I'm all right.

Hell yeah, I am.

Yesterday, my friend Amanda and I ran the Boilermaker 15K road race, one of the most well-k. Then we drank some beer at the ginormous after-party located at the F.X. Matt Brewing Company, home to Saranac Beer. Mmmm. Pomegranate Wheat Beer.

It was better than awesome, even though there were some technical difficulties and my results didn't register, so that now the only proof I have of actually finishing the race is my finisher's pin. Even though I felt like sleeping on the sweaty grass of the reunion area afterwards. Even though my brother John and I had to drive back to Rochester so that he could start roofing Dad's house. Even though my sister-in-law Shelley had to drive downstate after the race to start class on Monday instead of coming back with John and I. Even though we couldn't stay and hang out with Amanda's amazing family and drink more beer. Even though we had to drive 40 mph on the NYS Thruway on the way home because (although dry for the race) the rain was that bad.

Thanks Amanda for convincing me to run it! Yay knees!

The "What Do We Name Him" Contest!

I'm a lover, not a fighter.

So what do you think?
Not Spot, Fido, Wind Waker (that's from a video game, and is the Meep's favorite)... I was in favor of The Dude, but JJ shot that down. He didn't like The Big Lebowski, either.

Rules:
1. The "official" name can be pretty much anything, but we're obligated to started it with "Chindi's", so if you liked the name Harrison Ford, the whole name would be "Chindi's Harrison Ford".
2. The name has to translate into an everyday name (i.e. Chindi's Harrison Ford could be Harrison, Harry, Ford etc.)
3. Remember that the Meep has to be able to call the dog by it's name, so don't suggest stuff like "Lick Balls" or "Ass Master". To the people who already suggested those names, you know who you are. I've got my eye on you.
4. You may enter as many times as you wish. Karl Barx has already been entered.

Winner Receives:
Many sweet little kisses from said named puppy, either in person or on film. Said puppy is not slobbery yet, and smells extremely good, so it's not the regular dog tongue-lashings. These are PUPPY kisses, people. Kisses will be available some time after August 4th.


***

Update! Here are some names thrown into the hat via email, phone, or visit (thanks mom):
Rufus
Bacon Bit (or even better in French, Petit Lardon... the little lard)
List Whistler
Watson
Ferdinand
Holy Mother Terrence (aka Mother Teresa b/c his sweet face can do no harm)
Hershey from the house of Kobie
Polonius
Charles Bronson (aka Charles, Bronson, Charley, Chuck, but absolutely NOT Bron Bron)
Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum
Brownie
Reginald
Zorro
Oreo
Jack the Kerouac
Ernest Hemmingway
Kirby or Hoover (because surely, he will be vacuuming up any crumbs)
Bobby B(rown)
Sir Poopy the Puppy (!!! thanks to my fabulous sister for that one. you are so cool.)
Wu-Tang Clan
Zero
Mighty Mouse
Mr. Tumbus

Brief News

1. The end of fiscal year at work has finally come and gone. Whew!
2. Still several weeks left of summer classes (and tests).
3. Next weekend I am taking a little trip to run the Boilermaker in Utica, NY.
4. I hope your 4th of July was wonderful.

I know, I know... I've been neglecting you! Well, once in a while, that's what I do. I promise to make it up to you, because I've got loads of stuff to post. I've been busy thoroughly cleaning house, with class, the meep... JJ was in San Fransisco last week, so I had a little extra to keep up with.

To make up for my procrastination , may I present to you some PUPPIES!

Click on the pictures to get closer to the puppy goodness!

look at that little yummy puppy leg hanging out on the left. What a pork chop.

I normally don't always go in for cute, but I'll make an exception in this case, since one of these beautiful boys will be coming home with us in August. That's right folks. We're going to be puppy parents. Look at their parents!

See that little guy with the spot right in the middle of his back? I'm sort of in love with him, although I suppose we should MEET them first before falling in love with a picture.

Oh my gosh, get a load of that face.

By the way, it's fun to talk to breeders. The good ones are sooooo careful about who they sell to, and ask you a million questions. The best part is when they say "bitch" and I have to stifle a giggle. Bitch as in, "she's a solid bitch," "this bitch's litters are are winners," "I've got the best bitches you've ever seen!" However, my favorite was, "really lady, that bitch is gosh-dang FINE." Yeah, we're not getting a dog from that guy.

Father's Day

My husband is amazing. He gives and gives and gives. And we take and take and take.

I am selfish and willful; bullheaded and hot under the collar. High strung, they call it when discussing horses. I can be very... unpleasant. That was a polite way to describe it, believe me.

The Boy is prone to typical nine year old behavior, like wanting to devote his life to Game Boy and Wii, as well as tearing holes in the knees of all of his jeans within a week of them being purchased, not always brushing his teeth thoroughly and throwing the occasional fit for ABSOLUTELY NO APPARENT REASON.

Not only does he put up with us, he loves us. Takes care of us. My husband always, no matter what, in any situation, has our best interests at heart. He is constantly gathering the three of us into a united front. The Boy is in love with him. I am in love with him.

He is all I could ever hope for for the two of us, and so much more.

Happy Father's Day, baby.

Dragon and Phoenix

My cousin Dan was married today to the beautiful and hysterically funny Sarah. Their ceremony was outside, the weather was beautiful, and later the cake was awesome. I ate too much of it.
Sarah's got a thing for Asian art, so I thought I'd try my hand at the old dragon and phoenix. The dragon and phoenix (or Fenghuang) are another common metaphor for the yin and yang, and in Chinese culture represent the harmony of the union between man and wife. The red circle with the Chinese "love" character is actually cut out from their bright wedding invitation.



Congratulations guys!

Dear Michelle DaRin, (redux)

I was reminded by my freaking awesome sister last night, Michelle, of your awesomeness. And so, to rejoice in it once again, I decided to repost this from my all but abandoned other blog:

Let me remind you of our meeting:

Sunday, September 9, 2007 in the damp of the Clothesline Festival at theMemorial Art Gallery in Rochester.

I had a Blow Pop. You, Michelle, asked where I had gotten it.

I drooled a little over one of your beetle bracelets.

You had to go somewhere, and said if my sister or I needed any help, your friend could help us. We watched you walk away and my sister said, "She looks so cool. I want to be her friend." And I said "me too." (Then she and I had a brief discussion about how if you want to be friends with someone, saying "you look so cool, I want to be your friend" normally doesn't get you anywhere, even if it is the most direct approach.)


We should have bought something, but we didn't, because we are hoarding our money. My sister is saving for a grand scheme that will go unnamed here. I just spent an unmentionable amount of money on my Totally Kick Ass Wedding. And in the next year Doc & I are going to buy a house. (*update* - yeah, we totally bought that house)

Yes, we realize now that money is not all it's cracked up to be when faced with your magnificent creations.


Now I have non-buyer remorse, and will have to rectify this by trying to find the awesome earrings we fell in love with at the MAG.


Sigh.*update* - Michelle, my sister and I bought your incredibly beautiful turquoise bird earrings for each other Christmas this year. We ordered them separately through the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, and they are perfect. When you sent the set she ordered, I think you were unsure about the color they had asked you for, because you also sent a second, deeper blue set. I had to go back later with Christmas money and buy them too, because... well, because I have an art-crush on you. Just sayin.

all images from www.MichelleDaRinJewelry.com and are by David Broda & James DaRin