Varitek is coming back.  I guess this is good.  But, it’s a strange world when a person is disappointed to receive only $5 million, with another $3-5 million guaranteed.  Nice work, if you can get it.

And, on the fourth day, we bombed Pakistan.  Luckily, this is only a bad thing when it happens under Republican Administrations–it is perfectly fine, even laudable, when Democrats do it.  Whew!  (I want to get Bin Laden even a little bit more than the average person, but I have never cared for double standards.)

We have established that I play around on Facebook.  A whole lot.  Lately, everyone’s passing around this nightmare “Write 25 random things about yourself” challenge.  It’s sort of horrid, when you have to sit down and do it–and yet, I really enjoy reading everyone else’s.

So, here are mine.  Feel free to add your own in the comments section–it would be interesting.

1.) I used to work in a factory wiring and assembling burglar alarms and computer fixtures. To my surprise, I was quite deft with tools. Sometimes, it’s nice to have a job that you don’t bring home with you.
2.) I totally love Battlestar Galactica, but it is the only time I have ever avidly watched a television show which I don’t completely understand. (even after more than one viewing.) When Roslin goes down, I’m going to be very upset.
3.) I meant to go to law school, but I forgot
4.) I spend too much time playing games on Facebook. But, it’s very entertaining, and I really like interacting with people from all over the world. It can be strangely grueling, yet psychologically fascinating.
5.) I am convinced I am about eight inches taller than I actually am. I am pretty sure that I am also probably Very Dangerous. But, in a good way–I hope.
6.) Cool Ranch Doritos are excellent
7.) I secretly enjoy really dumb action movies like Red Dawn and Die Hard. Hamburger Hill is one of my favorites.
8.) Chocolate doesn’t interest me much. I have always preferred vanilla or butterscotch
9.) I love photography, but will never be very good at it. It’s nice to do something creative, where there’s no pressure to have any actual talent
10.) I have a crippled, diabetic, neurologically impaired cat with no tail. I found her dying outside Yankee Stadium one afternoon, and on one else would stop to help her. Only the Red Sox fan. She has cost me so much money that I am _still_paying off her veterinary bills, and will be for quite some time to come.
11.) I am afraid that we will never, ever elect a female President, and if we do, it certainly won’t be a Democrat. This distresses me terribly.
12.) I flirt with Buddhism–and sometimes, it flirts back
13.) Not too long ago, I lost several years of my life to a freakish combination of horrible, disabling injuries, and recovered more than I ever would have expected. I am still trying to figure out what it all means, and how to make it work on a daily basis. The first time I managed to ski again, several people I know cried. I can sometimes even do black diamonds now. But, I wish I could see well enough to drive–and I can’t.
14.) It is embarrassing, but I am privately very fond of almost all of Shelley Long’s movies, especially Outrageous Fortune.
15.) I believe in reincarnation
16.) Once, I climbed a smallish, but steep, mountain in New Hampshire. I’d like to do that again, even though nature makes me nervous.
17.) I play both tenor and alto saxophone–not very well–and am very fond of hard bop. I can read music, but mostly, I just play by ear.
18.) Sleeping frustrates me, because it seems like such a complete waste of time, which could be put to better use
19.) I got to speak to Julie Andrews briefly last year, and had trouble not stuttering
20.) I really love cooking, and do so aggressively, but am inclined to improvise too much, and over-spice. Onions and garlic are thrilling. So is homemade curry powder.
21.) Sometimes–especially in recent months, I am quite convinced that I am in the wrong career, and should be doing something else entirely. But, I can’t think of a good fit–and would be delighted to hear suggestions.
22.) I would go to a baseball game–major or minor league; or even little league–every single day, if I could.
23.) I _always_ tell the truth, unless it would be unkind, in which case I try to avoid saying anything at all. If I fail to do so, I am extremely disappointed in myself.
24.) Rules–no matter how minor–are very, very hard for me. So, mostly, I have to break them. Laws, however, _matter_. Most of the time.
25.) I am still not sure if George Clooney can act, but I always enjoy looking at him.

I like dogs. (Belgian Sheepdogs are neat, too)

And, luckily for me, dogs are not particularly controversial.  Although I am willing to say that I am strongly in favor–is dissent back to being okay in America, or is it still considered offensive and intellectually bankrupt?  I keep losing track–of shelter dogs. In my case, I am partial to fine, black setter mixes named Maggie who were found eating garbage outside somewhat seedy diners–but, others may not agree.  However, if you are among the people who hold alternate opinions, I am willing to let you still live in the United States, and shockingly, I won’t even chide you.  (I’m Irish to a fault; what do you want from me?)

My particular fine black setter mix named Maggie is a sensitive, delicate flower, and would not be suited to the task, but I would love to participate in search and rescue work, someday.  It has been on my List of Things to Do for a very long time, and ranks quite a bit higher than this.

Lately, I find myself–as happens periodically–spending a fair amount of time thinking about Vietnam.  There’s no explanation for it–the subject simply plagues me, sometimes.  This has been the case for many years.  (Dogs did not fare well there, I’m afraid–and this is something about which the powers that be should be very ashamed.  Individual dog handlers, however, are to be lauded.  Luckily, in Iraq, more humane practices seem to be being observed, insofar as the treatment of dogs is concerned.)

Reading this book recently made me think some more–as is my wont.  It led me to this, and this, and this–and, as is so often the case on the Internet, I ended up chasing my tail around for a while and not getting anywhere in particular.  But, it’s definitely nice to see another example of Excellent Progress.

Then, since thinking is very hard work, I suddenly began craving an order of Nathan’s cheese fries, to which I would never let them add bacon–except when I do.  I also checked out the hamburger column someone I know writes–and am now even more hungry.

It is very important to keep delicious snacks around the house for moments such as these.

In fact, I adore puppies.  Lots of puppies.  I am partial to German Shepherd puppies, but really, all puppies are excellent.  I’m not sure that there is any such thing as a non-adorable puppy.

I am also fond of kittens.  All kittens.  Well, okay, maybe not this kitten.  (No, wait, I like that one, too, and have even been known to wear this shirt out in public.)

And this is a very sobering piece of information.  Take heed!

Do I like baby robins?  You bet!

And butterflies?  Yes!  Especially monarchs.

Is is possible to be much cuter than this?  No, it is not.

Is this an appropriate gift for a baby?  Of course!

One of my favorite charities is the Best Friends Animal Society.  I haven’t been able to do it yet, but I have heard that they actually permit you to spend your vacation there, taking care of strays and just generally pitching in around the sanctuary.  This appeals to me.

I anticipate that tomorrow’s disturbing and controversial blog subject will be–gumdrops.  Or flowers.  Or ice cream.  Or mittens.

Or maybe just this, and everyone can go out and buy their own copy.

Until then, I leave you with this.

Sometimes, I think too much. Which is boring, and maybe dull. So, today, I think I will only focus upon Fun Things.

For example, kittens. About whom there are many fun facts to be found. As it happens, I have a crippled, neurologically impaired diabetic cat with no tail–but, she is still a happy girl.

And, you know, puppies are nice, too. There is absolutely nothing bad to be said about dogs. This looks like a fun afternoon. And I pretty much always enjoy Get Fuzzy.

I have no fear of bunnies, but once, my dog and I were walking in the park on a sunny spring afternoon, and we saw a small family of bunnies, with their parents, ambling through the grass. Overcome by excitement and joy, we raced over to get a better view–only to discover that it was a family of baby rats, with their parents. But, it was a nice day, and they seemed happy–so, after a moment of brief consternation, we just stood there and watched them go on their way.

It goes without saying that popcorn is fun. Not that I have ever turned down Doritos.

If I were in Atlanta right now (also known as My Homeland), I think I would go here, immediately. But, since I am not, perhaps I should make some very delicious grits this morning. Or maybe I could look around here, and try a few.

The next time I am in Boston, I think I should actually stop–for the first time in years–and take a ride on these.

Do I want to watch Tootsie? By God, maybe I do. Or, perhaps, Ghostbusters. Since I am devoted to pop culture, spending the day here might be a good a idea.

It is the wrong time of year to do this, but wouldn’t it be pleasant? Maybe, like Lonnie Paxton, making a snow angel would be the way to go. (People, um, need instructions? Okay.)

Or I could just sneak off to Facebook, and attack people with my monsters for a while–which I find a whole lot more entertaining than I probably should.