Bienvenue, Teddy!

Oh. Baby. I can practically hear "Stayin' Alive" in the background as these two new buds cruise and sniff their way through the neighbourhood.

Joey would like to send a big, pug-dog, neighbourhood shout-out (and doggy bum-sniff) to his new friend, Teddy. Teddy is a rescue Wheaten (from France!!!) that is being fostered by Auntie Rebecca and Uncle Andrew.

Much fun was had by these two buds at the dog park today. Even Joey (who usually only moves if there is a liver treat nearby) got in on the running action with Teddy and the other dogs.

Teddy seems to be settling into his new family really well, despite the language barrier. (Unfortunatley, Teddy only speaks French right now. Seriously. Le chien ne parle pas anglais.)

But Joey told me that Teddy thinks he's a lucky dog to be with such great parents and has consequently abandoned all his plans to escape in the middle of the night, find the Atlantic, and swim back to France. And Joey and I are both very glad about that.

The Miracle of Wireless

Do you know where I am right no? (No, of course you don't unless you're the CIA. ) Well, let me tell you... I AM AT THE LAUNDROMAT! There seems to be an unsecured wireless connection here and I am taking full advantage. At first, I thought I would just work on the moot while doing the wash but now I can answer email and generally waste time on knitting websites. Brilliant. Now I can be a domestic and law goddess all at the same time. Martha Stewart would be proud.

Speaking of knitting, I have started a new project: I am attempting to make the beautiful Shining Star baby hat. I actually need to make a lamb blanket and should start on that, but the blanket is a long project and I need a little "instant" material gratification to balance out the "one big discursive thinkfest" that is now my life. Sadly, since I have no time, my gratification will be a tad delayed - Shining Star, a two day project, will likely turn into a three week odyssey... but it's nice to knit again, even at a reduced pace.

OK, back to the laundy-loo...

Aerated Carcinogens and Other Annoyances...

It is not the clear-sighted who rule the world. Great achievements are accomplished in a blessed, warm fog.

-Joseph Conrad

My accomplishment for this evening, Mr. Conrad, was managing to get around the block. It's a wee bit foggy out there.

I hate fog. It always gives me the sensation that my glasses are dirty, which is irritating. Also, I can't help thinking that all the tainted water and polluted run-off has just become aerated, so now I am breathing in even more carcinogens than usual.

Yes. I have problems. But at least I know this.

So you know I'm not making up a crazy fog story (and who hasn't been the gullible victim of a crazy fog story?!), here is a picture of Parliament Hill as it is right now. (Note the fog.)

Also, in case you're wondering if I am compulsive enough to go to Parliament at this hour to take a picture of fog, please note, gentle reader, that I am not (yet.) The federal government runs a website that operates a live webcam of the main block of parliament so we can all check up on the joint whenever we like. (Yup. Still there!) Just another example of our tax dollars at work.

If you want a piece of the Hill Cam action, check out new link to your right.

Dog ≠ Stereo

A recent decision from an Ontario appeal court found that a dog is not like a stereo after all.

Glad that got cleared up.

Locust-free Since February, 2006

Hello blog following of 3.5 readers!

It has been a while since my last blog. This is largely due to something called a "memo" [hereinafter El Memo] that tried to kill me. El Memo was snarly, mad, bad, dangerous to know, and at one point tried to induce neurasthemia with his saucy banter and infuriating double-speak. But, eventually, he got done. El Memo taught me that the law of sexual assault in Canada is eveel, like the frueets of the deveel and needs to be changed. (A task which is now on The List.)

El memo, combined with the recent 4.5 earthquake, led me to the inescapable conclusion that the world was really ending. But the locusts never came, I officially got another year older (and duly increased the strength of my eye gel), I got a kick-ass party from my law buddies so all in all, I came out ahead and the 1950s-era emergency preparedness kit went back into the closet.

What else have I been up to? Kate, Becky and I volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity build. Our law class is donating a "house in a box" to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. This involved us going to city hall in -20 degree weather, assembling a house with a truly delightful group of juvies on what can only be described as an ice floe, then disassembling the entire thing and loading it into a truck. It's unclear why we built the house only to unbuild it one day later but I got to play drill and miss torts and contracts so I can't complain.

In other news, I attended the career fair put on by my fine law faculty of higher edjukashun. All the big firms were there and some pretty cool swag was given away (silly putty, ice cream scoop, umbrella, hulk pez dispenser.) Following the fair, after some serious soul-searching, I have decided what I am going to do with my life: be a lawyer.

AND (big news) to facilitate this decision, I have finally purchased an Actual Business Suit. Oh. Yeah. Very exciting since now I do not have to interview wrapped in a festive, yet tasteful, shower curtain. (Awk-ward...) It is three piece, black, year-round, and will never go out of style. Ever. And not just because I am too cheap to buy another one. Now I look as if I know the law, even when I don't. Unfortunately, I now officially have to sell my kidney but this thing practically guarantees I will get a job so I suppose I can just buy another at some point...

Now aside from the Law Ball, and my first trip to the legal aid clinic (very similar to my previous job in many, many, disturbing and unsettling ways...) you, dear readers, are all caught up with me.

I will leave you with what may become a regular feature of this thar blog...

Seen and Overheard at Ottawa Oscar Party, 2006:

• It's not burnt, it's purple
• No mo' Yo-Yo!
• Wait, that's not Yo-Yo... that's Fiddle Fred!
• Who was it in the ten commandments? Abraham?
• If you can't make fun of the clown-haired, who can you make fun of?
• Well, Tanya, it works because you alter the focal plane.
• It's not a party until the Italian to English dictionary comes out!

Note: I am also pleased to report that Joey drove a car half a block. He did quite well. But I had to stop him before we got on the highway - that would just be crazy.