I've been gone for a while, sadly.
Updates: We have a new dog, Eugene. All my plants died.
Rant of the day?
People. Well, people and their annoying habits.
I cannot stand it when someone either says they're going to do something or says they're going to be somewhere and then they either don't do it or don't show up. It makes me grind my teeth and makes steam come out of my ears.
I cannot grasp how it's so bloody difficult for someone to pick up the phone and give me a ring to say, "Oy, can't make it. Sorry." Is it going to kill you to pick up the phone? Did your phone magically turn into flesh eating monster that will devour you if you so much as look at it funny? No. Therefore, there's no reasonable excuse. Honestly, at least try to make something up. You always get points for trying. "I forgot" is not an excuse. It really and truly isn't.
Second annoying human thing: Habitual lateness. My eyes twitch at the very thought of it. It jus seems to indecent to be late for every single outing when you're informed of every single outing at least three weeks in advance.
Third and final irritating human thing for the day: Plan changing. Spontaneous, random, uncalled for plan changing. A quick side story here - I'd had something planned for two weeks, and a person whom I know decided they were going to plan their get together on the same day as my get together, three days before said get together.
Person proceeds to cancel their get together the night before my get together and yet doesn't inform me of the cancelation of their get together, meaning I can't ask anyone to come to my get together. You follow? Then again, since all those who were going to person's get together previously knew about my get together get decided to go to person's get together I guess I don't really want them at my get together anyway. You follow?
About Me
- Erika
- I love to write, and I love the computer. Why wouldn't I be on Blogspot? Recently I've been at home a lot, thinking of ways to entertain myself, so here I am!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Mold in the workplace. As a general...not loyalty, but whatever, I'm not going to say the name of this company. Mother dearest works for said company.
She showed me a rash today that is spreading across her buttock. This rash led me to google as she has stated her office has a very dark, almost black mold. To my greatest knowledge, black mold is especially dangerous.
Internet and book searches led me to some pictures, which I showed her. "Yes, about a foot and a half up the entire parameter of my wall is that." So yes. Black mold. Her and the coworker she shares the office with have been complaining for months.
I also became aware of a carpet that is so green and covered in mold, they cannot remove it, until they get all the gear to suit up and properly dispose of this.
Both mom and her coworker have severe rashed, head aches, nose bleeds, etc. All symptoms of mold poisoning. I've given her all the articles and photos to take into work, but I told her she has to tell her boss to set her home computer up - no more working from the shop.
I honestly think this is disgusting, despicable, and so wrong. Thoughts, readers?
She showed me a rash today that is spreading across her buttock. This rash led me to google as she has stated her office has a very dark, almost black mold. To my greatest knowledge, black mold is especially dangerous.
Internet and book searches led me to some pictures, which I showed her. "Yes, about a foot and a half up the entire parameter of my wall is that." So yes. Black mold. Her and the coworker she shares the office with have been complaining for months.
I also became aware of a carpet that is so green and covered in mold, they cannot remove it, until they get all the gear to suit up and properly dispose of this.
Both mom and her coworker have severe rashed, head aches, nose bleeds, etc. All symptoms of mold poisoning. I've given her all the articles and photos to take into work, but I told her she has to tell her boss to set her home computer up - no more working from the shop.
I honestly think this is disgusting, despicable, and so wrong. Thoughts, readers?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Dear Tums,
You say you taste like fruit, but you don't. No matter how hard you try, you never will. You just taste like garbage and fruit is not garbage. Stop it.
Sincerely, my taste buds.
Sincerely, my taste buds.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Alcohol fun times.
Does anyone who reads this watch Glee? I found it ironic that the night I chose to have a drinking night, was the same day they had their Alcohol Awareness episode. It was a good episode, but seeing all the TV reviews and such - have they gone too far? stuff like that - kind of makes me roll my eyes.
Teenagers are going to drink. You can try to stop them. You can enforce curfews, ground them, do whatever the heck you want. You know what that's going to do? It's going to make them want to drink more. All it's doing is opressing their natural urge to experiment and explore.
My own mother was very open about this stuff: sure, try it, what the hey. But if I was going to get drunk while underaged, she wanted me to do it at home. If I was at a friends, I had my cell phone to call my grampa if I needed to get home. She didn't approve, but she knew it would happen, and instead of trying to tell me "no" she said, "I know" and gave me ways to be safe. I never really got drunk as an underaged teen. A few times, sure, but never at clubs or parties or while sneaking...because I didn't have to sneak.
Now as a legal adult, I don't want to go out and get drunk and party with my friends. I'll sit with my mom and have a few beers, and I'm more than okay with that.
It goes for everything, not just alcohol. There's sex, the ever-evil marijuana. People are going to try things. It's kind of a part of life. I'm not saying I agree with anyone doing illegal acts, but it's going to happen, and trying to lock those urges up in a vault doesn't help. It makes the urge stronger.
I began smoking while underaged, sneaking it from my mom and such. As soon as she found out, it kind of lost it's...flavor? It became dull. The more lenient you are with kids - in my opinion - the less they feel the need to hide things.
Everyone has their own parenting style though, and I'm really not trying to preach. I'm just saying: think back to when you were a teenager. Remember how you felt about this.
You can tell people about your own mistakes, but you can't force them to not make their own. We learn from mistakes, but only from our own. Your horrifying experience at =insert something here= and you telling me about it, doesn't mean I won't ever do it. If it sucks for you, you tell me, but also give me pointers on where else to go/do, then kudos. I might not do the original super sucky thing.
Teenagers are going to drink. You can try to stop them. You can enforce curfews, ground them, do whatever the heck you want. You know what that's going to do? It's going to make them want to drink more. All it's doing is opressing their natural urge to experiment and explore.
My own mother was very open about this stuff: sure, try it, what the hey. But if I was going to get drunk while underaged, she wanted me to do it at home. If I was at a friends, I had my cell phone to call my grampa if I needed to get home. She didn't approve, but she knew it would happen, and instead of trying to tell me "no" she said, "I know" and gave me ways to be safe. I never really got drunk as an underaged teen. A few times, sure, but never at clubs or parties or while sneaking...because I didn't have to sneak.
Now as a legal adult, I don't want to go out and get drunk and party with my friends. I'll sit with my mom and have a few beers, and I'm more than okay with that.
It goes for everything, not just alcohol. There's sex, the ever-evil marijuana. People are going to try things. It's kind of a part of life. I'm not saying I agree with anyone doing illegal acts, but it's going to happen, and trying to lock those urges up in a vault doesn't help. It makes the urge stronger.
I began smoking while underaged, sneaking it from my mom and such. As soon as she found out, it kind of lost it's...flavor? It became dull. The more lenient you are with kids - in my opinion - the less they feel the need to hide things.
Everyone has their own parenting style though, and I'm really not trying to preach. I'm just saying: think back to when you were a teenager. Remember how you felt about this.
You can tell people about your own mistakes, but you can't force them to not make their own. We learn from mistakes, but only from our own. Your horrifying experience at =insert something here= and you telling me about it, doesn't mean I won't ever do it. If it sucks for you, you tell me, but also give me pointers on where else to go/do, then kudos. I might not do the original super sucky thing.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Plants: Update
My little plants are obviously not sprouting yet. I'm going to water them in just a minute, as their soil was damp yesterday. They're settled in the sunshine around various parts of my house.
I'm planning on setting up my bedroom so I can put the little pots in the sunniest part of it. I want them to grow up strong and healthy! Yes, they're just plants, but I don't care. They're my plants.
After I repot them, they're more than likely have to go outside. I was wondering about getting long window boxes for my room. I won't put my current plants in there, but it'd be nice to plant something.
So my question for now is this:
Do any of you grow plants? If so, do you talk to them? Sing to them? Or merely give them the basic requirements of water, sunshine, plant food for older ones?
I sing to my plants sometimes, and always have. Tell me your thoughts!
I'm planning on setting up my bedroom so I can put the little pots in the sunniest part of it. I want them to grow up strong and healthy! Yes, they're just plants, but I don't care. They're my plants.
After I repot them, they're more than likely have to go outside. I was wondering about getting long window boxes for my room. I won't put my current plants in there, but it'd be nice to plant something.
So my question for now is this:
Do any of you grow plants? If so, do you talk to them? Sing to them? Or merely give them the basic requirements of water, sunshine, plant food for older ones?
I sing to my plants sometimes, and always have. Tell me your thoughts!
Collectibles
I really, really want to find the Royal Doulton HN2742 - Sheila figurine. My grandma would just die if I could get that for her. It's such a pretty collectible, but it's retired...ironically enough, it retired the year I was born.
I wish I had money so I could have gone to the auction in Ottawa, starting bid was only fifty for it, and they had much older Doulton's for bid. I think it only fetched a few hundred. I'm digging around everywhere online to see if anyone has it for sale, but no such luck. It was started in 1983 and retired in 1991. It's not that old at all actually.
And as a side note: I'm a freakin' idiot. Yesterday I was at the Salvation Army thrift store, being nosy with my sister and stepdad, and they had a giant collection of China. I was looking at some of the stuff, and a really pretty tea cup stood out. It was only $2.50 - most likely because it didn't have a saucer - and it was a Royal Albert Collectible. Royal Albert is owned by Doulton now, and it's a line of bone china that has been running for a hundred years or more.
The freaking cup was part of the Country Rose line, and was actually numbered. Country Rose is the most popular china pattern. I suppose that makes the cup not worth all that much, but still. It was a classic...I would have actually got it, had it come with matching saucer. I refuse to buy cups without it. I'm sure it lowers the value a bit, but besides that, it just looks tacky to me, having the tea cup without the saucer.
I must sound like an older lady, talking about Royal Doulton, Royal Albert, bone china and Country Rose. Heh, I'm not, obviously. My grandmother - who sparked my interest in it - isn't exactly "old" either. Her mother collected these things and left them to her when she passed away. I've just got an eye for "expensive" things. Plus, collectibles are awesome. It's so great to look at my gramma's cabinets and think about how long some of the items have been in her family. Because I like them so much, she wants me to...eventually, you know...have them. She has well over thirty thousand dollars worth of china and figurines, but I wouldn't be able to sell it either.
Grah, I want that figurine so bad. I also want Claire and Samantha...they're newer ones, if I'm not mistaken.
I wish I had money so I could have gone to the auction in Ottawa, starting bid was only fifty for it, and they had much older Doulton's for bid. I think it only fetched a few hundred. I'm digging around everywhere online to see if anyone has it for sale, but no such luck. It was started in 1983 and retired in 1991. It's not that old at all actually.
And as a side note: I'm a freakin' idiot. Yesterday I was at the Salvation Army thrift store, being nosy with my sister and stepdad, and they had a giant collection of China. I was looking at some of the stuff, and a really pretty tea cup stood out. It was only $2.50 - most likely because it didn't have a saucer - and it was a Royal Albert Collectible. Royal Albert is owned by Doulton now, and it's a line of bone china that has been running for a hundred years or more.
The freaking cup was part of the Country Rose line, and was actually numbered. Country Rose is the most popular china pattern. I suppose that makes the cup not worth all that much, but still. It was a classic...I would have actually got it, had it come with matching saucer. I refuse to buy cups without it. I'm sure it lowers the value a bit, but besides that, it just looks tacky to me, having the tea cup without the saucer.
I must sound like an older lady, talking about Royal Doulton, Royal Albert, bone china and Country Rose. Heh, I'm not, obviously. My grandmother - who sparked my interest in it - isn't exactly "old" either. Her mother collected these things and left them to her when she passed away. I've just got an eye for "expensive" things. Plus, collectibles are awesome. It's so great to look at my gramma's cabinets and think about how long some of the items have been in her family. Because I like them so much, she wants me to...eventually, you know...have them. She has well over thirty thousand dollars worth of china and figurines, but I wouldn't be able to sell it either.
Grah, I want that figurine so bad. I also want Claire and Samantha...they're newer ones, if I'm not mistaken.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Flowers
So I've always wanted to grow plants. I mean, I've always had Ivy, spider plants, aloe verra. I've just never grown something from a seed. I think it would be much more rewarding; the one cat we have here, we've had her since the day she was born. She's been the most rewarding animal we've had.
I guess it's like how home made bread tastes better than store bought. The time and effort you put into something makes it seem...almost better.
Yesterday I bought four ninety nine cent "grow your own:" kits from Giant Tiger. I bought Basil, Chive, Forget me Not, and miniature Sunflower. I painted all the pots before I planted them, and now I'm excited! I know plants take a lot of patience, as they grow slowly but surely.
I hope that despite the cold weather outside, my babies will be fine indoors. I'm setting up a place in my room for them, where I get the most sun.
Hopefully, I'll prove to have a green thumb so I can begin planting more and more.
I guess it's like how home made bread tastes better than store bought. The time and effort you put into something makes it seem...almost better.
Yesterday I bought four ninety nine cent "grow your own:" kits from Giant Tiger. I bought Basil, Chive, Forget me Not, and miniature Sunflower. I painted all the pots before I planted them, and now I'm excited! I know plants take a lot of patience, as they grow slowly but surely.
I hope that despite the cold weather outside, my babies will be fine indoors. I'm setting up a place in my room for them, where I get the most sun.
Hopefully, I'll prove to have a green thumb so I can begin planting more and more.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Been a while...
...since I posted. And I apologize!
I just took some crinkle french fries out of the oven, and they were whistling. It was a neat sound, and the weird part of brain screamed "the potatoes are sad!"
I've had entirely too much coffee today.
So my question of the day:
Have you ever split apart from a friend that was very close to you? If so, do you ever have moments where you have to stop and think about them, stop and miss them? How do you cope with the pain of that loss?
If you haven't, tell us about how you've overcome problems with your friends, how you've maintained the friendship. What do you do about fights, arguments?
I just took some crinkle french fries out of the oven, and they were whistling. It was a neat sound, and the weird part of brain screamed "the potatoes are sad!"
I've had entirely too much coffee today.
So my question of the day:
Have you ever split apart from a friend that was very close to you? If so, do you ever have moments where you have to stop and think about them, stop and miss them? How do you cope with the pain of that loss?
If you haven't, tell us about how you've overcome problems with your friends, how you've maintained the friendship. What do you do about fights, arguments?
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Recently...
I've been writing a lot about animals. While I do love animals, that's not the reason behind it. In all actuality, it's a coincidence. I'm not trying to make this an animal blog, nor do I want it to be. Just right now, my life is full of animals.
That, and I thought the thing about geese was cool.
In case anyone hasn't been able to tell, animals are in my life a lot. There's probably going to be many more posts about them. Will I control myself and not gush or rant about my four legged friends? No. Will I write about other things? Indeed!
If you don't agree with the opinions expressed in my posts, or you do agree, leave a comment! I like debates, and discussions, so as long as no nasty words get tossed around, we'll be fine. Good luck changing my mind though, I'm pigheaded :)
That, and I thought the thing about geese was cool.
In case anyone hasn't been able to tell, animals are in my life a lot. There's probably going to be many more posts about them. Will I control myself and not gush or rant about my four legged friends? No. Will I write about other things? Indeed!
If you don't agree with the opinions expressed in my posts, or you do agree, leave a comment! I like debates, and discussions, so as long as no nasty words get tossed around, we'll be fine. Good luck changing my mind though, I'm pigheaded :)
Control
I can't help thinking back on my post about having control of the big Mastiff. I know a lot of people think pets are pets, that they don't matter. What do pets think?
A lot of reading, vet talks and other great sources of information have told me that when the dog thinks of you as its leader, you're family. We tend to think of pets as toys, dressing them up and flaunting them. To them, we're one of the most important things in their world.
Having control of that Mastiff doesn't just mean he listens to me. It means that I listen to him. I have to listen to when he's making noise, listen to his body language, and I have to care. I say 'have to', as it's my firm belief that we should provide our pets with more love and care than we are physically capable of.
That doesn't mean going out and buying toys, snacks, all that nonsense. My dogs don't need that. What they need is for me to be there, for me to acknowledge them, and to make sure they have food, water, shelter.
It's great, being in control of one hundred and fifty pounds of muscle. Do you know what's better? Seeing the affection in that one hundred and fifty pounds eyes, when I tell him he's good, or when I give him a hug or a pat.
Do you know what's the best? Proving to the newest addition, a dapple mini daschund, that I'm the boss.
But the bestest best thing in the entire world, was wrestling with him on the ground. It was when I leaned over him on my hands and knees, and he rolled over to willingly, trustingly give me his neck and underbelly. It was feeling his tail wag, it was knowing that he knew I would never ever hurt him or let him go without.
Being the boss in great and all, and I like being able to bring control to my pets. What I like more than that, is how when I tell them to stay, they do. And then I can give them cuddles.
As I'm writing this, a previously untrained dapple dasch is stretched out against my side. He wants to go and play, but I'm tired from chasing him around, wrestling, etc. He's listened to my command - really all I have to do is say his name and he settles - and he's okay with that.
What's most important to me, is that I know his favorite place to be is between my leg, and the arm of the couch.
I remember someone saying recently, that a dog should never have to protect its master. As its superior, its "alpha", we should protect them. Seeing this dapple here, wedged between my body and the couch, I know it's true.
They look to us for guidance, for love, and if we give it to them, they're the most loyal companions in life. The dog doesn't care how much money you make, how much you weigh, or if one ear is bigger than the other.
A dog only cares that you're both safe, that you're both warm, that both your bellies are full,and that, at the end of the day...you're together.
Vet bills and upkeep costs aside, it doesn't take much to keep a dog happy. A sleeping dog is a happy dog, as the saying goes.
That being said, please, don't get a dog if you can't afford it or have the time for it. I know that seems like I'm contradicting my above statements, but nothing can live on love alone, no matter how strong that love is. Think wisely, act wisely, and if you aren't certain, do what your instinct tells you, not your heart.
Because you heart may think that puppy at the shelter looks so cute, but if you end up being unable to keep it...well, that's on you too.
A lot of reading, vet talks and other great sources of information have told me that when the dog thinks of you as its leader, you're family. We tend to think of pets as toys, dressing them up and flaunting them. To them, we're one of the most important things in their world.
Having control of that Mastiff doesn't just mean he listens to me. It means that I listen to him. I have to listen to when he's making noise, listen to his body language, and I have to care. I say 'have to', as it's my firm belief that we should provide our pets with more love and care than we are physically capable of.
That doesn't mean going out and buying toys, snacks, all that nonsense. My dogs don't need that. What they need is for me to be there, for me to acknowledge them, and to make sure they have food, water, shelter.
It's great, being in control of one hundred and fifty pounds of muscle. Do you know what's better? Seeing the affection in that one hundred and fifty pounds eyes, when I tell him he's good, or when I give him a hug or a pat.
Do you know what's the best? Proving to the newest addition, a dapple mini daschund, that I'm the boss.
But the bestest best thing in the entire world, was wrestling with him on the ground. It was when I leaned over him on my hands and knees, and he rolled over to willingly, trustingly give me his neck and underbelly. It was feeling his tail wag, it was knowing that he knew I would never ever hurt him or let him go without.
Being the boss in great and all, and I like being able to bring control to my pets. What I like more than that, is how when I tell them to stay, they do. And then I can give them cuddles.
As I'm writing this, a previously untrained dapple dasch is stretched out against my side. He wants to go and play, but I'm tired from chasing him around, wrestling, etc. He's listened to my command - really all I have to do is say his name and he settles - and he's okay with that.
What's most important to me, is that I know his favorite place to be is between my leg, and the arm of the couch.
I remember someone saying recently, that a dog should never have to protect its master. As its superior, its "alpha", we should protect them. Seeing this dapple here, wedged between my body and the couch, I know it's true.
They look to us for guidance, for love, and if we give it to them, they're the most loyal companions in life. The dog doesn't care how much money you make, how much you weigh, or if one ear is bigger than the other.
A dog only cares that you're both safe, that you're both warm, that both your bellies are full,and that, at the end of the day...you're together.
Vet bills and upkeep costs aside, it doesn't take much to keep a dog happy. A sleeping dog is a happy dog, as the saying goes.
That being said, please, don't get a dog if you can't afford it or have the time for it. I know that seems like I'm contradicting my above statements, but nothing can live on love alone, no matter how strong that love is. Think wisely, act wisely, and if you aren't certain, do what your instinct tells you, not your heart.
Because you heart may think that puppy at the shelter looks so cute, but if you end up being unable to keep it...well, that's on you too.
Daily Dose of Cute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWgB1hyOHWc
Sadly, I can't just upload the video. I can however link you, and tell you what it's about.
The video shows the life of Jessica, a hippo that lives in someone's house. There's a pod of hippo down the bend, and while she plays with them, she never leaves. The end of the video is adorable, with her curling up to sleep beside the family dog.
I can see the "stupid" here, with them feeding her coffee and the like, but the cuteness takes over my logical side. I've read of people adopting lions and caging them, then wondering why they turn...Jessica is free to leave at any time, yet she chooses to stay. They're not holding her captive, or against her will, and they did actually save her life.
Sadly, I can't just upload the video. I can however link you, and tell you what it's about.
The video shows the life of Jessica, a hippo that lives in someone's house. There's a pod of hippo down the bend, and while she plays with them, she never leaves. The end of the video is adorable, with her curling up to sleep beside the family dog.
I can see the "stupid" here, with them feeding her coffee and the like, but the cuteness takes over my logical side. I've read of people adopting lions and caging them, then wondering why they turn...Jessica is free to leave at any time, yet she chooses to stay. They're not holding her captive, or against her will, and they did actually save her life.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Updates and Geese
I have now changed the comment settings, so anyone including anon can comment. If anyone wants to comment, that is.
Geese.
Did you know the word "goose" actually covers ducks and swans? Ducks being smaller geese, swans being larger. According to the internet, there are three types of true geese. I'm not going to get into that, as I know many people find me droning on about animal facts to be dull.
When I was in high school I took a SAP class (SAP standing for sociology, anthropology, psychology)
My teacher one day decided to talk about how amazing geese were, and that's what I wanted to write about today. Gramma and I had our little road trip, and I saw many geese along the way, including a few lone ones.
In my previous post about my dog training technique, I mentioned that dogs are dogs are dogs. They're animals first and foremost. The same goes for geese. They're just birds, you know? It's one of the reasons that saying they have so much "humanity", "humility" and "compassion" irritates me. They follow instincts, they do what they have to in order to survive and keep their species thriving.
What I will say about geese - and a slew of other animals, actually - is that they appear to be more understanding. How many of us have gotten forwards, seen news clips, or read articles online about 'so and so' animal adopting 'so and so' baby, despite being of completely different species?
I read once that a lioness can walk through a herd of zebra, and so long as her tail is standing at attention, they're content to let her through. Lions eat zebras, frequently, and yet they co-exist peacefully.
Why? Because they're not run by emotions, like us. Animals hunt and kill because they have to, not because they can. Diseases like rabies can turn animals vicious, but that's when they're sick. There are many humans who are not actually sick who do sick things.
In a flock of geese, if one gets hurt - gets shot, for example - a second will go down with it. Why? To nurse it back to health, try and help it survive. Not because it feels particularly sad, but because it wants its blood lines strong, so that next season it can hatch more babies, raise more family members.
I'm sure we've all noticed geese flying in a V shaped pattern. Did you know that the goose at the very tip of that V, switched places with the other geese frequently? The one at the tip gets hit with the most wind, the most of the elements, and they trade places so none of them tire to the point of exhaustion.
And geese, like many birds, mate for life.
None of these things make them human. These things all make them animals, acting on instinct, trying to survive in a world owned by humans. We may be more technilogically advanced, but as a species, I personally believe we're setting ourselves up for failure. None of what we do is based on survival, it's based on greed. Who can have more, who does have more, and what we need. Not what we want.
Penny for your thoughts?
Geese.
Did you know the word "goose" actually covers ducks and swans? Ducks being smaller geese, swans being larger. According to the internet, there are three types of true geese. I'm not going to get into that, as I know many people find me droning on about animal facts to be dull.
When I was in high school I took a SAP class (SAP standing for sociology, anthropology, psychology)
My teacher one day decided to talk about how amazing geese were, and that's what I wanted to write about today. Gramma and I had our little road trip, and I saw many geese along the way, including a few lone ones.
In my previous post about my dog training technique, I mentioned that dogs are dogs are dogs. They're animals first and foremost. The same goes for geese. They're just birds, you know? It's one of the reasons that saying they have so much "humanity", "humility" and "compassion" irritates me. They follow instincts, they do what they have to in order to survive and keep their species thriving.
What I will say about geese - and a slew of other animals, actually - is that they appear to be more understanding. How many of us have gotten forwards, seen news clips, or read articles online about 'so and so' animal adopting 'so and so' baby, despite being of completely different species?
I read once that a lioness can walk through a herd of zebra, and so long as her tail is standing at attention, they're content to let her through. Lions eat zebras, frequently, and yet they co-exist peacefully.
Why? Because they're not run by emotions, like us. Animals hunt and kill because they have to, not because they can. Diseases like rabies can turn animals vicious, but that's when they're sick. There are many humans who are not actually sick who do sick things.
In a flock of geese, if one gets hurt - gets shot, for example - a second will go down with it. Why? To nurse it back to health, try and help it survive. Not because it feels particularly sad, but because it wants its blood lines strong, so that next season it can hatch more babies, raise more family members.
I'm sure we've all noticed geese flying in a V shaped pattern. Did you know that the goose at the very tip of that V, switched places with the other geese frequently? The one at the tip gets hit with the most wind, the most of the elements, and they trade places so none of them tire to the point of exhaustion.
And geese, like many birds, mate for life.
None of these things make them human. These things all make them animals, acting on instinct, trying to survive in a world owned by humans. We may be more technilogically advanced, but as a species, I personally believe we're setting ourselves up for failure. None of what we do is based on survival, it's based on greed. Who can have more, who does have more, and what we need. Not what we want.
Penny for your thoughts?
Monday, January 31, 2011
Dog Training
I hate watching Cesar and I don't mind the guy from End of my Leash, but yeah. What are your dog training techniques?
I'd tried virtually everything with my mutt, from tying him to me, to clicking, to snapping, to absolutely zero results. Then I met a wonderful lady who has a Pit Bull crossed with something else. He's an absolutely brilliant dog, I adore him.
She told me that she sometimes still 'pins' her dog, to assert dominance. She says it works wonders.
So I tried it on Spencer. This was months ago by the way, but this post actually has a point. So, I tried it on Spencer. Lo and behold, it works. I 'pin' him down, on his back, and he becomes a whimpering mass of goo. No yelling, no swatting, no frustration. Just pin him down, and he stops what he's at.
I love dogs, and I love being able to cuddle and call them my best friends. But when you get down to it, a dog is a dog is a dog. They can be the worlds seventh smartest animal, the worlds dumbest animal, whatever. They're still dogs and first and foremost, they're still animals. Animals survive on instinct.
We all have that shiny fight or flight reflex, because we too are animals. A more technologically advanced species, but animals none the less.
Doing what an alpha dog would do (although I dislike the term alpha, as it reminds me of Cesar) works for me. It might not for all people, but showing my teeth at Spencer, eating before him - because as the alpha, I am higher on the pecking order - and even sometimes pinning him down works for me. Some people say I'm mean, but I don't particularly care. Your toy poodle dressed in frilly clothes is mean. Oh, what, he's like a son to you? He's still a dog, and as far as I know, historically, biologically, dogs do not wear clothes. That is a people-thing, not a puppy-thing. You may think your little booties and hats look cute, and while I can see the purpose for the booties, especially in harsh conditions, still. It's a little bit ridiculous.
My grandma has annoying beeping things, has tried clickers, an irritating beeping collar, and various other types of training methods to get her dogs to behave. Her male Italian Mastiff, the same one that stepped on me in a post below, has a dominance problem.
About an hour ago, he was stretched out on the kitchen floor, and I decided I was tired of him getting nippy with me. He's too big for me to pin with my arms, so my next course of action was to straddle his back. Of course I did not put weight onto him. I don't want to hurt him. But I did straddle his back, and lean my chest along his back and neck - yes, he's that big, he weighs almost one hundred and fifty.
Sam growled, and snapped at me, which is usual. He snaps a lot, actually. I proceeded to clamp his mouth shut and push his head down. After about fifteen tries, he dropped his head to the floor and keened at me, wagging his tail.
As stated above, I didn't put weight onto him, because I don't want to hurt him. Sam rolled over, completely lax, and gave me the tender underbelly and throat of his body. I lightly grabbed his saggy neck skin, and gave it a playful shake. All was forgiven, and he flopped down onto his side, waggling all over as I gave him a good pat and scratch.
When I stood and moved to the couch, he followed at my heel. He sat obediently at my feet on the second time I told him to sit, where it takes my grandparens both two dozen times to sit him. He followed me around for the remainder of the hour, doing as instructed - within limits, he only knows what he's been taught of course - and was more than content to let me lay across him.
Everytime he put my hand in his mouth, even if it was just to hold onto me, I yelped "ow!" and showed him my teeth. After only fifteen minutes of his two years of living he stopped putting my hand in his mouth entirely. Now, he brushes his "upper lips" along my fingers, just lipping at them. No teeth involved, just flopping his hangy face on my hands until I tell him he's good and give him a scratch.
So let's see:
I used an unconventional - as far as I've heard, anyway - method of training, on an untrainable dog, and accomplished this;
1. He now sits faster than he ever has before, in two years of owning him.
2. He has ceased all biting of me.
3. He now follows at my heel, waiting for orders.
Is it really that unconventional? It seems barbaric, I can see where people get that thought from, but it's instinctual and it works. I'm not hurting the dog, I'm using positive reinforcement - petting, scratching, loving - and instinctual reinforcement. I do what I see him do to the other dogs, what makes him alpha male.
I wish I could send my grandparents away with the little dogs for two weeks, and just leave me with the Mastiff's. I wonder if I'd have them trained by then? Probably not to perfection, but they'd be way better than they are now.
I'm not going to stop my 'barbaric', 'inhumane', or 'strange' ways. They work for me.
I'd tried virtually everything with my mutt, from tying him to me, to clicking, to snapping, to absolutely zero results. Then I met a wonderful lady who has a Pit Bull crossed with something else. He's an absolutely brilliant dog, I adore him.
She told me that she sometimes still 'pins' her dog, to assert dominance. She says it works wonders.
So I tried it on Spencer. This was months ago by the way, but this post actually has a point. So, I tried it on Spencer. Lo and behold, it works. I 'pin' him down, on his back, and he becomes a whimpering mass of goo. No yelling, no swatting, no frustration. Just pin him down, and he stops what he's at.
I love dogs, and I love being able to cuddle and call them my best friends. But when you get down to it, a dog is a dog is a dog. They can be the worlds seventh smartest animal, the worlds dumbest animal, whatever. They're still dogs and first and foremost, they're still animals. Animals survive on instinct.
We all have that shiny fight or flight reflex, because we too are animals. A more technologically advanced species, but animals none the less.
Doing what an alpha dog would do (although I dislike the term alpha, as it reminds me of Cesar) works for me. It might not for all people, but showing my teeth at Spencer, eating before him - because as the alpha, I am higher on the pecking order - and even sometimes pinning him down works for me. Some people say I'm mean, but I don't particularly care. Your toy poodle dressed in frilly clothes is mean. Oh, what, he's like a son to you? He's still a dog, and as far as I know, historically, biologically, dogs do not wear clothes. That is a people-thing, not a puppy-thing. You may think your little booties and hats look cute, and while I can see the purpose for the booties, especially in harsh conditions, still. It's a little bit ridiculous.
My grandma has annoying beeping things, has tried clickers, an irritating beeping collar, and various other types of training methods to get her dogs to behave. Her male Italian Mastiff, the same one that stepped on me in a post below, has a dominance problem.
About an hour ago, he was stretched out on the kitchen floor, and I decided I was tired of him getting nippy with me. He's too big for me to pin with my arms, so my next course of action was to straddle his back. Of course I did not put weight onto him. I don't want to hurt him. But I did straddle his back, and lean my chest along his back and neck - yes, he's that big, he weighs almost one hundred and fifty.
Sam growled, and snapped at me, which is usual. He snaps a lot, actually. I proceeded to clamp his mouth shut and push his head down. After about fifteen tries, he dropped his head to the floor and keened at me, wagging his tail.
As stated above, I didn't put weight onto him, because I don't want to hurt him. Sam rolled over, completely lax, and gave me the tender underbelly and throat of his body. I lightly grabbed his saggy neck skin, and gave it a playful shake. All was forgiven, and he flopped down onto his side, waggling all over as I gave him a good pat and scratch.
When I stood and moved to the couch, he followed at my heel. He sat obediently at my feet on the second time I told him to sit, where it takes my grandparens both two dozen times to sit him. He followed me around for the remainder of the hour, doing as instructed - within limits, he only knows what he's been taught of course - and was more than content to let me lay across him.
Everytime he put my hand in his mouth, even if it was just to hold onto me, I yelped "ow!" and showed him my teeth. After only fifteen minutes of his two years of living he stopped putting my hand in his mouth entirely. Now, he brushes his "upper lips" along my fingers, just lipping at them. No teeth involved, just flopping his hangy face on my hands until I tell him he's good and give him a scratch.
So let's see:
I used an unconventional - as far as I've heard, anyway - method of training, on an untrainable dog, and accomplished this;
1. He now sits faster than he ever has before, in two years of owning him.
2. He has ceased all biting of me.
3. He now follows at my heel, waiting for orders.
Is it really that unconventional? It seems barbaric, I can see where people get that thought from, but it's instinctual and it works. I'm not hurting the dog, I'm using positive reinforcement - petting, scratching, loving - and instinctual reinforcement. I do what I see him do to the other dogs, what makes him alpha male.
I wish I could send my grandparents away with the little dogs for two weeks, and just leave me with the Mastiff's. I wonder if I'd have them trained by then? Probably not to perfection, but they'd be way better than they are now.
I'm not going to stop my 'barbaric', 'inhumane', or 'strange' ways. They work for me.
Ouchies and booboos.
They say the bathroom is the place in the home where most accidents occur. I have to disagree. I believe that the kitchen is the place in the home where most accidents occur.
Today I dropped a knife on my foot, and thankfully it didn't stick in. It just gave me a nice little slice, then bounced harmlessly to the floor. Again, thankfully the dog and cats were not in the kitchen, because they like shiny sparkly pointy things. Especially the cats. They rub their faces on everything. I've also burnt myself many a time. Kitchen = accidents.
My gramma picked me up today, as we're going on a mini road trip tomorrow to visit my severely disabled uncle.
My gramma's dog body slammed me, and stomped down on my cut foot. It is now purple and black, after only an hour or two. It hurts badly. A hundred and fifty pounds of purebred Italian Mastiff, does not a good foot make.
Today I dropped a knife on my foot, and thankfully it didn't stick in. It just gave me a nice little slice, then bounced harmlessly to the floor. Again, thankfully the dog and cats were not in the kitchen, because they like shiny sparkly pointy things. Especially the cats. They rub their faces on everything. I've also burnt myself many a time. Kitchen = accidents.
My gramma picked me up today, as we're going on a mini road trip tomorrow to visit my severely disabled uncle.
My gramma's dog body slammed me, and stomped down on my cut foot. It is now purple and black, after only an hour or two. It hurts badly. A hundred and fifty pounds of purebred Italian Mastiff, does not a good foot make.
Internet Shopping
And by internet shopping I mean places like www.kijiji.com and www.craigslist.com
What do you guys think?
We found my mutt on Kijiji, and he's been fantastic so far, but the guy that brought him wasn't. Of course, that doesn't have anything to do with the website, but our own poor judgement and the guys weird personality.
My darling niece's mother often buys/sells baby things on Kijiji, and she's had an okay time so far. Although she's had a few run in's with scammers, she still goes back thanks to the ease of access.
I personally find Craigslist to be a giant waste of my time. The website is poorly put together in my opinion and hard to read, as well as navigate.
My question though, is what do you guys think? Taking a step back and looking at the websites, I'm a bit shocked that I ever went on them in the first place.
Now, let's think about this slowly. For this point I'm trying to make, we can toss in www.ebay.com and www.etsy.com (of course, I love etsy like nobodies business, but for the sake of being fair, I'll put it in there.)
For ebay and etsy you give people your address so they can mail you things. I've never had any bad experiences with either, nor has anyone I know, but think about it. You're giving people your address on the internet.
We were always taught to not talk to strangers, never give out personal information, and here we all are; sitting in front of the computers, sending our addresses out to people we've never talked to, let alone met. These aren't friends we've met online, and have known for years. These are complete and total strangers, who we're trusting with our addresses. I suppose for those two websites, it's not so bad. Most of us don't have picture of ourselves posted up, or our ages. Keeping the creepers away seems fairly easy.
Now let's talk about Kijiji and Craigslist, as well as any website out there even remotely like them.
When we bought our mutt, we text a man our address and phone number, so he could plug it into his GPS. Just because he had puppies doesn't mean he was a cool guy. This man proceeded to drive to our house, meet myself, Mom and my sister. He stayed around and chatted. He was an idiot, but not a creep, and that's fine. But what if he had been a creep?
He knew our address, who lived at the house, that it was a houseful of young women, and their mother. And that we had a dog. He knew where our front door was, where our side door was, and he knew we had a field behind our house.
Niece's mommy tends to get her Hub to drive her to pick up things, which is okay. There's two people, they're going and getting the stuff, great. But what about mothers who don't drive, or single fathers even? Someone's selling baby products online, you get them to deliver it to you. These strange people end up knowing where you live, how old your baby is, and basically they know your schedule, or at least when you're going to be home on that one day of the week.
I guess you could call me paranoid, but really. We've grown really lax in our safety precautions. Everyone is paranoid to give out their credit card numbers, but we're all tossing our addresses out willy-nilly. I'd rather have a bunch of garbage and false charges on my credit card, than give a creeper online my address. I think I'll be doing pick ups from now on, and never alone.
Just some thoughts.
What do you guys think?
We found my mutt on Kijiji, and he's been fantastic so far, but the guy that brought him wasn't. Of course, that doesn't have anything to do with the website, but our own poor judgement and the guys weird personality.
My darling niece's mother often buys/sells baby things on Kijiji, and she's had an okay time so far. Although she's had a few run in's with scammers, she still goes back thanks to the ease of access.
I personally find Craigslist to be a giant waste of my time. The website is poorly put together in my opinion and hard to read, as well as navigate.
My question though, is what do you guys think? Taking a step back and looking at the websites, I'm a bit shocked that I ever went on them in the first place.
Now, let's think about this slowly. For this point I'm trying to make, we can toss in www.ebay.com and www.etsy.com (of course, I love etsy like nobodies business, but for the sake of being fair, I'll put it in there.)
For ebay and etsy you give people your address so they can mail you things. I've never had any bad experiences with either, nor has anyone I know, but think about it. You're giving people your address on the internet.
We were always taught to not talk to strangers, never give out personal information, and here we all are; sitting in front of the computers, sending our addresses out to people we've never talked to, let alone met. These aren't friends we've met online, and have known for years. These are complete and total strangers, who we're trusting with our addresses. I suppose for those two websites, it's not so bad. Most of us don't have picture of ourselves posted up, or our ages. Keeping the creepers away seems fairly easy.
Now let's talk about Kijiji and Craigslist, as well as any website out there even remotely like them.
When we bought our mutt, we text a man our address and phone number, so he could plug it into his GPS. Just because he had puppies doesn't mean he was a cool guy. This man proceeded to drive to our house, meet myself, Mom and my sister. He stayed around and chatted. He was an idiot, but not a creep, and that's fine. But what if he had been a creep?
He knew our address, who lived at the house, that it was a houseful of young women, and their mother. And that we had a dog. He knew where our front door was, where our side door was, and he knew we had a field behind our house.
Niece's mommy tends to get her Hub to drive her to pick up things, which is okay. There's two people, they're going and getting the stuff, great. But what about mothers who don't drive, or single fathers even? Someone's selling baby products online, you get them to deliver it to you. These strange people end up knowing where you live, how old your baby is, and basically they know your schedule, or at least when you're going to be home on that one day of the week.
I guess you could call me paranoid, but really. We've grown really lax in our safety precautions. Everyone is paranoid to give out their credit card numbers, but we're all tossing our addresses out willy-nilly. I'd rather have a bunch of garbage and false charges on my credit card, than give a creeper online my address. I think I'll be doing pick ups from now on, and never alone.
Just some thoughts.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Oldies
Does anyone out here get/watch Teletoon Retro? I know on my TV (I'm with Rogers) it's channel 284...
I love it so much!
The old Beetlejuice cartoon is on all the time, as well as the Chipmunks! Smurfs plays, but I never really watched it when I was little.
G.I. Joe is on right now, and the animation is so horrible, the voices are so crap, and I haven't been happier in weeks!
What are your favorite childhood shows? I'm not afraid to admit I wached Barney and Elmo. To be honest, if I stumbled across an old Barney movie...I'd watch it.
Sailor Moon was one of those shows I rushed home for in Junior K, because I could not miss it.
Retro brings back so many memories, I'm glad they made it. The old Scooby Doo still sucks, and I still watch it.
As a side note, the Inspector Gadget movies are fail in comparison to the show.
I love it so much!
The old Beetlejuice cartoon is on all the time, as well as the Chipmunks! Smurfs plays, but I never really watched it when I was little.
G.I. Joe is on right now, and the animation is so horrible, the voices are so crap, and I haven't been happier in weeks!
What are your favorite childhood shows? I'm not afraid to admit I wached Barney and Elmo. To be honest, if I stumbled across an old Barney movie...I'd watch it.
Sailor Moon was one of those shows I rushed home for in Junior K, because I could not miss it.
Retro brings back so many memories, I'm glad they made it. The old Scooby Doo still sucks, and I still watch it.
As a side note, the Inspector Gadget movies are fail in comparison to the show.
BFF's
How long have you guys known your best friends?
M: I've known her for fifteen years
A: Also fifteen years! Almost sixteen, actually. And I've known her sweet baby girl since she was but a thought, nothing more ;D
N: We met in middle school, we've known each other for seven or eight years, and we're awesome.
K: Six or seven years.
N was over last night, and we had an awesome time making art :) Sadly, I don't have anything saved on this computer, it's all on hers. Perhaps one day I'll upload it for your amusement.
How long have you known your best friend(s), and are you still friends with your very first bestie? I am! I'm also the proud Auntie Eri, and Godmother to her daughter now.
M: I've known her for fifteen years
A: Also fifteen years! Almost sixteen, actually. And I've known her sweet baby girl since she was but a thought, nothing more ;D
N: We met in middle school, we've known each other for seven or eight years, and we're awesome.
K: Six or seven years.
N was over last night, and we had an awesome time making art :) Sadly, I don't have anything saved on this computer, it's all on hers. Perhaps one day I'll upload it for your amusement.
How long have you known your best friend(s), and are you still friends with your very first bestie? I am! I'm also the proud Auntie Eri, and Godmother to her daughter now.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Lucky Number Sle-, 22
Heh, I'm at twenty two page views now. It doesn't seem like a lot, but this is honestly the longest I've stayed with a blog...and while page views might not mean much, it makes me proud.
I love wolves. What's everyone's opinion on Twilight? Personally, I hated it so bad I used to beat people with the Twi books. Then I forced myself to read it, and ended up enjoying it. Don't get me wrong, it'll never be my favorite series, not even close. SMeyer could have been a good author, had she have grown with the books, but she didn't. The movies make me ill, but I found the books an enjoyable, albeit very easy read.
Hated the "vampires", think the Cullen's suck, but I love the wolf pack. Random thoughts are random?
That Benadryl I took finally kicked in. No more allergies here! Although now I'm a drowsy sleepyfacepanda. Rambling post is rambling.
I love wolves. What's everyone's opinion on Twilight? Personally, I hated it so bad I used to beat people with the Twi books. Then I forced myself to read it, and ended up enjoying it. Don't get me wrong, it'll never be my favorite series, not even close. SMeyer could have been a good author, had she have grown with the books, but she didn't. The movies make me ill, but I found the books an enjoyable, albeit very easy read.
Hated the "vampires", think the Cullen's suck, but I love the wolf pack. Random thoughts are random?
That Benadryl I took finally kicked in. No more allergies here! Although now I'm a drowsy sleepyfacepanda. Rambling post is rambling.
Okay, calm down typing hands
I always hate spamming, but I keep thinking of new things to post and don't particularly feel like making one giant boring post that no one is going to read through.
Therefore, I spam.
So. Valentine's Day. Like it or lump it?
Personally, I think it's pointless. I know a lot of people view most holidays as pointless, but really.
Valentine's Day tends to make people who are single, or who are having crappy relationship times feel like trash. All this lovey dovey stuff makes it look like...I don't know. Sort of like if you don't have someone to spend the day with, you fail. Which isn't the case.
One of my oldest friends is my Valentine this year, I just asked her. We both hate the day, and we're content to mock it together. We were Valentine's last year, and the year before as well, I believe.
Oh, news flash. My other super best friend is Valentine's with my first oldest friend, and myself. So now we're participating in a three way homosexual Valentine's day Valentine relationship. Thoughts?
(you guys have no idea how many horrible looks we all get when we go out together, claiming to be Valentine's. Aside from the fact that's we're just fooling around and having fun and not being serious or couple-y at all, there is absolutely nothing wrong with homosexuality. My two friends are straight as boards, and while I'm not, it still bugs all three of us the way people tend to act. If you don't like it, don't look. We don't complain about your PDA's. Really, if a few girls hugging and sharing candy is going to cause you to flip out, I should be able to pull apart teenage heterosexual couples snogging in the middle of the mall.)
Therefore, I spam.
So. Valentine's Day. Like it or lump it?
Personally, I think it's pointless. I know a lot of people view most holidays as pointless, but really.
Valentine's Day tends to make people who are single, or who are having crappy relationship times feel like trash. All this lovey dovey stuff makes it look like...I don't know. Sort of like if you don't have someone to spend the day with, you fail. Which isn't the case.
One of my oldest friends is my Valentine this year, I just asked her. We both hate the day, and we're content to mock it together. We were Valentine's last year, and the year before as well, I believe.
Oh, news flash. My other super best friend is Valentine's with my first oldest friend, and myself. So now we're participating in a three way homosexual Valentine's day Valentine relationship. Thoughts?
(you guys have no idea how many horrible looks we all get when we go out together, claiming to be Valentine's. Aside from the fact that's we're just fooling around and having fun and not being serious or couple-y at all, there is absolutely nothing wrong with homosexuality. My two friends are straight as boards, and while I'm not, it still bugs all three of us the way people tend to act. If you don't like it, don't look. We don't complain about your PDA's. Really, if a few girls hugging and sharing candy is going to cause you to flip out, I should be able to pull apart teenage heterosexual couples snogging in the middle of the mall.)
Dinosaur's say what?
WHAT!I am a huge dino lover, always have been. Anything I can read or what about dino's, I do.
My personal favorite is the Triceratops, and the Jurassic Park trilogy is probably my most favorite movie series of all times. The dino's weren't all properly portrayed, but what can I say? The movies were brilliantly done.
What's your favorite dinos? Do you even have favorites?
Puppies and allergies and coffee, oh my!
So readers, what's your favorite kind of dog? Right now, my "doggy family" (this includes aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins...so don't go callin' animal services on me!) consists of the following:
Italian Mastiffs
Toy Yorkshire Terriers
Miniature Daschunds
Miniature Doberman
My own Husky/Retriever mutt
Shi-poo (which is a cross between a shitzu and a toy poodle. They're ridiculously funny looking!)
I have to say, as much as I love my mutt, Spence, I do in fact love mini weiners. I have no idea why. Maybe it's because they're so long and funky looking? Perhaps it has something to do with my childhood.
Growing up, Gramma had a mini weiner named Roni. As in, Macaroni and Cheese. Originally he was named The Duke, but when we went to register him at the vet, he would have to be named The Duke The Seventeeth. While a very 'prestigous' sounding name, he ended up being named Roni after he got into a bowl of someone's dinner and devoured it. Weiner dogs are slobs!
Roni was there before I was born, and once I was born, he was the best nanny I ever did have. He was a loving, mothering dog who nurtured everything that seemed helpless or defenseless. The point is, Daschund's are my fave - mini or standard. They're cute, cuddly, and internet research told me that they make the best dogs for single women. It's due to their protective nature, and the fact that they have a deeper bark then most small dogs.
They're small dogs, with big barks and even bigger barks.
Unfortunately, I am desperately allergic to both cats and dogs, despite owning both. As I'm typing this, my right hand is swollen and scratchy, red, with nasty white hives. I took a Benadryl, which is supposed to have fast acting relief, but no luck yet! Thankfully my love for the dogs and cats overpowers my own comfort, haha.
Do you guys have anything you love to death, food or critter or hobby, that you can't be around due to allergies? I don't mind being with the dogs, but I have issues if I'm around them too long.
Ah, the end of this post. It's nice to have them end, I think. I love typing, but finding a way to close it all up is amazing.
So I'm closing with this;
Tim Hortons coffee is the best coffee in existence. It's so delicious. I take it as double double, but yeah.
Italian Mastiffs
Toy Yorkshire Terriers
Miniature Daschunds
Miniature Doberman
My own Husky/Retriever mutt
Shi-poo (which is a cross between a shitzu and a toy poodle. They're ridiculously funny looking!)
I have to say, as much as I love my mutt, Spence, I do in fact love mini weiners. I have no idea why. Maybe it's because they're so long and funky looking? Perhaps it has something to do with my childhood.
Growing up, Gramma had a mini weiner named Roni. As in, Macaroni and Cheese. Originally he was named The Duke, but when we went to register him at the vet, he would have to be named The Duke The Seventeeth. While a very 'prestigous' sounding name, he ended up being named Roni after he got into a bowl of someone's dinner and devoured it. Weiner dogs are slobs!
Roni was there before I was born, and once I was born, he was the best nanny I ever did have. He was a loving, mothering dog who nurtured everything that seemed helpless or defenseless. The point is, Daschund's are my fave - mini or standard. They're cute, cuddly, and internet research told me that they make the best dogs for single women. It's due to their protective nature, and the fact that they have a deeper bark then most small dogs.
They're small dogs, with big barks and even bigger barks.
Unfortunately, I am desperately allergic to both cats and dogs, despite owning both. As I'm typing this, my right hand is swollen and scratchy, red, with nasty white hives. I took a Benadryl, which is supposed to have fast acting relief, but no luck yet! Thankfully my love for the dogs and cats overpowers my own comfort, haha.
Do you guys have anything you love to death, food or critter or hobby, that you can't be around due to allergies? I don't mind being with the dogs, but I have issues if I'm around them too long.
Ah, the end of this post. It's nice to have them end, I think. I love typing, but finding a way to close it all up is amazing.
So I'm closing with this;
Tim Hortons coffee is the best coffee in existence. It's so delicious. I take it as double double, but yeah.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Totally awesome, still~
Me: My back is sore...
Him: -back rubs- that or a heating pad?
Me: I'm sorry but only I'm awesome enough to give virtual back rubs, and actually make someone feel better.
Him: Darn...well, do I at least get points for trying?
Me: Woohoo! I just swallowed a piece of food without drinking any water!
Him: Awesome!
Me: And yes, you get points for trying.
--- I have very bad acid reflux, and the three cans of V8 juice I had tonight made my throat swell up, to the point where I was unable to eat.
Despite my various health issues...I am awesome.
Him: -back rubs- that or a heating pad?
Me: I'm sorry but only I'm awesome enough to give virtual back rubs, and actually make someone feel better.
Him: Darn...well, do I at least get points for trying?
Me: Woohoo! I just swallowed a piece of food without drinking any water!
Him: Awesome!
Me: And yes, you get points for trying.
--- I have very bad acid reflux, and the three cans of V8 juice I had tonight made my throat swell up, to the point where I was unable to eat.
Despite my various health issues...I am awesome.
don't cry for me - no really.
I grew up in a mostly single parent household. Mom had boyfriends over the years, and eventually I had a little sister.
Most of my friends and cousins, whatever, have two parent households. Which is fine - but as a child, it always made me feel like the odd man out. I was the only one who didn't do fathers day and all that nonsense. Now that I'm older, it doesn't bug me. Especially since my mom's last boyfriend was around for eleven years.
They're not together now, but he still acts like the dad I wish I had growing up. He's still there for emotional support, and he takes my sister and I out whenever we need it, sometimes even when we just want it. Which is awesome, it really is.
However, I have to say that I absolutely cannot stand when my biological father calls me. You see, it wasn't that him and Mom broke up. They didn't have a fight. No one was cheating.
One day he went to the store and just never came back. I was still incredibly small, and after three days, he called Mom and said it was over.
So, wow. I saw him maybe four or five times over the years, until it just...stopped. Around the time I turned twelve. Which again, was fine. I don't want him to call. Whenever he did, I ended up being disapointed weeks later. Mom got tired of watching me wait at the window, sitting for hours, hoping my dad would actually show up.
She got tired of making excuses for him, and I got tired of listening to excuses. He was basically forgotten.
Then last year - in 2010 - he started calling. He talks to me for maybe five minutes, then wants to talk to Mom...for hours. Clearly he wants nothing to do with me.
After a drunken phone call a few weeks back, I began calling him in a desperate attempt to get my brothers phone number. We're related via Father Dearest, and haven't seen each other in a few years. Fantastic. Well, Father Dearest doesn't answer his phone.
He calls last night, and gives me three numbers after making me feel like garbage (because, as we all know, fifty five year old alcoholics who don't have high schools diploma's let alone college degrees, are so much better than their educatee year old, trying to find a job daughters.)
1. My brother
2. My brother's mother
3. My aunt, who doesn't know who I am.
One and Two did not work. Number three called me back today. Three says she will email One and Two my phone number and other information, so they can get ahold of me.
So dear readers, my questions of today are as follow:
- Do you have any "dead beat parents", or did you grow up in a single parents house hold?
- Was it with Mom or Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Gramma, Grampa?
- Reasons?
- Any long lost relative you'd like to get ahold of?
- Any idea how?
Most of my friends and cousins, whatever, have two parent households. Which is fine - but as a child, it always made me feel like the odd man out. I was the only one who didn't do fathers day and all that nonsense. Now that I'm older, it doesn't bug me. Especially since my mom's last boyfriend was around for eleven years.
They're not together now, but he still acts like the dad I wish I had growing up. He's still there for emotional support, and he takes my sister and I out whenever we need it, sometimes even when we just want it. Which is awesome, it really is.
However, I have to say that I absolutely cannot stand when my biological father calls me. You see, it wasn't that him and Mom broke up. They didn't have a fight. No one was cheating.
One day he went to the store and just never came back. I was still incredibly small, and after three days, he called Mom and said it was over.
So, wow. I saw him maybe four or five times over the years, until it just...stopped. Around the time I turned twelve. Which again, was fine. I don't want him to call. Whenever he did, I ended up being disapointed weeks later. Mom got tired of watching me wait at the window, sitting for hours, hoping my dad would actually show up.
She got tired of making excuses for him, and I got tired of listening to excuses. He was basically forgotten.
Then last year - in 2010 - he started calling. He talks to me for maybe five minutes, then wants to talk to Mom...for hours. Clearly he wants nothing to do with me.
After a drunken phone call a few weeks back, I began calling him in a desperate attempt to get my brothers phone number. We're related via Father Dearest, and haven't seen each other in a few years. Fantastic. Well, Father Dearest doesn't answer his phone.
He calls last night, and gives me three numbers after making me feel like garbage (because, as we all know, fifty five year old alcoholics who don't have high schools diploma's let alone college degrees, are so much better than their educatee year old, trying to find a job daughters.)
1. My brother
2. My brother's mother
3. My aunt, who doesn't know who I am.
One and Two did not work. Number three called me back today. Three says she will email One and Two my phone number and other information, so they can get ahold of me.
So dear readers, my questions of today are as follow:
- Do you have any "dead beat parents", or did you grow up in a single parents house hold?
- Was it with Mom or Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Gramma, Grampa?
- Reasons?
- Any long lost relative you'd like to get ahold of?
- Any idea how?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Featured
Word! So today's featured place is an etsy shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop/GiRLStreetVintageGiRLStreetVintage sells an amazing list of items, all of them gorgeous and unique. The 'owner' of this shop is also incredibly lovely and friendly, with 100% positive feedback. Go there for all your vintage or cool needs!
From wallets to pot holders to gloves to housewares, GiRLStreetVintage has it all.
I "bread" it a while ago, actually.
I made this bread the other week. I was trying to recreat Jack Astors pan bread. I made a whole loaf, and next time I'm going to make balls and stick them together. Or maybe personal bread :) It was cheesy and delicious, and actually did taste like pan bread from Jack Astors!~
It was my very first time making anything from scratch, and the first time I made bread. I had to knead it, let it rise, knead it, let it rise, and then leave it over night before baking it. I was very proud of myself! Do any of you have favorite recipes you want to share?
I'm totally awesome, I swear
No, seriously. I'm made of epic freaking win. I'm so awesome that Wolverine and Gambit wear Erika patterned boxers. I say this, because I have a pair of X-Men PJ pants...and we all know Wolverine and Gambit don't wear PJ pants, they wear tights. And boxers. Because they're men. Manly men! In tights!
Sososo, I stole something from a friend of mine. It's a link.
Do not click it, if you're easily upset by animal cruelty. For those of you who are, the gist of the story is this:
Lady in Texas kills Pit Bull after the dog eats her Gospel...which she left out on the porch, with the chained up dog.
So let me ask these next two questions: Would a super religous person really leave their religious books in places where they could be destroyed by the weather, let alone chewy pups? And really...whose the mean one? Humans, or Pit Bulls?
Stupid people make mean dogs. Dogs don't make mean dogs. Dogs make creatures that need and want structure/love in their lives.
http://dontgetmestarted-lindasharp.typepad.com/dont_get_me_started_with_/2011/01/which-one-is-the-killer.html
Sososo, I stole something from a friend of mine. It's a link.
Do not click it, if you're easily upset by animal cruelty. For those of you who are, the gist of the story is this:
Lady in Texas kills Pit Bull after the dog eats her Gospel...which she left out on the porch, with the chained up dog.
So let me ask these next two questions: Would a super religous person really leave their religious books in places where they could be destroyed by the weather, let alone chewy pups? And really...whose the mean one? Humans, or Pit Bulls?
Stupid people make mean dogs. Dogs don't make mean dogs. Dogs make creatures that need and want structure/love in their lives.
http://dontgetmestarted-lindasharp.typepad.com/dont_get_me_started_with_/2011/01/which-one-is-the-killer.html
A little bit of LOL
I really should become a comedian. My best friend could be the helper for my act.
Me: Pray that I get a job, oy?
Her: Huuuuuuyababa goobidy goo blah blah lolol - that's my prayer :)
Me: That's very...unique!
Her: Do ya love me?
Me: Are you playing your loooooove games with me?
Her: Yes! ... I have to pee!
Okay, maybe we're not comedian worthy, but I find us hilarious. Also, the "do ya love me" thang comes from an amazing little tiddlybit of hilarity, called Old Gregg. If you have never ever seen Old Gregg (first, shame on you, I can't believe you haven't seen it. Do you live under a rock?) go to youtube and search it up. Watch both parts, it's hilarious.
And Bailey's rocks, amirite?
Me: Pray that I get a job, oy?
Her: Huuuuuuyababa goobidy goo blah blah lolol - that's my prayer :)
Me: That's very...unique!
Her: Do ya love me?
Me: Are you playing your loooooove games with me?
Her: Yes! ... I have to pee!
Okay, maybe we're not comedian worthy, but I find us hilarious. Also, the "do ya love me" thang comes from an amazing little tiddlybit of hilarity, called Old Gregg. If you have never ever seen Old Gregg (first, shame on you, I can't believe you haven't seen it. Do you live under a rock?) go to youtube and search it up. Watch both parts, it's hilarious.
And Bailey's rocks, amirite?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Fears
I have a fear of clowns. And moths...and most definately ants. What are your fears readers? Have you ever tried facing them head on?
Did not work for me, let me tell ya.
Did not work for me, let me tell ya.
Have some more USELESS
As a second thought, here's some pictures of my totally useless origami. At least it's pretty, right? :) - Congratulations Tsuru - it's a type of crane, that apparently means congrats! For weddings mostly (or at least, that's what I've gathered from my readings)
- A phoenix, that I fudged up on. I still think it looks kind of neat. Especially love the totally useless snowman and snowflake paper I used for him.
- It's a lily~ Double sided paper - purple in the front, grey in the back. Makes it look hardcore, am I right?
- A parrot. Generally made out of 30x30 paper, I used paper half the size of that, so...he's tiny, and a bit distorted. And why yes lovelies, he is resting on a Puckup. A Puckup is my giant plastic cup with Noah Puckerman's face on it. He's from Glee, he's awesome, thou shall not judge me for the fact I enjoy Glee.
Useless
It's a word we hear a lot, and one I use frequently in an offhanded sort of way. The dictionary describes useless as "of no practical good".
As of late, my family's been commenting about how useless my most frequent hobby - paper folding or rather, origami - is. And yeah, I can kind of see it. Adorable little paper bunnies, kittens, flowers and stars are littering the tables, and they aren't doing anything. They sit there. Silent. Motionless. Useless.
But is it really useless? I've seen multiple people selling their hand folded paper craft goods on stores like etsy (found at http://www.etsy.com/ it really is an amazing website, I spend a lot of time there) so it does have a bit of value. Monetary value aside, though, origami makes me happy.
There's nothing like buying a new pack of origami paper, cracking it open, and pulling out a pure, crease less sheet. You get to ooh and aah over the pretty colors, or if you're like me, the awesomely patterned paper. And then...then you get to decide what you want to make. I use youtube to find tutorials, and halfway through getting a project done it's like woah, this actually looks like something.
Some people can draw, or sculpt, or paint. I have my useless craft of origami, where I can turn a piece of paper into virtually anything I want. So: useless or not?
One mans garbage is another mans treasure, as they say.
Do you guys have anything your friends, family, spouses, or partners find useless? My fairy collection and extensive hoard of jewelry have been deemed that way. Again, they make me happy. Useless? Or useful?
Tell me about your weird collections, hobbies, or habits. The person with the most unique one will have their 'quirk' featured in a poll that I'm going to affectionately call "Useless or Useful", so we can figure it out for sure. After all, voting solves everything, right?
As of late, my family's been commenting about how useless my most frequent hobby - paper folding or rather, origami - is. And yeah, I can kind of see it. Adorable little paper bunnies, kittens, flowers and stars are littering the tables, and they aren't doing anything. They sit there. Silent. Motionless. Useless.
But is it really useless? I've seen multiple people selling their hand folded paper craft goods on stores like etsy (found at http://www.etsy.com/ it really is an amazing website, I spend a lot of time there) so it does have a bit of value. Monetary value aside, though, origami makes me happy.
There's nothing like buying a new pack of origami paper, cracking it open, and pulling out a pure, crease less sheet. You get to ooh and aah over the pretty colors, or if you're like me, the awesomely patterned paper. And then...then you get to decide what you want to make. I use youtube to find tutorials, and halfway through getting a project done it's like woah, this actually looks like something.
Some people can draw, or sculpt, or paint. I have my useless craft of origami, where I can turn a piece of paper into virtually anything I want. So: useless or not?
One mans garbage is another mans treasure, as they say.
Do you guys have anything your friends, family, spouses, or partners find useless? My fairy collection and extensive hoard of jewelry have been deemed that way. Again, they make me happy. Useless? Or useful?
Tell me about your weird collections, hobbies, or habits. The person with the most unique one will have their 'quirk' featured in a poll that I'm going to affectionately call "Useless or Useful", so we can figure it out for sure. After all, voting solves everything, right?
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