::alio!::

my brother-in-law is hilarious

Shannon called Andy last night to talk to him about hot chocolate, of all things.

The conversation moved on to a discussion about the upcoming wedding, and, from Andy's report, went something like this:

Shannon: So you're getting married.
Andy: Yes.
Shannon: You realize that you're committing to just one woman for the rest of your life?
Andy: Yeah . . .
Shannon: You are only going to have sex with one woman for the rest of your life?
Andy: Yes . . .
Shannon: You know, the old ball and chain?
Andy: You realize you're on speakerphone, don't you?
Shannon: Oh shit, really?
Andy: [laughing] No, not really.
Shannon: Oh. [laughs] So where is Alison, anyway?
Andy: She's in the kitchen, baking cookies.
Shannon: MARRY THAT WOMAN.

He cracks me up.

crossing the rainbow bridge

When beloved pets die, the euphemism is that they cross the rainbow bridge.

Well on Thursday at 3:30 in the afternoon, a dog who was more a friend than a pet to everyone, made his trip across that same bridge, after a mercifully brief battle with bone cancer.

Duke was the largest Great Dane I have ever seen, weighing in at close to two hundred pounds. And yet he still believed he was a lap dog. His owner was my boss at Bark & Fitz last year, and that year was one of the best in my life. Duke was such a fixture at B&F that he had his own shifts, sometimes working a day even when his owner wasn't around. He had his own fan following, and his own social club, and he modeled professionally. People who try to tell me that dogs aren't people never met Duke, and I think they really missed out on something truly special.

So my heart and my best wishes go out to Amanda, Matt, Angel, Bosco, and, of course, to you, Duke.

forgive my nerdiness

I got my new list today for my second comprehensive exam.

AND I'M TOTALLY STOKED ABOUT IT.

Unlike the theory comp, which was hellish because theory really ain't my schtick, this one is on ethnographies of my field area, which in my case means ethnographies of sport.

And this is good for several reasons.

I already own several of these sources, so it saves me money.

Some that I don't own I have always wanted to, so I have an excuse to buy them now.

Others I have already read, and know where to find them.

Others I haven't read, but they are by authors I'm familiar with.

Other authors I don't know, but reading them will broaden my knowledge.

AND

My supervisor doesn't study sports, and is very likely not as familiar with these authors as I am, so I can't possibly be wrong in my answer!

So this is like the best thing that has ever happened to me school-wise - I can finally do what I want!

HOLY MOFO I'M *DONE*

Well that week was hellish.

It didn't start well. I had a killer UTI and the worst cramps ever, so sitting still and writing was an absolute bitch.

But I finished it and it's all done. I think.

Need to spend more time tomorrow editing, but that's time I've got to spare. It's due Monday.

One comprehensive exam over, two more to go.

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

MIDOL IS MY NEW BEST FRIEND

'nuff said.

christ I need a drink

So how's this for a to-do?

I'm in the last week of study before my comp question is delivered on Monday morning. My plan for this week is to finish off my last book, then spend the rest of the week going over the notes that I've taken throughout this study period, and summarize them as best I can for quick reference.

Last Thursday I got a notice saying I'd be receiving my question NEXT Monday. Assuming this to be the Monday in question (the 13th), I confirmed.

This morning, I received my question.

Following this was three hours of figuring out just how I could arrange it so I could write my question at short notice, without my review period, then a realization that I had the dates right and THEY had the dates wrong.

Then waiting to confirm that this was so.

Then confirmation that it is indeed so.

I have received strict instructions not to look at my question until Monday, and I'm not as fucked as I thought I was going to be. I like it when I'm right in situations like this, though it's going to take a while for the adrenaline to go out of my system, and I do feel a little drained.

What I'd really like is some chocolate . . .