38.89 Degrees Celsius

This is what you get when you convert 102 degrees Fahrenheit to Celsius. This is how hot is was today in Phoenix. For those of you that are not from Phoenix you may be wondering what this feels like. Or perhaps you are from here and have moved away and you're feeling nostalgic.

Let me help you.

The next time you have a hair dryer nearby (any will do, really), turn it on and point it at your face.

That is all.

Breaking Up With the Dentist

Has anyone ever fired anyone in the medical profession? I did recently and it felt fantastic. My dentist is no longer employed by me. I think not enough people remember that medical professionals are not immune from the firing process. They are being paid to perform a service. You should not have to cater to them. It should be the other way around.

My former dentist's office, like most that I know of, requires a patient to schedule their next cleaning six months in advance. I sometimes don't know what the plan will be for the following week as far as my schedule goes, but I go so far as to make a leap of faith every six months and schedule an appointment. The last three appointments I have made with this office have unceremoniously needed to be rescheduled--by them, not me. Perhaps they decide they want to close the office that day (as has happened on two of the three occasions), or some other lame reason.

Needless to say, I received a call from the lady at the front office informing me yet again that they would need to reschedule the April appointment I made in October. So I did something I've never done before.

I broke up with the dentist.

I actually said "I don't think this is going to work anymore."

It was quite liberating.

I have since found a new dentist and look forward to beginning my new relationship with them soon.

Dogs and Their Feelings

I have been thinking about a discussion I had a week ago...

I am taking some classes at ASU because apparently I am a sadist.

Actually, the real reason is to finish a bachelor's degree I was close to finishing before I transferred to a school in New York and graduated from there. So, in order to be able to call myself a Sun Devil Alumna, I must complete this task.

Anyway, I am sitting in a 200-level English course (which I am taking as the last part of completing an English Literature minor) and we begin the course discussing a novel that we had read on the treatment of animals.

Anyone who has met me--EVER--knows that I am animal lover. My dog is like my kid for gosh sakes.

So this kid starts spouting off at the mouth about how dogs don't have feelings and can't communicate.

WHAT AN IDIOT.

I am unable to restrain myself from expressing my opinion of him. Although I do so in a little bit more decorous way, he gets my point. We begin a verbal sparring match. Which he lost.

I told Ozzie about this. He was most displeased. And saddened.

I would call these feelings, wouldn't you?

Note to idiotic college boy: my dog and I will both be in class tomorrow. You can look him in the eye and tell him he doesn't have feelings.

Panic Attack

I have not posted for a few days because my hard drive died. These words should inspire as much terror in your heart as, say, the abominable snowman.

I was at Paradise Bakery, minding my own business, and working on a paper. All of a sudden, the computer stops working. I am mildly annoyed, so I try restarting it. Instead of the pleasant sound of my computer starting up I am greeted with the blue screen of death and a flashing question mark. It is as if the computer is yelling "WTF???" at me.

I hastily gather up all of my belongings and make a bee line for the Apple store at Arrowhead. After waiting my turn for the technician, he unceremoniously removes my hard drive and plugs it in to some device. He then pauses, looks at me, and says "I regret to inform you that your hard drive is no longer with us."

AHHHHH.

The long and short of it is that I now have to go buy a new hard drive. I have no idea what to do. The hard drives are kept in the forbidden isle of Best Buy where all of the stuff I don't understand how to use is housed. The man from the Apple store had given me fairly specific instructions on what to buy, along with some rudimentary instructions on how to replace the hard drive.

I am definitely doubting my capabilities at this point. But I am going to attempt it anyway. Low and behold, I am able to get the new hard drive installed.

One of the most stressful days EVER.

Good To Be Home!

Ahhh...it is nice to be home. There is something to be said for sleeping in your own bed, no matter how luxurious the hotels beds were. Ozzie was really glad to see me, which always makes me feel good.

Today was a busy day, however.

It began at 5am, when I awoke to do the Cancer Society Climb to Cure Cancer. This climb goes all the way to the top of South Mountain...6.2 miles. I will confess that this was probably not the best of ideas, seeing that jet lag is completely kicking my crazy ass and I am still sick. But, still, I was at South Mountain this morning with my friend to do the climb.

After we left the park, we stopped to get some breakfast. Then it was home to nap...

I'm sorry. You must be new here. I don't nap. Too much to do!

The first thing to attack was the massive pile of laundry from the trip. Of course, had I the foresight to know that I would only need half of the stuff I brought on the trip, this section of the day might have gone a little faster. But no, I brought the summer and winter wardrobes to the United Kingdom, so everything had to be washed!

I got about 100 of the photos I took on the trip printed out and then spent part of the day putting them in frames and such. Some of them turned out so well and I am really proud that I took them. I will be uploading some of them to facebook so you all can see them.

Next was the pile of mail that was waiting to be opened. I absolutely love opening the mail. I don't know why...I think it goes back to the days when I used to get a lot of letters. I love it.

After various errands were run and the laundry folded and the dinner was eaten and the weeds were pulled, I would say that today has been a very productive day!

And I am tired.

Winding Down

Today was our last day in this wonderful city. We have had such an amazing time! Today we headed into London with the intention of seeing the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. However, we were out of luck. In the winter they only do the ceremony every other day. We did see the changing of the Royal Horse Guard, which was really cool.

From there, we headed to Westminster Abbey. This may be one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen. It is a beautiful working church that was once a Monastery. They still hold mass there about six times a day. I've included some pictures of the outside, as we were forbidden from taking pictures inside. Almost all of Britain's monarchs from the last 1000 years are entombed there. Except Henry VIII. Check your history books, darlings. He had this thing against the Catholic Church...

From there, we decided to get some lunch. We wanted to make it inside the Tower of London, but alas, the Westminster Abbey tour took a bit longer than expected, so we weren't able to make it inside in time. But there are some pictures of the outside. So amazing.

As of this moment, we are packing. Why did we bring so much crap? We didn't use half of it. Oh well, you live and learn, I suppose.

We head to the airport in the morning but don't get home until late evening, so it will be a long day.

However, I have decided that I enjoy writing this blog, and I will continue it after the trip. While the photos may not be nearly as exciting, it's fun to write and I love me some comments! Thanks to everyone who went on this journey via the blog. See you when we get home!

God Save the Queen!

Today we spent the entire day touring around London. It's a beautiful city with so much history! We did the tour, which turned out to be an awesome experience. We saw all of the points on the tour today, getting out at a few. Our plan is to hop back on the bus tomorrow and get off at the points we really want to see and spend some time there.

We got off the Tube this morning and when we emerged from underground we were in Hyde Park. About thirty seconds later, a parade of about 16 beautiful black horses came through the park dressed in full regalia (with riders of course). Turns out they were on their way to the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place at 11:30am each day. Since we missed it today, we will try to catch it tomorrow. This takes place at Buckingham Palace.

We are also planning on taking a tour of Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and the British Museum. I have posted some pictures here of the outside of these places as seen from our tour today.

We ate a wonderful dinner tonight and did some shopping, and then decided to head back to the hotel. On the way to the Tube station, I saw what is perhaps the funniest thing I've seen in my life:

There are many street performers near the Tube stations. Some of them even live inside the underground station, which is actually quite charming. Anyway, we see a young man playing his guitar for change. But then it gets better. Sitting next to his open guitar case, on the ground next to it, dressed in a very festive sweater, is his cat. Yes, go ahead and read this again. His cat.

I am completely unsure of what to say, although I am sure my face said it all. Then, to make things so much better, Laura decides to pet the cat. I am howling. Unable to control myself. The nice troubadour then informs us that his cat's name is Bob and he is his daddy. A man behind me approaches me to give me some flier. I am still not recovered, and seeing the totally unique look on my face, gives me one right back. I then feel the need to explain, so I do. He then is howling also, but in British. It is quite hilarious.

Laura will be tested for rabies. I am sure the cat was completely unsanitary, although she disagrees.

Tomorrow shall prove to be an exciting day, with lots more pictures. Enjoy!