When It Rains, It Pours

DH said that to me the other night.  Of course, it was almost midnight and we were standing in our kitchen, where it was raining. . . through a ceiling light fixture.  And it was not raining outside.  We had a leak from a valve in the shower upstairs, as the plumber told us the following day.  Fortunately, the problem is fixed, it did not involve the ripping open (and the repairing) of the kitchen ceiling, and I did not end up going right over the edge, which is where I felt like I was going.  I was okay with that, figuring that I might as well not resist, but I'd just go with the flow, even if I ended up riding down a big waterfall.  Things have a way of working out.

DH even told me that he had fixed the DVD player, so we didn't need to buy a new one.  At that point, I started to think that things were going so well that the vet would call and tell me it was all a mistake and the dog doesn't have cancer.  No such luck.  And the DVD player isn't actually fixed, either, but things could definitely be worse.

It's Dogs on Thursday, and I'm just sneaking in under the wire with the dogs today.  The chocolate dog is doing just fine.  He's on lots of meds now, as he's started some additional drugs to work on the cancer.  I had to make a chart so that we know what he gets at what time of day.  He seems to be feeling quite good.  However, the other day when I was in the hospital picking up his new meds, I ran into his regular vet, who seemed to be genuinely sad about the news.  Now I have a new thing to worry about -- which vet should I have put the dog to sleep when the time comes, the ER vet, the oncologist, or his regular vet?  Fortunately, the dog is doing well and that is one decision that I can put off for a while.  For now, he's still his same old self and he's still active, so I'm pleased that we appear to be holding steady.

So, that's the news on the chocolate dog.  The yellow one is also doing just fine, happy and healthy.  He's fast asleep right now.  I envy the dogs their naps.  They always look so incredibly comfortable.  For some reason, cats don't always look so blissed out while they're napping.  Sometimes they just look plain uncomfortable or guarded in their sleeping positions.  Maybe it's just the contrast between those positions and the ones that cats take when they are absolutely, positively comfortable and want the world to know.

I haven't been napping!  I've been blocking Williamsro, sewing some seams, and knitting the collar, which I have not stitched down yet.  I'm really starting to like the way that this shade of Blossom looks against the purple Cash Iroha.  And, even though Blossom has a texture that looks in the skein like it would not be fun to knit with, I find that it's actually quite pleasant to knit with this yarn.  I'm looking forward to knitting the bottom band of Blossom but at the same time I'm dreading it a bit because I don't want it to end.  I hope to get some quality time in on Williamsro this weekend, and then my needles will be free. 

What should I knit next?  I definitely want to get some socks on the needles and I want to get another larger project going.  I have plenty of yarn in my stash that needs to be knitted.  I could do another Rogue.  That Dale Gerbera sweater also is calling to me.  Or some sort of Aran. . .

While you're thinking about that, here's a meme from Kat.  I think there might be some surprises on this for some of you.

Copy this list; leave in the bands you’ve seen perform live; delete the ones you haven’t, and add new ones that you have seen until you reach 25. An asterisk means the previous person had it on their list. Two asterisks means the last two people who did this before you had that band on their list. Three asterisks, etc. Like Kat, I tried to stick with bands that you might actually have had a chance at seeing, so no really obscure or local stuff.  (Unlike Kat, I didn't actually put the links to the bands up.  I just underlined their names because I'm lazy and it's time for bed.)

1. Grateful Dead* Can you believe it?  It was their last visit to Boston (in the old Garden, too) before Jerry died.

2. The Boston Pops** Seen them indoors and outdoors and all over.

3. Buckwheat Zydeco* Saw him outdoors, with DH and the kids.

4. Nirvana At The Point in Dublin.

5.  The Pogues  I've seen them (and their various members' solo projects) in several venues and countries.

6.  The Sex Pistols  The reunion tour, with Glen Matlock back on bass.

7.  Marvin Gaye  Outdoors, the summer before he was shot by his father.  I was too young to drive, was all excited at being allowed to take the train to Boston for a night time concert with a friend.

8.  Social Distortion  Have seen them many times over the years.

9.  Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie  At Wolftrap -- bet that's a surprise to some of you!

10.  The Radiators At Tipitina's in New Orleans, on New Year's Eve.

11.  Barenaked Ladies Outdoors, opening for Billy Bragg, eons before they were famous.  You could tell they were going to be though, or at least that they deserved big success.

12.  New Order At Great Woods, right after I took the bar exam (and passed).

13.  Bad Brains My friends and I followed them around the northeast one winter.

14.  Husker Du At the Mullins Center in Amherst.  I got hassled by the cops and my soon-to-be boyfriend gallantly came to my rescue.

15.  Beausoleil  This is another band that I've seen quite a few times, and it's always been at an outdoor venue.

16.  The Saw Doctors It's scary how many times I've seen them and in how many venues.  We went to England just to see them and ended up having dinner with two members of the band in London.

17.  Black Flag  I've tried to keep bands on independent labels to a minimum on this list, but this is one that someone might have had a chance at seeing.

18.  Sha Na Na I think I blogged about this last summer or the summer before.  I knit a Conwy sock during this outdoor show (didn't finish it there, obviously).  This really brought me back to my childhood.

19.  Steve Miller  I was too young to see him during his heyday, but we saw him about 10 years ago and it made be a bit sad that I was too young to enjoy the 70's.

20.  Pat Benatar  She still rocks and she looks fantastic.

21.  Public Image Limited  Well, John Lydon ought to be flattered that he ended up on this list in two different bands.  He was a lot more of his cantakerous old self with PiL.

22.  James Hunter  If you haven't had a chance to see this guy, you need to do it.  He's an amazing talent.  (And if you're reading this, James, how about a new CD soon?)

23.  Billy Bragg  Well, I mentioned him earlier in the list.  I love him to death, but he yammered on a bit too much between songs.

24.  The Violent Femmes I really miss these guys, don't have any idea what they're up to now.

25.  Big Audio Dynamite Saw them at Brandeis, and loved every single second of it.  I wish I'd been able to see The Clash, too.

If you do this, please leave a comment and let me know so I can go visit and see what you put for your 25 bands.

Comments

[Alarming Female]

Well, after all that, it hardly seems fitting to congratulate you on good news, but it seemed pretty good, other than the ceiling and your tenuous hold on sanity. Other than that. . .

I love the meme! I'll work on it (and I have seen Buckwheat Zydeco, too--but you've got me beat with VF and Bad Brains! AND Black Flag?!? I loves me some Henry Rollins -- have you seen his YouTube slap down of Anne Coutler? heh--)

[Kathleen]

Great list. Glad things are working out at home...never the easy way but working...My good friend in London was a child minder for Billy Braggs kid. She even ironed his Y fronts. Y fronts...I just love saying that. I'll have to consider doing this list. I am just so ashamed of my DD days...

[jessica~]

I effing love Bad Brains.

Sorry to hear about the chocolate lab, but glad to hear that his spirits seem to be up. Hopefully, the raining ceiling was the last of the issues for a while... you've had your share, I think.

*hugs* keep your head up moma!

[Heidi]

I saw the Grateful Dead too, when they were touring with Bruce Hornsby on keyboard, so that would have been 1990...in the Chicago suburbs. Crazy.

But, none of the others on your list!

However I have seen the Butthole Surfers twice and that is something to be proud of. :)

[Nancy]

Glad chocolate dog is still in good spirits. You are so right about the way dogs nap although I have to say my bengal cat is looks pretty damn good at it too. He actually sleeps on his back with his paws splayed. He's far less suspicious than most cats I've known.

[netter]

Last I heard the Femmes were suing each other. Good times, no?

[Renee]

I'm pea green with jealousy now!! I never got a chance to see Nirvana. The last time they were here, I wanted to go, but I was just too lazy and passed. Then Kurt killed himself and I realized I'd never have another chance. Ever since then, I try to take advantage of every chance I have - that's why I go to far more concerts now than I did when I was younger.

I'd also love to have seen Marvin Gaye. How amazing.

I saw the Femmes not that long ago. They're still touring and playing their music. Actually, one of the most fun shows I've ever been to included the Femmes. It was shortly after Katrina, and there was a relatively impromptu fundraiser at Target Center (where the Wolves play ball). This band I love from New Orleans was supposed to play (Cowboy Mouth), but they couldn't make it. One of the bands who did play was the Femmes. There was only a couple of hundred people at the show (I'm not sure why), so even though it was in a big arena, it had the feel of this tiny little intimate show. We felt like they were playing just for us.

[Cookie]

I'm glad the chocolate dog is feeling better. Ya know, I think that's a sign of having a good vet.

Reading your list makes me realize that you're way too cool to be talking to me about The Closer. Great list!

[Rebekah]

I'm sorry things continue to go semi-downhill. But it sounds like you have a good spirit, although maybe you are a little like me and can sound better then you actually are.

I wish you didn't have to make that decision about which vet, if it helps, I'd tend to go with his regular vet, because he knows your doggy history especially if he'll continue to be yellow dogs vet.

Although I found that nearly everyone who works in the animal vet industry is truly a caring individual.

[--Deb]

Boy, that meme . . . I'd have one of the shortest lists ever. I certainly wouldn't make it to 25!

[Kat]

I've seen the Radiators and BNL too. The Radiators were playing theater venues in NYC when I was living there, and I saw the free BNL show at City Hall Plaza years ago.

Bands on your list that I would love to see - The Pogues, Billy Bragg (you're the third person I know who has heard of him), the Saw Doctors, Black Flag, BAD, and Beausoleil. I really want to take a look at your CD collection. ;-)

[2paw]

25 bands???!! MrsDrWho has informed me that the one 'band' I have seen doesn't even count!!!!!! Glad to hear The Chocolate Dog is feeling better. It is a big relief, isn't it? You must have a nice Vet if he is sad too. I like our Animal Hospital where all the nurses and doctors give The Labradors a big pat if they see them!! The Yellow Dog does look really comfortable. Harki snores!!!

[Paula]

Oh Poor Chocolate dog.
I am glad he is on meds and feeling more comfortable.
Here is a cyber hug for you and Chocolate dog. (((Hug))).
Yellow dog looks so comfy! LOL! It is amazing how dogs and cats sleep in the oddest positions! :)