Dog Gone

The great dog experiment has ended...today we took Hudson to the airport to send him back to his breeders in Utah. It's funny, as I had previously rehearsed this day in my mind on numerous occasion during the past year, I always imagined feeling pretty ecstatic to be rid of him; now that it's here, it's not the festive jubilation I had hoped for. The reality is that the house feels mighty empty and almost too quiet without him, not to mention the depressing feeling of coming home from the airport without him and packing up all his things. Those followers of the blog (if I even still have any) will recall that we have had problems with him from day one, mostly centered around his incessant barking. The rubber really hit the road a couple of weeks ago when we tried to schedule an appointment for him to be neutered (hoping that would solve some of the behavioral/dominance problems) and were astonished to find out it would cost $400-500. That discovery coupled with a few other recent events started a slew of discussions between us, the breeder, and trainers as to what the best solution would be for all parties involved. A conclusion was reached that since he really wants to be a task oriented dog, and we have neither the time nor resources to give that too him, it would be best to give him up to someone who does.

In spite of all the problems, fights, annoyances, power struggles, and attitude there were many times that he was a great dog. He loved to play Frisbee (which I'm proud to say I taught him), go to the beach, and follow you from room to room to keep you company. If he ever did get wore out to the point that his edge was off, he could also be really sweet and gentle. In the end though, the negatives just started to outweigh the positives, and although we probably could have kept and dealt with him for another 6 months or so, it became clear that eventually we would be reaching this same decision as the potential for little ones increased.

It's so weird though, I'm thrilled that I don't here any barking when I hear a car door shut, but I also find myself expecting it, and being a little sad when I don't hear it. I'm very happy to not have to go out in the rain, or snow multiple times a day to let him out to go to the bathroom, but feel depressed not having him come up to ask me. I'm happy he's not here terrorizing the cat (who's paranoid enough as it is), but find myself missing the excitement. I'm sure as the days move on, more of the positives will manifests themselves, but as for today we're both pretty sad about the new hole that we now find in the home.

See more (and better) pictures of Hudson

Foot in mouth disease

I have been layed up all day with a whopper of a flu/cold virus, so I thought I'd take Uncle Rico's advice and "do somethin' while I'm doin' nothin'."

Last Saturday we had a Young Men's activity at the home of our newest presidency member. The goal of the activity was to sit down with the boys and plan the next four months of activites based on what activities were of interest to them. We lured the boys into this non-glamourous activity by having a video game night afterwards with three diferent game systems plus lots of junk food. At one point during the planning session the bishop brought up the topic of fundraisers for camp and we all started to brainstorm some ideas. After a few suggestions were made, our new counselor, as a joke, said "Or we could just sell some of you guys as slaves!"

Did I mention that over half our quorum is black?

He must have either seen the utter shock displayed on my face, or he realized on his own how dumb his comment was, because he tried to cover up his first remark with the line: "and by some of you I mean...Rory." I looked around the room at the boys (none of whom were laughing) and changed the subject as quickly as possible, praying no one was really listening.

In the end we had a really successful activity, but for a moment I was sure the NAACP would be outside waiting to take us all to court.

100 Things

Copy and paste. Bold the things you have done.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (does Pig Latin count?)
37. Had enough money to be satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted (drawn, I'm counting it)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching (does seeing them in the wild count?)
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen the pyramids in Egypt.

Well what do you know...I also have done 58.

Borderline Dog

Before any of you get in a huff and think that I'm going to declare that my dog is "pushing contemporary boundaries" or "transcending typical gender and/or species roles" he's not; although that would make a more interesting post.

I have a gigantic test coming up on Monday in my neuroscience course and today was my last full day of studying. One of the last lectures I reviewed discussed a personality disorder called Borderline, characterized by the following: extreme instability of mood and interpersonal relationships, impulsivity, and inability to tolerate being alone. It goes on to say that Borderlines "seek companionship continually...are in a perpetual state of crisis, have micropsychotic episodes, and exhibit self destructive behavior." As I read this I naturally think, "hey that's my dog."

It's true; Hudson HATES being alone. We have a crate that we put him in at night to sleep, when we leave the house, or when he's bad. He hates it! He'll bark and bark until we have to put the shock collar on him, and sometimes he'll bark through it as it's shocking him (self destructive behavior). If we leave a room he has to follow, and if he lays down it must be right next to you; he'll even bark if we go to the bathroom and shut him out!

He also does things to sabotage his relationships with us; things that have been big no-nos since day one. Stuff like: eating the cat food, jumping (on us and on the couch), barking, chasing the cat, eating the cat litter, and the list goes on and on (straining interpersonal relationships). Anyone of these malfeasances usually sends him to the crate, where he's alone, and then he flips out (hates being alone, micropsychotic episodes, self destructive behavior).

Last example (but there are more). We can be playing a nice game of frisbee in the backyard, which he lives for, when all of a sudden he won't want to bring it back, and when I try to get it he bolts for no reason (impulsivity). When I do catch him this leads to physical discipline (rolling him on his back in a submissive position) followed by a trip to the crate, where..... you guessed it: the alone syndrome and psychotic episode kicks in once more!

See the Pattern?!! It's maddening!

In case you're wondering, the "C" stands for "CHOKE"

As a life-long Cubs fan, I have dealt with the pains of losing seasons, missed opportunities, and heartbreaks. The phrases "maybe next year" and "this year is the year" have been perpetually uttered from my lips so many times that they have begun to feel like some kind of ridiculous mantra. So why is the elimination this season so much more disappointing you ask? Why should I expect anything else from the woeful cubbies? Let me break it down for you: they had, by far, the best record in the National League with 97 wins (they clinched with eight games still left in the season), their pitching was out of this world especially at home, they played tough defense all season when it really mattered which, along with their clutch big bats, led them to some amazing come-from-behind wins all season long, and finally, this season marked 100 years since their last World Series appearance, which seemed like it would bring a little extra...(as cheesy as it sounds)...magic. With home field advantage guaranteed throughout the National League Series it should have been a lock for them to return to the big dance...right?

Unfortunately though, the Cubs did what they do best: they let us all down. The games were, to say the least, painful to watch. No one showed up to play, except maybe Zambrano who actually pitched a good game. They pitched poor (seven walks in the first 4 innings of game 1!), couldn't hit to save their life (Soriano's avg was near .100), played horrible defense (4 unforced errors in game 2), and didn't manage the games well either (e.g. Pinella not having someone in the bullpen after walk number 5 in game 1). That makes NINE consecutive post season losses since 2003.

Oh well....maybe next year.

Millionaire Update

So...long story short I will have to wait until next year to audition for Who Wants to be a Millionaire. In a nutshell: I didn't leave myself enough time to get dressed and get down there in traffic. If it would have been normal traffic, or if they would have had a place to get changed at the studio I would have been fine, but they didn't, and there was an accident on the Henry Hudson. I arrived 15 minutes late. It is my great shame.

Audition

Well my audition for Who Wants to be a Millionaire is today and the results from the pole are in. After a quick start by Heavy Metal, Rendezvous came from behind to win with 64% of the votes, so I guess that's what I'll be wearing tonight. Thanks to all of you who voted!

J-Dub

A big congrats to my sister and her husband for successfully creating and birthing a GlowWorm! (just kidding guys) "Jesse West" is actually way cute, see below:

I want to be a Millionaire...for Halloween

A couple of weeks ago my mom sent me an email saying that Who Wants to be a Millionaire was holding auditions and that I should try to go on and win some money for school. Figuring I had nothing to lose, I went to the website to apply for an auditon slot, but the only dates left were for the special Halloween episode. If you ended up being invited to audition, you had to agree to either appear in a costume that you would be willing to wear on the show, or bring a picture of yourself wearing said costume. Lo and behold I was invited to audition a week from today, which I am thrilled about because I love Halloween and I love the prospect of winning money. My only dilemma now is what to wear to the show: either my rendezvous clothes or my "Heavy Metal" costume that I wore previously to win a costume contest. I have decided to leave it up to you blog readers. Vote your little hearts out and tell me what I should wear.

NY Hodgepodge

Here are a few small random things that have happened to me in the city over the past week or so. I kept intending to make a separate post for each of these, but figured I'd lump them into one.

On a rather crappy subway ride home from work, we pulled into a station and had to wait for a few minutes. I happened to look across to the other platform and noticed a middle-aged, shirtless man, with long black hair and glasses, running crazed laps around the center staircase. He was probably high, crazy, or both, but it was still an amusing sight as each lap maybe took him 10 seconds to complete.

I had a meeting with the orthopedic surgeon I'm doing research with to discuss our project. After going over some details, he began to talk to me about what it took to get into an orthopedic residency. His main words of advice: "Don't f*@# up the boards or you're f*@#ed." Gee...thanks. I can't understand why the neanderthal surgeon stereotype is still perpetuated.

Last night Raphelle and I went to a free sneak preview of the movie "The Rocker," starring Rainn Wilson from "The Office." In the men's room they had one of those dispensing machines that are normally filled with pills and prophylactics. This one had a big label across the front that read "For Your Convenience." What did it dispense, you ask? Tylenol, minty breath drops, and...temporary arm-band tattoos! What kind of jerk is standing in the stall going "Dang! I really need a temporary barbed wire tattoo right now, but where could I find one?"

Finally, as we were getting on the subway last night, the doors to the D train opened up, and we found ourselves staring right into the face of Jim Gaffigan (friggin' hilarious). Unfortunately, it didn't really register until we sat down and confirmed with each other, and by that time the doors had closed. I had to watch as the train pulled away from my first NYC celebrity encounter (grrr).

Here's a couple of my favorite bits of his:

Hot Pockets

Cake