Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Update for a Tuesday Evening

Thanks to everyone who wished Daisy a speedy healing. You guys are the best. Her nose is finally on the mend, and now looks much less like strawberry pie filling and more like your everyday, run-of-the-mill scab. Sure, you could play Frisbee with this scab, maybe even shellac it and serve a turkey dinner on it this Thanksgiving, but it’s a scab nonetheless. No more of this weeping, oozing, bleeding stuff.

The bad news is that given her frequent head-shaking and ear-scratching, she may now have an ear infection. And given the compulsive chewing and licking of her paws, she may also have an allergy or two to boot. In fact, the vet suggested last week that her nose issue could have begun as a severe allergic reaction to any number of items: pollen, an insect bite or two, dust mites, something she ate, watching a few minutes of According to Jim, and on and on. Ugh. So it’s back to the animal hospital later this week for further clarification, just to be safe. (There are several veterinarians employed by this particular facility, so we don’t always get the guy with the Joe Pesci bedside manner.)

I also spent more on natural foods, canine supplements, and healing potions in the last few days than I care to admit. Apparently, one of the reasons I was put on this earth was to prove the adage, “There’s a sucker born every minute!” And I’ll be damned if I don’t get the most mileage from MY minute.

Also, I decorated for Halloween. I know, I know, it’s not even October yet. But I may actually have what is known in some socially-adept circles as “plans” for each of the next four weekends. And THEN when would I have time to arrange my gourds and teeny orange lights in an approximation of non-suckage?

Besides, I’m not the only Halloweenie in the neighborhood. I’m just the only one without an inflatable Frankenstein billowing on the lawn.

Did I mention we get over 100 trick-or-treaters every year? We become a chocolate dispensing MACHINE on Halloween. So with all of those visitors, I’d be risking an egging without some kind of spooky décor. And since our new siding just may be installed by then, I really want to avoid that.

In other news, I spoke with my editor (briefly) last week. Riding with Larry Resnick IS moving to Random House. But until our next conversation (scheduled for the end of this week), I won’t know more about the timeline or format. SOOOO…mystery only partially solved. But things look hopeful. I’ll keep you posted on the developments. As long as I haven’t had hip replacement surgery or started mainlining Celebrex by the time the book comes out, I’ll be happy.

And finally, my take on the slew of movies we’ve rented in the past week or two.

The Ringer: better than I thought it would be. I don’t know if I should be embarrassed to admit this. Probably.

Friends with Money: rent this movie tonight, but only if you enjoy witty, entertaining social commentary with a relatively happy ending. Otherwise, avoid.

Hard Candy: suitable for bonfires. Or perhaps an experiment involving the microwave.

Poseidon: Get ready to break it down Crow T. Robot style. (Or Tom Servo, if he was your favorite.)

RV: better than I thought it would be. Again, I’m conflicted about admitting this publicly.

Um, Hollywood movie people? Please make some good films soon. PLEASE.

Well, there is the next Christopher Guest flick. That's worth waiting for.

28 comments:

  1. Poor Doggie! Those lil noses are so tender. I hope her nose heals quickly. I hear ya about the money. I have a bionic cat that cost me about $1200. He's no more useful than he was before so, yeah...sucker.

    I watched RV. I thought it was cute. Am I a dork? Well, yes I am but does liking the movie in any way enhance my dorkiness?

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  2. Glad the pouch is on the mend.
    We go through Allergyville every August until the first frost with our big mutt, Nellie. She chews and licks and scratches until we are all insane from it. She gets antihistamine and Prednisone until whatever it is dies out in the yard.
    I can't even remember the last movie I rented. The Ring, maybe?

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  3. Anonymous10:03 PM

    I can't wait for the next Christopher Guest movie. Yay, I'm laughing just thinking about it. Good that you are getting information about your book. Let's see, what else? Oh, Halloween. We live on a dark block and get zero trick or treaters. Zero. In other parts of the neighborhood where they actually have sidewalks, people truck in from across town. We take Girlie there because our street is just too scary in the dark. And great job with the pooch. My dog had a big allergic reaction to pineapple. I found the rind she'd chewed. It was pretty ugly, her and the rind. Make sure your precious isn't stealing bad doggie treats.

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  4. Anonymous10:23 PM

    my parents get a few hundred kids at halloween too. at our house, we get about 2 kids. lol woot! more candy for us!

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  5. Anonymous11:16 PM

    I'm slowly pulling out the Halloween stuff myself. Check out my new banner! It's all about the pumpkin!

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  6. So glad that Daisy is better! In fact, I was stopping by to find that out. Yay! My golden retriever had so many ear infections and allergic issues that she's on permanent daily meds which have made all troubles go away. Plus, I saved myself a trip to the allergist vet.

    Also glad to hear that you know more about your book publisher, if not a release date. Your adoring public is waiting with proverbially baited breath.

    I agree on wishing Hollywood would make a good movie...and soon. Oh, and I heard the The Ringer was better than expected, so you shouldn't be embarrassed about that.

    Hi from down below. Have a great day!

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  7. Anonymous1:56 PM

    I'm so glad to hear that Daisy is recovering well. And perhaps those antibiotics weren't for nothing after all, given the ear infection.

    I'm also glad to hear that your book is moving along with your editor.

    And likewise - I'm eagerly anticipating the next Christopher Guest movie.

    So in celebration of all that good news, let's have some pre-Halloween chocolate!

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  8. doggie allergies are icky. our aussie has an allergy to 'someting' that causes her to nibblenibblenibble at on spot until she's taken all the hair off of it.

    gross.

    Happy to hear Miss Daisy is on the mend, adn that you've got a busy social calendar ahead of you! Par-teee!

    also, yay for the book!

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  9. OK...where do you live? Cuz I totally want to trick or treat at your place this year! :)

    PS glad the pup is on the mend.

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  10. Anonymous7:32 PM

    I admire all you early Halloweeners (not to be confused with HalloWIENERS.) We usually end up doing our decorating on October 31, five minutes before the first trick-or-treater arrives.

    Which would explain the lame decorations consisting mainly of a pumpkin drawn with Sharpie on a piece of notebook paper and ghost made out of a hankie and an apple.

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  11. Anonymous8:16 PM

    Poor sweet doggie.

    I just watched "Junebug" and "Wonderland." Is it just me or are these movies really just kind of so-so? I can't wait for "For Your Consideration," and I'm sure I won't be disappointed.

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  12. I watched Friends w/ Money a couple weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised as well. I'm really happy Jennifer Aniston's agent is only putting her in roles that are exactly like her Friends' character (and I guess herself?). Because, dammit!, I like her and I don't want to see her try to be some 18th century artist's muse or something. That would bum me out. She looks like she'd be fun to hang out with and watch What Not to Wear.

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  13. Anonymous10:00 PM

    I love Halloween, too. Come look at my new banner!

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  14. Anonymous10:23 PM

    Halloween is awesome! I think it is so cool your area is already getting into the spirit of it all!

    Glad to read that your dog and the book are going to be ok!

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  15. Thanks for all the movie critiques.

    So glad Daisy is okay. She is the cutest thing! Though your description of her scab had me dry heaving.

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  16. So glad that Daisy is doing well!

    I've added some of your movie suggestions to my Netflix - thanks!

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  17. I love the inflatable holiday lawn decorations. It's apparently all the rage these days. I'm hopeful there will be a Thanksgiving one to add to my collection. Why didn't I think of this? Good luck with your book, the siding, Daisy, and avoiding an egging.

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  18. Anonymous3:35 PM

    So glad that Daisy is better.

    It's weird to be here in Florida and see people's Fall/Halloween decorations. It's still in the 90s. Christmas is going to be surreal.

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  19. Yay, Daisy!
    I watched RV last weekend and was really disappointed. Great cast- Robin Williams, Jeff Daniels and the wives (one from Curb Your Enthusiasm and the other is in the Annie movie) were good. But, I really found it to be predictable and not really that funny.
    Thanks for the recommends. - looove Christopher Guest!

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  20. A new Christopher Guest flick?

    What?! When?!

    I am so ready for that.

    And hey, very glad to hear that Daisy is on the mend :-)

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  21. Anonymous9:45 AM

    Having a large dog scab available in time for Halloween ... mmm ... the potential for grotesque mischief is limitless.

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  22. We saw RV on a train trip...it was indeed better than I expected. Probably because I expected it to suck, and it didn't. Like that in a film. :)

    Glad pooch is some better, and I'm not the only sucker out there.

    Looking forward to buying your book SOMEDAY. ;)

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  23. Anonymous5:38 PM

    note to self: do not have turkey dinner at Jess's at Thanksgiving.

    ;D

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  24. How the heck did I miss this post? Sorry. I'm really glad to hear that Daisy's nose is better but it sucks about the allergy thing. Both my dogs have that problem and we haven't been able to pinpoint the cause yet.

    And? Can I come trick or treating at your house this year? It sounds like the place for candy.

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  25. Anonymous6:12 PM

    An MST3000 reference - Bee-you-tiful.

    And that C Guest movie...I hear it is stupendous.

    In the mean time, rent A mighty wind again.

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  26. Anonymous7:42 AM

    ...maybe even shellac it and serve a turkey dinner on it this Thanksgiving...

    I just threw up in my mouth a little.

    Hope Daisy is feeling better. :)

    And did I read that right? 100 trick or treaters? HOLY CRAP.

    (Blogger's being really wonky this morning and I have a feeling this comment will show up as 'anonymous' so I'm gonna let you know now that it's me, mamatulip.

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  27. Anonymous7:45 AM

    I'm the lone Halloweener on our block too. Wait...that didn't come out right. Halloweenie.

    Still not good.

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  28. Anonymous1:18 PM

    Oh, how I've missed you. I'm just catching up, and am so glad to hear that Daisy is ok, and that the book-moving news seems good so far.

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