All week my office has smelled like dog crap. Consequently, all week I’ve been walking around trying to figure out where the hell it’s coming from. You know that passive thinking that you do while actually busy doing something else, like “*type type type* Man what the F is that smell?! Oh crap another email *type type type* Is that dog crap?”. The entire first day and a half I was convinced it was me. Secretly I was stealing glances at my shoes, pant legs, bags, etc. to check. I confess to even having considered that I somehow shat myself and didn’t know it.

Next I became convinced it was the student worker across the way. “Hey, I know she just got a puppy, ergo it must be her! Be gone, student worker with foul smelling dog!” But it was still there even with her gone.

My final conclusion was that someone had rather unfortunately crapped in a trashcan and been so ashamed that they had hidden it. What’s worse is that no one else was complaining (as everyone usually does when anything in an office is slightly off-norm). That is precisely why I was scared it was coming from me. No one wanted to tell me.

1. Connoiseur - This little app for Mac users is great! It combines the functionality and ease of the iTunes interface with the cumbersome task of organizing recipes. There’s a display mode (for when you cook), it will create shopping lists for you automatically and it will even read you the directions! Pure genius.
2. Dewalt’s 18v Angled Finishing Nailer - What I would give to own this thing. No, it’s not a pneumatic, but as someone who already has a ton of 18v cordless tools, the portability of this little guy would be outstanding. I could finally be able to do the crown molding, new baseboards and doorways in the house. But it’s $300. Le sigh…
3. Martians Descend on Sesame Street - Ah childhood memories. This is one of the stronger memories of SS I have from being younger. And I’m not sure if I appreciated it as much then, but the cow part of this video clip (and the final reveal) are just hilarious. Yip yip yip.
4. Pumpkin pie - A week late on this one, but I realized over the past 7 days that I *really* love pumpkin pie. As in “I could eat it every day” love. My mom makes a killer double layer pumpkin pie (that I dearly missed this Thanksgiving), but even the regular ol’ stuff will do just fine, thank you. Damn it, now I’m hungry…
5. Nintendo’s Wii - OK, taking the final spot this week is something that I never thought I’d say after the age of nine: I want a video game console. Specifically a Wii. There are tons of video clips out there of people using the wireless, motion-sensing controllers for bowling, boxing, tennis, etc. But the fact that Nintendo specifically let Microsoft (XBOX360) and Sony (PS3) go for the graphics gusto, while quietly taking the cake for putting enjoyment back in gaming…that makes me smile. The New York Times has a decent review.

As it turns out, the secretary had put a cheese wheel out for everyone on her desk around the corner. And as I attempted to ask her a question Thursday afternoon, my eyes (and nose) began to burn with the choking stench of dog crap again. I must have been terribly rude, asking her about courier services while staring mouth agape at her cheese.

I love me some cheese, but that stuff stank to high hell. But at least I didn’t crap myself and not realize it, eh?