Toby Finally Gets a Haircut

I am happy to report that after last week's rabies debacle Toby finally got a haircut- and it was great- much better then that awful place on the hill. I know a lot of you wonder why I a.) Don't let his hair get long like THIS b.) Cut it so short period.

Let me explain.

First. My dog is a boy. Not a girl. There is no need to emasculate my dog anymore then by giving him long silky locks. He gets called a "her" enough on a daily basis.

Second, his hair is awful. Its always tangled because he likes to roll in the mud outside. Thus it gets matted. Thus we have to shave it off.

But today we didn't have to shave- it was a healthy cut...and although he looks a bit ridiculous...give it a few weeks and he'll be back in full cuteness glory.

BEFORE

AFTER

Speaking of which- does anybody know any good Chesapeake Bay Retriever breeders? If so, email me at duolynoted@gmail.com.

RIP Ugly Boots

Yesterday the Gods intervened on my awful footwear and the heel of the boot I have been wearing to work snapped off. I think I bought these boots like 4 years ago at Payless so they deserved to die. I shouldn't even wear them anymore because I could FEEL the heel breaking but I can't bring myself to actually WEAR real heels to work with all the walking I have to do from the office to the courthouse. My boots were buried in a beautiful ceremony in the Gonzaga Law trashcan before NACC practice. Rest in peace ugly boots.

Dating a Banker Anonymous

So I have to share with everybody my new favorite blog- Dating a Banker Anonymous. It was started by two girls who were dumped by their banker boyfriends during the economic crisis. Their website description is amazing:

Are you or someone you love dating a banker? If so, we are here to support you through these difficult times. Dating A Banker Anonymous (DABA) is a safe place where women can come together – free from the scrutiny of feminists– and share their tearful tales of how the mortgage meltdown has affected their relationships. DABA Girls was started by two best friends whose relationships tanked with the economy. Not knowing what else to do, we did what frustrated but articulate girls have done since the beginning of time - we started a blog. So if your monthly Bergdorf’s allowance has been halved and bottle service has all but disappeared from your life, lighten your heart with laughter and email your stories to dabagirls@gmail.com. Warning all stories sent will be infused with our own special brand of DABA Girl humor.

They were featured in the New York Times Article "Its the Economy, Girlfriend" by Ravi Somaiya. Its freaking hysterical and massive kudos to these girls for being so creative. I hear they just got a book deal too. Can't wait!

WANT

I know its not good to fantasize about things you can't afford....

....but isn't THIS bed frame simply delightful?

...and THESE smock chairs?

Hopefully one of you can afford them and I can live vicariously through you. Sigh.

If She Wants To Rock She Rocks, If She Want To Roll She Rolls...

So I am obsessed obsessed obsessed with Eric Hutchinson's new single "Rock and Roll"- to the point that it is getting close to making my "most played" list on itunes and I just bought it two days ago. I have been youtubing the video forever but can only find live clips. Today I had that ingenious idea to check his website (duh) and found it (see below). I am not going to lie, for such a GREAT song with amazing lyrics they really dropped the ball when it comes to making a good video. Perhaps its because Eric seems a little ackward...whatever. Still a great song. Enjoy. Don't let it get stuck in your head.

Mondays

THIS is how my Monday is shaping up so far (thanks Ryan...)

Another Great Commercial

Eh. Its kind of a toss-up to whether I like Cadbury or this commercial more...

Flowers and Booping

I made some major wedding progress this weekend.

First, I finally booked a florist. Dear God, nothing in the world was worse then picking a florist. I first met with this one lady who was tremendously nice and worked out of her home. She told me that she would send me a bid in the mail, and low and behold a week later I received her bid which was synonymous with highway robbery. I have no idea what I am dong, so I immediately broke down in tears thinking that flowers were going to cost me so much more then I had ever wanted to spend. Luckily, I was convinced into getting a second opinion and the New Florist Lady's bid was like half as much. So I booked New Florist Lady this weekend. But now I have a problem, I can't bring myself to call the Other Florist Lady and tell her no. I keep getting messages from Other Florist Lady and I just....feel too bad. Its a really bad personality flaw because I know she NEEDS to know, but everytime I pick up the phone to do it I put it down and convince myself I'll call her later. I never do...probably never will. I figure breaking up with your florist is much like breaking up with a boyfriend...never return a call and sooner or later they'll get the hint.

Second, Yesterday we went booping...or registering for gifts. Initially I just wanted to do all the registering online, but Dan insisted that booping was the only part of wedding prep that he looked forward to so we had to go. We got there and they gave us a ton of free stuff, which made it worth going anyways, but then she handed the gun to DAN. Seriously? My job is to check things off the list??? I was pissed. There were three other couples in the store, and I soon realized they gave all the guns to the all the guys because it truly is the one part of wedding prep they have tons of fun doing. I am happy to report that Dan killed everything we wanted in the store. It was a definite wedding planning must.

New Playlist
1. I Hate This Part- Pussycat Dolls
2. Gives You Hell- All American Rejects
3. Sober- Pink
4. Down the Road- Kenny Chesney
5. More Like Her- Miranda Lambert

Barack and Michelle's First Dance

I MISSED THIS and I was so mad! So glad I found it on Youtube. Beyonce did an amazing job.

Bored....FREEEEE YOUUUURRR MIIIINNNNDDDD

So when Dan and I are on particularly long car trips and we have played the alphabet game, would you rather, name the song on the ipod before the other one, and solved all the worlds problems by talking them to death...we resort to games like "name all the states in alphabetical order and their capitals." Its a collaborative effort. I sickly can name all the states in alphabetical order (its my party trick), and Dan has lived in so many places he has the capitals pretty much on lock down. We normally have a good guess for most of them, but not having a 100% really bothers Dan.

Even though we haven't played the game since Thanksgiving, I came home yesterday to him saying "I figured out Rhode Island. It Providence!"

Anyways, this memory came up this morning while I was reading Melissa Jill Photography Blog and she gave a great LINK to a geography game that has left me captivated for far to long. Its a must play for everyone bored at work, and you wont even feel guilty because you're learning geography!

Inaguration Thoughts

Today was a really special day. As I sat in bed drinking my coffee, feeling mildly guilty about skipping class when it is only the second week, I watched Barack Obama become our new President. I was not surprised as silent tears steamed down my cheeks. It wasn't just because he is our first African American President, which is an extraordinary moment in our history, but I also really felt like I just lived through a "moment." One of those moments, that when I'm 90 years old and in my retirement home, I will reminisce about. I am so proud I was able to witness this moment, and I truly hope that our country is willing to rise to the occasion to give Obama the support he needs to be the president he is capable of being.

More Dog Grooming Woes

Today was a horrible day.

It all started yesterday when Dan and I were on a "let's get things done" kick that led us to the Valley. We went into the Pet Smart to get Toby a new chew toy when a bright light overwhelmed me and led me into the back of the store. Upon following the light, I found the most clean and perfect dog grooming location ever. The dogs were standing with their tails wagging while the groomers laughed and perfectly groomed the loving animals to perfection. I immediately went in and inquired as to the length of their wait list...and much to my surprise (and joy!) they had an opening! Tomorrow! At 10:30! No more taking Toby to that awful, terrible dog grooming place on the hill! Now he was part of the elite. All I had to do was show proof of a rabis shot and he was good to go!

The Valley could not be further away from where we live, so I left this morning with Toby and the vaccine registry with time to spare (!!!) and drove the long drive out to the valley. I planned on spending the next three hours organizing my wedding invitations, shopping for a new suit for work, and sipping tea at Starbucks. A perfect holiday afternoon. MLK would totally have approved.

Toby arrived and was greeted by all the groomspeople adorning him with affection.

"How would you like Toby cut?" They asked.

"Short!" I replied "he is not a sissy!"

"No problem!" They responded, "Let us just see those vaccine papers."

She glanced through he papers with a puzzled look. "How old is Toby?" she asked.

"About a year and a half?" I responded.

"Hmmmm. Did he get a shot at 1 year?"

I had no idea! I panicked. I quickly saw my chance at being part doggie groomers elite vanishing.

"Really?" I faked perplexedly, "I just flew with him awhile ago...they let him on the plane...wouldn't he have had to have all the updated vaccines to get clearance to fly?" (boldface lie. Toby has not been on a plane since last Christmas.)

"Okay," said the perky groomer "lets just call your vet."

Well of course I couldn't remember the name of the stupid vet. The last time I took him to the vet was a year ago when he was sick. I finally was able to vaguely name the location of the place in order to look it up in the phone book. When they called the vet informed them I was inactive and they had been sending me reminders and I had not responded. (Whatever. I moved.)

Excellent.

Want to know what is embarrassing? I will tell you. Being turned away from the dog groomers because you dog is a rabies hazard is embarrassing. For both you and the dog. This is the #1 reason why I am never having children. I would forget to get them a vaccine and they would die of cholera.

Luckily the vet had room today and they got Toby all caught up on his vaccinations. He is not longer a hazard to society. Unfortunately for Toby there is no more room at the hair cutting place.

I might just cut his hair myself.

Caitlin Blogging from D.C.!!

My friend Caitlin won tickets to the inauguration ceremonies by writing her congressmen and being put in a drawing- LUCKY! But it couldn't have happened to someone who would appreciate it more. In fact, she is currently blogging about her adventures for where she works, the Ms. Foundation in NYC. Check out her newest blog post HERE.

Also, if you're interested, my Republican Mom sent me a link to all the inauguration events. Awww...thanks Mom!

Office or Closet?

Elizabeth Ann Designs had a great idea on how to turn you closet into an office. Check it out HERE.

Broken Slumber

I haven't been sleeping well lately-which is tragic since we just spent a bajillion dollars on a brand new King bed that is beautifully adorned with the amazing new duvet Dan's family bought me for Christmas (thank you!!!). It is not that the bed is not comfortable, because it is, it is just that every night I fall asleep and immediately begin dreaming the most intensely realistic dreams ever. Then, at around 4 AM, I wake up and spend the rest of the night in crazy state where my body is asleep but my brain is just whirling with random thoughts. It has been happening for weeks and I am about to lose it.

Of course this sleeping condition is not being made any better by Toby, because every night I am awakened by his impatient whining at the foot of the bed. He feels the need to get off the bed fifteen times a night and is too scared to jump back up. In fairness to him, he has attempted a few times only to be knocked down, with a loud thump, and being smacked back down the floor. If anybody knows the website to buy some good doggie stairs let me know...

BEST COMMERICAL EVER

This is why the British are so much cooler then we are...

Bushisms

SLATE recently ranked the top Bushisms of W's presidency and its a definite must watch. Hysterical. I'm not kidding, Dan and I were crying watching the video (both out of sadness that we voted for him and hysterical laughter that he said it.)

Hannah G. every time I watch this stuff I think of you shaking your head going "Melissa, I told you so..."

Watch the video:

Beach Bum

Taking your dog to the beach? Check THIS out.

Something to Warm Your Heart

My Mom sent this to me and it totally made my day.


Watch CBS Videos Online

Denver Drivers Beware.

I have not seen my friend Katherine since our cross country road adventure-where we drove my sweet little Pontiac Grand Am five bajillion miles to New York from Idaho Falls almost three years ago. Since then, I'm pretty sure we have talked on the phone almost every day. No joke. Oh the wonder of Verizon to Verizon minutes.

So I was thrilled when Kat said she was coming to visit- and due to proper protocol she was trained in the warfare of Mario Kart Wii seconds upon arrival. We even made her into own Wii figure (see above. I take full credit for her badass sunglasses).

Katherine would have been really good at Mario Kart if she was willing to put down her cell phone for three seconds. Drivers in Denver beware...see below to get an idea of how Kat drives while talking on her cell phone.

Tina Fey at the Golden Globes

Hysterical!

NEW KELLY CLARKSON!

Bored?

So as may have noticed- my blogging has fallen off the wagon quite a bit this week due to starting my job (Which is amazing! But I have forbidden myself to blog about it because I don't believe in blogging about work...but oh how I want to!) and finishing the brief. However I did want to share three cool things I found while blogsurfing....

#1: As all worshipers off Oprah know, this week is "Live Your Best Life Week." It is fantastic. However I purposefully skipped the Suze Orman show on finances because Dan and I definitely just bought a bed we probably can't afford (but its so wonderful!!!!) and I am a million dollars in law school debt. Hence watching Suze Orman proves to be very stressful in my life. Luckily I watched the Oprah Sprit Episode and decided to cute out stress triggers. Hence I cut out Suze Orman. For those of you who are more financially sound then me...you can download a free copy on Suze's new book on Oprah.com HERE. But be warned you can only download it for free until January 15th.

#2: Thinking about having kids? Don't be THIS kind of mother.

#3: Bored at work? Take THIS 2008 quiz from the New York Times. Good times.

Blog posts to be anxiously awaiting for:
A. New King size bed of wonder an glory.
B. Reunion 2008: Katherine comes to visit.

Best Wedding Photos of 2008

CHECK out the best wedding photos of 2008.

Also take note that Ben Chrisman is wedding photography god.

Wednesday Photos

My friend Maureen is crazy. She is one of those people who you always WANT to be after college. Someone who is a free spirit, yet directed, who does the most random cool shit that makes you say to yourself "GOD I wish I had done that!" After college, she got involved working for this great company and spent a year just traveling around the country making maps (Seriously. So cool.). During the course of her adventures, she started this fun email called Wednesday photos, where every Wednesday she sent out a picture she had taken that week to all her family and friends. For the past few years they have been the highlight of my Wednesday, and I was thrilled when she told me that she embarking on a new project that includes YOU:

WednesdayPhotos.com

Seriously. It is awesome. If you take a cool picture during the week, you send it to her, and every Wednesday she picks seven to post on her blog. Such a cool idea, right?

We are thrilled to report that one of our photos is featured this week- so you'll have to go check it out! Also, this is such a cool project, I really want to see it explode in the bloggerphere. Definitely do not hesitate to send her your own pictures, I know she'd be thrilled!

Spokane Winter

Oh Wow

THIS is definitely not Toby, but wouldn't it be kind of funny if it was?

Charice Pempengco

I am giving everyone who does not watch Oprah a gift. Yes, truly. So there is this girl from the Philippines who has the voice that just makes me cry like a baby. I mean seriously. She's so good that Dan was walking through the living room while I was watching her and literally STOPPED and was like "who is that girl?" That's a big deal. Trust me.

So anyways, I posted some of her videos in hopes that other people start to cry while watching this girl sing like I do. So I don't feel so damn silly.

On Oprah



I Will Always Love You



I Will Survive

Happy Freaking New Year. Where is Spring.

So HAPPY NEW YEAR! Our NYE was pretty mild (as you may have expected since I didn't even know it was NYE). Since God hates us and likes to ruin our holidays, she decided to make our power go out for about four hours...which wouldn't typically be so bad, but it gets dark here at FOUR PM and it is FREEZING cold especially when there is no heat.

So we instead went to Heroes and Legends to watch the Zags @#$@ up another game. Seriously, being a Gonzaga basketball fan is EMOTIONALLY DRAINING. Its like being told that on Christmas you are getting a new puppy, and waking up the day of and getting a pot bellied pig. I mean seriously, constant disappointment. When I first met Dan he tried to get me on the "Fire Mark Few" bandwagon- which is truly blasphemy for any Gonzaga alum- but I have been so disappointed this season I am this close...

It is still freaking snowing. And to top off that hazard, gigantic daggers of icicle death are forming all around the complex and I am certain one of them is going to kill me when I'm not looking. When is spring coming? And some evil person with a death wish knocked the head off Wii Henry. I swear to God if you could call in murders of snowmen I would...