The Perpetual Motion Machine

Posted By Amyinseattle on December 10, 2011

No big secret, I love to fly.  My first flight ever was a trans-atlantic to Germany with my mom.  I was 9 months old and according to mom I slept and cooed the entire time. The first real rule I remember learning as a child was to keep my nose and peanut butter residued paws off the windows in the terminal.  I (still) love to watch planes take off and land.  I’ve taken at least one flight every year since I was about 9.

While I know that airports and flying turn some people into swollen masses of cortisol… I still love it.

Here is the boarding line for Southwest at SeaTac.  She is saying how much they appreciate us flying with them, that they appreciate our cooperation as the flight is very full and to follow the signs to know when to line up.

The translation:

“You have chosen a bargain basement airline.  We will use techniques adapted from factory farmers to squeeze as many of you as possible into this plane for the lowest possible overhead.  When we’re done the term Sardines in a Can will resonate in every cell of your body. Even the complimentary bag of peanuts will be so small it would be better described as an act of good will than a snack. Since you can buy a new pair of boots at DSW for more than you paid for this airline ticket, your opinions, while mildly interesting, are irrelevant.  Enjoy your flight.”

It is true.  The boots I want at DSW cost more than my seat on this flight – round trip.  They are super cute.  So while it was enjoyable, I think it is safe to assume hot towels won’t be distributed near the end of the flight.  Such is life. ;o)

The car part was short and painless.  If you google Alamo & last minute there are screaming deals.  I got a full size car for $11 a day.  Between that and getting in and out in 15 minutes… what is not to like?

So far we have:
Ferry
Car
Cab
Lightrail
Airplane

We may have the opportunity to add zipline and i’m thinking i’ll spend part of tomorrow morning finding some OTHER obscure way to get around. ;o)

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Posted By Amyinseattle on December 10, 2011

Typically this is a training blog, but my misadventues in mass transit this weekend are too detailed for facebook.

Before anyone asks, yes there is a housesitter & the best intruder deterrent Aussie Rescue has ever referred.  )

Yesterday, I drove to north seattle and dropped off Peanut with her slaves for a long weekend.  From there, I got a taxi to the ferry to Bainbridge for a company party.  Which by the way was too much fun.

On the transit checklist we have automobile, cab & ferry.

So far today, we have more ferry as bainbridge is an island, light rail and shortly: airplane.

Ferries in Washington serve a dual purpose in being both working commuter transit & tourist activity.  People come to Seattle and take the ferry… anywhere.  Mostly because the views are awesome even in the worst weather, but I think ferries are extra awesome in the morning when the commuters ride.  In the early morning there always seems to be something interesting going on.  This morning was no exception as we had a Harp Busker.  Yes, you read that correctly. Harp Busker.

He played the most beautiful christmas music throughout the ride.  The little kids traveling into city to shop with their families would aproach him and leave change.  People would stop, take photos with their phone and then talk with him.   You almost can’t help it as he is super personable.

The light rail was less fun, but not a bad ride.  There are places for luggage and it wasn’t especially crowded.  They run every 10 minutes from downtown and take about 45 minutes to get to the airport.  Since the platform is right behind the tall parking structure you really don’t walk any further. 
Super easy.

Next is the plane & the automobile.  Oh and finding a hotel and the wedding site since I left all my documentation at home and forgot to upload some things to Evernote.

It’s an afternoon wedding – so I have time to figure it out. LOL

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Posted By Amyinseattle on November 3, 2011

When Molly was first in her big accident, I found myself having to do some insta-learning.  In living with Simon, and my own physical hiccups, i’m comfortable with broken bodies.  I know what to do for the most part.  Also, i’m a devotee of Dr. Gregory House – so i know everything.   Molly’s most serious injuries were to her brain; an area that i have very little experience with.   I’ve had a mild concussion. There is a big difference between snowboarding for the the first time on ice dusted with snow and falling forward face first down the mountain… and whatever happened to Molly that knocked her unconscious for 25 minutes and stopped her pupils from dilating for 3 days.

Thankfully, when her former foster mom came to see her a few days afterward,  she told me something that i’ve always kept in mind:

[I] had a major concussion years ago, and [i'm] just now starting to feel normal again. Be patient. It can take a long time.

Fast forward almost 4 years (eek!) and we are now living in a different situation. At the new house, she has free reign and access to a good sized backyard.  No more Amy lording over S&M, constantly directing their play.  Instead they are starting to instigate their own play – most recently in front of the TV (grr).  They are both more relaxed.  While a little bored with no deer/moles/ducks to chase, the new noises and other dogs are interesting.  As is whatever Simon thinks is camped out under my shed.

Simon even made a dog friend. That’s how much more relaxed he is.

And I am more relaxed, both generally and with them.

What’s the progress?  The little dog who rarely made any noise outside of a barely audible whine will alert bark on occasion and has even started ‘talking’ to me.
Non-Molly Example:

Just to be clear, Molly’s first words will not be I Love You.  It will be Bring Me Bacon. I’ve created a monster.

Last night i was standing against the back of the couch watching TV and all the sudden there were little paws on my arse and my elbow was being nose-bumped!

No, i didn’t get after her.  I may regret it later and i’m ok with that.

While i’m not sure how our new situation and Molly’s current progress are related, I am positive they are.  Yes, Positive.

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Tags: Australian Shepherd, The Accident

Posted By Amyinseattle on September 15, 2011

Was a funny thing… i was talking to a person who was new to stock trials, but had taken lessons and she said (no joke) “I could never handle stock back there!  I don’t have enough experience…”.

Like that has ever stopped anyone.   But i felt bad because i laughed out loud and maybe a bit too loud.  In my defense i was covered in dirt and just pleased that nothing was bleeding except my finger.  Everything was funny.

It dawned on me that i’ve been doing this blog for a long time and there might be a misconception that i know what i’m doing.  Ok, that’s not fair. There might be a misconception that i was raised around animals and this is all a very natural progression.  If the curve of my life lead me to work cows with dogs, then the next logical step will be my becoming a physicist.  It is that far off the natural course.

When i was an infant we had an Irish Setter. I had a cat when i was in elementary school – who hated everyone. I also walked my neighbors setter for a few months.  I grew up in an apartment complex and later in a condo, both in-town.  I did go to horse camp every year during Jr. High into high school. Which i know sounds very dressage, but we learned good trail skills, bareback riding and those ‘user skills’ that a person around a horse should know: how to smell bad hay, clean tack, curry… those things.  That is the end of my animal experience up until high school when i worked in a vet hospital.

When i got Simon he started fetching horses.  To learn to harness his power I started working him on sheep at Diane’s.  i met Ron.  That following April, a group of us went to go check out the ASCA April trial and i was volun-told to cattle. No joke the conversation went like this:

Bob (course director) : we need someone in cows

Ron: We can teach Amy can do that.

Bob: Ok

Amy: Wait, what cows?  *in* cows?

I learned about moving cattle from Ron and Bob in the mud.  And the rain.  I fell in the previously mentioned mud, was soaked to the bone, wore inappropriate foot wear which lead to an unplanned foot treatment and loved every second.  They entertained my questions – including the always popular “none of the cows have horns… are they all female?”.

Yes, i was that wet behind the ears.

After awhile i started working in the pens with other people and now i usually work alone in cows at April for part of the day.   It’s a meditation i enjoy.  It requires all my focus and the other things just melt away.  Sometimes i work other trials. I enjoy the people and the challenge of the different setups.  I like watching teams I know be successful and see the handling style of people new to me.  It is the best view in the house.

The point of all this is that i’m not a ‘tough’ or especially confidant personality – i’m rather squishy.  I’m not big.  I had no real experience.  You don’t get experience unless you get in and do.  Work with someone who has some experience and they’ll help you find a job that works for you.

 

If i can do it – anyone can.

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Tags: ASCA, Events, Handler Stress