Monday morning: Ready to go at it . . .

1. Due to the vagaries of floating days off, I have a five-day week at work this week, followed by a pair of three-day weeks (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) . It ought to be interesting. I have a couple of things to do today before I get to work, including starting up and cleaning off the vehicles.. Bah! The holiday plan is to leave for Maine and alethea_eastrid's folks on Saturday, then drive back on Christmas Day. We're unsure on stops at this point. The following weekend is still up in the air.

2. Following up on the New York Times' story on people bringing their dogs everywhere is the Boston Globe follows up with "rent-a-pet."

Bostonians willing to pay steep fees for a canine friend without worry of commitment

FlexPetz,a California-based company, will open a Boston branch of its dog rental service this spring with a fleet of 10 dogs available for romps on the Common or weekend sleepovers.

The company bills itself as an "unique alternative to full-time pet ownership" that will even drop off a dog when you're ready for it and pick it up when you've had enough. It is drawing howls of condemnation from local animal rights groups andanimal behaviorists.

3. Ya know, all I needed to know about the NFL yesterday was whether or not the Patriots won. ;)

4. Big rodeo news: (Associated Press, I assume): Trevor Brazile became the first PRCA triple-crown winner since 1983 on Saturday night, winning the tie-down roping world title in the 10th and final round ofthe National Finals Rodeo at Las Vegas.

Brazile, from Decatur, Texas,won the tie-down roping title with $189,640, edging Houston Hutto of Del Rio, Texas, by about $4,000.

The "Tell Me Something About You" meme . . .

Yes, it is bandwagon time.

I know very little about some of the people on who read my journal. Some people I know relatively well. (Some I know too well. You know who you are.) I read your journals, or we have something else in common and we chat occasionally. Some of you I hardly know at all. Perhaps you lurk, for whatever reason. But you read me and I thank you for your interest in my words.

But here's a thought: why not take this opportunity to tell me a little something about yourself. Any old thing at all. Just so the next time I see your name I can say: "Ah, there's so and so...they listen in rapture to the love-music of she-turnips." I might feel compelled to mock your musical taste, but I'll certainly remember you.

I'd love it if every single person who friended me would do this. Yes, even you people who I know really well. If you would like, post this in your own journal and see what gems of knowledge appear.

To: The Cat

From: "Daddy"
About: Why you are behind a close door right now

I can deal with you head-butting my mouse hand. I can deal with you stepping on my keyboard and changing which windows are visible. I can deal with you rubbing your body against my arm, my stomach and the monitor. I can deal with the black hair on the monitor and with you sleeping on my computer chair.

But, I cannot deal with you knocking your head into my bottle hand when I am pouring a glass of Arrogant Bastard!

Don't worry, Mommy will get home eventually.

Monday night: A little of this . . .

1. Directions to my doctors' office:

Walk down the front stairs, to the sidewalk and turn left.
Walk 10 or so  yards to the crosswalk and turn right.
Cross the crosswalk and keep walking into the doctor's office. (Open the door, dummy)

Yeah, it rocks.

Overall, a good visit. Knock on wood, I have had a recent run of good health.

2. You ever notice that sometimes when you are depressed/anxious, you get up the next morning, good things happen, bad things don't, the sun shines on the snowfields, and you suddenly feel like a different person.

3. The crockpot chocolate bread pudding worked better than the crockpot pumpkin pudding.

4. I got a $10 Dunks' gift card during the gift swap at work today.

5. NPR has discovered freerice.com. (The link is to NPR).

6. I am really enjoying the "Tell me something about you" meme, both reading and responding.