hiking schmiking... so i tried to go hike at the canyon this morning, no luck there. clouds were hanging low, and i just had these little newspaper headlines running through my head. "idiot hiker drowns in canyon flash flood". so i bought new tires for my sorry car instead, then slept most of the afternoon till the phone woke me.
return of the killer migraines... so i had three this week, including the one i have right now. i must be allergic to phone conversations because i had two long ones... but they were good, and i approve of more like them. that doesn't mean everyone start calling me, because what a beating that would be.
what's your deal with the phone? anyone who knows me knows i hate the phone. the psycho X used to call me on his way home from work, then grad school. it took him the better part of an hour to get home, and he'd want to talk the entire drive home, which was fine when he had something to say. but then we'd reach the lull in conversation and he would just sit there for like 10 minutes, start listening to the talk radio that was on in the background, ignore me. so i, being in my wind-down mode and not wanting to hold the phone to my ear for no reason, would say ok, i'll see you when you get home. well, mr. wussy would get all whiney and wonder why i didn't want to talk to him. beat. me. down. and this is why i hate the phone. so as long as you have something to say, i welcome the opportunity to phone-talk with you, but you'd better 1) be interesting and able to hold up your end of the conversation and 2) not take a breath, because i will consider this a lull and hang up on you.
and what's your deal with dogs? i love cats, love them love them love them, and cats tend to love me or at least tolerate me. dogs are fine but i don't feel like something's missing from my life if i don't have one. that said, i've been thinking about getting a dog for scaring away nosy neighbors and mean people, so i have a question. if i get a doberman or german shepherd instead of a rottweiller, can i still name him Chomps? Bikermommy mentioned a friend who has a Jack Russell terrier, but those are kinda sissy-lookin' and yip-yappy. if i'm gonna get a smelly beast, he's gotta be good for keeping the hippies away and not just making them say "oh what a cute yip-yapper".
someone come clean up after my cat... Minerva killed two crickets in the middle of my livingroom floor and didn't have the decency to eat the carcasses. someone please come remove them from my floor, because i don't do bugs.
about my sister... Spydaddy read both Frank's and my blogs today, including the comments; he especially took interest in all the comments about the Little Sizzle. i would like to pass along his message that that's his little girl y'all are talking about.
i should eat dinner since it's after 11 and i've been saying for three hours that i'm going to eat dinner. ta, musees, have a lovely evening.
If smelling and shedding are an issue for you (although with cats, you're already accustomed to shedding), then I can actually recommend a standard poodle... I know, I know. They're French. But if you don't get their hair cut in that horrible foofy do, they are actually extremely good dogs. Another possibility that might not cost as much would be a Labrador - Standard Poodle cross (known as a Labradoodle). They are incredibly bright; they're sometimes used as companion dogs for the disabled. Anyway... Poodles do not shed and have little or no odor. Even the tiniest ones are actually quite protective and will sound the alarm for you... mine is a tiny toy and is NOT yip-yappy like you'd imagine... but if you're more into big dogs than small ones, the standard ones are surprisingly awesome.
I hate talking on the phone, too. The phone conversations you had with PsychoX would've been enough grounds for divorce right then, in my book... he sounds like a loser. Hope you were able to get rid of him without too much anguish and annoyance. Anyway, I'm much more of a writer than a talker, so I find phone conversations with anyone (save the one or two people I actually have something to talk about with) to be mind-numbing and highly irritating.
Posted by: IowaSoccerMom | Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 12:03 AM
Name him Chomps the World's Second Angriest Dog and call him Chomps for short. Unless he isn't really angry. In that case, call him Chomps, Who I Wish Was the World's Second Angriest Dog.
Yours,
Wince
Posted by: Wince and Nod | Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 10:38 AM
So you couldn't hike the rim? [Achoo!]... what a snob! :P
Migraines... sorry to hear they are back. You know, in really chronic issues with extremities, the doctors sometimes like to amputate. While that would definitely cure your headaches, I'd strongly suggest getting a second opinion if your normal doc wants to go that route!
IowaSoccerMom makes a good point on the poodles. They are a pretty good breed in my experience, but if you don't keep them clipped, their hair collects lots of dirt.
I'd suggest a short-haired breed, like a doberman, because they are much easier to bathe, and smell much less.
I'd also suggest a mutt rather than a pure-bred anything. They tend to be healthier and better adjusted.
Minerva's job is to kill in your name and demonstrate her prowess. She can't be bothered with details like the disposal of bodies. It's nap time, afterall!
Re. the lil sizzle... granted she's a looker like yourself, but for all I know she's a drooling idiot-savant who's one talent is taking great pics of SarahK, so until she gets a blog, she's safe from my attention. :P
Posted by: krakatoa | Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 11:01 AM
who's, whose, hoooooossss.... ok, I'm the idiot. :P
Posted by: krakatoa | Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 11:02 AM
I second the idea about a mutt. My last dog, a lab mix, was the sweetest animal ever. And free, from the shelter. If you're thinking of a dog for protection, find one of the breeds known for smarts. You don't need a big giant monster; any dog 45lbs or bigger can intimidate/take down any human that ever lived. Look for a solid body breed; spaniels and hounds are not tough enough to be protection dogs. Sweetheart dogs like labs and goldens are big, but also aren't the best for this role. Frou-frou dogs are ... don't get me started. Lets just say they don't appeal to men. A Jack Russell mix might be best. Not too big, really smart, very energetic and loyal. Purebreds cost a lot of money, and the overbred ones often have health problems. Can't go on; all this dog talk is making me miss my old pup. Last point - get a fixed female. They're usually less 'doggy' smelling than the males.
I saw the Peace Gallery pics of you and Sizzle. She has that glow that makes her look about 18. Poor spydaddy, trying to keep the creeps away. Hard to admit she's grown up enough to handle that job herself.
Posted by: Drew | Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 11:27 AM
If you are considering getting a smelly beast, I'm afraid I'll have to take myself out of the running. Sorry, but I'm happily married. Also, I'm going to have Mrs. Exile pick up some deodorant, so I'm out on that as well.
Posted by: Exile | Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 01:19 PM
exile, LOL. ok, i'll mark you off the list.
drew, sizzle's only 21, so she's still my little sizzle.
soccermom, poodles are really good dogs, but i want a scary dog that's gonna make the ninja stalkers stay away.
wince, i'll keep that in mind.
krakatoa, you're right, it's nap time. i shall have one.
Posted by: sarahk | Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 02:17 PM
sometimes, when no one is looking, i like to
FWIPPPP and sniff my fingers after i stick them in my armpits.
Please tell me I'm not the only one
Posted by: Jeff | Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 03:01 PM
Jeff, you're the only one. you and Mary Katherine Gallagher.
Posted by: sarahk | Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 10:12 PM
re:dead crickets
About 2 years ago, I woke up with a dead bird in my bed with me that my cats had managed to get inside.
Posted by: jason of avoca | Monday, July 26, 2004 at 08:48 AM
I recommend the jack russell. They don't call them "jack russell terrorists" for nuthin'. :-P
Posted by: Pam | Monday, July 26, 2004 at 09:33 PM