Lola's New Haircut - It's not so bad

Before









After

The Pups Valentine's Toy

Lobiz (the nickname for Lola & Showbiz) got new toys today. We found a great deal on some 'squeek dogs'. Here's some pics of the new gift:
(Long view of the Squeekers)









(Crazy squeeker face)









(Proceeds fight breastcancer)









(Showbiz giving squeeker some love)









(2 days and he'll be defluffed)

Lola's Worst Day Ever

Lola the Chihuahua has officially declared February 2, 2008 the worst day ever. First, she was subjected to nail clipping. Then, she was groomed by two bozo's (Stacy & I) who have no clue how to cut a dogs hair. Lola said she wanted to look more like Foxy Cleopatra, but she got Benji. Finally, she was able to get a little time by herself, but then she had to get a bath because she was 'muddy'. What gives!!!?

Saturday Morning Rituals

Here's just a few ramblings for this lazy Saturday morning. First, let's set the background for all my readers. The television is showing a Real Estate Show featuring the seller agent from our home purchase. He's pushing a house in Geist. He's been pushing the same house for 3 weeks. It's not going to sell, man. Give it up.

Also, I just viewed pictures from a friend who was involved in a hit & run last night. From the pictures, I'm assuming they were the hit portion of the equation. If Mr. Runner is reading this...two words. Vigilante Justice!

I'm kind of tired of conservatives using liberals in their hate crimes, but Mitt Romney does have some nice hair. He should be on one of those Jellin' commercials.

My superbowl prediction: Giants 23 - Patriots 14. MVP - Peyton (oops I mean) Eli Manning. Here's my reasoning, I know the Patriots are good, but I have applied the Rule 317. Rule 317 states that 'all little brothers are increased opportunities when following accomplishments by their older brothers.' As a little brother, I am a firm believer in Rule 317.

Also, after 2 consecutive loses, the IU fanbase is fuming. They are calling for Sampson's head. Here's how I see things playing out. IU is currently 17-3 and in second place in the Big Ten with a 6-1 record. The still have to play 3 tough games at Illinois, at Ohio State, and at Michigan State. The also have tough games at home against MSU, OSU, Wisconsin, and Purdue. In my opinion, at Northwestern, at Penn State, and home against Minnesota are easy W's, but I will likely lose at OSU or MSU and maybe a home lost. I see IU going into the Big Ten tourney with a record of 26-5. Three loses in the Big Ten could still win the championship.

Here's some other comments: AJ Ratliff has never really played consistently, and his is an unlikely contributor to the team unless he adopts a better on the court work-ethic. He needs to play like Stemler with a vertical leap. He's way behind the others due to his academic mishap earlier in the season.

IU fans are great. People who state that IU fans are not as crazy as fan-bases form other schools need to think back to the Connecticut game. In one IU defensive series, the crowd was so loud that a disoriented Hasheem Thabeet threw up an ill-advised shot due to the crowd count-down. He thought he had only a few seconds on the shot clock, when he actually had about 10 seconds to get rid of the ball. It was amazing.

IHLA Stars of the Industry Reception

Yesterday, I attended the Indiana Hotel and Lodging Association's, Stars of the Industry Reception. The reception honors outstanding employees and leaders in the Hotel and Lodging Industry. Numerous employees won awards for their outstanding commitment to their organization.

The keynote speaker was Indiana Secretary of the State, Todd Rokita. He spoke of the importance of civic engagement and Indiana's challenges as the business environment continues to flatten.

Overall, the reception was outstanding and congratulations to all the award winners.

Book Review - Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

In 'Wild at Heart' by John Eldredge, the reader takes a look into today's masculine soul. For me, the book was a series of ups and downs. I felt the author makes some strong points about man's struggle to conform to modern Christian principles without losing a sense of masculinity. I did feel a little lost when he fails to recognize societies influence on the masculine soul. As a young millennial, I feel safe displaying some slight feminine tendencies, but according to Mr. Eldredge, this is a result from some intricate failure in my boyhood. I'm happy with myself. I'm in love with my wife. If I want to take a break from car engines and fishing, and enjoy baking a cake or go on a shopping spree at Bath & Body Works, that's my prerogative.

Overall, this novel is worth the read because it causes one to think about themselves in a more intimate way.

Here's a description from www.christianbook.com:

"Helping men rediscover their masculine heart, Wild at Heart, a guide to understanding Christian manhood and Christian men, offers a refreshing break from the chorus of voices urging men to be more responsible, reliable, dutiful ... and dead. God designed men to be dangerous, says Eldredge. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in every boy's heart: to be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men abandon those dreams and desires---aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more than pressure to be a "nice guy." It's no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death. In this provocative book, Eldredge gives women a look inside the true heart of a man and gives men permission to be what God designed them to be---dangerous, passionate, alive, and free."

Retail Price: $21.99

The destruction of happy alligator.

To reward our puppies for such good behavior this past week, we brought home a stuffed alligator as a present.










(Showbiz doing the grab and hide)









(Lola's turn)









And finally, we see what came of Mr. Happy Alligator.