Is it Time for a Second Dog?

For the last few years, Bryan and I have thrown around the idea of getting a second dog. This is a serious decision.

Right now we have one of the best dogs in the world. We rescued Buster from a pound in Salt Lake City when he was around a year old.  From the beginning, he was a relatively easy dog. We only had to deal with growing pains, accidents and the occasional chewing for the first few months. He is the ideal dog for two busy people. He sleeps all day, and is active when I need him to be. Full of love, he is always at our side ready to cuddle.

The one thing that really changed with him was his interactions with other dogs. When we first took him to a dog park he loved it. He ran around and tried to play with the big dogs. Now (and I am afraid because of his lack of socializing), he stays by our side constantly, and snaps occasionally at other dogs. I’m wondering if giving him a best friend will be the right move.

I thought I would list out the pros and cons and see if anyone had any thoughts.

PROS

• Buster gets a friend
• Hopefully Buster learns to socialize
• Bryan and I get a new baby
• More fun for us
• Could be blessed with another dream dog
• Save a dog’s life

CONS

• Could rescue a nightmare dog
• More vet, food costs
•  Harder to find dog watchers
  (However, I assume now I would just need to get housesitters)

So there it is. I know if we rescued another dog, I would look for that “Buster-friend.” This means another small cuddly sleepy pup.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: My Thoughts

Here is the situation. When I was in Europe between my junior and senior of college I began to read Everything Is Illuminated, by Jonathan Safran Foer. I loved it so much, that when I noticed that he had as second novel, I picked it up and devoured it immediately. It is no understatament to say that this book changed my life. It didn’t change my life in the way a self help book does, or a book that brings to light social travesties … it changed the way that I interacted with literature. It gave me a favorite book. It gave me a present to give to people who I care about. It gave me a passion.

So that is back story…

Now you know that the book has become a movie. The critics and viewers are not loving this at all. I went to see it this weekend, even though it has a 49% rating on RT and 6.2 stars on IMDB.

The most common complaints I see are that Oskar is annoying, that they did a terrible job making a 9/11 movie. Most reviews are negative. However, reading them all, it’s clear to me that there should be two categories of reviews: people who read the book, and people who didn’t.

Here are my thoughts, mind you, these are the thoughts of someone who has read the book around 9 times and cried when she found out Tom Hanks was going to be playing Thomas Schell.

Thomas Horn was an excellent choice for Oskar. 
Oskar is a weird kid. He is an extremely odd and intelligent boy who is ultimately 9 years old. Choosing a child, who is a boy genius was one of the best casting decisions I have seen. Here is a kid who is so smart that he teaches himself how to act. He is so believable as Oskar. I do wish he would have said some of my favorite phrases such as “Jose!”

I am so happy that it wasn’t a Tom Hanks show.
This story is about Oskar, not Thomas Schell. Some critics have complained that Tom Hanks was not in the movie enough. He wasn’t supposed to be. The story is not about him, it includes him.

I was confused by what was left out. 
There were multiple times throughout the film when I thought to myself Hmm, that’s missing. It’s inevitable, yes. I know that not everything in an entire novel can be included. There were parts in the book that were so monumental, that I don’t really understand how they could have been left out.

In the end, I need to see the movie again. Everyone I saw it with cried many times. I wasn’t moved to tears because I was doing too much analyzing. Part of me is mournful that I have now lost the “I wish they would make this a movie” feeling. I am also sad to no longer have the anticipation. The truth is I am happy. I will still recommend the book to everyone that I meet and I will always love everything by Mr. Safran Foer. I invite you to watch the movie and judge it for yourself.

My Hair Likes to Change

Yes, this post is about my hair. I know … what a dumb topic! However, I recently dyed my hair red, and thought it may be fun to show the progression for the last two years.

June 2009 - Dyed & growing it out

May 2010 - Long, fried on the ends

July 2010 - Super short & natural color

Dec 2010 - Started to grow it a little

April 2011 - Started going blonde & growing out the pixie

Oct 2011 - Blonde, Blonde

Dec 2011 - Blonde & Growing

Jan 2012 - RED

TEAM MONDO

Who doesn’t love MONDO? 

For Project Runway ALL STARS my friend Jess and I are volunteering to officially be a part of Team Mondo. I was so excited when I found out that Mondo was going to be on the show that I didn’t hesitate when they put out the word for volunteers.

You can help too by becoming a fan of Mondo on Facebook, at http://www.facebook.com/LoveMondo.

You can also join me at Beauty Bar every Thursday night for the viewing parties.

Here’s to you Mondo! Best of Luck!

Halloween Costume – Margot Tenenbaum

This year I tried to go all out and make a big effort for Halloween. I had been thinking about this ever since I was Mondo last year and had to use a belt as suspenders. A good costume is dependent upon the details.

I decided to be Margot Tenenbaum this year mainly because of my hair. For some reason, wigs are never an option for me, and I always make my costume based upon my current hairstyle. Right now, it’s a blonde bob, so it just made sense.

I knew I needed a polo dress, fur coat (faux), and black orthopedic loafers. Seemed easy enough. I searched and searched for a blue stripped polo dress on eBay and could never find the perfect one. I ended up buying a Beverly Hills Polo Club dress from Apparel Zoo. My coat I purchased from a local vintage shop in Denver, Boss Unlimited. I am in love with it and will wear it again & again. My loafers I scored with on ebay. They are Bass Loafers. Normally $149, I got them for $9!

I was so happy with the finished product, down to the wooden (cardboard) finger. I will never again not put 100% effort into my costume.

Done getting ready

Finished look (forgot the cig)

Me and Debbie Harry