Random oddness

I've found I'm not so unusual in preferring to drink water without ice. What I'd really like to know, though, is if anybody else can't chew gum and drink water?

... no, not in the same way that I can't chew gum and walk... I mean, you get this rush of flavor from the gum making it difficult to swallow the water. I avoid it at all costs. Anyone else?

The crazee house

I was brushing my teeth last night when a gigantic moth flew into the bathroom, circling around me. Toothbrush in mouth, waving my arms above my head, I ran shrieking into the family room. The poor dog, roused from her narcotic coma, cocked her head at me and jumped up. Without thinking, I pointed to the bathroom and sputtered "go get it!" 

Surprisingly, she did. In fact, she jumped into the tub after the moth, leaped out and ricocheted off the toilet before jumping straight up to catch it. And then she walked calmly to me, dropped it at my feet, and sat down. By this point I'd already snorted toothpaste foam from laughing so hard. As it pathetically tried to fly away, bumping along the ground, Gazza kept picking it up and dropping it back at my feet. 

Figuring she didn't want to eat it (not that I blame her), I got the nerve up to squish the poor moth and toss it away. As I knelt down to give Gazza a hug and scratch her ears, she gave me one lick on the cheek. I was stunned.

I can count on one hand the number of times Gazza has "kissed" me. So tell me, how is it that she saved me last night and I get a kiss for it?

When staying inside isn't so bad

One of the things I love most about this apartment is the fireplace. I couldn't wait for the weather to get cold enough to light it up every night. Now that it's fall, I get to leave the porch door wide open and the fire going. Why is the door open, you might ask? Because I've no doubt the thing could heat the entire state of Rhode Island. The pilot light itself generates enough heat to warrant turning it off in the summer months.

The past several nights have been ideal for my favorite part of cold nights here in Seattle: I get the fire going, let a cool breeze in, turn off the lights, light the candles, and put on some mellow music. I love it. It's so cozy in here (especially in My Chair!). Time ceases to exist as I read, nap, or relax with Gazza snoring at my feet.

We should all be so lucky. And if you're super lucky maybe I'll let you join me :)

Lucky me

I was looking through some pictures the other day and ran across this one from the New River Gorge last fall:

It occurred to me that I've now seen the most gorgeous sunrise possible in the East and many equally beautiful sunsets in the West. 

Snippits

Went to a new church tonight. Still love FPCB but thought I'd give this one a try because it's closer and has a big group of people my age this side of Lake Washington. Nice folks but the jury is still out. Not exactly sure what I'm looking for, so we'll see.

But I wonder, what is it with big groups of people that completely shuts me down? I get seriously awkward. I'm not usually that socially retarded. Somebody help this girl...

The Beast is getting better, but I don't honestly know if it's because she's getting over it or because the narcotics are working. Have you ever heard a dog with kennel cough? I alternately laugh out loud and try to calm her down.

Cara and I went for breakfast at The Dish in Ballard this morning. I have to say it's not quite as awesome as the ol' Portage Bay Cafe, but it sure was good! Then we found all sorts of little treasures at the Fremont Market... 

Music dump... round two

I've been listening to a lot of Pandora lately. I've really fallen in love with my Joe Purdy playlist. And so for your listening pleasure today, here are some more new artists I've been enjoying (and could find samples to embed)...

Ray Lamontage: perhaps the most romantic singer ever, totally hot in my eyes, and here on a day that I work :(

Joe Purdy

Keb' Mo'

Bob Schneider

Deb Talan

(of the amazing duo The Weepies)

Ryan Adams

A.A. Bondy

Iron & Wine

You're welcome.

Don't judge a blog by it's cover...

Given that The Beast has begun acting like a dog and now stays home without self-destructing, I'm wondering if it's time for a new subtitle. Ideas?

In which I have fun with italics

The dog has kennel cough. First of all, she got the vaccination! Secondly, we were at the vet yesterday for her yearly checkup and she was just fine! So here we sit, not camping in the Cascades. Instead I am serenaded by the fire tonight by the soft melody of her hacking up a lung and throwing up. And that's with the narcotics (cough suppressant). *sigh* I wouldn't trade her for the world, though... Beast though she is, she's my beast.

So I have a question to pose. Regardless of how you all usually respond (email, in person, comments, whatever), I'd like to hear your thoughts. So here: we didn't curse in our family growing up. I mean, as kids we obviously didn't, but neither did our parents that I can remember. I know sometimes it seems only such a word will do, and I take advantage of that too. I notice pretty much every time one comes up, though, and don't usually care for it, but so it goes- they're just words. But really, how do you guys feel when people use them frequently? Do you even notice? And girls, is it a turn off when guys do that? I feel like it's really obnoxious and rude. Ready? Set? Discuss.

Seriously?

I can't claim to have the neatest place, so I get the whole messy thing. But really? 

By the time this posts I should be somewhere in the mountains with Jenny and our pups!

Exploring

A link to a friend's site. Good stuff there. I especially love the piece "Snowshoeing." Thanks for sharing Trevor!