Flower Dog Fan Club

Vampires, Compartments, and Fashion Shows

Why vampires, well, why not.  Since I was a freshman in high school-and probably earlier-I've had an obsession with vampires.  It didn't quite start with Anne Rice-but it certainly blossomed with her. I've read every single one of her vampire books-including the Witching Hour series-which intersects with her vampire chronicles (there were 2 different chronicles that eventually merged again).  Not bragging, more like, confessing.  Yes, the English Major studying Classic and Modern Literature was secretly filling up on vampire junk food.

I love movies, I love books, I love it all.  And I have no idea why.  But, I only love it if I can love the vampire, if that makes sense?  I don't like horror movies, like 30 days of night, where the vampires are not likeable. They're mean.  And terribly ugly.  Blade I can totally get on board with b/c the main character gets the best of both worlds-vampire powers, but a good guy.  awwww.  

And, in the last handful of years, I've been reading Kim Harrison's books about Rachel Morgan-a witch who happens to live with vampires.  Bill turned me onto them (thanks!) and while the writing is straight up atrocious, she tells an awesome story.  Reconcile that, I dare you.  I love her characters. I love the mythical fantasy world she's created in the middle of "real life."  And, while her vampire "rules" sometimes irritate me (not too many likeable vampires) they're also quite intriguing.  And, again, the writing, not good-but I get sucked in immediately (no terrible pun intended, I promise).  I can't put them down.  

This last week I have finally discovered Stephenie Meyers.  It took a long while for me to get over my snobbery to pick them up, they're Teen Dramas.  But, since Wednesday I've already read the first 2 books.  I've completely gorged myself on these books.  Again, her writing is not terribly strong-not an insult-she's just pretty new at this-and the books are not targeted at my demographic-but her setting, story, and characters keep me totally and completely entranced.  I couldn't put them down.  Now, I'm totally antsy until I can buy the 3rd book.  The 4th and final to this series comes out this August-and I'm like, oh no! What will I do?  But, then I read that she's writing or written a 5th book that is the first book from the vampire's perspective.  And, yes, while I would normally groan, loudly, at this (it's up to the reader to fill those questions/voids)-I'm so stoked.  I want to get the other side.  I don't like not knowing!

This is an odd reaction.  I love to read.  I'm always reading. But, there are few books that make me totally ravenous-and just recently I've finally recognized that it's the vampire genre.  Oh, and Harry Potter.  So, I guess, fantasy.  I'm a total book snob-I will not generally read "Page turners."   But, these books should be snubbed, I mean honestly.  But, I can't get enough.  And, I recently discovered, in my obsession, I'm not alone!  These Twilight books are huge!  And there is a movie coming out=that has the most downloaded trailer of all time.  I was clueless-had no idea.  But now-I've downloaded the damn trailer!  It's a problem.  I need help...

Compartments:  Referring to Compartment Syndrome-ie, I have a huge nasty bruise thing on my leg that's raised and has caused my entire leg to swell and I had to take steroids and keep my leg elevated for the weekend (not that I complained-it gave me an excuse to read constantly :))...and, if I didn't take care of it I could've had permanent nerve and tissue damage.  Good times.  Caused by a bruise I got over 2 weeks ago...apparently my body decided, nah, let's take it to the next level.  

Fashion Shows: Went to Rilo Kiley with Charlie last night - excellent show. just excellent.  Her voice is amazing and they are just wonderful live. Much much better than expected. Thoroughly worth standing on my painful swollen leg for a bit! (I sat during the pre-show).  Oh, and the opening act, Thao and the Get Down, Stay Downs-awesome.   The Fashion Shows refer to the girls at this thing.  I've never seen so many girls trying to show themselves out.  I've certainly seen people try to out-non-conform other people (My chunky short bangs and black hair is far more awesome than yours), but there were all these dresses and high heals.  high heals, at a concert where you stand a lot-really?  It started to feel like they were wearing a uniform:  Shapeless and unflattering strapless dress? Check.  Vinyl Belt of another tacky color to give a waist to the dress? Check.  Patent Leather High heals in red or black? Check.  Victoria Beckham bob of some sort (bangs, no bangs, etc)?  Check.  Clutch or hobo purse? Check.  

It was all very bizarre.  There was almost a 50/50 split of jeans to dresses.  Not that this is a bad thing-dresses and skirts are cute.  But, it was like-look at me! look at me!  There was one group of girls who were very much looking around to see who was looking at them.  Which, obviously I was b/c I observed this.  I can't help but people watch and judge.  It's what I do.  My charm, if you will.  

Okay-this is ridiculously long.  Peace. Out.  

 

Flower's Tough Week 1/2

Poor Flower Dog has had a rough transition to Texas life!  Dog fights. Muscle Strains. Pain Pills. And rat shot.

Dog Fights:

Anyone who has met Flower, knows she's a bit spunky and believes, well, the earth, is her territory. Naturally being a new resident to this neighborhood meant nothing to her-it was all hers!  

Knowing this about her, I keep her on a leash at all times when we are out of the apartment.  Including late last week when we went out for a potty break on our way out on a Sprinkles run.  A dog off a leash and collar walks up slowly to her--usually not a good sign-because it can be aggression.  I'm happier when a happy go lucky dog just ambles towards her.  But, I tried to stay calm so she would try to stay calm.  But, then the dog pushed close to her and they sniffed, but then Flower snapped.  And the dog returned in kind as I yanked her back towards me.  Then the fight was on.  I stopped pulling her since she was getting her butt kicked, so I let her go and let them go at it. And, frankly, I didn't want to get bit by accident.  I knew the dog belonged to someone because I had seen them out on walks before.  So, I called out to the owner-hoping he was somewhere near.  Luckily he was and grabbed his dog. Charlie's brother Ricky was here and he was nearby and came over and helped me get Flower away.  She had pulled out of her collar-so we had to fight to get her calm and get the collar back on her so we could drag her away.  The guy basically picked up his dog and left.  I'm so annoyed because Flower was hurt and I had no way to find him and make sure his dog was up on its shots, etc.  And to have a leash lesson conversation.  One I'm sure he would not appreciate.  But, I didn't exactly appreciate the torn ear nad split eyelid I had to deal with either-so I'm sure he'll survive. 

Luckily, after the ER Vet saw her wounds, he found them to be superficial and put her on antibiotics as a precaution especially with her eye lid being split, he was worried about infection moving to her eyeball. gross. 

Muscle Strains. Pain Pills. And rat shot:

That really should have been enough for the poor puppy, but OH NO, that couldn't be it.  Wednesday night as she was jumping into bed, she yelped (which is really more of a horrendous screech out of her).  We originally thought she had caught her dew claw since she's prone to doing that.  Thursday, she kept crying when she'd try to move her legs, or jump or anything-and would them have tremors for many moments afterwards. By the end of the day-she'd lay down in one spot and just stay there.  That is soooo not Flower dog.  I took her to the vet this morning b/c I was worried that it might be her hip or something.  The good news is, they think she just strained a muscle so she's on pain pills.  She's going to be a bit woozy for the next week (she was sedated this morning so they could do xrays, and she was still so sleep on the way home-she started falling asleep sitting up).   The scary news is, the vet found shot pellets, rat shot (basically really tiny buck shot) all through her-so she's been shot.  I was horrified! He thought they were probably old since he couldn't find entry wounds-and SURELY I would've noticed if something like that happened.  I brought in some old X-Rays from 04, which was soon after I got her from the SPCA-and he saw them on those as well.  So, it was probably in her very rough puppy-hood before I rescued her.  So, I now have a teen mother, jailbird who has been shot-she's a regular lifetime movie!  She has some serious street cred.  Maybe I'll tell that to the jerkoff who doesn't believe in a leash.  His raggedy dog has no idea who its messing with!  

Hopefully this is not one of those "happens in 3s" kind of week for our poor Flower dog.  This better be it for at least a little while!  It's been exhausting and expensive!

Moving Status and why searching for jobs sucks

I figured it was probably about time to add some sort of status about the big move to Dallas, TX. Here are some key status points:
1) Charlie is in Las Colinas living it up in the Corporate Housing at Mandalay on the Lake. I think it's really more of a large pond than a lake, but who am I to judge their mediocre-sized body of water? He's started his new job as Lease Maturity Center Supervisor. Good times.
2) I, Molly, am continuing to live in sloth in Redondo Beach on Pacific Coast Hwy. I am a natural born slob and without Charlie to somewhat balance me out-I went right back to my slovenly roots. I am continuing in my current job at Honda as a Training Specialist through May 9th. The month countdown has officially started, even if 2 days early. I'm sad to leave my current position, but at the same time, it's nice to know I'm getting out as well. I get to escape the psychosis that plagues my customers in our field offices. I'm sure they think I suffer from the same psychosis when I assign them training and what not. It's a vicious cycle of disgust for each other. It'll probably be healthier to get away from that hot mess.
3) I'm currently looking for a new job. I've been assigned this job transition service as part of Charlie's relocation. I'm swiftly realizing it's a sham and they do very little for you except give you a website to look at and many superfluous classes to attend. That way I feel "productive" in my job search. They're all about "feelings." "Don't say you're unemployed, say you're in a job transition." Really, if it gets to the point that I'm in a job transition, I'm saying I'm unemployed. Let's be honest some of the time. Putting a fluffy name on not gettin' paid, does not make the not gettin' paid part any less painful.
4) Charlie's car had to be returned to Honda in California b/c it's special. So, he had to order a new car in Texas. Honda Civics were going to readily available, so a Honda Civic he ordered! He'll have a brand spankin new Civic any day now.
5) My CRV is probably going to be purchased for long term ownership. It's only a year old, so not too bad. I'm on the lookout for a Pilot though. I'd like a bigger car for the long run, and I generally like the Pilot better.
6) Apartment Hunting begins for me, continues for Charlie. Charlie, super preparer :) has been out hunting all ready. When I go back to Texas this coming weekend, we'll check out what he selected for us so far, and then go see a few more places. Oh to have 2 bedrooms and a large bathroom or 2. It's going to be splendid.

That's about it. On Point #2, while I am slovenly, I am still loving my apartment for my last month in it. It's a cute space and it's by the ocean and a park. It's a bit empty with Charlie in Texas...and I swear the temperature in the apt drops 10 degrees when Charlie's not here. Or, perhaps it's me who drops 10 degrees. But, it's still home for now. My heart is in two places - California & Texas . I'm already starting to miss people I'm still seeing everyday or at least every so many days. But, I'm so anxious to get to Texas and Charlie, I'm ready to jump out of my skin some days.

Oh, and for why searching for jobs sucks--check out point #3. I was honestly indifferent to the process until the company got all crazy and overpromise-y on me. Oh well, it shall all work out in the end.

PS: I was really late to fun of Home Movies--apparently it's been off the air since 2004. WHOOPS! And, the main voice, Brendan Small, who is also the guy who does a voice on and the music for Metalocalypse (whatever it's called) is from my home town of Springfield IL. A little bit of trivia for you.

I'm leaving Los Angeles

After five years in the city of Angels for Charlie, and three years for Molly, we are calling it quits. (Quits on the city, not on each other) We are moving back to Dallas. Charlie's first day in Dallas will be March 17. (Yes it's our one year wedding anniversary, and yes it's St. Patrick's Day) Molly will be joining him sometime shortly after.

More details to follow, but for those in Dallas we are looking forward to dinner at Alfredo's with you soon. For those of you in LA, we will miss you dearly...