Charles Phoenix's Rose Parade Appearance!

Charles Phoenix is going to be on KTLA tomorrow morning...at 6:10.

If I'm not too hung over and my satellite is operating, I'll be watching.

It's New Year's Eve!

And somewhere it's already 2005.

It's kind of fun to be one of the last time zones in the world.

But what exactly DOES auld lang syne mean?

It's Rose Parade Time!

It's that magical time of year here in Pasadena...when all the yokels in their RVs clog up the streets and leave their trash. Oh yeah, and there's a parade, too.

This is the first year we'll actually be in town for all the festivities - those of us who work here have always been able to escape on the 30th and not return until it's all over. I'm interested to see what it's like - and we'll put our geography skills to good use getting around the melee. Fortunately we're far enough from Colorado that people won't be sitting on our lawn...but they may be parking on our street.

In case you're wondering, Michigan and Texas are playing in the game.

I had no idea until just this minute.

Diary of a Fiddler

Welcome to the blogosphere, Morgan!

Sidetracked Again

I really came into work this morning to tidy...and I've had to do 12 other things unrelated to my tidying activity. Now it's noon and I am ass out of here.

And the rain makes me cranky and unable to carry on.

Stupid California winter.

Vacation Time!

It's Christmas vacation all over the place...so I get to sit at home and watch my brand new television! And check messages once a day. What a life. I may do more laundry in this week than in the entire last month.

Gene is in rare form today. Check it out.

Ki's Graduation Photo

This is our class.

If the dogs weren't messed up, the owners were.

Peace on Earth

GIVE ME PRESENTS!

Many thanks to Animal, one of best Muppets ever.

I need muppet fur.

You're Kidding!

Kali
Originally uploaded by kavandje.

Another Ki???

It's an amazing thing, the Flickr.

Prime Rib for All!

So, the company Christmas party is tonight at the Tam O'Shanter Inn. Fortunately, my date, aka my husband, is available.

Prime Rib for all!

Ki's Twin?

thank you Grandma & Grandpa
Originally uploaded by coastiewife5.

I'll let you be the judge.

Today's Dog Picture

I'd give him a donation.

My Christmas Wish

I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas - but no one ever gets me one.

Crystal Cathedral

The orchestra conductor at the Crystal Cathedral shot himself in his office last night.

He'd been there for 30 years - do you suddenly decide that today's a good day to shoot your head off in the church?

I guess even those in the ministry get tired of living.

Bleh

Dog mouths are not clean.

Need more evidence?

Here's the Straight Dope on it.

Boo!

That's it. I'm totally dressing Ki just like this next Halloween.

Candy, here I come!

For Gene

A litter of Bull Terriers.

Just like he always wanted.

People are Weird

I know people do this to their dogs - but how embarassing. That dog in the party hat looks totally mortified.

I'm not beyond that for a funny picture, but I so wouldn't pay money for it.

Tiki Stocking!!

So Cool.

The Cooky Book

Why has no one bought me this? The only cooky book one could ever wish for?

Why has everyone forsaken me? How am I supposed to make cookie candies?

More Dog Thoughts

We talk a lot to our trainer outside of class, since we have a personal relationship with her. So, she tells us all sorts of stuff about other peoples' dogs. Most of it is pretty sad...like the Rottweiler who is not yet two years old but has obvious hip problems. The trainer has had to bug the owners to take the dog to a specialist, and says that they're not into their dog to begin with. Then there's the old couple with a cairn terrier that is just a bundle of life and is so excited about everything - and the worst match for that old couple who can't control him at all. And the woman who just won't listen to anything the trainer says but has a beautiful white shepherd who is absolutely fantastic. But the woman is a total dolt who didn't work on anything outside of class. Fortunately, her dog is really well-behaved to begin with. And if that's not enough, there was a nice Hispanic couple who lives with their extended family who thinks it's cool to have an aggressive dog - so their dog, who is dog aroused like Ki, is not only excited by other dogs but is also aggressive. The trainer says he's a scary dog, and that's saying something.

It's a miracle we made it through class - the trainer said it was one of her toughest and she was so gratified to see all the dogs do as well as they did. It was not the situation we initially wanted, for sure, but it was definitely a worst-case scenario for Ki and she made it through with flying colors.

So what's next?

Off-leash and agility, of course.

My Dog - Superstar!

Okay, maybe Ki isn't really a superstar. But she did graduate from intermediate obedience class last night and got a star for perfect attendance.

It's not, however, one of those things you can brag about with just anyone. Only true 'dog people' get it, and those who have known Ki since she was a wee pup can especially appreciate how far she's come. To the average person, making it through an obedience class isn't a big deal - but to us it's a be-all end-all moment. I never imagined she could be off-leash in a room with other dogs successfully... but she was off-leash on a mat last night with five other dogs and 10 people in the middle of the room and never moved. The simple fact that she can BE in a room with that many dogs and not go off is amazing, and the fact that she actually learned something during that time is just an added bonus. And she was one of the best-behaved dogs in the class

Everyone "oh, how cute"-ed her play dead trick. If only she were that cute all the time. Unfortunately she isn't - she's a bit of a brat. And we've had to learn to be tough with her, which isn't fun. She can't be on the furniture and we're teaching her to stay behind a baby gate, as someday she'll have to sleep in the kitchen. Some days I really feel mean, especially when she's tired and all she wants to do is curl up on the couch and go to sleep with me. Fortunately, she's pretty forgiving and kind of accepts her fate and moves on to the next thing - yesterday, that was stealing the peanut butter jar off the counter and licking it clean. And she still was hungry. But she's come a long way since August, and for that we are truly happy, and slightly poorer. Our trainers have been fabulous and we're so glad we picked them out of every trainer in Los Angeles we could have gone to.

Tom Jones

I went with my girlfriend Susan to see the electrifying Tom Jones last night.

It's almost wrong to find him sexy since he's old enough to be my dad. But he is.

I also was the demographic skew - everyone else was middle aged and there with their mothers. There were a lot of 50-year-old boobs busting out all over the place. It was pretty creepy.

But he is a fantastic showman, that Tom Jones.

Where did Helen Kumari go?

Just curious - she's not at KNBC anymore.

The Cubes!

The Cubes are a must for anyone stuck in a cube farm all day.

Offered by Archie McPhee.

Ennui

N is for Neville, who died of ennui...

Full of ennui today. Nothing keeps my attention lately, and being tied to a desk all day doesn't help. It's probably the wrong time of the year to feel this way, I know, but nontheless here I am. What would I rather be doing?

Good question.

I like my iPod, though.

Photos Galore!

It's a photo-filled day here at the Delinquent Dog. So many things to see.

Elizagerth

Elizagerth
Originally uploaded by Ween.

Welcome home, Elizagerth.

Ki and I are very happy on her.

Ki's new friend

Ki Bunny
Originally uploaded by Ween.

This is her new friend squeaky bunny. He is squeak-a-rific.

And the picture is just way too cute, especially since I didn't pose it.

Fudgie!

Fudgie
Originally uploaded by Ween.

He was so tasty. Fortunately, this one made it home.

My New Couch

This is Elizabeth, our new sofa. Not in that plaid, though.

It arrives tomorrow morning, where it will promptly be covered to protect it from delinquent dog bones. And mud. And slobber. And Morgan.

Perhaps I'll have a new couch party. And only invite those I like...that should be about 5 people.

A New Link!

Gene's new webcomic.

snow

snow
Originally uploaded by Ween.

It might as well be doing this down here in the valley for as cold as it is.

I'm sitting in my office wrapped in a fleece blanket, although the thermostat says it's 68,

It lies.

My Birthday Present

This was my birthday present this year - and yes, it came loaded with the entire catalog.

Not that I need 15 versions of Discotheque.

Morgan could quite possibly be the best present giver ever.

Although my moon moose shirt is a close second.

Fnort!

Another Year Older...

And closer to having to cover the gray. I'm too young for that.

Birthday time is fun fun fun. And far enough away from Christmas that I still get all the presents for both. Which is important for the high holy days of the Greater Angelean calendar - Weenmas (11/29) and Genemas (11/30).

We have been appeased for the coming year.

Fudgie the Whale will soon make his appearance.