update all around

I haven't updated in a bit, it's been rather hectic in these parts and at the same time it's seemed like there's been nothing noteworthy. Lets see where I left off.




The book was published. Lauren's sold almost all of her 50 copies so far, and I haven't had a great amount of time to put my copies, but have still sold 13 and there hasn't even been an official book launch yet (it's on Friday). My professor emailed me and told me it was an excellent production, that the writing was wonderful but what really made the book shine was its outstanding design. I thanked him and updated him on book sales, and then put it out there that I would be available for an internship this fall, since all I have left to complete is my thesis. He emailed me immediately and asked me to come in this Friday to interview with him and the other editor in chief at Autumn House. I think it will be a great job because they are such nice people, and it's unpaid but it will also be a great boost to my resume whenever I leave Pittsburgh and want to do something in editing/publishing.



I had a reading last night at school, and Joe, Neil, and Colleen were all kind enough to come see me read my essay on letter writing and cheer me on and laugh at all my bad jokes. I have another reading tonight, but this time I only have 5 minutes so I am excerpting an essay. If anyone wants to come out, it's at Most Wanted Fine Arts Gallery and starts at 8pm. Later in the week is the Book Launch at Chatham, that's on Friday at 7, and then Lauren has another reading at Garfield Artworks on Saturday, followed by a party at our house afterwards. Busy!



Meanwhile at home, Major Tom ran away for an evening, and it was a dark and stormy evening that put the whole search on hold, plus his tags have Evan's number on him, and he is still in Mexico. But someone at the dog park (where he ran off) had a bunch of numbers in his phone from when his dog ran away a couple weeks ago, so I called all those shelters and told them the issue with the tags, and in the morning, a woman from Animal Rescue League called and said someone had turned him in, they'd tried the number on the tag first but it didn't work and then the shelter got the dog and had my message and put it all together and called me. Hurray!



I also got him one of those Halti face harnesses, and he's getting used to it and it really helps with his temperament, pulling, interaction with other dogs, etc. The only thing is that he won't poop when he wears it, so I gotta pay close attention to his actions, sniffing, walk, etc., and then take the harness off when I think it's time for him to go. He gets real stubborn with it and will sometimes sit down or try to pull it off his face, so I gotta put my foot under him and physically lift up his hind area to get him to walk, and then he'll walk again. But it is nice because the Halti, combined with his frequent visits to the dog park, really help with getting him used to being around other dogs and he doesn't freak out as much when he sees them. I hope he gets real good in the next two and a half weeks before I drop him off with Mayhew for doggie bootcamp. I don't want Major Tom causing any problems or being too much of a hassle.



We are also searching for a roommate. If anyone knows of someone who needs a place to live for the summer, in a beautiful (seriously) house in Pittsburgh, Highland Park/East Liberty area, with me and two stellar dudes, lemme know. $325/month, May through July. There is a fully fenced yard and a garden and a front porch with rocking chairs and a porch swing, and lots of natural light and an incredible kitchen, a laundry shoot, 2-car garage, loveable small dog, etc. etc. etc. I'm looking at you, Bostonians.