Dog Park Frustration

My hubby and I take our dog to the dog park (an area on campus where you're allowed to have dogs off-leash - the only such location in the area) every now and then. We have a sheltie mix, who needs LOTS of exercise or he gets kind of nutty - runs laps in our apartment, that sort of thing. We want him to run and play, to get out his energy. He's a good dog - well behaved, always gentle, loves people, slightly scared of dogs but never snappy. He just runs to us and hides when other dogs sniff him too much.

Since he's scared of dogs, we try to mostly stay away from the big crowds of dogs and people at the park - we're there for him to run, not to be intimidated. This time, the weather was gorgeous, so we even brought a picnic. We sat well away from everyone, on our own.

BUT STILL, we were bothered! First, a dog that had jumped in the lake ran way the heck across the park just to sniff our dog, who of course ran around trying to get away. The big wet dog ran all over our picnic blanket, nearly body-slammed me while I was trying to protect my sandwich (sitting down, no shoes on), and then shook off 18 inches from my food! And of course the clueless owner was 150 feet away, calling the dog to no avail, etc. And did she apologize? No! Of course not!

Then later the same dog, an unneutered male, harassed and barked at another dog while it was trying to get out of the lake. The clueless girl took several minutes to even realize and decide that her dog was a problem, and then of course it was "Oh, why are you barking? I don't know what the problem is!" rather than doing anything for another minute or two before she pulled him away. Meanwhile the other dog was getting seriously tired because it couldn't get out (the edge is a concrete retaining wall, not just dirt).

Then we walked our dog through the other dogs to let him meet some of the smaller, less intimidating ones. He was doing ok with that until the SAME dog came over and chased him around a little. He wasn't really threatening, but our dog was scared. I know that was something to be expected, and I don't fault the owner for that really. But then, when our dog was cowering under my husband's feet, the dog lifted its leg and URINATED on my husband's leg! Of course we jumped away and pushed the dog away, but do you imagine the owner even knew?

NO, she was eating chinese takeout up with some guy. Now, I'm all about having a picnic in the glorious weather - we did that ourselves. But when you've had AT LEAST 2 instances of your dog being a problem in the last 30 minutes (and those were just the ones that we saw!), you ought to have the decency to at least pay attention to him!

I wanted to go up and chew her out for it (which is pretty unusual, I hate confrontation, but I was pretty ticked), or at least TELL her. But my sweet hubby said I shouldn't, because it wouldn't make any difference anyway. Irresponsible dog owners have problem dogs because they're irresponsible - someone alerting them to the fact that their dog is a problem makes no difference because they already know, they just don't care.

Now I wish I'd said something.

And it's not like she had a difficult to handle breed or anything, either. It was a yellow lab - any doofus who makes an effort can have a reasonably-behaved lab. And it would be one thing if she had a difficult dog but was there constantly TRYING to keep him in line - I would have assumed maybe he was a rescue dog, with a history of little discipline, that she was working with, or at the very least that she CARED enough to make an effort. But no, she was just oblivious and didn't care when it was obvious he was causing problems.

I'm glad she didn't have a more difficult to handle breed, like a pit bull or rottweiler - not because they're inherently bad dogs, but they're more dangerous in the hands of a clueless and uninvolved owner than a lab might be.

Phooey on irresponsible people.

I've completely wasted time...

that I should be using to write a paper or study for a final by making a wish list on Amazon. I've always shied away from the idea, but whatever, here goes.

Don't feel obligated or anything, since no one probably reads this anyway, I just thought I'd share my excitement. Of course, it's practically all books... surprise! That wasn't predictable or anything. The books recommended by Amazon for me are a bit light on the academic/political side, because I bought most of my school books through my husband's account.

Week 28 - Offtheme (as usual)

So simple it doesn't really deserve to be part of the FSOJ project, but it's one of the few things I have pictures of at the moment. I've recently sent a pile of new things (that actually involve wirework and that I didn't get pictures of!) off to a gallery in Houston, so at least you can imagine something involving wirework! Comments welcome, of course!

Shy Violet

Week 29 - Offtheme

This necklace is peridot chips, freshwater pearls dyed a lovely green, and sea green serpentine with small sterling silver beads and a Hilltribe silver pillow centerpiece. All comments welcome.

Shy Violet

Week 30 - All in the Details

Freshwater pearls dyed a lovely cranberry color, sterling silver beads, and a pendant I made of sterling and fine silver wire with more small sterling beads. I really like making these pendants - they look really dressy with just a simple strand of something to accent them, and they're relatively quick gratification, too! All comments welcome as usual.

Shy Violet

Week 31 - Ceramic, Onyx, Silver Bracelet

Another ceramic and onyx bracelet. The ceramic beads are from Peru, I think, and of course bali silver and silver wire/clasp/etc. comments always welcome!

Shy Violet

Week 32 - Turquoise

Turquoise, sterling silver, and Hilltribe silver. It's pretty small (it's actually my size!), so whoever buys it will probably want me to adjust it for them.

I haven't been making much jewelry lately. It's the last two weeks of the semester, and grad school is kicking my batootie. I have another 45 or so pages to write on two term papers and then I'm jetting off to DC for a 10-week internship and then visiting family and THEN Guatemala for three weeks for Spanish study. Talk about craziness! I'm catching up a little bit on the project in my next few posts, but I'm still several weeks behind.

Deepwood Art Challenge Entry

Here's my entry in the Deepwood Art Challenge, using lampwork beads and hand dyed cord by glass artist Fran Lizardi of Deepwood Art. The frame is handformed sterling silver coiled with hairthin fine silver wire. The glass beads are accented by handmade sterling silver faceted beads. The clasp, not pictured, is an s-clasp that I handforged from sterling silver. You can see the other entries here as well as vote for the one you like best. My entry will be available on my website in the next few days. If it's not up and you're interested, just email me.

Held - Natalie Grant

Lyrics for Held, by Natalie Grant. It's a beautiful song, if you haven't heard it, from the album Awaken.

Held
Two months is, too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
take a child from his mother while she prays,
Is appalling.

Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
to us who have died to live,
it's unfair.

Chorus:
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
and you survive.
This is what it is to be loved,
and to know that the promise was
when everything fell we'd be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred know our sorrows.
The wise hands opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
and you survive.
This is what it is to be loved,
and to know that the promise was
when everything fell we'd be held.

Bridge:
If hope is born of suffering,
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
and you survive.
This is what it is to be loved,
and to know that the promise was
when everything fell we'd be held.

FSOJ - Week 26 - Celebrate Different Cultures

The theme this week was Celebrate Different Cultures. My hubby worked forever on this photo, and we're still not happy with it. Gr! The bracelet is sterling silver links, a handmade sterling clasp, nephrite jade, black onyx, and handmade ceramic beads. The brownish coin shaped bead has a Chinese proverb (something about a flower opening) on the side showing and a brown and green flower/leaf on the other side. The picture doesn't show the colors well, but the nephrite jade is a gorgeous deep green - it kind of deepened into black. The round bead on the lower left is supposed to be green!

Available at Shy Violet.

FSOJ - Week 24 - Atlantis Sunrise

Since the Four Seasons of Jewelry project is through the Creative Wire Jewelry forum (at Delphi), this bracelet is a little out of place, being strung and involving no wirework whatsoever. BUT, I did make matching earrings that use a minimal amount of wire (no photo yet), so I'm going to count it anyway!

The theme this week was Atlantis Sunrise. I'm actually inspired to do something else on this theme, so I might revisit it later. But for now, this is what there is. It is Baltic amber, faceted black onyx, and faceted sterling silver beads, finished with a sterling silver toggle clasp.

As usual, all pieces are available at ShyViolet.

FSOJ - Week 25 - Off-Theme

Obviously I'm a bit behind on the Four Seasons of Jewelry. I'm posting this in week 25, but I'll be catching up on the last *counts on fingers* um.... 6 weeks in the next few days, I hope. I'm waiting for my hubby to finish the editing, etc. Since he does it (and I don't have to!), I'm not going to complain when things get a little slow!

This is blue lace agate and crystal quartz with sterling silver beads (bali) and my first swirly clasp, made of 16 gauge sterling wire and then hammered. I LOVE the matte finish from hammering. All comments, criticism, etc. are welcome as always.

Available at ShyViolet.

Procrastination again

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have low extroversion. You are quiet and reserved in most social situations. A low key, laid back lifestyle is important to you. You tend to bond slowly, over time, with one or two people. Conscientiousness: You have high conscientiousness. Intelligent and reliable, you tend to succeed in life. Most things in your life are organized and planned well. But you borderline on being a total perfectionist. Agreeableness: You have high agreeableness. You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly. Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone. You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance. Neuroticism: You have medium neuroticism. You're generally cool and collected, but sometimes you do panic. Little worries or problems can consume you, draining your energy. Your life is pretty smooth, but there's a few emotional bumps you'd like to get rid of. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is high. In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas. You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits. A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.

The Five Factor Personality Test

So this week I'm reading about Liberal/Normative Theories for International Law, Genghis Khan for Military Strategy, amazing amounts of stuff for Political Islam, and a bunch of stuff for International Politics Theory and Practice. Lots of stuff to do. AND I'm working the walk that we've organized to benefit a girls' school in Kandahar, Afghanistan. I'm really hoping we have a lot of people show up - we have a radio station coming and everything, so it would be terrible of no one was there! I've actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would, and I'd like to be part of it next year too.

Arg... gotta get back to work.

I am soooo good at procrastinating...

that I took another silly quiz. It was all about animals, actually, kinda fun. I DO want a white tiger as a pet!

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved. You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring. You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic. Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with. Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

My birthday was yesterday, and my parents are getting me a dremel tool so I can rivet and drill and stuff for jewelry. Hubby's parents sent me some money and blondies (vanilla-nut) and fudge and some superfuzzy Clemson socks. I think with the money I'll get a jeweler's saw and blades and liver of sulfer so I can start antiquing my new creations. I am so excited about it! I wish I didn't have so much work for school - I don't have as much time to play (read: any time) as I want. I'm going to start more serious metalwork - working with sheet silver and copper. Someday (when we're not in an apartment!) I want to get a torch and try reticulation and other such fun things.

FSOJ - Week 19 - Off Theme

Well, it's not on theme, but I like it anyway! The blue ovals are gorgeous blue kyanite, with freshwater pearls and handmade sterling silver beads. The links are of course handmade, which for some reason took longer than usual on this necklace. The kyanite is a bit funny to work with, it scratches easily, so you have to pay attention where the ends of the wires are waving. The clasp in the back that you can't see is a sterling s-hook.

Shy Violet

More Time Wasting

Your SAT Score of 1510 Means:

You Scored Higher Than Howard Stern You Scored Higher Than George W. Bush You Scored Higher Than Al Gore You Scored Higher Than David Duchovny You Scored Higher Than Natalie Portman You Scored Lower Than Bill Gates

Your IQ is most likely in the 140-150 range

Equivalent ACT score: 34

Schools that Fit Your SAT Score: California Institute of Technology Stanford University Princeton University Yale University Harvard University

What Does Your SAT Score Mean?

Blogthings - A New Way to Procrastinate!

You Have a Melancholic Temperament

Introspective and reflective, you think about everything and anything. You are a soft-hearted daydreamer. You long for your ideal life. You love silence and solitude. Everyday life is usually too chaotic for you. Given enough time alone, it's easy for you to find inner peace. You tend to be spiritual, having found your own meaning of life. Wise and patient, you can help people through difficult times. At your worst, you brood and sulk. Your negative thoughts can trap you. You are reserved and withdrawn. This makes it hard to connect to others. You tend to over think small things, making decisions difficult.

What Temperment Are You?

FSOJ - Week 18 - Oriental Express

The theme this week was Oriental Express. This necklace is large white freshwater pearls and black barrel-shaped cloisonne beads. Simple, but dramatic... I think so, anyway! All comments welcome.

Shy Violet

FSOJ - Week 17 - Leaves

It's a bit late, but better than never. Here's my take on the Leaves theme. The pendant is Thai hilltribe silver, accented by freshwater pearls dyed green and gold. It also has matching earrings, not pictured because the bust/neck seems to not work with French hooks. The holes for the earrings are photoshopped out because I thought it looked silly for there to be holes with no earrings in them! All comments welcome, as usual.

Shy Violet

FSOJ - Week 16 - Spring Maiden

And I'm finally caught up! This is Spring Maiden in the Seasons Collection, sold over Christmas break while visiting family. It is an 18 gauge sterling wire frame coiled with 28 gauge fine silver - accent swirls are 22 gauge sterling with 28 gauge fine silver coiled over it. Beads are pink Peruvian opal, rhodolite garnet rounds, white opal chips, and sterling 2mm rounds. It's pretty substantial, about 2 inches from top to bottom. There's also some criss-crossing fine silver wire on the back to stabilize the Peruvian opals a bit more (they're held in through holes, but they just seemed a bit loose). It's quite stable now, even though it looks very lacy. I'm very pleased with how this turned out.

Shy Violet