relationships

I enjoy reading advice columns, both to learn about issues and to enjoy other people's crazy lives. But sometimes I read them to remind myself that I am lucky and happy and do not have much to worry about. Case in point:

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DEAR ABBY: Am I a "sicko" because I step out of the shower naked in front of our dog? My wife thinks so. The trouble started when we got a female dog, "Taffy," from the local animal shelter. Taffy sleeps in our bedroom and is there in the morning when I take my shower.
My wife insists that I cover up in front of the dog and that Taffy is no different from a child. This has created a lot of stress between us because, to me, a dog is a dog. Is it wrong to be naked in front of a dog? -- IN THE DOGHOUSE, TEMECULA, CALIF.

DEAR IN THE DOGHOUSE: Even though many people treat their dogs like children, the fact remains that dogs are canines -- not homo sapiens. Your wife appears to be either jealous or have an overactive imagination. It is no more wrong for a human to be naked in the presence of a dog than it is for a dog to be naked in the presence of a human.

DEAR ABBY: What do you think of a man who pulls a chair out from underneath his wife when she goes to sit down? -- SORE BUTT, TEMECULA, CALIF.

DEAR SORE BUTT: Not much. You could have been seriously injured. If your husband thinks it was funny, he appears to be immature and have a warped sense of humor. From now on, seat yourself, because your husband is not to be trusted until he grows up.

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I can tell you that Pete and I have our share of strange discussions (i.e. it's ok to hold hands during certain documentaries but not all; please keep your feet in your own area; etc.) but generally we have a pretty mellow time, and I have yet to have the need to write to Abby.

Melancholy Space Needle

I've got the powah

So our power was half out until late Tuesday night. Our building has three phases and one of the phases was out. The way they wired our building, some of the stuff had power and some didn't. The fridge had power, and the bedrooms had power so we had heat. That was good. The stove, dishwasher, washer and dryer were out. We were really lucky - there are still people without any power at all. Our biggest problems were getting tired of eating out, and the dishes piling up in and around the sink.

On Friday during all the craziness, Sally and I watched Season 2 of Grey's Anatomy all day. I couldn't do much work at home because our Internet was out, and I tried finding a place to hang out and get wireless to get some work done, but they were packed and there was nowhere to sit. All in all it was a pleasant snow day.

In other news, we got a new computer which is cool. Our old computer - I bought it back in 1998 I think. I had added RAM and a honkin hard drive a few years ago but it's pretty much on its last legs.

We are ready for Christmas! This is the first Christmas ever that I won't be with my family. (I'm 33.) Pete and Sally and I are going to start some new traditions. So far, we're planning to: open presents and sit around.

I will really miss all the folks, and Christmas Eve which is a big party at my parents' house with kww and watie and everyone and lots of booze and good food. And of course there's the famous "W" party - so famous that one year Pete flew in to Omaha for a mere 24 hours just to attend.

Anyway I'm excited about Christmas. This is not a very interesting post but to whet your whistle I will soon write a review of a fondue restaurant where Pete and I ate long ago before the Elton John concert.

Thunk!

An unidentified woman, a good Samaritan, moves in to offer a helping hand to a man who was knocked down in the middle of a crosswalk by strong winds in downtown Seattle Wednesday. (December 14, 2006)

Credit: Andy Rogers/Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Yo Ho Ho

Christmas in Seattle.

The Cascades from our balcony on a clear day.

Snugglin

Nelson Sings Nilsson LIVE!

So we went to The Great Rambini's show last night and it was sooooooo great!

Awesome was, well, awesome opening up and then Sean sang Harry's songs in front of this huge band, strings and brass and backup singers and everything. And a cute kids chorus too. Really amazing.

It was a great show, Pete and I are still talking about it. We sat behind an older gentleman who was a huge Nilsson fan and he was ROCKING OUT the whole time.

Rock on Rambini!

Dear Readers

Hi there,
all of you out there,
did I loan any of you the "West Wing" Season 1?
I can't find it at home.
If I loaned it to you,
Will you please
Let me know?

Thanks!
Bladio

We went to Colorado for Thanksgiving. Sally and elk: