Glory Bound

Today, I am resting. I’ve taken to riding the bike almost every day and am getting better at tackling the big hills. I think it has more to do with me getting used to knowing what gears to use than it does me becoming fitter, but I’ll take whatever little milestones I can get. My back started having odd twinges yesterday so I thought I’d give Woodstock a day off.

I’m going to a Glory Bound Groove Train rehearsal next week! Praise the Lord! The first week is just to listen and then sing with the group to make sure I’m not rubbish, and then if that seems to work there is a 2 week probationary period to make sure it’s a mutual fit before I’m “officially accepted”. Rehearsals are every Tuesday until the big performance in early December. I am excited.

PS. A welcome to earth is extended to Isaac Len Charpentier who took his sweet ass time but finally arrived yesterday. I have a feeling I may now not get a postcard back from his mother anytime soon. Good job, Kimmy.

Zoom zoom - Mach IV

You know it's going to be a bad driving lesson when you immediately forget which is the brake and which is the accelerator. That's all I have to say about that.

On the positive note, I bought new bike gloves and now I won't get blisters any more!

Also my first pair of Adidas shoes ever. Amazing.

The harbour walks thing is really difficult to be motivated about. Not because the weather isn't perfect, or the scenery beautiful, but because of the tediousness of travelling to and from each start and finish point. We considered doing The Spit to Balmoral today but when faced with the the 70 minute journey just to get there, the idea quickly lost its charm. A 2 hour walk suddenly becomes a whole day out. Nope.

Instead we took our bikes along the canal and did the 'Bay Run' around Iron Cove. Technically it doesn't count as part of Port Jackson but it is attached to the harbour so let's just consider it bonus points.

To summarise...

It’s the 22nd today, so here’s my end of month summary:

#1 – I had an idea (or rather, Bart had an idea) and I was very excited about it for about a week. But nobody called me back, nothing really happened except for a couple of kind people saying they would donate their time to it, but without the 2 major components of a venue to hold the ball and a drawcard to get people there, it sort of fell on its ass. I should have pushed it more. I need to clear my head and start from scratch on it.
#2 – I think I will have to merge the second fundraiser into the other 2 fundraisers. Three fundraisers is just a bit silly.
#3 - I have made a total of 1 person laugh so far. I can’t believe I’m 7 weeks behind. I need to work up a game plan on this.
#4 – I fell off the wagon for a while there, but I am still meditating most days. I need to try and be stricter with this. Also, I have written (or at least, co-written) 2 songs as per the required 1 song per month – different from the songs-about-challenges songs. I will have to post some rough demos of them as proof.
#5 - I have completed the required 2 songs of my 12 songs-about-challenges.
#6 – Haven’t thought about this Bathurst gig since last month. Jason sent me some contacts that I forgot to contact. Gotta get back on it.
#7 – No further progress with the gospel choir. I’m hoping they will get in touch again regarding the Godspell performance. Perhaps it’s time to give them a nudge.
#8 - Heather has confirmed that the children’s hospital is a sufficient challenge. I’ve made some very basic enquiries as to the logistics of such a thing and also what passes for kid’s entertainment these days. My greatest fear is of being in a room full of sick kids who are crying and bored and not finding me funny or joining in at all. Fortunately I know a lot of school teachers that I can milk this kind of information from.
#9 - I haven’t done any more harbour walks which is a bit shameful really. I’m going to endeavour to purchase some “sensible walking shoes” next week.
#10 – I’ve had 3 driving lessons so far with another one booked for Saturday. I’m not sure what’ll happen at the end of the 5 lessons – I guess I just wait until I can afford another 5 lessons…
#11 – We’ve booked flights to Tasmania for February 4th next year. Exciting.
#12 - I bought a book on scrapbooking that funnily enough, I found pretty inspiring. I’ve scanned a bunch of photos and childhood stuff and just need to get myself all crafted up and get going.
#13 – I’ve been sporadically cooking, mostly with something resembling a recipe, but it is all good for my kitchen confidence. I should really start repeating some of the recipes to see if I can do it all on my own.
#14 – No word from the world of television requesting my presence. The extended deadline for The Amazing Race just passed (after we submitted a shonky application) so we’re expecting a call for the next round of auditions any day now…
#15 – Our first horseriding lesson is booked for October 23rd at Glenworth Valley.
#16 – Sydney to Gong bike ride is all organised. All I have to do now is get better at actually cycling.
#17 – No progress on the reunion dinner. Must call Heath.
#18 – No progress on the breakdancing.
#19 – I am about halfway through ‘The Heart is a Lonely Hunter' now. I’m starting to feel like I know the characters and am really enjoying McCullers’ writing style.
#20 – I’ve decided to do a Yeats multi media project rather than join a theatre group. I haven’t actually got further than the decision, but I have some ideas floating about in my head.
#21 – It’s a bit crap that I’ve made no progress on making a video clip in a whole month. I’m going to research camera hire and maybe contact some film students to see if they’ll do us a favour.
#22 – I’ve started learning some covers for my busking challenge. Some songs are immediately pleasing to play. Others are awkward. Once I’ve got a good repertoire under my belt I’ll start planning where to punish passers-by with my so-called talent.
#23 - #29 - I’ve still not heard a word, and these guys are going to forfeit their right to be involved in exactly one month from now.

Serious Folk

Well, our excitement about horseriding was short-lived… looks like we’re not going this weekend after all. Sad face. The scary part is that we don’t have another opportunity for a whole month. Time is a stealthy thing. I must remember to keep an eye on it.

Today is my third day riding to work in a row. Wowee. I used to only be able to ride one day, then take a recovery day before riding again, but Woodstock makes a world of difference with her new comfy springy seat and my butt doesn’t hate me at all any more! Ben mapped out a new route consisting mostly of bike paths, so even though it’s an extra 1.5kms or so, it’s a lot less traffic-heavy and goes through some lovely spots – past Café Bones to see all the precious doggies on their morning play date; over Anzac Bridge with a view of the harbour just as the mist is rising over the city. It’s a shame my head was melting as we crossed it. Bike paths through the suburbs are wonderful; commuter bike paths – while also wonderful in their own way – are traditionally full of commuters. It’s strange, I don’t feel pressure from other cyclists or from cars on quiet streets. But on these streamlined paths, the cyclists are Serious Folk, with lycra and millions of gears. I mean, I'm sure they're nice people, but it ends up having the same effect on me as regular traffic. I start to panic. “I’m slow and I suck… I can’t breathe… They’re judging me…”

Anyway. I’m glad I had Ben with me, and he was, as ever, extremely patient with my huffing and puffing up mediocre hills and getting onto the footpath on scary roads. I had to stop on the bridge and take my helmet off. I felt like there was nothing left but hot water where my head should have been. I felt ashamed.

My crapness scares me, mostly. This morning’s ride was the equivalent of only a mere 9th of the way to Wollongong. I’m trying really hard. Really I am. Don't get me wrong, I'm really pleased to have done that ride this morning. I just hope I get better at it soon.

Of course, of course...

Ben was working on Saturday, so I played all domestic-like and cooked up some pork chops with a rosemary, lemon rind and garlic marinade. I also roasted up some potatoes, parsnips and pear (damn straight), which much to my relief not only cooked right through but also didn’t burn to a crisp and actually tasted pretty good. Win.

Guess what I’m doing on Saturday? Go on, guess.

No, it’s not going to the dentist.

Zoom zoom - Mach III

Things I learnt from driving lesson #3:

1. Marrickville is mental.

2. The clutch doesn't need to go in every single time you use the brake. Wow! This makes pulling into curbs, slowing behind other cars, etc a whole lot easier.

3. Reverse parking: line up your mirror with the car in front. Look for your 45 degree angle marker by aligning something with the end of your wing mirror. Do a full rotation of the wheel. Back up. There was some other stuff but I've forgotten it now. So basically I can do half of a reverse park.

4. Commentating myself is helpful when I would otherwise forget what gear I'm in. "Two to three. Three to four. Four to three. Crap, what gear am I in?" The answer is three.

Apparently I am improving! That's what my instructor says anyway, and is reassuring since I felt pretty downhearted just before the lesson. Best gear changes so far. Only 2 stalls. Too many yellow lights. Busier traffic. More jerks on the road beeping their horns and cutting me off. So this is driving, eh?

Meanwhile, I've got some vegetables roasting in the oven and I don't feel very confident about them. Please be ok, little vegetables. Please be ok.

Sausages

It's nearly the 22nd of the month, and what does that mean, people? It means that I freak out and have to write a song really quickly.

I used to listen to Adam & Joe (but I listened to the podcast, not the live show... etc), who do a radio show on BBC Radio 6 Music and are a little bit hilarious. They have a segment called Songwars, in which they have a week to write a song about a particular subject and then the 2 songs face-off against each other for the listener's votes. Generally the songs are crazy Garageband experiments. I thought this might be a good approach to take onboard for the 'songs about challenges' challenge.

I thought wrong.

This is by far the most ridiculous piece of music I've ever constructed. It's about cooking. Enjoy...

Sausages by duskerdee

Cook 'em up

Fry 'em down

Fry 'em up

Cook 'em down

Cook 'em up

Fry 'em down

Fry 'em up

Cook 'em down

Sausages

Sausages

Sausages

Sausages

You are not brown enough

You are not brown enough

You are not brown enough

You are not brown enough

Request line open

Besides honing my ideas for the Yeats thing, I’ve decided to start learning some songs for my busking challenge. I was walking through the tunnel yesterday and heard 2 guys (I think they were called ‘2 Boys 1 Box’ or something similarly reminiscent of that disturbing web video I wish I’d never watched) doing a cover of… oh crap what was it. I want to say Cut Copy but I always get them confused with The Presets and it is probably neither of them. Crap. Well anyway it was a fun song and they sounded great and it actually made me smile and want to give them money. Unfortunately for them I have many, many minus dollars at the moment, so all I could offer was my happiness that they weren’t that aboriginal guy who only knows 3 chords on the guitar and plays didgeridoo at the same time. That guy drives me nuts.

It hadn’t really occurred to me until then that I didn’t have to learn Oasis songs after all. I can play songs that I like, or other songs that would just be interesting to learn to play.

“Novocaine For The Soul” by The Eels is immediately on my list. And maybe “Hearts A Mess” by Gotye. And something by Blur. And something by The Rapture. And since this challenge came from Kim T, I should probably throw a Whitlams song in there. “No Aphrodisiac”?

I am now taking requests… please leave your suggestions in the comments section and I’ll do my best to add them to my repertoire.

Difficult difficult lemon difficult

Have you seen In The Loop? There’s a bit where one of the MPs says “It’ll be easy-peasy lemon-squeezey”. His advisor looks bewildered for a second before replying: “No it won’t. It’ll be difficult-difficult, lemon-difficult”.

Yes. Well.

I'm in a bit of a rut, I think, but at least I'm in such a place that I can explore my way out of it. I'm getting disheartened easily after I work at something for a while and nothing comes of it. This has happened in a couple of instances so far. The fundraiser is one example, making a video clip for the band is another. I find it really difficult to pick myself up and go "hey, well, don't sweat it. Let's just go at it from another angle and start fresh". Or "Lemme just look over what we've got again, maybe I missed something that will kick start this again". Nup. I just put my tail between my legs and crawl into the Too Hard Basket for an unsatisfying nap. And I sigh the way that dogs do. That sad little "harrumph".

My plan of attack is not so much an attack as a stealth mission. I need a rest from those tasks, so I'm going to write insanely detailed lists of various other more do-able challenges. The trick is to break them down to micromovements that aren't quite so daunting. I think I'm going to start thinking about my Yeats installation.

What constitutes "multi media" exactly? According to Wikipedia, "Multimedia is media and content that uses a combination of different content forms". Fair enough. I guess I'm thinking of that scene in "RENT" (the movie) where Maureen does her performance piece, and all the TVs have her face on them. Oh, you never saw the movie because it was shit? Fair enough. Combine that with Brian from Spaced and you'll sort of get where I'm coming from.

Or maybe something not so extreme as either of those. It depends if I can still remember how to use Flash, I suppose.

I think this has the potential to be great, if not because it is something I can do entirely on my own and in my own time, but because it might help me expand my mind about how to get the video clip back on the rails and get me back out of the basket.

I can count to ten

We're off to the country tomorrow for a long weekend of eating my Mum's food, seeing some pregnant ladies, and hopefully wrestling with some dogs on Tracey's farm. It's a bit of a technology dead zone out there so I will not be posting any blogs until Monday. Don't cry! Here's a picture from the archives of childhood amazingness (in preparation for my scrapbooking adventures) to tide you over:

I got a typewriter for my 5th birthday. Is that weird? I didn't know what was inside the package and I picked it up and immediately dropped it on my knee because it was so fricking heavy. Because it was a typewriter. Given to a 5 year old. Incentally, I did love that typewriter after I got past the bruising. As you can see, it spawned the beginning of an outpouring of literary works - after "i can count to ten" there was also the classic "i love my nanna and poppa", but I don't want to peak too soon by giving too much away here.

There was also a drawing of Rainbow Brite waving an Australian flag (?!) on the other side of the page that you can see there too. MAD SKILLZ!!!

Laterz.

Cycling: a commentary

Sometimes I wonder if I just try to convince myself that I enjoy cycling. Closer to the truth is probably that I just enjoy spending that time with Ben, in whatever form it takes. Hence, cycling on my own is always distinctly less fun. I know the first statement isn’t true: leisurely, scenic cycling is a real joy to me. But the city. Shudder. Oh the city. Here's a blow-by-blow of my morning ride:

8.10am

Grumpy. I was supposed to have left 10 minutes ago and I still have to pack everything from my regular bag into the pannier bag, plus I forgot the map that I printed out for myself yesterday. The kitchen smells like butter and I don’t have any ambulance insurance. Did I pack pain killers? I need to pack pain killers.

8.15ish-am

Ben waves me off happily and I try to shake off an impending sense of doom.

8.20am

The chanting begins: “Down means up and up means down”. I have even more trouble with bike gears than car gears and can never remember how mine work, so I have to instruct myself whenever I’m going up a hill. “Up means down” takes longer than it should to process and my fingers eventually fumble the gear downwards. I try not to flinch when they make the awful crunching noise that means I’ve got it wrong. I swear. Lots.

8.22am

Giant scary roundabout. As this is my first day back on the bike, I don’t even attempt this. I get off and trot over to the footpath. I spot another cyclist turning left down Old Canterbury Rd on the footpath, and this makes me feel like less of a loser.

8.25am

Still waiting at traffic lights. Yawn.

8.30am

Must avoid the horror of Railway Terrace at all costs. Slightly disorientated between Lewisham and Petersham, I cross some roads with awkward self-consciousness, follow a street name I recognise and hope for the best. To my relief this takes me to Petersham Park swimming pool and everything becomes familiar again.

8.32am

I run out of gears trying to get up the hill to Crystal Street. Damn it.

8.35am

Bike paths! Quiet, tree-lined, traffic-free, wonderful bike paths. I heart ye. You make my journey so much less terrifying and stressful.

8.40am

My old hood: Stanmore. I glance at my watch in disbelief. It took me 25 minutes just to get to Stanmore?? Wow, that’s depressing. But at least it’s all familiar territory from here. Please, please get easier.

8.45am

I go up Trade St rather than Bedford St, because Ben says it is easier than Albermarle which has always been my Achilles Heel. I manage that ok but then realise I have to turn onto Albermarle Street anyway, just halfway up. Foiled! Stupid Albermarle Street. I swear some more.

8.47am

Camperdown Park! Puppies! Open space! The world is a nice place again. I see 2 French Bulldogs, and a Schnauzer with a red collar on that I briefly consider putting in my basket before pedalling away furiously. I don’t, though. Then I cross over into Prospect Street, and a lady on a Vespa lets me pass, smiles and says “Nice bike!” Thank God for Newtown.

8.50am

My favourite part of the whole ride is down Campbell Street, along the back of North Newtown Public School. I want to send my non-existent kids to North Newtown Public for no other reason than it is the best street to ride my bike down.

8.51am

Onto King St, down through Darlington, and in the home straight. It’s mostly downhill and I can breathe again.

8.54am

I am scared of the city end of Abercrombie Street, so I move onto the footpath until the traffic moves through. A taxi driver beeps like a moron; I’m not sure if it is at me. I was indicating right so he can just shut up. I mutter some colourful language at him.

8.56am

The new development of ‘Central Park’ looks interesting from here.

8.58am

I’m at the work garage, with 2 minutes to spare. Shame it takes me 10 minutes to get organised afterwards. Lucky I am not one of those people who need to look immaculate before work. I am sweaty and frumpy and my hair is greasy and my face is somewhat beetroot-like. That, I decide, is what I’m working with today, and I’m ok with that.

Eight kilometres isn’t very far, but it is the stopping and starting, combined with my vulnerability for the ascent, that frustrates me. I’ve still got to get home yet, and that generally takes a bit longer because there are more uphills, but at least I don’t have the added pressure of needing to be there before 9am.

So in closing: Yay! I didn’t die! Thank you Woodstock, you chic, overtly-trendy, inner-west bicycle. I know you want flowers and breadsticks in your basket. I know you want me to wear a short sheer dress with black stockings and look nonchalant. But I’m trying to be a bicycle commuter and I’m sorry. Your patience during this transitionary time means the world to me.

My heart, it swells!

I’ve finished Part One of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, and am now emotionally committed to it. John Singer, the main protagonist, is a deaf-mute living alone after his best friend Spiros (also a deaf-mute) is put in an asylum. He seems content, big-hearted, steady. The locals take a shine to his quiet charm and soon he is confidante to a diverse group of townspeople – Mick, the daydreaming adolescent girl who hears music in places where there is none (I like her); Dr Copeland, the negro doctor whose intelligence and ambition has estranged him from his family (he means well but ultimately comes off like a bit of a jerk); Biff, the all-work no-play bar owner who no longer loves his wife; and Jake, the tragic drunkard. The heartbreaking part is that Singer sits in his dignified silence, reading the lips of these characters who can’t find solace anywhere else, and never offers anything back to them of himself. Instead, he leaves without warning to visit his committed friend, takes him gifts, and finally releases all his pent-up thoughts and feelings… and Spiros clearly couldn’t care less. It tore me up, man! What a bitch!

Anyway. I’m onto Part 2 and Mick is currently having a great epiphany about her large awkward father and about to throw a party so she can make friends at high school. She’s wearing a dress and that’s weird. I’m nervous for her.

Our Sydney to Gong ride gear arrived yesterday, which is very exciting. Ben is in the first group and has to leave at 6.30am (sucks to be you in the green bib) but I don’t set off until 8am (yay for white bibs). Ben will probably make it to Wollongong before I even get a chance to contemplate the first steep hill; this puts him in good stead to catch me as I stumble over the finish line in a melee of limbs. I had a photo taken with my number and my shirt on, but I look tragic and remarkably pregnant in it, so instead I will put up this photo of me and Husbandito to celebrate the fact we’ve hit 3 years together today. Let’s hear it, folks: awwwwww.

Be positive

I have a new boss, and she has moved into what used to be my ‘meditation room’ and now I’m feeling a little bit lost. More lost than I should rightly feel. Maybe this meditation malarkey has been having more effect than I give it credit for. I meditated at home yesterday instead, but the juju was all wrong. I could use the first aid room but you never know when somebody might come bursting in with a violent head wound and need the space to bleed everywhere, so I’m reluctant to take up that option.

Feeling defeated about the fundraising ball again. What else is new.

I am still sans 7 challenges and I am wondering what to do about this. I have faith that I may still receive a couple more but others I am not so sure about. And some people I wonder why I continue putting energy into them. I actually changed my mind at the last minute about one of the recipients, adding somebody who should have been on the list from the beginning and for some stupid reason wasn’t there, and taking off somebody who I realised was a complete waste of my time, as usual. I get tired thinking about such things very quickly. To be very curt about it, I did a ‘cull’ of such people in my life a few years ago, and I haven’t regretted it. Sometimes you’ve got to know when to let go, you know? But then I think: there is reward in savouring friendships. Most people mean well. It’s about finding a balance.

Originally when people asked what would happen if I found myself in this situation (not having all challenges returned), I was steadfast: their loss, and more time for me to concentrate on the ones that did arrive. I’m wondering now if there is room for 7 more of them, and there probably isn’t. But that in itself was part of the challenge, right?

Here’s what I’m going to do. Any outstanding postcards on 22nd October 2010 – that’s 3 months after the project started – will have their Challenger Rights forfeited. Maybe I’ll then choose to challenge myself in place of the missing ones. I already have some ideas. They won’t be too difficult or time consuming, more like new year’s resolutions (and probably taken with as much salt, so there is also no pressure to finish them in the same way as the others). Like, I’ve been thinking for a long time, I should really give blood. My blood type is B+. Be positive! How can I not share blood that life affirming!

Anyway, I’ll deal with that in November. I have a lot to do before then.

PS. We finally have a government again! About fricking time! Lead well, Julia... lead well.

Zoom zoom - Mach II

Things I learnt from driving lesson #2:

1. It is definitely easier to see in the daytime.

2. The clutch comes off before the handbrake on a hill start.

3. When parking against the curb, try to line your car up with the one in front of you (sounds obvious, but it had never occurred to me)

It was raining this time, and I'm still driving at what is probably an annoyingly slow pace, and still have no idea where I am most of the time. I'm finding myself checking the mirrors out of necessity rather than because I think I should now; a handy development since before I wasn't really taking in what it was I was seeing. I stalled a lot more times during this lesson than the previous one though, which isn't so reassuring. I now remember the feeling of frustration I used to have when learning to drive - that "why can't I just do it already??" feeling. I'm not quite there yet, but it reminded me that the feeling exists and to probably expect it in the next couple of lessons.

Gears still don't make a lot of sense to me and I think that is my biggest hurdle. I think I can technically drive now, but knowing when to change and getting it done in time is a challenge to me. Funny how just about everyone I know can drive a car, and it's just a thing that people do, and yet I'm still struggling to grasp the concept of gears.

We're going back to the country next weekend so I'll get a chance to bust out the driving chops in a place with wide streets, no traffic lights, no roundabouts, and no hills. Exciting. My parents have an automatic car so it kind of defeats the purpose of me practicing the gears, but it is better than nothing.

Scatterbrained

Hmm, what to write about today. Forefront of my mind just now is the urgency of this Amazing Race application, which Jaimi is coming over to finalise tonight, and it is going to be kick-ass. Also, I have another driving lesson at 9am on Saturday morning – what was I thinking when I booked that? It compromises my Friday night somewhat. No matter, it will force me to actually be awake at a reasonable hour. I bought a $5 book on scrapbooking from the Bargain Basement store yesterday, because it occurred to me that I wasn’t really sure what scrapbooking was. It’s great! I’m actually looking forward to putting my scrapbook together now. It’s nice to have a craft-related challenge. It’ll be like Kindergarten all over again. I’m getting into ‘The Heart is a Lonely Hunter’ and finding myself drawn to the little girl Mick. She’s brilliant. I see myself in her a bit, except without the masses of siblings.

I’d also like to use this cheeky opportunity to cross-promote:

Upcoming Dusker gigs:
Thurs 16th September @ The Wall, Leichhardt
Sun 26th September @ Sly Fox, Enmore

Do the clicky to the website for more details. Sorry this blog was a bit dull but you can’t win ‘em all I guess.

Yap yap yap

So I bought plane tickets to Hobart yesterday, meaning that “Dee’s Mad Bad Dash & Splash” is locked in for the first weekend of February next year. Kat, the harbinger of this challenge, has decreed that Ben is not allowed to come (sorry Ben). This is an adventure for three ladies, and three ladies alone: best friends since leaving their respective regional towns and converging in the university housing of the ‘big city’ back in 2000. In our ten years together, when was the last time we had a road trip, just the three of us? Well, frankly, never. And that’s just ridiculous.

So, we’ll be landing in Tasmania on a Friday morning, travelling to the gloriousness that is sure to be the Dee River, and following it to the wondrous Dee Lagoon. We hope. For all we know, it could be a swamp. Oh, no it’s ok, I just googled it. Apparently a lot of trout fishing goes on there. Sustainable life! High five!

I spoke to Mel on the phone last night and she was all:
“Wow, so we’re really going to Tasmania! It’s actually happening!”
“Of course it’s actually happening,” I said, “Were you not expecting it to?”
“Well… no. You know how we say we’re going to do things, and then they never happen?”
I thought about it. “No. Other people say they’re going to do things, and then they never happen. I actually do things.”

Fortunately, she had to concur this was true. But it was enough to give me steel. I pride myself on the follow through. If my own best friend wasn’t expecting this to come to fruition, does that mean that people aren’t taking me seriously? Because that would kind of explain a few things. I felt resentful. I put my ‘tough little dog’ face on and mentally yapped. I will complete 29 challenges! I WILL! Yap yap yap! Grrrr! Yap yap!

To illustrate this, here is a picture I drew of myself as a tough little dog. I also drew myself as a placid, slightly uncertain dog (above) for the fun of contrast.