I have yet to figure out if we annoy our cats, or if they are laying traps to get us to interact with them. It’s very hard to walk by them when they look adorable and not hug and squeeze them. They are our stuff animals.

Devon minding his own business...

...the a human walks by and the hugging ensues.

I don’t know why I am fascinated with little slices of life from the past. I think that I am more interested in the small details of mundane life then the big battles or events. So I end up with lots of photos of everyday activities, and I learn to do things like spin with a drop spindle.

Life in a public house

I think the fact that I am interested in these quieter moments is one of the things that really made me enjoy the new Robin Hood film. I like films that try to recreate history, or re-imagine popular tales in a way that would be more real. This film was not about glory and action, it was beginning. Set before the legend of Robin Hood that we know, Russell Crowe’s Robin is a quiet, determined and smart man. Some reviews were saying that he wasn’t a “leader” and he wasn’t fun. I disagree, in a real war and survival situation at the period of time when this film was sent, you would want someone level-headed and driven (but not hot-headed) as your leader. I think the film did a great job making him a person that would grow through stories over the years to be the legend we know today. I have heard people say that we didn’t see him rob the rich and give to the poor, but he does take back seed corn that was on it’s way to the corrupt church vaults and plant it in the field. That is giving to the poor people in that village—it’s a community that survives or fails together. (Although I am confused how they planted corn in before the discovery of America and harvested wheat. You got me on two counts there. But I digress…) People also commented on a scene where Cate helps Russell undress, saying that it was supposed to be erotic but came off decidedly unsexy. Dude, you missed the point by a mile. It wasn’t a come-on scene, it was showing the ridiculous amount of layers and ties that were part of the upper class male costume. High-born lords and ladies had to have serving people cause they could not dress themselves, it wasn’t possible.

What is also very interesting is this film is set in a different time period that all of the other Robin Hood’s. Most take place while Richard is on crusade, or being held hostage, and Price John is running (or ruining) things at home. This film gives some time to Richard and John’s mother, Elenore who was the most powerful woman of her generation—Queen of France and then Britain. And it also places the movie at Richard’s death, the beginning of John’s historic reign. The reason that King John is so important, is because he screwed the country up so much that the baron’s stepped up and said “sign over some of your powers to our approval, or we will chuck you out.” John was forced to sign the Magna Carta, which was the first limits that were put on the British throne. This was hinted at in the movie, but not fully developed.

So in conclusion, Robin Hood isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. It isn’t a summer popcorn movie, per se. But I think it’s wrong to say it not something it never tried to be. Personally, it’s now tied for second for favorite Robin Hood film for me. Disney is in first, the Patrick Bergen film that came out the same time as the Costner film—and went straight to TV because of that—is the other one in second, followed by Robin and Marion.

So on early Friday Devon, the star of the blog, it would seem, ate a 12″ long 1″ wide ribbon. He woke us vomiting and so off to the emergence surgical vet he went. The Xrays showed the ribbon in his gut, so they said they had to go in and get it before it did damage. An hour and a half later in surgery the doctor discovered that it had passed through his system to his colon, and would nor have to pass “naturally.” So the poor dear got all cut up for no reason really. They did discover that he has the feline version of IBS, and will always need special food, but that was something we had already guessed. Dan and I were traveling until yesterday, so he just came home. He has a fabric cone of shame that he has to wear until the 20th. Plus his belly has been shaved and stitched and his legs have been partially shaved to allow IVs and the like to be attached. He has started eating, which he wasn’t doing at the vets, so we are happy. I thought I would share some photos of healing Devon—not the happiest of cats right now, but I think he is very happy to be home.

collared

shaved leg

no belly rubs, please

So today marked a special milestone in my life. Today is the anniversary of Dan and I dating. Twenty years ago—after a three attempts (by Dan) to be more than friends and a hard day of dorm room decorating (me) and paintball (him)—we finally became a couple. And I have to give Dan this one, he was right. The fact that he attempted to break up with me twice at different times, he was wrong, but the dating he was right.
So in honor of that dating, and the fact that I was scanning in our wedding album, here is a photo of us much younger. I still love you, baby!

Young love

While Dan was away, my good friend Rachelle became the first overnight guest at our casa. I discovered that the inflatable bed will fit in the living room, but barely. We can adjust the couch some, which would make it fit better, but only if we have two people instead of one.

Rachelle was just here for a quick visit, but we did go down to the ocean and for a walk in the channels, which you will see tomorrow.

Rachelle on Ocean Front Walk in Venice

Yesterday morning I woke up to the melodic strains of the Plants vs Zombies emanating from my iPhone, which my husband was holding above my head. It was the sweetest thing I had ever heard. You need to understand a couple things, first, I am totally addicted to this game by Pop Cap, and second, just the other day I was bemoaning the lack of PVZ for iPhone.

Apparently, Dan had found out from Twitter that the game had been released, grabbed my phone, downloaded and installed it for me. And now I will never get anything done again.

If you need me, I'll be playing this.

Thanks to Robert Taylor, Dan and I decided to spend Valentine’s day taking part in the Out Of The Box Bike Scavenger Hunt. Basically Teams of two have two hours to ride around Venice and answer questions based on buildings and landmarks. Dan and I are a 30 minute bike to Venice Beach, so we rode over, arriving 5 minutes before the race start. We actually spent about 5 minutes planning our attack—starting at the far point and working our way back. We had a fun time trying to find the clues, and got most pretty easily. We had two that we ended up guessing, cause we couldn’t find them and we were running short on time. The rest we were pretty confident about. We got back about 5 minutes before the end, there was no bonus for getting back early, but there was a plenty for arriving late.

How many of these creatures are wearing gold chains?

We missed the two that we guessed on, but we got all the rest right. We figured that missing two we were probably not going to make the top 3 places, but we were very happy to discover that we won! And got engraved medals and everything.

Victory!

We stopped to eat at Islands, and made it home before it got completely dark, but saw the beginnings of a beautiful sunset over the marina. Quite a nice day to spend with my honey.

Going home now

Yesterday Dan and I went to eat lunch at Paco’s Tacos, which is walking distance from us, and we have been told by several people that it is awesome. We had tried to go Friday night, but it was super busy and we were too hunger to wait, so we came back early on Saturday. We were seated right next to this amazing fish tank, and I took some photos with my iPhone, with a new app I was trying out called The Best Camera. It’s based on the axiom that the Best Camera is the one you have with you. The food came quickly, and it was very good traditionally Mexican food. But I have now officially discovered that traditional Mexican food is not something I love. It very sad and some people will think I am nuts, but I grew up with the white-washed “Mexican” food that was targeted toward middle America. I will grant you that Taco Bell food is horrible, but horrible in a “that’s my childhood” kind of way. I love Chipolte—the flavor and customization. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the real stuff, but I don’t think I will love it.

The fish tank at Paco's Tacos

With our new place came the joy and responsibility of a Koi pond in the backyard. It has a lovely little waterfall and a canopy. We thought that the canopy was to keep the fish from getting too hot, no, it’s to keep them from getting eaten by birds flying overhead. The owner of the house told us that he had originally had 11 fish, but the last tenants had lost all but 4. We decided to name them after the Fab Four, John, Paul, George and Ringo, and they now very big. John, the biggest is probably about 2 feet long. We have to feed the fish, and once a week we have to clean the pump system and prime it to get it started again. This is an awkward process that involves screwing a basket into a tube while it’s underwater. If I have no choice, and am willing to risk a swim, I can do it. But Dan’s arms are just slightly longer than mine, so it is easier for him to do it.
I loved the way the above and below the water worlds merged in this photo.

George and John

So almost anyone who knows me also knows my husband, Dan, who is know the social media manager at Activision. As part of his job, he writes a blog called One of Swords and records a podcast. He has been podcasting for years now, originally for the Official Xbox Magazine. And he has talked about me on nearly all his podcasts, but I have never been a guest—until now. In honor of Dan having his own podcast, and Valentine’s day, I am the guest on the One Of Swords podcast. We recorded it at home last night in our livingroom. Note the two familiar looking felines on the back of the coach. So if you want to check it out, let me know what you think.

Podcastin' at home