl:
- 3 and 1/3 cups flour
- 3 cups sugar
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 and 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
4. Mix wet ingredients together in another bowl:
- 1 cup corn oil
- 4 eggs
- 2/3 cup of water
- 2 cups canned pumpkin (one can)
5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients 1 cup at a time, after all mixed stir in a cup of chocolate chips
6. Divide batter equally into pans and bake about 1 hour, or until a toothpick comes out dry. Takes just over an hour in my oven.
7. Let cool for at least 1 min,. before removing from pans.

tunes

My favorite singer of the moment: Eric Hutchinson.

I know next to nothing about him, but love every song on his albums. Even the names. I think this guy must be cool as can be, and hope and pray he's not the next rise-to-the-top-then-wind-up-in-rehab. I think my Eric's too good for that nonsense. Find him on itunes, or leave a comment and I'll email you some songs.

low maintenance volunteer work

You may have noticed my hair is getting quite long. I admit, it's slightly mop-like right now, but it's all for a good cause. I've always had aspirations to grow out my hair and donate it to Locks of Love. However, they require at least 10 inches, and that's a lot of mop for me. Fortunately, Anna recently told me that Pantene has their own hair donation program and they only ask for 8 inches. Bingo.

Here's a shot Jim took tonight: right now it's 8 inches from the hair tie down, but I think I'll wait a few more months so that I'm not left with a mere poof of hair after the chop.

Extra perk? I'm not spending $150 every 8 weeks for a cut and color. Stay tuned.

Heinous

Ready for a game?

Are you sure?

Ok. It's called, "How Many Things are Wrong with this Photo"


This is a legit pic, came across in doing some fitness research. I apologize for any permanent damage or nightmares it may inflict. PS - don't miss the backdrop.