Animal magnetism

Last night, I formed a theory about dogs and, to a lesser extent, cats.

Hypothesis: Dogs and cats, when laying down, have the ability to change their density based on mood, or, are able to increase the pull of gravity on their bodies at will.

How I came up with this theory: Each and every time I plunk Maizie onto the bed for sleeptime, she takes a few steps and lays down right in the middle of the bed. Now, normally, if two people were sleeping in the bed, this wouldn't be a problem. I'd be on one side, person 2 would be on the other, and Maizie could fit easily in the center. However, since I sleep alone, I sleep in the middle, and as we know, two things cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Since I am the master hu-man, and she is the pet, I frequently decide it is she who must move, not me. Time and again, however, I cannot move her with my clearly week legs. I push, I shove, and generally try very hard to get her to move. In the end, unless she moves on her own, I am stuck trying to maneuver my legs around her in a comfortable way. Now, when she is laying on the floor and wants a cuddle, I have no trouble at all picking her up. When she is on the couch, cuddling, asleep, or playing with her rawhide chew, she is the fabled Immovable Object. As for cats, I have heard similar stories from cat-owning friends, so will include them in the

How can we test this? I don't know. I'm not a scientist. We'll science a way.

Tabemassho!

Mr. Max no nihonshoku wa zutto oishii to omoimasu kara, ashita no bangohan wa sugoi desu. Soshite, restauran wa seikaku desu. Watashi wa edamame to oyakodon o haraimashita.

Okay, how badly did I butcher that? I can't remember most of my Japanese, but I think what I tried to say was "Because, I think, Mr. Max's Japanese food is the best evar, I had a really awesome dinner yesterday. Also, the restaurant is authentic! I had edamame and oyakodon."

Can anyone correct my cobweb-ridden Japanese language memory? That seriously translates like a high school "how I spent my summer vacation" essay. Oi.

Last night I discovered a delicious restaurant in Irving called Mr. Max. You walk in and it's almost like transporting yourself to Japan; to the little ramen shop nestled between the business hotel and the depaato. For parties of 4 or less, seating is available at the counter, and if you have a group, you can sit on the floor (they have an option for putting your feet under the table). The cook is Japanese, as is the wait staff, and they even have a small karaoke room if you care to partake! Be warned, however, that all the songs are Japanese.

No white person's journey to an authentic Japanese restaurant would be complete without a white board full of Japanese language daily specials, and the overwhelming feeling that everyone is staring at you. I assume this is for two reasons:

1. Why the hell is a white person coming into a tiny place like this when there is a Chili's down the street?
2. Let's make their experience that much more authentic by making them feel like they are actually foreigners and this is actually Japan.

In spite of the eyes-staring-at-the-back-of-your-head effect, the place was quite delicious, and if it wasn't in Irving, I'd go more frequently. In fact, if they transported it downtown, I'd eat there for lunch every single day. EVERY SINGLE DAY. Actually, come to think of it, I imagine the reason they stared so much was because of the following conversation:

Waitress: Here's your oyakodon.
Me: This looks amazing. Arigatou gozaimasu
Waitress: do you want a spoon?
Me: *looks confused* No no, chopsticks are fine.
Waitress: *stares from distance*
Me: *picks up bowl to eat*
Restaurant staff: *jiiiiiiiii~* (stare noise)

Yeahhhhhh.

Anyway, I can't remember the rest of what I was going to type, so here's a badass music mashup. I can't describe it any better than the title of the blog post from whence it came "I've just been falcon punched in the ear." Ciao!

Super Mash Bros. - Meet Me At Fantasy Island

The king is dead!

Long live the King! ... of Fighters. Yeah, this weekend taught me two things: I am pretty bad at fighting games (no hard feelings, hon), and I still hate Sundays.

I also learned that my tolerance for amount of anime watched in a day is apparently a full 2 seasons. Twenty-six episodes of Eureka 7 yesterday. Twenty-six, people. I wanted to be out doing something; anything. Buuuut due to my crippling loathing of Sundays, I stayed in my apartment almost all day. I did discover, however, that Uncle Julio's makes a delicious brunch. I had fajita soft tacos with eggs, potatoes, onions, and beef with a little bowl of fruit. So tasty... SOOO tasty.

Anyway, I really don't have much to say today...but It has been a week since I posted so I thought I should at least say hello. Hello! ::wave::

My, but that's a big, blue....

...Dr. Manhattan. I saw Watchmen Friday night after constantly plugging my ears to all the midnight show viewers. I have read the graphic novel, but had not read a single review of the moviefilm. Now I have seen it, and I will simply say I liked it. If you want further details, let me know.

Anyway, after I finished recording the podcast on Saturday morning, Jim and I had breakfast at Panera. They had hot cross buns! Holy craps! I will absolutely REQUIRE to know how to make those. So delicious.

Jim headed home after that, and I headed out to Ft. Richardson for my very first official camping trip with friends. In spite of my general uselessness, I had a ton of fun. Maizie came too and mostly stayed out of the way. I think she really enjoyed our little hike through the old fort grounds. I climbed around on things and took pictures of people being silly. We played a huge game of Apples to Apples and all was right with the world.

Maizie slept all day yesterday; she was quite worn out. She does not have the boundless energy of a young dog, but boy was she having fun sniffing things while we were at the camp site. I'm still pretty tired, but am very glad I went! I'm so buying my own tent for the next time though. I want one of those tents that just magically pop up, though. I don't think I'm coordinated enough otherwise.

I'm having trouble staying awake at work. Hoo boy. Happy Monday!

Further proof...

...that I win at Instant Messaging.

DSCarmon: Erin, how are you today?

I'd like to talk to you about Cthulhu.

Erin: I'd love for you to! But first I'd like to give you a free audit, courtesy of the Church of Scientology.

DSCarmon: ahahahaha

Go ahead. Try to deny my awesome powers.