Dogs on a Leash

I moved to San Diego hanging on the very word of Tony Toni Tone, who, among others, sang, "It never rains in Southern California." However, I feel like since I've been here, that's all it's been doing. Perhaps I feel this way because it's rare that I get to become one with nature anyway, considering the number of hours I spend in the studio. Nevertheless, according to the natives, the amount of rainfall in the past few months has been considerably uncommon. Notwithstanding, today was a beautiful day.

Today was also rather unordinary as I found time after my midterm to visit Target (as usual, going in for 1 item and exiting with 13,) twice (only because I temporarily misplaced my wallet and had run home to retrieve it.) I also enjoyed an extended afternoon run around the neighborhood and prepared a fabulous 3 course meal. And even now, I bask in the free moments I have to write this blog, which is mainly about my run by the way.

Now, my street has a few hills, three of which can be described as, "gently rolling," while one constantly scoffs at me in its monstrosity, at least when I ascend it. When I run around the neighborhood, I generally make the decision early on about whether I will run up the monstrous hill or simply walk it. If I plan to run a long distance before coming to it, I customarily decide it's not worth the struggle. However, on this day, I decided to push through my comfort zone. So, although I had run further than I ever had in the area, even getting lost at one point, on my way back home I chose to challenge myself by sprinting up the cruel hill.

After an embarrassing "uphill battle," I finally reached the top, feeling somewhat accomplished. But just as I began to slow my speed, out of nowhere (well actually it was out of the small opening from a nearby garage door) came a vicious, miniature doberman pincher, running after me at full speed. I flinched to start running away, but very quickly realized how fatigued I was after the hill. Instead I continued to walk away slowly, allowing the evil dog to nip and gnaw at my ankles while it screamed at me for nearly three blocks until finally I turned around and yelled back, "Stop! Leave me alone!!" If anyone had been watching me they might have found humor in the fact that I was arguing with a dog the size of my foot, but I didn't care.

There's not really a point to this blog except to say that the people on my street should keep their dogs on leashes, not their cats, as clearly stated in a previous note. Otherwise, I'm going to end up really cranky on a perfectly beautiful day in Southern California.