To discuss 15 recent things (including such topics as anal glands & food poisoning, because I love you)

So, Andy "Andrew" Awesome at Wild Ars Chase just made a list of 50 things about himself. I started laughing long before I saw #44; I knew I had to write a list too.

His list:

44. At no point during the pet adoption process do they tell you that you will become intimately involved with the mannerisms of your dog's sphincter as a method of forecasting bowel movements. But it's true.

45. Oops, did I kill the mood?

ha! Ok, my list, but I'm only doing 15:

1. I almost never talk about my dog in person without mentioning the word "anal gland" in some wholly inappropriate TMI context because I'm awkward like that and this, to me, is "small talk." Plus his anal glands are star performers, doesn't this need recognition? Don't get caught alone with me in an elevator.

2. Oops, did I kill the mood?

3. No? Ok. Well, I almost choked on an antibiotic pill the size and shape of a lego this morning. That's hot, right?

4. Yesterday I collected 2 large heavy boxes of books and lugged them 45 minutes away to a specialized used bookstore dreaming of all the cash I'd collect. I hauled them up many stairs, motivated only by the generous bounty surely awaiting. They gave me FOUR. DOLLARS. Don't remind me how much a gallon of gas costs these days.

5. I also got the world's most boring fortune cookie: "It is a nice day." I guess this is the best the universe could do with my current state of ruin.
6. Recently, I did an annual scleroderma walk with family in memory of my dad's mom. A complete stranger approached us halfway through said, "here, I'd like to make a donation," handing over a $20 bill. We were so touched. He must have a story. I felt like we were walking for all who have stories of loss. Dad & I: 7. The cat is still shredding all my toilet paper. (<-- thanks, feline. This is awesome to come home to.)
8. I spent last weekend admiring the community art projects of Penn Station, NY, in-between bouts of food poisoning:
When not hunched over clutching my abdomen though, I enjoyed walking around Times Square:

Times Square, NYC

Saw the King Tut exhibit at the Discovery exhibit center:

Discovery Time Square King Tut exhibit

9. Also, friends have been helping me through tough times:

No, a waiter is not peeing -- he's pouring olive oil
from a great height while friends look on and laugh.

Live entertainment by rock stars

Met up with bloggy/Twitter friends
(yes, we all met online!)

Spending lotsa time with mom

10. My car recently hit 100K miles:
11. And I made the intriguing discovery that people who wear toed socks are very comfortable:
12. And that someone, somewhere, WILL spend $80,000 on a necklace:
13. I cried at Toy Story 3.

14. My sis just graduated nursing school!

sis, graduation day

And I'm borrowing my last one from Andy:

15. Even when I don't get to post all the time, I still love that you guys keep coming back. Have a great 4th!