Porcupines

What can I say? Doesn't this little guy deserve pride of place tonight? I mean, ain't he a cheery little soul? And such a creative use of those Pocky-like cracker-cookies! As soon as I saw this tonight, I thought: Cake Wrecks! I will be oh so proud if my humble submission is accepted.

Ironically, I saw it while on my way home from the gym. Yes, it was time, LONG past time -- more like: the first visit in 4 months! Okay, okay, so part of that time I was verboten from doing silly things like exercising, but still, the 10 lbs. I gained (yes, I'm up to 10) since attaining my goal weight have been decidedly uncomfortable when I wear business attire. Ouch.

Didn't do anything too strenuous (not going to undo all of that arduous healing!) but I have to get moving. Plus exercise also helps me de-stress. So I did 30 minutes on the elliptical (at an easier pace than my previous "normal") and then, because I wanted to see the end of the episode of NCIS I was watching (c'mon, you know I like those men-with-guns shows!) I moved over to a treadmill and walked at a leisurely pace for the last 10 minutes of the episode.

Tonight's episode has Ralph Waite -- better known as Pa Walton! -- on as Gibbs' dad (Mark Harmon's character) and darn if he wasn't as warm and fuzzy as always. And he looked pretty good too (especially for 81!) just like you'd want your ganddad to look like. I was talking the other week with someone (I forget who -- sorry, whoever it is) and we agreed that Mark Harmon has aged a bit this year -- well, duh! Didn't realize that he's 57 now. But MAN was he a hottie when the show started. (Hey, I still wouldn't kick him outta bed [not like that's ever a remote possibility, esp. since he will be married to Pam Dawber -- yes, Mindy of Mork fame -- for 22 years on the 21st] since he's still pretty darn tasty looking in my book.)

Speaking of bed, can I just say (sorry guys -- it's a girl thing coming up) how SICK I AM of having to wear a bra to bed every night for the past 3 months?! First during recovery from the biopsy, and now to recover from the lumpectomy. AGH! But until my scar/incision heals more solidly (it's still a bit tenuous at the moment) on it stays, 24/7, to minimize jostling of the girls.

I know, I know -- it could always be worse: one of my friends, who's the mother of 2 young 'uns, told me she had to wear her bra for a year straight, what with nursing, etc. (Well that particular issue will not arise for me, especially after early menopause due to my upcoming 5 years of tamoxifen.<--(that link will open Windows Media Player, by the way)

So onto more goofy topics... like the pottery pugs to the left. WTF?! Saw this at the HousingWorks Thrift Shop in Chelsea and was... AWED. (Or is that afraid?) It was almost -- not quite, but almost -- worth getting as a gag gift because it was so hideous, and less than $20. (For less than $5 I would've done it.) I think it's supposed to be a wine bottle or candle holder. Or something. I thought it would molder around on the shelves, but boy was I glad I snapped a photo with my cellphone, because a HUGE guy in a black leather jacket promptly bought it. (Well, it is Chelsea after all.)

And finally, speaking of Chelsea scenery, here is a lovely, restful iron gate on my friend Sam's block. Kinda reminds me of Tom Otterness' work (i.e., the guy who made those disturbing yet oddly appealing statues on the 14th Street 8th Avenue subway station).

Appropriately enough, I will now leave you with, um, this man-in-the-moon type image since it is LONG past time for me to go to sleep. (Put it this way: Conan should be wrapping up about now.)