Festivities: Origin Story

This is part 1 of this series.

I know I have been neglectful of this blog. Instead of indulging my inane need to vindicate myself, I'm going to jump right into it.

This story starts over two year ago. While visiting my parents, I went for a run in their neighborhood. It is quaint area with large pine trees (not as many as pre-Katrina) obscuring the houses, styles of houses that I do not care about, and tucked away from busy streets. On this particular run, I wanted to decided to extend my distance by running towards a dead end that would give me the there and back mileage I needed. As I ran closer to the end, I noticed two large dogs. These dogs did not have the look of "wild" dogs- no matted hair, looks of desperation. They seemed like two well kept dogs out on a stroll; buddies lounging around no cares in the world. Obviously, these were "good" dogs because their owners did not care to fence them in or provide a restraint on their daily dalliances. However, as I ran past them, I could feel the air change around me, and knew that my previous perception was misleading (stupid endorphin).

Sensing something amiss, I turned around and head backed towards the direction I had come from, but these two dogs blocked my path with malice on their faces. I stopped in my tracks and let out a loud, "Come on!" I felt like I was back in grade schools with two bullies, but these bullies had sharper teeth and quicker. An initial shout to shore up Alpha male status was met with sneers and growls. I even get emasculated by animals that enjoy sniffing each other privates as a form of flirting. Fearful of getting gnawed on by two Cujos, which was escalated by reading about a severe dog attack on a runner, I jumped into the nearby ditch, grabbed a large branch, and swung it at the dogs. This causes them to back up slightly and look for an opening to cut one of my hamstrings (this is what was going through my mind- don't judge). Using a tactic that I call brush-brush-scoot, I was able to get around the dogs and ran back to my parents house (I was like the Flash).

This encounter was a catalyst to me believing I needed a dog to run with me. In my mind the dog would deter potential threats, and push my to run often. I researched potential 'running' dogs, but saw how much they cost, and quickly decided to got the adoption route. I signed up for the SPCA newsletter, while I was rummaging through their website (http://www.la-spca.org/). Although I saw some dogs to potentially adopt, I thought better of the idea, and a can of mace is much cheaper.

After reading this, you may be wondering what this has to do with festivities? Things are tenuously connected, but connected nonetheless. I still get newsletter updates from the Louisiana SPCA (which are about once a month), and a few weeks back, I received one that was announcing "Jump the Line at New Orleans on Tap." This was a charity event for the SPCA that was taking place in City Park, where you could sample over 200 types of beer. I purchased tickets (needed for sampling beer) and a VIP pass immediately. Supporting a good cause and drinking beer- fantastic. You get to feel warm and smug on two levels.

Moral of the story: dogs wanting to kill you can lead you supporting displaced animals and beer.

There is more to this tale. Come back and find out how I take the long way round to get to the event.

Until I ramble on again. . .