Thursday, February 28, 2008
I'm working on a few things
I have all these ideas about what to write about but nothing is sounding right. I have started a few posts, saved them, and then decided that I don't like the way they read. Since I am incapable of coming up with something clever, I'm not even going to try. I blame Itchy. See, I usually feel like writing in the late evening. It just flows better. I don't know why. Perhaps it is because my chores are done and I can focus better. Either way, Itchy has a test on Monday. It requires him to stare at a bunch of power points. Which means that he needs the computer. There is only one computer. His studying is apparently more important than my blogging. Whatever. Don't worry, there will be funny stories again in a few days.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Did you know that I like animals?
Not just cats either. I like dogs too. In fact, there aren't many animals that I don't like (obviously, I don't like snakes- they are icky and gross). I do believe that animals should be treated humanely and that they have rights. I hate PETA and HSUS. I also can't stand the law that just passed in CA.
Today, Los Angeles signed into effect a mandatory pet sterilization law. Animals will, by law, have to be surgically sterilized. There will be exceptions of course. Those exceptions are exactly what makes this wrong.
They want to become a No-Kill city. It's a great goal (low-kill is a better, more appropriate term though). I completely support fewer animals being needlessly killed. Wouldn't it be great if all shelters could be low-kill? Animals wouldn't need to be killed just because there just isn't room.
However, mandatory spay/neuter laws are not going to achieve this. The people who are willing to comply with these laws would have had their pets sterilized anyway. What about the people who never take their pet to a vet anyway? Not even for routine care. They are already ignoring mandatory licensing of pets (pets need to have an up-to-date rabies vaccine to be licensed and only licensed vets are legally allowed to administer rabies vaccines). So what makes you think that these people are going to change their ways and become pet-law abiding citizens?
Then, of course, you have the back yard breeders. These people have no business breeding pets to begin with. They think puppies/kittens are cute. They are in it for the MONEY. So as long as you have the money, you are the right person to adopt from them. Back yard breeders rarely have the know how to produce a quality litter. The 'purebred' (but he has 'papers') you buy from them will likely have a bucket full of genetic problems. Think that the law will stop the back yard breeder? Nope. Probably not. They will have to have a vet working with them (vet checked puppies can be sold for a lot more). But this vet will probably be outside of the mandated area. The breeder will have an alternate address to 'comply' with the law.
Worse yet we have the puppy mills. Nothing like a factory farmed puppy! Ah, can you smell the parvo? Puppy mills are EXEMPT from this law. They are 'Professional Breeders'. Do I really need to spell out why puppy mills are evil? I can send you links if you are interested in why you should NEVER buy from a puppy mill. So now the puppy mills, who do not have to spay/neuter their money makers, are producing low quality puppies. Lots of them too. The money makers are not genetically screened. The puppies have had little to no human contact prior to adoption, yet the 'Professional Breeders' have done no temperament screening. They don't screen potential owners either. Hand over the money and we'll throw a puppy at you.
Dogs from puppy mills are much more likely to end up in a shelter. Owners end up with a dog that has medical issues they can't afford to treat, behavior issues that they are not prepared to deal with, or a breed of dog that simply doesn't fit in with their lifestyle.
With a responsible breeder, you know what you are getting (no surprises about how big they are going to get, how much they eat, how much exercise and grooming they require). Medical issues are going to happen, but a responsible breeder does genetic screening prior to breeding to lessen the chance that they will produce unhealthy puppies. If something goes wrong and you just can't keep the dog anymore, for whatever reason, a responsible breeder will take the dog back. Even years down the road. Puppy mills will not.
Where do you think those dogs end up? The owners don't want to/can't keep the dog anymore. The puppy mill won't take it back (it has probably been spayed/neutered-thanks to the new law- and is now unusable to them). Guess what? That dog is now going to the shelter. Isn't that ironic? The very thing that this law is trying to avoid (less animals in the shelter means less animals killed at the shelter) is happening because of an exemption to the law.
Responsible breeders and those that show their pets (tons of overlap in those groups) are being punished. Responsible breeders can apply for exemption. Which is great. They will fill out the paperwork and do whatever is necessary. They love the breed that they are breeding and want to make it better. Why make it harder for them? The people who show their pets will also be exempted. If they show their pet by the age of 4 months. Umm, this sounds lovely, but the reality is that AKC shows (as do most others) have a minimum age of 6 months to participate. How does this exempt them? Their 4 month old can't participate in the show for 2 more months.
Not to mention that they are taking away the decision to do what is best for your pet from you. You no longer have any say in it. Yep, you can't decide what is best for your pet. You law abiding people are too stupid to make those decisions.
Since the government seems to know what's best for out pets, maybe now they can help us all find a healthy, poison free food for our pets. Wouldn't that be great?
Today, Los Angeles signed into effect a mandatory pet sterilization law. Animals will, by law, have to be surgically sterilized. There will be exceptions of course. Those exceptions are exactly what makes this wrong.
They want to become a No-Kill city. It's a great goal (low-kill is a better, more appropriate term though). I completely support fewer animals being needlessly killed. Wouldn't it be great if all shelters could be low-kill? Animals wouldn't need to be killed just because there just isn't room.
However, mandatory spay/neuter laws are not going to achieve this. The people who are willing to comply with these laws would have had their pets sterilized anyway. What about the people who never take their pet to a vet anyway? Not even for routine care. They are already ignoring mandatory licensing of pets (pets need to have an up-to-date rabies vaccine to be licensed and only licensed vets are legally allowed to administer rabies vaccines). So what makes you think that these people are going to change their ways and become pet-law abiding citizens?
Then, of course, you have the back yard breeders. These people have no business breeding pets to begin with. They think puppies/kittens are cute. They are in it for the MONEY. So as long as you have the money, you are the right person to adopt from them. Back yard breeders rarely have the know how to produce a quality litter. The 'purebred' (but he has 'papers') you buy from them will likely have a bucket full of genetic problems. Think that the law will stop the back yard breeder? Nope. Probably not. They will have to have a vet working with them (vet checked puppies can be sold for a lot more). But this vet will probably be outside of the mandated area. The breeder will have an alternate address to 'comply' with the law.
Worse yet we have the puppy mills. Nothing like a factory farmed puppy! Ah, can you smell the parvo? Puppy mills are EXEMPT from this law. They are 'Professional Breeders'. Do I really need to spell out why puppy mills are evil? I can send you links if you are interested in why you should NEVER buy from a puppy mill. So now the puppy mills, who do not have to spay/neuter their money makers, are producing low quality puppies. Lots of them too. The money makers are not genetically screened. The puppies have had little to no human contact prior to adoption, yet the 'Professional Breeders' have done no temperament screening. They don't screen potential owners either. Hand over the money and we'll throw a puppy at you.
Dogs from puppy mills are much more likely to end up in a shelter. Owners end up with a dog that has medical issues they can't afford to treat, behavior issues that they are not prepared to deal with, or a breed of dog that simply doesn't fit in with their lifestyle.
With a responsible breeder, you know what you are getting (no surprises about how big they are going to get, how much they eat, how much exercise and grooming they require). Medical issues are going to happen, but a responsible breeder does genetic screening prior to breeding to lessen the chance that they will produce unhealthy puppies. If something goes wrong and you just can't keep the dog anymore, for whatever reason, a responsible breeder will take the dog back. Even years down the road. Puppy mills will not.
Where do you think those dogs end up? The owners don't want to/can't keep the dog anymore. The puppy mill won't take it back (it has probably been spayed/neutered-thanks to the new law- and is now unusable to them). Guess what? That dog is now going to the shelter. Isn't that ironic? The very thing that this law is trying to avoid (less animals in the shelter means less animals killed at the shelter) is happening because of an exemption to the law.
Responsible breeders and those that show their pets (tons of overlap in those groups) are being punished. Responsible breeders can apply for exemption. Which is great. They will fill out the paperwork and do whatever is necessary. They love the breed that they are breeding and want to make it better. Why make it harder for them? The people who show their pets will also be exempted. If they show their pet by the age of 4 months. Umm, this sounds lovely, but the reality is that AKC shows (as do most others) have a minimum age of 6 months to participate. How does this exempt them? Their 4 month old can't participate in the show for 2 more months.
Not to mention that they are taking away the decision to do what is best for your pet from you. You no longer have any say in it. Yep, you can't decide what is best for your pet. You law abiding people are too stupid to make those decisions.
Since the government seems to know what's best for out pets, maybe now they can help us all find a healthy, poison free food for our pets. Wouldn't that be great?
Monday, February 25, 2008
Remember the auction?
Itchy and I went to an auction a few weeks ago. I wrote about it. Go back and read about it if you haven't already or simply can't remember.
Anyway, Itchy and I won a door prize at that auction. Most of it was not useful but we did receive a gift card for Subway. We were excited about it. Well, Itchy was. I have issues with Subway. But I'll eat there if I it means I don't have to cook.
We decided that we would go use our gift card tonight. We walk there amongst a group of stupid and annoying Kittitian high school students (what they were doing at school at 7 pm is beyond me, but it was probably not good). When we get there, we are the only ones there. Thank goodness (this ties in with my issues). But being the only ones there means that we can't even see any employees, we can hear them though. Itchy makes noise to get their attention. A not-so-happy employee comes out to help. We place our orders. The options are limited. They only have 2 kinds of bread. They only have one kind of cheese. The lettuce looks wilted. The black olives look more brown than black. The tomatoes look a little less than ripe, but still edible. I saw no green peppers. Whatever. We can deal with that. We just picked what looked ok.
We wait at the cash register to pay. Itchy tries to hand her the gift card. She says no. Itchy asks if they take gift cards. She says I don't think so. She yells to another employee who confirms this and she tells Itchy no. Good thing we brought money with us!
So we won a gift card that we can't even use until one of us goes back to the states. What a great prize!
Anyway, Itchy and I won a door prize at that auction. Most of it was not useful but we did receive a gift card for Subway. We were excited about it. Well, Itchy was. I have issues with Subway. But I'll eat there if I it means I don't have to cook.
We decided that we would go use our gift card tonight. We walk there amongst a group of stupid and annoying Kittitian high school students (what they were doing at school at 7 pm is beyond me, but it was probably not good). When we get there, we are the only ones there. Thank goodness (this ties in with my issues). But being the only ones there means that we can't even see any employees, we can hear them though. Itchy makes noise to get their attention. A not-so-happy employee comes out to help. We place our orders. The options are limited. They only have 2 kinds of bread. They only have one kind of cheese. The lettuce looks wilted. The black olives look more brown than black. The tomatoes look a little less than ripe, but still edible. I saw no green peppers. Whatever. We can deal with that. We just picked what looked ok.
We wait at the cash register to pay. Itchy tries to hand her the gift card. She says no. Itchy asks if they take gift cards. She says I don't think so. She yells to another employee who confirms this and she tells Itchy no. Good thing we brought money with us!
So we won a gift card that we can't even use until one of us goes back to the states. What a great prize!
Break
It is the last day of mid-semester break. Itchy's school gives the students a 3 day weekend about half way through the semester. Since Itchy only has school for half the day on Mondays anyway, this didn't really seem like a long weekend. Add to that, that he has to do homework and it's really just another weekend.
We did what we do every mid-semester break. We make plans and then decide we really don't want to/can't afford it. Our first attempt to make plans for this weekend was to go to a different island. A local airline had a 2-for-1 special. So the tickets were really cheap, but the taxes and surcharges were really expensive. Ok, we can't afford that. Never mind, we'll just stay here. We made other plans. We were going to go to the beach on Sunday and then climb the crater on Monday.
We stayed out much too late on Friday night. It's our fault. We should have just taken our car. It was fun though, for the most part. There was one person with us that I get really tired of really quickly and he was no exception on Friday night. No, it was not Itchy. I *like* hanging out with him. Anyway, we got really tired and had no way to leave on our own. We were people watching for the most part. Just watching most of those people at the bar gave me the "Eye KIV". Yes, my eyes got an STD just from watching those people. I'm not going to get into the details here because you imagine for yourself.
Saturday we slept in late. I love sleeping in. I'm also really good at it. We went to IGA and Rams. There are no child labor laws here, so we had a 7 year old bagging our groceries. Ok kid, I appreciate the effort, but seriously, could you go any slower? Please just let me help. I used to live in America. We bag our own groceries there all the time.
We did go to the beach on Sunday. Good old Cockleshell beach. It wasn't that hot out, but it was mostly sunny. I had a very scary snorkeling moment. There wasn't much going on in the water, a few blue fish, an angelfish, and lots of starfish. Then I spotted Spongebob. Who knew that the pineapple was here at Cockleshell beach? It made me laugh. I looked up to make sure that there weren't any boats coming or going and that's when it happened. I saw a sea snake. It was swimming on top of the water and then dove down. I hate snakes. Really hate them (the absolute biggest fear that I have is a snake in a cage). I looked down to make sure that it was swimming away and there it was, touching my leg. I had a mini-panic attack and swam as fast as I could back to shore. Terrifying. I was done with the ocean after that. We left soon after. We were nearly in a car accident on our way home (that's for another post though).
Now, we were going to go climb the crater today. We talked about it last night and decided not to because we'd have to get up early. We would just hike up to the bat cave instead! But this morning we decided that we probably shouldn't. Itchy has a sore back and I have a sunburn. Besides, Itchy has homework. Maybe we'll climb the crater next semester.
We did what we do every mid-semester break. We make plans and then decide we really don't want to/can't afford it. Our first attempt to make plans for this weekend was to go to a different island. A local airline had a 2-for-1 special. So the tickets were really cheap, but the taxes and surcharges were really expensive. Ok, we can't afford that. Never mind, we'll just stay here. We made other plans. We were going to go to the beach on Sunday and then climb the crater on Monday.
We stayed out much too late on Friday night. It's our fault. We should have just taken our car. It was fun though, for the most part. There was one person with us that I get really tired of really quickly and he was no exception on Friday night. No, it was not Itchy. I *like* hanging out with him. Anyway, we got really tired and had no way to leave on our own. We were people watching for the most part. Just watching most of those people at the bar gave me the "Eye KIV". Yes, my eyes got an STD just from watching those people. I'm not going to get into the details here because you imagine for yourself.
Saturday we slept in late. I love sleeping in. I'm also really good at it. We went to IGA and Rams. There are no child labor laws here, so we had a 7 year old bagging our groceries. Ok kid, I appreciate the effort, but seriously, could you go any slower? Please just let me help. I used to live in America. We bag our own groceries there all the time.
We did go to the beach on Sunday. Good old Cockleshell beach. It wasn't that hot out, but it was mostly sunny. I had a very scary snorkeling moment. There wasn't much going on in the water, a few blue fish, an angelfish, and lots of starfish. Then I spotted Spongebob. Who knew that the pineapple was here at Cockleshell beach? It made me laugh. I looked up to make sure that there weren't any boats coming or going and that's when it happened. I saw a sea snake. It was swimming on top of the water and then dove down. I hate snakes. Really hate them (the absolute biggest fear that I have is a snake in a cage). I looked down to make sure that it was swimming away and there it was, touching my leg. I had a mini-panic attack and swam as fast as I could back to shore. Terrifying. I was done with the ocean after that. We left soon after. We were nearly in a car accident on our way home (that's for another post though).
Now, we were going to go climb the crater today. We talked about it last night and decided not to because we'd have to get up early. We would just hike up to the bat cave instead! But this morning we decided that we probably shouldn't. Itchy has a sore back and I have a sunburn. Besides, Itchy has homework. Maybe we'll climb the crater next semester.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Email anyone?
Well, the saga has finally and painfully come to an end. I can email people again! 64 new emails! Since Sunday night. Maybe this isn't a good thing. I haven't even started to work on that yet. I'm hoping for a lot of junk.
Since I know you are all DYING to know how this came to an end, here ya go. I called Mr. Tech Guy at 1 pm. I got through to a real live person! We will call this guy Rob. Rob started out by asking what he could help with. I explained what had gone on over the last week. Rob remembers my emails (right). Rob explained that many, many people were having this problem. Rob said that he can fix this, no problem. Then he asked for my UCard number. What!? I haven't seen my UCard in about 6 years. I sure as hell don't know what my UCard number is. Rob suggests that I call the UCard office to obtain my number. I explain that I'm calling from overseas (which, he would know, if he actually remembered my emails) and would like to avoid unnecessary phone calls. Rob says that without that, he really can't help. Isn't there something we can do to get around this? Rob has to transfer my call to Supervisor Diane. Great. Thanks for all the help Rob.
My call is transferred. I am on hold for about 10 minutes. Then I get to talk to Supervisor Diane. Supervisor Diane is sorry for all the hassle. Thanks Supervisor Diane, can we just get this over with. I JUST WANT TO CHECK MY EMAIL! Of course, I did not yell at Supervisor Diane, that would just be rude. Supervisor Diane needed my driver's license number, social security number, and my student ID number (which is WAY different than a UCard number, but it is printed on your UCard). Now, I haven't had to use my student ID number in years, but I somehow remember it. It's a late President's Day miracle! Supervisor Diane enters and verifies my numbers and then asks me my security question. I hear typing. Supervisor Diane resets my password and TA DA! I have email again!
I thank Supervisor Diane, she apologizes again. Then she explains that because of all the problems that they have had with this "new mandatory password changing program", they have implemented a new system so that passwords can be reset online. Genius! What a wonderful idea. If that system had been in place 6 days ago, I wouldn't have gone through any of this.
So I have email again. If you have been waiting for something, umm, it could be a day or two.
ETA: Supervisor Diane suggests that I call the UCard office to get my UCard number, "just in case".
ETAA: Yes, Rob told him he was transferring my call to Supervisor Diane. She also answered the phone, "hi, this is Supervisor Diane". I wasn't trying to be weird.
Since I know you are all DYING to know how this came to an end, here ya go. I called Mr. Tech Guy at 1 pm. I got through to a real live person! We will call this guy Rob. Rob started out by asking what he could help with. I explained what had gone on over the last week. Rob remembers my emails (right). Rob explained that many, many people were having this problem. Rob said that he can fix this, no problem. Then he asked for my UCard number. What!? I haven't seen my UCard in about 6 years. I sure as hell don't know what my UCard number is. Rob suggests that I call the UCard office to obtain my number. I explain that I'm calling from overseas (which, he would know, if he actually remembered my emails) and would like to avoid unnecessary phone calls. Rob says that without that, he really can't help. Isn't there something we can do to get around this? Rob has to transfer my call to Supervisor Diane. Great. Thanks for all the help Rob.
My call is transferred. I am on hold for about 10 minutes. Then I get to talk to Supervisor Diane. Supervisor Diane is sorry for all the hassle. Thanks Supervisor Diane, can we just get this over with. I JUST WANT TO CHECK MY EMAIL! Of course, I did not yell at Supervisor Diane, that would just be rude. Supervisor Diane needed my driver's license number, social security number, and my student ID number (which is WAY different than a UCard number, but it is printed on your UCard). Now, I haven't had to use my student ID number in years, but I somehow remember it. It's a late President's Day miracle! Supervisor Diane enters and verifies my numbers and then asks me my security question. I hear typing. Supervisor Diane resets my password and TA DA! I have email again!
I thank Supervisor Diane, she apologizes again. Then she explains that because of all the problems that they have had with this "new mandatory password changing program", they have implemented a new system so that passwords can be reset online. Genius! What a wonderful idea. If that system had been in place 6 days ago, I wouldn't have gone through any of this.
So I have email again. If you have been waiting for something, umm, it could be a day or two.
ETA: Supervisor Diane suggests that I call the UCard office to get my UCard number, "just in case".
ETAA: Yes, Rob told him he was transferring my call to Supervisor Diane. She also answered the phone, "hi, this is Supervisor Diane". I wasn't trying to be weird.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Lunar eclipse
Did you see it? Pretty cool stuff. I'm a nerd so I watched it. I know it was way too cold for some of you (Sunshine and those who are still nick-nameless, which I am working on). We had mostly clear skies and a temp around 70 degrees. It was chilly, but with jeans and a long sleeve shirt, it was ok. The eclipse happened at around 11 pm (AST) and was really pretty. I'm pretty sure we saw Saturn too. We were lucky enough to get a pretty decent view from our very own driveway, even with the neighborhood lights. Even the landlord's kids (whom we hate) came out to see it. I doubt they know what they were looking at, but they saw us staring at the sky and came out for a look.
I think the cats were jealous. It's either that or we have a problem with separation anxiety. While Itchy and I were sitting outside enjoying the view the cats were inside making all sorts of noise. Both of them. Loudly. I'm sure they could hear us talking. They knew we were out there. So they sat at the screen door and yelled.
Sorry if you missed it. You'll get another chance in December 2010! Speaking of things that will happen in 2010, my email should be working by then. I hope. Mr. Tech Guy replied to my email (asking for a private phone number to avoid being on hold). Basically he said no. They've had a few problems with the number of people changing their passwords. Their phones have been busy, but try calling again. Bob Loblaw. I called this afternoon, was on hold for 5 minutes, and hung up. I am easily discouraged.
I think the cats were jealous. It's either that or we have a problem with separation anxiety. While Itchy and I were sitting outside enjoying the view the cats were inside making all sorts of noise. Both of them. Loudly. I'm sure they could hear us talking. They knew we were out there. So they sat at the screen door and yelled.
Sorry if you missed it. You'll get another chance in December 2010! Speaking of things that will happen in 2010, my email should be working by then. I hope. Mr. Tech Guy replied to my email (asking for a private phone number to avoid being on hold). Basically he said no. They've had a few problems with the number of people changing their passwords. Their phones have been busy, but try calling again. Bob Loblaw. I called this afternoon, was on hold for 5 minutes, and hung up. I am easily discouraged.
Hey Itchy!
Yeah, I'm calling you out. I know you read this once and a while. You complain that the LOL Cat picture in my previous post isn't funny or appropriate enough and that you could have found a better one. Really? This coming from a guy who can't even pull off a simple joke.
So where is it? Huh? I know you don't actually do much at school, so where is it? Did you email it to me at my broken email account? I mean, if you listened to me at all you'd know that that account is broken.
I'm waiting.
So where is it? Huh? I know you don't actually do much at school, so where is it? Did you email it to me at my broken email account? I mean, if you listened to me at all you'd know that that account is broken.
I'm waiting.
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