Tucker... follow up.

Here are the details of Tucker's attack:

I was running in a neighborhood that is next to our apartment complex. I've been doing this for almost 2 years with no issues. I always take Tucker with me unless I'm running more than 6 miles or it's really hot - then I leave him at home. We've run by this particular house many times, and now that I think about it, I remember seeing the "attack dog" fenced up in the back yard barking his head off at Tuck as we ran by. On Tuesday, the dog ran out the front door. I think the owner had the door open talking to someone on the front porch. The dog was unleased and the attack was completely unprovoked. It lasted about a minute or so. The guy finally got his dog to let go and led him back in the house. I said some not-so-nice things to him, including calling him an ASSHOLE... which I don't regret.

We walked back home, and I thought Tucker was fine. It wasn't until about an hour later that we noticed a blood spot where he had been laying. So, we took him to the emergency vet where they found another wound, cleaned both of them and gave us antibiotics for him. They also suggested we call Animal Control and report it, so we did. We're still waiting to hear what will happen - but we were told that since the cops didn't see it happen, they can't give the guy a citation. But, they can check to see if the dog has up-to-date vaccinations and ask the owner to pay our vet bill. In NC, it's required by law to have dogs vaccinated for a bunch of stuff, including rabies.

Here are a couple (blurry because he kept moving) photos of the wound on his back. The one on his chest is pretty much impossible to photograph.

Poor baby.

Injured, but still happy.

Just because, here is Tucker being the sweetie-pie that he is.

Kindness & Karma: Puppy dogs.

It has been quite at week in our household. On Tuesday (of course, because Tuesdays are inherently evil), my beloved dog, Tucker, was attacked by another dog while he & I were out running in a close-by neighborhood. It was SUPER scary and aweful and I was not very nice AT ALL to the other dog owner, who took way too long to get control of his animal. Tuck ended up with a few puncture wounds, a couple bald spots where the vet shaved him, and antibiotics. I know I'm slightly biased, but he is the sweetest dog ever and in no way deserved this. Poor guy. We reported the owner to Animal Control. What a horrible, horrible day. And, so I haven't felt much like being nice this week or evoking some good karma. However...

Yesterday on my way home from work, a little dog was running around in traffic, kind of following a woman, near our apartment. So I yelled out my window "Is that your dog?!" And it wasn't. Apparently the pooch was following her, but the lady had to get to work. So, I snatched her up (the dog, not the woman) and put her in my car. The hubbs and I drove around for a while, asking everyone we saw if they recognized her. Thankfully, her owners saw us talking to some strange lady who said "I don't recognize her, but I'll take her! Can I have her? You wouldn't have to worry!" (weird). So, happy ending! It feels good to do some good... and I can imagine the relief the pup's family feels that she is OK and back home with them. Good lesson - even though I'm super pissy this week, that's no excuse to ignore opportunities to help people out. And now, I feel slightly less pissy.

Does that count, Grumbles?

The Pacific

A while ago, we cancelled HBO... but somehow we still have HBO. I'm so glad, because now we get to watch this:

Usually, it's difficult for me to watch war movies, especially when they are based on real events. This miniseries is no exception, but I must say, it's wonderful. Wonderful in a very painful kind of way. At the beginning of each episode, there is an interview with the men whom this story is about (not the actors) - talking first-hand about their experiences. And then, we watch it unfold on-screen. I don't have anything even remotely close to an idea of what war is like, but I think The Pacific makes it clear - more so than other films of this type I've seen - that there is absolutely nothing glorious about it. I'm amazed and completely humbled by it all... what our fellow Americans had to (and have to) do to ultimately keep our country free.

It makes me think about my grandfather (who passed away a year ago yesterday). He was a WWII vet... on the other side of the continent - fighting the Germans, not the Japanese. For a long time, that's all I knew about his experiences because he never talked about them with us, my grandma, or my mom. I'm sure it was unbearably hard to relive the horrible things he probably did and saw. When we were home for his funeral, my grandma dug up his old scrapbooks from the war. Being the WWII history buff he is, my husband was able to tell us a little bit of what my grandpa was part of during those years. I can't even begin to imagine it. But, I know he was a hero.

God bless our troops and the sacrifices they have made and continue to make so that we are able to live in freedom. Let's remember every day (not just on special holidays) - and live lives that make them proud.

Things Clients Say #5

Happy Thursday, everyone! On with the show...


"Can we incorporate the logo for the people that are hosting it it is attached, [Project Manager] asked me to send it again (attached)"

Oh no! I can't find it! Is it attached? (Punctuation would also be helpful.)

How concerned are you about search engine optimization? *imagine a very thick southern accent* "What's a search engine? Is it that Google thing?"  Ha! Classic.


Title of a promo for an entire restaurant brand: "Summertime, Summertime, Summertime, ... gettin' ready for Summertime"

Um... really? You can't think of anything better than that? Well, at least it's spelled correctly.

"I took a template from the [big famous restaurant chain] fund raising letter and re-typed it to format for [our brand]."

Yeah, I'm sure [big famous restaurant chain] has a fundraising letter template just out there for anyone to use. Let's be honest here. You ripped off someone else's idea and the letter they crafted to employ that idea. Way to think on your own.

"only worries – newsprint and they are shitting printers?"

They are shitting printers? OMG!

"I wrote it in word and I want it to be completely professional- font, margins etc. Scares me Otherwise when I wrote it :)" 

Huh? I'm not sure margins and a "professional" font is gonna help.


And now for a look at an... alternative... hiring process.


Meeting request: Conference room. 12pm. "Everyone meet in the conference room for beers, food and to meet [potential employee]. Everyone evaluate her – see if you like the way she talks, looks, eats, works, walks, breathes." 
Is this even legal?

What the hell, Ben?

So, I'm a Steelers Fan. I went to Miami University with Ben Roethlisberger. Well, OK, I didn't know him at all. I should say, I went to Miami University most of the same years that Ben played football there. It was cool, and when he got drafted by the Steelers in 2004, I was super happy. I always liked the Steelers, but that sealed the deal. I'm a fan. And what a great team to be a fan of, right? Winning seasons and 2 Super Bowl wins since then. Awesomeness.

In college, Ben had quite the reputation of being an arrogant ass. But that's a star quarterback for you, right? No big deal.

Well, apparently fame and fortune did not help Ben to become a nicer dude. It seems this is now quite out of control. I'm disappointed. Story here.

Also, how horrible does he look now? What's with the mullet? Remember, Ben, when we used to call ourselves (Miami U) "mullet hunters" when Marshall came to town?

Thank you, husband, for having the foresight to buy me a Polamalu jersey.

Question for Runners

So, when I hit about 3 miles, my left foot falls asleep. I have to stop and shake it out and walk a little before it comes back. Anyone else have this problem? When I was training for the Nashville 1/2, I never had this issue... it's come up since I started getting into running again. Do I need new shoes maybe?

Things Clients Say #4

 I want this shirt.

Here we go...


"I want to add punctuation to the end of my prizes, most likely an exclamation mark."

Heh... "most likely." Hehehe.  It's not like punctuation is a game of chance.

"Thanks couple of things SG in my email address isnt capitalized might be case sensitive add cell number"

Speaking of punctuation (or lack thereof)... wow.

"I would like one large picture to take up the whole AD and the text over top."

"AD"? OK, whatever. And yes, a large photo with text (lots of text, mind you) on top of it always looks great. Yep, good call. You should be a designer!

"I just had my printer re-size the poster to make a 4 X 6 and we used it for flyers and for table tents. [insert smiley emoticon]"

Seriously, do not smile at me about this.  I spent time crafting a perfectly awesome poster, getting everything just so, pining over every detail, and you go & let your printer fuck with it. Now I'm sure it's all stretched out or cropped all crazy and looks like total shit. Thanks a lot. 
(Now, I realize this is just a stupid poster, and who gives a shit right? I get it, my job is quite trivial many times - and don't think that doesn't bother me. I'm just sayin'... when someone spends time doing something for you, it's the decent thing to do to at least attempt to respect that.)


"How do I apply a graphic to an email signature in Outlook? Does it let you do it?" 
Um, yes, it "lets" me. Only because I'm nice to it, and I rub its belly and give it treats. Really, dude, If you can't do this, there's not much I can do to help you.  

"Make the voucher a 4" soccer ball shape."

Are you kidding? Why can't people just call it a freaking circle? 

"I need my logo 2' x 3' at 1200 dpi."

Holy CRAP, that's a huge file. I mean, so huge that my PC won't even render it. And why in the world you you need something that high-res and gargantuan anyway? Ohhhh, wait.... you mean 2" x 3", don't you? Of course, you don't know how to delineate feet versus inches. Can't say I'm surprised.

(Yes, I have to work on a PC at the agency. It's super annoying. And get THIS - people here use COREL! AHAHAHA!! Not me, of course. I use real design programs. And I have a MacBook Pro at home... for the record.)  


"If you can have these printed for us that would be great! We need about 2000.00"
No, this person is not referring to money. She is referring to print quantity. Yep. Guess she's making sure I don't send her partial ones. Like 1999.25 of them.


And now for a look at a the direction I'm given for the design of an ENTIRE website:


"Flash hero image, social media icons, pink background, logo."
*sigh* I like freedom in design, but come on.

Let's Talk Tuesday TV

I must say, I'm sort of diggin' the alternate reality (but I remember the other reality, too) thing. I'm still confused as to why Desmond was even on Flight 815, but I guess we just have to believe in the alternate reality, when he wasn't stuck on the island, he would have happened to be flying with everyone else? Anywho, I adore Desmond, so I'm happy he's around and seems to be playing a big roll in the wrap-up. I'm sure he'll get out of that well soon, brotha.

Some other thoughts:

• I wish Jack would stop talking. I'm over him.
• Jin and Sun need to be reunited already. 
• Sawyer is my favorite. I love how sarcastic he is. "So, you talk to wood, now?" Ha! Plus, he's HOT.
• I was happy to see Libbey again! 
• And how cute was the beginning? "Everyone Loves Hurley..." So true, writers, so true.

OK, so my thoughts are not that deep. I've decided to stop trying to figure stuff out and then maybe I won't be disappointed by the ending.

The season final of last season was super satisfying - they won sectionals, the truth about the baby came out, Shuster got the girl, and Sue got in trouble. So, pretty much a sure thing that the first episode of this season was going to be a little less that satisfying. I mean, how many shows have gone waaayyy down hill when the love intersts are realized? Yep, there needs to be a rift in there for at least another season. I'm hoping there will be some new drama since most of the old drama is wrapped up. Not enough drama... for a high school show, especially.

Sue cracks my shit up. How awkward/hilarious was that Vogue thing? Loved it. Can't wait 'til next week's Madonna episode... I'm betting it'll be back to awesome.

On a side note, my husband totally watches this with me and secretly likes it. OK, it's not a secret. He talks about it with one of his buddies in the shop! Haaa! Greasy, manly mechanics talking about GLEE! How awesome is that? (Sorry, babe. Love you!) BAHAHAHHAAAAA!