How Often?

How often could you say that the place where you work is the focus of a series on a major cable network?

Starting right after the New Year, the National Geographic Channel will begin airing the first of several episodes of a show named, 'Dogtown.'

The show centers around the lives of many dogs who come through the area at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary known as Dogtown. Most of the dogs featured in the show, are just like most of the animals we see. Sick, injured, very unfriendly or all of the above.

Even though Jaime and I don't actually work with the animals, we know most of the people in the show, and you will get a great look (it will be shown in HD) at the place that we call our "job."

For a sneak peek at the show, please click here. A short commercial preceeds the actual clip.

The first episode is January 4th at 9pm Eastern.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

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Politics (just once!)

I know I really shouldn't get into politics here. I won't do it often, because I just won't be so inclined. But one the by-products of illness (see below), is that I am not sleeping. So, a politics post it is.

I bought Barack Obama's book, The Audacity of Hope, on a recent business trip. I am not done with it, but I really have a hell of a lot of respect for this politician.

Ick. Never thought I would say that.

Honestly though, watch one of the debates for the 2008 race. I double dare you. Either side. You will flip the channel at the end and have absolutely no idea what any of them stand for, who they are, or what kind of President they would be.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Barack could change the system. What he proposes in the book is what America's democracy used to be. A system that works for all Americans regardless of the size of your bank account. He shares some endearing stories about helping the people of Illinois while he was a state lawmaker. He also shares some terribly depressing stories about the failures of the system at the federal level.

I have said for the long time, there are two things that will change the political system for the better. Term limits, and campaign finance reform. The first being the most important. But how can we honestly believe that those that are currently reaping the benefits of the broken system, take those benefits away from themselves?

I don't really know who I will tell Jaime to vote for (I am still a citizen of the UK). Like I say, I like Barack, but I don't believe he can win. Hillary is an incredibly divisive human being. Guliani just stated that water boarding might be a good option (once in a decade). Huckabee as late as 1992 suggested that those infected with HIV be somehow quarantined (he defends it by saying we didn't know much about it then, but the CDC knew it wasn't contagious in the mid-80's). John Edwards is like the glitter of Presidential campaigns, you just can't get rid of him. Ron Paul, now here is a guy that I actually dare say I agree with on a couple of things. His libertarian ideals are interesting, he is just bat-shiat crazy. Romney, Kucinich, Dodd, Richardson, McCain, Thompson. Who cares. All bought and paid for.

Whatever, I think I am pretty representative when I say this. Wake me up when it's over and we have invaded Iran, and gas hits 5 bucks a gallon.

Sick....AGAIN.

I am SO tired of this! I have been sick more since I moved to Kanab than ever before!

This time I had been gone 2 of 5 weeks for work, lots of flying, and just lots of work. It was in the mid and upper 70's in Atlanta, and then I came back here to 20's? I am pretty sure that didn't help. Stress from having to take part in a skit for the annual all-staff meeting for Best Friends? Yeah, pretty sure that didn't help. Christmas party the day after that? Definately sure that didn't help.

This time it's a new sickness. Started out with a nasty sinus thing, which then moved to a gnarly cough chest thing. All wrapped up with a nagging low-grade fever.

Yay me!

God I Hate Blogger

I will try to fix those photos later.

Sorry

Willie (the real story)

Ok, well I guess I said in the last post that we had blogged about Willie before. Jaime informs me that I was wrong (something she does A LOT).

So anyway, from the beginning. I was assigned to run the campaign for the piece of legislation we are hoping to get passed in Georgia. We don't do a lot of legislation at Best Friends (there are others doing it, and doing it well), but this is something that is important to an Attorney that works for us, so here we are. I am actually really glad to be doing it. Even though it has been a long time since Georgia was my home, I still feel pretty connected to the place. So to be able to work on things in Georgia that I am passionate about is like double the fun.

SO.....we get the campaign going, figuring things out, and before we know it one of the founders of Best Friends says he thinks he can get Willie to help us out. Francis has spent a good part of the lsat few years focused on the Los Angeles programs we have, including hob nobbing with the rich and famous at our annual Lint Roller Party. So no surprise he knows a guy like that. Different skills I guess (I mean, I got married at the Governor's Mansion, but I don't know Willie).

The deal was set that we (the video folks and I) would meet Willie before his show at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, pop onto the bus, and have him record several public service announcements.

Luckily we arranged that Jaime could also come, and my boss and her husband came along. What we wanted I think was that we could all squeeze onto the bus, but the thing, although nice, was just a luxury coach. Not the biggest of aisles etc.

Here is my wonderful wife in front of his airbrushed custom tour bus....



Please note (if you can see it), the horse art on the side of the bus. Willie has fought for the horses for a long time.

So the actual shoot was really hurried. We had enough time because Willie nailed each take, but there was not a lot of time for chit chat. You know, I think everyone would have their idea of what it would be like to sit down and just chat with him if you know what I mean. Alas, we did not get that, but before we knew it, it was time for him to go on!

We to be honest did not have enough fancy armbands for everyone, so we were unsure of exactly how it would go. Actually we thought that ony some of us would get in! But again, before we knew it, one of his security guys said, "if you're gonna watch the show from backstage you gotta go now." So we all follow and get put just to the right of willie, right off the stage!

Sorry about these photos, they really are bad. Our camera was not so good considering the guy was like 10 feet away....


At points during the show he would tie on one of his many bandanas, wear it for a song, and then throw it into the crowd.



I mean the guy played for like two hours straight. For sure Jaime and felt like true VIP's!

Also, we didn't realize this at the time, but we were also backstage with a personal friend of Willie's who is also a legend.


Don't know if you can see the sliver of face off to the left, but that is Don Cherry. He was a 50's crooner who was most famous for his song Band of Gold. He is also famous for being the only person to have a top ten hit, and finish in the top ten in the US Open of golf in the same year.


So anyway, sorry for the long post, but it really was pretty damn cool!

As I said in the previous post the PSA is now out, and getting media play all over the place.

Willie Nelson!!

We've chatted about Willie before on this humble little blog. I have been working my little tail off this weekend along with many of my colleagues to get this together! The Atlanta Journal Constitution ran with the story on the 23rd, and then the story hit the AP wire which meant outlets across the country from CNN to Rolling Stone picked up the story!

Here is the video, please watch it and go to You Tube to favorably rate and comment on it!

Our first turkey free Thanksgiving (am I a tree hugger?)

The minute we began work for Best Friends Animal Society we gave up meat. It just seemed like the right thing to do. I mean how could I on one hand work for an organization that promotes "kindness to animals" and then slap a big steak on the grill?

Since then I have really enjoyed not eating meat. I feel A LOT healthier, and I think I have lost weight (by doing nothing else except giving up meat). We occasionally eat fish, and to be honest eating out can be hard so sometimes the choices are very limited (for example my family took me to a chicken restaurant called Roasters last week).

Anyway we went off to St. George this weekend to buy supplies for T-giving. Jaime's parents are coming down and Jen and Daron and Jen's parents will also be coming over. We have the tofurkey's and I really am anxious to try it.

One thing I never want to be is preachy. I feel like we all have our own personal convictions in life, and who am I to say what someone should or should not believe in? I mean we should all feel for and advocate for companion animals....who couldn't love a dog? But I suppose there are those people who see turkeys as just dumb animals who don't feel like other animals. That's fine but I would have to disagree.


This is Luna

We will be adopting turkey's for our families this year. The Farm Sanctuary provides a great program to care for those birds that have been lucky enough to be rescued from breeding facilities and slaughter houses. You can even choose which bird you would like to adopt.

Oh I should also mention that my father now believes I am a tree hugger.

I guess I am.

A long week...

I was in Atlanta all week for work. It was a really good trip in terms of work as we now can start formulating plans to get the campaign for SB 16 going. The amount of work is starting to dawn on me and it will be a huge undertaking, but I think we can really do some good.

I flew Spirit Airlines which is a super cheap-o airline where literally nothing is included. Want a coke? Pay two bucks. Not even a barf bag available should you need one.

Doing the cheap-o airline was good because it saved money but the times of the flights were terrible! I had to fly back late last night not landing in Vegas until midnight. Once I grabbed my bag, made my way to the car it was almost 1am, which is 2am Utah time. Three and a half hours back it was close to 6am by the time I rolled in.

Once I got out of Vegas and the highway was dark it started to get a little scary. I got almost no sleep on the flight back and I could feel myself getting drowsy. Once I hti Mesquite I realized I needed to so something to wake up. I stopped at a gas station and grabbed a mtn. dew. Still feeling tired I thought I would go blow the 20 bucks I had in my wallet (thinking a nasty loud casino might just get me going)



So I ended up at the Virgin River Casino and in front of a Monoply 2 cent machine. Honestly in two minutes I won 200 bucks! Quickly cashed out and made my way home. That's one way to wake up!!

Who Says Mormons Don't Have a Sense of Humor?

So I went for the obligatory female checkup today, and I had to chuckle. In a town (entire county even!) that is purportedly over 80% Mormon, on the ceiling above the examination table (positioned so that the patient would have a perfect view lying horizontally from said table) was this poster:

I am not a crazy huge fan of Orlando Bloom, although I have certainly seen less appealing images. I, for one would have preferred something with a vista or mountain scene (a setting sun in the Cook Islands perhaps?) But I still had to laugh. At times this place is so surreally serendipitous.

That's Life.......(and radio)

I wasn't happy at my previous job. It was a whole host of reasons, and I think really I just needed a change from radio. That being said there were certainly other factors about the situation at that time that just made my workplace an uncomfortable place to be.

I wasn't the only one that felt that way, others also did not like the environment and made their decisions to leave. In fact it was enough of the original team that people would mention to me that the show just wasn't the same. Now it really won't be the same.

The show's host, Michael Castner, of E! and KFI fame was fired yesterday I guess. The show from inception had been funded seperately by a generous grant from the board. Now that money was up, and they said that the show needed to make its own money and survive. The "official" word is that it was budget reasons that he was let go. I will say one thing, the show won't be the same without him. No matter what happened he was good at what he did.

Apparently though, he doesn't have any love for me....

Check out Frost's blog at the City Weekly....

Root Canal Day!

Everyone rejoice! The root canal is over.

And yes, it was horrible.

Just for reference I thought I would show these lovely things.



Those are apparently known as root canal files. So after they whack out a big hole in the tooth, they measure just to see how far they gotta dig in. Then they go in with those medieval looking shards of metal and pull out the nervy bit (I should have been a dentist).

I made the mistake during the procedure of opening my eyes. Not something I normally do, and now I remember why. I look up and see one of those files in the dentists hand. Maybe it was just the moment but I swear to god it was an inch long. Oh I should also mention that the novacaine wasn't working so well so when he was shoving a file down in two of the canals it hurt like a mother fu&$#%.

Health Insurance

Happy Halloween! We survived 3 mos without insurance! Woohoo! After 2 bouts of the flu and a root canal later, we are now once again insured. I'm actually not sure whether I should high five someone or crawl into a hole. Because of the new coverage I now have to make an obligatory appointment for the gynecologist and have a yearly physical. Trick or treat!

Tomorrow is Jon's dreaded root canal. I hope for his sake he gets the gas.

Sick, Sick, Sick

Gross. That's about all I can say for the last few days.

Friday morning I woke up for work, and Jaime is always gone by the time I wake up. This time she was still in the bed.

"Bug, WAKE UP, you are late!" I say.

"Not going, I am sick," she says.

Unbeknownst to me, my wife was up all night with it coming out of all places. Not good.

Later that day she is checking in with a 103.1 fever. Honestly I thought I had gotten away with it. I went out Friday night, felt fine all day Saturday. We got some pizza and I still felt ok. Until about 8 o'clock Saturday night.

Same thing almost to a tee Jaime had. I think the only difference is that she had a higher temprature, but I threw up more. Really a pretty nasty thing. Today my fever has broken, but I still feel like I have been hit by a truck. Soreness from the upchucking, my head is pounding. Ick.

I am alive (I think)...

The last three months of my life have been consumed by the Las Vegas Super Adoption event.

IT IS NOW OVER!

An insane amount of stress, but 332 animals with new homes.

It was an interesting week. I got to Vegas on Wednesday of last week, driving in with a toothache. Not uncommon especially in that area of my mouth because my sinus cavity apparently sits very low on that top row of teeth. So for them to hurt when I am congested is no big deal. But this is one toothache that would not go away. It just got worse, and worse and I actually thought at moments I was going to pass out from the pain.

Going to the dentist at any time is not fun, but going in a town you don't know very well is definitely not fun. So I opened the phone book and found someone who would see me.

The place was actually really nice, and the Dentist seemed competent. By this time the whole side of my head was in pain so I could not answer the question of which tooth was hurting. They ALL hurt. So he picked up the air blower and blew cold air on each tooth. As he hit the one I started to cry. He then says he thinks he knows which one is the problem, and grabs a can of liquid ice, and hits that same tooth. I then really start to cry. I chose the temporary fix which was 200 bucks, but not the full root canal I need. The appointment for that is now a week from today.

But it is good to be home, and it feels good to have helped put together a really successful event.

Happy Birthday! And by the way, Southern California is on Fire

Got a surprise phone call yesterday morning. Apparently no network staff was available to cover the usual beats, and the devastating fires in So. California needed some attention. The result is my first front page network article. Not really that big a deal in the scheme of things, but a slightly different endeavor for yours truly. I actually enjoyed it, and while it's missing some elements (like an interview with anyone??) we were in a flurry at the time to get something, anything posted that it ended up very simple and to the point. Not to mention every agency or person I attempted to call yesterday was (not surprisingly) already out in the field.

Tonight we went to dinner at the Rocking V to celebrate Jon's birthday. We love Victor's place. If you come and visit us we will take you there. The food is great for Kanab, and desserts are even better. We shared the hummus appetizer, and I had the rissoto cakes; Jon the Rocking V shrimp. Of course we had to have wine, and for dessert I had the key lime pie, Jon the bread pudding. Their bread pudding with whiskey sauce is just about Jon's favorite food on the planet. Is this guy British or something?

No Place Like Home

Well, to start off this was a monumental trip to Las Vegas. I did not have one sip of alcohol, nor did I gamble one cent. But I digress.

I have giant blisters on my feet, a sunburned face, aches and pains, stupid tan lines, (burn lines, really) and could take a week to recover. But what a success. Three hundred and thirty one dogs and cats went home this weekend. Almost 100 animals from the Las Vegas shelter (whose time had run out if you get my drift) were adopted out. There were about a dozen or so dogs from the shelter that did not find homes by 4:00 yesterday. But between Best Friends and group Adopt A Rescue Pet of Las Vegas, those that were left behind were taken in, so that they, too will have the chance to find a forever home.

Read about the course of events on Saturday and also Sunday.

This event has been a long time coming; much of Jon’s time at home and work has been consumed with the organization and logistics planning. My role this weekend was Dog Tent Captain, which was a lot of long hours and hard work with animals, volunteers and potential adopters. We are very excited to have a mellow week as we celebrate Jon’s birthday Wednesday, and a (hopefully) quiet weekend home with all our babies.

I didn't want to forget about Jon's exciting visit to the 24 hour dentist on Thursday night. It's exciting for several reasons. For starters, he was in excruciating pain from a toothache, although the dentist was able to patch him up temporarily. The real exciting part is that he was informed that he needs a root canal, which is probably around $1500 and we do not yet have dental insurance. Super exciting.

I got in late last night and Jon arrived home this AM. When I was dropped off after 11:00 last night Kona & Moki were so excited to see me that they jumped on the back of the couch in the front window and ripped down the curtains -- rods and everything.

More later as we decompress from the eventful weekend.

Gobble Gobble

I felt compelled to write about the turkeys. First off, check out Ted Brewer's article here. These guys are gigantic, and so majestic. There's a flock of them that have been hanging outside my office window for a few weeks now. As Ted's article references, they really do soar down to lower canyon from the ridge up here. I saw it for my own eyes about a month ago. It's quite the spectacle.

And now a word from our sponsor. Actually, I won't get on my soapbox about how we really shouldn't be factory farming them for consumption on Thanksgiving. Or how we really shouldn't be factory farming anything but I have been enjoying the company of these guys too much to cause harm to one. So while, at this juncture, I choose not to proselytize about a cruelty free Thanksgiving, I will constructively suggest an alternative. Tofurkey, anyone?

What Happens in Vegas...well, who really cares? I'm tired of Vegas!

I am beat and the party hasn’t even begun. Not even close.

First of all, get acquainted with our event this weekend. Yep, that’s right, Super Adoption heads to Vegas. Jon left this afternoon with a truck full of nonsense, and Jen & I will leave Friday morning with a van full of nonsense. The fun begins Friday afternoon when we set up, then continues early Saturday. That is when the fun really begins. For starters, they made yours truly a dog tent captain. Yep, I return to my volunteer roots, which is a double edged sword of sorts. After all of the years of establishing myself as a capable person they decided to put me in charge of something. Sort of.

Frankly I don’t care what I’m doing as long as I’m getting a walkie talkie. Except I found out there are rules against goofing around on the walkies, so we’ll have to devise some code words. Either that or I need to get a life.

Since becoming a vegetarian again, I have given up eating meat, wearing or purchasing things made of leather, and using metaphoric expressions such as the well known but particularly vile “running around like a chicken with its head cut off”. And while I don’t condone using such expressions, or eating chickens for that matter, I will say it does rather aptly describe the state in which I and the fellow staff will likely be by the time Saturday morning hits.

I think I’m getting a cold. Actually, in all seriousness I had a few good sneezes this afternoon and my throat is starting to hurt. Feeling a little feverish, too. Oh, the good news is I completed the Pet First Aid & CPR class this morning. Amid all the chaos, and as I retire to a warm bath, I wonder, where the hell did I put the echinacea?

The Laziest Blog Ever

Check out the Tiger Salamander we found in our window well. It was SO cool. But you don't have to take my word for it. Check out Daron's entry from Septemer 25th.

Produce

Or shall I say, lack thereof?

Tonight I was really craving a salad. I wanted a crispy little lettuce ditty with a light balsamic dressing, maybe a little gorgonzola; a nice tomato. Not so much to ask, right? Wrong.

So I trek over to the grocery store. The produce selection was so heinous I couldn't believe it. There was not a leaf of lettuce in that place that looked appetizing, let alone edible. Not to worry, we have two -- count 'em two grocery markets here. So I went to store #2. They had a larger selection, but the condition of the greens was actually WORSE than store #1. I wandered home in disbelief and wondered, "What the hell is this?".

You'll be pleased to learn my craving was later satiated when we broke down and went out to eat at the Italian place in town. I guess lettuce is like sex, which is like air. It's not really a big deal until you can't get any.

I work out?

Apparently I work out. I didn't think I did, but what I did tonight certainly FELT like working out. I certainly hurt like I might have raised the ol' heartbeat to working out levels (although for me that means walking ten feet).

I was once in the Army. The US Army. I actually became quite healthy at a lifetime low of about 160 pounds (I say lifetime, I mean I used to weigh 160 but it was the fourth grade). I ran everyday. During my time in Korea six miles a morning was not unusual at all, and we occasionally went out for a ten mile plus.

So as you can imagine as soon as I didn't HAVE to do it, I didn't. Relaxing and sleeping in once I was no longer a soldier seemed right. Like being a completely inactive human was my duty at that time.




Then the weight gain took hold, and I have no idea anymore, but i'll bet I easily clock in at about 230.

But anyway I did play racquetball tonight. Daron and I went down to the local fitness center, which for a small town like this is pretty damn nice. I had to take an aspirin halfway through the first game because I am pretty sure I was in the midst of a myocardial infarction. I got sweaty and actually looked like some sort of jock. I mean a fat jock, but a jock all the same.




I can't say it feels good, I mean I hurt like hell. But I can say there is no reason why I shouldn't do something every now and again. Might even lose some weight.

Neighh-borhood

Today while driving home from work I rounded the corner and there was a guy riding a horse down the street in front of my house. Gotta love this town.

Living The High Life

So last night we purchased some organic catnip for the kitties. Today I come home from work and the little plastic baggie is riddled with tiny teeth and claw marks, and there are dried greens scattered across the counter and floor. Apparently all day while I was slaving away at work my cats were hanging out in my kitchen getting stoned.

On the Road Again...

Ahhhh, life on the road.




Sucks.

Dish Network came by yesterday and they hooked up our beautiful new 61" television up. So I for the first time in my life have a chance to sit down and watch HD-TV and I have to leave.

Not to mention the fact that I have to leave my amazing wife and children, AGAIN. As I mentioned in a previous post I would love to visit some exotic locales, but I am now in Salt Lake City. Sort of like being home, but this doesn't feel like my home anymore.

As soon as I came over Point of the Mountain and into the Salt Lake Valley there was the thick blanket of smog. Lots of cars and rude drivers at that. Where is my red rock, my clean air, my half redneck, half hippy town?

Tomorrow is an early one, helping No More Homeless Pets in Utah set up for their Super Adoption this weekend. Technically I am here more to observe, but they are making sure I get a piece of the hard manual labor as well. Good, since I will be doing it all again in a month in Vegas.

I sound like such a whiner right now.

Suppose I shouldn't blog when I can barely keep my eyes open.

Our Illness

So, I have this little problem. By way of background, I will say at my own insistence, I am the household treasurer, bookkeeper and bill payer (and usually am on time but every now & then I space something and get it in late). As a general rule, I’m also pretty on top of things at work. But as life moves along in a fast paced environment, multitasking is required I typically grab a pen & notepad (scratch paper; paper towel, whatever) on which to take notes so I don’t forget anything. In speaking with my dear father on the phone tonight, I realized yet another thing we have in common. Besides blood type, hairline, and feet, we have the same apparent memory loss.

Let me preface the former statement by saying that over my life span my father has threatened several times to take back his genetic material. Honestly, I can’t really say I blame him. But it’s been several years since the most recent threat, and it’s really moot at this point. So back to this problem I have. For the life of me I can’t keep up with my wallet. I “lose” it all the time. Usually it turns up under a stack of papers, the console of the truck, between couch cushions…but a few weeks ago my wallet was missing for almost an entire week and I feared the worst. Could I have dropped it at the grocery store, or in the parking lot of the post office? Maybe someone stole it (yeah right)…maybe the cat ate it. Anyway after an agonizing week my dear husband located my wallet. It was in the cupboard above our washing machine. (???) Apparently a set of keys to his truck was up there with it. I can’t explain how any of it got there. I mean, obviously I put it there but I have absolutely no recollection of it. And at best, that is just creepy as hell to do something and not remember. And then to wonder, among other things, “Why in there?”

So flash forward this morning I get an email from my father. “Your mother had a flat tire and I have lost my wallet with all of my credit cards and it’s not even 9:00 a.m.” Well, Triple A took care of the flat but he was so freaked about the wallet he called and put credit holds on everything. All day I guess it was just eating away at him so he attempted to retrace his steps. He met up with some friends last night, and had gone and bought a pizza to take to the gathering. He had taken his license and a few cards out of his wallet but pinpointed that purchase as the last time he recalled having them. Today he called the pizza place, and his friend to see if he’d left the cards behind…nada. So he called all of the credit card companies, and probably the worst part of all was that he just could not figure out what the hell had happened to his cards.

He found out when he got home.

After a daunting day in cube-land and on the phone and worrying and whatnot, he went home and put on his comfy clothes. And then saw, tucked neatly inside of his shoe, were the missing credit cards. The mystery was solved. Evidently at the friend’s house he had slipped off his shoes and put the cards in one and his keys in another. Of course when it was time to go home, he retrieved the keys, but not the cards. The best part and most humorous bit of this entire story is that he walked around his office all day with the credit cards in his shoe. Even the laundry room cabinet can’t beat that.

Next time I lose my wallet, I’m blaming the damn cat.

Vacation.....ya right.

Whoever said Animal Welfare isn't sexy?

I joined the Army some years ago, and I truly did get to see the world. I spent a year in Korea among other places. Exotic.

Tomorrow however I leave for a place I have always dreamed of seeing.

Death Valley.

Yes, that's right, don't be jealous. I am off to see a lady who needs some help raising money for her Burro (Donkey) Rescue. It's actually an interesting story believe it or not.

If you want the back story click here to see a story I wrote on the issue.

I first head to Vegas to pick up a couple of colleagues heading in from Salt Lake, and then we drive for the desert. Doesn't sound like it will be a long stay in Death Valley. Thank god, 'cause I am not sure this fat kid could handle it.

After that I have some stuff to do in Vegas, and then home hopefully by Saturday.

Then next week is Salt Lake (leaving Wednesday). I am helping organize a Super Adoption in Vegas, so they want me at the Salt Lake event to take part and observe. Should be good, firstly I could use the info. I know so little about what I am doing in this job. I can take the knowledge whenever offered.

Secondly I will get to see Jaime's folks, my friend Scotty. Even another friend Ben says he wants to hang out so it should be a good week!

And THEN, come the 22nd, I am off to Chicago. But not like the pretty waterfront Windy City...oh no...the GHETTO.

We have a guy there that works with kids to stop them from getting into bad shit, including dog fighting. He is rescuing dogs, and he does work for us, so we are helping him with several projects (which I will be helping to organize).

So yeah, join animal welfare, see the world.

Live the life you love, love the life you live

I talked to my grandparents tonight. Well, mainly my grandfather. My grandmother is so very sweet, but can’t hear worth shit and gets confused very easily. My grandfather, who is one of my ultimate heroes, has been battling cancer for about two years now. Recently we found out the cancer is beginning to win again and he has been undergoing chemotherapy, which has taken a toll on his already frail body. He is a feisty old German, though, and has been fighting it tooth and nail all along the way and taking it all in stride. Let me just tell you it’s so hard to see someone who, for so long you envision as being so resilient and superhuman, getting knocked on their ass by something so invasive. It sucks beyond belief.

There is so much petty bullshit I have left behind in my life, and I couldn’t be happier about it, but no matter how much bullshit you let go of, you can’t stop the process of aging or death. So “get over it or die pissed”, as my mother would say. All I know is hold on tight to the ones you hold dear while you can because in the end we have nothing but time and it is so, so precious.

The New Giclee

Purple Shadow Game Time by Cyrus Mejia

So I'm Old. So What?

So contrary to prior posts that may or may not be interpreted as morbid, I will say here (hopefully to add pics later) how great my birthday celebration was. For starters, and possibly one of the ultimate coolest gifts I’ve ever received, was a signed, numbered giclee print of a painting by local artist and BF founder Cyrus Mejia. The piece is entitled “Purple Shadow Game Time“. If you don’t know of Cyrus and his work, you should definitely check out his website. Not only is he incredibly talented, he is also an extremely personable fellow and all around nice guy.

My sweetheart had evidently been scheming and planning this gift for over a month. Made several visits to Cyrus’s workspace and gallery, trips to the art framer, and so forth. I knew he was up to some kind of surprise, but I never suspected an art piece, which makes it that much sweeter.

On Saturday before an evening out I got a cut & color at the local salon, which Jon had arranged, and he also presented me with a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure for later this week. Yeehaw! It’s almost like we live in a real city! Except that they couldn’t get me in for the mani/pedi until a week later. (But that only prolongs the excitement, right?)

My parents called me from a weekend away in Wendover, NV where they celebrated my mom’s birthday (2 days after mine). It was a milestone birthday for her. I won’t reveal her true age for fear of torturous retribution. (And also, it isn’t polite). She isn’t ashamed of it, as well she shouldn’t be. She’ll tell you if you ask, it’s just not my place to spill the beans, so I’ll just let you ask and she can tell you.

The weekend continued with as most pleasant dinner followed by a gathering afterward where many, many beers were consumed by yours truly surrounded by friends, cards and poker chips. So many thanks to all who contributed to an awesome kick ass birthday. Especially Jennifer & Daron who generously lent us their home & backyard for the occasion. Mwah!

Postscript: I forgot to mention the CAKE. Jon had the baker at the local grocery store make me a cake in the likeness of a SOFTBALL. (Realize sick humor implicated here by reading my post from Aug. 9th). Needless to say, it was a big surprise to say the least. Also, see a few pics from the party by visiting Jen & Daron's Blog. I'm hoping to have more pics to post once they're rounded up (including pics of the cake) so stay tuned for future posts.

Reality Bites

Today is my birthday and I was reminded of my own mortality first thing this morning. I wish a funny anecdote was to follow, but unfortunately that is not the case.

I was slated to join the interns on their last day as Jill (their advisor and my fellow office mate) was taking them on a hike at the sanctuary. I got up and set off early so as to be ready as we were scheduled to meet up fairly early. As I passed the interstate weigh station in the canyon and approached the shooting range, traffic came to an abrupt halt. I suspected there was an oversize load or a person hauling a boat that was jamming up the flow, but as we sat idly for a few minutes, which turned into five, then ten, I realized this was not a typical delay.

As I waited, I saw an ambulance pass us in the oncoming lane to where the traffic came to a head up above us. Another few minutes, another ambulance. Not looking good. A few people turned around in our lane and headed back toward town. I briefly considered doing the same, but figured I might as well stick it out. I soon saw someone I recognized coming toward me and approached his car as another employee of the sanctuary chatted with him from the driver’s side window. “Is there an accident?”, I asked, to which he answered “Looks that way”. He headed on in the other direction when I noticed several other sanctuary staff exit their vehicles and begin chatting along the side of the highway as we all waited. I finally got a clue and turned off the engine to my truck and joined them. Someone had muffins. We were all relieved we didn’t have coffee (so we would have to ‘go’) since we were out in the open and there wasn’t really a place to go to the bathroom. I also let the girls out of the truck, since they hadn’t been out to have their morning potty break either. The girls and I stood with the other folks and we chatted in the chilly air as we watched yet another two ambulances, three tow trucks, and a life flight helicopter arrive. After a long time, two of the tow trucks came back down the canyon, one with a large pick up truck with the front driver’s side smashed, and another with a van with a smashed front and rear.

After a while a man in an SUV drove by telling everyone it should only be another 20 minutes or so before things were cleared. We saw the helicopter fly away, and then the road was finally opened. A few hundred yards up the road, just around the bend from where we had been waiting, was the shooting range, and right in front of the turnoff was a mass of metal and plastic, and a mangled sedan with a tarp draped over it.

I don’t know a whole lot in life but I do know that having a tarp draped over a totaled vehicle at an accident scene is not a good sign. I said a silent prayer for whoever was in that vehicle (as well as the others) and continued up the canyon. Although I have my suspicions, I don’t know if anyone is deceased. I certainly hope not, but don’t know that that is the case.

Needless to say, I missed my hike but I received a good reminder in the value of life and appreciation for it. Apologies for the possible grim interpretation of this note but I'll fill you in on the joy of celebrating and receiving my birthday loot in another post.

Home Ownership

So I have never personally owned a house and of course that changed when I met and married Jaime.

When we lived in Salt Lake, things like yardwork never really meant much, because our yard was a piece of crap and we didn't care, but here in Kanab it is different.

We moved in to a home with a landscaped yard. Brand new sod, sprinkler system, beautiful rose bushes. I feel like a real ass if I don't mow my lawn here for the obvious reason of feeling like a lazy piece of shit, but also because others on my street have beautifully manicrured lawns. Like I think they spend hours cutting each blade with a pair of scissors. So anyway, bottom line is that it sucks. Xeriscape here we come.

Oh also been really into The Pick Up Artist on VH1. It actually is a horrible, excruciatingly sick hour of TV, but like a car wreck you CANNOT look away. I mean I don't need to see a show like that, just ask Jaime. I GOT the moves yo.

Oh and remind me to blog about the human waste in the downstairs bathtub. Home ownership can be a pain in the ass.

Love Dogs

My dear friend up north calls me a callous, bitter, asshole. Is that a bit harsh? Neh, she knows me well, and she still loves me. We’re tight—we were both in each others’ weddings. She also knows a side of me that many do not. That being said, here goes for one of my favorite Rumi poems. So much attached to this. So much, so long ago, and now. In part, I present to you, Love Dogs.



~Love Dogs~

This longing
you express is the return message.

The grief you cry out from
draws you toward union.

Your pure sadness
that wants help
is the secret cup.

Listen to the moan of a dog for its master.
That whining is the connection.

There are love dogs
no one knows the names of.

Give your life
to be one of them.


~Rumi

This verse usually makes me cry or gives me the chills at the very least. I’m going to be posting some other little gems from Rumi, and also Thich Nhat Hanh. My husband will probably accuse me of being a freakish hippie but I’ll just have to remind him yet again that that’s what he signed up for. :)

Take Me Out To The Ball Shame

If you beg them they will come.

First off, I am pleased to report that my parents arrived this evening in Kanab in good order. Tonight we had a most civilized dinner at Escobar’s and the proceeded to Fredonia for a Best Friends softball game. You see, the regular season is over (I think—or is close anyway) but tonight was a make-up game that was rescheduled in light of last week’s thunderstorms. So we packed up the cars, the coolers, the lawn chairs, the parents, and headed over to the field. Jon has been a member of the team since early this season and has really been enjoying it. I’ve been to most of the games with him, in support of the endeavor. My presence as a sideline cheerleader and designated beer drinker ended tonight.

Tonight, I batted.

I would like to say that I was wooed like a celebrity to join the game but really it boiled down to the fact that the team has a shortage of women players and would have to forfeit if they didn’t have another female on the roster. So, in effect I was begged and then finally conceded.

Never played the sport, never really watched it either, so I was pretty far out of my comfort zone. Still, the team needed me, and while I warned them that they would be better off taking the out, they put me in anyway. As a result, I’m not sure who suffered more.

I was informed that I would play catcher and that I didn’t need to do anything but stand at home base, catch the missed pitches, and toss them back to the pitcher. Fair enough. A few throws back and forth and I had that bit down. Then came the batting.

As it turns out, we were first up to bat. Being the newbie, I was (thankfully) placed near the end of the list, but alas we made it almost through the cycle and I was up. I gingerly made my way up to home base and assumed the position. First pitch came, I balked. It fell beautifully in the center of the plate. Whoops. Steerike. The ump was trying to explain to me that meant I had 2 outs (because that’s the rules or something) but to me it was all gibberish. I nodded to him as if I understood and then turned from the ump and faced the pitcher again. He pitched. I swung. I made contact. I was shocked, and I paused. And then I ran for my life.

I’m pretty sure the infielder had already caught the ball and outed me, but I figured I’d put my heart into it. What happened next, I can’t really explain. I’m sure it happened in slow motion. A glorious skid to first base, you ask? Ummm....not so much. About three quarters of the way to first base I tripped over my two left feet, and proceeded to gacefully careen downward, and in an instant….I ate MAJOR SHIT.

I fell on my right side, mostly on my upper arm and shoulder, but managed to scrape off a layer of skin on both my right knee and elbow. You have to understand that this southwest sand diamond is not just regular soft dirt, to the contrary it’s this very unforgiving red sand and pebble graveyard. It was like skidding across a cheese grater on all fours. Yeah, pretty gross.

I gimped away to my lawn chair where my parents were stationed and grabbed my beer trying to shake off the sting. Blood was dripping dramatically from my knee and elbow. Strangely, it didn’t really hurt that badly, in fact it was numb. I’d just succeeded in removing a layer of my delicate epidermis, but oddly my ego was in more agony than my body.

Needless to say I was pretty horrified by my embarrassing mistake and declared myself out for the rest of the game. Jon took off his undershirt (a Nightside t-shirt, no less) and we sopped up the blood on my limbs. Our friend Rich retrieved a first aid kit from the concession stand and patched me up pretty well. I am pretty sore (my shoulder and arm are pretty wrecked, and I somehow pulled an ab muscle in the mayhem) however I am disappointed to report that all of that blood and gravel equates to some pretty benign looking scrapes on my knee and elbow. Oh well.

It will likely come as no shock that I have at this time retired from my softball career. I like to be good at everything, but I suppose that's not so realistic. But I must say I have a pretty great life. Great husband, great parents, great pets, great house, great job.

I guess you can’t have everything.

Eww

In our back yard just witnessed the dogs chase and stalk the biggest, grossest cockroach I've ever seen.

Awesome!

[sarcasm]

Mission Accomplished

So, we made it up to Salt Lake last weekend. We were there for about 24 hours total. We left Kanab Saturday morning and drove the 5 hour ride to SLC and went out and had Indian food with my dad. It was pretty good. Under new ownership from when we used to go there, but it seemed all right. Afterward, we went and hung out with my dad for a bit, then went to bed. My mom was in Vegas, so this was a dad-only visit. The next morning we got up, went and got my bike from our old neighbor’s house, loaded it up into the back of the Avalanche, and then drove it home. We had no problems getting it off the truck (I was extremely worried about it). So it’s here now and I can officially continue to be the big mama biker I am at heart.

Another funny story I had to jot down. When we arrived in Salt Lake at my parents’ house, Jon and I were pretty gross from traveling so we opted to shower before going out to dinner. Reminiscing back to days in our old house where you could not shower while watering the lawn, or washing clothes in the washer, and further you had to wait an hour or so after doing laundry before being able to get warm water for a shower, I asked my dad “So, can two people shower at the same time here?”, to which my father calmly replied, “Oh, we’ve never done that here”. I asked again, “but can two people do it at the same time” and he repeated himself, “we’ve never really done that here”. I finally realized he thought I was asking him if two people could shower together in the same shower. Jon and I both laughed and said, “No, no! We just mean can two separate showers run on the water heater at one time?”. We all had a nice chuckle. I’m not sure what my dad thought we were going to do, and whatever it was I’m sure it made him feel uncomfortable so it was pretty funny once we all realized what the confusion was over.

Needless to say, no romantic interludes were had in the shower at my parent’s house but it was a pretty funny misunderstanding.

Lull...

Sorry two dear readers. We have failed you.

Tuesday

Today I drove home from work and the truck is so nasty filthy that I could barely see out the window. I thought about taking it to the car wash but it's just going to get filthy again tomorrow....is that bad?

Jon is still in Nevada helping out with the cat sanctuary down there. He is ready to come home, although tomorrow he spends the day in sin city doing business. Among other things, fueling some poker machine along the way I'm sure...

Small Miracles

I cried on the way home today.

Probably not for the typical reasons a person might cry over while driving home from work. But as I wound down the dusty trails of the sanctuary to reach the canyon and the main road, the floodgates opened.

I received an email from which an excerpt follows, although I have changed the names of the actual writer & her son to maintain some degree of anonymity.




Dear Best Friends,

I just wanted to let you know that my son, Matthew, donated a Kuranda Dog Bed from your website. Matthew will be 4 on July 27th and instead of receiving a present this year, he decided to buy a dog bed for a dog that did not have a home. He decided to do this after our beloved dog, Sadie, passed away 2 months ago at the very young age of 5. Matthew and Sadie were best friends and loved playing in the stream together and going camping/hiking. Matthew would like a special dog to receive the bed and hopes that they enjoy sleeping in it as much as Sadie enjoyed sleeping in her special bed. We hope you all have a wonderful day! Keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

Matthew’s Mom



Okay, so maybe I’m a little volatile from the heat and perhaps from the emotional nature of uprooting my life and moving away from all that I’ve known for many years. But that has just got to be one of the most sentimental things I have heard in a long time. It’s no miracle, (or is it?) but these things happen every day here. I can’t even begin to express how moving it is to be involved in something like this. And so for the moment, I cried.

The Oven

For starters, I haven’t blogged recently because

a) we have been in the process of moving and things have been nuts

b) we haven’t had internet access until 3 days ago

c) I’m freaking tired.

It’s been over 100 degrees every day for the past two weeks. But right now it’s thundering and lightening up a storm. Came out of nowhere and I’m sure it will be gone just as quickly as it arrived. I just ran out to the driveway to get something out of the truck when the downpour started. Who ever said it never rains in the desert? Well, it rarely does. BUT I felt compelled to jot down what I witnessed just now. As soon as the rain started pelting a little girl – 8 or 9 years old?—across the street ran out her front door and into her driveway. She stretched her arms out and looked up at the sky as the water poured into her face. Then she lifted her arms upward as if to catch the raindrops and thank the sky above for releasing them. And then in all her glory she looked across the street and noticed her creepy new neighbor (me) watching her and ran back inside. Can’t really blame her for that. I wasn’t intent on being lecherous, though. Just observing her spirit and really actually relating to her actions. As such I walked around the house and did not physically replicate the ritual, but I sure felt relieved and thankful for the precipitation.

My First Rapid Response

So today I will head out to Pahrump Nevada. There is a cat sanctuary there in need of our help so I am off as part of the first team to respond to the place and get it all in order. 400 cats. Should be fun.

Not a usual part of my job, but Pahrump kind of falls in my territory. I am not sure how helpful I will be as a rapid responder but we'll see. I love cats, so 400 in one place should be an interesting experience. I will only spend a couple of days there working the long days, back breaking work, staying in an RV. I'll be off to Vegas for Wednesday and then back to Kanab.

For those who would much rather hear from Jaime, #1 I don't blame you, and #2 I am trying to get her to blog more.

Maybe once I am gone for these three days she will get on the ball?

The Edge of your seat....

I know, I know. You have been on the edge of your seat wondering how we are doing. Did the truck come yet, you said? Are they moved in? Did Jon and his Best Friends softball team win?

Yes to all.

The truck arrived today. It was indeed two days late. For some reason the truck was not picked up Monday night at the ABF terminal in Salt Lake. The plan was for that to happen, and then it would be to us on Tuesday. I smell a refund in the works.

So the truck is here, I bought a dolly from the hardware store in town. The next few days will be simply unloading hell! Yay!

We did get into the house over the weekend. It is so awesome. We moved in Saturday and even without a single possession in the place it totally feels like home. I have no idea what on earth we will do with the 2900 sq ft. but I am sure I can find a few uses (bar, and poker room anyone?)

And yes, I made my Best Friends softball debut on Tuesday night. I am 1-for-1, hitting a 1,000 and I have not yet made an error (fielded one ball). So that's good. Another game tonight.






Although I am not entirely sure I can actually move. Advil is my friend. In fact I thought the feeling I had after running to first base would be the worst I would feel. Apparently not. Even today it still hurts.

Too Hot?

Oh believe me. I know it can be too hot. This may sound silly since we just moved to Kanab, but anything over a hundred it just too hot for me. Also it apparently is too hot for airplanes.




I took a five o'clock flight last night from SLC to Saint George. It was the easiest way for me to get down here since my car was already here. The flight takes about 80 minutes, and it takes about 90 to drive to St. G from Kanab. So Jaime and I essentially left at the same time.

About halfway into the flight the pilot comes on...

"Yes, ladies and gentlemen, from the flight deck. You probably won't be surprised to learn that it is hot in Saint George. And you'll notice we just took a left turn, we will be doing another, and going back to Salt Lake. It is to hot for us to land in Saint George."

I have done a lot of flying in my life, flown all across the globe, but I have never heard in my life that it is too hot to land. Apparently it's something to do with air density, or molecules or something. I was never good at science.

So I had no way to call Jaime. She was almost in St. G by the time we landed back in Salt Lake. I did make the next flight so she just had to wait for 2 1/2 hours.

A US Citizen?

I know this is not Kanab related. Sorry about that. Anyway, I have been going over the idea of finally becoming a citizen of the US. This is a test I came across on MSNBC.com....

---------

Do you have what it takes to become a citizen?

You answered 95% of questions correctly. Here's your rating:

0-20%: Maybe you're still thinking too much about the Old Country.

25-40%: Mmmm. Do you really want to be a citizen? This kind of performance isn't going to impress those nice immigration folks.

45-60%: Not too bad, but you really need to break out the civics books again -- word is, the INS is looking for an 80 percent score.

65-80%: Hey, you may make a good citizen yet! Look at your wrong answers and a little revision should do the trick.

85-100%: Welcome to the United States! (And, truth be told, you know more about this great land than most Americans.)


-------------

I was actually going to post my 19/20 correct answers, but I figure it might spoil it for others. The dumb thing is, the only question I got wrong was the date of the writing of the constitution.

Take the test by clicking here through to the MSNBC website!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Wagon Train

So, I made it to the Brandon. Well, officially it’s now called “The Flagstone” (motel) but everyone in town calls it the Brandon, so we do too. First off, I am pleased to announce that the animals and I arrive unscathed with the exception of one accident had by the infamous Coconut. We made an unscheduled stop in Scipio to take care of business. The cats both (but Karma in particular) yowled the entire way here. They apparently do NOT like the car. I gave them each 2 tranquilizers and they still screeched the whole way. Poor things. Actually, I should correct myself. They didn’t scream the entire way. It’s a five hour drive and they only technically hollered for the first four hours…..

Anyway, Moki & Kona have become quite the seasoned travelers, so they were fine until we arrived…when they were so anxious to get out of the truck they both tried to jump out the window in the front seat.

But now both of the dogs are crashed on the floor, and the cats have both taken up residence underneath the bed. Fine by me. We do have one escape artist (Karmie) so as far as I’m concerned ‘under the bed’ is far superior to ‘on highway 89’.

I start work tomorrow and I’m really excited. I’m sure it will be mostly an orientation day with HR and whatnot. The only concern I have is leaving the animals at the motel while I’m gone. When Jon gets here (flying to St. George on Friday after the moving truck gets packed) he can take them to work with him. But I’m not really comfortable taking the drooling mongrels to the office…not even sure yet if it’s kosher in my dept. so hopefully they all do ok on their own during the day for the time being.

That’s it for now. I’m off to breathe some fresh air and drink some clean water.

Moving Sucks

I could not be more excited to start the new adventure in Kanab.

We are just having a hard time getting there.

Jaime organized a moving company last minute. It was our fault, I mean we really didn't get on the ball. We found someone who said they could do it. As we grew closer to today, I started to wonder about the company, and more specifically if they could accomodate all of our stuff.

Thursday I talked to the girl, and she mentioned that they had a trailer. Not a truck, a trailer. A 21x9 trailer at that. Not enough for our stuff.

At this point it's too late, and the recommendation she gave us was to try rent a u-haul. In June. On a Saturday. Day of. Moving season.

Yeah right.

So we are not doing anything today. Jaime is taking a well deserved nap, and I am blogging.

All is not lost however. I just spoke with ABF U-Pack and they are awesome! They are dropping a semi truck thingie at our house on Tuesday sometime. They will then pick it up on Thursday. It will then be delivered to Kanab on the 10th. We hopefully will close on our house in the 9th! It is the fraction of the cost of the other companies, and quite frankly cheaper than even a damn u-haul.

So, all we need now is some good strong lads to help us do all the heavy lifting!! On both ends LOL

Jaime will be in Kanab tomorrow. She will drive down with the kids while I work from up here for a couple more days. Once the truck is packed I will depart for Saint George courtesy of Sky West. Then, just maybe I will be in the office again Thursday.

A Zillion Degrees

I’m still in Kanab as Jon rounds out his second week at Best Friends. I haven’t seen him this energized in months. While I think his job anchoring the news was very suitable for him, I don’t think it was all that interesting to him by the time he decided to move on. I have yet to begin my two weeks but at this point am scheduled to begin July 2nd. We are driving to SLC tomorrow and will be there through the week. Jon has a few meetings up there so he is going to work from home which will be nice since he can help me pack things up in the evenings. We have a mover scheduled to come on Saturday and haul it all down to Kanab. It will probably cost a small fortune, but we need the help and hopefully it will not be an expense we will need to shell out for again any time soon.

The girls are easing into life here in Kanab. They are still suffering anxiety when separated from us; me in particular. They are ok with Jon but they prefer me I think. I am, after all, the momma. We have been moving around from motels to rentals and whatnot and they just don’t get it. Kona had an anxiety episode at daycare the day we left, and she has been a little off since then but seems to be doing better. The other day I went out to my truck to get something out of the front seat. Understand, it is 8 zillion degrees outside, and probably 9 zillion inside the truck. They both hopped in the back seat and wouldn’t get out. I had to coerce them for about 5 minutes, and actually physically lift Kona out (bad leg) but that’s how confused they are. Poor babies. I think they will adjust in time, though. They are such great companions.

Ok, so that worked...

I have now been in Kanab exactly seven days. The first week has been hard without a doubt.

Some jobs you start, and it takes a while before you are getting in there and really working. It took me about 6 hours.

So far I have done many things, but most importantly I have helped to organize an adoption for 37 animals from 2 centers that are closing. The short story is that if we didn't help, and get this together they would have died.

It's exactly what we came here to do and it is a good feeling. It's pretty amazing to be able to do a job where you help, and you also feel pretty damn good about yourself too.

I want you guys to check out our network at Best Friends. It is, I think, the kind of thing people have been trying to do on the web for the last couple of years. Find that next thing, I think of it as web 3.0

http://network.bestfriends.org

You can find people in your area, find any particular issue you care about, and find out things you can do to help.

Yet another reason why Best Friends ROCKS!

We obviously still have a lot to do in terms of moving, and getting Jaime down here full-time and working, but we will get it done. Hopefully we will be in our new home by the middle of next month, and then we expect regular visits!!

Hello?

Testing, testing, 1-2

Buying & Selling

Things are moving along with the selling of the house. Made an offer on a new (well, not new but new to us) place in Kanab. It's a little older but has been remodeled inside. It's huge and in a great in-town location. Should know by 5PM tomorrow if the sellers accepted the offer. If I wasn't already so old & grey, I would be really excited by all this hype. But honesly, I'm just tired. So I guess I'll just go soak my bunions.

The Good News

No, I'm not pregnant.

But, this is a post that is long overdue. I vow to begin anew and keep up with this thing, as it seems now more relevant than ever. First off, the good news: we have accepted positions with Best Friends Animal Society based in Kanab, Utah. We have sold our house and are moving down south. It is a HUGE change for us both but we are so excited to take on new challenges in a new arena. I guess we don’t do things half assed. Get married, go on kick-ass honeymoon (I’ll still be posting further journal entries from that, btw) sell a house, buy a new house, quit long-held career positions and switch gears all together. Yeah, it’s a lot to stomach.

Based on this stress related scale, combined we are well over 300. Yet we’re hanging in there, and the bottom line is that the change is all for good. We wanted and needed change, and boy did we get it. Things have been going so smoothly through the transition (as smoothly as can be expected) and although we have shed many tears over leaving our local friends and family, we will only be a half day’s drive away, and hope that folks will utilize our new awesome location when visiting Southern Utah and its recreational possibilities.

Second. I’ve re-named the blog. While you may or may not know that I haven’t entirely taken Dunn on paper I don’t mind being referred to as one. Plus it’s kinda kitschy for this purpose.

Third. Jon will be adding posts. So if there’s anything off colour or offensive, don’t necessarily blame me out of the gate. Of course, your comments, as always, are welcome. :)

I’m in Salt Lake finishing out my notice and then hopefully getting the house closed. We have a house we are thinking of offering on next week in Kanab, so wish us luck that things continue to transition smoothly.

To Placate The Restless

The first post from the honeymoon. Sorry it's taken so long but we've had a few things going on. Writing out thank you cards and getting the house put back together, among other things. Thank you to all the family and friends who made the trek. We had the greatest wedding EVER. (And I have the beverage invoice to prove it if you have any doubts!!) xoxo P.S. - pics to follow....



Monday, March 26, 2007 4:35 Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Well, the wedding went off beautifully. I mean absolutely flawless. I can’t even begin to describe how well everything went down. Everything was perfect.

All of the family made it in for the event, and we saw them all off yesterday morning. It’s about 4:35 in Rarotonga right now, and again, everything is amazing. Jon is sleeping. We finally lied down to watch a movie and both of us crashed and burned. I only slept for about an hour, and he’s still out. I don’t remember the end of the movie.

I just stepped inside from our porch. It is incredible. Right on the water. It’s a little windy today, but the sun is shining on the crystal blue lagoon, and again, we are awestruck with the beauty of this place.

We left SLC for Los Angeles last night around 7pm MST. We then went through the international terminal at LAX (translate: complete nightmare) but we got checked in and boarded our flight with Air New Zealand around 11:30 PST. We then flew for approximately 8.5 hours, and arrived in Papeete, Tahiti. I was able to sleep on the plane for about 4 hours although I continued to wake up several times through the trip so it was not restful to say the least. When we arrived in Tahiti, we deplaned once again for about an hour, and then re-boarded for Rarotonga. That flight was about an hour and 45 minutes. It was less than full so I was able to commandeer an entire row in the center and lie down for a good nap. Jon was more anxious to sit by the window and witness our spectacular landing, which I did wake up in time for. Evidently the airstrip in Rarotonga is exceptionally short. As a result, our pilot ‘missed’ on the first approach. Something about an air gust throwing us off. I’ve never in my 30+ years experienced a ‘missed’ landing, but Jon said he has had it happen a few times to him. Anyway, we flew past the airstrip, circled around, and successfully landed the second time. We were near the back of the plane but were practically the first ones off; almost running down the jet way to get our luggage. A man was singing to the new passengers and playing a stringed instrument (similar to a ukulele?) and that was a nice welcome. We grabbed our bags, dashed through customs, and our ride was waiting to take us to our villa. Oh, and he adorned us with fresh flower leis. That was a nice touch.

Once we got settled in we went for a short walk in the lagoon, a dip in our private pool and then took a jaunt down the road (on foot) to pick up a few groceries. Upon returning we decided to go forth and rent a car for the duration, and made arrangements with Budget Rentals and then picked up our small Daihatsu compact. We headed to the center or town, Rauva, applied for a driver’s license (we are now both fully licensed drivers in the Cook Islands) and grabbed a quick cheeseburger at a burger stand. There are chickens running around freely, picking up our crumbs, so that lent for some amusement. We later headed to the food market and liquor store and came back home. After having a snack and another Foster’s Lager (or was that a Steinlager?) we passed out in front of the TV watching the Borat Movie. We are trying to hold out until tonight to fall asleep for good so we can acclimatize to the time difference and not be on a weird waking schedule.

Tomorrow morning we have spa appointments at a nearby resort and for now we are off to bbq burgers by the private pool. Cheers.

In Case You Missed It

Ok, I thought the Governor's Mansion was a big deal. But this is the big time. I got (indirectly) mentioned in Ethan's blog, slcspin.com.

What he says is true. Rhonda Kamper, Henry the Chihuahua's mom and other supporters organized a rally this weekend in front of the Governor's Mansion. Yep, the day we are getting married there. Reminds me of an Alanis Morisette song or something since Jon and I met volunteering for NMHPU.

Of course, our allies and fellow pet lovers came through in yet another demonstration of how loyal we are to one another, let alone the animals. The rally was kindly rescheduled to take place earlier in the day. Ain’t life grand?!

Wednesday

All of the out of towners’ welcome gift bags are ready. All of the sheets and towels have been laundered. The house cleaners came. The dogs are groomed. The guest counts have been tallied. The musical selections have been chosen. The work at my office has been left for better or worse. The airport itineraries and shuttles are scheduled. The tuxedos are ready to be picked up. My hair is colored. My dress is here. It’s show time folks. Let’s party.

Right after I take a much neeeded nap.

List This

If I never make another list of things to do for the rest of my life, I feel confident that I will have experienced my fair share and then some.

If I never make another list of things to do for Jon, he will love me forever.

wha, huh?

It's 5:08 a.m. I went to "sleep" at 12:15-ish. This is ridicious. I spent the entire evening working on lists for this and lists for that plus getting the house semi organized so the cleaners can come today. I also spent some time hunting for some important documents that I have somehow hidden from myself in all the chaos. I have looked EVERYWHERE and they are nowhere to be found. I haven't seen them in about 6 weeks so lord knows where they are. Here's a little silent prayer that I can find them....eeegads.

One Possible Problem

The absolute only possible foreseeable problem with the Cook Islands is that I can't take my animals. Can't think of any other negatives.

Oh, and at some point I have to return home from them.

Shit.

The Heat is On

Long day. More last minute details. Schmetails. Daylight Savings blows. Diet blows. I'm tired. And grumpy. Pooped is a nice descriptive word.

Met with DJ today, chose some song lists. Also paid off reception vendor. Got INS straightened out (the green card is still not here... another blog for another day but at least the boy can get back into the country). Reviewed string quartet selections. Mocked up ceremony program. Worked 8 hours. Buggar.

Semi-coherent cognititive sentiment: Not sure who is bigger clown-- Sean Hannity or Rocky Anderson.

TBD

Brain is Fried

Fried is brain. Brain fried is. Is brain fried? Fried brain is.

Brandy & Jeff's Christmas party last year. Fun times! I think we had to leave because one member in our party fell asleep on a downstairs couch, others were slurping down Jagerbombs, and then a huge snow blizzard hit. On the way home we did a 180 in the middle of 1300 south. It was great!

Ouch

I found this pic in an old album. I'm not sure what's going on. I might have just sucked a lemon. Or broken a little toe.

Woe is Toe

Update. Toe is indeed broken. Will attempt to scan image so rest of world can enjoy seeing my fractured bone. As most people know, there is not much that can be done to treat a broken baby toe. They taped it to the next toe (official medical term "buddy bandaging") and sent me on my way. Not even any good drugs. The doctor must think that someone who is capable of breaking such a useless bone should not be entrusted with barbiturates. DOH

March 1, 2007

Is it just me or does blogger completely blow as of late? I can't ever get into my account, so it's a wonder I ever post anymore.
The bridesmaids dresses arrived yesterday. Good news and bad news. The bad news is, I took a major digger on the sidewalk in front of the bridal shop (ice patch). Classic. Ate major asphalt and skinned my knee pretty good. It's not that deep a shade of purple, but it sure felt like it would turn blue and disintegrate. Boo. The good news? The dresses are more beautiful than I could have imagined. Majorly pleased. Stoked.

So tonight I go out to the tanning salon. I know, cancer, melanoma, wrinkles, blah blah blah. But let's be honest (and I am crediting my mother with this quote) "Tan fat looks better than white fat. It's unfortunately true. End of discussion. So I get home and slip on something in the doorway to the bathroom (invisible banana peel?) and go spread eagle with both feet crashing into opposite door frames. Picture YMCA meets Saturday night fever, only without the polyester and testosterone. So the baby toe on each foot smashes into opposite door frames as I do the involuntary splits. I lurch forward in effort to save my feet from the impact, and wind up crashing on top of the same knee as last night. I swear to Buddha I am not chemically impaired. Just about as graceful as Chris Farley on crack. I think the pinky toe on my right foot is broken. It's swelling up nicely. I have been ordered to go elevate it and put frozen vegetables on it (we don't pressently have any ice packs). So yeah.

Dumb.

February 23, 2007

Okay, so I have been a total slack ass as of late, but there has been so much going on. Wedding fever over here, the Trolley shootings (total bummer) and last but not least, my office move. The Trolley thing is just awful. So awful that I'm not going to comment. If you want to know about it, click here (KSL).

But today? Today was the big day; the big move. What a mess. I have been weeding out files and papers and so forth from my office little by little over the last several weeks. I threw away two large garbage bags full of CRAP, and brought home about as much, and I STILL think I had more boxes of shit than anyone else. I threw away many of my extraneous personal items, so believe it or not most of the stuff was actual work stuff. Yes, contrary to popular belief, I do actually work when I'm at work.

New office. Very nice Parleys Way locale. Mountain views, large windows. I am with the small lot in the basement offices, tucked away behind row upon row of shelves of city directories and storage files. At first I was a little irked to be shoved away in the basement, but upon further consideration, I think I actually made out better than many of the jokers upstairs. It's fairly large, quiet, right by the bathroom (which I only have to share with one other gal) and I still have an entire wall of window. Still, I couldn't help but feel just a teensy bit like the character Milton in the Mike Judge flick, "Office Space". If you've never seen it, you must go now, immediately and buy, rent, borrow, whatever. Do it. Especially if you work or have ever worked in an office environment. You will laugh your ass off, I guarantee it. So I'll just be mumbling to myself in the basement preparing my new coversheet to the TPS reports. I don't have a red stapler, but something can be arranged. My stapler is actually black, but it IS a Swingline…(the last two sentences will only make sense if you've seen the movie)….

Bridal portraits tomorrow. Early nail appt., then hair & makeup, then the shoot. Definitely not a typical excursion for me. I am by far more comfortable BEHIND the camera, but I think I can manage. I can't believe we are only a month out. Can we go to the Cook Islands already?

So after a full week of work, full day of moving, I am beat and I'm off to chill with the dogs and cats. Ciao.

Chocolate Cake

We made it to Atlanta and back, and what a trip. Rach & Andy's wedding was fabulous and went off without a hitch. I wasn't around Andy much prior to the ceremony but Rachael was cool as a cucumber. Radiant in her Carmela Sutera gown and she looked like a real princess. She was so excited beforehand, and you could tell how much she loved the dress and being the bride. She was literally dancing around the locker room in it at the country club. Very sweet. It was a bit of a whirlwind trip to and from GA in 4 days but a great time was had by all.

So we are back and it's like I've been hit with a brick wall. I started dieting this week (good luck) and we've both been hit with a head cold. Lucky Jon has pretty much recovered from that but I'm still ailing. I wonder if there is a connection between the cold and the onset of dieting. Maybe I should go eat some chocolate cake.

We got our first round of invitations mailed, and the second round is in the works. I'm a little neurotic I'll admit, but I just do not want to have a billion things to do at the last minute--I already know I will have a billion things to do at the last minute so I am trying to do as much ahead of time as possible. Cross your fingers. We still need to contact the Squatters people so we can get the rehearsal dinner menu arranged, and we also need to work on our ceremony format & vows. Apparently the Governor was in the studio last night and Jon touched base with his right hand aide, Mr. Mower. All systems go...

Jon is volunteering for the Primary Children's yearly radio-thon this year. He went to the kickoff luncheon today at the hospital and they gave out these big candy bouquets with a bunch of candy bars. I want to eat the entire thing. I'm obsessed with sugar and its because I can't have any. Phooey. It's ridiculous, too, because we have a bunch of candy stuff and crap sitting around still from Christmas that we haven't touched and I'd like to devour all of it. So much mental control.

Or perhaps, non-control.

REK For Real

We picked out the tuxes. They are gorgeous. A black long tail-type cutaway jacket with a red vest & euro tie. Very pretty. My dress is ready to be picked up but I am leaving it in the custody of my bridal shop (Bridal Corner) for now as I am at a loss as to where I can keep it safe from animals and people. It needs to be laid out in a quiet room away from potential harm. Good luck.

My bridal portraits will likely be taken at some point next month. So that’s exciting. Next week we are going to Atlanta to visit the fam and attend Rachael Dunn’s wedding. That will be fun. Can’t wait.

So further to my previous post about being a fan of Robert Earl Keen, get this. Last Saturday we went to Suede in Park City for the show. We got there pretty early so we swiped a few chairs and sat along side of the front stage. We had a great time. I drank many Shiners, and danced and sang. What a show. Afterward, Robert Earl was signing autographs and we got to meet him. Jon took some pics of us together, which I hope to post soon, even if they didn’t turn out so great. Over all we had a blast and it was a time I won’t soon forget. Thanks, lovey you’re the greatest.

Splitting Headache

Yesterday I experienced the most intense headache of my life. It was a bona fide migraine, and I was literally physically ill. It was so strange. I’ve never had anything like that happen before. I had a stressful day, and that could have contriubted, but I’ve never full on gotten ill from stress. My right eye felt like it was being stabbed from behind and I couldn’t keep it open it hurt so badly. My vision was blurred and after a few hours the nausea caught up with me and I tossed my cookies. Thank God work was over and it was time to go home. I slept most of the evening and on into the night. I feel better today but I’m a little fearful it could come back as my sinuses have been problematic in the past. Watch out. I suppose I’m just fine, however, since my appetite is back to normal. Oops.

Tick Tock II

The clock is ticking. Ten week countdown is upon us. Eegads.

I should be doing something wedding planning related right now.

Who, me procrastinate? Never.

Fat Lip

So right now I’m stalking this pan of lasagna from dinner last night. I can’t wait to heat up my leftovers and go to town. There is a problem, and a reason that I have not yet dug in. Half my face is asleep from the dentist’s anesthesia. Yep, drooly face here had a cavity and had to have the thing filled. It was actually on a tooth that already had a filling so the doc actually had to pull out the old composite and refill the entire thing.

I know, gross.

After the initial shot of anesthesia, the dentist started to drill and I winced as I could still feel a little bit, so he shot me up with an extra dose. After about 15 more minutes of waiting he went back to work, and the entire thing was over in about 20 minutes. Not too bad, except now the entire side of my face is void of sensation and I’ve got a big fat numb lip & I’m afraid to chew anything.

And so I sit. And wait.

The numbness is starting to wear down now, and my mouth is a little sore. But I don’t think it’s too sore to chew lasagna. Well, maybe a little, but rest assured it is not likely to stop me.

B’bye.