What’s on your mind?

[Mefisto]

I grew up with dogs. I've held dogs in very high regard since I first met our first family dog some 30 years ago, and even though almost 20 years have passed since our last family dog unfortunately had to be put down both of those furry bundles of awesomeness are still frequently in my mind. I've come very close to ending personal relationships when it came to disagreements over whether cats or dogs were the superior familiar. Not to say I hate cats, but there certainly is a hierarchy there if you ask me.

Anyway. I was going grocery shopping earlier today and out of nowhere a golden retriever sprinted in my general direction. There was a leash on him, but the owner was nowhere to be seen. The dog ran to a small tree, and started sniffing around as they usually do. I'm standing there smoking a cigarrette, and not long after the dog appeared I start hearing screams that said "Someone please catch him!" I look at the dog, figure it's him that's supposed to be caught, walk over and grab the leash. Now the dog was at first, understandably, a bit wary of a strange dude just grabbing his leash, but after we got acquainted, we got along just fine.

A couple of minutes later the owner, an older lady practically falling over from exhaustion from having to chase the fella for what I was told was quite a long while, arrives, and after catching her breath tells me that this is actually her daughter's dog that she was taking care of while the daughter was away on business. We chatted for a bit, and she insisted on buying me a cup of coffee at the café next to where we were as a thank you for catching the dog. We drank our coffees, I patted the dog some more and then parted our ways.

What's on my mind? I'd like to get a dog, maybe two. At the same time I realize that that's definitely not an option with how my life is at the moment, but still. I think I need to take a serious look at maybe walking rescue dogs yet to be rescued or something like that.

Have a great weekend everyone.

 

[hawkeye_a]

Home. From my last visit, a year ago...

@Mefisto I remember you posting somewhere that anytime you have a bad day, watching dog videos on YouTube helps you cheer up. I actually do the same. Always wanted a dog!

 

[Gutwrench]

It’s a gorgeous morning. From where I sit the sun is burning it’s way in through a window and across my face and shoulders. (Good lord these windows are in desperate need of being washed. I didn’t say to myself.)

 

[Mefisto]

@Mefisto I remember you posting somewhere that anytime you have a bad day, watching dog videos on YouTube helps you cheer up. I actually do the same. Always wanted a dog!

Yeah, that always seems to do the trick!

 

[Apple fanboy]

It’s a gorgeous morning. From where I sit the sun is burning it’s way in through a window and across my face and shoulders. (Good lord these windows are in desperate need of being washed. I didn’t say to myself.)

I hate cleaning windows. I always leave streaks.

I’ve over done my jobs today. Car washing (x2), lawn mowing and spraying the weeds in my block paving has really taken its toll on my back.
Probably should have done less given I’ve just finished a 12 day week. I’ll take it easy For the rest of the weekend before heading back to work Monday.
I’ve taken some ibuprofen but they don’t seem to do much these days.

 

[Gutwrench]

Yeah, that always seems to do the trick!

I don’t know if this helps or not, but the more I watch it the funnier it becomes. The mom dog is actually there on the landing watching with “wtf” hanging over her head. I’m can hear her mumbling, “that’s not mine!”



https://goo.gl/images/jfnTaJ

 

[Mefisto]

I don’t know if this helps or not, but the more I watch it the funnier it becomes. The mom dog is actually there on the landing watching with “wtf” hanging over her head. I’m can hear her mumbling, “that’s not mine!”

View attachment 827873

https://goo.gl/images/jfnTaJ

I identify with that puppy on several levels. Clumsiness, and the mom shaking her head with "wtf" hanging over her head being the two most prominent reasons.

 

[Septembersrain]

I’m sorry to read of this. You’ve had a rough year or so. I hope you heal fast and feel much more comfortable very soon.

Thank you. I think the waiting is the worst part at this time. It gives you too much time to over think!

On another note, I bought a new memory foam bed. I had to exchange it for something else. I got a hybrid. I really couldn't break in that memory foam in the Serta iComfort 500 plush.

This hybrid is helping me catch up on the two weeks of terrible sleep.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Odd, slightly unsettling, yet strangely comforting dreams which now feature both of my parents.

 

[Gutwrench]

Odd, slightly unsettling, yet strangely comforting dreams which now feature both of my parents.

One night last week I dreamt of holding a baby. I don’t know where that came from. When I woke I still felt calm and relaxed. Haha. Best dream in memory.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

They are odd, and slightly unsettling, but not uncomfortable or unpleasant dreams. If anything, the dreams are somewhat comforting.

What I find interesting is that they are both together, and that I am aware that they are no longer of this world.

 

[yaxomoxay]

One night last week I dreamt of holding a baby. I don’t know where that came from.

Premonition. Sooner rather than later you're going to receive a call from a former girlfriend of yours.......
[doublepost=1553697191][/doublepost]For the past couple of years I have been challenging myself to do things outside of my comfort zone, including public speaking.
I might try some painting, which is something I am truly bad at (stick figure is already challenging) and something I truly hate. Just for the sake of it. (price of my masterpieces will be disclosed soon. 10% discount for pre-orders).

 

[Mefisto]

For the past couple of years I have been challenging myself to do things outside of my comfort zone, including public speaking.
I might try some painting, which is something I am truly bad at (stick figure is already challenging) and something I truly hate. Just for the sake of it. (price of my masterpieces will be disclosed soon. 10% discount for pre-orders).

This, stepping out of your comfort zone to challenge yourself, is actually a great idea. There's a vast potential for learning about yourself, and personal growth if one is willing and able to re-think their routines and actually put in the effort.

Some years ago I wouldn't have even thought about going to concerts, to the movies etc. alone, but once I started going it has come to the point that I almost prefer doing those things alone now. Sure it's a great time hanging out with friends and going places with them, but it's not a requirement anymore, which is nice. Also I've never been the most social of types, so going to events alone has also pushed me toward meeting new people and coming out of my shell in a way.

But public speaking? No way in hell.

 

[yaxomoxay]

This, stepping out of your comfort zone to challenge yourself, is actually a great idea. There's a vast potential for learning about yourself, and personal growth if one is willing and able to re-think their routines and actually put in the effort.

It's actually one of the best things I am doing. I even published a short story on Amazon - under a pseudonym. I am no Hemingway, but I wanted to do it for myself. I actually made $2.00 out of it.

Some years ago I wouldn't have even thought about going to concerts, to the movies etc. alone, but once I started going it has come to the point that I almost prefer doing those things alone now. Sure it's a great time hanging out with friends and going places with them, but it's not a requirement anymore, which is nice. Also I've never been the most social of types, so going to events alone has also pushed me toward meeting new people and coming out of my shell in a way.

Exactly, this is it. Without going outside of our comfort zone it is difficult to find what we really need. Now, I am not for extremes (I am pretty sure I'll never jump from a plane), but we can certainly work on little things.

But public speaking? No way in hell.

Oh I suck at it, and I hate public speaking... and I have a strong foreign accent. One day I just said "f- it" and joined Toastmasters. It's also helpful for my career.

 

[Mefisto]

Oh I suck at it, and I hate public speaking... and I have a strong foreign accent. One day I just said "f- it" and joined Toastmasters. It's also helpful for my career.

Good for you, really. It's a great feeling identifying one's own weaknesses and finding the determination to move forward in bettering oneself in the area. This is, however, one weakness I've carried with me for as long as I can remember, and have pretty much given up on bettering. There is plenty of more useful stuff to focus on.

And congrats on the short story! I'd love to be able to put "Published author" on my business cards! If I had any, that is.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Good for you, really. It's a great feeling identifying one's own weaknesses and finding the determination to move forward in bettering oneself in the area. This is, however, one weakness I've carried with me for as long as I can remember, and have pretty much given up on bettering. There is plenty of more useful stuff to focus on.

And congrats on the short story! I'd love to be able to put "Published author" on my business cards! If I had any, that is.

Still looking for my weaknesses!

Public speaking has never bothered me.
But we are all different.

 

[Mefisto]

Still looking for my weaknesses!

Well, nobody's perfect. You, for example, have no weaknesses!

 

[Apple fanboy]

Well, nobody's perfect. You, for example, have no weaknesses!

My wife might say different!

 

[Akrapovic]

Still looking for my weaknesses!

Public speaking has never bothered me.
But we are all different.

I love how everyone is different. I relatively recently became an emergency management instructor. Teach managers in the energy industry how to deal with significant emergencies (oil and gas mainly). 5 years ago, the idea of standing in a classroom explaining things would've had me close to tears. Now, I don't bat an eyelid. But expand the room from 6 to 10 people and suddenly I can't do it anymore.

Sometimes the reasons why people are different, don't even make sense!

 

[Apple fanboy]

I’ve worked as a magician and escapologist in the past so you get used to talking in front of crowds.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Agreed, it is a brilliant idea to try to prod or coax oneself out of one's comfort zone, and try to master - or, at least, become acquainted with, some new skills, or engaged in new activities, especially if they are the sort of thing that one would never have touched otherwise.

Public speaking is not an issue for me - I used to be a university teacher and was pretty good at that; likewise, art - as a student, I was a published cartoonist, and am a published author.

But, there are many areas that I am not remotely at ease with, and several at which I am almost comically incompetent.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Agreed, it is a brilliant idea to try to prod or coax oneself out of one's comfort zone, and try to master - or, at least, become acquainted with, some new skills, or engaged in new activities, especially if they are the sort of thing that one would never have touched otherwise.

Public speaking is not an issue for me - I used to be a university teacher and was pretty good at that; likewise, art - as a student, I was a published cartoonist, and am a published author.

But, there are many areas that I am not remotely at ease with, and several at which I am almost comically incompetent.

I'm a jack of all trades, but defiantly a master of none!

 

[arkitect]

I'm a jack of all trades, but defiantly a master of none!

I always smile at the typo of defiantly vs definitely. (Let's call it an auto-correct serendipity).

 

[Apple fanboy]

I always smile at the typo of defiantly vs definitely. (Let's call it an auto-correct serendipity).

One of the things I am certainly not a master of is spelling.
I'm actually dyslexic.

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

What's on my mind? Too many things. This girl that is a narcissist causing me frustration, my new KEFs hooked up to my home theatre setup, work, lack of meaningful friends or SO to share my interests. Ok end of rant...whining. : )