the ramble

First, let me just say that I can’t decide which I hate more: cows or moths.

You all know that I hate cows…but now moths are rallying in an attempt to take over the number one hate spot. In particular, the moths that think slamming themselves against the blinds above my head at 2AM and making a horrible chink chink noise is a good idea. Or the moths that slam themselves into me or Bonbon while we’re trying to watch movies…causing us to jump up screaming and flee the room. Or the moths that just won’t land somewhere convenient for me to smash them with my shoe.

In summary: I hate them.

I haven’t had a moth problem before, but apparently it’s a big deal in Denver. Particularly in old cottages like mine, which are not 100% sealed off from the outside world. Apparently.

So here I am coming up with possibly-clever ways of killing these suckers. Or at least keeping them out of the bedroom. Leaving the hall light on just a little at night…keeping them there. Hmmm, maybe next I’ll light a  fire. For sure, they’d fly in and burn themselves up. Also, my landlord would be excited about fires. Win-win.

I have tried to change the name and address on my license 4 times. An indicator, if ever there was one, that the DMV may want to make some changes. Just sayin’.

The first time I went, I was told that name changes must first be done with the social security office–at least two days in advance of coming to the DMV. Delightful–I’m sure everyone who changes their name wants to take two days off work to get it all done.

The second time, several weeks after my adventures at the social security office, I came to the DMV, copies of paperwork in hand, and was told that they needed the originals. Of course. I went home and decided it made more sense to wait a few more weeks and change the name and address all at once.

A few weeks later (this past Monday), I was back at the DMV, original paperwork in hand. But now they had a new policy. For address changes, you now have to verify your address by bringing in a utility bill or a bank statement. I’d been in my house a total of two weeks and didn’t have either of these things. And most certainly didn’t know I needed them.

With DMV number in hand (calculating that it would take them just under an hour to get through the 50 people ahead of me in line), I rushed home for my laptop and then to Kinkos to print off a bank statement online. I rushed back to the DMV and made it through the door just as they were calling my number. Approximately 50 minutes.

Up to the desk I went, finally with everything in hand. But, of course, things aren’t that easy. Immediately after my eye test, the entire computerized system crashes. And we’re all told to take a seat while they fix it. Lovely.

An hour later, I left to have lunch. I called every half hour all afternoon. The computer system was still down.

Finally, this morning (Wednesday), I made my way back to the big, cold, impersonal office. And I begged to be allowed to cut in line. “I was here on Monday when your systems crashed. I waited for hours with no result.”

But, no. I had to wait in line. Again.

Luckily, this time I had a book I liked and there were less people in line. So, finally, without further mishap, I was ushered to the front, paid my $21 (random, yes?), took another picture (which will hopefully turn out way better than the last DL photo) and shuffled home.

Yikes.

But it’s done.

# of times Jackson has attacked another dog in the past 6 weeks: 8

It’s horrible.

I feel constantly off-balance.

This helps a little.

Remember how I said it was another wonderful weekend?

That was before Saturday night. Before I remembered that my roommate was going out of town and leaving three dogs at various levels of bad and not bad in the house. Before I turned up my movie so that I could hear over the barking. Before I tried to sleep and was awoken twice by barking dogs (once at the delightful hour of 1:30AM) during the night and twice in the morning. Before the dog-sitter woke me up another time to ask what she should do with the puppy who was eating the upstairs rug.

Oh, and the puppy also ate a pen cap, a green permanent marker (which is all over her right now) and some tiles from the yard. Possibly other things that I just haven’t found due to her fully ingesting them.

Things that will be hard: the last week in March, when my roommate goes away for a whole week.

UPDATE: Roommate is, graciously, attempting to find a place for Evil Genius Puppy to stay overnights that week. Party!

.One.
In the States of Arizona.

.Two.
Single-families homes.

.Three.
On the frist floor in the kitchwen.

.Four. (my personal favorite)
Downstairs, you’ll find a breakfast nook and family.