You Might Be Addicted To Animal Crossing If...

• You think to yourself that the tile in the staff restroom at work is very similar to the kitchen floor in your AC:WW house.

• You spot a single, tall green weed in your front lawn and feel compelled to pull it. Then you frantically look for the other two.
  

• You want to make special trips to Fry's just to get another AC:WW character charm from the vending machine by the exit.
  

• You lament during your Oscar party that you're missing your town's fishing tournament. (Not that you'd win).
  

• You are thrilled beyond belief when your husband gives you a Japanese animated film based on the game, without any English subtitles, for your wedding anniversary.
  

• You've neglected your Nintendog and Hamsterz for so long that you're afraid to check on them lest they have passed on.
  

• You get pretty bummed out that your favorite animal friend, Hugh--a blue pig--wants to move out of your town.
  

What's What

Now watching: Shaun of the Dead. I've had an unhealthy obsession lately of all things Edgar Wright/Simon Pegg/Nick Frost related. I blame it on going to a few screenings during The Wright Stuff Festival last month. I was already a fan, but I seem to be even more infatuated with the boys now. It's like when I go to a concert and after listen to that artist repeatedly.

Now listening: The Bluetones, a British indie band that was introduced to me (and the rest of the Bugsy Malone audience) by Edgar Wright. See?

Now playing: Animal Crossing: Wild World on my Ninendo DS Lite. My sister has been raving about the game and has been playing it since last Spring, which says more about it that you can imagine. We'll even get to play together, even though she lives across the country. Once I can get the WiFi working on my system. That may have to wait until E is back in town.

Now cleaning: My covered patio. During the recent rains, my dogs abused it a bit and it really needs a good scrubbing. But wait. How can I be mopping and blogging at the same time? My robot, Scooba, is cleaning the patio thankyouverymuch. Now where are robots to do my laundry, wash the dishes, pick up the clutter, and clean the bathroom?

Now walking: Some friends went out of town, so I've been walking their dog Daizy. She big and energetic and honestly, practically takes me for a walk! It's good exercise though, which I'll be getting momentarily.

Hopelessly Addicted To Tote Bags

My tote bag addiction really is a disease. We were innocently entering Ikea yesterday to scope out some flooring options and what do I see but an adorable ORANGE tote for only $4.99. I hemmed and hawed a bit and decided that no, I don't need it. I mean I just got the exceptional vinyl sock monkey tote, as well as another one with naughty chihuahuas.

I'm not sure what it is. I thought the issue was with purses and bags in general, but I've been consistently carrying the same tokidoki bag since December. But I continue to collect and rotate use of tote bags.*

So, after gathering our flooring info, we headed toward the exit and E suggested I run back and get the bag. He knows me. He knows I'd regret it, bother him about it, and go back only to find it not longer in existence. So, I made a beeline (as much as you can do that in the Swedish maze of a store) to get my precious. I had it in my line of sight and I thought I heard someone talking about me. I glance over, not bothering to wipe the drool from my mouth, to see a co-worker and her husband. He was the one saying, "Don't we know her?" Her=that crazed woman with the glazed look in her eyes. I think I had a very incoherent conversation about the glory of the orange tote. We ended on my friend remarking how much shorter I look outside of work. OH well, no worries because I got the bag!

So, yeah, it's cute and surprisingly sturdy and well-crafted for five bucks. But, THIS is the one I'm really wanting right now. Maybe it will go on sale.

*Shhh...don't tell Ren that I can't even find the bag she made for me. I know it is around though...probably among the heaps of stuff in my closet.

Pam. Please call security!

So, as many people know, I'm a bit obsessed with The Office. I can't help myself. It's just so funny. However, that does not mean that I want to have real-life experiences similar to events on the show the very same week. I did not really appreciate some asshole spraying pepper spray into the intimate Henry Fonda Theater right when the band came on last night. Luckily, we'd been hanging out in the rooftop lounge area and were heading downstairs just as the Danish indie rock group Mew was hitting the stage. I saw several people rushing out of the theater, coughing and covering their mouths and noses. Once we got to the bottom of the stairs, it hit me too. Shit. My asthma is triggered by chemicals and I started coughing and wheezing, as my lungs constricted. When I have a bad attack, I tend to panic, which only makes it worse.

After hanging out by the open front doors for a bit and using my inhaler a couple of times, I could breathe again and we went inside, but on the opposite side. They had opened all of the doors and the air had cleared. I somehow felt violated though and pissed off that some jerk created such a scary situation. Security never found the guilty party.

Oh yeah, the band. I was not very familiar with Mew, aside from one song, "Comforting Sounds." Their Wikipedia ("the best thing ever") entry quotes them as saying they are "the world's only indie stadium band." They are loud, that's for sure and not necessarily a great match for the crappy acoustics at the Fonda. I can't say I have a new favorite band, but the performance was enjoyable (once I calmed down and could breathe) with some really interesting, and occasionally creepy, visuals. E describes them as having a very 70's prog rock sound, like early Genesis, which is I'm sure what drew him to them initially. Through in a dash of Metallica and you have Mew. Not to be confused with the Pokémon character.

I Will Collect You And Capture You

Anyone who knows me, at least a little bit, understands that I can obsess. Whether it's hamsters, Duran Duran, tote bags, Firefly, or the color orange. I could go on, but I won't. (Just don't even think about leaving anything in my new car! Yes, you know who you are).

One of my latest obsessions is photographing the squirrels who are frequenting my front yard and trees and fencing. We've always had a lot of squirrel activity in the back yard, which my dog Little Guy loves telling the entire neighborhood about. For the last few months, I've noticed not only more bushy-tailed critters out front, but also lots of peanut shells all over my driveway. Turns out that my neighbor installed a squirrel feeder that she keeps stocked with peanuts. Lots of yummy peanuts.

I've had a lot of misses in my attempts to capture these fast rodents. Luckily, I have a really good optical zoom on my camera and that comes in handy. We've had a few staredowns and I get ready to snap and they run. I think there are mainly two who are hanging out in the front, but I don't know for sure. And no, I haven't named them. Yet.

Do You Sudoku?

I do! I remember seeing this question posed on newspaper boxes and not knowing (or bothering to find out) what it meant. I then saw it in a newspaper and just glanced at it, but did not give it much thought. For some reason, about a month ago, I was compelled to pull out a newspaper and give the number puzzle a go.

Now I'm addicted!

Okay, maybe not addicted, but I would be if I had more time wasn't so busy doing social stuff and wasting time. I figure it is a good way to exercise my brain.

I've also now discovered Web Sudoku, so I can feed my obsession even when I don't get the paper!