Just a few new shots of Henry unhappily wearing a rugby shirt I bought for him in the City this past weekend. Normally, he bolts for the door when he sees me heading towards it. He loves the backyard and wants to go out there. With his shirt on he wanted no part of being seen outside. I had to entice him to come out onto the lawn a few feet from the concrete patio. A clear display of that genetic 'pug attitude;' he does have some pride. Bless his heart, I made him do it anyway. I am thinking he is over it now.As I have often written before here, I often have fun with the customers I work with. I want people to be comfortable with me being in their homes so I want to relate with them on some conversational level. I feel good when I leave a job and know I made the people smile.
This morning a job appeared on my phone. It was not among the ones I had paperwork for; those originally assigned to me before I left the office. It was an internet out-of-service. It was a higher priority than the other morning work I had. I immediately headed in that direction.
The home was located along a heavily traveled local highway just outside a small town. The house was atop a small hill at the end of a long curving driveway. I noticed when I pulled into the drive that the morning paper was there by the highway entrance. I stopped my work van and got out and picked up the newspaper. I carried it with me to the front porch as I rang the bell.
A very nice woman answered the door. She knew I was there for the cable as she invited me in. I handed her the paper and she said, 'That was very kind of you.' I smiled and said,'ma'am, that's because I am NOT from around here.'
Not only did she smile, she laughed; almost to the point of tears. She finally said, 'Neither are we!' She obviously 'got it.' She said, 'Isn't it sad. It's almost like they are missing some 'social' gene.' Then I laughed. Needless to say, the ice was broken quickly and we had a nice talk as I went about my business. I shared many of my observations of the local people's culture. She knew I had a good 'read' of it. It was very nice to meet her. I had fun talking with her. I left with a smile on my face; I know I made her smile, too. One of those little rewards that fuel my love of my job.
Every day is a new adventure; and I like the cool people I sometimes have the good fortune to meet. wink
Hope all's well with everyone.
It's been 48 hours now since I brought the dog home. I worked again today but he's already walked another mile, at least I did, today. I walk the sidewalk, he zigs-and-zags through people's yards; does circles around me. Sometimes he does a small circle in front of me. It's almost like he just wants to be sure I'm still there with him as he bounds around and seems to have a lot of fun. I walk one mile; he probably runs five. He's been sleeping well. He's been good down here in the basement when I am at work, too. So far no destruction, knock-on-wood. wink
I just took a break before some more storms roll through to take him for another mile walk. So far everyone we meet thinks he's really cool and VERY cute. There's just something about the puppy-innocence of that flat and wrinkled face. It's supposed to be sunny here tomorrow. I plan on taking the first 'official' pictures of him in the sun; somewhere 'cool.'
Tomorrow I will take him over to meet my mom, too. I know she is going to love him. I know it will be good for her given the recent passing of her own fawn pug. She loved my little Op, too. She will take one look at his face and think of her. He looks just like her; one beautiful pug. I'm anxious to see her reaction.
Today I as I was driving around working I was thinking of his past life; which wasn't bad, but how I hope to make things better for him. I mentioned before that the couple I adopted him from had an older English Bulldog. I imagine there may have been some 'competition' for food. Here it's all for him! My neighborhood is more expansive; his walks I'm sure are longer. The front lawns are bigger; gives him a sense of 'running free,' a chance to just be a dog. These long walks I've been taking him on are designed to 'distract' him from the fact that he's not where 'home' used to be; teach him his new neighborhood; and let him know despite his long hours in the house without me, I guarantee time outside when he will be 'free.'
I think pug puppies have two things 'going on with them' as they mature. They are strong-willed, smart, and very curious. They have what I would call a 'curiosity quotient.' They want to see and know what's going on, ya know? They are also puppies like any other dog and have a lot of energy. They have a 'physical-activity' quotient, too. The long walks seem to satisfy both these needs. He really seems to love it; he's chomping on a rawhide treat now. I also thought about how he might be thinking he's gone to some 'pug resort.' There is always food in the bowl for him, fresh water...miles of 'open-space' to run, too. I'm glad he seems to be a pretty happy pup. He also might really be America's cutest dog. I am anxious to post some pictures of him.
As I have gotten to 'know' him these past two days I have mixed feelings about saying I am thinking of giving him a new name. Perhaps part of human psychology; renaming him might help me to feel like he's really 'mine.' One name is sticking in my mind. I 'floated' it past a couple of the neighbors who met him and asked. I'm still tossing the thought around. I might be 're-branding' Remmy.
He'll still be the same cool, adorable little dog.
He just might learn to be called something new.
Hope everyone's having a good weekend.
Take care, have fun.
'night
Early this past Spring I was driving through a neighborhood and spotted a guy playing with his black pug in the front yard. I promised Op when I said good-bye to her that every time I saw a pug I would stop to say hello as I knew there would be a 'piece' of her in each-and-every-one. I wrote about it in a previous blog posting. I included a couple pictures of the dog back in late March/early April. I had a nice time talking to the people about their dogs.
This past weekend was my once-a-month three day weekend. The price I pay for it is this coming weekend as I have to work Saturday; I'm off Sunday and then go back in Monday. I was off this past Monday. When I went in to work Tuesday morning there was note attached to my time-card. I was to call these people about their black pug, 'Remmington.'
I sensed something was a-miss with them; sensed they might need a good home for him. I left the office; stopped for my morning green tea and passed by their house on my way to my first morning job. I placed a work 'doortag' on their front door with my cell phone listed on the appropriate line. It was nine o'clock in the morning; I knew someone in the home worked shift work so I didn't want to wake them. They called me back about 11 AM.
Dan explained to me that there had been 'conflicts' between their older English Bulldog and the young pug. He and his girlfriend had talked about it and decided would be best if he went to a good home. They thought of me. I was flattered. He asked if I was interested in adopting the little guy; I said, 'Sign me up.'
I asked him for a couple days to 'pug-proof' my house. He laughed and said, 'Sure.' He knew exactly what I meant. They are smart and 'crafty' dogs. Somehow, I relate to them well. I told Dan during our initial conversation that I would call them back late Thursday morning to get back with them.
I did. When he answered I asked if they were sure they wanted to 'do this.'
He said they were. I said, 'Then I'm ready when you are.' Unfortunately, he thought I meant 'right now.' I had to tell him I was calling him while working. I told him I would be off at 5 PM. He said they would be there.
I had a nice visit with them. I told them stories from having Oprah; they had stories from having both the dogs, too. I promised them he would have a happy life with me. They reassured me that they knew I would provide him not only good care but a nice life, too. Their yard was small. I have a large fenced-in portion of my property. LOTS of room for a pug puppy to run. Op loved it. As Op got older I could trust her to go all the way out to the woods with no physical boundaries. The only time Op was ever tethered on a leash was on walks in the neighborhood; in case any other dogs might be walking, too.
They reassured me they knew they were doing the right thing for the dog.
They said their good-byes and I brought Remmy home.
He has now been here 24 hours. In that time he has walked over a mile-and-a-half. I felt bad that he was here all day by himself as I worked. I took him for a long walk in between the current storms. He loved it.
He really is the cutest, smartest, sweetest nine-month-or-so old pug pup. He walks so good on the leash; he has 16 feet of line that's retractable. He knows the click-of-the-button when I lock it; he stops and follows me. His favorite place to be seems to be my lap. He looks up at me with that wrinkled face and those big brown eyes and it's very hard to say, 'no.'
After tonight's mile-long walk in between the storms he got a big drink of water, ate some of his food and then tried desperately to secure his throne-of-comfort, my lap. I am sorry to say the back of his coat was wet from the drizzle/light rain that fell on him during our almost twenty minute walk. I looked into those eyes and said, 'I'm sorry, you're wet.'
So started a ten minute 'battle-of-wills;' I prevailed. I practice 'gentle persuasion' and it seems to work. Whew! He is smart enough he really seems to understand.
Bless his heart, he is now sleeping next to my chair as I type this.
He is drying off slowly in this stormy HUMID air.
Cool fresh breezes can't get here soon enough for me.
It has been good for me to have him here. I look at that face and smile.
He has been so well-behaved; I am very impressed.
I can't wait to take him to the island beach where he can run freely.
Have thoughts of getting him to Central Park, too. wink
I feared I would have to 'mold' him into being a cool dog.
It seems like the people I adopted him from already did.
He's been great. It's good to have him here.
Hope all's well with everyone.
Special wishes to VERY special people that are heading to the 'Old World' tonight for an awesome vacation. Have a safe trip and HAVE FUN!
'night
For those of us stranded at home; have a good weekend.
I really was a pretty lucky kid.
I was born into a migratory American family in Boise, Idaho. I was two weeks 'early;' a real easy delivery in the Emergency Room at the hospital as mom was rushed there from shopping in the city that day.
We lived in a small place some 60-or-so miles away from Boise called, 'Mountain Home.' To the best of my knowledge there is still an active Air Force Base there. It's wild for me to think that when we lived there my dad's job was flying B-52 bombers armed with nuclear weapons to protect us from the threat of communism.
We moved from Idaho to Seattle when I was just six-months old. My dad was attending the University of Washington for his MBA; at the same time he was on active duty with the Air Force. We lived in the Seattle area for two years; I'm sorry to say, I have no memory of this time. Mom always told me it was nice place to live; too bad the sun only came out in August.
We moved from Seattle the WHOLE WAY across the country to Cocoa Beach, Florida. My dad was an electrical engineer by his college degrees; by then an experienced pilot, too. His service was needed to fly 'electronically-equipped tracking flights' for the early Space Program. We lived just across A1A from the beach for five years; seven miles south of Cape Canaveral at the narrowest point of the barrier island. We saw 'Mercury,' 'Gemini,' and early launches of 'Apollo.'
As dad flew tracking flights, we knew when all the launches were scheduled from 'the Cape.' My earliest childhood memories are of the rocket launches we saw from our backyard or the nearby beach. During those early 'discovery' years before and into preschool I was learning words and terms like; 'gantry,' 'telemetry,' and 'down-range.'
No doubt, an example of the 'kismet' I describe in the entry below.
It's fun for me to watch 'I Dream of Jeanie' re-runs as our family lived there during that time. It 'takes-me-back' to childhood memories I am really lucky to have. It is this rich personal back-round that separates me culturally from the locals.
I grew up in a world that was 'limit-less.' My father traveled all around the world on his job; protected us with nuclear weapons in the 'belly' of his bomber, then helped us explore beyond our world, too. He went on to do 'other things;' but my early childhood experience in Florida helped shape my perception of the 'world.' My horizons were never bound.
Last evening I went for a quick drive into the country; minutes from my house. I stopped at local 'self-service' produce stand. The stand is along a local two-lane highway. The stand operates on the 'honor-system;' the prices are listed, there is a 'slotted lock-box' for the money. I bought a small bushel of Yukon Gold potatoes; a small basket of tomatoes; two bell peppers and six ears of fresh corn for less than $5. There can be no doubt the items are 'fresh.' One of the perks, I suppose, of living on the suburban fringe of this micropolitan area. 'They' really do know how to grow sweet corn here; some REALLY good tomatoes, too. I've been making the 5-minute drive 'out-there' every Saturday for the past few weeks. Their garden-fresh stuff is really good.
Agricultural products are produced here in abundance. Agricultural is one of the three pillars of the historically-sturdy local economy. The other two are tourism and industry. Interestingly during these times there is another surprising component which is real estate. Property values here continue to appreciate; despite the over-all national economy. I suppose as a result of our close location to the BosWash corridor of I-95; the small-town 'feel,' slower-pace, and other 'quality-of-life' issues; it hasn't been a 'bad' place to be.
Over the years, I have managed to eke out a decent living here.
When times are bad other places; they always seem to be 'less bad' here.
We still have 'new' residential construction going on here. I suppose a 'benefit' of the local culture's conservatism; we don't seem to have 'bubbles;' hence, less of a 'crash.' Things are always pretty steady here; even now. I've joked that it's due to the fact the local Mennonites would NEVER lend money they weren't sure they would get back; with their interest.
Now is the time that is a very good thing.
I hope all's well with everyone.
More later.
'night
Chris
The first weekend of November back in '07 saw me headed back to Manhattan to get-together with friend, Jeff. He was flying in from Michigan. This was before Steve and Nancy moved to Manhattan; so we had a room at the hotel at 75th and Broadway on the Upper West Side. Jeff is friends with the manager of the hotel; very cool guy named Tom.
They met many years ago at a wedding in Marquette, MI on the Upper Peninsula. Tom is 'good' to us at the hotel; we are noted on their register as 'VIP's.' It's always nice to stay there; we are treated very well. It's always good to see Tom and his wife, Janelle, too. We often have dinner with them during our stays.
This particular trip saw me taking a half-vacation day from work and jumping on Amtrak here; early on that Friday afternoon. I wanted to get through Penn Station before the worst of the Friday rush-hour 'crush-of-humanity-in-transit.' I got to the hotel a couple hours before Jeff did. I emerged from the subway at 72nd Street and Broadway about 4:20 PM; Jeff's flight was due in around 6PM.
I checked in and went up to the room and it was spectacular. All the 'rooms' there are suites. A living room with small table/chairs...kitchenette and a separate bedroom. The sofa in the living room is a pull-out; that's where I sleep. There was no doubt that Tom had given us the best possible suite available. We were on the 24th floor with a view to the east looking past the Dakota Towers over Central Park to the East Side. We had stayed in the hotel many times before; this was the highest with that eastern, largely unobstructed, view. It was very nice suite. The picture above was taken during the daylight just after noon the following day. On the left side of the picture you can see the American Museum of Natural History; on the right are the towers of The Dakota on Central Park West. If you click-to-enlarge; the Park is clearly visible.
I couldn't wait for Jeff to get there so he could check-it-out. He called when he was in the cab headed in from Laguardia. I told him how cool the view was; told him I would come down in the elevator and greet him on the street. I was there when his cab pulled up; welcomed him and helped him with his stuff. I said, 'Wait until you see the view from the room, it's great.'
We went up in the elevator, went into the suite. I had pulled the curtains shut. It was about 7 PM; at that time in November the sun had already gone down. Jeff walked into the room; set his things down and walked over to the window. He grabbed the 'pull-arms' and opened the curtains to the spectacular city vista.
Within a minute or so; as we 'oooohed-and-aaahhhed,' we saw the first burst of light and heard a low rolling 'thunder.' Then there was another....and another. We were seeing fireworks over Central Park from a 24th-floor vantage point! How cool is that? We had no idea whatsoever any such display was planned; what a great surprise! It was one of those life-moments that seemed like it was 'meant-to-be.'
I immediately grabbed my camera and snapped as many pictures as I could. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime events; kind of like having a tornado go through your backyard....wink. I seem to have some strange 'kismet' that puts me in places at the 'right' or 'wrong' time. Hence, I now always have my camera close-by. The pictures you see below are pictures of that fireworks display over the heart of the city.
I'll never forget; the timing was incredible. It was a spiritual moment. I feared for some time that the pictures had been lost in the transition to my new camera and storage media. I was searching for a completely unrelated picture the other night and stumbled onto where these were stored. They were stored on a flash-drive that was a gift from a friend; very cool gift, indeed. It was a nice 'find;' I knew I would not 'toss' them. I'm glad I was able to find them and share.
It was an incredible sight.
Right place, right time, right company.
When the fireworks were over we turned on the TV to try to find out, why?
We quickly learned from NY1. I'll explain tomorrow...wink.
Have a good night.
Me
