Welcome in the Year of the Flaming Dog (1)

In less than three hours, we'll be ringing in the new year. Where will you be? I'll be sleeping tucked in bed (2). Like last year, I am again sick. I have broinchitis. Again. I've had it for a month. I'm on anti-biotics. Again. It sucks. To make it even suckier, Rob has to work tomorrow. So, I will spending my first day of the year sleeping, doing laundry, and enjoying not being at work.

In the meantime, like many of my fellow bloggers, I will be reflecting on 2005.

In all truth, anything before May, I can't remember. I could look back on my blog and refresh my memory, but this is more fun. Not to mention, if I can't remember, does it really matter? Up til May, Rob and I were planning our wedding. It was hectic and took a lot out of me. But it was worth it! We had a lovely ceremony on Mackinac that our family and close friends attended. It was cold. Really cold. But it was beautiful and we had a lovely time. We then honeymooned in the U.P. We saw some lovely waterfalls, Pictured Rocks, and loons.

Then we came home and went back to work. In case you didn't know, I've been managing a Ritz Camera. Up until summer I was managing the store on Eisenhower Parkway. And I hate my job. Don't get me wrong, I had a great team. I love my old co-workers like family (which means that they can drive me crazy just like family too!) Then in the summer I was transferred to the Plymouth Road store. I was given a raise. It didn't make up for taking that store. Not that the people there aren't nice. It's just that they have no personality. They're no fun. And when your job sucks, it at least helps to have co-workers you like and enjoy working with.

And in the meantime. In August, our friends Jennifer and Mike got married. They had a lovely ceremony! Then around labor day, Rob and I drove down to Ohio to adopt a baby ferret to keep Penelope J. Weasel and Morgan the Spaz. We came home with two new furkids: Pixel and Token. They are now both full grown, completely spaztastic male ferrets.

Late fall through now: I had a minor nervous breakdown. I applied for many jobs. I got an offer for a jewelry store in Brighton. I received my written offer from them last week. The Thursday before Christmas I gave Sandie notice. My last day as manager will be January 12. I plan on staying on a couple Sundays a month.

Christmas was wonderful. We had breakfast at Rob's Grandmother's house. (3) I got to meet Judy's family, which was very nice. It's really nice to have a grandma (not to mention three of them!) Christmas is nice again. I have a wonderful family to spend it with. We opened presents at Rob's mom's, then went to go and see The Producers with my parents. (4) After the movie, we did what all good Jewish families do on Christmas: have Chinese food for dinner!

Now, it's nearly two hours til 2006. Rob and I went to Pizza House for dinner (had delicous Chicago-style deep dish pizza and a giant sundae for desert. Oh. So. Full.) Soon, we'll be off to bed -- warm, comfortable, and snuggled close. In my opinion, that's a great way to spend my first new year with my husband.

Wishing everyone a bright and prosperous New Year!

(1) Is it just me, or when you hear flaming dog, do you imagine a waving his paw in front, saying "rowf" in oh such a stereotypical gay way? Maybe it's just me. But, according to Ella's tarot card pyschic lady, 2006 is the Year of the Flaming Dog. Want to be prospereous this year? Wear red when welcoming in the new year. Oh, and place a dog figure by the front door with something red and some money. You've got precious little time to dig out your bobble-head dashboard chihuahua!

(2) And wearing my red socks! There you go Ella! Wearing Red!

(3) His Grandma Aagesen, Judy's mother.

(4) The Producer's was a fun, but very over-the-top musical. We enjoyed the movie. No, it wasn't classic, but it was fun.

Whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, or Solstice, Rob and I wish you a holiday filled with love, health, and much happiness!

A Helping of Schmaltz*

So, I got an IM today telling me I should update my blog. Fine, fine, I'll get off my lazy ass (or actually, sit on my lazy ass in front of the computer) and update.

Those Damn Stalking Lesbians

Working retail, one comes across all kinds of people. And trust me, the crazies are aplenty. Last week we had a real winner. She comes in and asks if I know a photographer who'll shoot models. Sure, I say, and go off to look up Joel's number. After I hand her the card, she asks if she mentioned nude photography. At this point, she already had the card in her hand. I asked her who the model was: she said herself. Let me point out that at this point that this woman should not be seen naked. I'm sure many of you are familiar with Carrie's world view: that some people will never be naked in her world. This woman should be added to the list. And to top it off: she's crazy. My co-worker, Kaycee, was helping a little old lady customer, who happened to be a regular customer. The crazy lady asked who was in the store first, her or the old lady. I told her I didn't know. She said the old lady followed her from the post office. She thought she was being "stalked." She gets stalked all the time, that's why she carries pepper spray. Sure enough, there's pepper spray around her neck. (Right now I'm thinking, oh shit, I better call Joel and warn him!) Apparently, crazy lady has problems with "all the damn lesbians" stalking her. Ann Arbor is "full of those damn lesbians" and "we should round them all up and kick all those damned lesbians out." (Now I'm trying to keep a straight face). Eventually the wackadoodle leaves.

And my life in retail goes on....

Ohio State Frat Boys

My favorite (read lots of sarcasm here) are those that come in ten minutes to close (close is 7:00 during the week). Three "frat boys" from Ohio State (how do I know they were from Ohio State? First, only idiots, like those from the armpit state of Ohio would prance around Ann Arbor decked head to toe in Ohio State paraphanalia). They wanted to make cds on the Kodak machine from their digital media cards. But they didn't just want want to copy all the pictures over and make life simple and be out of my store, oh no. They wanted to pick and choose which pictures were put on the cd. So, they dawdled over the Kodak machine and the clock ticked closer and closer to 7:00. One cd done, two to go. Two of the frat boys went next door (to Rite Aid) to get booze. We locked the door behind them while Ohio State nut stayed behind to finish his cd. He had nearly 200 photos to transfer. Tick... tick... tick.... While his photos are transferring he's bragging about Ohio State (I. Don't. Care. I. Want. To. Go. Home.). He picks up some stuff, including a frame. I grab him one in a box, without a display photo in it. He opens the box and asks where the original one is -- he wanted the frame for the photo. First: This is a camera store, not a gallery. You come here to print pictures or buy cameras. Not browse for art. Needless, frat boy wanted the photo. I told him it wasn't for sale. He wanted it. It was my photo, it was past closing, so I told him $20. He asked if for $22 if I'd wrap it. It's 7:15 now, we should have been closed, dropped deposit, and on our way home by now. (No. No mother-fucker I cannot wrap the frame for you.) I tell him I have no wrapping paper. He tells me Rite Aid has wrapping paper. (Then go buy some and wrap it yourself assmunch). "I don't wrap gifts." End of story: his frat boy buddies come back with booze, he buys the cds, and the frame. He pays me for the now signed photo. We leave, close the store and are on our way home: 7:45.

Merry Fucking Christmas **

So, I am sitting here with my offer from the jewelry store in hand and am debating: do I tell Sandie now, give her a few days extra notice, and ruin her Christmas. Or do I wait til Dec. 26th? Either way, I'm leaving. I start at the new place Jan. 17. I'm going to ask to stay on part time (one day a week) at Mel's store. Besides, I'm in the running in a couple of the contests. I could use a trip to Hawaii right about (complete with new camera, lenses, and flashes). The rate of pay at the new store will be an improvement over my current salary (finally, making more than my age! Woohoo!) Either way, this is one awesome Solstice present!


*Schmaltz, for those non-Yiddish speaking bloggies, is, well, Yiddish. Literally, it translates to "chicken fat." More generally, it's used to describe something over-the-top (as in "Oy. What a schmaltzy movie.")

**To quote Mr. Garrison from South Park.

Hooray for days off!!

I had a day off today. And it's not any ordinary day off! It's a Saturday!!!! And it was wonderful! I got to sleep in. We had no specific plans for the day. No time frame. No where to rush to. No particular place to be at any particular time. Absolutely wonderful.

After sleeping in, Rob and I took Token and Pixel (as you may recall, our "baby" ferrets, now six months old and mammoth in size!) outside for a romp in the snow. Putting them into harnesses was loads of fun (insert sarcasm). We thought Pixel "the bear" would enjoy the snow the most, but it was Token who took to tunneling through and romping and dancing to his delight. Pixel got cold and tired and quickly and came over to Rob and started to try to climb up him. Rob put him in his coat to keep him warm. In the meantime, Token was busy making snow tunnels. (See photos below).

After our adventure with snow ferrets, we headed over to Arborland to go to the bank and get goodies to send off to the shelter ferrets we're Secret Santas to. Arborland was of course busy and the Ann Arborites were showing their usual lack of parking and driving skills. Then we were off to the mall in search of a late lunch and new (smaller) jewelry for Rob's tongue. (What? I didn't mention? Yup, Rob's as crazy (and cool!) as me. He's got a hole in his tongue too). We had lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. I had a wonderful salad (and brought half of it home. You go a week living off of slim fast and jell-o and you just can't fit as much into your stomach as you could before. This, however, is a good thing.) I also had a dreamy liqueur coffee drink: it's their "Winter Wonderland." I recommend it. Go have one. It's great. After lunch, we meandered the mall. We dawdled in Marshall Fields (we looked for the Frango cherry chocolates Matt mentions in his blog, but we couldn't find them. They had every other flavor, though.) We bought flannel sheets that were on sale (Whoever says newlyweds need satin sheets do not live in Michigan in the winter!) We then headed over and bought some truffles at Godiva (another recommendation of Matt's, and a personal favorite of mine. Though I'm disappointed, their Cranberry truffle was a limited fall flavor. It's really good, and if they have it next fall, I highly recommend it!) We of course got Rob his new tongue jewelry. And a smoothie. That was about it for the mall. Then we actually headed back to Arborland to go to Hillers and get a few groceries. While there, we stopped in Old Navy and did way too much damage. Then off to Borders to browse. And finally to Hillers for the groceries and then home. Yay home.

Yes, it was a long day. But it was a good day. I went to the Mall on a Saturday before Christmas and I wasn't a grouchy grinch girl. I'm actually feeling a little festive this holiday season. *gasp* For those of you who don't know, I used to *HATE* the holidays. Despise them. I hated the absurdity of being generous and giving only at this time of year. People are hungry in July too!! I hate hearing Christmas music for three months -- ok, still not so crazy about this one. I hate the shopping frenzies, the rude customers, the rush and hustle of it all. My hate isn't because I'm Jewish, either. My mother converted, her family is Catholic and as a child I used to celebrate Christmas with her family, in particular my grandmother. And I loved Christmas. I loved the trees, and the lights, and food, and the family. When she died, I lost all of that. Deep down, that's what I hate. But now, for whatever reason, I feel good. I feel festive. Maybe it's because I've grown up a little. Maybe it's because I realize that even if people aren't generous all year round (and I'm not completely letting them off the hook here), that I should be glad that at this time of year, generosity does flow forth, and that maybe it will catch on for the rest of the year. Maybe it's because some of those holiday songs are kindof catchy..... nah! Maybe it's because I have someone to share it with that I deeply love. Whatever the reasons, this year, this holiday season, I'm a happier person. With that being said, while I'm still feeling the joy, here's to wishing everyone a holiday and new year filled with happiness, love, family, and friends! And ferrets. Can't forget the ferrets. :-)


Pixel in the snow


Token tunneling around


Token peeking up from a tunneling excursion


and then back to tunneling

Happy Early Chrismahanukwanzakuh To Me

My Hannukkah present to myself came today! Yay!





It's the Konica Minolta 5D Digital SLR. I got the body only, because I already have some awesome lenses. I'm geeked to try it out! (I have the battery charging right now).

In other news.... wait, nope, really no other news. I've got a rocking new camera! That's news enough for one post!

Please Help!

I got his in my e-mail this morning from one of the animal groups I belong to online. If you can help in any way, please do.

All of the Detroit Animal Control (DAC) animals are slated for euthanasia on Dec. 17, unless area rescue groups can pull them. The devastating news came today from DAC employee Patrice Reed. As you may have heard in recent media reports, in an attempt to save money, the city is cutting "non-essential" city services for certain blocks of time. Guess what folks? Animal control in the city is considered a "non-essential" city service. Detroit Animal Control will completely close down for the last two weeks of December, starting Dec. 17. DAC has beautiful cats, dogs, kittens and puppies. If you or anyone you know is in a position to pull animals from the facility, please do so. This is beyond an urgent situation.

I have a contact number for anyone who has any questions or wants to help. Please leave me a comment or e-mail me, and I'll get it to you.

The Ferret Giving Tree

Even ferrets need presents! Please visit the Giving Tree and be a Secret Santa to a shelter ferret in need.