On Perfection

In case you've been in a hole for the past two months, you might have missed the current Iowa Hawkeyes season.  The record-breaking, national championship hope-inspiring, perfect season.  It has not been without its scares (every game).  And I guarantee I've aged five years as a result of the turnovers and unnecessarily close games.

However, here we stand.  This team is 9-0 and currently ranked fourth in the BCS poll.  We have never opened a season by winning nine games.  The next three, which will conclude the regular season, include only one in which the Hawkeyes are questionable - a November visit to OSU at the 'shoe.  We're listed as Rose Bowl contenders in every bowl prediction list available.  Most Iowa fans have no idea what to do with this success or this team.

They were the dark horse among pre-season Big Ten championship talk.  Now they're the dark horse in the National Championship game talk.  This team wasn't supposed to be great.  Early season injuries on offense made them even less so, but what they have done is great.  They have taken control of games when it mattered, turned the odds in their favor, and consistently come out on top... much to pollster and analyst chagrin.

Every Saturday through November 21st, I will continue to watch my Hawkeyes plan, and hold my breath everytime Stanzi drops back to pass.  I'll still probably be highly pessimistic and take no game for granted.  I never thought we would be here, though, and so I will soak up every moment of this season.

You may not respect this team.  Many don't.  We don't care.  We'll continue to fight through all four quarters and leave it on the field.  This record speaks for itself.  Respect us or not, we are Hawkeyes.  And this.is.awesome.

It's Been a Busy Month

You heard about the new job.  Well, there are more changes in this girl's life.  Head on over to the newest installation of the blog for further details on the question that changed my life:

Here Comes the Blog

The Times, They are Changin'

As I've learned many times over the last two years, Life in the Real World isn't always peachy. Recently, I've had to deal with some pretty severe disappointment at work. Instead of making lemonade with the fruit given to me, I chucked them back in the company's face and set off to find a new grocer.

I'll spare everyone that hasn't heard me personally vent on this subject the gruesome details leading up to the corporate break-up. Needless to say, it was messy.

On October 20, I begin the new gig. I'm really excited. It's a small, boutique-y consulting company based fairly close to home. The people I've met are fantastic, and the company seems very flexible. Oh, and I realized I was way underpaid before.

So, things are getting shaken up a little. Tune in for the next chapter.

PS-

Mom, I think this is my "what comes around" for all my screaming as a child. If I could, I would go back and tell my infant self to hush.

The Stress of Being a New Mother

I love my dog. Don't get me wrong. But, you see, this poor pup suffers from a severe case of separation anxiety. He's going back to the doc today to get medicated for it. We've tried everything else to no avail.

Hopefully the vet will be able to give him some drugs to help ease the separation anxiety. I was upset and frustrated when he ruined belongings of mine, but he's now starting to hurt himself in the process. He broke a tooth trying to chew out of the crate and looks to have possibly injured one of his legs climbing over the baby gate.

I'm starting tonight trying to leave him for short periods of time. Hopefully something works soon. Otherwise, the dog won't be the only one who needs Xanax!

The tales of Jack

Little did we know when naming the new dog that he would turn out to be much like his namesake.

You see, doggy Jack Bauer likes to break free of his captivity as well. Once he does, he proceeds to let loose on his enemies (aka the door and any available window treatments). So far, he's shredded a curtain, torn wood from the door, and ruined a pair of blinds.

He goes wherever he wants regardless of authorization. The Keifer Sutherland Jack Bauer waltzes through FBI headquarters and CTU and the White House without invitation. Doggy Jack Bauer opens his box of doggy stuff (don't ask me how) and proceeds to rip apart bags of food, treats, and bones.

When presented with a situation to which he objects, they also act the same. Human Jack Bauer yells, "Damnit, Mr. President, there isn't any time!" Doggy Jack Bauer when put in his crate (the situation to which he objects) stands at the front of it and pees on the floor. Which I imagine is the dog equivalent of cursing.

After Season 6 of 24, human Jack Bauer swears off CTU and his life as an operative. He goes to Africa and lives a quiet, humble life to do missionary work. How do I get doggy Jack Bauer to go to his Africa?