Mmmmmm, bacon
If you’re an omnivore/carnivore, there are few things that can improve just about any food more than bacon. I caved and tried the new-fangled “bake in the oven” method because it’s claimed to be easier to make and clean up after. I’m not convinced. I had an unnoticed corner of a strip hanging off the back of the pan, and although I appreciated that the house smelled like bacon for two days because of the enormous gout of steam and smoke that rushed out on checking progress; I’m not sure it was an easier process. I like my bacon super crispy, and it just never got there although I kept shutting it back in the oven.
In other news around the world, I finally got off my butt and filled the water tank on the trailer. I still need to run a bleach solution through it, but at least the system functions and the water pump works. I’ve made two trips to Home Depot to pick up stuff, and still don’t have the right mix of hose and funnel to pour several gallons of the mixture into a fill spout similar to a gasoline tank. Still working on it. I’ll be using the trailer in a few weeks, so I should get it solved.
I’ve been up to the archery range several times, combining the “get Cardiff used to being alone at the house” with practice for an upcoming shoot. I’ve not done competitions before, but this one is a less serious golf-like shoot that I’m hoping is as fun as it sounds.
For those who aren’t aware, I’m a long-time video gamer. Diablo 4 was a big deal earlier this year, and I pre-ordered like all good little consumers do. I have to say I was not as impressed with the game as I would have hoped. I actually stopped playing and have been playing Baldur’s Gate 3 (another long-awaited release). It’s pretty fun, I’m just not used to doing turn-based stuff and it’s an adjustment.
Lastly, to provide the obligatory doggy content, this is what happens when your canine is neither afraid of the sound or the rushing air of a leaf blower. It makes me think of an imaginary wine label I invented a few years ago named “Laughing Dog”.
And here is the video of the hooligan that prompted it.
I’ll be in Reno in a week or so, anyone that needs a sealed bag of cigarette smoke from a casino should let me know.
Why Cardiff?
Are you a Communist? Why would you name your dog something weird like that?
This question comes up a lot. As I covered before, this originates in the name of a city in southern Wales:
I’ve never been there, but it’s come up in stories I’ve read and I’ve always liked the sound of it
I used to have a D&D character named after the same place
I’ll likely visit at some point, but it’s unlikely that my doggo will
There’s a castle there, which totally fits with her name: Cardiff Castle
Also, I’d like to say on behalf of Cardiff that she’s not a terror all the time. She’s actually super sweet and loves cuddles, doesn’t bark much, is actually smart, and loves meeting people. She occasionally terrorizes Japanese cities, but not all the time.
Here’s a little video as a thank you for reading this far
Kaiju Rampage Continues
Cardiff recharging
Fun side note, Kaiju was actually one of the names on the list for my new dog, but I quickly dismissed it as tempting fate.
Here’s what she turns into when fully topped off
Don’t let my sarcasm paint her in a negative light, she’s doing great and seems to be having fun in the process. She’s super sweet and very smart. It’s definitely challenging keeping up and challenging her to be interested and not just chew something out of boredom. I’ve relied heavily on family to help me manage her and allow me time to do simple stuff like go to the store since Cardiff can’t be in a crate for very long at this point.
In other news, my trip to Texas to pick up my travel trailer is being reshuffled. With Cardiff unable to even interact with many other dogs or be on the ground safely due to the risk of Parvo before she’s fully vaccinated, I’ve had to re-think the trip. I was very much looking forward to driving out, and even more so driving back with Princess A, dragging the trailer behind. The reality is the trip would be difficult at best given Cardiff would need to be carried everywhere and none of us would be having the best trip we could.
My dad to the rescue, he’s going to drive my truck out and retrieve the trailer for me. I had alternate schemes for possibly getting other people to do the trip or dog-sit while I did it. His solution is the best all around, and will even give him some time to visit family while out in Texas. But it’s still a huge relief for me to have it solved.
Thanks again, Dad, you’re the best!
Alligator on the loose
There are apparently some scientific and accurate methods for distinguishing between an alligator and a crocodile, something about the shape of the snout and whether there are teeth visible, blah blah blah
I find it much easier to distinguish by time:
Alligators you’ll see later
Crocodiles you’ll see after a while
All this is to say that Cardiff has transformed into an alligator (I’m arbitrarily choosing that one of the two). She’s comfortable enough now that she’s confident in rooms she was timid to be in before. She is chasing my feet with no understanding or regard for the consequences; frequently getting punted or almost squashed by her ill-timed pounces. She is sampling everything with her mouth now, be it animate or inanimate. And zoomies. Oh, the zoomies.
A couple times a day, she runs about madly, stopping briefly to chew on anything in her path. That might be furniture, a toy, my foot, a rock, whatever. And she doesn’t calm down quickly. Any efforts to pull her off something result in faster attacks at my hand. I know she’s doing the best she can, but it’s tough to remember in the moment when several needle-teeth are sunk in my baby toe.
The vicious predator racing from concealment
Just a very short clip of the much longer quack session. Thanks again for the toy, mom!
Parthle-tongue programming
“She has White Walker eyes” — Amanda
Apologies to the Harry Potter fans for the title, but I was unable to resist. And I really tried. I believe snakes would have a fun time trying to say “Parseltongue”.
This week, I re-connected with a friend from my former life in high tech. He just published (another) book, his second on Python programming, and is more smarter than I. Proof of that is I sat in full sunlight and ended up with sunburn on my already ravaged face. Funny enough, he also was one of the people that created Ultimate Frisbee, and even was in the first international disc golf competition.
I’ve been out a couple times this week flinging discs at my target, and generally worked all the way up to “really awful” in terms of distance and accuracy. Amazed by the improvement! Tip: throwing discs into traffic is great cardio. In the vein of activities, I also started sword lessons with a retired weapons master. Maybe I’ll be the next Hero to rise to fame in the realm.
I also tried out a kickbike — an amazing artist friend invited me to try it out, and give me a tour in the wetland levees in the North part of Sunnyvale. We even saw a bald eagle.
Can I just say I really really love being retired? All the things I’ve considered, contemplated, wished, or otherwise put off I now have the opportunity to chase if I choose to. And I’m in full health and young enough to enjoy it.
In other news, I got a new picture of my puppy. I’ll be picking her up the second week of next month, and she just keeps getting cuter. I’m currently looking at pet insurance - something I never thought I’d be thinking about. Additionally, I’m trying to locate two vets: one for regular stuff, and the second one being an emergency clinic. You never know what puppies might get into, or what might get into them.
My blue eyes see into your soul
Princess B flew out and went back to the East coast, but we had good times together. We visited the Redwoods before she left, and had a short hike looking at the trees. She’s now engaged, and both she and her fiancé are starting the process of picking the right stories to tell people they don’t want to invite to the event.
You’ve got mail
I lead an awesome life. I’ve had my share of want and lack, as well as poor treatment, but overall I have it pretty good. I tend to find or come across opportunities to enrich it on a surprising scale. This can be as small as just the other day I found a frisbee disc, when I just started playing. Typically anything found on a course has a name and contact info written on it so it can be returned. The one I found said “Keep me! I’m keeping yours!” Not life-changing, but still an unexpected bonus.
More importantly, as I get prepared for picking up my puppy in a couple weeks I’m looking for a local veterinarian, pet insurance, doggy supplies (although my mom is showering me with these like it’s her first grandchild), and I’ve been reading books — yes, actual books — on training as well as watching videos, and listening to podcasts. I decided on an online course since there’s not much in terms of IRL classes, and found one for a fair chunk of change: $280. It’s four months long, has a bunch of resources and support, and sounds worth the investment since I have the time to focus on dog training that many people don’t have. Unfortunately, the site has the course waitlisted on one page, and available for purchase on another. Unsure how that works since it’s online, I reached out and asked.
The response was unforeseen. Basically, they replied “It’s typically $280, but we periodically will reduce to $49 as a special promotion, and keep a short list of interested people to give it to at that price. Since you’re about to get your puppy and sound like you’re committed to training, we’re going to give it to you for the $49 price instead of the $280. Here’s a special checkout code. Hope to see you in the online class soon!”
To be clear, this isn’t a college kid trying to start a side-business, nor a pet store with a back room they have for doggy daycare. It’s an internationally recognized dog trainer with thousands of people rabidly devoted to it. Here’s the site.
So, I’m off to sign up. I’ll be sure to review the materials and how it goes with my training.
Pick of the litter, or Dog is my co-pilot
04/19/2023
I’ve shared with some people that I have an Australian Shepherd I’m waiting to pick up. She’ll be old enough to go home with me in June, and she’s cuter than your dog already. OK, maybe not so pretty to look at yet, but she’s going to be cuter than your dog.
I haven’t named her yet, and plan to do so when we meet and I get a better feeling for if she’s a “Fido” or “Rufus”.
