Honey, where's the dog.....

                                           Group Photo, Crown Point, Oregon - J. Lopez

At first glance this group portrait of my friends last weekend on our Columbia River Gorge outing seems quite commonplace, innocuous, and really of no importance (dull even) to anyone other than ourselves.  However if you thought that you would be wrong!  Every time I look at this I experience a hearty belly laugh. 

That darling little white terrier front and center - the one that looks as if it belongs to us and has been in our lives for years... is in fact not ours.  We had no idea whose dog it was but it quickly latched its poor little self to us and the kids as we lavished it with attention right before this momentous photo was snapped.  It had been wandering around the parking lot the whole time we were there with a look on it's sweet wee face of  "Are you my people"?  It was obvious that someone had inexplicably left this dog behind.

Thankfully it had a dog tag with it's name - Jules; his home - West Seattle; and a phone number.  I should tell you that my nickname is in fact "Jules" and everyone in that group photo (except for 2) are actually from West Seattle.  Cuddling and petting and fawning all over Jules I declared self-righteously how we should just take him home with us as any pet owner who would leave such a darling dog should not own a darling dog!!  Mind you, I have 2 cats and live in a condo so this was a ridiculous emotion-fueled statement that I could not back up but kept thinking of ways it could work besides that fact.

With less emotion and much more smarts, V, called the number on Jules tag and left a message that this dog was at Crown Point and if it was their's they could call her.  Everyone (except me and the kids) wanted to move on to Multnomah Falls and so we all jumped in our cars to leave.  Driving away with the look on that little dogs' face was killing me - killing me.  Jules tilted head and perky furry ears was breaking my heart. I  wimpered to my friends as to how could we ourselves leave that little guy to fend for himself.  We sighed and drove on.

There is a happy ending to this story.  Not more than an hour later, V,  received a call from the owners.  They were in Portland (1/2 hour away) and hadn't noticed that Jules was not in the car with them.  (???)  They were on their way back to Crown Point at that very moment to pick him up.  And another call that afternoon from them when they were reunited with Jules and a big thank you to 'V' for calling them!  Since there was reunitedness and happiness in the end for Jules I won't expound on the assinine owners who didn't notice that there beloved dog was not in their car.....?.....  Nope - not going to comment.

And for your viewing pleasure - here is a lovely iphone doodle art from Keira Hamalian of our new favorite white terrier doggie that doesn't belong to us (but actually does in our hearts!!).

Have you ever left something behind somewhere?  Do tell!!

                                                                                                  

Jules by K. Hamalian

7 random things

I have been 'blog challenged' by Julochka over at Moments of Perfect Clarity.  It feels a bit like a Bobby Flay Throwdown.  Without further ado, here are my seven random things:

1. Taco Trucks

How can one not love street food. People who provide delicious homestyle mobile food have a special place in my heart. It's a little like international travel without the suitcase or full body airport search.....




2. Non natural hair color

Since my 20's I've always wanted to dye my hair some ungodly beautiful shade of green, orange or blue. I never did and now, approaching my 50's I feel my window of appropriate opportunity has passed. But that doesn't keep me from admiring those who do! As a shortcut, just today I bought a new wig to be worn at the Shamrock run I'm participating in this Sunday in Portland, Oregon. Can you guess which lovely look I chose?
 

3. Olives in beer

Years ago while filming a documentary in South Dakota I learned something new from the locals I drank with in the evenings. The South Dakota Martini. What? Never heard of this delightful apertif? Quite easy to make - any old tap beer and 2 green olives! So simple yet so divine. To this day I can't have a regular beer without throwing in a few olives. And if said olives are stuffed? Icing on the proverbial beer cake!




 

4. The first moments of a film in the theatre
   

I love that feeling of great anticipation as the lights dim and the movie starts in theatre. There is such a sense of being swept away from everyday life and into a huge story unfolding before you. My heart always skips a beat as my face turns into a huge cheshire grin.




5. Clowns

Don't like. They are scary and simply not right. Especially headless clowns.




 
 
 
 
 
 
  
6. Cheesy catholic tchotchkes

I have an unnatural affinity for all things velvety religious. The more ridiculous the better. If I owned a large home with several rooms I would devote one solely to this fine overlooked art! The day I lost my moving eye Jesus keychain was a very sad day.  You think I'm joking don't you?  I'm not.





     
7. Kharmann Ghia's
 
Every time one of these super cool cars drives by  I sigh with longing and think -  "that is one lucky ass individual"!  Would I sell my soul to own one of them.  Of course not.  That's silly.  A '67 camaro?  You betcha! 

A lag in productivity

I'm experiencing a personal energy crisis. Without the structure of going to work 9-5 5 days a week I'm finding it easier to be more catlike than productive.  I knew this would happen just not so soon.  Oh I have my weekly schedule with carefully placed daily items of to-do importance.  Evidence below.

However I find that by mid-morning my cats seem to have the right idea - napping in the noonday sun.  Yes, even the beautiful unseasonable weather we're enjoying seemingly plots against me as it streams in the windows onto my chair and couch.  A couch ready made with snuggie and lap cat.  I mean cats really have the life don't they?  All they have to do all day is eat, sleep and poop - with an occasional chomp on some mind altering catnip!  I'm a wee bit jealous truth be told.  Mind you, not so jealous that if my fairy goddess-mother arrived down my chimney and offered me three wishes I'd choose to be a cat.  It would be more like financial windfall wishes....and a crunchless flat belly.....and endless chocolate.....!  There, three wishes already used up and none having to do with fur, four paws or catnip.  Don't worry - haven't gone 'round the bend' thinking fairy goddes-mothers will soon be showing up.  No no, my fairy goddess-mother arrives like everyone else's - from the lottery store down the way.

So back on topic - productivity.  Yes, must find a way to stay on task.  After all, these are tasks that I actually want to do!  Tasks I never had time to do before when I was working the cubicle life.  How does everyone else do it?  I mean once I get on the computer there are so many blogs I want to read and photos I want to look at and news to ponder.   Well once again friends come to the rescue.  Today, Red and I went for an extra long walk to Golden Gardens beach with Sasha the retriever who she is pet sitting over the weekend. 

Not only was it a great walk to a beautiful beach but I took so many photographs I had extra to choose from for my 'photo of the day'.  And so with typical Julie style, I'm learning something new yet again - how to 'be on task' when I'm the one being the taskmaster!  Wish me luck.

Sasha who hasn't yet learned the fine art of walking. 

Photo by J. Lopez

The Oregon Coast: 5 reasons why I love it!

                                                                     Oceanside, Oregon at dusk - Julie A. Lopez

1.  Perfect in any weather;  Stormy - make a fire, grab a cocktail, your snuggie and gaze out the window.  Sunny - walk on the beach and search for pretty rocks!

2.  Calms my stressed soul and recharges my internal battery.

3.  No need to play volleyball or wear a swimsuit!

4.  No cell phone reception (Oceanside); can't obsess over voicemails, emails or texts.

5.  Endless photographic opportunities.


This small beach is my favorite place in the world.  No doubt about it.  Where is your favorite place and why?

Paranormal obsession

Over the past few months I've become interested (okay obsessed) with Paranormal shows.  All of a sudden there is a plethora of them on cable.  My two favorites are Psychic Kids and Paranormal State both on A&E.  I watch them religiously on Tuesday nights.  I'd never given this subject much thought before.  There have been a few instances in my life where I 'felt or sensed' something but nothing dramatic.

I can't say I don't believe there are spirits or ghosts or entitities among us. Who am I to say these things don't exist.  So if I say I believe, I scare the crap out of myself.  That means that at any given time there could be entities watching (or protecting) us.  That freaks me out because I often do really stupid stuff and frequently I'm thankful that no one saw.  Or did they?  Is, for example, my ultra-conservative and religious grandmother (passed away in 1994) watching when I do things that would make her cluck cluck with judgement.  I often did that when she was alive so why not now?

I'm not often drawn to things that scare me but this is different.  I would love to join a paranormal investigation but would I run screaming the first instance I felt something that I couldn't see?  Uh, yes I would.  Is that enough to keep me from attempting the experience.  Definitely not.  Make sense?  No.

If anyone reads this post I'd like to hear from you if you've had paranormal experiences or if not - what you believe about them.  Are there more conflicted people out there such as me?

Best Picture? Really? Best?

Last week I went to see Up in the Air.  I enjoyed it immensely.  I knew I would.  George Clooney.....sigh....handsome.....sigh.....!  But I liked the story as well.  Timely, didn't smack you in the face with obviousness, good acting and well, George Clooney.

Then, just to see if I could, I snuck into another movie as I was at one of those megaplexes with 14 theatres and I just couldn't help myself.  Two movies for the price of one!  So I went into the one movie I have declared to all my friends that i had no desire whatsoever to see.  Even if it won the Golden Globes for Best Picture.  Nope.  No desire.  So I did it.  I snuck in to see Avatar.  The theatre was so full that I had to sit in the 3rd row.  A sure overstimulation for the eyes and throbbing headache with a movie like that.  But I decided I'd leave if that began to happen or the movie was boring me to death.

Well I didn't leave except to run to the recycle bin for used plastic 3D glasses so I could fully appreciate the 3D effects of the movie.  But I should have.  Left that is.  While amazing and wondrous special effects are to be noted, the plot was a ridiculous rehash of countless stories told before.  The obvious one being 'Dances with Wolves' 20 years ago!  And the over the top stereotypical characters?  Come on people.  Really?  Do we need to see the muscle popping, gruff shouting, steroid hopped seargeant who lives for the kill again?  Give me 'Stripes' anytime over this one!  And poor Sigourney Weaver.  A great woman who has forever been cemented in our cinematic hearts as an Alien kick assing warrior.  But here?  The scientist with a heart of gold fighting for the natives?  Pulleeeease.

I could go on and on.  It just pained me to see this story played out yet again.  Don't tell me that if the special effects (again - kudos) weren't there that anyone would give this a second look.  So why people, why award this glop with a Best Picture.  What happened to unique and engaging plot?  What happened to nuanced story lines with a message that isn't shoved in your face.  Why do Americans go for shock and awe in their movie going choice when there are infinitely more beautiful and subtle stories to be entertained by?

Ughhhhh!  Avatar.  I just don't get it. 

One of my new fav blog authors is "Moments of Perfect Clarity".  Check out her take on Avatar:
http://julochka.blogspot.com/2009/12/avatar-how-you-sucked-let-me-count-ways.html


Link

It's nothing personal

This overused statement does not make sense to me.  It's close cousins "this is business" and "It's not you it's me".... just as perplexing.  In the context they are used it is absolutely personal for the very obvious and simple fact that I, or the intended recipient, have invested time, emotion, feelings, vulnerability, intelligence and experience into whatever is now being assessed by another.

Your work, for instance, is what you bring your employer 40 hours of every week.  Although you often hear that what you do (your work) does not define you, in a sense it does exactly that.  My ability to do my work and do it well contains a certain sense of pride.  So if my work is not up to snuff then my ability, my experience, the effort I bring to it IS personal.  How can it not be?

Granted, I am a Gemini and we tend to take most things personal so I could be off on this.  And admittedly I have used "It's not you it's me".  If used with someone you care about then you don't want to rip their heart up because the relationship is not working.  And for me, it was partially true.  Half of the issue was with me!

So, even though last Thursday I was told by my employer that "it's nothing personal" I will chalk it up to just one more thing I do not agree with them.

I'm interested to hear others' perception on this.  Have you heard "It's not personal" lately.  How did you feel about it.  Did it help to hear that with whatever news was attached to it?  Or not?

Multi-tasking vs. List Writing

Multi-tasking sucks and I'm tired of every damn job ad listing it as a must-have skill.  In the last year I have come to realize that I am not a multi-tasker.  I am a list-writer.  There is a difference.  Crossing items off my list (which is unnaturally exciting) means that you've done one thing.  One.  And now you can move on to the next or as I like to do, rest - relax or eat a treat and then move on to the next thing. 

When I am forced to multi-task (at work-every day-every moment of my 9 to 5) I get flummoxed and inevitably make mistakes.  Mistakes which are constantly thrown back in my face.  And to admit you are not good at multi-tasking is considered a real sign of inadequecy (in the corporate world).  This makes me as qualified and good at my current job as if I were to attempt to be a surgeon or astronaut or president of the United States.

Why has multi-tasking taken the lead over focusing and doing an excellent job one at a time?  I can understand why this could be a good thing for mothers to have and possibly the only way to stay sane and get through the day.  I am not a mother.  I have 2 cats that ignore me on a consistently daily basis. 

I'd like to start an Anti-Multi-Tasking movement.  Who will join me?  Courageous souls that can admit that doing more than one thing at a time just confuses the hell out of them.  Will you admit it?  I have and I feel so much better that I'm going to go relax now!

Snuggie - the downfall of society as we know it.

My friend gave me a snuggie for Christmas.  It is soft, easy to use, and works in all areas of the house.  It is my favorite gift ever.  It also causes severe un-productivity.  Four times in the last week I chose not to do what was on my to-do list because I was extremely comfortable in my snuggie and did not want to get out of it.  My friend Red, who gave me said snuggie, called me on several occasions and immediately told me to get out of the snuggie.  Of course I was actually in the snuggie when these calls occured but I had no intention of doing what she said.  Even the name of the damn thing sounds comfortable - snuggie - snuggle - warmth - comfort - addiction.  I now have to return to work tomorrow after 10 days of Snuggie filled comfort and joy.  I'm considering calling in sick due to potential snuggie withdrawal.  Or I could take my snuggie to work.  Hecklers be damned.