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July 5, 2007
Fun, Fun, Fun
It's been a whirlwind of activity in my neck o' the woods lately. Actually I'd go so far as to state for the record that it's been more like a tornado, but I'm trying to remain somewhat sane in the meantime.
Stress Puppy
What have I been doing? Well for starters, I'm probably on revision #163 of my resume (aka CV), which never seems to get any better. When you're looking for a full-time position, I've discovered that asking friends and colleagues to review what you've done soon turns into a free-for-all. Advice streams in from everywhere, suggestions abound (go work at Mickey D's) and I've all but pulled out most of my hair in utter frustration. I'm not saying I don't appreciate the help/advice; I do. It's just that some of it has been beyond my comprehension. I'm no closer to finding a full-time gig and things have become a bit stressful. *sigh*
Slobbering Puppy
Meanwhile back at the funny farm, I recently did a photo shoot that involved two rather large dogs. As a favor to a friend, I welcomed the change from birds to dogs and thought that a few doggie treats would save the day in order to obtain their undivided attention.
NOT.
What I planned to do and what ensued = vastly different. There was the photographer (me) laying on my stomach in the grass (possible dog poop under me) to get that dog's eye view shot. My friend stood behind me, making the mistake of calling to the dogs. Guess what the dogs did. In a split second they trampled me in their haste to get to their owner. Okay, that didn't work.
My next dog trick was even better than the previous. I was on my knees with both dogs sitting in front of me and before you could say FETCH! I was on my back, my left arm stretched out and flailing in the air, the camera dangling precariously in my hand. Yes, the camera was saved; my back? Another story entirely. Need I explain that the dogs thought I was playing and pounced on me?
To cap off the doggie tale (tail?), one of the two uncooperative mutts (with a head the size of mine and a tongue equal in size and girth to that of a London Broil) slobbered my face with thick piles of doggie saliva and attempted to... you know, french kiss me. Eww. Like ewwwww a gazillion times over. I guess it's safe to assume he liked me.
Ew.
Spoiled Puppy
One more bit of brain dust and then I'm outta here. Yesterday I recalled this little tidbit -- the time I was in Berlin visiting my friend Holger and ten of us went to dinner at a sushi restaurant. We ordered appetizers and then placed our order for the main course. When the main courses came out and were distributed, we soon realized that only 9 dinners were served and mine was MIA. Holger dutifully rose from the table and went to inquire about the missing meal. He returned not long after and informed us that our waiter had left for the evening. In typical fashion (whether as an American... or not...) I said "WHAT!? You can't be serious." Holger decided to return to the kitchen and see what could be done about my missing dinner.
After five minutes had passed, Holger returns and tells us that the kitchen was now officially CLOSED. [At this point you can easily imagine my incredulity.] Holger said he was told that since the kitchen is closed the chef won't be cooking any longer. [insert another WHAT!? here.] Starving and just longing for my din-din, I replied, "Since when is sushi cooked? It's raw fish. It's prepared but typically not cooked. Give me a break!"
There's nothing worse than an unhappy, dinner-less American at a table with nine very understanding and patient Germans. Holger made sure I didn't morph into an ugly American even though I was very close to becoming one. Then all my German friends decided the only thing to do was to remove one item off their plates and fill up a separate plate -- for me. That's just one of many reasons why I love my friends in Germany.
Okay, that's more than enough slobbering for one day. :-)
P.S. I failed to mention that I've been housesitting on the weekends... sans laptop. Am off again in a few hours...
Cindy
Comments
Awwwww.... isn't that cute! You made two new extra slobbery friends!PS: I agree with you about the whole resume/CV thing. It's a *huge* timesink, and in my experience, is not even remotely close to a true representation of someone's abilities.
Brain matter deposited by: Greg on July 8, 2007 7:03 AM
What's that saying about children and animals and cameras? You might be comforted to know that dog saliva is one of the best antiseptics you can get. Doesn't make it any tastier though when they get that friendly. Actually, he was just sampling what you had for breakfast/lunch/dinner and wondering if you had anything he might fancy to offer.
Oh, and now that he/she has sampled YOUR saliva, you may find that this animal will be eager to be a lot more amenable to you in future. Its an old dog trainer trick - cover some tasty morsel in your saliva and then give it to the dog. Sort of a "Sharing the hunt spoils" thing.....
Brain matter deposited by: The Gray Monk on July 9, 2007 4:59 AM
And I failed to add - good luck with the job hunt, I have a similar problem!
Brain matter deposited by: The Gray Monk on July 9, 2007 5:01 AM
Pat - I'll keep that in mind when I return to take better, more cooperative photos of the duo.
As for the job hunt - good luck to you too!
Greg - yuk x 3 on the slobbery friends remark. ;-)
Brain matter deposited by: Cindy on July 10, 2007 4:03 PM