And another addition to the blogroll: y'all need to head over and check out the Cave Troll.
Nice guy, some funny stuff, and a fairly good writer.
BTW: I've heard rumors that BACA is getting prepped to open in SA. Just sos ya know... ;)
27 February 2008
25 February 2008
Adventures in Cat/Vet interactions
This post over at Atomic Nerds reminded me of one of the cats that have had me over the years.
I was working for dad, and we one day saw this TINY ball of grey fur come wandering down the sidewalk. That particular day, dad had tossed some chicken bones outside (for whatever feral cat might chance by), and one of the shop cats (Spike: 25 lbs of phenomenal feline power with a itty-bitty-kitty voice) was sunning himself. Anyway, this lil' ball of fluff wanders along, smells the bones, and beelines: she didn't notice Spike until she was already gnawing, at which point she did the "puff up an' look mean" trick.
Spike's response, as near as we could tell, was to think "Junior, I could eat you"
Well, dad hears this growling, and investigates. Being the cold-hearted animal hater he is, he immediately decides we have to try and catch the lil' bugger, so it has a chance of survival.
Que blown workday as we lower the overhead door to JUST enough for a kitten, set out something that smells good, and lay in wait. For three hours. Before calling it a day, and heading home.
Itty-Bitty Kitty: 1
Adult Male Humans: 0
Next day, I arrive, and dad bellows "Get through the door quick! Don't want him getting away!". Like I said: animal hater.
Not good with sexual differentiation, either.
We got HER tamed down a bit (amazing what you can do with things like chicken, roast beef, and turkey). At first, we christened her "Snowball" ("She looks like a Chicago snowball"). There was the memorable day that we lost another hour of productivity, because she didn't head for the back room when we started the machines after lunch (Itty-Bitty Kitty: 2, Adult Male Humans: 0). But we noticed that she, well... had an oil leak.
Not sure how else to describe it: she marked her territory the same way an old Harley does: she'd stop for a bit, sit down, and leave a small black puddle. This requires immediate professional attention (especially since I'm not sure a: where the dipstick is on a cat, b: what the capacity is, nor c: how to locate the drain plug). So... off to the vet!
Let's not discuss trying to catch her to TAKE her to the vet (Itty-Bitty Kitty: 3, Adult Male Humans: 0).
We get her to the vet, and everything goes fine: somehow, the vet fixed the leak, and got her cleaned up. We found out she was white.
Couldn't spend all that time and money, then stick her back in that dingy shop, so Spoon and I took her in. After the first night, we renamed her. Went something like this:
Itty-Bitty Kitty: "Love me!"
Me: "OK" *picks up cat, begins rubbing*
IBK: "Ok, that's enough now" *proceeds to remove arm at the shoulder*
I looked at Spoon and, between the screams, casually mention "she's a succubus! She lures you in with her feminine charms, then tries to eat you!". And the name stuck: Succubus, or Suki for short.
Fast forward several weeks.
We had a heat wave hit, and a house with ZERO AC. The rest of the menagerie had the sense to head for the basement (I think the python was overheard muttering about "damned humidity"). But not Suki.
Que frantic run for the vet, with a listless and slack kitty. I thought for sure I was going to be digging a grave.
We get to the vet, and the techs all smile "Oh... it's Snowball!". I suddenly realize that things are going to go rodeo.
"No, her name's Suki. Short for Succubus". I even explain the story, and show them the stitches from re-attaching the arm.
They scoff. Silly humans.
I'd like to take a minute, and explain something about this vet: she's GOOD. Deals with all KINDS of "problem animals". I'm pretty sure that, if I had a rabid wolverine that I wanted treated, she'd deal with it and never bat an eye.
The only phrase I hear from the exam room is "We'll just draw some blood real quick". This was followed by the sound of Hell's Gates being thrown open...
They had scoffed. Silly humans.
When it was all said and done, it took three techs to draw blood on a cat that would JUST overflow my cupped hands. I mean, I have pistols that weigh more than this cat did. Three techs.
When they came out, the one girl just looked at me mournfully, muttering something about rabid wolverines. The vet herself apologized for doubting my rename.
She died a few years later. Near as we can tell, she had been weaned (or rather, abandoned) WAY too early, causing problems in her digestive tract. When she got sick that last time, we took her to a different vet. Mom-in-law visited her the next day (Suki let her KNOW what she thought of being abandoned there), and she seemed to be improving. That night, she died.
Still miss her. DO appreciate getting to keep all my limbs though.
Here's Suki (we also dubbed her the Sock Monster: with her coloring, she could completely disappear into a dryer full of socks).
I was working for dad, and we one day saw this TINY ball of grey fur come wandering down the sidewalk. That particular day, dad had tossed some chicken bones outside (for whatever feral cat might chance by), and one of the shop cats (Spike: 25 lbs of phenomenal feline power with a itty-bitty-kitty voice) was sunning himself. Anyway, this lil' ball of fluff wanders along, smells the bones, and beelines: she didn't notice Spike until she was already gnawing, at which point she did the "puff up an' look mean" trick.
Spike's response, as near as we could tell, was to think "Junior, I could eat you"
Well, dad hears this growling, and investigates. Being the cold-hearted animal hater he is, he immediately decides we have to try and catch the lil' bugger, so it has a chance of survival.
Que blown workday as we lower the overhead door to JUST enough for a kitten, set out something that smells good, and lay in wait. For three hours. Before calling it a day, and heading home.
Itty-Bitty Kitty: 1
Adult Male Humans: 0
Next day, I arrive, and dad bellows "Get through the door quick! Don't want him getting away!". Like I said: animal hater.
Not good with sexual differentiation, either.
We got HER tamed down a bit (amazing what you can do with things like chicken, roast beef, and turkey). At first, we christened her "Snowball" ("She looks like a Chicago snowball"). There was the memorable day that we lost another hour of productivity, because she didn't head for the back room when we started the machines after lunch (Itty-Bitty Kitty: 2, Adult Male Humans: 0). But we noticed that she, well... had an oil leak.
Not sure how else to describe it: she marked her territory the same way an old Harley does: she'd stop for a bit, sit down, and leave a small black puddle. This requires immediate professional attention (especially since I'm not sure a: where the dipstick is on a cat, b: what the capacity is, nor c: how to locate the drain plug). So... off to the vet!
Let's not discuss trying to catch her to TAKE her to the vet (Itty-Bitty Kitty: 3, Adult Male Humans: 0).
We get her to the vet, and everything goes fine: somehow, the vet fixed the leak, and got her cleaned up. We found out she was white.
Couldn't spend all that time and money, then stick her back in that dingy shop, so Spoon and I took her in. After the first night, we renamed her. Went something like this:
Itty-Bitty Kitty: "Love me!"
Me: "OK" *picks up cat, begins rubbing*
IBK: "Ok, that's enough now" *proceeds to remove arm at the shoulder*
I looked at Spoon and, between the screams, casually mention "she's a succubus! She lures you in with her feminine charms, then tries to eat you!". And the name stuck: Succubus, or Suki for short.
Fast forward several weeks.
We had a heat wave hit, and a house with ZERO AC. The rest of the menagerie had the sense to head for the basement (I think the python was overheard muttering about "damned humidity"). But not Suki.
Que frantic run for the vet, with a listless and slack kitty. I thought for sure I was going to be digging a grave.
We get to the vet, and the techs all smile "Oh... it's Snowball!". I suddenly realize that things are going to go rodeo.
"No, her name's Suki. Short for Succubus". I even explain the story, and show them the stitches from re-attaching the arm.
They scoff. Silly humans.
I'd like to take a minute, and explain something about this vet: she's GOOD. Deals with all KINDS of "problem animals". I'm pretty sure that, if I had a rabid wolverine that I wanted treated, she'd deal with it and never bat an eye.
The only phrase I hear from the exam room is "We'll just draw some blood real quick". This was followed by the sound of Hell's Gates being thrown open...
They had scoffed. Silly humans.
When it was all said and done, it took three techs to draw blood on a cat that would JUST overflow my cupped hands. I mean, I have pistols that weigh more than this cat did. Three techs.
When they came out, the one girl just looked at me mournfully, muttering something about rabid wolverines. The vet herself apologized for doubting my rename.
She died a few years later. Near as we can tell, she had been weaned (or rather, abandoned) WAY too early, causing problems in her digestive tract. When she got sick that last time, we took her to a different vet. Mom-in-law visited her the next day (Suki let her KNOW what she thought of being abandoned there), and she seemed to be improving. That night, she died.
Still miss her. DO appreciate getting to keep all my limbs though.
Here's Suki (we also dubbed her the Sock Monster: with her coloring, she could completely disappear into a dryer full of socks).
Politics, Liberty, and Safety
"Poly", meaning "many"
and "Tic", meaning "small blood-sucking creature"
So... we're down to a choice between McCain and Hilbama*. Oh, hooray.
I can be raped by a 12 foot pole, or... raped by a 12 foot pole with lube.
Nice choice.
Loads of MUCH better writers are weighing in one the "big choice" we have coming in November. Some are saying "Vote for the lesser evil", some are saying "we're getting the shaft either way".
I fall into the latter category. And I have some VERY good company.
Both sides want me to trade my Liberty for perceived safety. I think Ole Ben had the right idea there: "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
"Liberty" and "Safety" can easily be seen as mutually exclusive concepts. "Liberty" (or, better, "Freedom") only truly exists where you can enter into potentially dangerous situations. In order to be "Safe", you MUST give up basic freedoms: most of the bill of rights is full of "dangerous" things. And the tyrants always tells us that, by sacrificing these freedoms, we'll be "safer".
I don't know about those reading this blog. Me? I prefer to have my guns, be able to say whatever the hell I want, ride my motorcycle naked, and accept the danger my freedom brings me. I don't ask for the government to take care of me should my choices cause me problems, and in return all I ask is to be left alone to live my life as I see fit.
Apparently, that is actually too much to ask.
* I'm not being "snarky" here. At this point, either Hillary or Obama could win the Socialism Left candidacy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I voted the other day in the primary, I voted for Fred. Yes, he had already left the race. I don't care: he at least came close to representing what I believe.
In November, I'm not sure how I'll vote: might just write Fred in again. I will NOT, however, vote for "Socialism Left" nor "Socialism Right". Yes, I know the rhetoric: "If you don't vote for the Republicans, the evil Democrats will take your guns!".
Wow... some REALLY poor observers we have out there.
In the 2000 election circus, the Dems had a commercial. Don't know who the yahoo on the screen was, but his comment was telling: "If George W Bush wins the election, the NRA will have an office in the White House". Didn't really help the Dem bid for the Presidency.
But LOTS of people missed the real importance. G W Bush DID win the election. And what was that office used for? Ordering pizza?
Either side wants my vote, they need to offer something more than lip service. Something more than flirting. I need to be "courted" in a somewhat tangible way.
Start returning my freedoms. Then, maybe, we'll talk.
and "Tic", meaning "small blood-sucking creature"
So... we're down to a choice between McCain and Hilbama*. Oh, hooray.
I can be raped by a 12 foot pole, or... raped by a 12 foot pole with lube.
Nice choice.
Loads of MUCH better writers are weighing in one the "big choice" we have coming in November. Some are saying "Vote for the lesser evil", some are saying "we're getting the shaft either way".
I fall into the latter category. And I have some VERY good company.
Both sides want me to trade my Liberty for perceived safety. I think Ole Ben had the right idea there: "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
"Liberty" and "Safety" can easily be seen as mutually exclusive concepts. "Liberty" (or, better, "Freedom") only truly exists where you can enter into potentially dangerous situations. In order to be "Safe", you MUST give up basic freedoms: most of the bill of rights is full of "dangerous" things. And the tyrants always tells us that, by sacrificing these freedoms, we'll be "safer".
I don't know about those reading this blog. Me? I prefer to have my guns, be able to say whatever the hell I want, ride my motorcycle naked, and accept the danger my freedom brings me. I don't ask for the government to take care of me should my choices cause me problems, and in return all I ask is to be left alone to live my life as I see fit.
Apparently, that is actually too much to ask.
* I'm not being "snarky" here. At this point, either Hillary or Obama could win the Socialism Left candidacy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I voted the other day in the primary, I voted for Fred. Yes, he had already left the race. I don't care: he at least came close to representing what I believe.
In November, I'm not sure how I'll vote: might just write Fred in again. I will NOT, however, vote for "Socialism Left" nor "Socialism Right". Yes, I know the rhetoric: "If you don't vote for the Republicans, the evil Democrats will take your guns!".
Wow... some REALLY poor observers we have out there.
In the 2000 election circus, the Dems had a commercial. Don't know who the yahoo on the screen was, but his comment was telling: "If George W Bush wins the election, the NRA will have an office in the White House". Didn't really help the Dem bid for the Presidency.
But LOTS of people missed the real importance. G W Bush DID win the election. And what was that office used for? Ordering pizza?
Either side wants my vote, they need to offer something more than lip service. Something more than flirting. I need to be "courted" in a somewhat tangible way.
Start returning my freedoms. Then, maybe, we'll talk.
23 February 2008
Roomies say the darndedist things...
Anyone that actually knows me, knows I tend to take part in rather... odd... games. One that's been a hit here aboard the Privateer is Run for your life, Candyman! It's basically a VERY twisted version of Candyland...
Tonight, we all sat down to play. In the middle of one turn, I suggested that my roomie make one move, saying "That'd be the intelligent thing to do". Her (priceless) response?
"I'm not known for my intelligence"
Oh, my...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In other news, the trial my Chapter has been waiting for has been postponed. It was supposed to be next week, but it's been moved to mid-April.
Stop and think about that. The defense got a child abuse case that already has BACA involved moved to the middle of Child Abuse Awareness Month.
Doesn't that just beg for a media circus?
Tonight, we all sat down to play. In the middle of one turn, I suggested that my roomie make one move, saying "That'd be the intelligent thing to do". Her (priceless) response?
"I'm not known for my intelligence"
Oh, my...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In other news, the trial my Chapter has been waiting for has been postponed. It was supposed to be next week, but it's been moved to mid-April.
Stop and think about that. The defense got a child abuse case that already has BACA involved moved to the middle of Child Abuse Awareness Month.
Doesn't that just beg for a media circus?
19 February 2008
Elections...
Lots of folks are posting stuff about the election. All I have to say is this:
moar humorous pics
Any questions?
moar humorous pics
Any questions?
14 February 2008
Another bit of child-molestation
Found via BMEWS
Arkansas Day Care Teacher Charged With Raping Girl, 4, After Incident Caught on Tape
The meat of the story:
Ok, hold on: we have a teenage boy working in a daycare? With (basically) unsupervised access to the kids? WTF?
Excuse me while my head explodes.
Arkansas Day Care Teacher Charged With Raping Girl, 4, After Incident Caught on Tape
The meat of the story:
Cesar Monarrez, 18, was a part-time employee at the Royal Children's Academy and had worked there for about three or four months. According to an arrest warrant, the alleged victim told authorities on Feb. 5 how Monarrez had touched her inappropriately.
The girl told police her privates were burning because "Bubba" touched her with a knife inside his pocket, 4029tv.com reports. Police identified Bubba as Monarrez, and investigators said video shows him pushing his hands beneath the girl's waistband while she was asleep.
Ok, hold on: we have a teenage boy working in a daycare? With (basically) unsupervised access to the kids? WTF?
Excuse me while my head explodes.
If Chaucer wasn't already spinning...
We get this from Iowahawk.
Allow me to quote the end of the tale:
98 Of Englande folk, one thynge is certan:
99 Dying by theyr own thousande cuts,
100 The Englande folk are folking nuts.
Absolutely PRICELESS!
Allow me to quote the end of the tale:
98 Of Englande folk, one thynge is certan:
99 Dying by theyr own thousande cuts,
100 The Englande folk are folking nuts.
Absolutely PRICELESS!
12 February 2008
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot news...
Via Jay, we get this stunning lil' piece...
Lemmie make sure I understand how this all works out.
Corey Saunders, convicted of charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and attempted rape and abuse of a child under 16. He pled guilty and received four years and one day in prison, with a 12 year probation on top of that.
He served his time, and was released. The release was against the advice of three different psychologists.
Well, Corey ended up finding a six-year-old boy in the public library of New Bedfor MA. The boy's mother was working at a computer less than 10 feet away, thinking her child was safe in the children's reading room.
She was wrong.
Corey had his way with the child, finishing the act before suspicions were aroused (although a librarian took note of him). When the child told what had happened, Corey was arrested quickly.
The result of this is the proposed legislation, to enact "child safety zones"?
Yeah... THAT'S gonna work. Just like "Gun Free" zones, and "Drug Free" zones
We wonder why we have such a severe problem with crime in this country. Sear the facts of this case into your mind, and see if you can figure out why this would be the case.
Lemmie make sure I understand how this all works out.
Corey Saunders, convicted of charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and attempted rape and abuse of a child under 16. He pled guilty and received four years and one day in prison, with a 12 year probation on top of that.
He served his time, and was released. The release was against the advice of three different psychologists.
Well, Corey ended up finding a six-year-old boy in the public library of New Bedfor MA. The boy's mother was working at a computer less than 10 feet away, thinking her child was safe in the children's reading room.
She was wrong.
Corey had his way with the child, finishing the act before suspicions were aroused (although a librarian took note of him). When the child told what had happened, Corey was arrested quickly.
The result of this is the proposed legislation, to enact "child safety zones"?
Yeah... THAT'S gonna work. Just like "Gun Free" zones, and "Drug Free" zones
We wonder why we have such a severe problem with crime in this country. Sear the facts of this case into your mind, and see if you can figure out why this would be the case.
07 February 2008
Infernal Revenue Service
Crystal's post here reminded me of some fun I had with IRS, and I figured I'd tell the story here...
MANY years ago, I got a notice from them stating I owed some ungawdly amount. Also listed me as having certain assets that I knew weren't mine, but dad's. So I call the handy helpline they provide...
First off, they REALLY need to outsource to India. Seriously, I have an easier time understanding the helpdesk folks there than the IRS people.
Anyway, I get to spend a DELIGHTFUL couple hours on the phone with this woman, patiently explaining that, while I AM "BACA Strings", it's "BACA H Strings", not "BACA T Strings" (dad's name). It literally took a couple hours to pound that concept through the woman's head. Finally, she understood...
IRS Drone: "Ok... so you're saying that this debt is your father's?"
Me: "YES!!!"
ID: "Oh... ok. So... when can you make payment on the debt?"
Me: "What? You expect me to pay my father's tax debt?"
ID: "Well... you have to"
Me: "And if I don't?"
ID: "We put a lien against your assets"
Me: "Tell you what: start the procedure to put a lien against MY assets for a debt owed by somebody else. I'm sure my lawyer would enjoy that: he hasn't tasted any IRS ass in ages"
Things went downhill from there. Finally ended up talking to a manager, making it ABUNDANTLY clear that, any action taken against me for a debt owed by someone else would result in lawyers, congressmen, and the media being contacted in a full-court press. He got the rather subtle hint...
Then I went over to the house, and threw a snowball at dad. HE could've spent the time on the phone clearing this up, instead of foisting it on me!
MANY years ago, I got a notice from them stating I owed some ungawdly amount. Also listed me as having certain assets that I knew weren't mine, but dad's. So I call the handy helpline they provide...
First off, they REALLY need to outsource to India. Seriously, I have an easier time understanding the helpdesk folks there than the IRS people.
Anyway, I get to spend a DELIGHTFUL couple hours on the phone with this woman, patiently explaining that, while I AM "BACA Strings", it's "BACA H Strings", not "BACA T Strings" (dad's name). It literally took a couple hours to pound that concept through the woman's head. Finally, she understood...
IRS Drone: "Ok... so you're saying that this debt is your father's?"
Me: "YES!!!"
ID: "Oh... ok. So... when can you make payment on the debt?"
Me: "What? You expect me to pay my father's tax debt?"
ID: "Well... you have to"
Me: "And if I don't?"
ID: "We put a lien against your assets"
Me: "Tell you what: start the procedure to put a lien against MY assets for a debt owed by somebody else. I'm sure my lawyer would enjoy that: he hasn't tasted any IRS ass in ages"
Things went downhill from there. Finally ended up talking to a manager, making it ABUNDANTLY clear that, any action taken against me for a debt owed by someone else would result in lawyers, congressmen, and the media being contacted in a full-court press. He got the rather subtle hint...
Then I went over to the house, and threw a snowball at dad. HE could've spent the time on the phone clearing this up, instead of foisting it on me!
06 February 2008
For the interested...
Some of you may have found the BACA Nation internet radio show, linked off the National website.
Well... they've taken a step forward: now they're on actual airwaves. Go to the BACA Nation website for more info (or you can click to stream it).
It's my understanding that, right now, they're primarily covering the western US...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd like to appologize for the light posting: just too much stuff dragging me down.
I got the awesome job, but we're on hold. I'll be selling ad space in a new biker mag in the WI/Northern IL area (and doing a lil' writing). But there's been several holdups. Meaning I can't actually START work... :(
BACA stuff has taken up a LOT of time. We've patched a new member (y'all feel free to say "hi" to Scary in the comments: I'll forward), worked through a bunch of problems, and identified a bunch more...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speaking of BACA stuff: we're going to have some houseguests here at the HMS Privateer.
the perp of one of the girls we've been working with is getting his day in court: her testimony is taped, but she has to be available for cross examination. We'll be there: not just my chapter, but folks from all over. Our girl is going to KNOW there are folks behind her!
I'll let everyone know how that turns out.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Bout all for now. SHOULD have AD's present in the mail in the next day or so: hopefully he'll send pics, and y'all can see the "price" of not posting regularly... >:)
Well... they've taken a step forward: now they're on actual airwaves. Go to the BACA Nation website for more info (or you can click to stream it).
It's my understanding that, right now, they're primarily covering the western US...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd like to appologize for the light posting: just too much stuff dragging me down.
I got the awesome job, but we're on hold. I'll be selling ad space in a new biker mag in the WI/Northern IL area (and doing a lil' writing). But there's been several holdups. Meaning I can't actually START work... :(
BACA stuff has taken up a LOT of time. We've patched a new member (y'all feel free to say "hi" to Scary in the comments: I'll forward), worked through a bunch of problems, and identified a bunch more...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speaking of BACA stuff: we're going to have some houseguests here at the HMS Privateer.
the perp of one of the girls we've been working with is getting his day in court: her testimony is taped, but she has to be available for cross examination. We'll be there: not just my chapter, but folks from all over. Our girl is going to KNOW there are folks behind her!
I'll let everyone know how that turns out.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Bout all for now. SHOULD have AD's present in the mail in the next day or so: hopefully he'll send pics, and y'all can see the "price" of not posting regularly... >:)
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