Co-Evolution

One of the things I appreciate most about animals is their ability to change their behavior based on their perceptions of human beings. Some animals are better at this than other, and I think it's fair to say that dogs are one of the most adept species around.

Case in point: the stray dogs in Russia that have learned to use the subway.

The way they describe the dogs hopping on the metro to visit downtown where they "hunt" for food by using their wiles on the humans there, and then riding the metro back home is entirely endearing.

As is this video of a canine passenger waking up just in time to get off at his stop:

Because a cardboard box would be silly

We've been apartment hunting. It's been harrowing - working on opposite sides of the state and living in an expensive metropolitan area ($1300 for a studio and no air conditioning? really?), and having a dog bigger than 25 lbs is not the best combination of factors.

But, there is good news. According to Google we can live here:

What do you think? Physics? Anyone?

Halloween (and also a wedding)

Imagine this space full of people in fancy clothes, masks, and possibly doing the Thriller dance and you'll have the idea.

Happiest Dog in the World

7.4.09

Happy Fourth of July!

Cherries.

I am babysitting one of my friend's hamsters while she's on vacation. Nooch has appreciated the company (he likes to sniff at the cage next to his). And I think they both are entertained by the summer produce coming in to the house..

Our visitor:



Nooches:


Nothing says "I'm in heaven!" like ratty boggle-eyes.

Book and a Highball

I'll be the first to admit it - I'm a snob. This is most especially true when it comes to nonfiction literature. I'm not snobbish in the usual way - not in the English Major way - but rather, I have certain favorites, and because they are MY favorites they are the very best and I tend to not give other bits of nonfiction a chance. It is a bit limiting, I'll admit, but on the other hand it gives me the comfort and, indeed, the delight, of revisiting the same stories over and over and finding pleasure in the familiar phrases and new insights found in the re-read.

A couple of weeks ago I picked up J.D. Salinger's Nine Stories again. Last night I read "For Esme-with Love and Squalor" and I have to say that last sentence, "You take a really sleepy man, Esme, and he always stands a chance of again becoming a man with all his fac-with all this f-a-c-u-l-t-i-e-s intact." kills me every time.

Tonight it's "Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes" which I'm sure is going to drive me nuts. Fortunately I've got the company of some good libations.

I have to say, though, (and this gets back to the snobbery) one of my favorite reasons for re-reading this book in particular is that I had the good sentiment to keep a post-it note on the title page. It was written by one of my most enduring friends while I was off at my first year of art school: "I send you good literature. A diversion - from your drawing of elegant lines."

As the month of June's trickling out, it's good to remember brilliant stories and equally brilliant friends.