G is for Greetings and Goings

So pathetic...

I work two jobs, which means that I'm gone anywhere from 8-12 hours a day (though I'll be back to one job soon enough). Though the boyfriend spends extra time with Baxter and lets him out during his lunch break, Baxter still sits and stares out the window as though the world is ending.

When we lived in North Carolina, I'd drop him off at friend's houses if I knew I'd be working a long shift. When I'd pick him up, they'd say, "I tried all day to get him to eat, or to play with him. But he just sat there and sighed. He was miserable."

As it turns out, there's just no fun left in the world.

But there are two exceptions to the misery rule:

1) When I come home (Greetings).
To Bax, it's like the world is full of dog treats, puppy toys, and canned food. The grass is made of back scratchers, and the trees have all been peed on. There is nothing better than the moment I walk through the door. His entire body wiggles, he pushes all of his weight into my legs, and for the next thirty seconds, I can do nothing but pet him until he deems it safe for me to enter the house.

2) When we get ready to go for a walk (Goings).
 Which is better described in this video. CAUTION: The sound was really messed up, so I'd mute it before I'd watch it. The effect is still the same:

Sometimes he gets so excited, he'll rear back like a horse, and kick his front paws in the air. Sometimes, he paws at the door like he's capable of breaking it down (who knows, he may be). It makes it hard to put his leash on, but as soon as it's on, it's go time. He's ready to face the world.

Which reminds me, it's Monday.

Are you ready to face the world? (Happy Monday, we hope your week is awesome!)

Sloppy Sunday

There are marquee boards in Hell. They're engulfed in flames, centered in unbearable sunlight, and the letters will never stick to the pole.

I don't like sunlight.

A portion of my job ensures that this is my weekly nightmare. Because I haven't had money for a new set of contacts, I've been saving my vision for snowboarding and regularly wearing my glasses. Which means that because the marquee board is put in such a way the sunlight goes straight into my unprotected eyeballs, I have a tendency to leave my glasses in my car and swap em for sunglasses. Sure, I can't see while I change the sales, but I don't feel completely blinded.

On Sloppy Sunday, I did this, as I usually do. After dropping a million letters (because they don't in fact stick to the demonic pole), I went in to the store, took care of the letters, and pole, and ventured out to my car to exchange my sun blockers for my vision enhancers.

I grabbed the handle, and the door didn't open.

I did it again. Then I realized that my car has a safety feature....that locks the doors without having to touch anything.

Through hazy eyes, I squinted in to the car. My glasses were sitting on the driver's seat...along with my car keys. The door was, in fact, locked. The windows were closed. The truck was locked.

Getting my glasses back kind of felt like this.

After a rather lengthy panic attack, and calling my sister who informed me it'll cost about $75 to unlock my car through a locksmith, through the advice of a friend I contacted my insurance company. Lo and behold, I HAVE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE!

Within the hour my car was unlocked, the day was saved and I hugged the kind old man who made me sign a waiver that released him from smashing out my window, and thus begins another week in the life of Lynne.

Happy Monday.

New Gear

Back in December, I ripped my work pants in a place that shouldn't be ripped. It got so bad, I felt I couldn't bend over without exposing my undies to the world. Then the snow came...then I got my season pass to the mountain and realized, I need new bindings. So, I bought new bindings rather than new pants. (Thankfully my mommy sent me pants for Christmas.)

From there, I started looking at my other snow gear. Sure, I had gloves, but they had really big holes. Sure, I had a jacket, but it was the same I'd had since 8th grade (this is not an exaggeration).

There was a sale online and with the help of Christmas money from friends, I ended up buying new gear.

You can't tell, but I totally had a Red Bull in my pocket :)

The first day I wore my new jacket, gloves, shirt, hoodie, and hat, I was walking tall. Each step I took had a bit of swag to it. Then, I got my board (new as of last season, with the new this season bindings), and hit the chair lift.

I felt like I needed to do my gear justice. I hit rails. I hit jumps. I did 180s. I put on a show (small, because I'm not so brave yet) for the people on the chair lift. And IT FELT GOOD.

The novelty of the new gear has worn off over the last two months, but I still think of that first day with all of my new toys, which brings me to my next point:

When was the last time you bought yourself some new gear? Perhaps a new pen you've been eyeing at the grocery store. A new notebook with a cute puppy on the front? Whatever. Your mission is to go out, and buy something that will inspire you to be great. I promise it'll be worth it.

Happy Monday.