::does the dance of listlessness::

::considers the lameness of said dance::

::fails to muster energy to care::

Man’s best terror deterrent? The dog

Cute article.

In the Washington area, the dogs usually are not stationed at the top or bottom of escalators, where each passenger walks by. Some days, the dogs and their handlers walk through the dark tunnels on catwalks. They press flat against the wall when a train whizzes by. When it is time to get on escalators, the dogs look anxious. Their handlers hold up their tails so they do not get caught in the moving stair.

Andy's motivation is basic: the next meal. Once an ATF explosives dog has been trained, he is fed only after he finds an explosive. Three times a day, Andy's handler hides shell casings or explosives in a field, car, building or the woods. Andy, who wears his own police badge, has to "alert" Special Agent Sheila Fry, his handler, when he smells an explosive, by sitting down at the spot. Then she hand-feeds him. She has a small "dog slobber" towel attached to her belt next to her gun.

"We don't like to say he flunked out of seeing-eye dog school. I think of it as more of a career change," Fry said. Andy "couldn't overcome his desire to sniff, track and hunt. He's great at finding explosives."

I love the part about the cops holding the dogs' tails so they don't get caught in the escalator. And the "dog slobber" towel. And that the doggies get their own badges. And the "career change" dog.

I think I'll alternate between the movies and the pool this weekend. With a trip to the city to meet my friend who lives in France if she can ever check her email to get my phone number, since I have no other way to get in touch with her.

right now I am eating tiny peaches off my tree. yum

Buying a vacuum and then lots and lots and lots of cleaning tomorrow.

But I am leaving early as a reward for working late on Tuesday so I'm taking it as a win.

• A painter is supposed to come over and give me an estimate on my aparment.
• I need to clean the apartment. See [1].
• Not much else.

Oh, and this:

One man walked by and asked Shieder whether his dog would bite. "No, he sniffs," said Shieder.

"Can he sniff drugs?" the man asked, smiling nervously.

"No, just explosives," Shieder replied.

"Whew, that's good," said the man, who declined to give his name and walked away quickly, clutching his pocket.

I have another new list. Kat's on it.

Yes. Your FAVORITES list.

Why does Target have to be such a hater? They have the vacuum I want and yet they have no stores close to me. I also have a $25 gift card that I would like to use to lessen the sting of actually buying a vacuum.

I'm going to a protest on Saturday. Check me out, Poster Child for Choice.