What To Talk About Today?

Imagine this, you are in the office at 5am and for the next 5 hours you are looking at test populations on spreadsheets and picking random test samples (here is where the sound of screeching brakes would be cued up if I could add sound effects). If this sound mind numbing to you. Imagine being me for that 5 hours. Anyways I do want everyone to keep checking in so instead you will hear about my walk in the city and pictures I took to keep myself sane. Taking a step back into insanity, the sculpture of the heads really reflect how I felt this morning when starting my walk. Okay, onward.

There is nothing like a walk in San Francisco to help clear my head. I walked for about an hour and as you can see, I tried to look at the images of the city from different vantage points. The picture with the flags are what I see as soon as I leave my building. The flags are HUGE. The photo showing the building looking up is actually the building I work in. I decided to take a walk towards the bay and ended up at Pier 1 (not the store but actual Pier 1) and took the photo of the Bay Bridge. As you can see it was pretty foggy at the time although a lot less than when I came into the city. The photo of the "design" was taken looking straight down on the sidewalk. I just thought it would be fun to see how it would come out. And of course, the last picture is the Trans America building. I always think it would be a great picture but it is so hard to capture adequately.

It's funny, I have lived in the Bay area for so long now but I haven't really played the tourist for quite a while now. After the walk today, it left me feeling that I wish I had visitors so I could justify playing the tour guide role and then be able to experience that part of SF again,

Happy 11th B-Day Colvin-An Open Letter

Dear Colvin,

I can't believe you are 11 years old today! You have been a better dog, no companion than I could have ever asked for. You have been with me during some really difficult and great times. Having you as part of my life help me to be more confident and able to meet and talk to folks. Some may say that I give you a good home but what you have given me is immeasurable. You have been such a good sport no matter what I have put you through. I could dress you up, run you through agility, leave you with puppies and you were and are fabulous. Now that you are older, I can see that you are slowing down and although you are still happy and healthy, it breaks my heart. I know that aging is inevitable but I can't help but feel a little sad. I promise to continue caring for you and treating you with the dignity you deserve. I will continue to take you on hikes as long as you feel the desire. And I will continue to love you with all my heart.

Another Wonderful Weekend

This weekend was spent at Hastings Island again. Dixy's brother Max spent the weekend with us. I had a great time as did the dogs (pictures will attest to that). It always is nice to get away from the busy work week by spending some time in rural America. I think I will keep the entry short today. Now that I am at home, I am going to veg out and read the newspaper.

And Darwin Would Explain This How?

I wonder what happened to evolution in these cases...

-Robert Cisero, 46, was arrested in Medford, Oregon in June after (according to police) he hit his teenage daughter in the ankle with a hammer to feign a "skating" injury, for which she could get a prescription for pain medication, which he then commandeered. [KIRO-TV (Seattle)-AP, 6-12-08]

-Darrell Walker , 30, was arrested in Bartlesville, Okla., in May after his 8-year-old son told police that his dad routinely shoots him (and his younger sister) in the leg with a BB gun if they misbehave. [Examiner-Enterprise (Bartlesville), 5-7-08]

-Sharon Platt allegedly stole $5000 from her employer, Murphy Motors of Williston ND recently and left town. She was apprehended in Pitttsburgh in May after she applied for a job and listed murphy Motors as a reference and her old employer alerted Pittsburgh Police [Grand Forks Herald, 5-23-08]

-Charles Ray Fuller, 21, was arrested in Fort Worth, TX, in April after he took a blank check belonging to his girlfriend and wrote it out to himself for $360,000,000, which he presented to Chase Bank, He remained in character after his arrest, assuring police that the check was legitimate, offered by the girlfriend's mother to help him start a record label. [Star-Telegram (fort Worth), 4-29-08]

Perhaps this next story explains it...

-Evolution scientists at Switzerland's University of Lausanne reported in June that over the course of 30 to 40 generations, ordinary flies tend to live longer if they are stupid. (who measures that) The researchers guessed that heightened neural activity overtaxed their systems. (So that is what is happening to humans)

This Was Unexpected

So I am out to grab a little lunch today and while I was walking, I dropped my wallet. As I was bending down to pick it up, a woman kicked me right in the middle of my thigh. I was so caught off guard it almost seemed like it wasn't real. That is until the shock wore off and I felt the throbbing in my leg. Now I have a good size welt. Boy, where did that come from.

Can it Really Be??

Looks like I will be seeing my old friend Wendy Layton on August 22nd when Trina Hamlin will be opening for Steve Forbert at The Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. Wendy is Trina's Tour Manager and does a damn good job of it. Anyways, Wendy and I go way back . I first met her more than 26 (?) years ago. I haven't seen her for probably 14 or 15 years. Wendy was a super friend to me when I some had serious issues with my knee and I wasn't able to work for a year. She set up a benefit car wash for me which helped support me. Could I have asked for better friends? I think not. That was more than cool. Because of that, I will always hold a special place in my heart for her and all my wonderful friends in Tucson, AZ. Now I look forward to seeing her again, listening to some great music and having a good old time. Any of you in the vicinity-come on out. It would be a fun time.

Fox News Network or Fox Republican Campaign Ads

Hmmmm....wonder which name is the most accurate? Seems like an easy answer to me. When will the network make it official. ARRGHH!!! they make me crazy.

Great to See Old Friends

Had a great time seeing all my former co-workers last night. It's funny how much I miss seeing these people on a regular basis. Some I worked with for my entire almost ten year tenure in the department and most I worked with for at least five years. Really a talented group of people with great senses of humor.

Fruit Stands, Open Space, and Dogs

One of the many things I love about living in the bay area is the fact that I can be in a cultural and shopping mecca like San Francisco and in a rural area like the above pictures all in the same day. I LOVE that! Although I definitely love the open spaces that a rural location provides, I still have a strong need to know I can shop for just about any brand of clothing or shoes I want.

Today was one of the days I enjoyed the rural open spaces. I met my friend Tanya and Malbec (her dog) out at Hastings Island today. The weather perfect really. I took a few pictures of what we saw today. The goose gracefully floating down the river appears to not be fully mature and was by herself. We were a good 100 feet away so she did not feel threatened. We also found this perfectly formed bird's nest. After the run, I stopped at this fruit stand to pick up locally grown fruits and corn. I have been going to this stand for over seven years and always buy what is in season. The corn is the sweetest, best I have ever eaten. It seems to melt in my mouth. YUM! Nothing says summer like fresh corn on the cob.

Any One Know This Company?

Just curious....

Obviously, credit goes to Scott Addams.

Momma Mia

Okay, I have to confess, I am a HUGE ABBA fan. I kid you not. I used to have every album. Now I have all there songs on my IPOD. I always wanted to see the stage version of "Momma Mia" but that didn't work out. Imagine my excitement when I saw that a movie version was going to be made and Meryl Streep was going to star in it. Each time I see the ads for the movie the excitement builds. Can't wait til it officially comes out. Suzy and Stephan, I should warn you that I may spontaneously break out in song multiple times throughout the movie. Who knows, I may even have to dance. Okay... maybe not. :-)

My Tales of the City

No I am not trying to rip off Arimistead Maupin. His stories take place in the 70s and 80s and mine, well, mine took place today. Besides that, he is a talented writer so there should be no mistaking the two of us.

After running into the Glad Bag Twins yesterday, I decided I was missing a lot of things that go on in the city. I thought to myself, I need to get out and walk around a bit since I spend so many hours there. Usually the only reason I leave the office is to grab lunch. Anyways with camera in hand I took baby steps in getting out. I took a walk up to Union Square and walk around there. I didn't see any unusual people out but I did take a couple of pictures that I thought were interesting. Staci-the Wall-E billboard is for you. :-) I actually do enjoy seeing the billboards when they are new and interesting. I liked the placement of these. And everything seems bigger than life. I took the picture of the Prada store display because I will never be able to afford shopping there. Based on the display on the mannequin though, I don't think (no...I know) I would ever wear something like that outfit. No matter how much "What Not to Wear" I watch. :-)

Only in San Francisco...Well Maybe Not

I need to start bringing my camera to work. As I was heading to meet a friend for lunch, there were two guys wrapped tightly and completely in brown Glad trash bags carrying a big video camera. The only thing not covered was their eyes and mouth. The really funny thing was that no one seem to pay them any notice. It was like it was the most normal thing. I really get a kick out of that attitude.

As for lunch with my friend, we agreed (I thought) to meet at a particular corner and then decide where to go to lunch. Well I completely got the cross street wrong and waited 20 minutes before leaving. I had meant to get her cell number but didn't. I walked down the street on the off chance I might run into her. Well 3 blocks down I ran into another mutual acquaintance who I hadn't seen for seven months. She had my friends cell! How funny. She called my friend, I found out where she was and we had lunch (very short since I had a 12:30 meeting) anyway. Funny how those things occur. Made me smile.

Dog Show Blues turn to Beach Gifts

Well suffice it to the show didn't quite go as I would have liked. I was a bit steamed. So off to the beach we went. The weather was beautiful. I wish I could accurately describe the color of the water because it was amazing. We were also given a gift of seeing a group of porpoises. It was really cool. Watching them swim and jump made me take a step back and realize how insignificant the results of the dog show were. I like when I am given these gifts. I left the beach feeling much more serene. Double click on the pictures that look like ocean only. They will enlarge and you will get a glimpse of the porpoises. Sure wish I had a bigger telephoto lens.

Tale of a Dog Show Day-Part 2

Well we didn't win in the show but we did win with the weather and the beach. After the show was over, we headed up to Seaside (about 15 or 20 miles north of Carmel) and let the dogs have a nice romp. The beach is very different here than at Fort Funston where we usually go. It is stunning here. We had a nice stretch of our legs and then headed home. Tomorrow will be another day of punish at the show and then pleasure at the beach.

Tale of the Dog Show Day-Part 1

This weekend we have a big dog show down in Carmel. The dogs and I left the house at 7:oo am this morning to get down (First picture-Dixy riding shotgun). It was a two and 1/2 hour drive down and only parts of the ride are scenic. Thankfully I have my new Janet Evanovich audio book to listen to.

For me, the day of the dog show is nerve-wracking. I get to take my dog (who I think is fabulous and should always win) to a show where a person will judge him against that person's understanding of what the breed standard is. I don't know why I get so nervous. I guess I want everyone else to think he is as great as I do. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work out that way and then I am crushed. Of course, Grady has no such feelings. He could care less. He just wants to go for long runs with his doggy buddies.

To the right are a few pictures to give you a flavor of the dog show. The first is Grady's handler practicing with him. Doesn't he look thrilled? The second shows the judge going over him (he was a particularly rough judge). The third shows Grady ready to do his run around the ring. And the fourth is a picture of the show grounds.

If anyone wants to see a very funny movie about dog shows (very true if not a slight exaggeration) watch Christopher Guest's "Best in Show". I see those people all the time.