My Dogs Come First

Third time is a charm - I hope

2008-10-10T01:52:00.001-04:00

Three gone in less than 12 months is enough - I hope.

Tory, Uitlander’s Raptor von Tem BH TT CGC CI TDI was given his ticket to the bridge today… and at 4:15 p.m. if you had looked at the sky, you might have seen his spirit lift, running along the rainbow after the rain.

Feb. 2 1996 to 9 Oct. 2008. At 12 years, eight months and seven days, he was my first show dog, my first schutzhund dog, my first male heartdog. He is survived here by his half-brother, Vain and his half-sister’s son, Sully.

He was a ‘I beat the odds’ malignant cancer survivor and a dog that had gold bead therapy from the age of 2 by the originator of the procedure, Dr. Terry Durkes.

Tory was officially bred by Joe Rocco, but purchased from Liz Bauer Crawley. Despite his dysplasia, he was handled to his BH by Steve Beal and went to the USRC Nationals as his helper tryout dog. Tory loved the game, and one of my fondest memories is of the times I watched him take the over 6 foot Beal down to the ground on a hit; he was a large, very powerful dog. He enjoyed showing off. Roland Siebel was very impressed when he demonstrated his obedience skills. But the best was when the very old lady in the wheelchair accidentally ran over his foot during his TDI and he yelped… the world stopped and you could see he was embarrassed as everyone froze to see what he would do. What he did was look to me for a cookie. Which he got. He was a good dog.

They don't live long enough and we couldn’t beat time any longer. Between the HD catching up to him, the Horner's syndrome that raised it’s ugly head and probably other things lurking in the wing it became evident Monday that I needed to make a decision and he let me know today in his own way that was what he needed. When they ask to be released all you can do is do it.

I have to remember that he is pain-free now and I am sure, happily racing with his women: Elba, Happy and Pris. I miss them all.

Hug your dogs, they leave too soon

2008-08-19T13:30:00.002-04:00

She was a throwaway. No one wanted her.

The first time I got the bug to go to visit Animal Services was in July 2001 because of a puppy with rott coloring that they had on their Webcam. I looked at him and then I saw her... She had been left tied to the old Animal Services building - July - Florida - no water. Some passerby called Animal Services and she got there 40 minutes before I arrived. They thought she was a male... I thought she was gorgeous.

I went back the next day to see her on my lunch break and found her to be starved and starved for attention. I guessed then that she was about a year old - recently whelped and if looks can tell - extremely well bred with a breeder-cut tail. I put my name on the list to take her. I was the only one. I named her Pris after the Daryl Hanna character in Blade Runner. It fit.

I got her to be a replacement for Elba and Elba seemed to know that, accepted her as a confidant and tolerated her playfulness - but hung in to make her wait six years and then I made her wait another eight months until I felt I was ready to have another bed dog. Mid July she got promoted.

She got demoted last week because she went off on me, screaming and air snapping as I tried to shoo her off the bed. It was so extreme I went into shock. Then I thought about it and wondered about an on and off iffy limp. I made an appointment to get her into the vet but a few days later because I thought perhaps she had slept wrong and pinched a nerve and would come out of it... Deramaxx took the ouch off. Tweaking muscles happens as you get older. But it didn't get better.

She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma Friday... the X-rays showed the cancer was chewing away at her tibia... The vet said that perhaps she had a greenstick fracture, but it didn't seem to be causing more than discomfort which we could control with drugs until I decided it was time.

I almost sent her on then, but I decided to be selfish and take her home armed with drugs to pamper her as the bed girl she wanted to be - we had a week, I thought.

That changed as I watched the bones in her leg move in an unnatural manner the next day as she was checking out the field and I knew that her tibia had broken. Seeing that and knowing that there is a tropical storm/hurricane on the way and not wanting her to be confined in a VariKennel 500 crate at the kennel under the stress of being separated from me... today I sent her to join my pack at the bridge.

She is the only dog that I have met that would jump up and put her paws on your chest but never put her weight on you. She danced :) We danced often... Someday we will dance again.

My gorgeous rescue, Uitlander's Black Silk Dolly, is gone. I miss her already.

Time to upgrade...

2008-05-29T00:38:00.000-04:00

I did it. Finally! Took me three years but I finally decided to quit with the mac mini and ordered a new MacBook Pro... Can't wait, it's due in Thursday :)
I've already listed one of the mini's on eBay and it's ticking right along. I have two: The intel one that I was going to convert to and the PowerPC one that I was going to sell. That one will go after I've moved everything on to the MBP - and I'll keep my PowerBook as backup.

Nepal arrests 500 Tibetan protestors

2008-04-17T23:43:00.006-04:00

It is no secret that Nepal subscribes to the One-China theory - it's like living within reach of the joke: "What do you feed a 900 pound gorilla? Anything it wants!"

With China acting the thug, not much Nepal can do, they have caved before. The Office of Dalai Lama's Representative in Nepal and the Tibetan Refugee Welfare Office were ordered closed "since they were functioning without being registered with the government" in 2005.

What are 500 protestors to that?

China closes border between Nepal and Tibet

2008-04-17T22:32:00.008-04:00

The Associated Press is saying that the Chinese have closed the border between Nepal and Tibet and are acting the thug on Nepalese soil.

From what the article says it is felt that China might exert pressure Nepal to crack down on some of the 20,000 estimated Tibetan exiles who do not have legal status in Nepal.

Doesn't look like it's going to get any better anytime soon.

Let's do it again!

2008-03-26T00:16:00.014-04:00

In 1980, I was tickled that the summer olympics were going to be held in Moscow. I was in Germany at the time, U.S. Army with a Top Secret and higher clearance and an interesting occupation which I discovered would prevent me from attending. I was bummed.

And then, it didn't matter. The U.S. boycotted, along with more than 50 other countries because of the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Now, according to the Australian Herald Sun, more than 130 have been killed in two weeks of protest in Tibet. It says that China has called for the world to unite in opposition to any campaigns linking the Games to Tibet or any other political issue. Right.

So I find it funny that this comes to a head on 10 March: The 49th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising, a date when an anti-Chinese and anti-Communist popular revolt erupted in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet and the Dalai Lama fled to exile in India.

But even earlier this year, on 12 February, Steven Spielberg made a statement to the press as to why he pulled out as one of the artistic advisors to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games. Props to him.

Now on the world front, some say [read Fiji] that this is an internal matter for the Chinese government to deal with. China is also known to have a policy of non-interference with other countries' internal affairs. But look what they're doing in Darfur...

Sux to be China. The world is watching and the Olympics is only a few months away. Best to get your human rights hats on... Nah. That'll never happen.

Boycott. Let's do it again.

Oh. This opinion bit by Andrew Bolt of the Herald Sun is brilliant. Almost makes me agree... Nah.

Boycott the 2008 Olympics

2008-03-22T17:41:00.002-04:00

I have a friend in India and while a coworker was waltzing through Bangkok on vacay, I was looking up information on travel requirements to India, Thailand and Tibet. Then Tibet blew up the next Monday and China is now threatening the "shattering of the conspiracy and sabotaging activities of the 'Tibet independence' forces."

I say raise the cry of "Free Tibet" and the free countries of the world should boycott the Beijing Olympics. CNN has a good article here

Lovely sentiment for St. Patrick's day...

2008-03-14T18:49:00.002-04:00

Any day for that matter!

The glass is not half empty. The glass is not half full. You just need to add ice. - Anonymous.

Sick pets?

2008-03-14T18:16:00.010-04:00

On one of the e-mail lists I belong to, someone alerted us to this Web link: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/nutro.html.
It seems there are issues with the brand Nutro that have people writing and complaining to the consumer affairs Web site. These are new issues - not linked back to the 2007 dog food recall. These also are DRY DOG FOOD issues - not canned.
If you feed this dog food and feel that recently there is something not right with your pet's world - be sure to check this link out.

Tags: dry dog food, pet food recall, sick pets and consumer affairs

2008-02-27T18:03:00.000-05:00

"Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave
yourself and never mind the rest."

Beatrix Potter
1866-1943, Author and Illustrator

Silence is a sin

2008-02-21T23:39:00.000-05:00

"To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men." ~Abraham
Lincoln

Liberty and justice for all...

2008-02-09T23:19:00.000-05:00

"Trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty." John Adams 1772

Blackberry Curve 8320 blogging testdrive...

2008-02-08T22:13:00.000-05:00

Too cool! I had no idea that (1) I could do this with my BB, and (2) that it would be so EASY. Whee!

Thanks go to Trent Vanegas of Pink is the New Blog for making me see that it IS possible.

Photo for 7 February 2008

2008-02-07T10:11:00.000-05:00

This has been a very long week and I feel like an ear infection is coming on... blech. Guess a run to the doctor is in order this morning.
This is the best photo I have ever gotten of Pris [sometimes called Martha Steward when she rearranges MY world]. She was in 'intruder alert detection' mode when I caught this. She has gotten more protective since Elba passed in a move to prove she deserves that job. So far, I have resisted making a decision as to who gets elevated to the divan.

Tags: Rottweiler, photo of the day, rescue

Musings and photo for today...

2008-02-06T00:22:00.000-05:00

Very long day at work with the promise of another very long day tomorrow. I wish I could retire... no WAIT! I already did that and look where it got me: In harness again. I really do enjoy it, though.

This cardinal was watching as I had repairs done to my well. It blew a gasket and so I was having it replaced. A simple enough repair that costs about a dollar a minute. This guy stood out like a sore thumb and I went inside to get my camera. Still there when I got back, he was chillin' no cats were in sight and he wasn't excited enough to toss up his crest.
A vibrant spot of color in a drab winter burned landscape.

Tags: photo of the day

Here's another thought in the owner vs. guardian conversation...

2008-02-05T00:30:00.000-05:00

I read this earlier today when I was at work and researching quotes for something I'm working on. Consider this opinion of a Founding Father:

"The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. Property must be sacred or liberty cannot exist." - John Adams.

Of course, he doesn't start or end there, but like everyone else I take what applies to my moment in time :)

Interestingly enough, the quote comes from "The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States" written by his grandson, Charles Francis Adams which has been digitized by those wonderful folks at Google and can be found by clicking >here<.

Tags: pet guardian, pet owner

Guardian vs. ownership

2008-02-02T13:31:00.000-05:00

I belong to a group of dog owners who are active in legislation. I was asked today to put together a few lines on my feelings toward the coming skirmish of words in the proposed adoption of the term guardian vs. owner.

This is where I stand.

I paid for my dogs… I own them. As personal property, I am responsible for their care and protection from the moment I bought them until the day they die.

In the eyes of the law, it doesn’t matter that I love them as family… I am their owner and responsible for their actions.

Ownership as a term indicates legal possession; by definition ownership is a state or fact of an exclusive possession or control of property.

Guardian is a term that refers to an individual that has appointed custodial, temporary care. I don’t believe the 12 to 14 years in the life of a pet family member qualifies as "temporary."

Rights by law

An owner, by law, is responsible for their property. A guardian on the other hand has limited rights of possession that may be temporary when compared to the rights of an owner.

An individual who owns property has rights under the U.S. Constitution not to be deprived of said property without Due Process… which can require more proof to remove property, in this case an animal, than from a guardian.

Easy come - easy go

A guardian can, for all intents and purposes, be quickly appointed - and - just as easily removed from guardian status by a judge without a hearing or trial. If someone does not feel that the guardian is doing their job, they may be removed.

Once the guardian is gone, theoretically the animal reverts to the state control. It is my opinion that in a situation where there are no owners, only guardians, there will be such a flood of animals that the contested animals will be euthanized. How can that be to the best interest of the animal?

Third party complaints

As in EEO complaints, a third person who witnesses an event or situation can become involved without being directly associated. Any person or entity can petition a judge or court to remove a guardian. By law, an owner cannot be so removed.

An owner who has had property confiscated, is entitled by law to participate in and oppose legal proceedings. By law he is entitled to know the evidence against him and is entitled to present a defense.

Not so with a guardian.

And that is why I own my dogs and will be responsible for their care and protection until the day they die.

Tags: pet guardian, pet owner

Tubby Turned Twelve Today :)

2008-02-02T13:25:00.000-05:00

The birthday boy turned 12-years-old today.

Tags: Rottweilers, senior dogs

My Queen is Dead, Long Live The Queen

2007-11-19T13:15:00.001-05:00

Elba von Hussar June 30 1994 to Nov 19 2007

My heart has joined the thousand for my friend stopped running today.

Elba von Hussar AD TT CGC was granted access to the rainbow bridge and all the fields and friends in it at 11:45 a.m. today. At 13 years four months and 20 days she was my first Rottweiler.

Not for her the doctor's cold floor, she was allowed dignity and comfort in the back of her own van, propped on comforters and quilts.... With a snack for the road provided by her biggest fan.

It was time, but my God, my heart is broken.

It must be a full moon - no, wait, that was Feb. 2...

2007-02-07T22:09:00.001-05:00

Another priceless, unknown author piece. Did you write it? E-mail me and I'll give you credit.

Please help!! After two long years of being on a waiting list for an agility dog, we have been notified by the breeder that, at long last, our number has come up and ... WE ARE HAVING A PUPPY!!

We must get rid of our children IMMEDIATELY because we just know how time consuming our new little puppy is going to be and it just wouldn't be fair to the children. Since our little puppy will be arriving on Monday we MUST place the children into rescue this weekend.

They are described as:

One male - His name is Tommy, Caucasian (English/Irish mix), light blond hair, blue eyes. Four years old. Excellent disposition. He doesn't bite. Temperament tested. Does have problems with peeing directly in the toilet. Has had Chicken Pox and is current on all shots. Tonsils have already been removed. Tommy eats everything, is very clean, house trained & gets along well with others. Does not run with scissors and with a little training he should be able to read soon.

One female - her name is Lexie, Caucasian (English/Irish mix), strawberry blonde hair, green eyes, quite freckled. Two years old. Can be surly at times. Almost non-biter (may be protective of her toys), thumb sucker. Has been temperament tested but needs a little attitude adjusting occasionally. She is current on all shots, tonsils out, is very healthy, and can be affectionate. Gets along well with other little girls & little boys but does not like to share her toys and would therefore do best in a one-child household. She is a very quick learner and is currently working on her house training - shouldn't take long at all.

We really do LOVE our children so much and want to do what's right for them; that is why we contacted a rescue group. But we simply can no longer keep them. Also, we are afraid that they may hurt our new puppy.

I hope you understand that ours is a UNIQUE situation and we have a real emergency here!! They MUST be placed in rescue by Sunday night at the latest, or we will be forced to drop them off at the orphanage or along some dark, country road. That would break our heart, but our priority now has to be our new puppy.

Tags: rescue, adoption

Substitute "Pit Bull" with whatever dog breed you own before you watch this.

2007-02-07T11:24:00.000-05:00

Dedicated to the Denver 38

Tags: Denver 38, Breed Specific Legislation, BSL

And now for something completely different...

2007-02-07T00:07:00.002-05:00

I received this in a e-mail from a friend today and it's too good to keep to myself. No idea of who the author is. Is it you? E-mail me and I'll give you credit. :)

I was in Wal-Mart buying a large bag of Purina for Lola [my dog] and was standing in the check out line. A woman behind me asked if I had a dog.

I was feeling a bit crabby so on impulse, I told her no, I was starting the Purina Diet again, although I probably shouldn't because the last time I tried it I ended up in the hospital, but that I had lost 50 pounds before I awakened in the intensive care unit with tubes coming out of almost everywhere and IV's in both arms.

Her eyes about bugged out of her head.

I went on and on with the bogus diet story and she was totally buying it. I told her that it was an easy, inexpensive diet and that the way it works is to just load your pockets or purse with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The package says the food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again.

I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was by now enthralled with my story, particularly a tall guy behind her.

Horrified, she asked if I thought something in the dog food had poisoned me and was that why I ended up in the hospital.

I said no. I was sitting in the road licking my butt when a car hit me.

I thought the tall guy was going to have to be carried out the door.

Tags: dogs, diet, dog food diet, humor

And now for a little action against breed specific legislation

2007-02-06T22:56:00.000-05:00

If you own a dog - you need to be aware of Breed Specific Legislation and what it means to you. For your consideration:

Joint Initiative: Between The Doberman Pinscher Club of America and The American Rottweiler Club presents Operation: Doolittle's Raid

The Legislative Committees of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America (DPCA) and The American Rottweiler Club (ARC) have recognized what every member of the purebred dog fancy has noticed over the past several years. With increasing frequency, legislative bodies in our cities, counties, and states throughout this country have seemingly become hostile to the interests of purebred dog lovers in the United States. Indeed, the passage of the egregious anti-dog legislation in Louisville, Kentucky within the past several weeks has raised the stakes substantially for us.

Anti-breeder legislation is picking up steam. It is in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It has been introduced in the state of Indiana. It is metastasizing throughout the country. We cannot merely fight a defensive struggle and expect that our interests will be preserved. All too often, our members have been faced with struggles on another front. Liability and homeowners insurance companies increasingly refuse to insure, or even cancel, those of us who own purebred dogs despite the responsibility that we take in raising and housing our loving members of our families, and regardless of the fact that our dogs have never had an incident resulting in any claim being filed with our insurance carriers.

DPCA and ARC know this. The American Kennel Club knows this. The AKC Legislative Department does an outstanding job in working with all of us in very difficult circumstances. The problem of fighting against anti-dog legislation in every state and every city cannot be solved at the national level. AKC can only do so much. It is up to each of us to step forward at this time.

People ask: "what can I do?" They see anti-dog legislation everywhere they turn.

They hear stories of insurance companies canceling policies, forcing their friends and family to make choices. Do I give up my dogs? Do I move somewhere where I may be left alone?

These are choices none of us should have to make.

Now is the time for us to go on offense.

Now is the time for us to take the lead.

Now is the time to advance our cause rather than to wait for the next anti-dog bill to threaten us.

DPCA and ARC have launched Operation: Doolittle's Raid. In Washington state, HB 1105 has again been introduced in the Washington House of Representatives. This bill, the "Deeds Not the Breeds Bill", twice passed the House of Representatives. In 2005, the bill made it through the House and received a hearing in the Senate Financial Institutions, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee. We ran out of time in that session.

Now, the "Deeds Not the Breeds Bill" is moving again. On Thursday, February 1, 2007, HB 1105 passed out of the House Insurance Committee. The prime sponsor of HB 1105 is Representative Tom Campbell who is the Chair of the House Committee on Environmental Health.

HB 1105 is very simple. It is one paragraph long. It simply prevents insurance carriers from refusing to insure or canceling the insurance of any homeowner based upon the breed of dog he or she owns. Its simplicity is transferable to other states.

The DPCA and ARC have committed in Operation Doolittle's Raid to persuade legislators in 20 states to introduce HB 1105 during the month of February. We will strike in 20 states simultaneously. For once, we will be on offense. For once, we will make insurance carriers have to defend themselves on multiple fronts. For once, we will control the agenda instead of the agenda controlling us.

Now is the time. For those who have asked what you can do, we have an answer.

Call your state legislator. Meet with him or her at his or her office. Invite him or her to your local shows as a "Distinguished Awards Presenter" to present the Group or Best in Show trophies. Provide him or her with a copy of the "Deeds Not the Breeds Bill", which is the purpose of our initiative which we have titled Operation: Doolittle's Raid. Ask him or her to introduce the bill immediately.

Here is a link to the bill: http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2007-08/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1105.pdf.

Lastly, once the bill is introduced in your state legislature, we need to know so that we can assist you to publicize that the bill has been introduced in your state. We are now in the process of populating the DPCA LobbyNow Tool with Talking Points to use in the battle that is to come. Our Doolittle's Raid, like the original, is designed to be a daring move intended to shock our adversaries. The DPCA and the ARC need the help of committed purebred dog fanciers throughout the United States, in many different breeds, to launch this initiative successfully.

Cordially,

Jeffrey P. Helsdon
Legislative Director
Doberman Pinscher Club Of America
JURISDOBES@aol.com

Jan Cooper
Legislative Director
American Rottweiler Club
jan4rott@rott-n-chatter.com

Posted with permission ;)

Tags: Rottweilers, Breed Specific Legislation, BSL

Update on simple things...

2007-02-05T12:07:00.000-05:00

I am still a non-smoker, I think it's been a year and 5 months...

I decided in mid December to do something about my post-smoking weight gain and enrolled in LA Weight Loss. I'm not going the route with having to purchase and eat their bars so it's a slow and steady loss. That's an interesting situation in itself. . .

With the diet alone, I am now officially NOT overweight as I have dropped into the 150s.

Not to be complacent, I have 15 more pounds to loose to reach to my goal, so to complement the diet, I joined Contours Express and have been ripping off the padding from the outside while the diet takes care of the inside :)

Every little bit helps.

Tory and Pig Boy

2007-02-05T11:51:00.000-05:00

Tory is so proud of himself he could just spit.

He turned 11 years old Friday, Feb. 2 and has still got it! :)

At about 12:40 a.m. Monday [today] I heard someone outside the house, and it sounded like someone was trying to break into the van. Not metallic noises... muffled ones. Thumps and sounds of movement.

I grabbed my cell phone, put a collar on Tory and sent him out the door with me right behind him.

Tory interrupted a wild boar, bigger than he is [and he's 27 inches at the shoulder and 120 pounds]!

Pig Boy obviously wasn't breaking into the van but doing something that made enough noise that I responded.

He took off and Tory followed but stopped when I called him back. He wasn't sure what the hell that was but wanted to find out.

Gotta say, I've been wondering what has been rooting around in the yard but I thought it was armadillos....

Merry Christmas

2006-12-25T21:17:00.000-05:00

We are fine, the dogs are still here - Elba is officially 12.5 years old next Sunday! The cat that came in from the cold is still here, getting to be a big boy - can't really call him a Tom because he's missing the requisite equipment. Guess that would make him a Harry cat. Piggles the cockatoo is still fine... and I've been quit from smoking over 15 months.

More later... time to go finish working on a Christmas project.

Hurricane season continues

2006-08-30T16:09:00.001-04:00

Boo. This morning I woke up to no Interet access - but by the time I finally got in to the phone number to bitch, it was back up. I unplug my modem and wireless when the computer is off after having the first router I ever hooked up toasted by a storm. Toasted the WAN side of the modem, too. So it wasn't on my end.

Anyway, this had been a tense few days leading up to a grand fizzle.

Don't get me wrong, I love fizzles like this.

Gotta admit, a bit of light rain beats a hurricane - of any catagory - any day. Doppler graphic is courtesy of www.tbo.com and pretty much shows just how this system has come and gone. It has now been reduced to a tropical depression and there is very little orange or red intensity in the rain bands. I've heard no thunder... just light rain.

Nice.

I take that back... ver light thunder in the distance - but it's [knocking on wood] not the red or magenta kind.

Tags: hurricanes, tropical storm Ernesto

Elba and the Alarm Clock

2006-08-21T11:02:00.000-04:00

Elba and the Alarm Clock
Originally uploaded by newsgrrl.

Finally have photos of all the dogs up. Elba is in the background and Vain, known as the house Alarm Clock and conscience, is pictured to the front. Vain is 9 years old and is Tory's half brother... they share the same sire.

Vain is the dog that started me in carting. He has two titles in carting and took third in his first trial at the 2002 American Rottweiler Club Nationals in his division - first time off the property in a cart.

Payback for siblings is everything... Tory was put in harness for three training periods and he went with Vain to Miami to compete in carting trial, both were shown off-lead. Tory beat Vain by seconds and took first place to Vain's second.

Sweet.

Tags: dogs, Rottweilers and senior dogs

Semi-svelt and semi-content

2006-08-20T22:09:00.000-04:00

I was at lunch with my sister and a friend today. The friend is sehr petite and going to Weight Watchers. My sister is getting ready to do something in regards to weight reduction and me? I'm keeping my diet below 1,300 calories at max - mostly trying to stay below 1,000 and debating starting with a real program. I need to say that I am not overweight for my height... but I weigh more than I want to.

One of the nice things about alot of places is that most have Web sites and most of those have nutrition listings available for what they serve. So it helps you to know that that regular DQ Mocha Moo you've decided to have in order to pacify your dark side is more than half your caloric allotment for the day ringing in at 590 calories. Hey, at least I'm looking.

Eating at Mimi's with an iced tea and a Thai Chicken wrap was within my range... I guess. Unlike most - Mimi's only offers caloric information on it's lifestyle fare. BFD. Anyway, sitting there regaling in the flavor I realized that tomorrow it will be 11 months since I quit smoking. Go me!

I wish I could 'undo the velcro and toss out the padding.' I gained the requisite 20 pounds and have been able to shake off 7. I need go back to Curves, I've not been there in about a month. Not that Curves does it all... but it does keep me active until I can get it together to start running or biking.

One of the things I do to keep me grounded - I keep a food journal which keeps me honest and is such a pain in the ass. I don't even try to record the caloric amounts anymore to the things that are 'questionable' - I just highlight them to let me know I know what I'm doing, and I also read the diet-blog.

Tags: diet, nutritional information and quit smoking

Blog cleaning...

2006-08-19T21:21:00.002-04:00

Blog cleaning. Kind of like housecleaning I suppose.
I made some changes to the right side of the blog... I got rid of some blogs that have changed in quality since I put them up last year. There are some blogs I don't read anymore - Wonkette, for example lost it's cachet when Cox left [she took it with her] so her personal blog is listed instead. I listed CNN 360 even though it gives me a headache having to sort through the different correspondents writing.

Serious. Trouble.

2006-08-19T19:03:00.000-04:00

Trouble
Originally uploaded by newsgrrl.

Priss [front] is the house security service and takes her job seriously. She'll sound off at loud radios pausing to turn. Treefrogs with deep voices. Things that go bump in the night. She's a serious girl who was taken by her "loving family" and tied to a tree in front of Animal Services. Problem was, Animal Services had moved to another building.
She had no water and it was a sunny July day in Florida.
I just happened to be in Animal Services looking at a puppy 40 minutes after she arrived. It took me one look to decide that I'd take her. She's been with us ever since. Behind her is Tory. I love her askance look... it is so "her."

Tags: dogs, Rottweilers and senior dogs

The undisputed King

2006-08-19T18:55:00.000-04:00

The undisputed King
Originally uploaded by newsgrrl.

There is a portion of the property that I haven't been able to mow yet with all the rain. The dogs go and roll in it... This is Tory, senior male of the household.

Tags: dogs, Rottweilers and senior dogs

So, like we are back

2006-08-19T17:05:00.000-04:00

Didn't make it back on at the beginning of the storm season, but better late than never. Hopefully it will remain dry which will lead to a calm year. Even if we are getting ready to enter the blender season of September.

Several changes here... It was becoming such an issue to get online with my Dell PC that blogging was becoming painful. So. . . finally gave up at the end of June and bought a mac mini [via eBay] that's running OS X Tiger. Then I bought an Apple Airport wireless base station... Then picked up a new 19 inch monitor. Then got my iBook up on Panther... loaded GarageSale on both and we be jammin' now. I have serious space issues that can be remedied by selling stuff I no longer use.want.need on eBay. Go me.

Next thing is to get the iBook ramped up on memory and convert it to Tiger.

With the personal conversion to mac... and the difficulty of getting to photos on my Sony Mavica CD200, I decided to buy a Nikon Coolpix L4 that was on sale at the big W... It has only 4 megapixels, but on the Web, even 2.1 was perfect so this is just what the doctor ordered. The Sony does everything that the Nikon doesn't so it's not going anywhere...

The Nikon is the camera it have used to capture the dogs - and will ease the way to get photos for eBay. There is a method to the madness.

Tags: Nikon Coolpix L4, Apple Airport wireless base and Apple Mac mini

The Queen

2006-08-19T16:51:00.000-04:00

The Queen
Originally uploaded by newsgrrl.

The old broad, Elba turned 12-years-old in June. Still hangin' in there... Twelve is old for a rotty.

Tags: dogs, Rottweilers and senior dogs

Clown prince

2006-08-19T16:50:00.000-04:00

Clown prince
Originally uploaded by newsgrrl.

Sully has just turned three. His mother is Tory's half-sister. Same dam, different sire.

It's always something...

2005-12-23T11:54:00.000-05:00

Toys. Last week I scared myself thinking that this laptop had rolled over and was seriously dead. Funny how when you hook it to the power cord it wakes up. Duh.

This week however, my palm Tungsten C rolled over and is showing it's not too sexy underbelly material. Wednesday night I played a game on it prior to going to bed. It got placed under a pillow the bed that just got it's annual winter application of feathers - feather bed! and down blanket! - so it was warm and cozy and got forgotten the next morning so it didn't get to go into work with me. When I got home and turned it on... nasty screen. I reset it. Nasty Tartan-Plaid Screen. Turned off, the screen looks like it's bleeding from the base... like it got struck by something, which it didn't. So, considering it's cost, it's going to get shipped off to Palm for repair.

SNL Narnia rap

2005-12-20T00:45:00.000-05:00

Too funny. I still haven't gotten out to see it or anything else. Maybe in the next two weekends since they will both be 4 day'rs.

Narnia

Elba von Hussar AD TT CGC

2005-12-19T12:12:00.000-05:00

The Queen
Originally uploaded by newsgrrl.

Taken right after her morning roll in the grass and before coming on to the puppy of the house, Elba chills out, right at the edge of the tall grass where the 'raptor' roams [Liam].

I will be taking more pictures of her this year... she is healthy but you never know.

Tags: dogs, Rottweilers and senior dogs

We like "winter" here

2005-12-19T11:20:00.001-05:00

Shall we dance?
Originally uploaded by newsgrrl.

Sully [mit tail] and Elba romp it up in the cooler weather today.

I like it cooler. Further south, while it doesn't get into the freezing temperatures, it also doesn't have what I call trees in areas that are still wild - the old grandfather oaks - nor does it have temperate summers. It doesn't have hills, but it does have sky. That's a tradeoff with not having trees.

While I miss snow - it's only for the first view, more than that is problematic.

Elba has become arthritic in her rear feet... and while it is entertaining to see her play with Sully, I know she'll feel it later.

She got her Christmas present early - a 'memory foam' dog bed for when I'm at work and she's with the others. At night she has her king size bed which was her birthday present two years ago if I remember correctly.

Tags: dogs, Rottweilers and senior dogs

Life is like microwaved food

2005-12-12T10:08:00.000-05:00

It is. Really ;) Haven't you ever noticed that some things keep on cooking after the heat is removed?

Prez has now called four of six board members liars - in writing and tarred with the same brush numerous members who share the same memories of a significant event. Duh.

News at 11...

christmas party

How to screw up a simple Christmas party

2005-12-11T21:16:00.000-05:00

It's just a social club and it's the annual Christmas party.

Usually great fun at a primo location - the brunch itself has everything.

Situation this year is the president seems to be going through a serious midlife crisis and has decided to target another board member in public using:

Hostility.

Allusions.

Inuendo.

I personally wonder if he's worried about his job or perhaps he's just not getting any/enough at home. His wife-unit keeps her implants up to date but they don't help the fact that she looked like hammered fuck today [as a friend of mine in college loved to say]: no makeup and a sour, bitter, fishwife face. A shame because when she's playing the game, the woman is absolutely stunning. Shit for a personality, but stunning.

But, hey I always wondered if she was as user and here, today she looked like the user who just doesn't give a shit anymore...

So - prez gets up and sure enough, he starts to bemoan the current situation in the club... not coming out directly and accusing this board member of a crime - but dancing as close to the fire as possible.

Wifey sour face is an extended board member... and she as much as tells another board member in front of the membership and the invited interested-in-becoming-members that the minutes of meetings past don't count because they are in the board member's possession [and so must have been violated to support the case of the poor subject of prez's affections]. WTF?

This board member thinks that's kind of a bizarre stance to take, much less admit to in public. I'm sure other folks that heard the diatribe went WTF?

With that kind of paranoia in the house - no wonder the prez is having problems, but as no one wants the Christmas party complete ruined the supporter just decides it's not worth going into at that time.

Another board member gets fed up and stands up - and asked the members in the crowd to raise their hands and then asks of the members there - how many want the issues the prez has at that time be tabled to the next meeting.

A real meeting.

NOT the fucking Christmas party where members come to have a good time. Lost cause this time but a very large group votes to the affirmative - diminuative group votes in the negative, so that is that once we get him to give it up and sit down.

His side scored a point before it was all over... a very ugly member [ugly in temperament too] got a shot in for the prez. We think she'd rather take a more personal oriented shot at him... but wifey would really have a fit over that.

Every year the party gets a bit odder as the members get older. Can't wait to see next year's edition.

christmas party

Aeon sux? Too bad...

2005-12-10T19:49:00.000-05:00

Whoa and ouch! Rottentomatoes.com doesn't like Aeon Flux [11 percent] or Geisha [28 percent] but likes Narnia [78 percent]. I would go to see Narnia no matter what, Aeon Flux I was iffy on [I love the original] and Geisha I knew I'd wait to rent it on DVD... Looks like Aeon is in the same boat.

"It probably looked like a good idea on paper."
-- Mark Olsen, L.A. WEEKLY

"The movie should have been called Aeon Sucks."
-- Mike McGranaghan, AISLE SEAT

"Breeds plenty of contempt."
-- Paul Clinton (Boxoffice), BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE

I'm getting ready to read Geisha... and it got smashed by RT also. There is alot of attention being paid to the fact that three of the major players in the movie are Chinese - not Japanese.

"Flawed by the use of Chinese actors taking the roles of Japanese and for its use of English all around." -- Harvey S. Karten, COMPUSERVE

Most of the biggies are still out at Narnia and haven't checked in yet to review. Of course there are those that go against the current...

"So much to see and hear, yet the magic of Memoirs of a Geisha is the human way it touches the heart. The cumulative effect is like being knocked unconscious by the wing of a butterfly." -- Rex Reed, NEW YORK OBSERVER

Movies, Narnia, Geisha and Aeon Flux

Another cold night expected

2005-12-02T08:36:00.000-05:00

"Near freezing temperature expected again for Saturday early in the morning over the coldest locations along the Nature Coast. A cold front will approach the area on Sunday evening and Monday will bring an increase in shower activity," NWS

A low of around 32 is expected. That being said, a low of 34 was expected last night but it was 49 right before dawn at 6 a.m. We're in a small dip with wetlands to our west. Being low and protected by trees helps keep the temps up.

Night two and the remnants of night one

2005-12-01T22:53:00.000-05:00

T'was cold. This photo was taken last night.

This morning when I walked into the 'children's' room at 7 a.m., everyone was sitting there with this "Oh. Lovely. I'll take coffee with cream, a toasted bagel and a copy of the Tampa Tribune, step lively, luv.'

Everyone. Even Liam. Come to think of it, especially Liam.

Liam got tossed outside instead. And everyone else followed out in the order of the usual suspects.

Liam is back in tonight... Forecast is "clear, with a low near 33." Because of his superb behavior last night, he rates. He doesn't have his towel... he was looking like he was going to use it as toilet paper last night so we removed it. But, he has something much better.

He has a tennis ball.

No one else does. So of course, everyone wants to know him... and everyone hates him.

He is more interested in his hygiene so the ball is being ignored, for the moment.

I'm sure if he takes it up I'll hear about it.

Oh. The lizards of the evening before? Tonight as I was moving the infamous sheet, the greeny came back and I grabbed him and put him under the sheet on a plant. Must take care of the livestock, the green ones are rare...

Tag: pets and winter

Oh! Excuse me

2005-11-30T23:07:00.000-05:00

Cold weather means blankets over some of the more delicate plants... I had a sheet on the railing that I decided I would use but discovered that I had waited too long to move it this evening.

It already had tenants.

Lizards. Not moving lizards are cold lizards.

So that occupied area got folded over, tucking them in and the rest of the sheet got used. Hopefully it won't get down to freezing tonight.

Liam wandered up and he is now in the cat condo on top of Vain's crate. It's good practice for next week when he's got to be contained after his surgery.

He's been in the house a few times tucked under my arm during the dog cycling in the evening and last night he got to sit on my lap while I was at the computer [dog crates are right behind me] so it's not totally foreign.

Still, he locked the front legs around the door of the crate in a death grip but once I got him in the crate [a nice new wire crate with towel] he became quiet, looking around to see what's around his crate, kicking back. More interested in washing up. Cat hygiene.

Acts like it's a normal thing to be in a small wire crate on top of a huge crate, indeed, in a room of huge crates full of his friends.

The village idiot, Pris, can see him from her crate and is dancing around trying to get him to play. Goofball.

The temperature is about 45 degrees at the airport - my thermometer says it's about 52. We rarely get as cold as the airport because of the trees, but it will get fairly nippy.

Tag: pets and winter

Red flag warning...

2005-11-30T22:33:00.000-05:00

Face man
Originally uploaded by newsgrrl.

For those that aren't current in national weatherspeak, a red flag warning is issued "WHEN VERY FAVORABLE CONDITIONS FOR THE SPREAD OF WILDFIRE ARE OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL OCCUR WITHIN 24 HOURS."

Around here, red flag warnings go hand in hand with low temperatures... Tonight they say it's going to stay clear with a low near 34. Tomorrow it's supposed to drop to 33.

If not tonight, then definitely tomorrow night it's time to snatch Mr. Kitty and put him in his condo in the dog's room.

Mr. Kitty's real name is Sweet William - Liam for short, Face Man for fun. The picture above was taken the day after he "introduced hisself" and we're calling him about 7-weeks-old then. He's close to 6 months now.

He came onto my property one Saturday morning after a storm - straight-up screaming like a mockingbird for someone, any one. So someone went to check him out. Pris.

Pris is my rescue Rottweiler of indeterminate age - we'll call her 4 years old. The other two dogs watched - I yelled myself hoarse to get her back from a contact with a cat I assumed was rabid.

I mean, really? What cat in it's right mind would approach a strange dog?

A 105 lb dog that has the most intense 'stare' you never want to be on the front side of?

A newly weaned kitten of Maine Coon cat heredity, that's what. They're nothing but a dog in a cat suit....

Anyway, finally having to take off an overshirt to use as a leash, I got Pris away from him and put her up in the house. I lured him into the open for a can of tuna... As I was trying to keep her from flipping him on his back, I saw just how tiny he was. I then went out and bought him real cat food... He's been here ever since.

It took a week of using a flexileash and a pinch collar to get Pris over the thought of a cat sandwich - if that was ever her thought. I kind of think that his yelling brought out the mother in her... because while I know nothing of her history before I adopted her, I do know that she had had a litter at the probably ripe age of 8 months old. So, perhaps I misinterpreted her.

Now she either ignores him or plays with him. Everyone else is the same - but they have had a cat before.... But never one that chose them.

Anyway, I can't let him loose in the house because I don't want a confrontation between him and the cockatoo [a smallish one] and I want to have him neutered before he gets supervised run of the house. That's gonna happen next week.

Yo! Merry Christmas, Liam.

Tag: pets and winter

2005-11-29T10:14:00.000-05:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Eleven weeks and holding...

2005-11-28T22:45:00.000-05:00

It's coming up on 11 weeks! I didn't do the math right, duh, since I quit smoking but the scale's not lying - I've picked up around 15 pounds and tonight after stepping on the new, weight watcher scale - I decided that's enough.

The extra weight irritates/depresses me and that puts a squelch on anything creative I want to do. So, out of irritation and an excess of energy I started an exercise regimen outside tonight while the dogs were out.

Very Army, albeit lightweight on the repetitions for the first few days. I'll talk to the doctor on Friday about getting more aggressive and the resident cyclist at work about where to take my mountain bike for a tune up.

If I start working the nastiness out at night I'll sleep better and I might have a chance to get back into the art pieces I have on hold.

I'm being reasonable about the exercise and weight loss, not radical [at least at the moment]. I'm not 30 so things are a little more resistant to change. I just figure that if I can quit smoking cold, I can drop the weight or at least tone everything up to an acceptable point. When I quit smoking I said I would accept staying the same clothes size and so far - it's not a problem.

Tag: smoking, Quitting, Health

Haven't we been through all this before?

2005-11-28T00:24:00.000-05:00

From WaPo:

"Democrats fumed last week at Vice President Cheney's suggestion that criticism of the administration's war policies was itself becoming a hindrance to the war effort. But a new poll indicates most Americans are sympathetic to Cheney's point.

"Seventy percent of people surveyed said that criticism of the war by Democratic senators hurts troop morale - with 44 percent saying morale is hurt "a lot," according to a poll taken by RT Strategies. Even self-identified Democrats agree: 55 percent believe criticism hurts morale, while 21 percent say it helps morale."

Ah, no shit sheriff! Soldiers need to feel that they are being supported and with the Democrats [and others] tearing into the policy and leadership in a vocal and visual way... that doesn't help them at all. And damn it, it should be all about the soldiers. Not some freshman politico making noise for his own crowd.

But, it's not just the freshmen is it? NPR lays out Congressman John Murtha's attack of Nov. 17:

"I like guys who've never been there to criticize us who've been there. I like that. I like guys who got five deferments and never been there, and send people to war, and then don't like to hear suggestions about what needs to be done. I resent the fact on Veterans Day he criticized Democrats for criticizing them."

The best response to date was by Ralph Peters three days later.

Looking at it from the then battle dress uniform crowd: We - the military as a group - hated the anti-war left's actions during the Gulf War... and to a certain extent, the Fourth Estate who vocalized/parroted for them by the numbers.

It's bad enough that Cindy Sheehan is making every soldier's committment to their oath a cheap gesture. But, that's a place I don't want to go tonight... er, this morning.

Sheehan just needs to go home and go forward from there. And that, Mabel, is just my own, personal $.02.

Tag: Politics, Cindy Sheehan and Iraq.

Isn't that cute...

2005-11-27T11:07:00.000-05:00

[Affecting a baby-talk voice:] It's goin' home to Mama!

Mother Nature has already made the short list for Person of the Year - the bitch can give it a rest already...

Previous: This has been 'one of those' years

Tag: tropical storm, NOAA, Mother Nature, TIME 2005 Person of the Year.

Harry Potter goes to South Australia

2005-11-27T00:51:00.000-05:00

The Age answers a question that I have never gotten around to asking:

"For The Philosopher's Stone (2001), Radcliffe, then 11, was paid $400,000, which rose to more than $4 million for The Chamber of Secrets (2002) to $8 million for The Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) and about $12 million for the The Goblet of Fire, which opens in Australia on December 1. He has just signed on for a fifth, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, for which he will earn about $20 million. His family manages his assets and he is completing school with a tutor on set."

Radcliffe is in Adelaide to make December Boys, based on a 1963 novel by a Queensland author, the late Michael Noonan.

Tag: Daniel Radcliffe and Harry Potter

So that's what it was...

2005-11-26T23:55:00.000-05:00

From News.com.au:

SCIENTISTS have figured out why alcohol makes ugly people seem more attractive - otherwise known as the "beer goggles" effect.

"A phenomenon which has caught out millions of people over the years, the beer goggles effect refers to how having too much to drink can make someone you find repulsive suddenly exude all the charms and allure of a supermodel."

One more reason not to drink past your internally set limit.

Tag: Beer, humor and alcohol.

Into the maw of retail...

2005-11-26T10:22:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I didn't dive into the earliest part of The Day After Thanksgiving Shopping Frenzy, I went and got my nails done first ;) THEN I went to see what was going on.

There is nothing like a pedicure to get your blood running [this was my second one]. A friend said she knows of a Spa that offers a pedicure that lasts around an hour. I think I want to research it. Wha...

I have never bothered to go shopping on Black Friday before, but I have heard all about it. So, I made sure that I wouldn't end up diving into Target until 11:30 a.m.

There were two people in the salon when I got there so there was no waiting in line for a pedicure. Wonderful stuff.

I went into Target, I had forgotten they just opened a Starbucks in there which was a treat... I went looking for Christmas socks, but they didn't have the type I was looking for, but that didn't stop me from filling up my 'cute and strange, colorful sock fetish.'

Went to a Super Wal-Mart, didn't find what I was looking for there, either. This time it was a particular design of jeans. Then went to Sam's Club, and then went home.

All in all, a very booring shopping experinence. I like them that way.

It probably would have helped to have had list, but I really have everything I need.

The one think I was really looking for was a T Mobile retailer, but didn't find one that had the Sidekick II on hand. I'm debating getting one so that I can blog as I go - that, and it has a camera. I have a Sony Mavica that is the best camera I have ever owned and perfect for what I use it for [photographing art pieces], but compared to my PDA and/or cellphone, it is huge. If I decide against a Sidekick, I'll pick up a Nikon digital to keep in my briefcase or purse.

So, today I'm launching back into the Maw... only this time with my sister. Wish us luck.

Tag: black friday

Yum...

2005-11-24T18:19:00.000-05:00

I just got back from a phenomenal Thankgiving feast put on by a friend of my sisters.

Dinner for about 20 served on the veranda of their log house... sigh.

So, uh... I am stuffed on: turkey, ham, asparagus and hollandaise sauce, green bean casserole, Waldorf salad and a wondrous coconut cream pie with a 4 inch loft of meringue - that tempted me for thirds [small bits mostly of meringue].

The slight buzz comes from two Michelob Amber Bock's not chased by coffee.

The dogs have been out, the next plan is fix their dinner and then I'm going to bed... oh, at around 8 p.m.

I'm off tomorrow and I don't plan to go shopping until after 11 a.m. and then only for a pair of slacks. The locusts should be done by then I hope.

A comment going out through the ether: Happy Thanksgiving to all and may all have a safe upcoming Holiday Season.

Tag: Thanksgiving, holiday season

This has been 'one of those' years

2005-11-23T17:17:00.000-05:00

Delta...

Well, duh. Who’d a thunk it?

Six days until the official end of the destructive 2005 hurricane season and we have another widget forming in the Atlantic. Weather guru doesn't think its going to make landfall... We'll see.

Tag: tropical storm, Delta

Fall is the season for a vacation

2005-11-23T09:23:00.000-05:00

Nice, crisp air this morning. Leaves are falling. New shoes.

Alas, no vacation this year - next year I plan to go back to Chicago in March if things work out.

So a big vacation, length-wise is probably not in the cards next year either. However... There is a conference that is scheduled every other year, last year it was in Melbourne, Australia and I gave myself the trip for my birthday. Next year it will be in the city of Skopje in Macedonia at the Modern Art Museum. Looking at the flight cost - I just might do it.

Ticket prices to Oz weren't too outlandish for a flight route that long, around $1,300. Rates are about $300 higher with the gas prices I guess... I would like to go visit a friend in Brisbane next year if things work out. Depends on what I do about the house. . . [everything depends on what I do about the house.]

Tag: vacation, Australia, Macedonia

It would be hard to top that accomplishment

2005-11-22T23:44:00.000-05:00

Being from old class - I don't normally recognize trash, but the November issue of Vanity Fair has one really priceless letter responding back to Nicky Hilton.

The October issue – other than featuring a profile and an obnoxious cover of Paris Hilton, spoke to the younger Hilton sister, Nicky. In that interview she made the following comment:

"I just want to say to these writers, 'I'm 21 years old, I run two multi-million-dollar companies, I work my ass off. Like, what were you doing that was so fucking important at that age?' I feel very accomplished for my age."

So, the letter I am refering to goes like this:

Nicky Hilton asked, "I'm 21 years old, I run two multi-million-dollar companies, I work my ass off. Like, what were you doing that was so fucking important at that age?" I would like to respond to that. When I was 21, I was busy working toward my Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Minnesota. I was the first to synthesize the compound okadaic acid -- shown to be the leading cause of breast cancer.
- Steven F. Sabes
Wayzata, Minnesota

Woof! I liked the twist that Gawker put on their item... you'll see it, the "do you sell handbags in Japan?" rant. Too funny.

Now, I recognize that she's making the slap at journos [bad habit to pick up girlfriend]... I guess it all just boils down to class. I can't tolerate folks that can't hold their alcohol and I just don't appreciate folks, especially younglings, that can't handle their 'money.'

Column doesn't mince words

2005-11-22T00:14:00.000-05:00

I just read an op-ed column by Ralph Peters that appeared in the Nov. 21 edition of the NYP, "How to Lose a War."

His lead: "QUIT. It's that simple. There are plenty of more complex ways to lose a war, but none as reliable as just giving up."

Ouch! Nothing like calling it like it is.

Tag: War, Politics

Tourists, pills and booze

2005-11-21T23:00:00.000-05:00

While it might sound like a twist on the Warren Zevon song, "Lawyers, guns and money" it's actually from CNN:

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) - A French woman who is terrified of flying admitted in an Australian court Monday that she drunkenly tried to open an airplane door mid-flight to smoke a cigarette.

Bizarre. I can't say I EVER wanted a cigarette THAT much.

From what the AP report said, her lawyer told the judge she has no memory of what happened on the flight and that she has a history of sleepwalking. Yah, blame it on the sleeping tablets and alcohol taken before takeoff. Duh.

But where was her husband and what was he thinking when she got out of her seat with an unlit cigarette and her lighter in hand?

Kudos to the stew [cough], sorry, flight attendant who intervened and took her back to her seat.

An honest exchange regarding music appreciation

2005-11-21T20:59:00.000-05:00

Sunday, I was wandering around in my local Wal-Mart looking for the Pussycat Dolls CD. I wanted to see what it was on it other than one song I liked.

Scanning the racks, I was crisscrossing the aisle as two youngling males were seating themselves on the floor to watch a program that was on one of the TVs.

The second time I came into the aisle, one of them looked up at me and I smiled and said, "Haven't found it yet."

Helpful, he asked what I was looking for and so I told him. He and his friend might have been 11-years-old.

He said, "Oh, I don't listen to that music." I said that was too bad. He said "what I listen to is over there." I asked him what that was. He said AC/DC.

I couldn't help it. It was out of my mouth before I could think. I said, "I grew up listening to them, I've moved on."

He looked at me, smiled and said, "That's cool."

I have been giggling about the exchange off and on for a week.

Harry Potter: OotP set for 2007 release?

2005-11-20T20:23:00.000-05:00

I understand the principles have signed on [per IMDB the cast listing todate for Order of the Phoenix is Daniel, Rupert, Emma... and Jason Issacs (oh, goody goody, but then he got to rock out in this book)]. Ummm. With a different director.... David Yates.

Whoa, whoa, whoa... That's the part I really don't get. Wouldn't you WANT continuity? Consistancy?

Anyway... echelons above my involvement! I do remember hearing that Rowling was going to be pressing for an 18 month rotation of movie releases. DVD release the summer prior, please [next summer]. That rotation would work out to about 18 months - fall release as usual - if they start filming summer of next year. So, promo the current film for the next 4 months... time off - prep for the DVD release... and SOMEWHERE slip us a new book?

Tag: Harry Potter, Order, movies

Goblet of Fire? Smokin'.... SPOILERS

2005-11-19T18:16:00.000-05:00

This movie is hands down best of the lot to date in spite of it's being abbridged. It had to be, geez, the book is 734 pages long...

The book was reviewed, trimmed down of what was not necessary for the plot to run smoothly at racing weight and it was still 2 hours and 37 minutes long.

If you haven't read the books, there is a bit of a "huh?" reaction. For example... Death Eaters really weren't explained as to who they are, what their tie in is, the viewer just sees them on the rampage after the World Cup.

Now, that being said: MIND YOU... there were pieces of the story I would have liked to have seen:

Purely humour - the wizard staffer in the kilt/poncho, and Archie of the flannel nighty.

How would they have portrayed the Veela.

I wanted to meet Bill, of course, the rockstar-looking, Gringotts-employeed Weasley and his brother Charley the dragonmaster.

Rita Skeeter busted and captured by Hermy as a bug in a jar.

I did not miss not seeing Dobby again, or Winky at all. Missing the House Elf thread was no problem. Not having Winky however, knocked out the Minister's Box scene at the World Cup.

I would have liked to seen Harry working through the Imperious curse.

The critical parts that are in the movie, not necessarily listed in order:

Frank and the meeting at Riddle House. [First question that came up at that time was - who is that other person in the room with Wormtongue and Voldemort?

The Portkey transport.

The Tent. [I want one!]

The Game - we only get to see prior to the umpires loosing of the quaffle. We don't get to see 'the game,' that would have added a good 30 minutes to the movie.

The post-game terrorism - the chaos and fear portrayed was very convincing and even put me on edge.

The initial Goblet of Fire introductions to include seeing the ship surface and the carriage glide in.

Moody's introduction to and demonstration of the three Unforgivable Curses was very well done.

Fred and George's attempt to put their name into the Goblet.

Champion selection.

THE FERRET!

Dragon viewing.

Informing Cedric about the dragons.

Dragon baiting.

The angst of having to ask girls to the ball - though Fred's asking of Angelina was well done.... the twins are maturing handsomely.

Cedric paying Harry back for the Dragons.

Bathroom scene - be sure to watch the mermaid in the stained glass window. And yes, People magazine has it right to refer to the vision of Harry sans shirt as "calfcake."

Neville and the gillyweed - not 'by the book.' Who cares, it was a good scene. I like Neville.

The Lake - that, in all it's glory was very, very well done.

The pensive scene. Different twist.

The maze. No nasties except Krum.

Voldemort's rebirth was awesome and the entire cemetary scene was perfect. Ralf Fiennes was superb! The joining of the two wands in the Priori Incatantem scene was well done. Missed the webbing bit though it wasn't really necessary. Was there Phoenix song? I don't remember.

The return with Cedric and the Cup was what I hoped to see, so of course it was perfect.

Moody's exposure. Different, but worked out OK. Was really looking for a view of the foe glass.

All in all - I will go see it again at least twice.

For the record.... I refused to be interested in the Harry Potter books through all of the initial rage until my sister told me that they were good. We have approximately the same taste in books so I decided to read them just before Goblet was published and before the first movie. I have been a fan ever since.

Tag: Harry Potter, Goblet of Fire, movies

For a good time call...

2005-11-18T09:46:00.000-05:00

And a great laugh, call (888) ELF POOP (353-7667).

Virgin Mobile and it's 'Chrismahanukwanzakahan' celebration.

Eight weeks and counting

2005-11-17T22:52:00.000-05:00

It's hell to want something and not know what.

This is the first time I have quit where the want is not necessarily for a cigarette. Maybe a piece of chocolate will deflect it. Sometimes Habanero pistachios or Wasabi peas from the Fresh Market does the trick.

When I quit for 2.5 years, it was the same cold turkey route... and I can't remember if I had a specific craving at all.

I'll get it straight later.

The Squatter I & II

2005-11-15T23:51:00.000-05:00

The Squatter I
Originally uploaded by newsgrrl.

Taken this morning after getting new photos of my ragamuffin Maine Coon kitten, Liam who is probably right around 5 and a half months old now. More on him later.

This lizard boy has been a resident of the bird house for several months. I first noticed him when I was sitting out on the steps of the decklette with a cup of coffee and wondered when the bird house had gotten a 'tongue.'

He's very cool about my coming up and doing the landlord number. The house hangs from the same magnolia tree as the earlier related wasp nest incident.

Just when you think it's safe...

2005-11-15T11:52:00.000-05:00

I know this has been a year of record for the amount of named storms to occur, but I cannot remember a hurricane season that persisted into mid November like this year has.

I stopped watching the NHC Web site two weeks ago... have to give credit to Drudge for tipping on this.

Strange and stranger

2005-11-15T10:24:00.000-05:00

Last year I was sitting on the steps of my front decklette, having a cup of coffee and gazing at the smallish hybrid magnolia tree that came with the property. While pondering that hybrids are distinctive from the wild variety I have many of [they have rust colored undersides to their leaves], I noticed a tubular 'something' on the underside and got up and took a closer look. Wasp nest. Ewww.

I am not a believer that all life has a right to exist... wasps rank right up there with hairy, rosebush-eating caterpillers. So, I took a pair of cutters, removed the four leaves with 'tumors' and placed them in a bucket of water. I couldn't bring myself to squash them.

Fresh, clean bucket and nothing in the water but the leaves...

Later that day I went to see what was in the water from nests. I wish I had had my camera. Mud, which was expected. And spider children. Not just one variety of spider either... at least three, in with the wasp children [pupae].

The only thing I can think of is that they were birthing rooms of opportunity that the spiders took advantage of - those that hatched first got lunch.

I mentioned this to my sister and she laughed. She said I should keep a diary about all the strange things I come across... I laughed.

I'm not laughing anymore - I'll blog instead.

An auspicious week on tap

2005-11-14T20:18:00.000-05:00

Harpy Birday to me....

I had the last of my vacation scheduled for this week - it was cancelled and I have to work on my birthday Wednesday. Boo hiss. All because someone didn’t bother to check and see if someone else had scheduled during that time frame.

So, I put in for the Fridays before Christmas and New Years… a no no and the Friday after Thanksgiving. Not too much they can say about it – my original leave request was submitted in January. The vacation that bumped me is to conduct the wedding of a child - important I suppose... even though I find marriage highly overated.

Not that I wouldn't consider marriage again; I would just consider all sides this time.

Anyway, the big birthday was last year……… spent over a week in Melbourne, Australia.

Wonderful.

I want to visit there again… but also take the time to visit an artist friend in Brisbane. Next year would be nice. Depends on what I plan to do about “the house” as to whether I can afford the airfare.

Not so fun thing this week is I have a follow-up doctors appointment on Thursday. Maybe I will actually get to meet the doctor this time.

So far - eight weeks of no smoking and I still want something, just not sure what it is. My friend in Cocoa Beach suggested a replacement addiction… Bob’s a funny guy.

I wear one of those Italian charm bracelets and I actually found a no smoking charm to remind myself of how well I’m doing. It joins the dogs, art, philosophy, military and flag of Australia charms. The idea of the bracelets is fun…I first saw them at the 2005 Eukanuba Classic dog show in Tampa - I volunteer to assist a dog breed club in their ‘Meet the Breed’ booth – not my breed mind you and the booth has won their group the last two years. Funniest thing was that the Rottweiler booth took best in show… that had me laughing. Anyway, in regards to the bracelets, every dog person there had one… and so I decided to get one and it has been something that I gradually add charms to. I have six links not filled with anything and I’m one of those people that will take their time making a selection.

Going to go see Harry Potty on Friday hopefully if I can get my work done early. Since I have to work Sunday as well… I have Friday off but can only take it if I have all the pages done in advance. I hope that won’t be a problem.

Would really like to see Breakfast on Pluto, but it’s not being released in this area. Bummer.

"Wicked" lost me

2005-11-14T00:14:00.000-05:00

I just finished "Wicked" by Gregory Maquire and "The City of Falling Angels" by John Berendt. If I had to chose between the two to recommend, I would recommend Angels.

I liked the premise behind "Wicked," it just felt tortured getting from the beginning to the end, like walking in shoes with no arch support... just felt wrong. Now, I like satire. I also worship at the altar of wicked clever fantasy. The beginning through where she left the school to go to the Emerald City was fine... however, for me, the tempo changed and he lost me in the Emerald City.

Anyway, that's my take on it after a first read, but I'll give it another look after I finish his other books, "Mirror Mirror" and "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister."

For what it's worth, I plan to see the musical when it comes to Tampa. I definately want to see the musical.

A few things about me...

2005-11-13T22:13:00.000-05:00

continually updated... most recent update 2/5/8

I have four dogs [Rottweilers], a cat [he showed up/adopted us in July 2005 after a storm... prolly about 7-weeks-old at the time] and a 20+ year old Goffin Cockatoo.

I have two Toyota's with mileage over 150,000. I LOVE Toyota's. One is practical, the other is 20 years old and classified an antique and takes the place of the sports car that I miss owning.

I used to turn on the TV only to watch movies [DVDs/VCRs], I don't have cable or satellite TV. Now I watch everything on my Mac.

Did I say I <3 Apple. I have a Mac Mini and an PowerBook. I sold my first iBook - a graphite clam and my second iBook to my boss. She also <3s Apple. I said someday I'll try the Core Duo route... I'm buying one this week.

When not at the computer or working on art, I'm reading.

A J.R.R. Tolkien, Lord of the Rings, fanatic since highschool and a fan of C.S. Lewis, Narnia, since early college.... enough said on that.

I am retired from the U.S. Army, airborne qualified among other things.

I never wanted children, I have a hard enough time keeping up with myself and the dogs.

I have been married/divorced twice and am (rather) comfortable single.

My father was a Army Air Corps navigator and bombadier who served at one time with General Paul Tibbets.

My sister is an IRS auditor.

My sister, myself, my father, my fathers brother's grandaughter - all are dyslexic.

I cringe at the thought of having visitors in my home.

I try to be at least 5 minutes early for meetings... old habits die hard.

The last movie I saw in a theatre was "Sweeny Todd." I'm not comfortable with horror movies and comedies on the theme of "Friends" I find sophomoric. The newest Bond movie was awesome.

I can appreciate making lists, occasionally they are useful.

I enjoy my job. Completely. (FYI my full-time job involves a mix of journalism and web design. I like the people I work for and I like the people I work with. The one I didn't like recently left.)

I will go to a Thai restaurant over any other variety once a week if given a chance. Don't know what I would do if I saw an Indian restaurant in the area. Coconut curry curls my toes.

I love to doodle - it leads to art.

My favorite jewelry designer is Tabra Tunoa... I will spurge on her earrings via eBay for personal rewards of things well done.

I like to make my own iced mocha latte's. I used to only drink expresso run through a Krupps in coffee fashion. I've converted back to a French Press. I like Starbucks, but will drink Pilon or Bustelo anyday. Currently off coffee at home, but drink it at work.

My eleventh grade Art teacher wanted me to apply for an art scholarship. My father said 'You can't eat art,' so I didn't.

Now that's a look!

2005-11-11T22:31:00.000-05:00

I really needed a good giggle and this did it.

Long day.... long week really and seeing this after getting the 'chores' done just made the end of the week too good.

Whether I believe it or not...

2005-11-10T00:32:00.000-05:00

The results from the blood panels I had run are 'fine.' 'No problems.' 'All within limits.' I'm healthier than I gave my self credit for.

And it has been seven weeks since I quit smoking.

Damn!

Very cool. Now I can find a personal trainer and get back in running form [dances off into the other parts of the house singing].

Clicking her [ruby slipper] heels - Judy's history

2005-11-10T00:28:00.000-05:00

For now, but she'll be back in one variety or another. Her rolling was actually faster than I would have bet on.

Waiting to hear what the J-schools are going to spin. Still would be nice to know the truth [naive sigh], but, I bet we never do. Maybe she will let us know via her blog someday. Ya' think?

Times and Reporter Reach Agreement on Her Departure [NYT]

My earlier: This Miller thing is getting more ridiculous...

I learned a new word this morning

2005-11-08T10:31:00.000-05:00

Brobdingnagian: \brahb-ding-NAG-ee-uhn\, adjective: Colossal; of extraordinary height; gigantic. -- as a noun: a giant. [Often misspelt Brobdignagian.]

Hmmm. As a human... Liam Neeson?

Thanks to Dictionary.com for the education.

A hell of a way to start the week

2005-11-08T01:54:00.000-05:00

Long story - no time to go into it tonight, too tired - but it's all about fasting prior to a blood test, folks not following directions resulting in my getting locked onto my property.

I think Jon Friedman's got something there

2005-11-08T01:41:00.000-05:00

His discussion that Mother Nature should be Time Magazine's Person of the Year is a classic. Of course... the comments on the 15 minutes of fame for some folks being over already are also dead-on.

'Breaking' with coffee and a blog

2005-11-06T20:46:00.000-05:00

Great article... The perfect workplace crime: The blog break

I do it, but my boss knows I do and the nature of my job allows, no, requires crusing the 'net for content. :) Hell of a way to run a railroad.

Writer crushes...

2005-11-06T18:27:00.000-05:00

Maureen Dowd got my attention with a piece published Oct. 30 in the NY Times magazine - subject: What's a Modern Girl to Do?

If you want to read it, Times Select will require you pay [pppttthhhhttttt] - I printed a copy out for myself knowing that it would go poof.

The article is not quite what would be considered feminazi... but, definately blunt trama for those not associated with the concept.

One of the key lines: "So was the feminist movement some sort of cruel hoax? Do women get less desirable as they get more successful?..." Whaaa. If you haven't been in the position - you really don't know what she's up about. I have and do and it had me thinking about it frequently over the past week.

Dowd goes on to write, "[Sylvia Ann] Hewlett quantified, yet again, that men have an unfair advantage. "Nowadays," she said, "the rule of thumb seems to be that the more successful the woman, the less likely it is she will find a husband or bear a child. For men, the reverse is true."

Not sure if I buy all of her premise, but quite a lot rings clear. Something Anderson Cooper came up with around Sept. 27, ties into this from another angle... and that is from "Going gray."

Coop said, "Premature gray means you reap the benefits of living the righteous life without having to actually live the righteous life. You get to cut in line. So consider yourself lucky.

On the other hand, women don't get a free pass." No shit, sheriff.

Coop's got a book deal in hand, so that will be one to wait for.

Dowd's book, "Are Men Necessary: When Sexes Collide," is up to be published within the next month by G.P. Putnam's Sons. Might make interesting reading... once I get through "Wicked," "Mirror Mirror" and "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister," all written by Gregory Maquire. I put down "The City of Falling Angels" by John Berendt to finish "Wicked." Last time I take a book not in the que to the doctor's office to read.

How is it so far? It's not easy being green.

Let me know when it's over

2005-11-05T18:16:00.000-05:00

I'll continue to read what is being printed regarding Judy Miller - but it would be nice if someone would just let me know when it's over.

It's been five years since the last doctor visit....

2005-11-04T20:30:00.000-05:00

Yeah, fine.

I know there's something not right... It's tangible, I can feel it. High blood pressure in reaction to the stress of stopping smoking cold? Maaaayybe. So that's why I have a doctor's appointment.

Maybe I didn't mention that significant event here? Somehow I forgot to write that six weeks ago yesterday I stopped smoking. Actually that's the day I wrote down, but I think it's actually anniversaried on Wednesday.

Whatever! Six weeks of no addiction. Six weeks of having to find something else to obsess over. Six weeks of not being able to have a cup of coffee at home without getting twitchy. Six weeks of not stuffing my face - that's really different, there really is no driving need to eat going on here [cool].

So? I don't make coffee at home anymore. I eat breakfast of orange juice and eggos. And what is really interesting is that, well... I'm not getting twitchy for a cigarette. The desire, the 'what I want' has no name... I just want 'something.' Odd. Not complaining. Just odd.

A fun [not] result of taking a vacation from seeing a doctors - and - getting a new one to boot: I have about seven to nine tests that I have to get completed in the next few weeks - I guarantee you that one will be put off till I can no longer avoid it. Gack.

Chest X-rays, blood test, bone density scan... other things and a two week return to meet the doctor that I never saw Friday. Thank goodness the PA was competent. Gives a good shot, ya hey flu season.

Had an EKG that looked great - a good thing since I really want clearance to start running again to keep away the 'stopping smoking = weight gain' jinx.

So many changes have spun off this decision. The purchase of a Vita-mix 'blender' to aid in the dietary change. If I can start running/biking seriously, I will buy myself an iPod - one has to reward oneself for deeds well done.

So far, I haven't seen a weight gain [seriously knocking on wood]... just want to stay on top of it.

This Miller thing is getting more ridiculous...

2005-10-25T01:02:00.000-04:00

But the concept of Miss Run Amok is hysterical. Nice choice of cast, too.

The landscape is shifting. Becoming way more convoluted [if that's possible].

What seemed initially to be the NYT's 'circling-the-wagons' to support Miller is dissolving for more reasons than one into becoming a 'zebra cut out of the herd by hyena pack' scenario. One wonders whether her stripes are natural or applied.

Interesting weekend for text, this being just one of the more cut-to-the-chase examples of the fallout.

Me? I'd just like to know the truth. You know, just simple stuff. Problem is, even being an analyst by previous profession, I'm going to need at least one blackboard to track the players like a flowchart....

Looks like it's safe to venture out to work

2005-10-24T13:13:00.000-04:00

Smart ass... safe or not I'd have to go in due to the nature of the job.

Birds are back to singing, so it's going to be fine.

But, looks like we're on the way out of the woods...

Temperature has dropped like a rock - it's 61 degrees and still falling.

Nice, I like the cooler weather. That's what's attractive about where I live... we see a season change, leaves fall off most of the trees.

Anyway, I say a cold front is a fair trade for a long distance pass by a Cat 3...

Graphic courtesy of NEXRAD radar via wunderground.com.

A not-so-typical Monday morning

2005-10-24T11:56:00.000-04:00

Cool image, isn't it?

Well, if you're on the skirt of it, it is. Been there enough to know it sux to be 'in the zone.'

The 'clean' cut between storm and no storm on the left is where the front is located.

From what I heard this morning listening to 93.3 WFLZ, the Keys got/were getting hammered...

Whoa, like that was a surprise. My understanding is that people have been calling 911.

Taking your life into your own hands is one thing, it's a decision that you make. Calling 911 brings other's lives into your decision.

But then I watched Mike Seidel of the Weather Channel on Duval Street... and it has less damage there than I would have expected. Wonder how the old victorian houses faired. Lovely place.

Graphic courtesy of NEXRAD radar via wunderground.com.

Yeah, we could use the rain, but geez...........

2005-10-24T00:33:00.000-04:00

Per the 8:01 report of the Weather Channel: "The outer rain bands are moving across the Keys and into southwest Florida. Some of the squalls contain waterspouts or tornadoes. In general, the arrival of the rain bands signals the beginning of a steady deterioration in weather conditions for south Florida from here on out. Also heavy rain is falling along a frontal boundary stalled over central Florida."

Yes, Martha, it is currently stalled in my front pasture.

Graphic courtesy of NEXRAD radar via wunderground.com.

We could all use a break - nothing past Alpha, 'k?

2005-10-24T00:29:00.000-04:00

Five weeks ago I decided to quit smoking. On a whim actually... I was out of cigarettes, had a cold and smoking made me cough - so it was relatively easy.

Come to find out later that on that same day, one of my compatriots at work decided to give notice, which was one week before another gave notice... Now the hurricane season refuses to roll over early.

Piffle.

Hurricanes in general - Wilma in particular

2005-10-23T17:20:00.000-04:00

I live in Florida. My property is sided on the west and backs up on wetlands - hence the 'swamp' descriptive.

I was born here - I'm one of those rare 'natives' who moved away and went to see the world. Six years ago I came back to within 50 miles of where I was born. Now I might not have come back had my sister not moved down. Outside of cousins, family-wise, we are all we have left - so I came home.

I woke up on Thursday to the Tampa-based radio station I use for an alarm saying, "This is the biggest hurricane, the lowest pressure ever seen, and it went from Cat 1 to Cat 5 overnight..."

I lay there thinking about what I had just heard, muttered 'oh fcuk,' pulled the blanket over my head and refused to get up until the dogs complained.

For the first few years back here, hurricanes weren't exactly a big problem - last year it got personal - I got traumatized. This year has been dicey - this year I'm more offended than frightened...

We have been missed but at a horrendous cost - God knows, no one deserved Katrina or Rita.

Wilma has caused a bit of concern 'in these parts,' up until about 5 p.m., but it looks like this area is going to be missed again - Tropical Storm action only... We hope it keeps diving south - WAY south, like, we like Key West the way it is.

'One day - you'll be in my shoes'

2005-10-23T16:51:00.000-04:00

I can remember being told that by my mother... The thought brings a smile and a sad giggle.

I had refused to go shopping with her - nothing serious - just the grocery store.

She was standing there, hands on hips wearing sweatpants too short to meet her ankles, but covering the top of her socks, beat-to-shit Keds, a Mickey Mouse shortsleeved sweatshirt and a scarf over her hair. Now, I was not what could be termed a fashion-conscious teen, but this combination was just bad.

She said it was comfortable, to hell with what it looked like. This was a woman who was one of the best and classiest saleswomen at the Frontenac [St. Louis] Saks Fifth Avenue.

Dressed to kill five days a week and on the two days she wanted to relax - her kid refused to be seen with her. If I remember correctly, I did end up giving in and going. I always did.

But, shame on me. Especially now, as I sit here in my sweatpants, outdoor birkenstock clogs and sweatshirt that sadly received a christening of my coffee a few minutes ago. Only thing missing is the scarf...

Not going there.