7/7 - false advertising

While we were visiting my friend in Buffalo, we decided to go hiking in Zoar Valley. We chose the Deer Lick Preserve trail because it boasted vistas and waterfalls. Jim was excited about being able to lick the deer. He was so amazingly excited that I couldn't get him to listen to me long enough to tell him that probably wouldn't happen.

The hike was pretty. About 5 miles of trails wandering through the woods. We totally missed the vista, and the waterfall (in the picture) was a lot smaller than we were imagining. Jim enjoyed himself, though. He talked about hopping in my friend's sandal and floating down the rapids. He would have, too, if he'd had legs to kick off the rocks with.

Not surprisingly, we didn't see any deer, and especially not any Jim could lick. He was very upset. Grumbled under his breath the whole way home. The only thing I could make out was something about "false advertising."

7/5 - Jim wants his pound of flesh

After the concert, Jim began begging me for more cultural experiences. I hesitated because the only reason why he didn't embarrass me completely that night was because the music was so loud. But, he wore me down. I really do like the little green guy and want him to be happy, despite my complaining.

The perfect cultural opportunity came when I went to visit my friend and former college roommate in Buffalo - Shakespeare in the Park! There is something really magical about watching the Bard's plays performed in the open air, the plot thickening as the sun goes down. Anyway, the play we saw was The Merchant of Venice. Not my favorite, but there were some rather attractive men in the cast, so that helped hold my attention a bit. Definitely not as enthralling as A Midsummer Night's Dream (which is fantastic when watched outdoors!). Thankfully, Jim hadn't seen A Midsummer Night's Dream with me, so the experience was entirely new to him. He was completely enthralled (yay!), laughing when he was supposed to laugh. I think he even shed a tear at one point. After the applause died down and we were walking back to the car, Jim declared the entire experience "super super duper," and that he wanted to do more cultural activities in the near future. And, because I saw that he was capable of behaving properly in public, I was a bit more inclined to entertain that request. Until, of course, he started yelling, "I want my pound of flesh!" out the open windows of the car on the drive home.

Oh, and Jim likes this photo because he thinks it makes him appear mysterious.

7/1 - une petit alien vert

A friend of mine introduced me to this music group, Le Vent du Nord. They're a Quebecoise folk band, and they often have concerts near where I lived in NY. My friend kept telling me stories about her experiences at the concerts, and I really wanted to go to one. Finally, there was a concert I could actually go to (because I planned so far in advance), and I took Jim. I was hesitant to do so, mostly because I just wanted to sit back and enjoy the band without a little green guy bugging me or making an embarrassing scene, but I thought he might enjoy them.

Turns out, I was right. I think he may have enjoyed them as much as I did. Maybe more. He didn't even mind that he couldn't understand a word they were singing. My high school French faild me, as well.

I'm pretty sure Rejean thought I was totally insane, asking him to pose with Jim. Jim wanted pictures with all of the band members, but I couldn't bring myself to ask anyone else.

6/1 - the long wait

My sister came to visit this summer from her home in China, and my parents, Jim, and I went to the airport to pick her up. She was supposed to be flying in at 11, so we got up there early, around 10:30. Then we found out that her flight was delayed, and she didn't end up getting in till 2:30 or something like that.

My parents, Jim, and I ended up spending several hours at Denny's to waste time. My Dad got an awesome mango slush and my mom and I shared an appetizer sampler. Jim didn't eat anything. He said that a restaurant that didn't sell sushi wasn't worthy of his patronage. He was willing (no surprise there) to pose for a picture with my bleary-eyed parents, as long as my Mom promised to hold his hand.

3/30 - Lake Scranton

Jim insisted on a profile shot - said it would make him look pensive. I tried to tell him that this was not his best side, but he would have none of it. He insists that all sides are his best sides. Who can argue with that logic?

Not sure if you can actually see him in this second picture. He's standing on the center pole, waving his arms around like a crazed thing. He tried to tell me that standing on the rock he dragged up there (a rock smaller than my thumbnail) would help. You be the judge. Once again, not gonna argue with the little guy.

This last picture, probably the best of the bunch (mostly because it depicts him behind bars ;) was taken at the other end of the lake. I had to lie down on my belly to get this one, but I think it was worth it. He was cooperative because of the "proper-sized" tree. Never knew he had a thing about objects being the right size for him.

3/23 - Lets Go Pens!

Who knew aliens like hockey? Well, at least one alien I know thinks hockey is super-duper. Maybe it's because he could yell random things at random times and people just thought he was a crazed fan. The only thing he didn't like about hockey was the lack of wasabi at the concession stand. No use explaining that sushi isn't really a hockey food. Oh, and he also didn't like the "seating Nazi" who wouldn't let us return to our seats during play, but I'm trying to block that loud, embarrassing scene from my memory.

3/21 - a sad and fun day

To make a long story short, I acquired a turtle, then found out it was an endangered species and illegal to keep as a pet in the state of PA, so I had to drive it to the Pocono Animal Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Strousburg. A friend took the hour journey with Jim and I to say goodbye to Tuck/Olive. There are no pictures of Olive and Jim because he was afraid of her. He said she had evil in her orange eyes, and he suspected she was planning to chomp off one or both of his antennae as soon as she got the chance. She never would have done that, but I guess it was better that he didn't, because he tends to get attached.

Anyway, so we drove out there and dropped Olive off and said our goodbyes, then decided to make a day of it and did some sightseeing and shopping. In one of the shops, Jim found this cow reading the newspaper. He got really, really excited and started talking a mile a minute and jumping up and down. I feared for the poor cow's safety. When I finally calmed him down enough for me to understand him, I realized all the excitement was about the "proper-sized" newspaper, and in between yelling "Super-duper!" at the top of his lungs (which was super-duper embarrassing) he was begging me to get him a subscription. I said no, that it's only for cows, and that they don't deliver to Scranton. He asked to have a picture with it anyway, and commented later that the rude, newspaper-hogging cow didn't even move over to let him sit down on the "nicely colored and proper-sized park bench." I didn't have the heart to tell him that none of it was real.