Spring is Here(ish)

The days are getting longer fast, with about 5.5 minutes longer every day. Given the way our timezone is situated (solar noon is at 2:06 pm today) sunset is now at about 8:30, and we'll need blackout curtains in our bedroom within another week or two. High temperatures are above freezing most days and our snow is finally disappearing. This past weekend was warm enough that I spent about an hour and a half outside in shorts and a tshirt, although I lose some points on that for the fact that I was shoveling snow and ice at the time.

Anyway, winter here lasts for so long that by the time the snow is really gone from the neighborhood we're going to be having 16 hours of sunlight, so just imagine how quickly things change as the plants react to that change. Can't wait to see green again!

Also a winter's worth of dog poop melts all at once and apparently thats what my neighborhood will smell like for a couple of weeks. Hopefully that will coincide with the onset of allergies and clogged sinuses.

It’s 9:30
Only 2 hours to lunch
If I eat an hour late
It’ll be 1:30 by the time I get back
People start leaving at 4:00
That’s only a bit over 2 hours after I’ll be back from lunch
I only leave an hour later than that
This day’s flying by
Why is it only 9:31?

Defense date

Now this could change, but I think that its safe enough to write in May 7th as my defense date on your calendars. Or perhaps more importantly to write in the evening of May 7th and my post-defense party (rain or shine, as it were). Or perhaps most importantly of all to write in May 8th as a day not to call me before noon.

Updated dog

Here's a picture of the three of us from just before Christmas. Awww.
Bella is a sucker for tummy rubs, and will even put up with being manhandled onto my lap and having her toenails clipped in order to get one. This appears to be post-clipping, based on the shears next to us.
This is Bella and her super-mellow friend Dash. Dash enjoys stealing and hiding butter, backcountry skiing and naps.
Dash has been our primary tool for socializing Bella, since she's shown some signs of aggression towards other dogs. But this doesn't look too aggressive, now, does it?
We even had a couple of strange dogs over a few weeks ago, and they got along great. I forget the big dog's name, but the little one looking at the camera is Miss Piggy, cause she's got a curly tail and only one lung, which makes her grunt a lot.

Belated dog notice

Did I ever mention that Beth and I have a dog?

This is Bella:
and this is Bella viciously attacking me:

She's about a year and a half old, full of energy and smart enough to keep us on our toes. She's also fast as all hell, and if you think you can catch her she'd love it if you tried.

Avatar

It's a good movie. Stunning visually although I have to warn you that it's intense - there's literally not a single lighthearted moment to break the drama. Go see it the next time you have a couple days free.

Look, honey......

THE INTERNET!!!!!