We moved to Houston! Sort of …
Like many law firms, Eversheds is encouraging everyone to go back to the office at least a few times a month. The problem is that we don’t have an office in Dallas (yet!) so “popping into the office” means a four hour drive down to Houston.
I spotted these guys on a dog walk near downtown Dallas. Not sure whether these are actually Shetland Sheepdogs or some other mix, but they were cute either way.
Not pictured — Gunter glaring at them from my side.
A dog spa is not something I think about when apartment hunting, but it always turns out to be one of the amenities that I use the most. I love being able to wash and dry the dogs without completely destroying my own bath or clogging the drain for weeks on end.
Ingrid the labradoodle got a bath this past weekend — there’s something strange about Dallas that causes her to smell way worse than when we lived in Washington DC, so I wash her almost on a weekly basis now. (I am not sure if that’s a lot or not).
Ingrid the Labradoodle getting a shower in our Dallas apartment building.
Ingrid the Labradoodle getting a shower in our Dallas apartment building.
Ingrid the Labradoodle getting a shower in our Dallas apartment building.
Ingrid doesn’t mind the water at all, particularly because she always get treats as part of the process. However, drying is another matter — she’s terrified of the dryer and prefers to air dry on a walk. This usually works out until we run across mud patches. Then there’s a risk that the bath process starts over again. 🏃
We’ve had a gallery wall in almost every apartment since our last stint in Dallas, and this time around it is no different.
The latest iteration of the gallery wall has a hodgepodge of new wall art, vintage album covers, diplomas, and even a family photo or two.
The dogs don’t seem to mind it, so I guess it’s a success?
Dallas sidewalks are notoriously bad — either filled with junk, deteriorating, or, filled with plants apparently.
Sidewalks in Oak Lawn in Dallas.
Sidewalks in Oak Lawn in Dallas.
It’s by the far the most pleasant nuisance in the neighborhood. And, not many people walk in this area so it probably doesn’t bother many people.
I recently ran into this adorable French Bulldog puppy at a breakfast spot. As always, the type of person who brings a dog into a food establishment is remarkably consistent.
But this is one was so cute that I didn’t mind this time.
I don’t know if I’d ever want a Frenchie — I think I prefer larger dogs, despite being the current owner of a sassy Chihuahua mix, or perhaps, because of that.
One thing that I did not miss about Dallas is that Texas summer heat.
Gunter the chihuahua is faring way better than Ingrid, my labradoodle, but neither lasts very long if the weekend dog walk starts too late. The Dallas heat is less of a problem during the weekdays however, when I spend most of my time cycling while working.
Fortunately, the low humidity here makes the heat tolerable, but my freshness is still constantly compromised. We are getting a much-appreciated break from the 100-degree days tomorrow thanks to some toss-off storms from Hurricane Laura. It’s strange that it takes a literal hurricane to break this heat wave, but I’ll take it.
The heat and related pit-stains return this weekend though, which is why we are setting our alarms earlier this time around. ⏰
There are plenty of ferocious pitbulls guarding various places in Ivy City. The local convenience store is surrounded by a yard with two particularly aggressive pits that recently charged after my dogs on one of our morning walks.
Gunter (the Chiweenie) held his ground, and they actually became friends of sorts.
The rooftop dog park is one of the best things about my apartment building.
It has been a long summer. Here’s the tea:
Work: It is busy, fun and challenging. I cannot believe that I started as an extern exactly two years ago! It is scary how quickly time passed, and how much has happened since I started. I still feel lucky to have been accepted to Georgetown’s tax law LL.M. program and to have started at one of the top law firms for State and Local Tax.
I remain actively involved with the law center and frequently meet with new tax students. It is a privilege to meet the new crop of talent every year, and even help some of them score interviews with us. I also took on three ongoing pro bono projects involving trans rights, death penalty law, and immigration — and I love that I work in a profession where I learn something new every single day.
One project for the fall is increasing my efficiency and building up my billable hours. I am also a board member of the DC LGBT Bar and the Texas Minority Counsel Program, which should keep me pretty booked and bless throughout the rest of the year.
Ingrid, the labradoodle, is on high-alert during our evening dog walks now. She’s not worried about potential muggers or prowlers, but instead focused on hunting rats.
One unexpected challenge of walking the dogs in Chinatown is the massive rat population in our neighborhood. The parks are filled with rat burrows and the prancing creatures are a big distraction for Ingrid.
I first realized that D.C. has a rat problem one night when we decided to take a shortcut through an alleyway behind several restaurants near Logan Circle. The alleyway was crawling with rodents that were completely unfazed by our presence. The rats darted from corners and swung from trashcans.
It was the wrong type of party to be at.
The dogs are adjusting to life in Washington D.C. pretty well.
Dallas was very dog-friendly in terms of parks and poop-stations, but 100 degree days made it difficult to take anything but brief dog walks after 7 a.m.
Summertime is nigh.
Rising temperatures and tornado outbreaks mean that springtime is almost over in Dallas.
My days are zipping by quickly with extremely early work mornings and a demanding bar prep schedule, but I’m still making time to walk the dogs and hit up the usual gayborhood spots with friends.
Cassie Nova hosting a drag show at S4 nightclub in Dallas.
Gunter and Ingrid on a dog walk in the Perry Heights section of the gayborhood.
Comparing our shoes at an Oak Lawn happy hour.
Gunter, the chiweenie on our balcony one morning.
I’m sitting for the July bar exam here in Dallas, which means that I’m undergoing the bar prep experience that many of my old classmates did years ago.
Back at Thomson Reuters, my positions were J.D.-preferred, so getting licensed was never a priority.
I have a new Texas tax article over at The Dallas Morning News — it’s about a New York tax appeal case involving Match Group CEO Gregory Blatt.
Blatt moved to Dallas from NYC back in 2009 after becoming the CEO of Dallas-based dating site Match.com. Prior to that, he ran the legal department of Match’s parent company, IAC.
We finally made our way back to the tennis courts to wear out Ingrid, our labradoodle, and Apollo, the German shepherd that we recently sponsored.
The enclosed tennis courts in our neighborhood are perfect for letting the dogs run around. The speed of our tennis game usually means that they can’t grab the balls — although there were a few close calls.
Apollo the German shepherd at the Perry Heights tennis courts.
By the end of the game, some of the tennis balls were so soaked in dog drool that it felt like hitting a water balloon. (Those ended up getting thrown out.)
And yes, it was as disgusting as it sounds.
Last week we sponsored a German shepherd named Apollo — he’s available through White Rock Dog Rescue.
The backstory: Apollo was taken in by a woman who found him running loose in her neighborhood. The woman couldn’t find the owner and couldn’t keep him because she travels for a living. So she paid to have him vaccinated/chipped and referred him to the dog rescue.
It was an eventful weekend. Here are the quotes:
I’m sitting in front of Starbucks, waiting on Michael, when a heavily made-up middle-aged woman approaches and riles up the dogs.
Blanche: “Oh how lovely!”
(the dogs completely lose their shit)
Blanche: “Your chihuahua looks like my baby! His name was Steven St. Domingo! He’s dead.”
(she then picks up my dog and lets him lick her face.)
Blanche: “Precious!”
(she looks at me)
Blanche: “Oh! You have such gorgeous eyes! You look like a malamute huskey! … but you must hear that a lot… I have to go to church now and repent for my sins — of which there are many.”
Here’s what I’m talking about today.
1. That fall feeling: Christmas may be next week, but it really feels like fall in Dallas.
The leaves finally turned color, but it’s still warm enough to comfortably do long dog walks before and after work. Although that may change – we are going from a high of 75° on Saturday to a high of 32° on Sunday.
Looks like brunch won’t be on a patio.
2. Dropbox: They had an unfortunate Twitter incident yesterday. On the positive side, their annual “diversity in the workplace” report probably got way more views than last year’s.
White Rock Lake is a massive reservoir about 5 miles outside of downtown Dallas. It is the perfect place for an ambitious morning dog walk. Or so we thought.
The lake was beautiful, but the path was very long.
Fishermen at White Rock Lake (and some lady taking pregnancy photos.)
Turtles chilling on a hot summer weekend
It is around 8 a.m. and I am walking the dogs near the Highland Park Whole Foods.
I come across an older woman in a track suit.
Blanche Devereaux: “Are those your dogs?”
Me (Taking off my headphones): “Pardon me?”
Blanche : “The dogs. Are they yours?”
Me: “Um, yes…”
Blanche: “Well they are just lovely! Have a good morning walk.”
Blanche then gets into a waiting town car.
Later that day, I tell one of my neighbors about the encounter, and she is horrified.
Jill: “That’s terrible!”
Me: “Why? She was perfectly nice, I just thought it was an odd question…”
Jill: “You know that’s a microaggression, right? She thought you were a dog walker!”
Me: “That’s hilarious, and strangely appropriate for the neighborhood.”