An Ode To Fudge

Some people know that my parents have a little white Maltese called Fudge.

Some people also know that my goofy mom refers to her as my little sister.

But what people don't know is what kind of personality she had.

Most people don't know that whenever the doorbell rang, she would start yapping and barking.

Most people don't know that she usually sleeps in my parents' bedroom, but if they were gone and you were still asleep, she'd come in and sleep in your room.

Most people don't know that whenever she wanted to play with you, she'd start biting your socks and try to yank 'em off.

Most people don't know that when we were sitting on the couch and watching TV, she'd jump on the couch and snuggle up to you.

Most people don't know that she was an awesome and amazing dog who would never pass up the chance to play when the opportunity afforded itself.

Most people don't know that in the last few months, she's been having trouble walking.

Most people don't know that in the last few months, her hind legs were getting so weak that she was having difficulty holding her own tiny frame.

Most people don't know that in the last few months, she was having difficulty getting up and down stairs and required the assistance of someone to carry her down.

Most people don't know that she loved to eat, but in the last few months had begun to lose her appetite.

I got an email from my dad last week about their dog. This is what it said:

"Just want you all to know that Mom and I decided to put Fudge to sleep to-day. It was a very difficult decision. I took her out for the last walk this morning before taking her to the Vet. It was sad to see her leave but she is in the better place now and no more pain and suffering."

When I first read this email, I was pretty unfazed and didn't think much of it. But today, I talked to my brother in Denver and he told me that when my dad brought her to the vet, he started crying. When I heard that, I my heart broke because my dad's not an uber-emotional person, so for him to cry, the situation must've been really difficult for him. And as I re-read the email and get to the part about my dad walking Fudge for the last time, it finally hit me that the next time I go home, It'll just be my parents, and no dog.

Honestly, she was one of the sweetest, most playful little dogs I've ever known, and although I say to many people that Fudge was my parents' dog, the reality of it is that she was my dog too, and it's kinda sad that I only now acknowledge this fact after she's gone.

Fudge, I shall really miss you, for you were truly this man's best friend.

Montreal/Ottawa Road Trip

Went on a road trip with Miranda this weekend to Montreal and Ottawa. It was tremendously baller. We spent one day in Montreal and one day in Ottawa, and saw pretty much everything there was to see in these two cities. Originally, I thought that 2 days in 2 cities would be way too short a time to see and do everything, but apparently not for us!! Here's some pictures and mental highlights.

* Eating some amazing food. Poutine, Beaver Tails, Quiche, Chicken and Shrimp Brochettes, Croissants, and some of the best road trip snacks ever.

* Starting the day in Old Montreal, and ending the day in Old Montreal.

* Having dinner in Old Montreal at what appeared to be the town square and feeling like we had been teleported to a European city.

* Scoring $9 all day metro passes and using them 8 times to get our $$'s worth.

* Not getting travel poo.

* Getting reprimanded in a museum in Montreal for being too loud and being dressed inappropriately.

* Check out the nightlife in Montreal and seeing stuff everything, from 6'5 transvestites to sex shops to hukah lounges to chilled out cafe's.

* Finding the US Embassy in Ottawa.

* Taking inappropriate pictures with various statues.

* Developing a 'dirty frenchman' accent and scaring a little boy by saying 'Allo, leetle boy!!'

* Learning a few French words and phrases, but using them incorrectly.

* Walking around Montreal in gorgeous weather.

* Buying coffee and then being asked by the barista if I was in high school.

* Uncontrollable road rage when driving in Ottawa.

* More laughs than you can shake a stick at.

All in all, this trip was one of the best I've ever been on. Too bad more people couldn't have come along, but bon chance we can go again sometime.

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Road Trip

Gas is expensive here in Montreal.

It Is Finished

After 4 weeks of intensive research and writing (the intensity came in spurts), I am now done with my 25 page assignment. Actually, the requirements was 20-25 pages, but including my bibliography and appendices, it turned out to be 30 pages. That's ok though, because I like giving my prof more crap to read. Anyways, if you have a moment, celebrate with me by screaming 'HUZZAH!!!!!!' at the top of you lungs, like I did a few moments ago.

Heartbreaking

I'm sitting in the Williams Coffee Pub by the bay front working on my overdue assignment, sipping on a bottle of juice. There are 2 kids, brothers I presume, that have come into this establishment a couple times, and each time, make a beeline to the condiments section of the store. Both times, they fill their hands with crackers, and both times they tear off running to consume them outside.

I don't know their stories, I don't know what kind of family situation they find themselves in, and I don't know why they're taking crackers. For all I know, these kids could have a stable home that provides 3 meals a day and a set of loving parents, and maybe for them, coming in to take crackers could be their version of getting kicks from "stealing". But what I do know is that there are millions of children in North America who survive a day to day existence with much less than condiment crackers.

My heart breaks and weeps for a reality such as this to be the one we live in.

Random

I went to the Hamilton library today to work on my paper. Mad props to Jojo for the parking hook up!! It was my first time there, and I must say that it's a great place to do my work. The only problem is that they don't have wireless, but I guess with my addiction, it's not a bad thing.

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On Tuesday, I went to the harbor front to do some reading. It was a really hot day that day, but there was an amazing breeze by the water. Sitting on one of the park benches by the water, basking in the ray while reading is something that I highly recommend to everyone. The only thing is beware of people who want to feed the ducks, geese and gulls, even when there's a large sign that say 'DON'T FEED THE WILDLIFE!!!!'

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I recently found out that a couple friends of mine who got married a few years ago is expecting their first child. I was so happy for them that I accidentally spilled the beans to someone that they hadn't told yet. Has anyone ever done something like that? When I realized what I had done, I felt SSSSOOOO bad.

I'm such an idiot.

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Has anyone seen Spiderman 3? If not, then don't. It's an over-hyped piece of crap. The acting was bad, the CG was lame, and there were parts that were serious, but because things were so poorly done that I found myself laughing. The only good thing was the trailers before the feature film, but those alone aren't worth $10. Seriously, save your $$ and wait for this movie to come out on DVD. It was THAT bad.

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I should've posted about this sooner, but I had an awesome time at Rachel and Nathan's wedding. It was such an honor to be part of their special day by both witnessing the ceremony as well as bringing a dish to share at the potluck. Congratulations, Nathan and Rachel!!

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I think the milk here in Canada is different from the milk in the US, and it's not just because I'm lactose intolerant. Typically when I drink milk, the only byproduct is gas, but lately when I've been drinking Canadian milk, I get the squirts. I never thought I'd say this, but I miss my milk farts.

Niagara

My friends Kev and Liz are in Toronto for a conference, but decided to skip out on today's session for a trip to Niagara. I had a great time with them, but the best moment was when I captured this gem. Enjoy, friends.