After that dog passed away, our cat adopted us. Since her disappearance last November, we’ve toyed with the idea of getting another pet. I really wanted a dog, my husband really wanted a cat. So, I told him I thought I might want another child. He agreed to the dog.

We visit the pound every other week  on the slim hopes that our cat might show up and while there, I drag him through the dog kennels. A few days ago we were there and there was a sign posted of a Pit Bull Terrier needing a new home. The flier said that the dog was docile and a “good judge of character.” So we called.

First red flag: the owner had a lot of rules. She said it would take 2 weeks to acclimated us to the dog and that we’d have to come over 4-5 times a week. She also said the dog would pick it’s new owner. I chalked it up to her wanting to give the dog up to a good home. I could understand that. So, with trepidation, we made our way to the house, feeling like we were auditioning for American Idol or something.

As we approached the front door, a big red BEWARE OF DOG sign greeted us and Tim leans over and whispers, “Um, does it make you nervous that this docile, loving dog has signs posted everywhere to warn people off? I shook my head and said, “well, it’s the breed of dog, there has to be precautions.” Once inside, the owner gives us a 20 minute talk about the dog as he peers at us through the sliding glass door. She explains that she wants to take us one at a time to “meet” him when she puts him in the kennel and then he’d tell her if we were a “good fit.” “He’s a really good judge of character,” she repeated as she led Tim outside.

For five full minutes I waited and wondered if I really wanted to jump through all these hoops for this docile, loving, scary, character judging, badly reputed 80lb monster. Would we ever be able to invite people over to our house again?! It as then I heard a two short barks. The owner comes in and says, “I’m sorry, but no, it won’t be a good fit.”

In the car, I asked Tim what happened and he said the dog stared at him for five minutes and then he barked.

Apparently, we were judged and our character was found lacking.

Have a fabulous week!

Photo Courtesy of Google:

Some tips if you are going:
1. Wear comfy shoes! (And there is no shame in bringing more than 5 pairs of shoes with you–or more. No judging!
2. Bring a nice big bag for all the swag from the tradeshow floor.
3. Food is expensive! Think Disneyland prices. I would pack snacks.
4. Make sure you are checking Twitter on your phone. Lots of updates to where people are gonna be and when. Also lots of contests, giveaways and scavenger hunts going on too!
5. Bank some extra sleep NOW! You won’t be getting much sleep in VEGAS!
6. The Starbucks line is always REALLY long, so if you need your morning caffeine fix, you’d better allow yourself extra time.
7. Don;t be scared. Swallow those butterflies and introduce yourself to people. Bring LOTS of business cards!
8. You won’t be able to do everything, so don;t stree yourself out trying! Just have a list of MUST SEE’s and have fun!

Here’s where I’ll be hanging out. I’m trying to keep things relatively unscheduled–a few classes here, a GTG there, a girl’s gotta keep her options open! Of course, I’ll be Twittering and Facebooking, so you can find me that way. Come say hi!

Sunday, March 7th

3:00pm Arrive in Las Vegas

6:00 PhotoLovecat Happy Hour

7:00 SoCal Photogshootout Dinner at Wolfgang Pucks at the MGM Grand (most likely)

Everyone is invited to come hang out and have dinner with me and some other Shootout leaders!

9:00 GoBee Party

10:00 Airhorns and Lasers Party

Monday, March 8

10:00 Trade Show Floor

2:00-2:20 Lawrence Chan (@Tofurious) at the SmugMug Booth

6:30 Private Meeting

9:00 PhotogShootout Party

Tuesday, March 9

11:00-12:30 booth 1240- Live Q&A with Grace Ormonde

6pm Dinner GTG

10:00pm [b] School Party

11:00 Pictage Party

1:00 SmugMug Slumber Party

Wednesday, March 10 (My Dad’s Birthday!!!)

12:00 Thirst Relief Booth

1:00 WPPI Shootout – only VIP tixs left! Get tickets HERE!

5:00 Drinks with PhotogShootout

9:00 Scott Robert Lim’s Party

Thursday, March 11th

9:00am Photographer’s Ignite

Hanging out the rest of the day to sleep, eat, shop!

Friday, March 12th

6:00pm Flying home!

Here’s a pic of us with Elvis last year:

Welcome to another installment of “this week’s obsessions”, where I talk about…well, things I’m obsessed with. But this is a super special edition, as I am giving away everything I’m listing this week –which is this month’s FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS giveaway. Read on to find out how to win!

Obsession #1: The movie, Shutter Island

I’m NOT one to like horror movies. I’m too much of a wimp. I actually am not a big fan of movies at all. I don’t have the attention span to sit through one and I have weird OCD tendencies that make me wonder random things like, “Who sat here before me?” and “How sanitary is this chair, really?” But, my husband loves movies and a few friends invited us out so I was outnumbered. Well, instead of the horror movie, with ax murderers and bloody body counts, Shutter Island makes you think. It’s more of a psychological thriller that leaves you talking about it for weeks, replaying parts of the movie and drawing diagrams (We actually did! Don’t judge!) I think I’m going to go buy the book and see if I can find answers to some of my questions. If you haven’t seen it, you should. If you have, I need people to discuss the movie with!

Obsession #2: Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in 03 Hot Magenta

I’m always looking for a great hot pink color and this one lasts forever. Put a coat of Xtreme Wear clear over the top and it lasts for over a week with no chipping!

Obsession #3: Ultra Fine Point Sharpies

It’s about the only thing I write with these days. It’s still smelly like a big Sharpie and I’ve probably lost a good number of usable brain cells from the smell, but at least my writing looks pretty because they make it in PINK!

Obsession #4: Neosporin On The Go

I’m a big wimp. I don’t like pain nor do I like blood. Come on, you know a paper cut, however small, hurts badly. I carry a mini first aid kit in my purse–after all I am a mother…and little thing is perfect for my keychain. It’s handy for the kid’s scrapes and my little ailments as well. And it goes perfectly with pink bandaids

Obsession #5: Caramel Apple Pops

Remember these from high school? They are apple flavored lollipop covered in caramel. Um, what’s not to love about caramel covered anything?! Delicious!

So, onto the giveaway:

In the comment section below (it’s in the small print at the bottom of this post), tell me something you’ve been obsessed with lately. I’ll pick a random commenter to win: 2 movie tickets, and obsession #’s2-4. Contest ends Friday 10:00am and winner announced by Friday evening.