The Life of Brian.

Christmas Holidays Trip

2012-01-02T12:16:00.001+10:00

We had an amazing trip south to the Hunter Valley and Laurieton for Christmas and New Year. We tried out our new tent for the first time, and it was the best. Can't wait for the next camping trip!

Photo Time!

2011-12-19T08:08:00.001+10:00

tinkerbellMEOW's photostream on Flickr.

Miscellaneous photos from recent events. We have been very busy lately and are looking forward to a relaxing Xmas camping trip in the Hunter Valley with friends and the dogs.

...

2011-06-21T23:32:00.006+10:00

Fraser Island 2011

2011-06-07T23:32:00.001+10:00

Et Cetera

2010-11-21T20:05:00.000+10:00

Brian helping to fold the laundry

Rainbow over the house

It's hard to tell from this photo, but Brian has learned how to climb on the arm/back of the couch.

Happenings of Late

2010-11-07T20:05:00.000+10:00

We're Gaga for Halloween!

And the aftermath...

The PugOlympics

2010-08-11T13:25:00.000+10:00

a story where Betty tries to take over the world

Recently, Brian and Betty competed in the PugOlympics. Brian was focused and determined to best his 2nd place finish in last year's 10 metre dash. Betty's thoughts quickly drifted from the games to World Domination, as is wont to do.

Obviously, Betty will not be able to take over the world alone. She needs help from her older, stronger, (and some say smarter) brother. She has decided the best way of enlisting his help is by both enticing him with the promise of meat, and threatening him with brute force.

At the PugOlympics she decided to use the latter, as is clearly displayed in this first photo (the two to the far left).

And despite Betty's desperate attempt to foil his win, he was the only one to grasp the concept of breaking the ribbon in order to win. He may not have been the first pug to cross the line, but he is a winner in my book.

All Better

2010-03-31T14:30:00.002+10:00

Brian has been given a clean bill of health from the vet!

Random (but Significant) Cuteness

2010-03-20T11:43:00.001+10:00

Feeling Especially Sorry for Himself

2010-03-18T11:31:00.002+10:00

Feeling Especially Sorry for Himself, originally uploaded by tinkerbellMEOW.

Brian was being naughty and knocked a glass off the coffee table. He cut his little foot on the broken glass.

Five hours and $300 later, he is all fixed up with two stitches and a green bandage for St. Patrick's Day.

He is taking full advantage of his injured status, and hasn't left my side. As if I need another excuse to sit around covered in pugs!

Brian is Famous!

2010-02-24T15:56:00.000+10:00

Well, sort of. He got his photo in a local paper. The pet sitting company I work for celebrated their 10th anniversary. Brian wanted to wear the Mexican wrestling costume I made him so he could get his photo in the paper.

Here it is!

Brian Hogs the Air Con

2010-02-15T22:17:00.000+10:00

I must be going through a video phase in my blogging life.

It's been stinking hot here! Too hot for pugs.

Happy Australia Day!

2010-02-07T15:10:00.000+10:00

Hey I never posted about Australia Day! We went to the cockroach races at the Story Bridge Hotel. The first video is the bagpipe processional, where the racers are brought out. The second shows a race.

Mawige

2010-01-16T11:47:00.002+10:00

Nudgee Beach

2010-01-08T09:30:00.035+10:00

Brian and Betty's favorite place to visit is Nudgee Beach. It's on the bay, and if you go during low tide, there are miles of beach, and saltwater puddles. Brian loves chasing the birds, and Betty loves chasing Brian. Brian even had a go at the obstacle course! He is very athletic for a pug. After leaving NB (as it's known in our house, since if you say "Nudgee Beach", Brian and Betty go crazy), wet Brian got cold from the air con in the car. He was throwing a tantrum, and we realized that we was cold. So Karyn (Ben's mum) wrapped him up in a cardigan and all was well in pugland.

Betrothed

2010-01-07T11:11:00.004+10:00

We had a great New Year's Eve.

Pugmas

2010-01-06T11:11:00.001+10:00

Christmas was a beautiful day. It was my first one in Australia, and very different to anything I'm used to. Brian & Betty were sent paw print stockings, and jingle bell attire from their not-grandma. They looked adorable. We had a beautiful day with family, friends, and food. Lots of delicious food.

This is how happy Brian and Betty are after the pug Christmas party

2009-12-17T21:15:00.000+10:00

Cupcakes Anyone?

2009-12-12T14:07:00.001+10:00

Kitty Cute

2009-11-29T21:07:00.000+10:00

The cutest kitty video evarrrrrrrrrr.

Movember!

2009-11-21T14:37:00.000+10:00

Ben is growing a sweet Mo for Movember. From their site: "Movember is an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache, highlighting men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men." Your donation will help fight men's health issues.

Go here to donate to Ben. His mo-growing abilities are second to none.

Summer

2009-11-21T14:12:00.000+10:00

Year of the Dog (Blog)

2009-11-13T17:47:00.000+10:00

Brian and Betty are famous in the Pug Blog Universe! (You have no idea how hard it was to not combine those three words.) Their luchador costumes are made from a pattern on the Go Pug Yourself blog, and they have been featured on said blog. Yay! You should check it out. Go on.

Go Beavs!

2009-11-08T23:24:00.001+10:00

Los Luchadores

2009-11-03T18:33:00.001+10:00

Introducing...El Kuka Racha and TactiTRON!

The Croozer Mini's Maiden Voyage

2009-10-07T21:05:00.001+10:00

The Pups had their maiden voyage in the new bike trailer today. It wasn't quite as wonderful as I had pictured in my head. Brian pug screamed the whole time, and dug a small hole in the side of the trailer. Betty just looked really neurotic, but I think it's because she was worried Brian was going to crush her eardrums and her self. If you have never heard a pug scream you can't quite imagine how strange and unsettling it is. It sounds like a tropical bird + a baby + that squeaky noise buses sometimes make when they are stopping minus any noise a dog usually makes. It's not that they didn't like the trailer, they were just really excited to get to the dog park.

The Croozer Mini was extremely easy to pull. I have never pulled a bike trailer before, and the small size of the Croozer Mini was very easy to maneuver. I couldn't really notice it except it was a bit harder to hill start. It's a tight squeeze for two pugs, but not so tight that it's worth moving up to The Croozer for non-mini dogs. (End product review.)

And for the record, I did not choose the name of the trailer, The Croozer Mini is the brand name. Normally I am extremely opposed to products or company names which are intentionally misspelled, but this one has grown on me. However, I'm still open to suggestions.

Dust it to me

2009-10-06T10:39:00.001+10:00

Those must have been some dust storms...it took me a while to figure out why my floors are covered with it!

Happy to be back in Brissie, except I'm pug-free for the moment. The babies are being held hostage until their babysitters are home from work. (Thank you Maranda and Chris!!) It's torture waiting for them, but at least I'm channeling that energy to cleaning/unpacking/putting together the new bike trailer. Ben has the camera, but as soon as he's back from Europe, I'll post photos of the pups in their brand new ride. This is what it looks like.

R.O.U.S.

2009-09-07T18:37:00.001+10:00

Was "The Princess Bride" a prophecy?!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/07/discovery-species-papua-new-guinea

Brian's Birthday Eve

2009-08-28T19:04:00.001+10:00

Tomorrow is Brian's big 1st birthday party! Stay tuned for lots and lots of photos.

In other news, who decided it was a good idea for me to sign up for a 100k bike ride? In six weeks. I've heard it's mostly downhill, so I've got that going for me. Who is up for some long Portland bike rides in a few weeks?? I'm going to get Schwinnie Cooper all oiled up, and she will ride again!

xoxo

Adventures in Pugland

2009-07-19T09:25:00.002+10:00

What a week! First, Brian won second place in the 6 meter dash at the Pugonwealth Games. I made him this spandex bodysuit to give him the competitive edge.

Here he is celebrating his victory with a pupaccino.

After his victory, he felt like he could take on the WORLD. Actually, he felt like he could take on outer space AND the world so he did!

He felt like nothing could stop him, so he became a bull!

All that excitement made him tired, so he found his best friend Betty and had a rest.

The end.

Long Time No Post

2009-06-21T11:37:00.002+10:00

It's been brought to my attention that my existence is judged by the number of blog posts I make. But never fear, I am alive & kicking, just too busy to post. Also, we ran out of internet quota and have to go to McDonald's to use the internet. So here I am, digesting a bacon & egg McMuffin and letting you know that I still exist.

Oh, and we got a new puppy.

Stradbroke Island

2009-05-13T20:00:00.001+10:00

Hello Loyal Readers!

Please enjoy these photos from our amazing weekend on Straddie. Brian had the time of his life running around on the beach. The humans also had fun surfing, drinking bloody marys, and playing games.

All I Have to Say Today Is...

2009-04-19T09:09:00.001+10:00

http://www.japanesebirdcookingspaghetti.com/

2009-03-25T16:56:00.001+10:00

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Please enjoy this craft-tacular video. I could watch this all day.

Wordle

2009-03-20T18:50:00.000+10:00

Wordle is a neat website, which analyzes a blog or website, and creates a word cloud based on the text.

Here's mine!

"Comfortable" Airline Seats

2009-03-19T20:21:00.001+10:00

Have you heard about this? A company has come up with a new design for airline seats to make them a bit more comfortable. The idea behind the design is that the seats are staggered, which allows the sitter to lean to the side whilst sleeping, in addition to providing a modicum of privacy from the person sitting next to you. This isn't mentioned in the article, but it looks like there is a bar for the feet to rest on. I hope this is the case, I am always trying to squish my feet up on to the seat for more comfort.

The only drawback to the design is that the seats don't lean back. However, the designer reasons that they don't need to lean back, since most people lean to the side to sleep on planes, and additionally, your space isn't invaded by the person sitting in front of you. The new design is better for the airlines, as it allows for more seats to be crammed on to a plane. (You didn't think that was possible, did you?)

What do you think? I'm excited to try one out.

Brian's New Shirt

2009-03-17T20:11:00.003+10:00

For those of you that don't know, I am working on a clothing line for dogs, made from upcycled clothing. The line will also include crocheted items, such as hats and neckwarmers. (Neckwarmers are the new scarves, in case you didn't know.)

BH is a very patient model. Here he is in a shirt design I've been working on.

I'm So Glad It's Not Hot in Brisbane Today

2009-03-10T16:15:00.002+10:00

Well, I guess the title of this post is self explanatory.

But also! I just realized that my last post was my 100th post! I was planning on doing some kind of celebration of 100 posts, but maybe that will have to wait until 200. Right now I'm drinking beer and crocheting. Every day I get to drink beer and crochet is the best day of my life.

Bye for now!

The Wedding

2009-03-09T20:09:00.009+10:00

Please enjoy these photos of a wedding we went to this weekend.

happy groom

bachelor party

here comes the bride

maid of honor

opening presents

Sweet, Sweet Crochet

2009-03-06T15:25:00.002+10:00

I have been working so hard on Brian's wardrobe (and a secret birthday present for someone!) that I haven't had much time to crochet. However, I got smart and realized that I can take crochet to the dog park!

It has been so nice getting back into the hooking. It's like visiting an old friend. I'm currently trying to design a neck warmer. Yes, for a dog, don't you think their necks get cold too? The yarn I'm working with at the moment is mustard yellow (literally mustard yellow, I use it as the mustard for my crocheted hot dogs). I am obsessed with all shades of yellow these days. Apparently when you wear yellow in France, it means you're somebody's mistress.

We're borrowing a camera this weekend, so we can take photos of the pug wedding*, so hopefully soon I'll have some photo updates.

*More on this later.

What Does Microsoft Word Think of You?

2009-03-05T14:57:00.002+10:00

When you do a spell check on your name, that is. The suggestions for my first name are: angle, angrier, or aggie. Word wants my last name to be: brickyard, racked, or rocker. Leave me a comment to let me know what Microsoft Word thinks of you.

Yours Truly,

Angrier Rocker

M is for Monteith's

2009-03-04T17:42:00.000+10:00

Ben & I have been digging a new-to us-beer called Monteith's. It's from New Zealand, and like most things from New Zealand, it's wonderful. We've tried the Pilsner and the Golden Lager, and they are both Delicious. Best of all, it's on sale for only $43AUD a carton (four six packs)! For all you non-Aussies, that's a steal for good beer here.

Good News!

2009-03-03T21:49:00.001+10:00

Brian's pug mother, Jezebel is going to have a litter of puppies in about six weeks! But wait, there's more! We're getting one of the puppies!!!! The breeder has asked us to come to the birth, to help out. How great is that?! Ben is in charge of helping with grossness, and I am in charge of cuddling baby puppies. I'm glad we have come up with an equitable division of tasks.

Brian is looking forward to having a sister, especially so they can keep each other company while we are away during the day. Yipeeeeee!!!!!!!!

Well, I have used up my exclamation point quota for the month so I have to go.

Misc.

2009-03-01T14:15:00.002+10:00

Hello Faithful Readers,

I am here to update you on the Life of Brian. We took him to the farmer's market yesterday, and he was extremely popular. He got so many pats, and even found another pug. We had met the other pug and her owner previously at a pug gathering, so Brian was extremely excited to reunite with her. Pugs are a bit snobby like that, they appreciate their own kind. They immediately circled each other, in order to tangle their leashes so they could not be separated.

A few people came up to us and said want to get a pug, and asked to pat him. It's interesting to be on the other side of that equation, because that's what I used to do every time I saw a pug. We sung the praises of pugs, and hopefully got closer to our goal of a pug in every household.

Lately I have been busy working on Brian's custom made wardrobe. Finding shirts to fit pugs is difficult, because their chests are large, but they are petite overall. The prototype is nearly perfect, and he looks very cute in his long-sleeved t-shirt. It is stinking hot here lately, so it's too hot to wear it, but he can wear his muscle tank top instead. It has taken ages to work on the prototype, but I am very happy with how it has turned out.

That's all for now!

Sunday=Pugday

2009-02-22T17:49:00.003+10:00

Today we hosted a pug meetup! We are members of a pug club that meets about once a month. Usually we meet at the dog park, but this month's meeting was at our place. It was a dream come true to have 16 pugs (plus a french bulldog and a dogue de bordeaux) at our house! Lots of lovely pug parents came too, and brought delicious food. Brian had a great time showing his friends around his yard. We are all tired out now, and are spending the rest of Sunday being lazy. Laziness, I salute you.

Cheese of the Goat Persuasion

2009-02-22T12:40:00.001+10:00

I recently came across an unusual kind of cheese. And who better to share this new experience with than you, my loyal reader. Have you ever heard of cheese, covered in ash?! It tastes like regular goat cheese, but with ash. You may ask yourself, what does ash taste like? It doesn't have a strong flavor, but it is sort of gritty.

Tooth Fairy and Other Brian News

2009-02-14T16:35:00.000+10:00

Brian lost a tooth today! He has lost some already, but this is the first one that we have found. It looks like a molar. What do you think Brian will get under his pillow from the tooth fairy?

Another Queensland Driver

2009-02-09T17:50:00.004+10:00

I got my Queensland drivers license today! Easiest thing I've ever done in my life. 20 minutes and $50 was all it took. The photo is good, except for the fact that my neck was channeling some 350 pound linebacker. But my hair looks good. I'm just glad there is not a booger, like on the infamous Boogerport.

I think Brian has destroyed my ability to sleep in

2009-02-08T08:09:00.001+10:00

For those of you that know me, this is groundbreaking. Usually, on the weekends, I have to set an alarm if I need to be anywhere before mid-afternoon. Now, I'm lucky to sleep until 7:30. Seriously, I feel like I don't even know myself anymore. Yesterday, I woke up and the clock said 8:30. I was relieved and surprised that B let me sleep that long. BUT, that was just the alarm time, and the *actual* time was 6:30. AM! I take a bit of comfort in the fact that I stayed awake for about a half hour, then took a one hour nap, but still. I am almost too ashamed of myself to tell the whole internets* about it.

*All three of my readers.

Woof Woof

2009-02-06T21:07:00.002+10:00

Please enjoy this short video of Brian doing two of his tricks.

Like a Bat out of...

2009-02-04T20:54:00.001+10:00

There are strange noises coming from my back yard. They are coming from the only mammal capable of sustained flight, bats, specifically Flying Floxes.

You might not want to watch this if you get motion sickness. But the bats are so close! They fly over the house every night, but lately they have been roosting in a tree in the yard, and make lots of screeching noises.

I Made a Bag!

2009-02-02T21:03:00.007+10:00

From pants! Tonight I finished my first sewing project with my brand new sewing machine.

Before: old Nike excercise pants.

During: the sewing process.

After: an awesome reusable grocery bag, which can be folded up and fastened with a button, or stuffed into the pocket. The pocket which used to be the pants pocket. Yea!

Mt. Barney, Part Deux

2009-02-01T20:18:00.004+10:00

As promised, here is photodocumentation* of out Mt. Barney trip.

*I'm sure this is a real word.

Mt. Barney was beautiful and exhausting. The trail was not clearly defined in many places, and crossed a few creeks, making it quite adventurous. We didn't see any platypuses, but did make friends with a big spider, a giant ant and a huge beetle. Warning: photos of said insects below.

In the parking lot, about to set off on our 1 1/2 hour hike with our packs.

Crossing a creek just before the campsite.

Our awesome tent & campsite.

This is the biggest ant I've ever seen. I realize that there isn't a scale, but this thing was at least an inch and a quarter long.

Can you find the spider in this photo?

No? Here he is close up.

Cooking breakfast. Bacon in oatmeal/porridge. YUUUUUUUMbo. For dinner the night before we had spicy peas with baked ricotta and mashed potatoes. Also, in a vein attempt to add more protein to our meal, I brought some canned crab. If by chance you were wondering if canned crab is delicious, I can tell you the truth here and now: it is not delicious. At all.

Nature

Clothesline

ETA: The crochet was a disaster! Somewhere along the trail, I dropped the ball of yarn and the hook. Also lost a pair of sunglasses. (But that gave me the chance to find my awesome new sunglasses for only $5!) But I still feel bad about littering.

Yum.

2009-01-28T13:43:00.000+10:00

What do you mean I can't bring meat on the bed?!?!

Beaver Pug

2009-01-26T14:34:00.001+10:00

Our little Brian is growing up. We have been leaving him in the back yard while we're gone. This seems to make him much happier than being locked in the bathroom. I worry about him being out there all alone, but it is only for a few hours per day.

My brother got him this sweet Beavs jersey as a Christmas present. Yeah. Now that's a face even a Duck could love.

Garden!

2009-01-25T07:38:00.000+10:00

It's time for everyone's favorite topic! Not a lot to report, but the lawn is looking amazing, thanks to my dilligent use of the Flymo and the recent storms. Also, if anyone is in Brisbane, and wants some habaneros*, come over. We have a mutant plant that just wants to spread habanero love to the universe. Well, at least to the greater Brisbane area.

*Sorry I'm too lazy to look up how to do the ~ over the n.

Mt. Barney

2009-01-24T12:44:00.006+10:00

Tomorrow Ben and I are headed to Mt. Barney for our first overnight hiking trip. I am in charge of food and he is in charge of everything else. We have a specialty cookbook for overnight hiking, so I will keep you posted on what I decide to make. One breakfast option: oatmeal/porridge with bacon. Did someone say bacon? YumMmmm.

As you can imagine, maintaining a light weight pack is essential to having a happy hike. My question is: Where does crochet fall on the scale of importance? Please help me dear readers by voting in the poll at the top right of your screen. Thank you for your cooperation.

Bon Iver

2009-01-24T12:35:00.002+10:00

Last week, Ben took me on a suprise date to see a musical act. Not suprisingly, the band Bon Iver put on an amazing show. Our third row seats at The Tivoli, were a perfect vantage point to witness the amazing live show. Their live show blew me away even more than when I first listened to their album. Rock on Bon.

Soaptacular!

2009-01-22T14:55:00.000+10:00

This is the soap that B & A made. If you come to visit, you can use it. As much as you want.

Project of the Week

2009-01-19T15:32:00.009+10:00

Please enjoy these photos of a handbag that I crocheted for my cousin as a Christmas gift. I made it from some 100% Irish wool yarn from my grandma's stash. My mom taught me how to sew in a lining and clasp. I am quite pleased with the way it turned out, and I hope you are also.

Long Time No Post

2009-01-18T11:37:00.006+10:00

Things have been a bit quiet over here at The Life of Brian. Ben and I took a last minute trip to the US for the holidays, which was a whirlwind of family, friends, and beer. We had a wonderful time, although we didn't get to catch up with as many friends as we would have liked, due to the last minuteness of the trip, combined with snow and the fact that my cellular telephone bit the dust.

Shortly after Ben and I left Portland, Tinkerbell, my loyal cat for 18 years, left us for that giant food dish in the sky. She lived out the last of her days in comfort and laziness, as any cat should. She will be missed by all that knew her, especially me.

So, once I get back in to the swing of things I should be posting more often. Stay tuned for new sewing and crochet projects, in addition to Brian updates, and a few other things I've got up my sleeve. In the meantime, check out this video of Brian doing his best baby elephant impression.

I Like to Ride My Bicycle

2008-12-14T18:54:00.002+10:00

Ben fashioned a basket for the back of my bike, so we can take Brian with us on bike rides. He loves it! Especially because the bike rides end with a trip to the dog park. There is one which is only a few minutes ride from our house. The dog park has separate sections for small and large dogs. He really enjoys playing with the other dogs, and we have fun watching him.

Jekyll/Hyde

2008-11-23T18:28:00.004+10:00

In photo number one, Brian is attempting to wake me up so I will play with him. Moments later, in photo number two, he is trying to eat the camera.

Fixing, er, Digging a Hole

2008-11-19T18:46:00.005+10:00

The Life and Times

2008-11-19T18:28:00.002+10:00

Brian is almost 12 weeks old now. Please enjoy these various photos of his recent adventures.

2008-11-01T09:34:00.002+10:00

We have had a wonderful two weeks with Brian! He is a constant source of entertainment and misbehavior. He loves playing in the yard, finding sticks and rocks to carry around. He has a very busy social life, and has already attended a first birthday party for his friend, Gizmo, and also had his dog family around for a play date.

We already have hundreds of photos of him, so this is just a sample.

ALL SYSTEMS GO

2008-10-17T13:32:00.010+10:00

We get Brian even earlier than expected! Tonight, that is. Stay tuned for many, many photos and videos. In the meantime, please enjoy these photos, taken this weekend while we camped at Fraser Island.

Dingo danger!

An important aspect of camping: knitting and crocheting.

The water in this stream is so clear that you can see the white sand at the bottom. Absolutely beautiful.

The coconuts were literally falling out of the trees. YumBO!

Natural sediment formations.

And finally, a souvenier of the trip. They look worse in person than on camera, and they itch like none other. Not moquitos, sand flies. It was worth it.

BH

2008-10-14T17:18:00.002+10:00

Great news! Brian weighs over 2 kilos and is almost ready to leave the nest. That means we get him four days early!! I just found out. So, six days from today we will be cuddling the cutest pup in the galaxy. He is exhibiting dominant behavior over his litter mates, in addition to his mom & dad.

We spent the weekend on Fraser Island, and had a wonderful time. We saw several dingoes! I'll upload some photos soon.

BH

2008-10-01T10:55:00.005+10:00

We got to visit Brian again! He is the biggest and most playful of the litter. He is fattening up, and weighs 1.5 kilos. There are 2.2 pounds in a kilo. You do the math. No, seriously, you do the math, I make it a habit not to, unless forced.

He is a terror on four legs. He attacks anything or anyone that stands in his way. I'm pretty sure he is half pit bull. In three weeks and three days he will be old enough to live with us! His little tail is starting to curl, and he is practising his meanest bark. His facial folds are really standing out, and he is the cutest pug in the land!!

Also, I cut Ben's hair into a mini mullet.

Final Poll Results

2008-10-01T00:20:00.000+10:00

The babydog is victorious over the dogbaby! Although there were a few impassioned pleas for the dogbaby, the winner is clear. However, just because the poll expired doesn't mean this issue will die. Soon, I will embark on a journey of representation by crochet of the babydog and dogbaby, which will force you to rethink your previous notions of babydog.

Thank you all for your participation. To those who chose not to participate: shame on you. You had a chance for your voice to be heard, and you threw that chance away. Well, little did you know that your thrown away chance will soon be gobbled up by babydog. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Tiny Choices

2008-09-26T10:23:00.002+10:00

Hi friends. I was featured as a guest poster for the eco-blog Tiny Choices! Tiny Choices is a wonderful blog that highlights simple changes you can make to become a little greener. Click here to check out my article on reel lawn mowers!

As the Prophecy States

2008-09-24T07:35:00.003+10:00

(Photo credit: NataliaEnvy's Flickr account)

If you are still having trouble making up your mind regarding babydog, this should help. If you need a refresher on babydog, click here. Thank you for your careful decision and insightful comments on this issue. (Thank you to my loyal reader Brian for finding this photo. Your level of commitment to the cause is what we should all aspire to.)

First Bath

2008-09-22T19:17:00.002+10:00

He is getting cuter by the day. It is a fact. Bottom pic is of him and his brother, Phillip.

We had coffee with some pugs and their owners at a dog cafe, where you can order drinks for you and your doggie. We bought two small and cute toys; a rubber squeaky chicken and a puppy kong. We get to pick him up in 4 1/2 weeks!

Thrift Store Score!

2008-09-18T20:10:00.004+10:00

A couple months ago I saw a cute telephone table at a thrift store called Lifeline. I decided not to get it, for monetary reasons, but have been thinking about it ever since. Since I got a bit of tax money back, (yea for low tax brackets!) I decided to go back to see if by some chance it was still there. Imagine my surprise when it was. Wait, it gets better: Not only was my table there, but it had brought friends. So I ended getting a cuter table for less money. Sweet! I was thinking of re-covering the cushion, but I dig the 70s vibe it gives off, so it might stay as is. It lives in the bathroom now, which has received a mini makeover. In fact, the whole house has gotten a mini makeover, and the only purchase I have made is the table. I have managed to move around and re purpose pieces of furniture in order to create a new, more harmonious and fab dwelling. If you're lucky I'll post before and after photos of that.

Also found...a $20 time machine! Some might call it a pressure cooker, but I know it is a time machine. This is how it cooks food so quickly. I have been lusting after a time machine for ages, and couldn't pass up the opportunity. Unfortunately, I am too afraid to use it for two reasons: I don't want to disturb the space/time continuum and also don't want to ruin any food.

Oh, and don't think that you're getting away with not hearing about Brian (the dog not the human). Only five weeks and one day until we get to bring him home!

Babydog

2008-09-16T11:22:00.004+10:00

Don't think that all the puppy exitement has distracted me from my quest for truth in the babydog issue. Here is the original post, if you need a refresher on what the babydog issue is. So, if you haven't voted, think long and hard on what your decision is, and vote in the poll to the upper left of your screen. Please leave comments as to why you voted the way you did. Thank you for your participation in this important matter.

Here, Fishy Fishy

2008-09-15T19:05:00.002+10:00

Hi again friends. Ben and I have been making an effort to be healthy by eating less meat and dairy, and more veggies and fish. However, many types of fish are unsustainable due to overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction. The folks over at the Environmental Defense Fund have come up with a handy pocket guide to help everyone choose sustainable fish. Click here for the pocket guide, along with more info on keeping our oceans healthy, so there are plenty of fishies around for many more generations to enjoy.

World, Meet Brian

2008-09-15T10:54:00.006+10:00

We got to visit Brian again last night. He isn't walking yet, but is very close to it. He was pretty chilled out the whole time, except when it was time to feed! He bullied his way in to get some milk.

Daddy pug, Jackson, was very curious about the babies.

He's the little piggy on the far left in the nursing video.

Hot Dog! (Or, Angie's New Life as a Crochet Fanatic.)

2008-09-15T08:41:00.006+10:00

It's Not a Pug Post

2008-09-14T19:30:00.004+10:00

We got a lawn mower! Old school style to tame our jungle of a yard. It is great for many reasons; it is quiet, environmentally friendly, it makes the lawn look fab, and it means I don't have to go to the gym. Also pictured: yum avo and Vegemite on toast.

Sleeeeeping Puuuuuuupiiiieee

2008-09-12T13:42:00.001+10:00

His Eyes Are Open

2008-09-11T09:47:00.002+10:00

Pupdate!

2008-09-09T09:14:00.003+10:00

His siblings are opening their eyes! He is too focused on getting food to worry about vision.
Hey fatty boomba.

His little nose is starting to turn black!

Miniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

2008-09-08T20:25:00.006+10:00

We're getting a pug puppy!!! We are...well, exited doesn't really explain it...more like ecstatically overjoyed. We got to pick him out last night and spend lots of time with him, and his puggy parents, Jezebel and Jackson. They are adorable, so we are hoping ours takes after them. Here is our first family photo and a photo of ours with his siblings. (He's the one with his tongue sticking out.)

Garden!

2008-09-06T18:26:00.004+10:00

Hey guys. It is officially spring in Australia, and that means gardening. My wonderful auntie and uncle gifted me some desirable new gardening tools, and I put them to work recently. Below you will find a time lapse video of me weeding the garden. Don't worry, it's not as boring as it sounds.
Miraculously, a small cilantro/coriander plant has sprouted over the winter.

In Other Dog News

2008-09-06T13:06:00.003+10:00

We went to a pug meeting today! We joined a group of pug parents, and got to play with nine pugs that had formed a wild pack. I brought my pug purse, which was a hit with the humans as well as the dogs. Hopefully soon we will have one of our own.

Bear with Me

2008-08-26T16:48:00.003+10:00

I'm not going to lie. I have been going through a period of indecision with the blog. It seems as if Woot (The Life and Times of Inigo Montoya aka Sacajarickard) is due for a shakeup. A sea change, if you will. So, in order to help tailor the reading needs of you, my loyal fans, I am asking you to participate in a poll.

This is a simple matter, but an important one. I welcome open debate and comment on this matter:

If you had to decide, would you rather have in your possession a baby's head with a dog's body, or a dog's head with a baby's body? There are a few parameters that you should keep in mind while making your decision. The Baby in question is about 1 1/2 years old, which we have determined through clinical studies to be the approximate intelligence of a dog. The Dog in question is of adult age, and small stature; 15-20 pounds. In either scenario, the body parts will have normal function. For example, the Baby's head would be able to communicate as a 1 1/2 year old child, and the Dog's head would be able to bark. Conversely, the Baby's body could crawl/walk, while the Dog's body could run around.

I have a strong opinion on this matter, but will keep it a secret, so you can make up your own mind. I am looking forward to your votes and reasoning. Bye for now.

Just You Wait

2008-06-12T23:53:00.005+10:00

Hey guys. It has been ages since this blog has been updated. You can blame the University of Queensland for that. Considering I have forked over a small fortune to them, the least they could do is give me some free time to update the blog. Is that too much to ask?

However, that is all about to change: three exams down, one to go. After Monday I am free to update at my leisure. Luckily, many spectacular events are on the horizon, so, there are exiting* posts in your near future. Just you wait.

*the author reserves the right to use this term liberally

Photo source: www.news.com.au

Happy Birthday to Me!

2008-04-20T19:45:00.004+10:00

I had a field trip all day to the Pine River Catchment, which was very informative and interesting. After a long day, it was sooooo Grood when I got home to open tons of presents!

Purse or dog? You decide.

Ben is cooking me a delicious Indian dinner at this moment! He offset my carbon emissions for my flight to Lindsey's wedding, and is responsible for those delicious Uggs in the above photos. I like.

Important Things Which Have Happened Recently

2008-04-03T19:34:00.002+10:00

1. Our baby bird left the nest! I miss seeing him, but am happy that he is making his way in the birdie world.

2. Ben killed the pumpkin plant in a fit of weed-wacking fury. So, no more pumpkin carving party.

That's all I can think of for now.

Ship Life

2008-03-10T09:57:00.005+10:00

Ben in the Captain's chair.

Priority drive!
Our reflection in the elevator doors. There was never once a fingerprint on the doors. They probably have someone dedicated to keeping them clean.
If you look carefully at the middle right hand side, it says, "Steering Mode Unknown". Also, course change not acknowledged? Hm.

Food

2008-03-08T22:19:00.005+10:00

Yum yum. You probably already noticed, but yes, that is 24 karat gold on that meat on the right. For reals yo.

Ship Shape

2008-03-08T22:16:00.005+10:00

These are very late, but here are some photos of the cruise. It was unbelievable. Talk about luxury. I was going to post more, but Blogger has been snarky to me. I might try to get them up later.

Melbourne

2008-03-08T20:40:00.006+10:00

We love love love Melbourne. We did some shopping, sightseeing, and met up with one of Ben's colleagues and her boyfriend for dinner and drinks. That first shot is the one I am going to send in to America's Next Top Model.

Holy Hot Peppers!

2008-02-18T12:06:00.002+10:00

We have a habanero! A while ago, Ben put a couple habaneros in the ground. Lo and behold, we have a healthy plant, with one ripe pepper, and a bunch of burgeoning ones. Also, the pumpkin plant is going absolutely crazy. There are at least ten blooms, and many more on the way. Anyone up for a pumpkin-carving party come October?

There are some technical difficulties with the camera these days, but as soon as that clears up I will post some photos.

As of late, my one true love is embroidery. I am almost done with my third project, and can't wait to start the next one. I expect there will be some handmade gifts making the rounds this Christmas.

BTW, Ben and I are going on a cruise with Ben's dad next week. Hot dog. There will be tons of photos from that trip, hopefully one of Ben in a tux!

Bye for now.

The Thing About Australia Is...

2008-02-13T15:40:00.002+10:00

...sometimes you see someone walking around at the shops with a bird on their shoulder. Not as in, "Look at me, I've got a bird on my shoulder, give me a dollar to take my picture". As in, "Hmmm, I need to pop over to Woolie's to get some milk, I think I'll bring Gizzo with me". It's cute.

On an unrelated note:

Personal Ass.

2007-12-16T06:36:00.000+10:00

My dad was kind enough to hire a personal ass. for me while I am working for him. She will be happy to assist you if you need to make an appointment with me. She also guards my desk from any intruders.

Scat!

2007-12-16T06:21:00.001+10:00

For those of you that don't know, my family's tradition is to cut down a tree from my parents' property. Since Ben and my dad were ill, my mom and I were left with the task of hunting for the Christmas tree. We had many adventures on our journey, but the most exiting was when we ran across an exiting find; bobcat scat!

The trip was successful except for when the tree fell on my mom because I didn't yell "timber" in time. Now, it is beautifully decorated and standing proudly in the living room.

It's a Good Day to be a Beaver.

2007-12-02T12:56:00.000+10:00

Go Beavs!!!!!

2007-11-19T00:08:00.000+10:00

Dear Loyal Fans,

Please accept my sincerest apologies for my absence. I have been caught up in the whirlwind that is the second semester of a three semester master program. Whew! Glad it is over. Since I have been "tagged" by one of my fellow "bloggers" JJ, http://traumathedrama.blogspot.com/, I am required to "divulge" no less than eight random items about myself, then provide links to no less than eight more bloggers that will have officially been tagged. So,

1. There is currently a spider that looks like this living by my recycling bin. Although nothing can stop me from recycling, this spider sure comes close. According to the Spiders of Australia website: “These are the common garden spiders that make that familiar vertical orb-web usually at face level. During the day the spiders remain in hiding nearby.

2. Ben's mom and her friend came to visit a few weeks ago, and we had a great time. That is her, Ben's brother, and I. This is not what they always look like.

3. A few weeks ago, I was riding my bike home, when I noticed a magpie on a wire, looking at me. I rode under the wire, and could hear it coming at me from behind. So, I quickly turned around to face it (if you remember from previous posts, they never attack if you are facing them), and it stopped mid-air. Thinking I had avoided attack, I kept riding. But, when I turned back around, it was coming at me again. So, I had to ride for half of a block, turned around. Luckily, I lived to tell the tale.

4. One time Jeff Gianola asked me what time it was on the MAX. It was 9:46.

5. I share a birthday with Joey Lawrence, of Blossom fame.

6. I really enjoy pulling weeds.

7. I can make my mouth look like Beaker from the Muppets’ mouth.

8. I can parallell park like a champ.

Whew. That was almost as hard as my exam last week.

These are the only other bloggers I know personally:

1. http://381broadst.blogspot.com/
2. http://extendedadventure.blogspot.com/

Bye for now!

Once, Twice, Three Times a Lady

2007-10-10T22:49:00.000+10:00

Three exiting things have happened recently:

1. Beer. On tap. In the house.
2. Ben turned into a giant.
3. It's raining! All those containers (except the one with the yellow lid) are filled with life-giving water!