The Cat's meow

News Flash!! Tinker mauled!!

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:27:54 GMT

On Sunday April 26th, in the year 15 something-or-other a tinker was horribly mauled by a yellow dog at the Depford Market Faire. "Well, he must have had it coming." said a source close to the dog. When asked what might have provoked the dog the source said, "How would I know? She doesn't speak The Queen's English! Everyone knows that a dog is a very good judge of human character and after all, those itinerant tinkers are no better than cut purses and ale thieves!!"

There will be no funeral services for the tinker because as a "guild of one", there will be no one to attend the service.

The dog refuses to give any statements.

(cross posted from Faire Rumours Tribe)

I want to be the Art teacher at this school....

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:53:39 GMT

With terrorism and environment woes, this is probably a*really* good idea!

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/lovecraftian_school_board_member

why didn't I see this sooner?

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:35:11 GMT

yeah, I can agree with that

erm.... NO!!

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:37:49 GMT

Saw this going to work the other day...

Does this guy get a lot of work? It looks like he let his kid paint his truck with finger paints. Or he painted it with his ass.

Paint my car? I don't friggin think so!!

job interview....

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:08:42 GMT

despite my why-the-hell-am-I-so-freaking-nervous and having to pee three times just before I left the house, I think I did pretty well. I KNOW they don't have anyone else with 1/5 the experience I have applying. I have no idea how many people out of the 45 that took the written exam passes. They are scheduling them 2 at a time and I'm guessing 15 minutes apart. The other guy scheduled at the same time as me was sent to another part of the building to interview.

The next step is the physical abilities (think boot camp exercises) and then the psyche exam. No comments on the psyche exam from the peanut gallery!

Ahhhh, never mind! I can laugh at myself! And you guys keep me laffin'! :-p

Auto Insurance Blues

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:29:54 GMT

Does anyone out there have Mercury Insurance? Are they good / bad? Any comment at all?

Beuller? Beuller?

My broker wants me to go w/ a higher Ins. quote - Progressive, I've been w/ them for about 7 years - one lousy $900 accident and they wanna jack it up $600 a year!!) He also didn't have anything nice to say about the second and third place quotes I got on line.

Please help the needy!

Hey! Wot gives?

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:09:07 GMT

If ya didn't want us to chew it, then WHY the heck didja put dog toys all over it?

Holiday giving

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:13:34 GMT

give w/o costing you a cent!!

I just got this.... it's a great way to shop for your or for family's/friends' furry friends AND donate $$$$ to any animal charity you pick. There are a ton to choose from so you don't have to pick my charity.

However I do want to say that I know one "bad" charity is listed. Animal Defense League. The one they list is for Texas, so I can't speak about that chapter, but the Los Angeles chapter I have PERSONAL experiences with. They blame LA Animal Services for the pet overpopulation. Their members come into the shelters and assalt the employees. They chase away potential adopters, they say it is better to let your unwanted pet go on the streets than bring it to a shelter (yeah, cuz starving then getting hit by a car - which is very rarely an instantaneous death - is so much better than a painless euthanasia). Their web site, like The National Enquirer, has about 5 - 10% true facts and 90 - 95% false propaganda. There's more but I think I've said enough. Just research the charity you want to give to. Many of the ones listed I have some experience with and they are A-OK in my book.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hi everyone,

We have partnered with PetGive.com as a way to raise money for GDA (Guide Dogs of America) while just shopping online. So, if you still have some holiday shopping to do online, here’s how it works:

Go to www.PetGive.com <www.PetGive.com> , register and select Guide Dogs of America as your charity. Then, shop at one of the numerous participating retailers that are listed (Nordstrom, Barnes and Noble, eBay, etc.), GDA will receive a percentage (varies by retailer) of the total purchase amount. So, each time you shop online, go first to PetGive.com and shop the online retailer from that starting point.
Here’s an example of how GDA can receive money this way:
Let’s say we have 500 people making three purchases of $75.00 each month. Based on the average percentage of purchase received, that would bring in about $3,374.00 that month… and approximately $40,488.00 for the year.

(This does not conflict with www.GoodSearch.com <www.GoodSearch.com> , as we receive money from this site for using it as a search engine – not a “percentage of purchase” arrangement.)

Happy shopping, and don’t forget to always go first to www.PetGive .com!

Lorri Bernson (and guide dog "Nigel"!) "

Go, check it out, pick YOUR favourite charity, and happy shopping/giving!
PS. Goodsearch works the same way, but has a variety of charities, not just pet charities.

improved "Thriller"?????

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:24:43 GMT

OMG!!! I damn near wet myself!

pats my own back

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:18:27 GMT

oooooooo! I did it! I did it! I finally figured out how to post videos! Not too shabby for a fuktard like me!
Even tho I had CLEAR instructions from igiggedwithdanny, it still took me a few tries. Now I can be like the rest of you cool kids!

When is Chanakha?

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:07:54 GMT

not quite Cowboy Poetry, but awesome in it's own way!

Prop H8

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:50:33 GMT

to quote Blazing Saddles...

"C'mon girls! Let's get 'em!!"

safety dance

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:03:46 GMT

this is almost as cool as Robot Wars!

we all scream!!

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:12:11 GMT

Oh please don't let tis get ou! Otherwise there will never be any ice cream left in the stores and we'll be forced to celebrate birthdays with "birthday cake and ice cubes."

getting back my Soul...

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:31:28 GMT

www.youtube.com/watch

...piece by piece...
this is one of my fight and or theme songs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nKLVW7DzF0

THEY TOOK MY SOUL!!!!!!!!!

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:56:21 GMT

I've been crying almost everyday for 2 weeks now. I'm not a weeper.... I HATE crying. But I am so unhappy about this transfer... then I came to a very dark and sad realization.... "They" took my soul!

Every day I would come into work and as I walked through the kennels I'd say, "Hello babies" I would stop and briefly pet them. I realized early last week, that I hadn't done that in weeks! That is WHO I am! That is my core! That is my *soul*!!! How did I allow them to take that from me? Why didn't I see that happening?

How do I get my soul back? Or at least, where can I get a brand new one? I don't want to get one from E-Bay cuz it could come from a murderer or a con artist.

The Graduates

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:15:44 GMT

This is Ray. *sniff* He is Nisha’s new owner *choke* It is very obvious that Ray loves her and she is bonded with him! ( waaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!) I am so very happy for them and so very proud of Nisha!

We first met Ray in his dorm room. It was so hard NOT to throw myself onto Nisha and give her a bear hug!! After talking with Ray for a short while, I asked him I gould get on the floor & hug her. He said it would be OK.

The graduation ceremony is nice and simple, but oh-so-very emotional. There s hardly a dry eye in the house. Each puppy raiser had an opportunity to talk about their dog. Some spoke of how proud they were to raise a special dog. Others said how fulfilled they felt by helping someone else. I spoke of Nisha’s little personality quirks… like standing under the porch roof when it was raining and poking her head out just enough to try to catch the raindrops. Then each guide dog recipient/graduate would speak about how much the dog means to them.

Each graduating class selects one of the students to represent them. Kinda like the class valedictorian. They always mention how strenuous the training is… how the trainers are trying to kill them. The valedictorian spoke well, with much humour (“Someone told me I should write an outline. What a great idea I thought! And then I remembered, I’M BLIND!!”…. “They say that when you are nervous to give a speech in front of a crowd of strangers you should picture them in their underwear. So for my personal pleasure I’m picturing you all naked.”). Them finished her speech with a song. She has a beautiful voice and I was completely amazed that her never broke!! She sang “You Are So Beautiful”…at this point there was a flood of tears! Ray totally broke down. We came prepared with a big box of Kleenex!

After the ceremony there were refreshments, homemade cookies by The Girl Scouts. At this time we met Ray’s family. They are really nice and I know Nisha will love playing with the niece & nephew! Just before we left, Ray indulged me by leaving his family and letting me take photos of him & Nisha. He also took Nisha’s harness off so we could give her one last hug. Unfortunately when it was my turn, I gave my sister my camera so she could take photos. She didn’t!! She said, “I didn’t feel like it.” GAAAAAAHHHH!!

I don’t know about you, but while writing this I got all weepy again. *sigh * It’s a good thing.

Congratulations Graduate!!!

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:09:00 GMT

Nisha has been matched with a gentleman and will GRADUATE Sunday Oct. 19th!!!

Her new buddy is retired and likes to walk and travel. He lives in Ranch Cucamonga and Nisha will be his second guide dog.

My sister and I have one week to write a speech! I started to make a DVD about Nisha for her new owner... puppy photos, vacation photos and the Hindi song "Nisha". And before you ask, "But he's blind and can't see the photos..." The majority of "blind" people are actually visually impaired. There are very few 100% blind people. Plus I'm sure his family and friends would love to see the puppy photos!

Nisha is the third of the four puppies we raised for Guide Dogs of America.... third one's the charm!! Nisha is free to the recipient plus his training, room and board. Also free veterinary care for the rest of Nisha's life. WOW!

Last June I bought a ton of "Congratulations Graduate" stuff from a party store. Anyone who wants to attend the graduation ceremony is welcome. Just be sure to bring a LARGE box of tissues. It is very emotional. You can get more info at www.guidedogsofamerica.org

iPod Fever

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:32:34 GMT

I have just spent 2 hours and $55 bucks on iTunes........
I downloaded a buncha 60's tunes, the ones I used to sing-a-long with when I was a kid (Winchester Cathedral, I'm Henry the VIII). And some we sang in music class (Wendy).

Then there were the few from the 70's - Indian Reservation, Fox on the Run, Build Me Up, Buttercup...
I skipped the 80's & 90's

I finished up with contemporary selections - Stop, Shut Up, Clint Eastwood, Love Me Dead....

I surprised myself by purchasing several Weezer tunes. I'm not a big fan, but I do like Undone (the sweater song), Hash Pipe, Beverly Hills. I even bought one of their annoying (IMO) songs, Islands in the Sun. Reminds me so much of The Archies!!!!

Speaking of which..... yah, I downloaded some Archies songs!! *snort* Of course I grabbed Sugar, Sugar! And Hot Dog...and Archie's Party...and because I will fall down laughing at myself for this, Everything's Archie.... so c'mon let's go with the Archie Show! ROTFLMAOAM!! (AM = at myself)

OK, the pup wants to be fed now....

Sportive Tricks

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:45:22 GMT

Left Victumville to go to Riverside to see Sportive Tricks last night. Wow! Getting Jai out on a Sunday evening is nothing short of a miracle! We both enjoyed the show, the beer and the food (in that exact order!) On, and the company too!

We could here the instruments just fine, but the vocals were hard to understand. We were sitting off to the side tho. I also didn't particularly care for the stage right smack next to the entrance.

gimpy

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:12:42 GMT

Last week my jeep had to go into the shop. So I took the bus to Venice & Crenshaw and walked the mile south on Crenshaw to work. My sister would pick me up at midnight. I figured that wouldn't be a good time to be walking, busing or biking through South Central. I did that for 3 days and then on Saturday I went to Acton, to the ranch to train dogs to herd sheep. Unfortunately for me and the sheep, a bobcat had gotten into the pens the night before so the sheep were a bit freaked out and when I went to work the advanced dogs in the large field (I'm guessing but about 1/2 mile + by 1/4 mile on a hillside) the sheep would run to the farthest corner at the bottom of the field. One sheep even got his head stuck in the fencing waaay down there. So I had to walk down the field to help the dogs get the sheep back up to the top of the field four times.

By the end of the day (actually noon time) my knee started to bother me. I asked for some asprin because I knew the hour drive home would "freeze" the joint and there is NO WAY I could call in sick. Why? Because I was transferred to the main shelter from the Annex and my supervisor would say I only called in sick as retaliation for being transferred. I know. It's happened before. Sh*t!! If I wanted to retaliate.... well I have documented proof that will get people fired! Anyway, by the time I got home my knee had swollen up to the size of a grapefruit. I did not twist or pop my knee.... I just think it's from over use. It's a weak knee, having 2 surgeries, arthroscopy and my ACL replaced. I took some Alieve and iced it. Then I got up and found my heavy-duty knee brace.

I've worn it all week, the swelling has gone down, almost back to normal. I have an appointment with my orthopedic doc on - get this - July 31st!
That's his first available appointment! They did offer another doc, but I really like this doc and he's well respected in his field. (and his PA is hooooooootttt!!!)

Today I am limping around the house w/o the brace, taking it easy. Stinky neoprene brace has been washed. i need to pull weeds today. I can do that while sitting.

no zombies in South Central..... yet...

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:23:58 GMT

Didn't get them last year..... I probably won't be so lucky this year. I'm taking precautions...me, 2 bottles of water, a snack size packet of peanut M&M's and the pup are in our third hour of sitting up on the metal roof of the "Quarantine Kennel". That's where we house the "man-eaters". I'm cold and my butt hurts. The pup is sleeping on my lap.

I have a 2 way police radio but its only giving me static on all channels. Damn OIC (officer in charge) won't give me the combo to the gun safe. He said something about paperwork when a weapon is discharged. FTS! Duuuuuude, ZOMBIE ATTACK!!

I have all the kennels rigged so that I can open the cages from up here. I could have just opened all of them earlier to let the dogs patrol the compound, but since they're pit bulls, they'd just kill each other. Better to let out only one or two at a time if any zombies come around here...

poor Jax....

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:28:02 GMT

poor Jax....

Poor boy! I'm over due on clipping his nails, so I got out the clippers, treats and sat down in "the spot". He *hates* getting his nails cut. Used to bite the heck outta my hands back in the beginning when I first brought him home. Now he reluctantly tolerates it. What a good boy! But today it was a pretty bad experience for him. Jax was trying so hard to be good but the puppy kept jumping on him during the "torture". He never snapped and I got all 4 paws done fairly quickly.

puppy's first few days....

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:14:34 GMT

.... have been been great! She learned her name, Calle, in just a few hours. The older dogs and cat are accepting, but not overly warm to her. I can't believe my alpha dog has allowed her to jump on him and chew his tail. He is The Emperor of All.... and expects to be treated as such. Jumping on him is undignified..... but he just gets up and walks away. Calle's ADD then finds something else for her to chew.

I am sooooooooooooo lucky that she sleeps through the night! No crying while in the crate, no middle of the night potty emergencies. Still, there have been accidents in the house. I totally missed one until after I had walked through it a few times. So I had to add mopping the kitchen floor to today's To Do List.

can't wait can't wait can't wait can't wait...

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:49:59 GMT

In less than 22 hours I will be picking up my next guide puppy to raise. Her name is Calle and she is a 7 week old yellow lab. Guide Dogs were not sure if they were going to pass this litter on to the Training Program, so I guess I'm going to have a special case to work with.

can'twaitcan'twaitcan'twaitcan'twaitcan'twaitcan'twaitcan'twaitcan'twaitcan'twaitcan'twaitcan'twaitcan'twait

The Cat's meow

News Flash!! Tinker mauled!!

I want to be the Art teacher at this school....

why didn't I see this sooner?

erm.... NO!!

job interview....

Auto Insurance Blues

Hey! Wot gives?

Holiday giving

give w/o costing you a cent!!

improved "Thriller"?????

*pats my own back*

When is Chanakha?

Prop H8

safety dance

we all scream!!

getting back my Soul...

THEY TOOK MY SOUL!!!!!!!!!

The Graduates

Congratulations Graduate!!!

iPod Fever

Sportive Tricks

gimpy

no zombies in South Central..... yet...

poor Jax....

poor Jax....

puppy's first few days....

can't wait can't wait can't wait can't wait...

pats my own back