Pet Owners Be Crazy

So I am in Florida right now for "Global Pet" which is a ginormous pet industry trade show. First month in the for profit sector and I'm already across the country on a biz trip... What up? Anyway while some products, like ours (www.bluedogbakery.com), are insanely awesome there are a few that are just plain insane. What for example? Oh I don't know... Pet caskets? I kid you not. I have. I have now had the in person experience of seeing AND touching a casket designed for your furry companion.

No time for more chatting. In honor of Leap Day Disneyworld is keeping the parks open for 24 hours! Gotta get a move on before it's bak to the expo in the a.m.!

Friday!

This week FLEW by.  I'm still at the office trying to finish up a newsletter and prep for Monday's trip to Orlando.  Yeah not sure if I mentioned it or not but I'm off to my first business trip next week!  HELLOOOOOO PER DIEM!

Today's been busy but with the help of the following mellow Friday music mix I've managed to say pretty "zenned out":

The Rabbit, the Bat, and the Reindeer - Dr. Dog

Ragged Wood - Fleet Foxes

Sun Down - Nik Freitas

House Built for Two - Delta Spirit

Goin' Home - Dan Auerbach

Ball of the Dead Rat - The Teeth

Listen My Son - The Unseen Ghost 

It was a pretty good week but I'm definitely looking forward to some downtime this weekend.  The only thing that makes me a little sad to say good-bye to the work week is knowing I won't see my  office buddy for a few days...

She left for Happy Hour a few hours ago and already it's been terribly lonely not having a moppety puppy to cuddle when the whim strikes!

But productivity has been higher.

Speaking of which... off I go to finish up!

Happy Friday and a merry weekend!

Scruff Thursday - Local Live Music Edition

I know that last Thursday I was MIA. Sorry. Apologies. Please forgive.

I'm here now though and I hope that too much damage wasn't done in my absence.

Like I mentioned last week one reason I haven't had time to post has been my busy live music schedule. Despite keeping me away from writing, my shows have provided me with plenty of inspiration for "Scruff Thursday".

Exactly a week ago, I went to see Pickwick (again).  Caitlin, Alycia, and myself squirmed our way to the front and I was able to get some pretty scruff-tastic pictures of the band doing what they do.

After the show we milled around near the stage for awhile until the band came out.  Then, without any liquid courage whatsoever, I told Michael Parker that he had a pretty beard and asked for a picture.  When it happened I thought, "Oh he must be so pleased.  Cute girls... admiring his beard and music!  Such fun!"  But then I saw how the picture turned out...

Mad muggin' not appreciated.

My video attempt at this show wasn't quite as bad as usual and so I have included it for your viewing pleasure!  (I know it starts out sideways... but it's correct pretty quickly!)

Let's Get Some Shoes...

So a few weeks ago my roommate won some shoes from Dolce Vita.  I was disgustingly envious.  I saved up some SERIOUS pennies to buy these Dolce Vita beauties last year and have been  dreaming of the day that another pair could be mine!

Since I NEVER win anything, I used up all my contest winning karma in 8th grade when I won Backstreet Boys tickets... oooooh yeah, I didn't bother to ask how on earth she had won her footwear.

But I was still curious.

The answer finally came to me yesterday via my very own shoe angel (i.e. a friend who works for Dolce Vita).  For the month of February they are hosting the Love Fest Giveaway.  Get this... they are giving away 1,000 shoes in 29 days!!!  I know that it's almost the end of the month but seriously that's like 34 winners a day!!!  And if there's basically 1 week left then that''s 250 pairs of shoes still up for grabs!!!!!!!!  That gives even unlucky little me hope!

I entered immediately.  Gave myself a head start.  And then decided I needed to spread the word so that other people can get in on the action.

So go... be off... win shoes...

To do so go to the DV Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/shopdolcevita and Like it.  You'll then have access to the Win Free DV Shoes app - you'll see it listed under the profile pic of our Facebook page.  Click on the app and enter your name into the giveaway! 

Also enjoy this long gone but not forgotten viral favorite...

A Pictoral Ode to Sunny Seattle

The past few days, weather-wise, have been stereotypical Seattle... i.e. oppressively gloomy and damp.  I was originally going to write today's post on my upcoming trip to Florida and how beyond thrilled I am to be getting away to a warmer, sunnier locale.

But then something wonderful happened.  The sun came out to play!

I know Seattle's weather is frequently a topic on this here blog and that's because it really impacts my day to day mood.  Weirdly enough, it seems that the longer I live here the more the weather gets to me and usually at this time of year I try to just hunker down and numb myself to the constant gray.  But February 2012 has been rather exceptional.  We had a string of not only sunny but also warm days a few weeks ago.  And when that gift left us I had resigned myself to a sunless existence for a few weeks.  But no!  The sun is back!!

I thought to illustrate the point that when Seattle is sunny it is quite possibly the most beautiful city in the entire country, I would post a few of my favorite snapshots of Seattle in all its sun drenched glory...

Thank you sunshine. Come again soon!

Tips Needed!

I have been so ridiculously busy but have been craving blog time.  Any other bloggers out there have tips on making the most of the time I do get to spend writing / photo editing / etc ??!!

What's Been Keeping Me So Busy...

Well for awhile there the weather was pretty sweet.  That meant long walks...

And of course dogs and their treats...

But mainly it's been live music...

After tomorrow night's Pickwick show I'll have a little break.  Many a draft for blog entries are waiting for me to finalize! 

Until they're up enjoy this sweet video from the Wilco Concert... (note: It's not my video... mine were taking F.O.R.E.V.E.R. to upload and I gave up!)

Photo Diary : First Day On The New Job

Finally I update!  This week was "adjustment week" with the new gig and all.  I was completely exhausted pretty much 100% of the time.  But I think with the first work week taken care of I will be less overwhelmed on a daily basis and thusly have more time for my interwebbing in the evening.  This morning I finally sat down to get caught up on google-reader and I had 650 entries to go through!  Unacceptable. 

Today's entry is short on the words and long on the pictures.  I present a pictoral tour of my first day working for-profit (wild, I know!)...

Yeah... that's right.  I topped the day off with a healthy dose of The Bachelor.  Don't judge.  Please!!

After these messages we'll be right back!

Posting to resume this weekend after a full week at the new job has been completed. I am beat!!

Photo Diary: Last Day of Work

In honor of my last day of work at Senior Services a "Glitter Day" was announced.  Needless to say, I was in hog heaven.  I busted out my best Betsey Johnson sparkly number and celebrated with co-workers.

Tomorrow pictures from my day number one on the new job.  If I had to use one adjective to describe my day it would be "exhausting"!

Holy Moly Cow!

Last night I was out jogging and decided to stop in a gift shop to pick up some cards for my co-workers (today's my last day at Senior Services.  what! what!).

What awaited me inside Stuhlbergs was something so wonderful that it was outside of my scope of goodness possible in the world.  (note: if you're not an Anne of Green Gables fan this post is completely irrelevant to your sad life.)

Without further ado I invite you to feast your eyes on the most incredible greeting card ever made...

I might have bought 3 copies.  If you want to buy your own (which I highly suggest you do) I hunted them down on etsy.

Scruff Thursday

For this week's Scruff Thursday I am overjoyed to be bringing you not one but TWO very different honorees.

Up first (and continuing the "YAY live music!" thing I seem to have going on) is a delightfully beard-ful bluegrass band out of Portland.  Last Friday I went with friends to see the Renegade Stringband play at the High Dive in Fremont and there was so much right with the entire experience...

1) Their music was absolutely fantastic.  When their set ended I was so upset I considered starting a spirited slow clap for more.
2) The majority of the band members were sporting some seriously luscious face-locks.
Yeah I said face-locks... as in locks of hair on your face... as in beards.
The non-bearded member, i.e. the female lead vocalist, made up for her lack of scruff with a seriously enviable set of pipes.  
3) One of the people I went with, Heather, is actually friends with a member of the band.   Um, hello easy access to post performance photo session...

Clearly Caitlin, Heather, and I had to get in on the action.

To my friends in Portland, yes you Caitlin, Elizabeth, and Jeff, the Renegade Stringband is playing at the Mt. Tabor Theatre on February 11th.  If you don't have anything going on that night... now you do!

As promised I have yet another Scruff Thursday feature this week.  When Food On My Dog found it's way onto my computer screen I could not resist paying it forward by sharing it on my little piece of the interwebs. 

The title, Food On My Dog, pretty much sums of the purpose of the Tumblr (which might be the most ridiculous or most genius thing I've ever seen.  I think I will err on the side of "most genius" but I do understand if my readers disagree)  If you need further description, however, I will quote the creator, "This is a blog where I post pictures of food on my dog."

The subject of the Tumblr is a Staffordshire Terrier and American Bulldog mix named Tiger.  And while all the photographs of her balancing edibles on her head are peculiarly enjoyable my favorites are probably the ones featuring a taco, a slice of pizza, and king crab legs.

Yeah... so pretty incredible.  But don't take my word for it... foodonmydog.tumblr.com

Hope you're having a great Thursday.  If you're not I recommended finding an animal, taking your lunch, and balancing said lunch on aforementioned animal!

My Kind of Town...

So the song referenced in the title is about Chicago but for the sake of this here blog post it's going to be about "Seattle". 

The past few days/weeks I've been so happy to live in a place like Seattle with such a vibrant and diverse music scene on top of everything else that it already has going for it (i.e. water everywhere you look, hills, hills, hills, and mountains for days).

Last night really sealed the deal when it comes to my love for Seattle, though.

A friend and I went to see the Alabama Shakes play a highly anticipated show at the Crocodile.  The entire time Brittany Howard, lead vocals, was performing I thought to myself "I am SO lucky to be here." 

It was a sold out crowd and an incredible performance.

I'm a little wiped today so words will be in short supply but here are a few pictures from the evening...

And finally a video that I took (from the front row... no big deal!!). I only recorded the first part of the song. Why?? Because I had to put my silly phone down and dance, duh!