My Dog is an A-Hole and oh, by the way "hi, Noah!"

Soooo... I've been so neglectful of this blog that it could probably be better-described and total and complete abandonment. But hey, I'm here right now so lets not dwell on the past.

Let me catch you up: Since I last wrote, I've moved to Austin, gotten a new job, furnished a new apartment, had my car killed and got a new car. I have been loving life. That's pretty much it.

Today, I decided to take Benson to the Greenbelt after the allllll daaaaaaayyy looooong rain finally let up. My Lovie is in Richmond/DC for work/pleasure so it's just me and Benson on our own down here in the Lone Star state for a few more days.

Oh the Greenbelt after a day of rains - aromatic, lush, peaceful and, well, green. Yeah, I coulda said verdant, but who am I tryin' to impress?!

Benson and I made our way down a rocky path to wander the still-dry-creek bed. (They're really not kidding about that super severe drought, folks...) Enjoying being outside and pleased to make my dog happy with an adventure, I spent relatively little time thinking about what I normally think about in woods: What if I stumble across a dead body?!?! I maybe only thought of it like twice, or three times. Is that abnormal? Do other people instantly think about finding bodies when surrounded in heavy foliage? Hey, I don't know, but I do. That and how to fend off a possible attacker who intends to make me into the dead body someone else might find. Blame it on too much Law and Order.

Annnnyways... Suddenly Benson sees something in the woods to our left (A body?!) and freezes on the path. I call his name as he is slightly ahead of me and I want him to come closer so I can more convincingly threaten my possible attacker with my 70 pit bull mix. (What can I say - I have a vivid imagination.) But does Benson come? Nooooo. He takes off. Diving over rocks and under tree limbs until he's about 20 feet off the trail. There, whatever he is chasing seeks refuge in a large crevasse in a pile of rocks. I call and call. I am ignored.

Benson starts to attempt to crawl into the crevasse after whatever delicious creature he is chasing. He has wedged two-thirds of his body into it by the time I manage to fight my way through the foliage to get to him. I have to find a large stick nearby and wedge it in-between his chest and the rocks that he is attempting to squeeze through and use leverage to force him back to be able to grab his collar. I'm going to be honest - I am not doing any of this patiently, gracefully or quietly. I am cursing at him and getting covered in mud. I'm also having to reach into the crevasse to pull him out and WHO KNOWS what is in there. *Shudder.*

I get him out, drag him back to the trail, leash him and then am walked past by no fewer than 3 separate groups of people, all of whom had to hear me screaming and cursing at my dog and are now seeing me with leaves in my hair and covered in mud.

Lovely.

Thanks, Benson. Thanks a whole heck of a lot.

Wheeeeeeeew!

We made it.

We live in Austin.

Our belongings are in Austin. Our bodies are in Austin. Our mail is even being forwarded to Austin.

Now all we need are jobs and a new place to live, 'cause I love my parents but I only want to crash at their place temporarily, not live here. I need personal space, to be able to leave dirty dishes in my own sink and to walk around in undies. Walking around in undies is very important to me.

Anywhozzile, I am updating this as I am supposed to be completing an essay question for a job application. But my tummy hurts, and I might need a nap...

Oh, the unemployed lifestyle. I hope it doesn't last too long, but I'm going to love it while I can.

What could make my life better...

Hot chocolate with whipped cream and shavings of Prozac.

Yeah... I'm not so much a trooper this month.

Currently my favorite photo is of...

Benson being disagreeable about a photo op on the National Mall.

I've been woefully neglectful...

I haven't written anything in an obscenely long time. But hey, I'm not just neglecting this blog, nooooo. I also owe several people emails and I have yet to fully dedicate myself to a job search in Texas (where I will be living in 40 days). At least I'm consistent in my neglect.

Wait, whoa! Did I just say I'd be living in Texas in 40 days?! Sweet Lord, I need to pack. And by pack, I mean purge, since we're not taking anything that doesn't fit in the car. The car that will also be carrying me, my Lovie and our 72 pound dog. So we're not really taking much. We're mailing our some of clothes and other belongings, but only the best will be worth shipping. I realized how severe the cuts will be this morning when it occurred to me that shipping two pairs of jeans with holes in them might not be a good investment. Therefore, I will be moving to the ATX with only one pair of jeans.

Its scary, but also a little thrilling. We've taken the terrifying leap into accepting how little we actually need. Our priorities are each other and our dog. Oh, and my grandma's kitchen table. Oh, and the antique chest my dad lined in cedar for me. (... and anything else I can convince my Lovie to try to squeeze into the car.)

I'm going to try to be better about writing. I'm also going to get a high paying Texas job, a lovely Austin house/apartment, save up money to buy a foreclosed property, take sewing and piano lessons and apply for and go to grad school. Oh, and secure free money to pay for said grad school. Yeah... ALL of that is going to happen. Sure, why not. I mean hey - I updated my blog. Who thought that was gonna get accomplished?!

I wish this video wasn't so true.

Sounds like a good life...