Abbey

To say that I am obsessed with my dog would be an understatement.

Abbey, at almost three years old (officially on December 15th) has me wrapped around her paw.

I grew up having a family dog, a Dalmatian named Pepper, as well as a few dogs in college (a black lab named Reagan, a chocolate lab named Sadie and a Peek-a-poo named Maggie). That being said, it was a normal thing to have a dog around.

However, once I bought my house, I knew that I wanted to get a dog. It had been years since Reagan, Sadie or Maggie had been around, and I was really missing the companionship of a dog. I had been living in a loft in the Old Market (downtown Omaha) and knew I wasn't home much. So, I got a cat. Murphy (a Persian) has been with me for five years, and was NOT excited when Abbey arrived.

But come on, she is so cute how could anyone resist?

It was cold Sunday in February when I made the drive down to Kansas to pick-up Bea (her name at the time). As the snow covered the highway, Bea cuddled on my lap, burying her head in my jacket. It was at this point, I knew I had made the right decision.

Her name didn't stick, but she had already become quite familiar with it. Being a Sunday night, and an avid TV watcher, I knew Downton Abbey would soon start. While on the drive home, it all clicked. She already knew her name, and Abbey (as in Downton) was my favorite show. Thus, I give you Abbey.

The first few nights I didn't sleep and spent the majority of my time outside (at all hours of the night) trying to get her potty-trained. Soon after that came leash training and puppy school.

Puppy School was a total nightmare.

She was too young to be in the class and was easily bored (in her defense, I was as well). The dogs weren't allowed to interact and we spent much of the time on eye-contact. See, now you know why it was so awful.

As the months went on, and I started to get some sleep, I realized just how lucky I was to have Abbey. Even Murphy, the cat, came around. The two now spent their days sunning on the rugs and chasing each other through the house.

As I sit here, writing this blog, Abbey is sleeping at my feet.

It's funny what a dog can really bring to your life, your home and your family. It makes all those sleepless nights and dollars lots on chew toys she instantly shredded all worth it. 

Now, I just have to talk myself out of getting another one...at least right now. 

state football

On Tuesday, November 24th, I traveled down to Lincoln, Neb. to watch my employer (Millard West) take on my alma mater (Millard North) in State Football.

This was an all too familiar feeling. During my senior year (circa 2002) the same two teams met at Memorial Stadium to battle for the State title. The game ended in a heartbreaker for the Mustangs, and the Wildcats outplayed them for the win, and another trophy.

Our seats were just up from the 50 yard line and for late November, the weather was quite cooperative. With temperatures in the mid-40s, and a warm Runza and hot chocolate in hand, I was ready to watch the game.

The only problem was who to root for? Do I root for a place I called home for four years, the place where I have made so many great memories with friends? Or, so I root for the place I have called home the past seven years, a place where I have taught many of these athletes?

My decisions: I would be okay with any outcome, as long as it was a good game. And for most of the game, it was Millard North's game to lose. It wasn't until the 4th quarter that the Wildcats would answer back, scoring both of their touchdowns within minutes of each other.

As the clocked ticked down, the game ended with a 21-14 Mustang win over the Wildcats, giving them their first loss of the season. As players cleared the field, tears were shed from both teams. Some of satisfaction, others of disappointment. Regardless of the outcome, both teams saw great successes this season, and proved they both deserved to play.

Dirty Dancing

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending 'Dirty Dancing' at Omaha Orpheum Theatre with one of my best friends, Laura.

My parents are season ticket holders, but are currently in Ames visiting family and attending a play at Actors (Ames' community theatre).

We jumped on the tickets, and looked forward to a fun afternoon together.

First, we went downtown for lunch (and margaritas) at Roja. Fun fact: I put almost all our change in the wrong parking meter and we were concerned for much of lunch that my car wouldn't be there when we returned.

After some appetizers and libations, we were ready for the play. Navigating the OPPD parking garage before showtime is crazy. Once we found a spot, it was a sprint across the skywalk before finding our seats in the 4th row.

For over two hours we were transformed to the 60s. The dancing, the singing and the acting was so on-point and they really put on a great show.

During intermission, it was a quick trip to say 'hello' to other friends and co-workers I spotted in the audience before returning to our seats for the second half.

Side note: If you have an aisle seat, I think it' almost implied that you might be inconvenienced and have to get up every now and them to let people through that are sitting in the middle of a row. Again, a perk of having an aisle seat and something that can be done without much grumbling.

Walking out of the theatre, we got to talking. It has been ages since I have seen the original 'Dirty Dancing.'  Since our talk, we've made it a must on our priority list, and something we can plan for an upcoming evening.

Love supporting the arts.

analytics

So, this morning while at the gym, I came across some notes on a white board. This was in the manager's office (yes, I work there and I have access to the office) and it was among a list of things to start working on and implementing at the gym.

When I walked by, I almost had to do a double-take. Thankfully, I had my phone so I could take a photo and send it to my manager. From there, we had a little discussion about how the gym (Pinnacle Fitness Club) is going through a re-branding and one thing they are really looking into is their website traffic and impact of social media.

The website contains important information on membership, gym amenities and class schedule. The same information is often shared via social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter).

After our conversation, I am eager to help use the knowledge I now have of Google Analytics.

The magic that is Disney

I couldn't leave the Magic Kingdom without watching the evening show, complete with fireworks, and see the magic that is the evening light parade.

(photo courtesy of Kelsey Chastain - co-woker and fellow chaperone). 

The 10 p.m. fireworks were breathtaking.

As I looked around, tears were streaming down the thousands that filled Main Street to catch of glimpse of one of the largest evening fireworks displays on Disney property.

Music played, people sang, and the sky was light up with vibrant colors that covered the sky as far as the eye could see.

This is something I won't soon forget, and made this magical experience even better.



Below are some photos from the evening parade featuring some Disney favorites.

magic kingdom

While in Orlando for a journalism conference, I am managing to do some sightseeing and have some fun. It's been years (since 5th grade to be exact) that I last visited the "happiest place on earth," and it was great to be back.

From the moment I walked in, I was teleported back in time, and felt like a giant kid. The sights, the sounds, the happiness. Thousands and thousands of people all there experiencing the magic, and Florida heat, was all I needed to know I was going to have a good day.

After making my way down Main Street, I found the castle, and a show on-stage featuring various Disney characters. I watched the show for roughly 10 minutes before the adrenaline kicked in and I knew I was ready for some rides.

Space Mountain and Splash Mountain were among my favorites, and as the lines dwindled down later this evening, I took advantage to ride them multiple times.

My only complaint: long lines.

Space Mountain was an estimated 85 minute wait time and the Snow White ride was over 100 minutes. With wait times like this, one can spend much of the day standing around waiting.

All in all, it was great to be back. I can see why so many people visit Disney and return many times after.

Orlando - national journalism convention

Greetings from Orlando and the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association's Fall Convention.

Over 6100 student journalists, advisers, and various colleges and representatives have all converged at the Disney Swan and Dolphin for five days of keynote speakers, break-out workshop sessions, contests and sightseeing.

At 2:45 a.m. Wednesday my alarm sounded and my trip began. With a connecting flight through Houston, we arrived (myself, a co-worker and 13 students) in Orlando around 2 p.m. Our shuttle driver was waiting to take us the 30 miles to the hotel (see photo above).

Gary, our driver, was a character from the start. He had spent much of his life driving shuttles and vans for professional athletic teams, had 9 dogs in his house, and spent those 30 miles talking about the two 'gators' in his backyard and the numerous other close-encounters he's had since living in Florida.

And it's hot here. Really hot. Orlando is experiencing above average temperatures and has just broken a record for consecutive number of days with temperatures above 90 degrees. When we arrived, it was 94 degrees and sunny skies - and tornadoes, snow and wind back in Nebraska.

Since being here, we have done some sightseeing around Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney), walked along the boardwalk and beach (near Epcot) and attended the opening JEA/NSPA sessions.

The Boardwalk

The beach (near Epcot)

Opening JEA/NSPA session

Today will be filled with student/adviser workshop sessions, a second keynote speaker (from Sports Illustrated), student contests, and then I will have a judging meeting and judge the contests tonight.

Magic Kingdom is the plan for tomorrow (and the temperatures are forecasted to be in the low 80s).

Sunday, Sunday

I want a Sunday Funday.

I want a Sunday where I am not trying to play catch-up from the past week and prepare for the coming week.

I was to enjoy Sundays, like I used to.

Here is what my typical Sunday looks like:

1. morning walk with Abbey (the dog)
2. the gym (I will just pretend like this happens every Sunday)
3. errands (grocery store, hardware store, furniture store, etc)
       -I am still trying to furnish my home
4. house work (laundry, cleaning, etc.)
5. family dinner (when my family members are in town)
6. lesson planning and grading
7. homework

I realize I am an adult, and many of these things just come with the territory, but come on.

So, how would I ideally spend my Sunday Funday? I don't know?

1. morning gym?
2. walk with Abbey?
3. an afternoon movie or shopping with friends?
4. afternoon drinks or lunch with friends/family?

Who knows what I would do. I just want a break from this hectic schedule, even for just a day.

BATMAN

Two years ago, I got my first up close and personal encounter with a bat ad since then, I can't seem to escape them. For as long as I can remember, I've been afraid of birds. To get over this, my friend Jane thought I should attend the annual bat release at Joslyn Museum in downtown Omaha. Reluctantly, I agreed to go.

I was miserable.

Hundreds of bats being released back into the wild wasn't for me (especially since we were flying directly into the place we were sitting). Most of that night I spent under a blanket, screaming, and begging for us to leave. The only take away I had from the night, besides a reinforced fear of anything that flies, is that 80% of the bats released end up finding their way into buildings and houses.

Fast-forward 3 months, and I have my first bat in my house. It was a Tuesday night and I had just returned home from my bocce ball league (and celebratory winning drinks in Midtown Crossing) and a bat flew down my chimney and I went nuts.

I immediately started screaming, hid under a blanket (again) and called a friend that I knew had dealt with a similar situation a month earlier. In an attempt to settle down, and waiting for the Humane Society to arrive, I made myself an adult beverage and hid out in my sunroom.

What seemed like hours (I think it was close to 45 minutes) the Humane Society arrived and the bat was removed.

I thought I was done. I couldn't have been more wrong.

So the leaf I thought was stuck to my shutter for months, was actually a bat. A dead bat. If you're counting, this makes #2 (the fact I haven't yet died of a heart attack is a miracle in and of itself).

After two close encounters with bats (one alive and one dead), the 'batman' nickname began to stick. Plush bats, rubber bats, and bat stickers started to appear all over my desk at school, in my teacher mailbox, and in my classroom.

Then, I came home one day and someone had been putting bat clue in my yard (see photo below). Sidenote: I have yet to figure out the person(s) behind this.

Just when I thought it was done, I give you bat #3. My best friend, Shelby, was in from Phoenix visiting the week of Labor Day. We had just returned from dinner when I came across #3 flying around the dining room. The dog and cat were both jumping around, and again I was screaming.

My friend Shelby couldn't hold back, and filmed much of my freak-out. With umbrella in hand, I called the Humane Society (again) to report this nasty critter. To make matters worse, a lovely woman came to remove the critter, laughing at my inability to compose myself near the bat. 

I still look around before entering a room. I am still afraid of bats. 

World Series

This World Series has me at the edge of my seat and I can't stop watching. And I'm normally not a huge baseball fan. There have been some late nights last week, and I rarely stay up to watch Fallon on the Tonight Show, but I am glad the past three games haven't gone into extra innings.

What gets me is the excitement of it all, and the proximity of Omaha to Kansas City. So, yes, I am rooting for the Royals as they battle the Mets, in hopes of them 'taking the crown.'

Tonight, Game 5, is live from New York. Ideally, the Royals would win at home in KC, and many of my friends and family that live in KC would be able to witness this.

It's true, I don't know many of the players, and haven't been following their seasons, but I have attended KC Royals games in the past.

We need a team to root for in the midwest, especially with the sad state of Husker football this season. So why not root for the Royals?

It's crazy that these pitchers are throwing 95+ miles per hour and the fact that baseball is being played into November.

Whatever the outcome, I'm rooting for the Royals. I know a movie didn't predict a win for KC 30 years ago, and as far as I know there isn't a known 'curse' on this team, so my fingers (and toes) are crossed.

#NationalCatDay

This past week America celebrated a 'long-standing' tradition: National Cat Day. I say this with some sarcasm, as it seems that every day we are celebrating a different day, but come on, it's cat day.

Now before I get to sound even crazier than I am, I must admit I am not a cat person. In fact, I don't really like cats, especially other peoples cats. That being said, I do love my little Murphy.

Years ago I was living in the Old Market in downtown Omaha, and I really wanted to get a dog. Against my better judgment I was highly considering it. I even went as far as contacting a dog rescue organization to set up a home visit. When I finally came to my senses, and I realized that I wasn't home much, I decided against it.

So, as I sit here writing this blog post, yours truly (Murphy) is still on my lap, and making it almost impossible to type.

He's 5, I think. Six tops. (Okay, I don't really remember, but I have his papers upstairs somewhere in my file cabinet). I just remember getting scolded this summer at the vet's office for not throwing him a party.

Murphy is a Persian, and one of the most beautiful cats I have ever seen. (This is really not helping my case that I am not a crazy cat person). Funny enough, I was actually added to this email group at work years ago for 'cat lovers.' I never responded to any emails, or added anything to the conversations, but I also never removed myself.

This cat has been on quite a journey with me (three apartments, one rental house, and the past three years in my own home). He survived a puppy and over the past three years has developed a friendship with Abbey (she will be mentioned in a future blog post).

So, as I sit here with Murphy, I am reminded of the cat I got when I wanted a dog, but one that has been such a calming influence on my life. He might shed on my black pants when he insists on laying on them, chew the corners of books, and occasionally bite, but I love this flat-faced little fur ball.