Jackson had his very first day of puppy school on Friday. Like most mommies, I was a nervous wreck. I thought about giving him a bath - but opted against it. I kept telling him that we were going to be going to school and he would just look up at me with this confused expression on his face. It was obvious to me that I was much more excited than he was.

We left for school and immediately my worst fears were confirmed: Jackson was not the cutest dog in the pack. We sat right next to what had to be the cutest little thing imagineable. Mimi - a 2 lb 4 month old french poodle. She was this light champagne color and she sat on her owner’s lap like she KNEW she was the cutest little thing. Her owner also had along her two children. The youngest, a little boy, hugged Mimi around the neck so hard that I was scared little Mimi’s eyes would pop out of her tiny head. He was adorable - but I made a mental note to watch him closely. Black Jack, a 70 lb puppy arrived next. His owner looked to be all about business and Black Jack sat next to her obediently. I eyed him suspiciously; He seemed to know plenty of commands and I thought he was probably in the wrong class. This was a beginning class - this pup seemed to be well into advanced training.
And then another maltese arrived. I never did get her name but man was she adorable. She was about the size of Mimi and didn’t even seem to know how to bark, whine or disobey. She, too, sat on her Mommy’s lap and peered anxiously at her competition. And then Trooper arrived. Trooper, a 30 lb golden lab mix had groupies. His entire family came along with him - His owners (Mom and Dad) and their 3 children ages 11, 6, and 4. The two youngest girls were adorable - and would soon become Jackson’s biggest fans.

The trainer seemed to be an admirer of Cesar Milan - and talked to the owners about being a pack leader. Jack watched her, and by the expression on his face I could tell that he was not buying a single word she was saying. When the trainer insisted on having us put our dogs down on the floor so they could be “dogs” and face the world head on - Jack breathed a sigh of relief. Then the lessons began. Seems that we’ll be teaching them by using this clicker thing. Jack didn’t really seem to respond. He seemed to really enjoy Trooper - licking him on the nose and backing away shyly when Trooper would lick him back. Mimi also seemed to hold his attention, though she lived up to her “breed” by talking constantly until she was picked up. Jack was not impressed with her attention seeking devices.

The little boy was the first to discover Jackson. He sat right on the floor and during the exercises insisted on placing Jack in his lap and petting/strangling him. I tried to be nice about it - but it seemed that the little boy needed a bit of obedience training of his own. Then the little girls found Jack - and Jack, being a boy and a charmer, lapped up all the attention. Trooper didn’t seem to mind one bit - and neither did his Parents/owners. They seemed relieved to have their children entertained by Jackson - but as the lessons grew on and 3 children were wildly calling “Jackson!!” I grew just a tiny bit impatient. Jackson was suppose to be learning how to “watch” me - and would hear his name from every side of him imagineable and just tune out. The treat lures were not half as enticing as running back and forth between children and sitting on their laps and being pet by them and nibbling at their dirty little fingers. The trainer wasn’t very helpful either. I looked around at all the other puppies and in my imagination they all seemed to be doing miraculous tricks. I was certain that Jack, who had already learned at home to sit on command, fetch, and ALMOST lay down on command - would be the star pupil and he was turning out to be the “worst” of all the puppies. He was popular, though. Everyone LOVED Jackson.

After class I approached the teacher. I told her that I would need assistance with the children in class. Although Jack loved the attention from the little ones, I told her we needed some time to learn as much as the other doggies. She didn’t seem worried - but I was ready to go to the dean. She told me to practice the exercises at home and that next week the excitement would have died down and Jackson would be just another puppy to the young’uns. Yeah. Okay. Riiiight.

There was only one thing to do. Jackson and I went shopping. He needed some soft treats for training. The trainer said so. He also needed a little chew toy. And I needed some shopping therapy. The kids also went shopping with trooper. They practically fell down on the floor and pulled Jackson to them at every turn. Trooper’s owners apologized and told me that their little girls had fallen in love with Jackson. I told their parents that I should be a guy - because Jackson was a chick magnet if ever I saw one. The owner of the little girl Maltese also approached me and Jackson. Her baby with the little rhinestone pink colar and leash made me want a little girl - I swear. We talked a little Maltese before she and her well behaved and quiet little girl left the store.

Puppy school will indeed be a challenge. Jackson seems happy enough to be there - and he slept like a rock when we got home. We practiced a little bit today - and he doesn’t seem to get the whole “clicker” thing. He’s definitely his own little man - he believes he’s the alpha - and he’s determined to do what he wants to do when he wants to do it. What is sad is that I’m somewhat okay with letting him do what he wants to do too. I keep thinking that he’s just a puppy and there are so many things for him to discover.

Along with Puppy school Jackson has also finished his shots! On Tuesday we will begin walking every morning and evening. This should wear off some of his energy as well, hopefully, and maybe then he’ll able to concentrate on his training exercises. We will see.

*glances at the length of this post* I’m done with Jackson now.

I have been working really hard on a few projects - I’m not ready to disclose them yet - because you know how I am with following through with stuff.

I have finals this week, too - and Halloween is just around the corner. I do want to mention that I will be working on Halloween … probably late. I probably will be on tomorrow, too - although I have some homework to attend to.

Oh - and thanks for the calls this weekend, boys! I had a great time. I had a great bday date with the one and only Tiffy, and also had a great time with Chris, and Mark, and Matt, and Brian, U.R. and quite a few others. I know you all are looking foward to the costumes this year. *wink* Don’t eat too many treats - and make sure you call if you need some relief. I got a few tricks up my sleeves - and I don’t even need training to perform them. Well - not much training, anyways.

I am simply kicking myself for having missed ANOTHER bday…well technically I haven’t actually missed it - but I’m later than I wanted to be.

Today is Tiffy’s bday - and it’s a BIG one, too, isn’t it Tiffy.

I have to say a few things about Tiffy. From the very first phone call (which is evident in other phone calls with other ‘clients’ as well) it was apparent to Tiffy and I that we would become fast friends. Now Tiffy had something else in mind. Tiffy decided after the first phone call that I would fall in love, too. Tiffy believes in a connection. It’s that type of connection that friends spend lifetimes sometimes trying to create. It’s that type of connection where you may not be with that person every second of every day - but they are with you constantly as you go about your day. They are the type of friend that you look forward to hearing from - even if the news you hear is bad news. Tiffy is the kind of friend that craves connection and meaning and purpose and who at the end of the day only wishes good things for me. I really believe that if I am happy that Tiffy will be happy, too - even if eventually that means that Tiffy and I aren’t “friends” anymore (like that would ever happen.)

I’ve gotten to know Tiffy. I named her for crying out loud - many weeks ago. But I’ve gotten to know Tiffy beyond Tiffy’s adoration of panties, Jackson, anklets, and clever inside jokes with Rolf. I’ve gotten to know the sweet, endearing, gentle, loving, and very generous Man inside those panties. *wink*.

So here you go - Tiffy. A little bday post for you in your honor. To know you is to love you. And I do. Happy Bday my sweet. I am so happy that you were born and that our paths crossed. I have thoroughly enjoyed walking along this path in your company.

The Wise man built his house upon a rock. The Foolish man built his house upon the sand. Californians build their houses on hills - the higher the hill - the greater the mansion. They also build their houses on sand - or close to the sand. They also build their houses on fault lines. What I’ve learned from my time in Southern California is that when a disaster happens - be it an Earthquake, Mudslide, Landslide, Fire …. no Californian is actually surprised. No one actually feels like a victim here. Most of the time they build another house on the same plot of land that “betrayed” them earlier. Sometimes the news shows an old man hosing down his home with a look of almost peaceful determination on his face. If he is interviewed he will tell you that he has been through this how ever many times and that it passes over and will be okay. He may even say that this is the “price” he has paid by having a great winter - or living in such a beautiful state near the ocean or whatever other bonus Southern California has to offer.

Many people know the dangers of building their houses on “sand” around here. They love the view that the hillside has to offer them. And those of us not wealthy enough to build ontop of a hill, stay in the “valley” coveting thy neighbor’s house who can afford to be up high away from it all. Californians view beach-side property, not as some risk, but as a sign of wealth. Surviving fires, earthquakes, mudslides, etc. becomes this badge of honor; a badge you wear to show how tough you are, like shoveling your way out of your driveway after a blizzard in Minnesota.

I’d like to be wise. So I’ve started looking around for states with no disasters. I’ve come up with Nevada (sand?). I’m open to suggestions.

School has been canceled for tomorrow again and I’m not that upset about it. Actually, I’m ready to be doing something other than watching the news that has taken over network television around here. Our TiVo has been taping all our “shows” but when we actually watch “The Bachelor” it’s just the same news they have been showing around here for over 24 hours now. I’ve been napping all day - I’m not really depressed as I am just exhausted. The air is heavy and the atmosphere is filled with such heaviness - I’m not sure at this point if it’s more emotional weight or pollution. Maybe it’s a combination of both. Our backyard is a graveyard of palm tree branches, leaves, ash, and lawn furniture. There is a mighty wind for a bit that then changes into this eerie silence. And the sky… the sky is ugly. Another day absorbing all these things doesn’t appeal to me much. If there is still no threat tomorrow I may take in a movie, log in for some calls, take Jackson for a drive, or run some errands now that some of the stores are reopening. I have to do something other than watch the news and listen to the sad tales from people who have lost their homes.

I have received such a great outpouring of support, prayers, and well wishes from many of my callers. I so appreciate that! It is so helpful to just hear that people are thinking about you. I took a few calls today and even though many of my callers had their “needs” - and hearing about the fires really didn’t fit into the fantasy much (though firemen fantasies with their big hoses could fit into practically any fantasy, don’t you think?), they still took the time to ask me how I was doing. That is actually very sweet of you guys. Thanks so much!

I better run. I’m staying in the main house for the past few nights due to the air quality out here in the guest house. Also the guesthouse is under the palm tree that seems to be ridding itself of its extra branches quite often… they aren’t too heavy but the sound they make when they fall is a bit daunting. Thanks again for all the kind thoughts, emails, prayers, and phone calls. xoxo.

I’m sorry. I thought I’d be able to hang out a bit longer… but the fires are getting closer and though we’re not in any IMMEDIATE harm right now the air quality is such that school has been canceled for tomorrow - and everyone is staying inside with air purifyers. It’s nasty out here.

I’m sure tomorrow will be somewhat better and we’ll talk then. I’ll stay on alerts as long as possible.

Oh - and I realized that there is something funky going on with my comments. I’ll let mama tee know about it and hopefully she’ll get to it when she gets the chance.

****Update (Monday - 12:45PM PST)****

Well - seems all schools were canceled today around here - and many more in Southern California. We’re all just waiting - even though I live in an area that will have fires around me - our home is not immediately threatened. Most of the homes around us that are up in the hills and surrounded by brush are the places where the families have been evacuated. Like always there are people who are standing on their roof tops and spraying down their houses while just behind them the fires creep closer. I wish there was something else on tv other than the fires. They are wide spread and almost random. It’s a little scary to see a big fire less than 4 miles away from your house - no matter who tells you you’re gonna be okay. I’m worried that there aren’t enough firemen to handle all the many fires - but I think that we’re getting help from other states soon.

Welcome to California. Seems there’s always something going on here. I’ll update when I learn more - for now all is okay…just windy as hell.

*****Update 4:26PM PST*****

Ok - with out giving up the directions to my front door - let me just say that the fires are starting up in a whole new direction definitely threatening another area much closer to me - let’s just say a few short miles. Again - because of the area of my house - we’re not in immediate danger - but I’d be surprised if school isn’t canceled for tomorrow again. I’ve been on alerts for the entire day and I can’t see myself going off alerts any time soon. I’m sorry for any trouble this may cause those who have arranged calls with me - but safety first, right? Forgive me if I don’t answer right away - I’m either hosing down the house - or confessing any sins that might make me an easy target. (that was a joke directed at Rolf who has God ALL wrong!) I’ll answer when/if I can. Thanks for keeping all of us in your prayers.

:) I’m feeling somewhat better - and will be logging on this evening - but technically actually logging on Tomorrow Morning. I’ll be logging on about Midnight and probably working until early Saturday morning - depending on how tired I feel, how busy I am, etc.

Thanks for the emails/comments and IM messages checking to see how I’ve been doing. That means a lot to me.

I’ll write more later - but wanted to give a quick update as far as my plans this evening. See you around Midnight!