Shiner

Today, I add yet another amusing mishap to the list of Things That Only Happen To Caitlin. Almost a year ago to the week, I put my knee through a glass window in Perth. Yes, I was sober. This resulted in a torn meniscus, emergency surgery, a 4-day hospital stay, and my very own 5-inch Harry Potter lighting scar over my knee.

OK, so this isn't that dramatic- but it is pretty funny. The other night, I was playing a stupid chase game on the floor with Andy. He had his giant black Kong, and he was charging around (in that slow, kind of stiff, sweet, old-dog way), doing his best zoomies around the living room and in and out of my bedroom. I was crouched on the floor in my room, stomping with my hands on the floor every time he flew past me and thoroughly egging him on. His mouth was open in a huge grin, his eyes were wide and crazy, and he was growling and flailing around and generally having a grand old time. I have sort of a narrow hallway, and at one point he did a play bow at me, turned, and crashed into the hall closet door. It was the saddest, most hilarious thing ever- but maybe a bit more sad, because he yelped and dropped his Kong. When he came running over to me for some comfort, I was more than happy to oblige.

I gathered him up in my arms on the floor, and gave him some kisses on his big giant block head. Of course, I didn't pay close enough attention to the fact that he had frozen in my lap, and had his set of Crazy Eyes going. He was still in play mode. As I leaned down once again to kiss his head, he lurched out of my lap and went flying down the hallway to grab his Kong again. The only problem was he had first punched me in the eye with a front leg (complete with freshly-clipped nails- ouch) and, if that weren't enough, soundly slammed his cranium into my face as he made his getaway. It was like, "BAM! Gotcha! Oh wait- here comes my brain box for Round Two!" Andy 1, Caitlin 0.

I sat there for a second, started laughing, and then thought, "ouch". When I opened both eyes and looked up, there was Andy standing in the doorway, tail waving slowly and Kong in his mouth. He looked so earnest- it was like he was thinking, "what are you still doing down there?" Upon examination in the mirror, my left eye was red and swollen and I had a big scratch down the lid. At the time, I also saw the discoloration start...sure enough, on day three, I now have a little bitty black eye to wear proudly as a reminder of what Andy really thinks about me. I'm sure he's been waiting for an excuse for a long time. ;-) He's so cute though. Over the years, I've had far more "love" injuries from animals than the other kind. Chester gave me at least 3 nosebleeds in his life and many more fat lips from over-exuberant greetings, and who can ever forget the sweetness of eager foster kittens literally climbing your bare legs in the bathroom in the middle of the night? Pretty sure I still have a scar or ten as a result of that.

On a totally unrelated note, I am sitting in a coffee shop "studying" (clearly), and I have been totally eavesdropping on the most fascinating conversation about politics between a group of maybe sixty- and seventy-something women. I didn't mean to, but they have such conscientious, intelligent, reasonable arguments for everything. Somebody get these ladies a presidential nomination for 2016 (or immediately, if the unthinkable happens)!

Only 2.5 more weeks, 5 exams, and one major presentation to get through before I get to come home for American Thanksgiving (4 day weekend!!). Then, only a couple more weeks after that, and I have a month off to spend with family and friends in Vancouver. It can't come soon enough, at this point.

Well, back to work I go. Central nervous system drugs beckon! xo