Family, Friends

“I’m Very Busy and Important!”

“A charming woman is a busy woman.”
– Loretta Young (boy, I hope this is true…)

My kittens, my ducklings, my belovedest of beloved possums!  I’ so busy these days I could gleefully indulge in a tiny breakdown…but I haven’t the time.  Last Friday I helped coordinate a small baby shower for Hennessy, two weekends ago was consumed with preparations for Pieter and Sadie’s wedding, last Saturday was an evening with J.’s family, Trixie and I are throwing Sadie’s bacherlorette party this coming Saturday, there are two birthdays within my godfamily this week, a dermatology appointment, a dentist appointment, and there’s a wedding next week the day before I fly home for Christmas.  And somehow, I still need to find time to get the oil changed for the car, finish up place cards for the wedding luncheon, and pack. Woof.

Here’s a sneaky fact about one’s husband going off abroad for grad school that no one tells you: going back to taking care of everything for oneself, without someone to share the chores, is rough.  Bone tired, constantly frazzled, get home and all one wants to do is curl up on your sofa and refuse to acknowledge the rest of the evening, rough.  But one can’t do that, because one has to shop for brie and baguettes, continue the fight against one’s ancient flat’s march towards decay, and eat every once and a while.

I’m no ingrate, busyness is a boon: it keeps me from being lonely or bored.  All I’m saying is, I could stand being a little less busy.  Luckily the Christmas vacation looms, wherein I plan on doing very little, in very good company.  How are you holding up, darlings?

Family, Friends, Holidays, Humor, Shopping

Fantasy Shopping Continues

“When women are depressed, they eat or go shopping.  Men invade another country.  It’s a whole different way of thinking.”
~Elayne Boosler

Shopping for men is rough, kittens, and believe me, I know.  Most of my friends growing up were boys, my major was mostly made up of men, I preferred hanging out with J.’s roommates to my own when we were dating, the list goes on.  I have two brothers and one sister, two godbrothers and one godsister, three brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law (not counting respective spouses)… the girls are outnumbered.  But that’s okay, because most of the ladies I know are pretty lucky in their male chums, significant others, and family members, so we should dig in and get them cool (fake) presents anyway.  Any to add to the list?

For your all American brother-in-law who spends the summer either on the green or at the grill.
For the guy friend who almost blew a snyapse when he found out they were making a new Muppets movie.
For your British mystery loving in-law.
For the guy you met in your major who now teaches English in Korea, even though he studied Medieval French Literature, and is an unrepentant nerd.
For your nephews who have never seen it - shame!
For you guy pal who thinks he's Don Draper, and who you care about too much to disillusion.
For you friend who just got his first Real Job and needs to dress the part.
For the slightly wacky but nice gun enthusiast neighbor of your parents.
Holidays, Humor, Shopping

Fantasy Shopping

“A Christmas shopper’s complaint is one of long-standing.”
– Anonymous

This post shamelessly inspired by Janssen’s fab one on present giving – though not quite as impressively frugal.  I’m in the midst of Christmas shopping and nearly done with it, but still very much in the mood.  Let’s do some fantasy shopping, ducklings, and pretend that none of us are paying off our husband’s student loans, prepping for a baby, a bit cash strapped this year, putting a wedding together, or just generally Scroogey, and spend fake money together.  Ladies first, just click to be linked for more info on what I’d buy you all if I could.

Note to friends and family, ha!  As if I’d post your prezzies all over the internet, nice try.  Move along and stop trying to peek into the proverbial parents’ closet to figure out what you’re getting, just trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

For your stylish best friend who organizes her bookshelves by color - because they look better that way.
For the Francophile, cheese addicted couple.
For the globetrotting best friend who still prefers handwritten letters to emails.
For the best friend who manages to look chic in sunglasses nearly as large as her face.
For the Jane Austen addict best friend.
For the best friend who can say she's a writer, and not mean it wistfully.
For the girlfriend whose extended family won't stop asking her when she's going to spawn.
For you Potterhead/valedictorian friend.
For your East Coast relations.
For your history nerd friend.
For fellow London cronies currently marooned stateside (and other items for the friend who can literally wear anything and get away with it).
For the nail polish addict.

What random things have you come across that instantly put a specific person into your head when shopping?

Humor

Midweek Linkstorm Returns

“I must have a prodigious quantity of mind; it takes me as much as a week sometimes to make it up.”
– Mark Twain

And we all know the best way to deal with slow days is to enlarge our minds and understandings. Or surf the internet. Whatever.

Things are slow at the Nowhereford, Noneofyourbusinessshire university police department, kittens.  The rescue of that unfortunate duck was the most exciting thing to happen for weeks and December is historically a pretty slow month too, so let’s move into it with interesting things to talk about.  Today we focus on things you should be watching, reading, listening to.  I’m feeling intellectual today, ducklings.

Here, for example, is the guy who should have been around when I was in high school.  Theoretical physics made simple, and interesting!

An NPR story on ever changing technology and the troubles that come with trying to determine how these things must be interpreted by the US Constitution.

A blog that gives you inside peaks into houses, collections, works, and pieces belonging to the National Trust.

The Smithsonian on the Science of Sarcasm.  Since we all speak it fluently here at Small Dog Enterprises, it behooves us all to know exactly what’s going on with this rich and complex historical language.

The Amazing History and the Strange Inventions of the Bendy Straw (The Atlantic)

Another Atlantic story about the evolution of men, women, their roles, and all of these development’s effect on romance.

Ok, fine.  We can’t be all serious here at Small Dog Intelligentsia Inc., and so speaking of “all the single ladies,” here’s a list of some of the world’s most eligible bachelors.  You’re welcome.

Humor, Law Enforcement, University, Work

Fowl Fatale

The following is a true story as told to C. Small Dog by one of the detectives.  Some [tiny, practically unnoticeable] liberties taken.

It was a dark and stormy night* when this dame called up.  She’d seen something horrible and thought she was being followed so she couldn’t squeal.  I wasn’t in the mood to do the damsel in distress routine, I’d been drinking since noon and musing on the wretchedness of the human state for nearly as long, but she sounded desperate.

The Big Sleep (1946)
I thought about starting a doomed romance, but she was too perky and I like my dames to brood.

As it turned out, she did need me.  She’s witnessed a kidnapping and had every reason to suspect the worst.  One of ducks that lived at the campus pond had been snatched before her eyes, shoved squawking into a bag by gorilla armed goons and driven off in an unmarked car**.  I suspected that the fowl had run afoul of the bootleggers and crooks who run this town – whiskey is normally involved.  And if it isn’t, I involve it.  I carry a couple flasks just for cases like this.  You can’t see what I’ve seen and do this job sober.

A couple of contacts of mine down at the botanical studies buildings tipped me off about the car and I knew enough to trace it to a run down part of town infested with the scum of humanity and broken dreams***.  I’d been there more times than I cared to count, but I had a job to do.  I had to break a few ribs, but eventually I found the guys that had been hired for the job.  A couple of drinks, some moody dialog and veiled threats and they squealed.  They told me that this guy they called The Mallard**** came up with the plan to get back at this other guy, The Loon, by using the duck to stir up trouble.  They dumped the duck at The Loon’s joint, leaving it to wreck the place and its crap all over the floor (an apt metaphor for life) before returning it, a broken bird, to its pond to live out what remained of its days.

The Maltese Falcom (1941)
This Mallard was the kingpin of duck trafficking, with the law in his pocket, justice as his dinner guests, and sinister butler to boot. I had to be careful.

I found this Mallard and let him know how many federal laws he’d violated, ducks were protected in this town and he knew it.  Turns out he’d had his way with ducks like this before, but I wasn’t going to turning a blind eye to it.  His laugh ended when I plugged a bullet in his brain***** and walked out, leaving the assorted persons and waterfowl to contemplate my anti-hero behavior and debate the wisdom of cheering a guy like me on.

I left them there, stuck in moral ambiguity, and went to the bar and let some of the boys from the precinct know I’d been doing their job for them again.  They reacted with the usual disdain of the establishment when shown up by an outsider.
“Good job, Duck Tracy.”
“You quacked the case.”
“Any evidence of fowl play?”******

I didn’t care.  I’d done my job.  I knocked back the whiskey and headed back out streets where I belonged.

Fallen Angel 1945
Someone's got to clean up this town.

*About 3 in the afternoon
** Partial license plate
***Students
****The idiot whose idea this was
*****No one was harmed in the making of this noir
******Actual puns unleashed by our witty, witty staff

Friends, Humor

Honors and Accolades

“I love awards, especially if I get them.”
– Ben Gazzara

Leila, a fellow admin assistant and writer and cyber pal, gave me the Liebster Blog award!  Thanks, darling!

In time honored tradition, I must now pass it on to other deserving people I follow religiously on Google Reader, who I think you should know too!

  1. Janssen at Everyday Reading.  Book reviewer, librarian, mother, and (as far as I can tell) gourmet chef.  We met at university long ago and reconnected over the internet years later; I’ve been bowled over by her awesomeness ever since.
  2. Sarah at Mattawa Mum.  Just your average English girl living on the West Coast.  Sarah is another university mate and insanely talented woman who shares recipes for (among other things) English favorites like meat pies and Yorkshire puddings.
  3. Lauren of Little Farmhouse in the Big City.  Lauren, who I met over a summer program in Washington DC and New York, and has since worked in all sorts of digital media, including a magazine.  And still, in spite of this, found time to buy a house and now renovates it to her heart’s content.  Her adventures with home, food, and friends, make decorating my Someday House seem much less intimidating.
  4. Tori from The Ramblings.  A girl  I have never met but for online, but who has been known to make me fall out of my chair laughing at work.  Much to the confusion of my comrades.
  5. Jooj from Paris Is Always A Good Idea.  Though I also don’t know this one personally, she is a friend of Peregrine, so I feel some sort of affinity.  She and her German husband are pursuing (more) degrees at Oxford, after working with underprivileged women in Brazil for some time.

Thanks again for the shoutout, Leila.  Now, readers, go forth.  Minions, meet impressive bloggers and friends.  Friends, minions.  Charmed!

Holidays, Humor

*Checks Watch *Panics

“A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.”
– Garrison Keillor

Merciful turkey and stuffing, I have so much to do!

I’d never lie to you, kittens, it hasn’t felt very holiday-y this year so far with J. gone.  The holidays for me are really all about traditions, but we haven’t really developed any of our own so far.  Being young, relatively poor, and childless, we have never really felt the urge to decorate our flat with various wreaths or garlands, preferring instead to hang out with friends and family who transform their abodes into festive wonderlands.   We live in a desert, meaning that raking leaves is sort of out.  I have an unbreakable rule that I will not listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving (one holiday at a time, people).  With just me to feed, massive amounts of baking seems excessive.  So, sans any sort of holiday-ish things to do, and minus husband, here we are two days out from Thanksgiving, and I feel as if the season has rather snuck up on me.

I only really processed that Thanksgiving was this week yesterday and was immediately beset by holiday panic.  A gift list was assembled and purchases are being made!  Hot chocolate or spiced tea is being taken with every meal!  An outfit has been selected for Thanksgiving Dinner (which, incidentally will be enjoyed at Marie’s house)!

I am on this!

After all, I’m literally a month away from seeing my husband, which will make the present ever.  (All together now, “Awww…”)

What are your plans for the season, my partridges?  And have you fallen a bit behind the times like me?  How do you get in the holiday spirit?

Humor, Weekend

Can I Pintrest You in the Following?

“Dear me, how pintresting…”
– Facebook status of an unnamed friend

So, I mentioned my new found addiction to Pintrest (compounded by an unusually low crime rate and therefore low paperwork rate at work).  But even a good thing comes with hiccups, my pumpkins, and amidst the plethora of recipes, funny links, and project ideas, are some very weird things indeed.  So, because it’s Friday afternoon and we’re all tired and feeling the tiniest bit snarky (don’t deny it), I submit for your pleasure some of the more odd things I’ve discovered surfing the site this week:

Do you, for example, get tired rushing about during your busy workday?  The modern world is a tiring thing, piglets, and we must take time to rest and recuperate.  “But, C.,” I hear you asking, “how, if I am so busy, am I to take a nap?”  Simple, my friends!  Use this thingy.

It's apparently called an ostrich pillow. For those time when you need to bury your head (and dignity) in the sand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or!  Are you a helpless lass being chased by brigands (through the highlands of Scotland apparently…) suddenly in need of help?  Behold, my lady, your weapon:

I hardly need tell you that I'm all about saftey and protecting yourself, right, ladies? But something that looks like a gun might inflame the situation. Alternatively a pink gun will definitely confuse the blackguard before you unleash a world of hurt on him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, as we all know cats are a naturally aquatic species, but sometimes need a little help when getting tossed into the pond.  Protect your feline with the following:

Armed with the flotation power of soda bottles, your cat can't possible be upset about you chucking him into the lake. Cat owners care.
Family, Friends, Humor, Husband, Life, London, Weekend

Rest, Recovery, and Salt in the Wound

“Seriously.  I had to schedule a breakdown, and then I had to cut it short!”
– C.

Minions, I have neglected you.  But last Friday the world sort of stopped.  I was stressed, I was tired, I was anxious, I was overwhelmed, and I literally worried myself sick.  I went home early on Friday and spent some time in bed.

Of course, I had only a limited amount of time to recover from the vapors because I had stuff to do.  Saturday I had a wedding (in addition to Venice’s birthday) and errands to run, Sunday was dinner at my godparents’ house (a 4 hour event at least) after which I had to dash home and make appetizers for… Monday after work, Sadie and Pieter had a Honey Do couples shower.  Classic me, I made it all the way to GS’s house before I realized I’d forgotten the food in my fridge.

But health, good-humor, and cheerfulness have begun to return, and so, updates.  Margot landed a full time teaching job (no small prize in this economy), Marie’s husband also got a job back East, Hambone had her baby boy, my sister-in-law had a dry run for her future lung transplant and got an emergency plan in place (still scary, but less so now), Dad, Venice, and J. all got older, and J. is going to Les Miserables tonight, staring Alfie Boe.

You know, the one who managed to stand out among these guys:

Wait.  I’m sad again…