Femme on Fire

The Summer Home

Someday, when this house is a bit more paid off, and when roommates are not required to meet those payments, I dream of buying a second house somewhere else. In all likelihood I could rent that house out and make back what I pay for it, but I know from my mother's experiences that you generally don't profit. So sometimes when I'm bored, or something reminds me of it, I browse real estate in other places. I can totally see myself in some cabin on the Oregon or Washington coast- even though I've never even been to Oregon. Something about the way towering pine trees meet the sand, which meets the water, which meets the sky. Whales swim through in the summer, the winters are frigid and snowy, and you have to light a fire to heat the place. Plenty of hiking, and plenty of peace. That just sounds like a large slice of heaven.

Interview Ettiquette 101

I am an ass. This morning I interviewed for the Lead Assistant Editor position on a reality show something along the lines of "The Fantastic Contest" in which participants have a speed competition interpreting clues around the world. I didn't realize I was interviewing for this particular show until I arrived. Had I known I might have turned down the interview or at least better prepared myself to not be an ass. But I interviewed for this same company 3 years ago- for the same position. I was just starting out and it would have been my third show- my first lead. The hours were jacked, the rate was low, and i had heard from many reliable sources that they work their staff to death. It also took them over a month to call and offer me the job, by which time I had taken another offer for more money and a day shift.

Basically, by the end of the interview I told them that I was overqualified and showed myself out. I'm guessing that I will never work on that particular show. Nevermind that it would probably be the hardest job of my life, but I would do it for an editor spot. I think. This morning actually made me worry that I'm not willing to work hard anymore. With so many people willing to devote their entire lives to this job, is my insistence to carve out a meager social life as well going to hold me back?

Nerd Alert

I am so freaking excited! A couple of weeks ago a friend casually mentioned at a party to no one in particular that she had an extra ticket to see Paul Simon at the Greek. This prompted a response from me before she even finished saying the words that went somewhere along the lines of "ME ME ME OH PICK ME PLEASE PICK MEMEMEMEMEME." This was accompanied by a dignified dance akin to that of an anxious four year old desperate for candy.

Then yesterday, I accepted a job for the same night! WHOOPS. But thankfully the people who hired me have given me the greenlight to go to this concert that I have been dying to go to since I was roughly 11 years old. That's right, me and Paul Simon. One night only. I believe in Paul Simon like some people believe in God.

This is going to be awesome.

Killer Hops

About three weeks ago I received a phone call from Mercury Insurance, holders of my new homeowners policy. As is becoming commonplace in California, they were very inquisitive about my dogs.However, when I told them that Hops is primarily Shiba Inu, the interviewer didn't know what kind of dog that is, so I explained to him that they look like very small Akitas. This is how Hops became listed as an Akita on my policy, and why as of October 24th they will be canceling my policy.

UNLESS... After talking with my insurance broker, and after he had a conversation with Mercury, they are willing to rescind their decision if I get a letter from my vet explaing that Hops is primarily Shiba Inu and of a very sweet disposition.

What makes this so hysterical is that Hops is 25 pounds of sweet, gentle, and skittish. He doesn't like to bite into a treat, let alone into a human hand. He has never exhibited aggressive tendencies, and the only time he has ever, ever bitten another dog was when a lab puppy attacked him and he had no other choice- after he first whimpered and cried about it for a few minutes. But clearly he's fluffy, has pointy ears, and a curly tail- so he must be a vicious beast.