Last nights shoot with Lauren was really fun. We got some really nice shots...I promise I'll actually post some soon.

My only problem is that lately I've noticed a huge drop in my cognitive control. My short term memory(what my Dr used to call my 5 second fritz) is shot, and forget concentration. We could've gotten a lot more shots, a lot more variety, and a lot quicker had my brain been on full function. I hope this isn't the start of another deterioration. This really would be one of the worst times imaginable. With my job situation, my photography, starting writing again...I can't let it drop now. Meh.

Today Lauren's coming to get me, and we're taking Mowgli to see Santa at PetSmart. Most of the proceeds go to local animal rescue, so we're taking him there rather than to the mall. We took Dancer once, but she was a pretty mellow dog and easy to hold if she got too excited. I have NO idea what to expect with Mowgli. Hah. After that I think we're going to try to go see Chris' grandparents...again. If that doesn't work, maybe a movie.

For now, however...my stinky butt needs a shower.

Comment! (0) | Recommend! | Categories: photography [t], my broken brain [t], mowgli [t]

Heheheheheheheh!
what an adventure!

Comment! (2) | Recommend! | Categories: mowgli [t], santa [t]

Chris and I have a year and a half yr old shiba inu named Mowgli. He's rather...um...hyper, like most puppies. Today he decided that instead of going potty, so I could come inside and get some work done, that he really needed to eat this big, ugly bug buzzing around his furry little head. He does this a lot...but this time he CAUGHT it! It took him about 3 second (I saw them tick away in his little puppy brain) to realize it tasted like shit and go nuts. He jumped around for a few minutes, then got as close as he could to the grass and started licking it. It's probably the most stupid thing I've ever seen him do! Hah!

That being said, I got my job at the zoo! I worked there over the summer teaching 8-9 yr olds in 3 week sessions of summer camp. We taugh about world cultures, folklore, and how people co-exist with the animals around them. The kids had a mixture of regular classroom learning, in class animals, and zoo activities. They also learned a lot about how we keep our animals happy and healthy. It was a really inspiring experience, and I was sad to leave when summer was over. One of my supervisors asked me a few weeks ago if I'd consider returning for school season teaching, meaning home-school classes and field trips. It'll be different since I'll have a different class every 45 minutes, but I can't wait to get started! This is as close as I'll ever get to teaching without a degree, and I can't imagine a better environment in which to do it. It also means a slight paycut, but I'm quitting my less-paying retail job at Uber-expensive Underwear Co.. I'm not an annoying salesperson...especially for no commission. hah. I'll stay on at the portrait studio and work a day or 2 a week at the zoo. :) Excited!

So that's about it I think... My spirits have greatly improved since this morning.

Comment! (4) | Recommend! | Categories: mowgli [t], zoo [t]

So Chris and I set out to find a few things...among them was film, a football, and a particular mask I'd seen at the mall on my lunch break and never bought. Today I decided I NEEDED it for tomorrows shoot. Figuring Target was my best bet when it comes to halloween decorations and paraphanalia, we headed there in lieu of Walmart. We found many things. A glow-in-the-dark football (woohoo! night football! hehe this could be useful), the movies Nightwatch and UHF, somewhat cheap film (although no one sells real b&w anymore and not that c-41 shyte), and a really neat candleholder. I also saw a few more things I want to get to decorate with once my paychecks go through. They did not, however, have my mask. :( I was somewhat bummed, and chastized myself for not getting it the other day as we checked out and headed to Wendy's. Fortunately, there's a PartyAmerica in the shopping centre next to Wendy's and they HAD my mask! AND it was $7 cheaper! Woooooot! We go from there to get food (which took WAY longer than it should've), and headed home for some good old Weird Al Entertainment.

Now here's where things go drastically awry. Are you paying attention? As I went to get the dog (who lives in the bathroom when were out/eating because he's a monster in cute clothing) I notice something slightly...not right. Then I turn on the light. Apparently the dog had an upset stomach while we were out (thankfully not when we were home and he was on less cleanable surfaces like our beige carpet), and theres a ginormous pile of dog poo on the floor, plopped there like he'd been working on it all day. He seemed really proud. Of course, no pile of poo is complete without a thick yellow moat. Definitely not what I needed to take on tonight. But, leaving it there held worse consequences, so in I went, first tackling the pile, then the pool. Then, just for good measure, I mopped the entire bathroom floor several times.

From there I realized the dog needed to also be washed, because no doubt hed galloped through the momument a few times. Now, Mowgli is the first dog I've ever had who not only dislikes water with an unmatched hatred, but is also apparently terrified of being wet. Add that to the facts that I forgot to take the cup back to the shower after our last bathtime adventure and that we no longer have a shower door like we did in the old apartment. I've learned by now not to bother keeping clothes on or imagining I won't also be taking a shower, so I prepped (which gives him the signal that it's time to panic) turned on the water, tackled him, and launched him into the shower. Luckily, he's only 25 lbs. The only way to keep him in the shower was to underbelly/headlock him like a crocodile, but since I had no cup (remember stuipid move #5 from earlier?) I had to turn the shower on full spray, do all the handiwork with my left hand (I'm in no way ambidexterous btw), and use my head to make a waterfall I could somewhat direct where I wanted water to be. Luckily, I was quick..like a bunny. When it was all over I had to sit with him for a few minutes wrapped in the towel like a baby so a) he couldn't leap from the tub and hurt himself, b) he wouldnt tear me to pieces, and c) he wouldn't be traumatized for life. Finally I got my "I love you" lick on the nose, and he looked up at me with those big pathetic puppy eyes in that sopping wet poppy head of his, and I was able to finish drying him and let him go.

Whew...so after ALL that I took a long long long relaxing shower with what was left I'm sure of the hot water. When's bedtime?

Oh, and in case you're wondering....we STILL forgot to buy toilet paper....

Comment! (6) | Recommend! | Categories: mowgli [t], halloween [t], shopping [t]

dehydration....
i woke up nauseated and kidneys hurting and still had a headache....
so chris and i went and bought a nice big bottle of water..
acme had smartwater on sale...mmm electrolytes...

finally got the gross tub of water int he bathroom dumped out.
im gonna try to get my hair cut after tara's shoot tomorrow.

i've been reading a bunch of tips on training for shibas.
i've decided it's unfair to mowgli not to put in more effort to make him a polite dog.
he has gotten a lot better since we moved, but there's so much more we could do for him.
there are a couple books im going to look into after payday.

speaking of which...master houdini got off his leash last night and dodged traffic on main street for a while before issac was able to tackle him. that was a fun adventure.
then earlier i was telling chris i want to use some of my tax return to get him neutered (the rest going to my dad to start paying him back for my camera) and the dog stops what hes doing and just stares at me...so i say "thats right...i said neutered", and he darts for the front door. i think he knows there's a price on his goods.

Comment! (1) | Recommend! | Categories: mowgli [t], dehydration [t]