And the banter begins...

I'm still waiting to pick my friend up from the airport but we talked on the phone earlier to coordinate where to meet at SFO, and of course we just BS-ed for a little bit too.

Favorite quote so far, and he's not even here yet:

Eric: So, what's the "gay district" of San Francisco?

Me: Ummmm, I believe it's all of San Francisco.



And you should listen to this song because I like it...and it's stuck in my head :




(I can tell I'm getting older. The guys in the band look like they're six years old to me.)

...and what, would you say, is your greatest weakness?

I've tried writing this entry three times now but keep quitting due to lack of energy/I'm not sure how much anybody really cares about any of this.

One wouldn't think that asking questions and judging people would be very tiring.  One would be wrong.  I don't know how people do this type of stuff for a living.

Six phone interviews in three days.  I'm not going to get into details on here...but I'll say there were some flops and some hopeful prospects.  One in particular I really hope works out.

I'm taking a couple days off next week because a friend is coming into town, so I'm also trying to prepare for that at work since I'm the only full time dosimetrist and we have a new locum (that's the word we use for a temp in this field) coming while I'm gone.  Needless to say everyone is nervous about how this transition will turn out...but especially me!  But it's only two days I'll be gone and I think (hope) I've prepared stuff so it shouldn't be too bad.

Anyway boring long story short, there was a lot going on this week.  I don't know if other people experience this but when I get stressed, I get tired.  Like after a conflict or something I want to take a nap.  It's so weird.  So, I have been beyond exhausted this week. Ever been so tired you feel drunk? Yeah, that was me on Wednesday.  So bad.[pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp (and that was Kenai laying on my keyboard)

Now, I'm trying to prepare for a friend from Alaska, Eric, to arrive in town for the long weekend -- Alcatraz, walking the Golden Gate bridge and such are on our to-do list.  Hopefully there will be pictures to post later!

OMG, you're SUCH a Miranda

I don't go out a lot to bars anymore but I have made an observation the times I do go out...this has been over the past couple years but especially since I moved to California.  I am invisible.  No guy will remotely pay attention to me.  Hell it's not just bars, it's anywhere....it's just at the bars where it's most dramatically noticeable.  I've never been one to turn many heads but now it's non-existent.  (Now, I'm now complaining, though I know it totally sounds like it.  I swear!  Guys trying to hit on me in a bar has always creeped me out....but you know that feeling like, "Whaaa? Even the creepy guy in the bar is too good for me? I'm that that far down on the totem pole? Dayum!"  C'mon ladies (and maybe even some of you guys), you know what I'm talking about.)  What I am saying is I guess there's more truth to Sex and the City or Bridget Jones's Diary or such that I ever realized or cared to admit....if you're single, female, and past a certain age sometimes it's like you have some disease.  28 is the new 40.

 But no worries, I'm not crying.  My Kenai is probably one of the best boyfriends a girl could ask for....sometimes.  :oP

Alright, I should be getting to bed to prepare for another hell week at work.   Quick, somebody call me the waaambulance.

Eye of the Tiger

Why do I have the song Eye of the Tiger posted at the beginning of this post?? Because the name of the band playing this song is Survivor and that's what I f'ing am after this week!! (and, of course, any excuse to play this song is a good one in my book.  Note to self: get leather jacket and sweet black beret) I knew this week was going to be rough but it exceeded even my expectations! Sadly there was a day where I took out some frustrations on people that did not remotely deserve it but I think/hope they know the reasons behind my actions.

A special thanks to Mom and Cody who reached out after a post I put on facebook earlier this week....
"Well, this has been one of the worst days I've had in a while...but my crazy ass dog playing with his peanut butter filled kong, breakfast for dinner, and Arrested Development shall act as my band-aid for this day."

My general state of mind recently

 The past couple weeks were actually pretty rough but it's now over.  I know today is only Thursday but as far as I'm concerned, put a fork in it because this week is done.  I don't want to get into too many details publicly on here because it is work related.  If you want the details, feel free to message me I'd be more than happy to vent.  ha  :oP

Whenever I'm having a bad day I look at my arsenal of Kenai pictures...ha.

I got off work early today because these past few weeks have been a tad stressful and the next couple may be too, and there may not be many opportunities for me to leave early for a little while.  Since it's FINALLY a nice day here (sunny and 75 degrees...you'd think I lived in CALIFORNIA or something) I took Kenai out for a walk for the first time in ages.  I forgot how much people love him.  Literally, we'll be just walking down the street, a stranger will see him bopping along, and then a big smile appears on their face...and sometimes even an "awwww" or "cute dog" is added.  It's always been this way ever since I brought him home the first day.  I thought it would have stopped when he was older/bigger but it has not at all.  Lord knows he helps me out but I'm happy he can brighten so many people's days...even if it is just for a minute or two.

Now I'm sitting on my back deck, drinking some lemonade, writing this blog (duh), going over resumes, and trying to think of interview questions.  Again, any suggestions in this arena will be appreciated.  I don't know which is worse, being the interviewER or the interviewEE.  (Okay, it's totally worse applying for a job, but I'm learning it's not much fun being on this side either.)  When the job first opened up some of the resumes I saw were...well, let's just say, nothing to get excited about.  I was getting worried...is this what I have to work with??  (And again, I ask: if this was the competition, why did I have such a hard time finding work???)  In the recent past, however, we've received some that look really promising, on paper anyway.  Two in particular.  So, now I'm feeling a little better.  Maybe after phone interviews our opinions will change...or their opinion of us....but only time will tell.  I know the chances of it working out with one of the first people we interview is slim...but, hey, you never know.  This is going to be a loooong process and this is only the beginning.  Oy...

But, hey, at least this summer I get paid to be on this side of the interviews !  :oP

Randoms

I was lucky enough to spend $1700 on my vehicle this week.  Kenai chewed through three of my seat belts a few months ago and I finally got around to getting them fixed, but the real doozy was that I found out that my tires have never been rotated...which is bad on any car but it's really bad on an all wheel drive vehicle....so I got to buy a whole new set of tires to avoid any major damage done to the vehicle.  Oy...luckily I had some money saved up so I could pay for all of that, but things will be a little tight until next Friday.  Oh well, I lived on a lot less for a lot longer in Buffalo!  And at least I can afford it now!

The Subaru has been a very good vehicle, but it seems to have a target on it for stupid things...like seat belts used as chew toys, two flat tires from running over renegade screws on the street, getting broken into....and so on.  I was talking to one of the nurses at work and she was telling me her truck is the same way.  Her truck has been broken into SEVEN times (but, wait, her story gets a whole lot crazier).  One time when her truck was broken into was while she was in Santa Cruz.  Her laptop was in there, so they broke her window and took it.  Luckily she had a hacker friend who was able to track down the IP address and location of the laptop as soon as the robber douche turned it on.  This info was given to the local authorities.  Not only was the guy who broke into her truck and stole her property a meth head but he also had some sex slave that he sold for drugs!  The city was so happy to have caught this guy and have him behind bars they paid for all damages done to her truck and computer.  Crazy, right?!?  That sounds like something from a Law & Order storyline! Not something that actually happens to someone.  So remember, when you think you're having a bad day at least you're not some crazy meth head's friggin' sex slave.  Holy crap.

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 Yeah, I'm going to this festival in August.  This is my first multi-day music festival!  Tickets weren't cheap (yay, for credit cards) but there are several bands I'm really looking forward to seeing.  But two in particular -- Muse and Arcade Fire.  I've been wanting to see both of these groups at least 5 years.  If I only see those two perform it will be worth Every. Damn. Penny.  I want to cry just thinking about it.

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You know that erie feeling you get when you think you're being watched?  Well, I had that when I woke up this morning.  I rolled over in bed and this was in my face.

He's definitely plotting my death for all of the dressing up.  If I end up dead in the next couple of weeks, tell the cops the dog did it!

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The good thing about living in Northern California is that it's only about 60 degrees during the winter, with a few exceptions.  The bad thing about living in Northern California is that it's only about 60 degrees during the summer, with a few exceptions

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Overheard a little boy telling his mom at Whole Foods:  "But mom how can you not like broccoli??  It's SO DELICIOUS!"

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I was telling some coworkers about Kenai's DNA test (everybody loves the Pekingese part...people now ask me how my Pekingese is doing) and I was looking for the same picture I posted on the blog of the breed he looked the most like (American Staffordshire Terrier).  But look at another picture I stumbled upon...

Look like anybody we know???

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I think they put something in carpet shampooers to make the water look gross when you're dumping it out not matter what. It doesn't matter how frequent, or infrequent, you shampoo, the water ends up the same creepy shade of dark gray.

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Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi - Two Against One - featuring Jack White

The White Stripes might be done but Jack White continues to be his bad ass self...not that I thought that would stop.

Jane's Addiction - End to the Lies

I was hating when I first heard Jane's Addiction was coming out with a new album after so many years...but since hearing this I've ceased all hating.  Incubus is coming out with a new album and so are the Beastie Boys.  Woot!

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I fear I've created a monster.  Since I've given Kenai bully sticks he WILL NOT chew his other treats now...I've held out buying more bully sticks for a few weeks now thinking he'll give in and go back to his "other" treats...he has not.  I'm the one who has given in and bought some more bully sticks today...damn those things are expensive!

Mmmmm...bull schlong

Mom's long weekend, the end of the world, and Kenai's genealogy REVEALED

This is a long one but I haven't written in a while so it all evens out, right?

My mom was here visiting last weekend.  I haven't see her or my dad since they helped me move out here in September.  She was finally able to meet her sweet, well behaved insane grandpuppy.

Grandma and grandpuppy finally bonding

Kiss attack!!

I had to work a few of the days she was here, so in an effort to make sure he didn't drive her too batty.  I took him to daycare the days I was at work.  One of these days was May 5th.   His daycare had a "Cinco de Canine" party.  They had doggie beer and everything.  (Have I ever mentioned how much I love the insanity that is California?)

Mission accomplished - he was exhausted AND he got this snazzy bandana.  (It's sad when your dog parties harder than you do.)  Sadly he destroyed his bandana on Sunday...I thought it looked good on him.

This pic is from the party on daycare's facebook.  No wonder he was so tired, look at the intense look on that face

(Side note:  It never ceases to amaze the amount of responses I get when I post Kenai related pictures or posts on facebook.  I think I could post a picture of me winning the lotto and it wouldn't get as much feedback as a picture of Kenai in a funny hat.  I'm not complaining.  I'm happy people like hearing about him. I'm just amazed at Kenai's following!  haha)

During her time here, we both learned Kenai is one hell of a watchdog....but not so much a guard dog.  One day, I came home from work and took care of Kenai like I always do while Mom was out with one of her friends.  When they walked into the apartment Kenai was quite upset, as you can imagine he's not used to people (other than me) walking into his house.  He was baaaarking....and barking and barking...sounding like an angry Chihuahua...but the more Mom walked into the apartment, Kenai hid behind me....still barking, but he had to have me between him and the "intruder".  Nerd.

And there was another morning, I think it was Friday morning.  Mom woke up and Kenai had no f'ing clue who she was.  It was like his brain reset.  He was so terrified of her.  It was insanely funny and sad all at once.

On Saturday, we went into San Francisco on Saturday to see Hugh Jackman's one man show.  

For those that may not know (I didn't until Mom told me), Hugh Jackman's background is in musical theater.  And before the haters say anything, he spent half of his performance making fun of the fact that he's running around singing show tunes and is the guy who plays Wolverine.  It was an entertaining.  It was obvious this is something he really wants to do and was enjoying himself as he did it. He sang a lot of older stuff, I wish he did some newer stuff I knew.  I will say this, I'm now convinced Hugh Jackman is an ah-mazing actor because the fact that the same guy who has play Wolverine and other "manly" roles was the same guy I saw singing and dancing on stage is just awesome....and, of course, he wasn't bad to look at.

Just showing my appreciation for Hugh after the show.  ;o)

On Sunday we went to a Giants game.  They were playing, and beat 3-0, the Colorado Rockies.  I love baseball live.  On TV it can be painful...but live is way fun.  Now that I live near two professional teams (though few people think of the Oakland A's as a team) I need to learn more about baseball so I can go to more games and enjoy it more!

Our seats!

She left on Monday.  We had a good time while she was here.  I think she's already planning her next trip back!

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Some of you may have already received this picture from me.  I don't buy into the whole rapture thing (no offense to anyone who does) so I find these billboards amusing.  They are all over the place here.  But I started thinking about it and I am a little nervous about this date.  Not about "judgment day" or anything like that but about crazies who might think they're doing "God's will" on that day. I don't know if this is a nationwide thing or just California but either way on May 21st stay safe my friends. 

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So, I know you all have just been dying to know the results of Kenai's DNA test.  People just won't stop asking me about it...but wait no further.  I just found out today.  Here are the results: (amusing to say the least)

DNA Breed IdentificationAncestry Analysis

Date: 5/11/2011 Level: 2 American Staffordshire Terrier Level: 3 Pekingese Level: 4 Airedale Terrier Level: 4 Bulldog

Your Ancestry Analysis is shown in "Levels". In processing, breeds are detected as ranges rather than absolute values. The Levels are defined as follows: Level 1: Over 75% of the DNA found in your dog is from the breed listed.     **Most mixed breed dogs will not show any breeds listed under Level 1 unless the dog has a purebred parent  Level 2: Each breed listed represents between 37-74% of your dog's DNA. Level 3: Each breed listed represents between 20-36% of your dog's DNA. Level 4: Each breed listed represents between 10-19% of your dog's DNA. Level 5: Each breed listed represents less than 10% of your dog's DNA.

American Staffordshire Terrier

Okay, this totally looks like him (he's not as broad though), but I was looking up info about the breed and what I found about it's temperament doesn't sound a whole lot like Kenai.

Pekingese

There's nothing physical or temperament wise that I see of this breed in Kenai...but you know I love the fact that a small, white, fluffy dog was listed...I just think about it and start laughing.  I can't make this stuff up.

Airedale Terrier

At first I thought this one was crazy too, but if you look at it's build and imagine with different type of fur I can totally see this in Kenai.  Plus, I was reading about the temperment of this breed...and parts sound just a little too familiar:

"Fairly friendly with strangers.The Airedale Terrier will usually do okay with children if they have early exposure and socialization, however they may play too rough for very small ones. Courageous and protective.    Intelligent, pleasant and loyal. Sensitive and responsive, he can be obedience trained at a high level. Airedale Terriers are fun-loving and playful  when they are puppies. Airedales will be happy to please you, if there is nothing more pressing in the environment (chipmunk, other dog, food). An Airedale is extremely loyal, but as an avid hunter you would have to be an ace trainer to get him to come away from a chipmunk even for raw steak! They are naturally lively and can be very rowdy if they do not receive enough daily mental and physical exercise. Train this dog not to jump on humans. The Airedale Terrier needs proper obedience training and an owner who knows how to be "Top Dog". The Airedale Terrier may have dominance challenges toward family members he sees as submissive. This can lead to willfulness and disobedience. They are not difficult to train, but they do not respond to harsh overbearing training methods. The Airedale Terrier is intelligent enough to perceive quickly what is required of it, but if you ask it to do the same thing over and over again it may refuse. Try to give it some variety to its training, making the exercise a challenge. They need a calm, but firm, confident and consistent handler. With the right handler, the Airedale Terrier can do well in various dog sports including defense dog trials. This breed generally gets along well with household cats and other animals, but they sometimes try to dominate other dogs. This depends upon the way the humans around the dog treat him, their training and the individual dog."

Bulldog

I knew this one would be on there...