By Popular Demand...

In an informal poll, a full one-third of my loyal readers have asked for a video of the pups (that's you Jenny). I've said that I didn't want to be a full-time dog blogger (dogger?), but with this kind of public response, what can I do? I have to keep the fan happy!



In this video, you can see some of the typical wrastlin' they do. Samson may seem to have the upper hand because of his size, but Lila gives back pretty good. She is also faster and more agile (not to mention more clever and, well, bitchy), so once she gets on her feet, the race is on. The end of the video catches just the beginning of what I like to call the Basenji 500. They'll do laps and laps at top speed.

And yes, we are on the roof, but they are not typical Mexican roof dogs. a) they get to come down. b) they are never there alone, and c) they also go other places. You'll notice on the roof some of the garbage they prefer to expensive toys. They love, LOVE, the paint rollers, but the empty plant pot is also fun too. And no, that is not a pup tent (har har). It's a skylight covered with a shower curtain. My neighbors think it leaks. I reserve comment.

Other than dog stuff, everything in my life is pretty much the same. I've been spending a lot of time at home, partly because I have hermit tendencies, but also because the dogs can't go out much yet (vaccinations) and I feel guilty if I leave them alone too long. I only have a few more weeks until summer vacation (!). I'll be in Alabama and Atlanta for the month of July. I had thought about driving up with the dogs, but three days (and two nights in a hotel) with them might be more than I could stand. Probably not very much fun for them either. So Fernando is going to stay in my apartment for the month, and take care of the kids and I'll fly into Pensacola.

Other good news: when the kids turn four months old (on June 5th), they 'll be able to go to puppy kindergarten! This guy Miguel comes to your house three times a week while you're at work, picks them up and takes them to play with other pups the same age. I don't know if they do arts and crafts or music, but they do get to socialize with other dogs and learn some training basics (sit, stay, bring daddy a beer, etc.) That will be great! (P.S. I shouldn't refer to Miguel as 'this guy'. He's actually a professional dog trainer with lots of experience and references).

If you want to see all the dog pictures, you can look at my web album: http://picasaweb.google.com/the.matt.itat/Dogs

What a surprise!

A couple of months ago I was talking on the phone to my old pal Terence (b.k.a. T!) about his upcoming birthday. He told me he was planning a party and that all the old crowd would be getting together at his house on February 2nd. I was a little jealous that everyone would be together (I won't even start about the wedding in Costa Rica), and so I started looking at plane tickets. It just so happened that there was a good price on the direct flight from Mexico City to Atlanta. It also just so happened that that weekend was a long weekend for me (hooray, Mexico has a Constitution). So I bought the ticket then and there, but kept it all on the down low.

Keely was driving over to Atlanta from Birmingham after work on Friday, and so she picked me up at the airport, and hid me in the backseat under a bunch of junk. When she got to T's house, she called him and asked him to come out to help unload all her junk (which is a totally plausible ruse--it happens all the time). Well, when T came out, I popped out and scared him out of his knickers. Okay, his sweat pants.

But he said that he'd had an idea that I was coming. How? I dunno. But the three of us hung out that night, drinking wine and chatting, then spent Saturday getting ready for the party. Lots of people came, and fun was had by all! I even took the liberty of inviting a couple of my friends, just so I could get to see them. But it was great--everyone got along and had a really good time.

I flew back to Mexico (where I'm writing this) today (Monday), and now I'm getting mentally prepared to go back to work. But I did remember to take pictures.

Incredible Bittersweet

Yes I know, it’s been a long time since I’ve updated this blog, but get off my back! I’ve had some living to do. And now I’m going to write about it.

But where do I start? I guess at the beginning (or the end).

Chapter 1: Leaving Atlanta = Bittersweet. It was so great to see everyone that Saturday night. People danced, talked, laughed, and was there singing? I know there were Colombian TV commercials, but I have to confess I stepped outside for those. If you're reading this and didn't come to the party, well... here are some pictures to show you what you missed. (oh, and PS, if you don't want your picture here, let me know and I'll take it down).

But it was also sad to leave. I found myself Steven M –style (who is, by the way, the heretofore uncredited photographer of the sexy Matt photo), making a toast that I meant to be sincerely expressive of my emotions, but I think just ended up being dry (get it—dry toast). Steven always made toasts, and always seemed to take the zeitgeist of the party, of the moment, and put it into words. I don't think I did, but I tried, right?


Anyway, I’m glad that My own Personal Mexican(MPM) got to see my friends and the way I lived and all. I’ve made a lot of good friends in the couple of years I’ve been in Atlanta, plus reconnected with the best old friends a guy could ask for.