Officially Boring.

I know hearing about other people's dreams is one of the most boring things, but I've been having some strange and vivid dreams the past couple days. I tend to dream most in the mornings right before I wake up, which I think is pretty common. Oh god I think this blog is going to be boring. Anyways, recently I dreamed I was in Mumbai, India, at night, and I was wearing a sweater because in my dream it gets chilly at night. Mind you, I dreamed about Mumbai (of all places) before I even tuned into NPR to hear all the horrorific news coming from Mumbai. I woke up wondering, Mumbai really is a place, right? And, what is the weather really like in Mumbai at night? I did some research and it does get a wee bit chilly (high 60s at night), especially if you're acclimated to 90 to 100 degree temperatures during the day. Oh yes, this blog is getting more and more boring. What is possessing me to write this? Ok. The last dream I had was this morning and I dreamed I was giving birth. Two big pushes and out comes this sweet baby boy with a full head of dark hair. Nursing came right away with no difficulty. I was just walking around this strange place with outside decks and stairs with my new baby in my arms. Hmm. I do have this maternal clock thing ticking away, that is a given. Officially boring, eh? Here's a funny picture of my current little one, Mr. Mo (short for Mohammed. Just kidding). He just hangs out like this. For real.

My new munchkin!

He loves to look at himself in the mirror, he makes a lot of noise, I think he misses his cage-mates, and he needs a name (and a nap)!

I'm not quite sure where to start, and most of you who read my blog already know, but my sweet kitty boy Spaz was hit by a car last week and is gone from my life now. I am facing, for the first time, truly living alone. Spaz was my buddy for 6 years and was the bestest, most spoiled sweet smart cat ever. He enjoyed his fields too much, and searched far and wide for one after our move to Arcata. He died doing what he loved, and he had a wonderful life with me. It's heartbreaking. We buried Angus our family dog only in February, so this felt all too soon to be doing it again. His grave is among all our other pets up on Humboldt Hill, overlooking the bay and the coastal mountains.

This house feels so lonely and quiet without his presence. Luckily Colin had to go out of town, so I watched Mason the Dog all weekend. It was the greatest solace I could have asked for. His energy was just what I needed in this quiet house. The support and compassion from all of my family and friends was so very appreciated as well. I am truly blessed to have so many loving people in my life and truly blessed to have shared those years with Spaz.

I know it's too soon, but I think after the new year I am going to get two new kitties :) I am a pet person, and just feel normal and whole when I am surrounded by animal energies.

Violated Continued

I just checked my car in more detail. There are actually two dents. One a square-shaped dent about 1.5 inches and another longer dent on the door about 4 inches long. This is not right.

I called and complained, but I am afraid I'll piss the dude off even more, and create more problems. The supervisor said he would talk to the driver. I doubt he will get reprimanded, let alone fired.

Two fucking dents!

Guess I learned my lesson.

Can I make them pay to fix the dents?

Violated

I have been violated because of the ' no less than 3 feet' rule. I wake in the 3am hour this morning to hear the usual recycling and garbage truck lumbering and beeping down my street. Their route is odd, and they cruise the street about 3 or 4 times within the hour, so this morning seemed no different. About the second or third go-round, the truck stopped longer than normal outside my house. I didn't think much of it, but now that I think about it, I felt a malicious feeling coming from my driveway as I heard extra crashing and banging but I didn't think much of it in my sleepy haze. Then Spaz and I fell back asleep, seemingly cozy and safe.

----Four hours later----

Cheery me is walking to my car to go to work for the day (well not so cheery - I am definitely NOT a morning person). I see that my paper recycling container is thrown into the front lawn and my trash can is on it's side on the sidewalk between my car and the hedge. The paper recycling container hit the grass with so much force it actually ripped up some grass in the newly formed plastic crack. I diligently take all my containers to the back porch and get into my car. The righthand side mirror is bent inwards and that's when it hits me. I get out, flip the mirror back to it's rightful place, and that's when I see it. A half-dollar sized dent in my car! The garbage man went postal (pardon the mixed up phrase) and threw my garbage can into my car! My heart starts racing as I realize that I most definitely put my containers too far into the '3-feet zone' and completely pissed off my garbage man. I signed an agreement when I started City of Arcata garbage service, stating clearly that I would not put my containers closer than 3 feet from any person place or thing. It is my fault for not following their rules. But, does that warrant them denting my car? I guess if they don't have the courtesy to leave a note, or maybe do something non-violent to get their 3 feet rule across, perhaps I'll just put something really stinky in the trashcan. Garbage wars. And it's extra scary because they know where I live.

Moved In and Mostly Moved Out

This past month has been very hectic for me - maybe one of the most hectic months in years. I have lived in the same house for 6 years on Humboldt Hill, and I just moved out to a fabulous little house in Arcata just below the park. Six years is a lot to leave, it felt like. I'm pretty much over it now, but I got quite sentimental about abandoning the HH house. A lot of memories took place there, a lot of accomplishments and a few setbacks but all learning experiences, and I essentially grew to maturity while living there (well, my maturity as it is now, I guess). However, this sentimentality has been tainted by the necessity to do a deep clean on the place for the new tenant. Who knew how much ickyness builds up over 6 years! I do now. I've used a lot of bleach (shh, don't tell the enviro-police). And it's not entirely clean yet, either, and there are various errant yard things I need to move still. And not to mention the trash run for old old crap. I can't wait to not be tied to that house anymore.

I am mostly all moved in in Arcata, but the kitchen needs help. Boxes full of cans and boxes of food, pots and pans, and weird kitchen odds and ends litter the floor and table. The rest of the house is settled, as well as Spaz. It was hard for the first few days. He had to get re-acquainted with the litter box that he hadn't used since he was probably 6 months old. But, no accidents and he is (mostly) happily using it. It doesn't seem like much now that we have a routine, but it was a huge deal moving my six-year old outdoor cat to a new place and keeping him strictly indoors. In the beginning I just couldn't stand his meows and looks of longing out each window and under the door, that I bought a harness and tied him to a rope and 'walked' him around the yard. He acted like the harness weighted a TON and he would scoot/crawl on his belly veerrry sllowwwly across the grass. It was funny to watch, but I felt bad too. I figured out that letting him out on the harness was just making his inside time that much more undesirable for him, so I ended the outdoor adventures. In a couple weeks I'll let him out, but I really want him to know where home and safety is before he is on his own. One thing I continue to feel bad about is that he is moved away from all of his kitty friends. He was quite the popular neighborhood cat. He had this one blind friend who he loved to sneak up and pounce on. The blind kitty had a weird meow, it was more of a squeak or a beep sound. So every time Spaz would play with him, he'd squeak beep squeak! I'm sure he'll make more friends, being the social good looking cat that he is.

I really wish I had a few days to just chill and get everything settled, completely. Oh wait, I did just have a 3-day weekend. Where the heck did it go?

I'll have photos up of the new place soon. First I need working internet at my house. Suddenlink SUCKS! I think I may ditch them and go local.

Dirt Rising/Rager on my Liver

Reggae (I am still compelled to say On The River) Rising this year:

Cons-
slightly annoying
tiring
black boogers
not the best line up
9pm-2am shift serving very wasted/fried/stoned people is NOT my cup of tea

Pros-
Mike was there and he is awesome!
gyros. 'nuff said.
gorgeous weather
always fun to hang with the entire family and camp
unending supply of juices, water, beer and hurricanes

Even after all of my complaining and horribly bitchy attitude (I dearly apologize, Mike and family) I am still going next year. I told myself and Mike emphatically when we were catching the last shuttle at 2:30am "I am NOT doing this ever again!!" but when I woke up the next morning, I was ready to do it all over again - next year. Every year I tend to skip out on Dirt Rising on Sunday all together. Am I getting old and staunchy? Mean and bitter? Maybe. Just don't make me work that night shift again! Oh and this was funny but also pissed me off. Around the midnight hour, I was called a Hater! Two jockrockers wanted free water and when I wouldn't give it to them, one called me a hater and then mouthed at me "Fuuuck Yooouuu." I almost was scared. Who knows what kind of drugs they were on, and they were big. And this was all when Mike was off at the medical tent fixing his bleeding knuckle. Ice is sharp!

What I learned (again):

• I have little tolerance for ignorant, stupid and rude people.
• I need to loosen up.
• I'm a reggae purist. I love roots and dub reggae and not reggaeton, dancehall or even worse, hip hop rap reggae.
• My man is incredible and I love him so much.

We hardly took any pictures, but here are a couple. Drew and Michael were stoned and hot needing free libation. Mike and I were eating and sitting under the parachute.

I guess when all is said and done it was a pretty good time, despite my ramblings. Next year will mark our 10th year working on the beverages crew. A decade of the same reggae festival, I guess that's why I'm a tad burned out. But not enough to stop going.

Reggae Babee!

We'll be slingin' drinks and takin tokens all weekend, ahh hells yea! See y'all when I get back! I'm just so excited I gotta put pics up from previous years:

Feelin' alright..

I've got my little kittie-face Spaz sittin' here right next to me on the table next to my lappy and Mason my former doggie who I'm dog-sitting is laying under my feet as I watch sunday's episode of Big Brother online. God, I'm slightly ashamed that I am watching this show! I swear this is the first BB I've ever followed. And it all started when I was dead tired from our Pork of July party a couple weekends ago. I was zoned out on the couch barely watching tv, when lo and behold, Season 10, Episode 1 of BB was officially airing. So I watched. And got hooked. But I can't make time out of every sunday, tuesday and thursday evenings at 9 (it's on a lot, folks) so I just now got caught up on cbs.com. And now I have only a few minutes until the next 'live' broadcast! That's a lot of blog coverage for BB. I didn't intend this.

Okeee.. I am moving August 30th!!! Arcata here I come! Spaz seems fine with all the boxes and junk moved around - in fact, he seems to be delighted with the change and the odd box to play hide and seek. I hope that bodes well for when we finally get into the new house and he is trapped inside for a few weeks to adjust. My biggest fear is he will revolt against the litter box and use my indoor plants. Though I think that is better than him getting lost, or him running way, or worse... if he is let out too soon at the new house. 11th street in Arcata will be busy - school will have started and he'll be only one house away from that busy area. He loves this big field we have going up here on the Hill, plus he'll have to leave all of his kitty friends. He never gets into fights, and we've been here 6 years. I've only had to treat one puncture wound on his foot and ear, but luckily no veterinary assistance was needed. So, he better get along with all those new cats on the New Arcata Hill, and he better be car-savvy.

~~~~~~~~~~~

One of the best things about this house: Southern Exposure

I love how the concrete front porch stays warm long after the sun has gone down. It is almost 9pm and that porch is still radiating heat like crazy! Feels good on my footsies.

Captain Save-a-Dog is Retiring

A happy ending.

Dolly found a good home with Steve's coworker, and Buck (now named Jack) is happy at home with my friend and coworker, Maile. She has a boston terrier female, and was interested in getting a puppy to keep her 5 yr old dog company. I hope they are having a good time getting to know eachother!

Here is Dolly yawning and Jack just chillin:I had so much intense and instant love for Jack that it pretty much controlled me to find him a good home. I cared for Dolly too, but definitely not as much, for whatever reason. Mom thinks it is because I miss our late dog, Angus. Who knows. All I know is that I will see Jack grow up, and have peace of mind knowing he has the best new mommy ever!

Here is Jack and his tongue:
I am just so elated that the puppy week is over on a positive note. It felt sooo long and draining! I could never ever work in a shelter or a rescue place. During this process I have pissed people off, learned a whole lot about adopting out animals, cried cried cried, and realized how much compassion I can have for young helpless creatures. I'm retiring from this biz.

This weekend was Relay for Life out at the CR track. I couldn't believe how many less people and teams there were this year. It was my fourth year on a team, and every year the grassy field gets more and more open as there are less and less tents on it. I'm wondering the fate of Relay for this area. I think the past couple years the committee members and people who ran the Relay office got burned out and just quit for this year. I hope they come back, because we need strong leaders and people with a drive to raise money and awareness for cancer research etc. Anyhoo, one more busy weekend under my belt. Next week: art show, dinner with the ladies, roller derby, and Kasey and Vikki's party. All in one night!

Then the weekend after that....Reggae!!!

Really Quick

So Dolly and Buck (the two pit bull cross pups) are still in Mike's back yard. I don't think he knows I named them yet, hehe. Mike and his roommate are trying to find homes for them instead of taking them to the shelter, so it's taking a little while. Dolly has quite the personality, and is a bouncy girl and very chewy on hands, pants, hair, ears, anything, really. Buck is much calmer and likes to get loves then wander around by himself and his toys. They keep eachother company while everyone is at work, which is great. It reaffirms that when I have kids, I'd like to have two (we'll see how that plays out!) I love them, but I really don't want the responsibility of keeping them.

Pork of July was a fabulous time. The air was very smoky due to the fires to the south, east and north and it seemed to settle in Redwood Valley, but a good time was had by all. I won't go into details, but they all sure like to party! Looking forward to next year.

It's funny, most, if not all, of my close friends with blogs have children. I sort of feel like there is something missing in my blog, or in my photos.. Weird. The day will come I suppose, and by then I will have years of blogging under my belt. Anyways.

One more thing and this is odd. I dreamed this morning that Dave Meserve, former Arcata City Council member, killed himself. Now don't ask why I am dreaming about a former city council member. I won't go into too much detail, but I was sort of the eye witness in his self-strangling death just because, get this, his blog I was reading was so vivid. Dreams are weird. My work life (city government) and my personal life (this new fancy blog) are intertwining in a way I don't prefer.

I took a bunch more pics of the raucous pups and will post later on my Picasa.

I lied

Between the time I talked to Mike this morning and just now, Mike and his roommate decided to keep the puppies. I guess the saga continues...

I am secretly (or not so secretly) pleased. Puppies!

The Brief Saga Ends

Both pups are now at Miranda's Rescue. I hope they get an awesome family together. The good thing about these puppies is they are so darned cute, they won't stay long at Miranda's, I don't think. I can't believe they were in our lives for only 24 hours, yet they made such a huge impression!

On another note, I am super looking forward to a grand ol' time out at Mike's dad's house in the woods this weekend. The Pork of July annual partay. Should be fun. Sun, tequila, bikers, camping, food.. Just the beginning of a string of festivities every weekend until September! I hope this isn't me in a few weeks...

Le Puppies

So here are Miss Adorable and Mr. Handsome. Mike has a BIG decision to make! :)

Okeedokeee!

I have started a blog! Big things are happening right now - well, not super huge, but life is good. I'm moving to Arcata next month after living on The Hill for all but 8 months of my entire life, I have a fantastic and brilliant boyfriend, my desk job is steadily moving towards being a career with copious amounts of responsibility, and we may keep one or both puppies Mike found abandoned in the rural smoky heat by Piercy today (I'm trying to convince him to keep them together).. That's all for now, as I am busy busy busy at work..