Howling Husky and Caption This

Nik and I fell in love with this husky at the animal shelter. Don't tell Dano. He didn't have a name, but he had a pretty smile and kept howling "Hellooooooo" at us. We were so tempted to rescue him and send him to our oldest sister who just lost her husky-wolf. This sad shot behind the bars does him no justice -- this guy is soo pretty.

Caption this...
A. Coloradoan exchange student with his Bay Area hosts
B. Asian tourists pose with American celebrity
C. A typical group of Stanford students on some type of lame retreat

D. This are some of the "DreamLot crew" celebrating Jordy's birthday at Golden Gate Park. For real, the picnic was a blast. Jordy brought back the old school games such as kickball, hula hoops, wiffle ball, dodgeball, a water balloon toss and molly pitcher (a mini bucket brigade).

Fun Stuff

because I'm way too busy right now


Greedy
You're prolly hungry right now.

Which Smurf Are You?
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Thug Bear


Which Dysfunctional Care Bear Are You?
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Oh, you're Ocky! You're everyone's favorite! Of
course, maybe that's why you're the mascot!
You're loyal and sweet and plain adorable!
Truly, everyone can not help but to wish they
had a stuffed animal of you.


Which Snork Are You?
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You are Sweetums.
A hard exterior covers up the soft sweet center of
your soul. And you love to eat humans.

SPECIAL TALENTS:
Really big dance steps.
FAVORITE MOVIE:
"Big"

QUOTE:
"Wait for me!"

LAST BOOK READ:
"Taming Your Outer Beast"

NEVER LEAVES HOME WITHOUT:
Robin the Frog


What Muppet are you?
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Hamburglar


Which McDonalds Character are you?
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You are Boo Berry!! Still popular to this day in
the cereal world... congrats!


What Creepy Cereal Monster Are You?
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Movin' On Up

yup, that's a promotion!

Reading Rainbow

(don't tell me that theme song from the show is not running thru your head right now)

Some interesting books I recently finished:

Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto
by Chuck Klosterman
I inhaled this light one quickly while on an airplane and sitting by a pool on vacation. This magazine writer uses his cleverness and wit to analyze "Gen-X" topics in a half-serious tone. Each chapter is a memoir; he tackles the important issues, such as The Real World and Saved by the Bell, The Sims computer game and his experience as a member of a Guns n Roses impersonating band. One of my favorite stories is about how he was fired from his volunteer position as a Little League coach, because he took his team too seriously and acted too competitively. Another fun analysis is his comparison of the Laker/Celtic rivalry in the 80's to U.S. bi-partisan politics -- namely that based on team image conveyed, management style, and court strategy, the Lakers represented a liberal/Democrat school and the Celtics were the conservatives and Republicans. If you were born in the 70's or early 80's, you'll appreciate this book.

How to Speak Dog: Mastering the Art of Dog-Human Communication
by Stanley Coren
This is a non-fiction book and is not read as quickly. It is a language manual for how to interpret a dog's verbal and nonverbal communication, including body stance, positioning of specific body parts such as tails and ears, sounds and actions. Includes case studies of how dog owners misinterpret communication, such as acts of dominance mistaken for affection, and acts of submission mistaken for rebellion.

Amazing Gracie
by Dan Dye and Mark Beckloff
Very cute story and also a quick, light read. Nonfictional account of a guy and his best friend in Kansas City. The guy's job lacks passion. Both are waiting for their "idea" that will make them rich. The main guy, Dan, still mourning the recent death of his dog, Blue. His best friend and roommate has a lab mix and dalmation. Dan's friend and coworker buys a great dane puppy and tells Dan that there's a runt in the same litter who is about to be put to sleep because she is a deaf, half blind albino great dane. Dan goes and rescues her and falls in love with her. Faces a bunch of challenges because of her disabilities. Also realizes she doesn't eat. Tries every kind of dog food possible. Vet suggests maybe he cook for Gracie. Dan doesn't know how to cook. Eventually gets it right. All the dogs love the homemade food. Forms a small company that sells this fresh dog food and treats. Struggles at first. Now it's a chain and Dan no longer has to work at his old job. Gracie gets old and dies.

New York Diaries: Too-True Tales of Urban Trauma
by Daniel Drennan
Another memoir written half-seriously and cleverly, by a guy who loves and hates living in NYC. Includes quirky accounts of a neighborhood always seen taking trash in but never out, a subway token booth nazi, a secret society of conceited dog owners on the upper west side, his cult-like job at the famous Strand book store. Hits the spot to those living in the city as broke recent college grads. Sometimes, however, his quirky attitude comes off as cynical and lacking confidence -- reminiscent of a David Sedaris novel.

best vacation ever

You are fun, freewheeling and fast-paced. You don't
only spot the latest trends; you set them. A
free spirit, you're not afraid to wander out to
Coney Island with your friends for a bit of
surrealistic fun.


Which New York City subway line are you?
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***

Just spent some days in Jersey for my college roommate's wedding, followed by a few more nights in NYC to catch up with some college buddies. Had the best time ever. Realized how different my life has become ever since moving back to the Bay.

Here was my trip in a nutshell (look i'm in a nutshell!)

The wedding was beautiful. There were a ton of people, but it managed to stay intimate and fun. Highlights were traditional Indian dancing at the Raas-Garba (I was sad that I didn't own a sari), a ceremony covering Christian, Hindu and Zorastrian faiths, Indian buffet meals all weekend, good 90's hip-hop at the reception, open bar and the dessert...The dessert was two rooms (!) filled with tables and tables of sweet, exquisite Goodness: 2 flowing chocolate fondue fountains and fruits for dipping, a long-ass table with a bunch of rich round fancy cakes, a display of Indian desserts like Gulab Jamun (always get one or three but not 2 --some of you get it), tables with those fancy mini tarts and cannolis, a bananas foster station with ice cream and a coffee flambe station where you pick your liqueur (kahlua) and the server pours a little in a champagne glass and runs it over a flame, then coats the glass with melting sugar, then pours in the coffee and adds whipped cream. Instant happiness!

Dilley and I had a Harold and Kumar moment, getting lost around Jersey late at night searching for a Friendly's. Ironically, I think we might have passed a White Castle or two.

Didn't do much touristy stuff, except for the obligatory ESPN Zone meal with Michael Wilbon. I found my way out of Jersey between wedding events. BTW, Jersey is one of the most counter-intuitive (this is how my sister describes my dad when she has a load to say but wants to sound tasteful). The lady at the hotel front desk gave me a ride to a bus stop, where I rode happily into Port Authority. Spent the day with my college buddy Tim, talking about our favorite thing, Fantasy Football, and walking down to Chinatown -- where inflation had the price of a fake Rolex up to $45!

Came back into the city and stayed with my friend Kelsey, who is twice as overcommitted and busy as I am (imagine that)! Had a few chuckles from his Mandy Moore action figure and Darrin's Dance Grooves tape. Note to self: Unless you have the rest of the afternoon and evening to kill, don't take a bus all the way from the upper-east side to the village!

Ooh guess what we found at the NYU bookstore:

A bunch of people didn't get the humor, but I guess when you compete for a DIII school like this one, the thought of NYU football is the funniest thing in the world. Imagine the "NYU Violets" in their lavender and purple spandex....

Speaking of people who get the humor, did you know that there's a W.W.J.D. (What-Would-Jesus-Do?) Thong? Only to be worn with the "I gave my word, I'll stop at Third" t-shirt.

Also got to see my friend John at his new job on the upper west. Did much drinking, then more drinking. Demonstrated (again) how bad I am at pool, then we proceeded to bar hop down near campus. Are my cheeks hot? Ah, good (herbalicious) times. And always a nice ride home.

Dunkin' Donuts rocks. And I finally got to hit a Ruby Tuesday after getting teased by the commercials (Sonic also, but I found one an hour away) on TNT and TBS.

Anyway, I get so busy and caught up in my suburban life here, with my start-up office job, a thousand places to be, etc. but I miss my college friends often and it was so great to get to spend time with them. Ok, now off to start me weekend - a thousand more things to do and places to be....

I (heart) the Internet

Interesting things I recently came across:

Sumo Waterskiing Suit - Clumsy fun

Tetris Bookshelves - is the one incorrectly-placed L-shaped piece bothersome to anyone else?

Cats in Sinks - cats in sinks...

Doggles - UV eye protection for your dog

Octodog - If I thought hot dogs were edible, I'd so get one of these

Banana Guard - Keep those bananas safe!

Ghetto Prom - wow...I have no words

The best one: go to Google and type in "failure" and hot "I'm Feeling Lucky"

Football Weekend

BOO!
Sat thru 2 painful high school football games, in ghetto bleachers surrounded by disgruntled yet supportive parents. JV game led by inexperienced coaches, penalty markers on every play. Not one or two, but three illegal motion flags in a row. Came out of the locker room well after halftime was over. Varsity didn't provide much more relief. Still have not seen Ed's team win. The talented kids can't seem to stay out of trouble and don't get to play. The cheerleaders were the type to start "defense" cheers on the sidelines as their own team had posession. It was freezing and my ass hurt. The chili nachos and hot cocoa rocked.

YAY!
Got up early the next morning for my high school's alumni XC race. Alums vs. current team. Current team's families bring the BBQ. My ankle is still bad, so I did not race. Instead, I chilled with the alums who wore flip-flops with the blatant "go ahead, i dare you to ask me if I'm running" smirks followed by the obligatory references to massive weight gain since x-country days, denial that we looked "that small and that geeky" when we were on the team, and trippin out when kids who graduated in '05 introduce themselves as alumni. Got to hang with old teammates and friends, including this fun guy I've known since 2nd grade. The carne asada and picnic tables filled with fruit salads and cookies were excellent. Seeing Coach Wilder is always refreshing. We did the infamous IMUA cheer, although none of us remembered what it meant, other than "something very inspirational and important" and he started the race with the traditional "On your mark...Enjoy!"

YAY!
Raced off to my company picnic, but it was so late that everyone was gone. There were a few hours to enjoy the water slides, but it was too windy. Water slides are one of my favorite things (along with karaoke, board games, basketball and air hockey) so I was happy to get in one trip before the season ends.

BOO!
I think my Fantasy Football team is so great, but in the 3rd qtr of the MNF game, I am down by about 100 points and will lose, barring a miracle. My big stars underperformed in Week 1. I thought I had a good chance against this opponent, a guy who drafted Lamont Jordan in the first round and started both of Buffalo's CBs on the same day -- two moves for which he should be clowned.

YAY!
The 49ers looked sweet yesterday! No one game them a chance in hell against St. Louis. They had far from a perfect game and will have a very challenging season, but things are not looking as dismal as I had imagined. The vet Bryant Young sacked Bulger three times! Team defense looked hot. Julian Peterson is back and healthy and Derek Smith made some great plays too. Special teams got a return for a TD. Most importantly, the presence of the new coaches brought forth something I have not seen in the organization in a long time -- creativity! Gambling on an onside kick after the special team TD, when defense was worn out, lining the QB Rattay up on a slot, using WR Battle as a QB, all definitely exciting to see. It might be a while before the organization becomes as strong as before, but yesterday's game brought a little bit of hope I had not seen in years. Go niners!

YAY!
I've always hated TO (Terrell Owens) and always wished he would shut up and let his natural talent speak for itself. He finally did something endearing. He is donating his NFC Championship ring to hurricane relief.

The Best Names in the NFL

In honor of NFL kickoff weekend. The NFL players with the best names aren't necessarily the ones who have 30-syllable long Samoan-ish names. I just like saying their names. Chris Berman ("Marshall, Marshall, Marshall!") probably does too.

1. Quentin Jammer

2. Marques Tuiasosopo

3. Justin Smiley

4. Samari Rolle

5. Dave Zastudil

6. Chike Okeafor

7. Marcellus Wiley

8. Takeo Spikes

9. Jim Kleinsasser

10. Larry Izzo

11. Tai Streets

12. Cody Pickett

13. Alge Crumpler

14. Julius Peppers

15. (tie) Boo Williams, Tank Williams, Cadillac Williams

16. Todd Sauerbrun

17. Jeremy Shockey

18. Dre Bly

19. Tiki Barber

20. Woody Danzler

New Dog-Stalking and FFB

I've found a new dog to stalk. Meet Melody. And meet more Melody. Just rescued from the Hayward Shelter. I keep thinking that since my lease is ending soon, I can move to a pet-friendly place and adopt a dog and just make things work (mostly time issues, since I'm always busy). Then I wake up and realize that it might be a while.

***

Went to the Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire concert over the long weekend. 2 of my favorite bands, sans Maurice White (Maurice Green, Maurice Cheeks, Maurice Clarett as Ed calls him) and Peter Cetera. The highlight was not only watching them jam together, but Philip Bailey stepping in on the lead vocals of "If You Leave Me Now."

***

I've been playing FFB (Fantasy Football) for many years now, but it wasn't until last Saturday that I took part in my first live draft. For the first time, I am completely satisfied with my team and am not "stuck" with any player I do not want. I will miss having LT as my main guy (lucky to have him as my first rounder for the last 2 years), but some amazing streak of luck allowed me to get Shaun Alexander as the 5th overall pick, followed by Donovan McNabb in the second round. My league drafts individual defensive players, and I was hoping to get Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Rodney Harrison, Corey Simon and/or Julius Peppers but ended up with Derrick Brooks, Julian Peterson, Terrell Suggs, Troy Polamalu, KGB and Roy Williams (DAL). Still not bad. I drafted my risky sleeper pick in the 12th round. It was Ricky Williams. A few people thought I was crazy, but I figure. I think once Ricky Williams comes back from suspension, he'll win his spot back and produce some good numbers. If not, no real loss for me. I have Shaun Alexander and Corey Dillon already.

Bitch and Rave 9/2

BOO! Talked to Anna yesterday, and she is heartbroken and devastated as you can imagine. Juneau probably died from some internal wounds from a coyote fight. They buried him with his toys in his favorite spot. They were able to give him a good life for many years, ever since he was a rescued pup.

YAY! I walked off a big lunch at the Humane Society today. I'll find any excuse...There was a beautiful med-sized sweet Rottie named Heidi. Loved the attention and responded to "shake" thru the fence. I petted her for a cool 10 min and could have done it all day. There was another affectionate and playful young Pitbull mix named Bue and an older Akita named Kona. On the way out I saw the board of pictures of successful adoptions and saw Flash (the apricot Chow I liked last time) with his new owner.

YAY! Finally some relief in the gulf coast area.

BOO! Kind of slow for the relief to get there, if you ask me. I'll jump on the bandwagon and blame the federal government. Along with the cuts to fund prevention of such emergencies, this goverment's priorities are obvious. Would it be different if the people in need weren't mostly lower-income people of color?...

YAY! It seems like a lot of citizens are eager to help (I've been doing a bit of web smurfing)

BOO! There are a lot of good-intentioned STUPID people, who are eager to drive down to NO from places like Oregon and Idaho to rescue people or animals. They do not realize how bad of an idea this is. Not only will they be adding to the traffic congestion surrounding inaccessible places and adding to the chaos in the area, they are (1) probably untrained to handle a situation like this and could cause more damage and (2) positioning themselves in areas where it is simply unsafe because of crime and violence. Step back, donate money, and let the National Guard, red cross and other officials and rescue orgs do their jobs. Don't make them worry about you also.

More Sad News...

R.I.P. Juneau Reyes-Potts.
My mom just called me and told me the news. This was my oldest sister's awesome and beautiful baby. We're both kind of teary right now.

Gulf Underwater...

How to help:
Network for Good - Can safely donate to a bunch of different charities here.
Noah's Wish - Rescues the animals in disasters.

***

On a lighter note...It's official that Dano was not kidnapped from the SPCA. Here's the lookalike from Animal Cops SF.