Ollie is the epitome of bad dog manners - which is totally on us. He jumps up on people, he licks, he's overly affectionate. But in an attempt to mitigate that, we tell EVERYONE - push him down if you don't want him. He'll settle in a bit and sleep the rest of the night. I don't mind people coming over not wanting to be inundated with the love that is The Beagle. But they KNEW him when they ASKED if we could make this gaming HQ.

Yeah, that's pretty rude, Aims. Whenever my friends come over with kids, I put the dog outside or in the basement because he herds and he bit a child once (it was a food related incident, and I have been training him more, but better safe than sorry, right?)

I can see MAYBE saying something like "I am nervous about starting to socialize Baby X with dogs? Can we introduce them, and then could Ollie go outside for 45 minutes so Baby can wander for a bit and get some energy out before we tuck him in the pack and play?"

But the TV thing? WTF-EVER. Get a sitter if your darling is so easily corrupted?

What has happened to common courtesy?

A guest comes IN making demands on your family and space?

Really?

I have a friend whose dog is as sweet as he is huge and undisciplined. This is the friend who asked me to train her dog because she has neither the time, nor the inclination to do so herself (I declined). She seems put out when I ask her to leave her dog at home when she comes to visit, despite the fact that he as peed every time he's been in my house.

I figure that turn about is fair play, I don't even suggest bringing Bartleby when she invites us to her house...even when she specifically asks if he can come. Not. gonna. do. it.

Again, I can see if invited, asking to be accomodated and not accepting the invitation if you cannot be. But to come over and then make demands. Especially if you have solicited the invitation.

In non-rude guest news, a neighbor/friend's daughters have been telling me about their bad for a couple of years and I did the usual 'solicitous old lady neighbor thing' by asking them to let me know when they were next to perform.

Today, I stumbled onto them at Eastern Market.

They consist of twins and an older/younger sister set. 8th and 6th grades.

I must have had pretty low expectations, especially since they said they perform original songs.

I was gobsmacked. They are terrific. Immediately reminded me of 10,000 Maniacs and someone else compared them to the Donnas.

I bought the cd and am really enjoying it. They can be found on iTunes under 'Crashchord'.

What was I doing in junior high? Not making a cool album, that's what.

Cool, bonny!

I went to the Farmer's market today, and am going to transplant the few things I bought -- rosemary, thyme, basil -- into a cool watering can planter i got at a garage sale for three bucks!

Then shower and getting ready for our anniversary date.

BTW, I have some new posts up at my blog, after a hiatus. One is password-protected, but anyone here who wants to read it can e-me.

[link]

bonny, I listened to the previews of them on iTunes, and they do remind me of 10,000 Maniacs. They also remind me of someone else I used to listen to a lot in college, but I can't think who.

I may have to buy this album.

Anne, the lead singer's voice has an unusual, lilty effect that reminds me of someone else...but I just can't think who.

Very cool that you liked it. I'm sure their college funds would appreciate the purchase!

eta: It was so cute when the dad of the girls I know fretted to his wife that they really needed an additional mic on the ukelule for a new song they were debuting today, the mom rolled her eyes, "I can NOT buy one more thing!" she wailed. How nice to see parents being so supportive.

I wish the new song was on the cd. It included the uk and one of those old-fashioned play pianos.

Brad Roberts, late of the Crash Test Dummies, has done an album using toy instruments. Crashchord is clearly following in those bold footsteps and I was amazed at how good they sounded.

"Can you confine your dog and block the tv for the convenience of our baby?"

"I'm sorry, were you under the impression this was *your* house? This is my dog. This is my tv. This is my house. You're all welcome, but the dog lives here and the tv is on when the people who live here want it on."

Oy vey on the inconsiderate guests. Ridiculous.

I have a date with a girl! I've forgotten how to dress for dates with girls. Will ponder in shower.