Monthly Archives: August 2011

August 23, 2011 · 9:12 pm

New book: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Last week, several friends and I decided to start a book club. I was ecstatic at this suggestion mainly because I had tried in vain to find a book club while I was in Madison, with no such luck. Joining one seemed like an ideal way to force myself to read more books; don’t get me wrong – reading is a favorite pastime, but sometimes it can be hard to find the time.

Our first foray into this Oprah-esque tradition: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. After hearing from several people that this series is a can’t miss, I am more than ready to begin.

And side note: One of the best television shows around right now–Parenthood–begins Tuesday, September 13. That’s only three short weeks away until my obsession with Lauren Graham can begin again!

Image via.

1 Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

August 21, 2011 · 7:52 pm

Baseball makes me feel indifferent

In an attempt to meet fellow Badgers living in the Chicago area I recently bought two tickets to a White Sox game through the Chicago chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association.

The game was this past Thursday and while I always enjoy checking out a new venue (it’s been years since I’ve been to U.S. Cellular Field), eating nachos and people watching (okay fine, people judging), I’ve come to the realization that baseball games only interest me for the first hour and a half. Once the seventh inning hits, I start to fade and by the time the top of the ninth rolls around, I am so ready to leave.

Although I didn’t walk away with any new friends and was slightly annoyed by the people sitting around me, I think it’s safe to say another White Sox game could be in my future. And side note: the staff at U.S. Cellular are far superior to those at Wrigley Field. Just saying.

5 Comments

Filed under Random

August 20, 2011 · 6:40 pm

In a nutshell…

…this is Frasier.

Frasier endured a traumatic experience this morning when he was given a bath. Once the ordeal was finally over and he rushed outside, what was the first thing he did? Pee on the trash can near the entrance.

For just $34.95, I may have to buy it.

Image via.

Doggie ESP

This morning I woke up close to an hour earlier than normal, and yet somehow, even before my alarm was set to go off, Frasier knew that it was time to wake up. Half the time I don’t even need to set an alarm because I know he’ll wake up just in time. Whether it’s because he knows it’s time to go for a walk or he’s just being courteous remains debatable, although I’m sure it’s the former.

Sometimes, though, it’s just plain spooky how he *knows* things before they even happen. He knows when it’s time to go for a walk, he knows when it’s time to go to bed and wake up and yes, he knows when it’s time to go to Dunkin Donuts.

I saw several stray dogs on my way to work today, plus one before I left that had fortunately only wandered out of his yard. If nothing else, at least Frasier knows how to follow me around wherever I go.

Forced photo shoots are the best.

If you really want to study canine social interaction, check out this book called On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas. And if you’re looking for a worthy dog cause, check out the MuttNation Foundation!

2 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

August 16, 2011 · 5:52 pm

Once a grape, always a grape*

I will be the first (well, maybe a close second) to admit that I have a tendency to whine; to be a little snotty. Sometimes it just comes so naturally I can’t even help it. Other times I actually think about it, and then it still just happens.