Rain, Rain...go the Eff away!

This year has been tough, weather wise.

I was talking to a coworker, not that long ago.  Both of us have been in Seattle for a long time.  I forget how long for her.  But, I've been here 17 years.  We were discussing our general feeling of "blah-ness" lately.

Like, seriously...I have been down, dude.  Just generally bummed out most of the time.  She was in a similar place.

I said I thought it had something to do with the weather.  It's been dreary a lot, lately.  She says, no...we've lived here long enough.  We should be used to this annual darkness.

I disagreed...I feel like this year is worse than past years.

Turns out, I am right.

We have broken a 122 year record for rain this year.

I don't dispute the fact that Seattle is gloomy in the fall and winter months.  But, it's tolerable.  Even with my Arizona blood, I have acclimated enough to take in the regular sun breaks and eat up the amazing spring and summer weather to be able to push through the gloomy times.

Not this year.

This year, we didn't get sun breaks.  This year, there were 3 "mild and sunny" days between October and March.  And, I ain't gonna lie...it has sucked.

The sun is finally starting to pop out again.  We had a nice weekend, this past weekend.  The sunshine was broken up by spots of rain, so no day was perfect.  But, it was much more tolerable.

But, I am all done with the rain!  All done!  Go away!  Come back in November when you're invited!

Pet Peeve of the Day...Bus Jerks

UGH!  You know what I hate?  I hate assholes on the bus.  I hate them in general, but today I was annoyed by a specific type.

That type is the one that misses his stop and then gets mad at the bus driver for not accommodating him. 

I take the bus to work almost every day.  Have for years.  Even when I lived in Tacoma, I was on the 545 to dowtown Seattle every morning.  Today, I take the C Line from West Seattle to downtown.  Drops me off about 5 blocks from my office. Takes about 40 minutes. 

Here's the thing...when you are on a bus for that long, often you find yourself dozing off.  I don't doze on the bus too much because it's always standing room only and the simple fact that I am touching a stranger keeps me wide awake.  However, I get how others will doze. 

Well, when you doze, there is a chance you won't wake in time to catch your stop.  That sucks...but I get how it happens.  

However, when it happens, you should get off the bus as the next stop and how on another going the opposite direction to get you where you need to go. 

What you don't do is yell, "BACK DOOR!" at the top of your lungs 100 feet after the stop and then proceed to yell obscenities at the driver because he won't stop for you.  Drivers have a route.  And, while I have never been a bus driver, I am pretty sure there are rules they have to follow on where they can stop and open their doors.  Pretty much, at a bus stop.  Not at the next stoplight.  If they were able to do that, everyone would want to be let out as close to their home or office as possible.  Not to mention the havoc that would throw traffic into.

This isn't the first time I have seen this.  Drives me nuts.  It's my job to get off the bus when I am supposed to.  It's not the drivers job to come wake me up and then accommodate me when I oversleep.

That is all.  

Conversation Pieces - Whats better? Maui or Target?

Ok, I am sharing this story second hand.  Hopefully, I am able to properly convey it as it happened.

The scene is the car ride home from work.  The characters: Desmond and Kim.

Desmond: "I am jealous of Max R. and Edie?

Kim:  "Why?"

Desmond: "They get to go on vacation for spring break!"

Kim: "Oh yeah...where are they going?"

Desmond: "Max R. gets to go to Disneyland and Edie is going to Maui."

Kim: "Maui?!  Maui is one of my favorite places." 

Desmond: "I know.  Mine too."

Kim: "Well, Grandma is visiting for spring break this year.  And she'll probably take you to Target."

Desmond: *pause* "I honestly don't know which one is better!"

Kim:  "Really?  I know which one is better."

Desmond: "Yeah...I know.  Maui is better.  They have a Target in Maui." 

Quincy Update #6

Well, Quincy is back.  I mean, minus the eyeballs.  But, his demeanor is certainly back.  Maybe too much.  I mean, how do you tell a dog to just chill out and lie down?  You've still got stitches, dumbass!

Day 1, night 1 and most of day 2 were really hard.  QP was in obvious pain.  Crying, whimpering, panting.  It was tough.  We didn't sleep that first night.  Vet gave us some new pain meds.  I gave those to him immediately on Day 2.  Shortly after, he conked out.  That evening, while still a bit drunk, he started to bounce back.

Saturday and Sunday, fugetaboutit.  The dog won't sit still.  He'll occasionally start panting randomly.  But outside of that, he seems to be his old self.

Unfortunately, in his cone of shame, he is having a hard time getting around.  He can't feel his way around and the cone messes up his hearing...he can't tell where we're talking to him from.  This doesn't stop him from walking around all day and running into things.  He really hates the cone.  We've been taking it off once in a while, when he's lying down.  But, his stiches are getting itchy.  So, that time has become very limited.  But, despite the cone and the fact that he has no clue where he is going, Quincy insists on walking all over the house, getting lost and then whining for us to come get him.

Seriously...I can't find a purpose to his exploration.  He'll find his bed, he'll find his crate, he'll find his food...but, he won't do anything with them.  Maybe he's just exploring.  But, seriously...someone teach me how to speak dog so I can convince him just to lay his ass down and get some rest while his surgical wounds heal!

Ok, so despite my complaining at the constant clicky clack of nails on hardwood by a dog who should be resting, this whole thing makes me really happy!  The first night, I was nervous.  I thought I had put my pooch through more pain than was necessary.  But, now, now only am I happy that he appears to be bouncing back, but I am wondering if there may, in fact, be some improvements.

For example...we've suspected that Quincy is also mostly deaf.  We can call him, but he has trouble identifying where the sound is coming from.  Like, I would be on his right, I would call him and he would turn to his left...almost like he only had one working ear.  I would have to shout commands like SIT.  And...he completely stopped noticing knocks at the door.

Well, today, as I am working from home, sitting at my usual spot at the dining room table and drinking my coffee, I set my coffee cup down on the table with it's usual mild *thunk*.  And Quincy went nuts!   BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK...while trying to figure out which way he was supposed to go to attack the intruder.  He hasn't done that in a long time.  And, the thunk wasn't that loud.  This happened twice today.

Could all be in my head.  But, regardless, it makes me very happy to see him recovering so well.  This process cost us a lot of money.  And, as much as I love my dog, the practical side of me was worried that it would only make things worse or that he would still only have a few months.  But, so far, I am seeing my old Pants come back to life.  The goofy faced, stump shaking, needy little bastard that he is.

Here are some pics, in case you are wondering.

This is what we were dealing with before:

This is post cat scratch.  As a refresher, it was his left eye we were originally going to have removed.  The bulgey one.  Then the cats happened and his "good eye" became the worse eye.

Taken after I picked him up post surgery.  He was much more energetic than I expected.  My guess is that he was probably a little freaked out and happy to see me.

 Desmond has felt pretty bad for QP this whole time.  But, now that he is showing his old self, Desmond is adjusting well to his eyeless pooch.

This is from this morning.  For the 15 seconds I got him to stay on his mat.  Shorty after this, he was moving around again and I threw the cone back on.  His new Halo arrives today.  That should help him out, as well.  Good thing he doesn't have eyes so he can't see how ridiculous he looks in it.

Yes...it looks a little bit "American Horror Story."  But, as the vet said, it's purely cosmetic and is a bigger deal for us than it is for him.  I do miss his eyes.  They had personality!  But, I am happy he's not living with a constant headache, anymore.

Now if only he will sit still long enough for them to fully heal!!

Quincy Update 5

THE EYES ARE OUT!

It's funny, at the beginning of all this, I was sad that QP had to lose an eye.  Now I am relieved that the eyes are out.

The surgery went well.  No complications.  Both eyes are out.  He's still puffy, but that is supposed to go down in the next 48 hours.

Unfortunately, he seems to be in a lot of pain, now.  When I picked him up, the Dr (different Dr. than the one that chewed me out) mentioned that he suspects Quincy is probably already feeling some relief.  Unfortunately, when the anesthesia wore off, I don't think that's the case, anymore.  

We didn't get much sleep last night.  It's pretty pathetic.  He whines a lot, right now.  Just lays there and cries.  It's heartbreaking.  Just spoke to the vet and we're gonna get some new meds to manage the pain.  Supposedly, right now is supposed to be the worst of it.  I hope that's the case because, man he's making me sad.

I'll post a picture a bit later after the swelling goes down.  Right now, he looks really sad.  He probably is really sad.  You guys have seen enough sad Quincy pics, lately.  I'll wait until he's looking a bit better to show him off again.

Quincy Update Part 4

And the saga continues.

First of all...if you own cats, keep them in the house.

On Saturday, Quincy started favoring his right eye (the one the cat scratched) again.  Keeping it closed and flinching if we got too close.  Then, Saturday afternoon, it got HUGE!  He was clearly in pain.  Sunday night was rough.  Panting, whining.  Sunday, we gave him his pain pills and tried to keep him comfy.  I mean, he's scheduled to have both eyes removed on Monday.

Well...apparently I am a horrible pet owner.  Took him in to the ophthalmologist this morning.  She looked at it and chewed me out for not calling them.  Apparently, due to the swelling, he can't have surgery (again).  We need to get the swelling down.  And, she's concerned about my lack of communication because I should have called.

I informed her this just happened.  Started Saturday after afternoon/evening, blew up on Sunday when they were closed.

But, I know they're on call, she tells me.  He should have been been on anti-biotics as soon as we saw this.  So...I suck.

Anyway...I was presented with 2 options.  Do the surgery, but Quincy's eye is at high risk to "dehiscence."  Her preference is to send him home with a heavy anti-biotic treatment and get the swelling down.  There's no guarantee that it will work.  But, she wants to try.  So, we're trying.

This is all very tiring.  It's been emotional already, just thinking of the surgery this pooch has to go through.  But, this is the second time I have prepared myself for it only to have it not happen.  He is clearly in pain.  And, seeing him in pain hurts me.  I have to keep asking myself if this is all worth it for the little guy.  Am I just doing all this and spending this money for myself?  I can't answer that.  Most likely at some level that's true.  I told myself this morning that if they wouldn't do the surgery, then it was probably time for the next step.  I even asked the doctor if we should be considering that.  She said "No...he just needs to lose the eyes, at this point."  But, when the heck will he lose the eyes?

At this point, he'll lose them on Thursday.  But, none of us can keep doing this.

Here's what he looks like, btw.

Quincy Update Part 3

Ok...so, here is where we're at.

Quincy had his heart exam on Monday.  It was fine.  There are some concerns, but nothing major enough that the heart doc didn't think he should do surgery.  Just some anesthetic considerations.

However, let's talk about his "Good eye" for a moment.

Last weekend, I put Quincy outside.  He was out there longer than usual.  I assumed it was because it was sunny that day.  It hasn't been sunny in a long time.  I just figured he was chilling on the porch.  Finally, I decided to check on him.

He wasn't sitting on the porch.  He was at the far end of the yard sitting awkwardly, with a cat staring him down from either side.  Two of them, keeping him from going anywhere.  If Quincy has a terrified face, he was showing it.  Talk about bullies!

I went out to get him and had to carry him in.  He wouldn't move.  I put him down and went to pet him and he yelped!  I looked a more closely and saw that he was bleeding a bit.  And, he wasn't opening his eye.  His "good" eye.

Stupid cats punched my dog in the face, claws out.  Significantly scratched his eye ball.  Poor Quincy was terrified to go outside for the next few days.  All he did was lie in bed.  Not sure if that was from pain or embarrassment.  But, it's like these dumb cats knew exactly what to do to make everything worse.

It was almost 48 hours before he could open that eye, again.  He's already got some pain killers, so I made sure to give him some of those to keep him content.

When Desmond next saw one of these cats in the backyard, he went after it with a spray bottle!  Des is confident the cat isn't coming back.  I'm not so sure.

Anyway, the vet now DEFINITELY recommends both eyes.  She says that the eye is going to be encountering similar problems very soon.  We're no longer talking years.

So, Quincy is scheduled for Monday.  Both eyes.  This is a hard choice to make.  This is going to cost us a lot of money.  Money that could be spent on time off from work.  But, I just can't make the call to do anything else, at this point.  Hopefully we do it this time.  This whole thing has been stressful and has made me pretty sad for my pups.

Why I Don't (usually) Wish People Happy Birthday on Facebook

So...I have developed a personal thing.  You know...one of those things that is only a thing to you.  Nobody else really knows about this thing, but it's such a thing to you that you dare not move away from that thing?

Well, I have a thing.  And that thing is...I don't wish Happy Birthday on Facebook.

Why don't I do this?  Well, it's simple.  I think that if I actually like someone, I will wish them a real happy birthday.  I mean, I don't send a card or make a phone call or anything time consuming like that.  I usually do it via text.  This is my way of showing you that I actually care enough to send you a text on your birthday!  I mean, anyone can type "Happy Birthday" onto that super convenient little box Facebook puts up there on birthdays.  But, it takes a true friend to pick up the phone and type "Happy Birthday" into the screen.

Now, don't get me wrong...Facebook is very valuable when it comes to birthdays.  If it weren't for Facebook, I wouldn't remember when anyone's birthdays are.  Seriously.  I know my mom and my cousin share a birthday.  I am pretty sure it is in March.  Thank God for Facebook!  Because, I would have totally forgotten to send my mom and cousin their birthday texts!

My dad's birthday is in the 1940s.  Sometime during the summer.

Desmond's birthday I know!  I think.

Kim's birthday, too.  I think I fear the wrath of my wife if I forget her birthday.

But, everyone else...forget it.

Oh, Jesus's birthday.  I remember Jesus's birthday.

Anyway...this rule has it's exceptions.  Let's say I don't have your cell phone number.  Then I would send you a note on Facebook.  If I actually consider you my friend.  I have some Facebook friends that I would call more of an acquaintance.  I separate friends from acquaintances by this simple rule...if you called me up and asked if I wanted to go out for a beer, would I do it?  If yes...then you're a friend.  If no, then you're an acquaintance.

This is of course assuming that I am not too tired or that I don't have other plans or that my wife would even let me or that I wouldn't have to leave West Seattle.  But, if all those criteria are met and I would have a beer with you, then you are a friend.  I will probably leave you a Happy Birthday message on Facebook if I don't have your cell phone number.

So...if it's your birthday and you don't see a "Happy Birthday" message from me on Facebook, don't think anything of it!  It just means that you should get a text from me if I actually like you.

And, if I forget...Happy Birthday!!!!

Let's all practice the Gonzaga Fight Song!

Here's a brief history of the Gonzaga Fight Song as told my my friend, Bernadette Durbin.

"Gonzaga "had" [a fight song] that had been borrowed and badly adapted waaaaaayyyy back when college fight songs were the rage. The Pep Band unearthed it in 1995 when they reformed, played it once, and decided to bury it.

 This one was designed by the guy who led the Pep Band for many years and was deliberately designed to sound like one of the classic songs (while including the chant that got popular with all its rhythmic glory.)"

I remember seeing words to a fight song at some point in my tenure at GU.  I feel like I even sang it somewhere, once.  But, everyone around me was in the same boat I was...what the heck is the tune for this. 

I like this version.  It's catchy!  It's fight songy!  I'll be singing it all week as we get ready to watch my Zags in THE FINAL FOUR!!!!!

Extroverted Introvert...THAT'S ME!!!

Saw this article recently.  You can find the original posted here on Stuff.

For a long time, I've never really known where I land on the Extrovert/Introvert spectrum.  I am always told how good I am with people.  As a recruiter, I used to get great feedback on how I could work the room or engage with potential candidates.  I enjoy good feedback, so I would try to put myself in position to do this.

But, I always dreaded it!  And, when it's over, I am ready for bed. I don't want to go hang out after.  I want to go sit in my room and be by myself.

Another scenario...after the school auction this year, I was invited out by one of the other parents.  A guy who I like, but who I don't know well.  But, I want to get to know him better.  I was reluctant, but I said "Sure!"  So, I headed out to meet him.  Turns out the restaurant we were meeting at was wall to wall crowded and the folks he was meeting that night weren't other school parents...it was a bunch of people I didn't know.  So, what did I do?  I snuck out. Didn't say goodbye.  Just left.  Yeah, rude...I know.  But, he was chatting and I didn't even think he would notice.

He noticed.  Not only that, but some of my good friends actually were there with him.  But, I didn't wait long enough to find that out.

If you are one of my besties, I love hanging out with you!  If you are someone I want to get to know, I can hang out in a limited capacity until I get to know you better.  If I don't know you...well, I probably have to go wash my hair.

So...I very much enjoyed this article.  There are clearly other people out there just like me!!!

__________________________________________

12 signs you're an extroverted introvert

Do you have a love/hate relationship with other people in general? You might be an extroverted introvert. 

Online quizzes and HR personality indicators like to put us into clear, easy-to-read boxes.

People think you must be either an "extrovert"; i.e. somebody that thrives being around others, or an "introvert", somebody who is best left alone. But not both.

Extroverted introverts know that the way you prefer to interact with the world isn't fixed. It's a sliding scale, which you'll understand if the following 12 things resonate with you. 

1. YOU'RE GREAT WITH PEOPLE

As an extroverted introvert, you know how to work a party.

You can be charming and funny, and most people around you think you're a genuine extrovert; one who simply gets along with everybody.

2. UNTIL YOU'RE NOT

Extroverted introverts reach a point in any social situation where they've had enough.

While they may have been initially energised by the buzz of human interaction, a couple of hours of it and they're completely drained.

They want only to be alone, not talking, so they can recharge.

3. YOU PREFER ONE-ON-ONE

Communication with another person one-on-one is usually the favourite type of interaction for an extroverted introvert.

While they are great with people, they don't really like small talk – something they find too prominent in group situations.

Extroverted introverts prefer to spend time with people they are really interested in and can have meaningful conversations with.

4. YOU HAVE SOCIAL ANXIETY

No matter how many times an extroverted introvert makes a great impression in a social situation, social anxiety always rears its head in the hours (or days) before the next time you're required to be "on" for a crowd.

They know they'll enjoy it once they get there, but think about cancelling many times before they leave the house.

Sometimes they even go out with friends not because they want to, but because they don't want to disappoint them. 

5. YOU LOVE BEING ALONE

Extroverted introverts don't understand anyone who is uncomfortable being alone. 

Sometimes an extroverted introvert will go an entire day without speaking to another human being and not think twice about it.

They love being by themselves, and find being alone reading a book, watching a movie, or partaking in any other solitary pastime, extremely invigorating.

6. BUT STILL GET LONELY

Just because you're good on your own, doesn't mean it's always good for you.

Extroverted introverts still get lonely when they cross the fine line between loving their alone time, and needing social interaction.

It's often hard to know that you're lonely because you're so comfortable in your own space that you don't want to leave it.

7. YOU CAN MEET ANYBODY

Extroverted introverts are good at meeting others' parents, partners, girlfriends and boyfriends, bosses, you name it. They could even meet the Duchess of Cambridge and probably make her laugh.

They're good at asking questions because they don't really like talking about themselves, but still manage to walk away knowing the person they were talking to thought they were the interesting one.

8. YOU FIND FRIENDSHIPS THAT NEED MAINTENANCE EXHAUSTING 

The ideal friend for an extroverted introvert is one that isn't demanding. 

Friendships that require work, like the kind that need constant attention and communication otherwise that friend gets needy, don't usually last long. 

Extroverted introverts are happier seeing each of their friends sporadically, and if months (or even years) go by between hang-outs, it's no big deal... you'll have more to catch up on anyway. 

9. SOMETIMES YOU'RE BAD AT MESSAGING 

On any given day, an extroverted introvert might feel like complete solitude. That means no replying to messages and texts, and they'll only pick up the phone if they think it's important. 

Extroverted introverts can be bad at messaging, not because they don't want to talk to you, but because they don't want to talk to anyone. 

10. YOU DON'T LIKE COMPLIMENTS

Sure, extroverted introverts like making a good impression and want to be noticed.

But when somebody actually gives them a compliment to affirm them, they get completely bashful and feel very uncomfortable.

It's a strange oxymoron: like you want people both to look at you, and not look at you, at the same time.

11. YOU'RE HAPPIEST IN CAFES

An extroverted introvert loves being around people, but not necessarily engaging with them.

Cafes are the prime spot for this: you can look around and see the hustle and bustle of life, and at the same time be removed from it.

The result is one of those great situations whereby they feel like they're part of something, but there's no pressure.

12. YOU LIKE GOING OUT, BUT THEN YOU WANT TO GHOST

Extroverted introverts do enjoy going out with friends and being social.

Take them out drinking and dancing and they'll thrive on it, but there will come a point – and it'll happen like the switch of a light – where they'll just want to go home.

Not because they're not having fun anymore, simply because they feel it's time to be silent.

Naturally, their inclination is to ghost from these situations, because goodbyes leave them riddled with guilt.

Conversation Pieces with my DAD! Why you don't want your college team to win

I'm a Zag!  Through and Through!  I love my Bulldogs!  The time I spent at Gonzaga coincided with the Cinderella years of the basketball program.  That first year when we went in and made it to our first Elite Eight after knocking off #2 Florida State!

Gonzaga has made the tournament every single year since then!  However, we still have yet to make it to that coveted Final Four spot.  People call it the monkey on Mark Few's back.  Whatever...I wouldn't trade Few for anyone.  It will happen.  Hopefully tomorrow!  We are really excited for when the day comes.

But, every year the excitement reminds me of a conversation I had with my dad many years back.  I don't recall exactly when.

My dad went to Michigan State University.  MSU has made their share of Final Fours and have even brought home 2 National Championships.

Once again, I was excited for my Zags!  As I am every year (even when I know deep down it won't happen) I knew for certain that Gonzaga was going ALL THE WAY!

To which my dad tells me, "You don't want them to win."

Me:  "Why not?"

Dad: "Because as soon as you do, you get phone calls saying, 'Did you see how good the team did in the tournament...would you consider donating?'"

Conversation Pieces - Library Boogers

Desmond: "Dad... The library should thank me because I cleaned all the boogers out of that book."

Quincy Update

Ok, so here is an update on Quincy, in case you were interested.

First of all, he still has both eyes.

It started with a pill he shouldn't have been taking.  Quincy Pants has been on Prednisone for a long long time.  The steroid helps control his the symptoms of his many, many allergies (for those that didn't know, Quincy is allergic to humans.  For real.  Among other things).  Well, apparently, his vet clinic forgot about this.  Or, at the very least, didn't check the chart.  QP's regular vet recently left so we had to see a different one when I first took him in to have his eye looked at.  She suggested we take him to the optometrist.  In the meantime, she gave us some pain killers.

This pain killer combined with the prednisone was the problem.  The two aren't supposed to mix.  When the eye doc saw this, she told me she wasn't comfortable doing the surgery.  He needs some tests and a new check up, first.

So, we run a blood test and the eye doc examines him.

Oh...he's got an ulcer in his other eye.  The doctor says it's very likely that, at some point (weeks, years, who knows) it's likely the other eye will need to come out.  We should consider removing them both, now.  He's not getting any younger.

Oh...and, he's got a heart murmur.  Could be a sign of heart disease.  You should have his heart checked out.

Oh...and, test results came back.  Thyroid problem, protein in his urine, etc,etc, etc.

We are scheduled for an echo cardiogram next Monday.

Here's where we're at.  There are a lot of things happening here.  With the exception of his heart, the docs have said that the surgery can be done with the other issues.  But, he'll likely need to be on more meds.  The optometrist thinks we should do the second eye.  We have a baby coming and no paid time off for either of us.  So, everything adds up.  We're going to see what happens with the heart exam and go from there.  That's another $500 by itself.

Kim and I basically decided that if his heart is ok, we move forward with removing the eye that is bad.  If the other eye develops a problem, we'll address it when we get there.  But, it's likely that we wouldn't pay for that second surgery.

If his heart is not ok, well...then it's time to start thinking about what's next.  Quincy is going on 13 years old.  He's not getting any younger or stronger.  Spending $5000k on an elderly dog who may not last many more years even if we did the surgeries is not very prudent, unfortunately.

I've been thinking, since Friday, about just how much Quincy means to me.  I mean, this dumb dog has been the longest constant in my life outside of my parents.  He's been around longer than Kim, longer than Desmond.  He's been here longer than my first marriage.  Longer than my time at Microsoft.  Longer than my time in West Seattle.  He was around during my divorce.  He has been there every day of Desmond's life.  He was my excuse to leave a date when I was single ("Well, I had fun, but I have to go home to let the dog out.").

When one talks about Man's Best Friend, this pooch has certainly been mine through lot of great and a lot of really hard times.  It sucks to even think about not having him around.  :-(

Quincy Pants is losing an eye ball

Poor Mr. Pants.

If you have not actually met Quincy recently, you may not realize that he's totally blind.  About 6 years ago (give or take) I started to notice some light spots in his eyes.  Just small dots that, at first, looked like he had a piece of dirt in his eye or something.  Except, it was actually IN his eyeball.  Inside the pupil.  The spot got bigger and bigger.  Finally, about 4 years ago, the cataracts took over his eyes and he become close to 100% blind.  Some light still gets through, we think.  But, that's about it.

Well, recently, he injured one of his eyes.  We suspect he walked, eyeball first, into something.  Could have been a bush branch.  Could have been the corner of the coffee table.  Who knows.  Anyway, it caused an ulcer on his eyeball.  Basically, a large crater on his eye.  According to the vet, it was one very small layer away from rupturing.  We had a few options.  1) surgery to remove repair the ulcer (most expensive option), 2) surgery to remove the eye, 3) medication to try to heal the eye.

The surgery options were about $2k, The meds were $50.  So, we went meds figuring if they didn't work, then we would go with the surgery.

Well, the meds worked...for that issue.

Shortly after, his eye got super bulgie.  Like, Glenn from the Walking Dead bulgie.  If you don't know what I am talking about, go punch "Glenn Eyeball" into Bing.

Took him to the vet.  Vet says, "Holy crap, this looks bad.  He needs to go back to the doggy eye doc.  So, we go back to the doggy eye doc.

Doggy eye doc says it's glaucoma.  A high eye pressure is 30.  Quincy's is 85.  Unfortunately, I can't go to the nearest weed store and get him some cannabis for this.  We could try meds for it, but, in the doctors words, "It's a long way to go and I am pessimistic."

They eye is causing him pain. It's pretty obvious.  He pants a lot.  He lies around a lot (more than usual).  He's not his usual happy, barky, "where are my morning pets, dad?" self.  And, according to the doc, there is only one solution at this point.  Remove the eye.

So, Quincy is going One Eyed Willy.  Surgery is on Friday.  It's not cheap.  Especially when my wife's company offers zero maternity leave and mine has decided I haven't been here long enough to give me parental leave.  This isn't a cost we have been budgeting for.  But, my Pants is hurting and that sucks.

I'm sad for him.  He's got such a cute face!  But, I know it will make him feel better.

Now, if only I could get him to wear an eye patch.


(Not Quincy...but, still super rad)

Things That Make Me Smile - Kids interrupt BBC Interview

This is making the rounds on Facebook today.  It hit my feed this morning.  I've probably watched it 20 times.  It makes me laugh so hard.



It just so happens that I am working from home, today.  Desmond has a buddy over and they've been playing Xbox.  But, I was on a call at about 1:00 and, all of a sudden, two boys appear from downstairs to inform me that they are hungry.

I was reading some of the chatter on this guys Twitter feed.  Most people are commenting on how well he handled it.  But, a couple are making it sound like he's a big jerk.  One even talks about how he "man handled" the older kid and how mad he looks at the "nanny."

Well, first of all, the woman isn't a nanny.  According to BBC, it's his wife.

Second, OMG...I totally sympathize with him!!!  I have been in meetings in the past, video conferences, where the kid shows up all of a sudden, pissed off because Netflix has stopped working or he can't find a particular lego piece or can he have a popsicle?  And, it's totally embarrassing!  Because you have to stop talking and shoo your kid.  You want your kid to grasp the concept that you are busy and can't help them at the moment.  But, to them, the most important thing in the world is that missing lego piece!  Desmond is old enough now and has been around for enough of dad's work from home meetings that he knows when to buzz off, now.  But that wasn't always the case.

This guy...he's in front of the world, man!  He's on TV!  I probably would have pee'd my pants!

But, mom's reaction is really my favorite.  How she pops in and you can totally see the "HOLY SHIT!" look on her face!!  Then, how she tried, unsuccessfully, to remain hidden while closing the door.  OMG, this video is so amazing!