There should be a law against being busy with work on Fridays.
Hugs and Creepily Wet Smooches,
Cat
10.30.2009
10.28.2009
I hate dog pajamas
My dog is an L.A. dog. She can't stand it when it rains and acts like she's dying when it's hot, so I assume she's going to have trouble when my boyfriend and I drag her up to Montana for our holiday vacation.
Last year, it was twenty degrees below zero (Fahrenheit). Nothing to scoff at.
As such, I'm looking into cold weather dog apparel. Normally I'd mock people for dressing their animals up in frou frou outfits for any reason other than attempting to be ironically amusing (in the hipster-definition-of-ironic sort of way), but seriously - it's freaking freezing up there. She's in Los Angeles where it is never actually cold (despite what the locals say) and she won't have any reason/chance to grow in a thick fall/winter coat. I also don't want to know what salt and ice will do to her small, soft, adorable tiny paws.
I want to find boots and a jacket that are simultaneously aesthetically pleasing, not annoyingly cutesy, and highly functional. Amazon and Google have failed me thus far.
Failure example one (cutesy):
Courtesy of Amazon.com
Failure example two (unattractive to the point of hilarity - he needs a super hero emblem and cape):
Courtesy of K9 Top Coat
Failure example three (not terrible looking, minus the scarf - but not warm looking either):
Courtesy of Drs. Foster & Smith
What to do, what to do?!
Last year, it was twenty degrees below zero (Fahrenheit). Nothing to scoff at.
As such, I'm looking into cold weather dog apparel. Normally I'd mock people for dressing their animals up in frou frou outfits for any reason other than attempting to be ironically amusing (in the hipster-definition-of-ironic sort of way), but seriously - it's freaking freezing up there. She's in Los Angeles where it is never actually cold (despite what the locals say) and she won't have any reason/chance to grow in a thick fall/winter coat. I also don't want to know what salt and ice will do to her small, soft, adorable tiny paws.
I want to find boots and a jacket that are simultaneously aesthetically pleasing, not annoyingly cutesy, and highly functional. Amazon and Google have failed me thus far.
Failure example one (cutesy):
Courtesy of Amazon.comFailure example two (unattractive to the point of hilarity - he needs a super hero emblem and cape):
Courtesy of K9 Top CoatFailure example three (not terrible looking, minus the scarf - but not warm looking either):
Courtesy of Drs. Foster & SmithWhat to do, what to do?!
10.27.2009
Wish me luck
I am a list person. Regardless of the occasion, I find myself keeping careful track of what needs to be done to prepare for (insert any event/holiday here). Christmas planning for this year started on December 26th. I've been sifting through Thanksgiving recipes on Epicurious for months. I think I bought my boyfriend's mom's holiday gift in May.
As such, I'm generally the designated planner. Sometimes I don't mind, other times I get annoyed. Really? You didn't think to look up the directions in advance? Really. It gets to the point where people assume that I'm going to take care of things for them.
I may be paid to plan events for work, but I do not want to be in charge in my off hours. That's why, this year, I told my boyfriend to plan our anniversary/my birthday weekend.
It's risky, I know.
We once ended up at the wrong venue when he bought Nutcracker tickets when we lived in Colorado. He nearly drove us to Mexico when I let him navigate on the way to Montana. Even with a list in hand, he'll forget stuff at the grocery store.
His track record is not good.
I'm forcing this upon him because I have become sick of doing it. Arranging for pet sitters, making plans ahead of time with friends, finding hotel accommodations, carefully ensuring that we don't overbook or underbook ourselves. Writing down elaborate how-to guides for our guinea pig's caretaker. Ugh. It's exhausting. I don't like to be the one in charge *everything* (most of the time).
So now it's his turn. Wish him luck.
As such, I'm generally the designated planner. Sometimes I don't mind, other times I get annoyed. Really? You didn't think to look up the directions in advance? Really. It gets to the point where people assume that I'm going to take care of things for them.
I may be paid to plan events for work, but I do not want to be in charge in my off hours. That's why, this year, I told my boyfriend to plan our anniversary/my birthday weekend.
It's risky, I know.
We once ended up at the wrong venue when he bought Nutcracker tickets when we lived in Colorado. He nearly drove us to Mexico when I let him navigate on the way to Montana. Even with a list in hand, he'll forget stuff at the grocery store.
His track record is not good.
I'm forcing this upon him because I have become sick of doing it. Arranging for pet sitters, making plans ahead of time with friends, finding hotel accommodations, carefully ensuring that we don't overbook or underbook ourselves. Writing down elaborate how-to guides for our guinea pig's caretaker. Ugh. It's exhausting. I don't like to be the one in charge *everything* (most of the time).
So now it's his turn. Wish him luck.
Austin GDC Part Deux
A follow-up on my Austin GDC 2009 post ...
Passes
I'm still happy I went with All Access, but I have to say that most of the sessions were so-so. There were a few very, very useful ones, of course, but overall I didn't need to drop that much dough this early in the networking game.
Housing
The decision to go with a hotel-alternative was a good one. Not only was it ridiculously affordable, the people I met were awesome. I had a walk-in closet, claw-foot tub with separate shower, and ginormous room all to myself. Lovely.
Stifling shyness
The housing fix covered this one for me. Sure, I've made a point of participating in things that make me anxious all my life to try and desensitize myself (theater, speech and debate, choir, etc.), but the fear just does not go away. Luckily, the people I stayed with were wonderful - warm, friendly, inclusive. This made the rest of the trip a breeze. I can't tell you how nice it is to have dinner time roll around and know that you have someone to spend it with.
Passes
I'm still happy I went with All Access, but I have to say that most of the sessions were so-so. There were a few very, very useful ones, of course, but overall I didn't need to drop that much dough this early in the networking game.
Housing
The decision to go with a hotel-alternative was a good one. Not only was it ridiculously affordable, the people I met were awesome. I had a walk-in closet, claw-foot tub with separate shower, and ginormous room all to myself. Lovely.
Stifling shyness
The housing fix covered this one for me. Sure, I've made a point of participating in things that make me anxious all my life to try and desensitize myself (theater, speech and debate, choir, etc.), but the fear just does not go away. Luckily, the people I stayed with were wonderful - warm, friendly, inclusive. This made the rest of the trip a breeze. I can't tell you how nice it is to have dinner time roll around and know that you have someone to spend it with.
10.25.2009
Um. What?
Boyfriend (fiddling with something behind the television): "Ah man, I have a Rosemary's Baby situation going on here."
Me: *snort* "Um. What?"
Boyfriend: "I'm not sure which cord to unplug."
Me: "Ooooh. You mean Sophie's Choice ... Different. Very, very different. "
Boyfriend: "Oh."
Me: *snort* "Um. What?"
Boyfriend: "I'm not sure which cord to unplug."
Me: "Ooooh. You mean Sophie's Choice ... Different. Very, very different. "
Boyfriend: "Oh."
10.21.2009
Hmmm
I've been thinking again about what I should be doing with my life. I mean, I love all of my side projects, but I want to see one of them take off. I'm wondering if there's more I should do to make that happen.
Grad school? Which program?
In the meantime, I'm trying out this thing. It's allegedly a very easy to use game maker.
We shall see.
Grad school? Which program?
In the meantime, I'm trying out this thing. It's allegedly a very easy to use game maker.
We shall see.
10.14.2009
Why Being Tall Sucks (Sometimes)
- The taller you are, the farther your spoon has to travel from your bowl to your mouth. This increases the chances of drippage, which in turn increases the chances that you'll ruin a shirt or embarrass yourself.
- Desks are never, ever the right height. Posture suffers, as a result. (I type this as I hunch over my keyboard).
10.07.2009
Pet Peeve: Assumptions
I really can't handle it when people assume you're an idiot just because you don't know the exact same stuff they do.
When it comes down to it, everyone started as a newbie. More importantly: nothing is ever obvious.
You're probably not wondering why I even brought this up. Which is okay, but I'm gonna share anyway. I've had more than my fair share of moments where my actions/statements were met with judgmental glares.
Example:
The summer after I turned fifteen, I took driver's ed. License in hand, I hopped into my silver 1984 Chrysler LeBaron (Matilda, may you rest in peace) and lovingly proceeded to try out all the buttons and switches and doodads and thingamawhatsies.
One button's purpose eluded me. I tried it once. Looked around. Got out of the car, inspected all the lights. Turned off the engine. Tried it again.
Lots of effort, no result. I gave up.
Eventually winter came and I had forgotten all about the mystery button. My friends and I piled into the car to go rent some videos and I discovered that fog was blocking my rearview.
"Dammit," I said. "I can't see anything. I wish there were something that could get rid of the condensation in my back window."
The car went silent. After a few moments, my friends began to laugh. And laugh. And laugh.
Embarrassment and confusion flushed my cheeks red.
"... seriously?" one friend prodded. The others chuckled.
"What?!" I asked, exasperated. I wanted the moment to be over.
"Oh come on...really?" the friend pressed again.
"WHAT IS SO FUNNY?!?"
She explained the concept of rear window defrosters to me and pointed toward Matilda's mystery button.
"That's what those lines on your back window are for."
More laughter. My heart sank.
I felt more than a little stupid, and even a touch betrayed. My friends were laughing *at* me. Not because I cracked a joke or tripped over a trash can, but because I didn't know something they felt was obvious.
Many, many similar moments instilled in me a fear of asking questions. Eleven years later, and I'm only just getting over it.
*There's even a serial comma debate. Formal writing prefers one, two, and three. Journalists prefer one, two and three. As much as people may argue about it, there's no hard and fast rule, it's just a matter of druthers.
**Feel free to harass people who really should know better.
When it comes down to it, everyone started as a newbie. More importantly: nothing is ever obvious.
- At some point, you didn't know fuse boxes even existed.
- There was a day when you didn't know the difference between it's and its. They're, there and their. Not to mention serial commas.*
- Once upon a time, you didn't know the cake was a lie (and I won't judge you for running to Google if you still don't).
You're probably not wondering why I even brought this up. Which is okay, but I'm gonna share anyway. I've had more than my fair share of moments where my actions/statements were met with judgmental glares.
Example:
The summer after I turned fifteen, I took driver's ed. License in hand, I hopped into my silver 1984 Chrysler LeBaron (Matilda, may you rest in peace) and lovingly proceeded to try out all the buttons and switches and doodads and thingamawhatsies.
One button's purpose eluded me. I tried it once. Looked around. Got out of the car, inspected all the lights. Turned off the engine. Tried it again.
Lots of effort, no result. I gave up.
Eventually winter came and I had forgotten all about the mystery button. My friends and I piled into the car to go rent some videos and I discovered that fog was blocking my rearview.
"Dammit," I said. "I can't see anything. I wish there were something that could get rid of the condensation in my back window."
The car went silent. After a few moments, my friends began to laugh. And laugh. And laugh.
Embarrassment and confusion flushed my cheeks red.
"... seriously?" one friend prodded. The others chuckled.
"What?!" I asked, exasperated. I wanted the moment to be over.
"Oh come on...really?" the friend pressed again.
"WHAT IS SO FUNNY?!?"
She explained the concept of rear window defrosters to me and pointed toward Matilda's mystery button.
"That's what those lines on your back window are for."
More laughter. My heart sank.
I felt more than a little stupid, and even a touch betrayed. My friends were laughing *at* me. Not because I cracked a joke or tripped over a trash can, but because I didn't know something they felt was obvious.
Many, many similar moments instilled in me a fear of asking questions. Eleven years later, and I'm only just getting over it.
*There's even a serial comma debate. Formal writing prefers one, two, and three. Journalists prefer one, two and three. As much as people may argue about it, there's no hard and fast rule, it's just a matter of druthers.
**Feel free to harass people who really should know better.
10.05.2009
An Update: Goals for 2009
Back in February, I outlined my "Resolutions, nay, goals for 2009."
Here's how I'm doing so far:
1. Ride my exercise bike.
Not doing great on this one. It turns out, exercise bikes hurt. I ditched the thing in favor of walk/jogs and just recently found a gym I like.
2. Go to Chicago.
I haven't kept up with this one either. The main idea was to go places I've never been before - which I have succeeded in doing. I went to Austin last month and am set to go to Portland soon.
3. Do a lot of writing.
Sweet success! I'm writing much, much more than I originally anticipated.
4. Play more video games.
Well, I bought a PSP and went nuts on my Xbox 360. So far, so good.
5. Spend more money on myself without feeling guilty.
I've done this too. I also donated a bit to non-profits, which helps me offset the shopping guilt.
6. Open myself up more to love.
That's one heck of a tree-hugging hippy statement. I think I'm succeeding. Lots of awesome, new friends made this year. :)
7. Re-learn French.
Massive fail. I need to figure out a game plan for this one. Rosetta Stone software is expensive, but tempting. Has anyone here had any experience with it?
8. Eat a lot of dim sum.
Mmm hmm! And it shows, which is why I still need to do more of #1.
9. Go to more galleries and museums.
Thus far, this has also been a massive fail. I need to at least go to the Getty for their botanic garden and perhaps the de Yeung in SF. And maybe their Japanese tea garden.
10. At 11:59pm on December 31st, feel very, very happy.
Still workin' on it. :)
Here's how I'm doing so far:
1. Ride my exercise bike.
Not doing great on this one. It turns out, exercise bikes hurt. I ditched the thing in favor of walk/jogs and just recently found a gym I like.
2. Go to Chicago.
I haven't kept up with this one either. The main idea was to go places I've never been before - which I have succeeded in doing. I went to Austin last month and am set to go to Portland soon.
3. Do a lot of writing.
Sweet success! I'm writing much, much more than I originally anticipated.
4. Play more video games.
Well, I bought a PSP and went nuts on my Xbox 360. So far, so good.
5. Spend more money on myself without feeling guilty.
I've done this too. I also donated a bit to non-profits, which helps me offset the shopping guilt.
6. Open myself up more to love.
That's one heck of a tree-hugging hippy statement. I think I'm succeeding. Lots of awesome, new friends made this year. :)
7. Re-learn French.
Massive fail. I need to figure out a game plan for this one. Rosetta Stone software is expensive, but tempting. Has anyone here had any experience with it?
8. Eat a lot of dim sum.
Mmm hmm! And it shows, which is why I still need to do more of #1.
9. Go to more galleries and museums.
Thus far, this has also been a massive fail. I need to at least go to the Getty for their botanic garden and perhaps the de Yeung in SF. And maybe their Japanese tea garden.
10. At 11:59pm on December 31st, feel very, very happy.
Still workin' on it. :)
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