It's been a while... so I guess my New Years' Resolution.... I failed. That's really it. I'm dealing with the DUI classes. They're quite boring. I want to fall asleep during every session, but they're almost over. Thank goodness. Two more classes and one more meeting session, and I'm golden.

I've also had an interview at a local animal hospital. I also had the opportunity to shadow some of the receptionists. I really hope I land this job- it would be epic for me! The people there seem really neat, and they seem to be really organized. The staff all seems really nice; I think I hit it off with the people I followed. They seemed really kick-ass. I'll keep ya posted as the week progresses. Maybe.

I went to the animal shelter today, and got to visit with one of the coolest dogs ever. I met a basset hound cross today, and really wanted to kidnap her. Unfortunately, there's really no more room in my heart for another pooch. Bailey is really time and love consuming. She's a great dog, don't misunderstand. But, she, as one of my friends noted, is sort of like a princess. She demands a great deal of attention. And affection. And love. I enjoy her company. It's good... I enjoyed a walk we took today. It was actually pretty nice today weather wise, and began snowing lightly as we crossed the Lawe Street Bridge. Then, as I was admiring the snow, Bailey decided to roll in water fowl poops. It was gross. We went home, and I promptly tossed her in the bathtub. And now, well, now she's smelling great and laying on my ankles. Oh, fruity smelling dog. I hear beagle snores and am lulled to sleep.

I regret missing yesterday, but (as odd as this sounds) I was at a loss for words.

The weather here is weird. It's been very warm the last few days. The beagle finally got used to the snow; it has since vanished. There are still bits of snow around, buried under the Christmas trees on the terrace. The beagle insists on sniffing the trees with a look that seems to imply, "Hey, it's an evergreen! Where are the bunnies?" She loves to sniff. Nightly, she insists on going outside and exploring the back yard, looking for Molly the Mole who lives under the ground, leaving visible lines in the grass. (Yes, I've given the "pests" a name. Since living in Montana, I have learned that pests don't really exist. It's really just a matter of perspective.)

Yesterday, we took the pooch to the dog park. She returned all muddy and gross, with the white parts of her legs covered in mud. She finally got a bath today; she smells and nice. I also recently moved her dog bed into the living room; this is now the popular piece of furniture in the living room.  

Have I noted that the DUI classes are finally beginning? And my cousin's coming home! Whoo hoo. Regrettably, I don't know if I'll be able to see him while he's here; I will not give up on this endeavor though. It's been far too long, I feel, since I've been to my aunt, uncle and cousins' house. Floppy Ears also seems to enjoy her time there; however, she does enjoy eating the garbage in the bathroom, and frequently needs to be chased out.

Oh, what would we do if we didn't have our dogs? I wish everyone had a beagle as cool as mine.

On a non-beagle related note, I've determined that I am also very grateful for the humans that are currently in my life. My family seems only to want to help, and I find their help and occasional bluntness amazing.

Laptop is about to die. Maybe I'll return more later. Thanks again for stopping in. I hope you've had a great day.

*** A few hours later***
 While I'm working on remaining positive, I've decided there are a few things that I really cannot stand.
1.)  Shoes that tie: They're so annoying and always seem to come untied. And they always come untied at the most inconvenient of times.
2.)  Head  colds: Incredibly icky. And you wake up with a severe case of dry mouth and lots of boogies.
3.)  My beagle's ability to have "selective hearing": This can (and has) cause(d) trouble.

On a positive note, things are looking up. Trying to remain positive is key. Things'll work out in their own time.

I initially began this blog with the intention of eventually writing a book about my adventures, and achieving life goals. I have established goals, and a notebook that I carry with me and write in when internet access is not readily available. (Surprisingly, this happens more often than not.) So far, I've managed to rant a little, rave a little more, and be angry at the world the most. Things, presently, appear to be getting back on track, however. Or... so it appears, anyway.

While I am uncertain if anyone reads this, I think it will be most useful if I dedicate 10 minutes a day, if only for myself. It will help, at least, to maintain my writing ability, and maybe my memory.

On the upside,  I have finally gotten in touch with a human (yes, a real, live, breathing, non-electrical person) at the Technical College in town regarding my DUI classes. I am quite excited about this. As it turns out, a newer employee of the college had mis-filed (new word of the evening) my registration forms. This, as a result, made my contact at the Tech unaware of what was happening with me. I noted that the paperwork had been sent in nearly a month ago, and she still seemed confused. Upon looking back through the computer, she determined that the check had been cleared, and the registration form misplaced. I really need all of this to become taken care of; as of February 16th, it will be. I'm quite excited about this.

The beagle rests beside me, snoring under a blanket next to me as I'm feeling quite congested and head-cold- tastic. I've had the opportunity to re-connect with old friends, and rekindle old relationships over the last few days. It has been quite wonderful. Megan from Montana arrived in town. To my surprise, Ian the Cowboy was also in Appleton. We got some wonderful lunch! I then caught up with other, even older pals. There were even friends from high school in town over the New Years holiday. I got coffee with Nate, and played with his wonderful beagle/blue heeler cross. His dog, as it turns out, is actually very cute. Sort of funny lookin', but it seems like a neat pooch.

Regardless, I believe that I should go. My head is beginning to feel cloudy with snot. I hope you're (?) feeling better than me!

there and back again... again

It's been a while since I've posted, I'm sure. I've been without internet for the last few days. Also sorry if you sent me an email and I just got back to you today. It's been a struggle being without the web.

We just moved to Laurel and are beginning to get settled into a house we're renting. My beagle seems to enjoy the extra space. I like the extra space. Things on the job front are also looking pretty good. I'm working as a counselor in one of the girls' lodges. The girls I'm working with are pretty neat, though they are in need of a ton of help (some of which cannot be provided by our facility, but that's sometimes how life goes...). I still feel sort of awkward and out of place, but it's a challenge I feel that I can meet. My boss seemed afraid that I might not like it, but I feel that this is definitely a place to learn and grow. Not only am I helping a kid, (or hopefully several kids) I am theoretically helping myself to grow.

I have not had much time to explore the city of Billings, but I've had a little time. I've found a co-op called the Good Earth Market. It's like Great Grains, but a lot larger. It seems like a small grocery store full of whole food products and bins bulk items, like granola or oatmeal. They also have soaps, and holistic dog food. (I don't plan to get dog food there- the beagle seems good as she is... Just think it's weird. While I don't feel comfy feeding my dog things I wouldn't eat, I don't think it's necessary to have a hippie dog...) I don't know that I'm going to get a membership yet, but we'll see. I have also found a church that I plan to attend. Bailey and I went to explore Billings, but the church was not open and then a guy started telling me about his enjoyment of dog eating. At this point, we took off and returned to Laurel, the city we live in just outside of Billings.

Besides that, things are going pretty well. Nothing too new to describe just yet...

4th of July

Independence weekend this year was rather... interesting to say the least.

On Friday, Tyson and I traveled to Billings on his motorcycle to check out apartments, and found something we liked. It's small, but cute, and dog friendly. It's a lot nicer than the place we're living in now. A plus. So, that's one thing out of the way. We got back a bit later than planned, and I missed the softball game, but it's ok. I got some sleep.

Saturday was fun. Miles City had a parade, and there was some stuff going on in the park. The Farmers' Market was great, as usual. The parade was lacking in the marching band department, but had a horse-drawn hurse. (spelling? one of those things that carries dead people...) Tyson and I, after the town festivities concluded, went out for a hike near Fort Keough. We allowed Bailey the Beagle to run off of her lead, and she did well for a while, until she caught a smell and took off. Despite our constant calling, it took us seemingly forever to get her back. I was getting anxious, while Tyson kept reassuring me that she would return. As I started to return to the car to see if she had gone back, Tyson calls to tell me he found her, and that he had gotten bit by a rattle snake. I called emergency, and an ambulance, several cop cars and a four wheeler (not to be confused with a quad) appear on the scene. We manage to find Tyson, who shortly after gets picked up and placed on the back of the four wheeler. He gets taken to the ER, where one of my co-workers meets me, and agrees to look after the dog for a few hours. We spent 15 hours in the hospital this weekend, and all worked out ok.

The rest of the weekend was pretty chill. We wound up taking Rose to the city's fireworks on the 4th. At this point Ty tried to explain that we were moving, and that he wouldn't get to see her as often. She hardly seemed phased by this... But hopefully, all will work itself out...

Once again, there's...

...nothing too new or exciting happening on the horizon. I've been applying for jobs, mostly by sending out lots of resumes to places that look interesting and are hiring. I have an interview on Tuesday that I'm very excited about at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch in Billings. I hope this works out. If not, well, apply, apply, and apply some more and hopefully something will pop up. Jobs are really had to come by, I've heard, so I'm quite glad that I've had the opportunity to interview as much as I've had.

Several people that I'm close with have had to quit their jobs or have recently been let go because their employers are cutting back on staffing. Which sucks. Several of these people, it seems, are far more skilled than I am. This doesn't help me in the confidence department, but hey, at least I look good on paper.

My dad came out to visit a few weeks ago. This turned out to be a decent adventure, and they seemed to enjoy most of the things that I thought they would. We visited the ranch and a local vineyard. We also went to Spotted Eagle, where Bailey the Beagle did her thing and they got to marvel at the wide open spaces that I've come to take for granted. I managed to forget just how open things are here, as compared to the city I lived in before coming here. A friend of mine, after hearing about some of my and Bailey's adventures, asked that I return to "civilization" as soon as possible. I don't know how I feel about this. The big skies and open spaces are beginning to seem more and more appealing each time Bailey and I discover a new place that she can roam.

Tucker is moving onward, which will bring some change for me. The health foods store won't feel the same, and I feel as though I'm losing friends. Tucker and Scott have helped to make this place a lot better for me than it was when I got here. And now, the comfort bubble seems to be taking off. But, it all seems to be a growing process. I've got an amazing beagle. And some pretty good friends out here besides. Maybe Montana isn't such a bad place, after all.

Nothing too new or exciting is happening, besides me sending in two tons of job applications daily. (Which has proven to not be so successful.) I've only landed one interview, and, upon telling them that I wouldn't be able to start until the middle of July, they seemed disappointed. Or something to that effect. But, you know, that's how the world works sometimes.

I do, however, have some Bailey the Beagle stories to share. We went hiking over the past weekend, and she found some turkeys in some bushes, and decided that she wanted to chase them. She managed to get them out, and follow them for a bit, until they jumped off of a hillside. This caused her some confusion, but she continued smelling around, seemingly hoping to find a new smell. On Monday, she had the opportunity to meet something that looked like a lab, but had huge feet. The lab was following it's person who was riding a horse and seemed kind of cowgirl-tastic (which seemed kind of badass, of course). Anyway, they became friends and all went on after their doggy mohawks went down. (When my dog becomes nervous or unsure of herself, she has a patch of hair on her back near her neck that sticks up and looks kind of like a Mohawk.) I've determined that I'm still infatuated with cowboy culture. It's not so much that I desire to live on a ranch and have like 30,000 cows, but it's still neat being able to visit, and "help" to work with cows. It's also cool being able to participate in a culture that seems to be all about the cows and ranches, and having a ton of extra space available to do whatever on, like letting Bailey and her dog friends run on. Or, letting my dog walk with me off her leash, and recognizing that we're not going to get in trouble if she minds her manners and doesn't decide to jump on anything that shouldn't be jumped on (say a small child- but this happened once. Ty's kid was flailing the dog's toy around and Bail decided she wanted it back. When dog jumped up to grab it, she knocked the kid right over.).

Fishing

Tyson recently decided that he enjoys fishing, which is cool. As it turns out, Bailey the beagle also enjoys romping through the tall grass near the river. So, it's all around fun for everyone involved. Until Tyson doesn't manage to catch anything. But, I still think that he enjoys escapes to the Tongue River which is within walking distance from our apartment, but is still far enough away from the city to feel like you're escaping.

Our neighborhood has also seemed to adopt an ugly, white boxer but you know, I might be kind of biased. It's been roaming around without tags that indicate it's shots or name. I really dislike it when dogs don't have tags saying, "Hi, I'm Rover and live at (this address). My owner is Bob. Please return me." Not that Bailey has one yet... But we're working on that. (In the wolf-dog incident, her collar fell off, along with her shot and name information.)

I have also determined that taking Bailey to Murdoch's is like taking a kid to a toy store. She smells absolutely everything, and enjoys meeting new people. It seems that her ears almost fall off of her head and she looses any ability to listen that she might have had before. But, when she makes it out into the forest or river areas, she does great, even off her leash. Funny how dogs' brains work, eh? I cannot complain, though. She's great.

So, I'm planning an adventure to Custer State Park in South Dakota on my way back to Wisconsin. While it's going to add some extra time to the drive, I think it'll be a worth while adventure. I might get to meet up with some college friends along the way. And, it'll be a good opportunity to get some hiking and camping in before I need to worry about being a grown up for real again. It'll be like summer break all over again. Which can't be too bad, right?

And on a final note, I'd again like to point out how lucky we are to live in a country such as America. Sure, there are things that we might not like, but we've got a lot of stuff going for us. Like a lack of HIV or AIDS and an abundance of resources to take care of "diseases" such as this. I found an article on the New York Times about Uganda's AIDS problem. Uganda is an African country, surrounded by Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, and Sudan. While they are getting help from other countries, there still doesn't be enough help in countries such as this. Also, as a result of the AIDS "problem" (in lack of another word), the Ugandan government supports an Anti-Homosexuality Bill. Their bill allows for anyone who is openly gay and HIV positive to be executed. So, in fewer words, be happy that you live in a country that has enough supports and technology to help people with HIV or AIDS. Be happy that we live in a country where you're not going to be executed because of your sexual orientation.

Edit: here's a good description of the bucking horse sale