Dog Daze with the Reds

Last night Sarah and I took Gilmore to his first Cincinnati Reds game! The local SPCA hosted an event where dogs and their owners could get into the park, parade around the field, and watch the ball game in their own section. We all loved it, especially Gilmore. He is such a social dog and this wound up being a very social event for all of us. We met Bryn and Rob with their dog Wrigley (who switched from a Cubs fan to a Reds fan for the night). Before the game they had several different dog contests, but since Gilmore wouldn't be the biggest or the smallest and he doesn't enjoy costumes, we didn't enter him. We paraded around the entire field with the other 248 dogs and finally found our way to our seats. As we were sitting down Sarah realized that she used to work with the person sitting next to us so they enjoyed getting caught up on life. While they were talking I glanced down about five rows and saw my cousin Ryan, who lives in Columbus. He is a big Reds fan and heard about the Dog Zone so he came down with his dog, Bosco. It was great to see him and catch up. We exchanged phone numbers so next time he comes down we can get together.
Then our friends Tricia and Michelle showed up Tricia was checking out a very cute rescue from the SPCA named Wendy. I told her they would look very cute "walking down the streets of the city, smiling at everybody she sees." We'll see, finding the perfect pet is a big decision...
I've posted some pictures here and you can see that we had a great time. Hopefully they will put this event on next year, I think it was a huge success. Gilmore is ready for us to "take him out to the ball game" again!!

Look what I got...

This is the exact Smurf's record player that I had growing up. I could not tell you what ever happened to mine, but I saw this on eBay (in the original box!!!) and had to get it. It is being shipped to me soon, I can't wait! It is supposed to be in perfect working condition, so I can't wait to set my old Shirt Tails read along record on and be living in 1984 again...

Sob Songs

I was scrolling through my ipod this morning on the way to work, trying to decide what to listen to, and I landed on Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water album. I've loved that album since junior high, but I don't listen to it too often. When "The Boxer" started playing, I teared up as I always do. I'm not sure why this song moves me so much, but it always has, especially since Paul Simon performed it at the start of the first "Saturday Night Live" episode after 9-11. Then-NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani introduced him, and I always think of that moment when I hear the song. I know that's a weird association, and it's not particularly sentimental to get teary-eyed over a now Republican presidential candidate, but it still chokes me up.

Another song that always grabs my heart and gives it a twist is "Return to Pooh Corner." It's insanely cheesy to get worked up over a Kenny Loggins song, but it's just so heartwrentchingly, innocently sweet, that I get this big lump in my throat and my eyes get all watery every time I get to the verse where he's looking at his own son in his bed with Pooh by his side. Every time.

I feel a little guilty for not noting a more significant tear-jerker, like a song from my wedding. But the truth is, those songs don't really make me cry. They make me happy and nostalgic, but not teary-eyed. I'm sure that seems unromantic, but it's often the songs that are seemingly unrelated to my own life that sneak up and kick-start the waterworks.

But maybe that's just me. What songs move you to tears?

Family, Festival, and a new job!

This holiday weekend we went to visit my family in Edgerton. We enjoyed seeing everyone and got to celebrate three birthdays with three cakes! Thanks Mom!
My brother gave us passes to the Auburn Cord Deusenberg Festival while we were home. For those of you unfamiliar, this is an annual festival in nearby Auburn, IN where you can see all kinds of automobiles. Old and new, basic and extravagant, you will find everything here. We went just about every year when I was growing up and I always loved it. They have a big auction along with an area for people just showing and selling their cars. Sarah had never been so I was really excited to go with her. As you can see, we found a couple of things we liked. I've always wanted a Delorean, but after finally having the chance to get behind the wheel, I don't fit so well. I see why tiny Michael J. Fox was cast in Back to the Future. I've also always wanted some kind of roadster like an MG or an Alpha Romeo, but now I'm thinking maybe an old BMW 3 series convertible would be a better fit and just as fun.
I also wanted to let all of you know that I'll be starting my new job in less than two weeks. The "official" title is "Retail Conversion Specialist" but basically what it means is that I'll be responsible for overseeing the branch aspects of any new systems or processes as well as any new bank acquisitions. I'm really excited about it. I've been looking for over a year to get into this group and I think this opportunity will be perfect for me. It will be strange not to work in a direct customer service environment, but I think I am ready for that change. I'll let you know how things are going as I get into the role. Wish me luck!