Everyone is apparently taking sides on the whole shebang in Ohio. If you haven't heard about it, where have you been? But seriously, it's getting sort of crazy.
Here's my two cents:
1. The fact that the outside cages were all open, but there were still, apparently, monkeys and or chimps caged inside the house, doesn't add up to suicide, to me.
2. The fact that a bunch of the animals were still within 500yds of their cages when the police arrived, really doesn't add up. Seems to me if the animals were outside the cages when the gunshot went off, they'd be gone. Also seems to me that if the cage doors were opened after the big loud noise, caution about the big loud noise might keep them slinking about long enough to realize that the guy with the food had become the food.
3. As for all of the welfare checks and cruelty to animals calls... nowhere I've seen has reported any action taken on the part of law enforcement or animal control. Knowing what I know about the way those calls work... if someone calls it in, they have to investigate, which means a report has to be filed on the incident. Therefore it's entirely possible, lacking any information about specific charges and or actions taken against the owner- which, by the way, I think the media would be all over if they had any indication of it- it's entirely possible that those calls were, at best, just overenthusiastic animal lovers, and at worst, some jerkoff with a beef causing problems.
4. At least one story said that his neighbors brought him carrion and dead cattle to feed the carnivores. If the neighbors had a serious beef with this guy, they would not be helping him feed his animals.
I just think it's all sort of fishy, for various reasons. The guy wasn't a saint, I wouldn't have been happy about the size of the pens, for instance, if I was in charge, but there aren't any real indications that he was evil or cruel, either. I'd like to see more investigation done on this but local law enforcement there have already declared it suicide, so it probably won't be done.
It sucks that most of the animals were killed, but one story I read had a comment from a zoo worker who tranqed a tiger which subsequently had to be shot by deputies as it charged her, before the tranquilizers could kick in. Situations like that, yes, you get dead critters. Sucks, but frankly better a tiger than a human trying to help.
There. Feel free to discuss amongst yourselves in comments.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Slowdown
There are several times during the course of my duties when I might not try as hard to be quick. If you're a dick, I'm not too worried about how fast you get your Coors Light and Cheetos. If you're really interesting, I'm distracted enough to not be as fast as I can be.
Today may have been the best, though. In my line, separated by one kind old lady, were two Vietnam Vets who were exchanging stories. Both were diabetic, one had just had half his foot removed because of an infection.
Between the first, the nice lady who helped the second get his groceries out of his motor cart, and the second, I got a good half an hour of honestly interesting conversation.
Of course, I thanked them both for their service, and watched out of the corner of my eye as they stood near the doors and kept talking for another twenty minutes.
These are the times when I actually like my job, instead of liking my paycheck.
Today may have been the best, though. In my line, separated by one kind old lady, were two Vietnam Vets who were exchanging stories. Both were diabetic, one had just had half his foot removed because of an infection.
Between the first, the nice lady who helped the second get his groceries out of his motor cart, and the second, I got a good half an hour of honestly interesting conversation.
Of course, I thanked them both for their service, and watched out of the corner of my eye as they stood near the doors and kept talking for another twenty minutes.
These are the times when I actually like my job, instead of liking my paycheck.
Blogorado III
Another successful gathering of the Tribe has come and gone. Sadly we said good bye to ChristinaLMT, Scifi and Mrs Scifi this morning. Thank you so much for staying and helping with the cleanup gang!!!!!! Miss Christina makes an amazing Kitchen Bitch and Scifi is a more than tolerable Garage Bitch. Mrs Scifi (she is one tough cookie ) was stuck with doing small things due to having had surgery last week. We had to take care of our gal!
Due to events beyond my control I was not nearly as organized on the food front this year. My prep was nonexistant and therefore the meals were a bit hit and miss on timing but everyone seemed to get full so I guess it worked out ok after all.
Those in attendance were Old NFO, AEPilotjim, LawDog, Phlemmy, Ambulance Driver, Matt G., Tam, Expert Witness and Holly, ChristinaLMT, Scifi and Mrs. Scifi, Farm Girl and Spear, the Atomic Nerds, Salamander,Evil Robot and Jennifer,and if I have missed anyone let Farmgirl know and she will fix my omissions.
As Promised a pic or two of the Battle buggy in all it's glory.
Some had to take it for a drive by shooting of steel targets.
Not that they actually hit much. Our bunch needs a lot of practice to make a good gang banger.
I came up with a few targets for the ladies that I thought would be fun to shoot. The biggest problem was when we set them up and headed back to the firing line a group of 4 GUYS were headed that way to make the crockery go splodey!!!
Spear brought his Boomstick that he had made. It was a huge hit! It even got a Tam squee. If I remember right (and I won't testify that I am ..... too much going on and too darn tired ) she said something like "this is MY boomstick"
Jennifer sure seemed to enjoy it! Of course AEpilotjim's Barrett got a lot of action too!
Some of the gang went over to declare Jihad on some prairie dogs. If you look at the foreground of this pic you will see what prairie dogs and drought will do to us. three months ago there was actually grass here
Some folks got into the costume thing. (I still don't understand how that came about. ) AEPilot Jim started it I think.Evil Robot and Jennifer were great in their new custom built leather for Blogorado!
Some of the ladies were ROCKING their costumes. How can you not have fun when you have this running around your house?
Salamander and Stingray stayed with the Mad Max theme. Sal was awesome! I said he won the costume contest until I saw Lord Humongus!
.
Sorry. I just can't do it. Not only do I value my life but I adopted the Nerds a few years ago and some things a mother will never ever do to her son!
Thank you all for coming! It was a wonderful get together and it lifted the spirits of a very special lady. She enjoyed having all of you there.
Due to events beyond my control I was not nearly as organized on the food front this year. My prep was nonexistant and therefore the meals were a bit hit and miss on timing but everyone seemed to get full so I guess it worked out ok after all.
Those in attendance were Old NFO, AEPilotjim, LawDog, Phlemmy, Ambulance Driver, Matt G., Tam, Expert Witness and Holly, ChristinaLMT, Scifi and Mrs. Scifi, Farm Girl and Spear, the Atomic Nerds, Salamander,Evil Robot and Jennifer,and if I have missed anyone let Farmgirl know and she will fix my omissions.
As Promised a pic or two of the Battle buggy in all it's glory.
Some had to take it for a drive by shooting of steel targets.
Not that they actually hit much. Our bunch needs a lot of practice to make a good gang banger.
I came up with a few targets for the ladies that I thought would be fun to shoot. The biggest problem was when we set them up and headed back to the firing line a group of 4 GUYS were headed that way to make the crockery go splodey!!!
Spear brought his Boomstick that he had made. It was a huge hit! It even got a Tam squee. If I remember right (and I won't testify that I am ..... too much going on and too darn tired ) she said something like "this is MY boomstick"
Jennifer sure seemed to enjoy it! Of course AEpilotjim's Barrett got a lot of action too!
Some of the gang went over to declare Jihad on some prairie dogs. If you look at the foreground of this pic you will see what prairie dogs and drought will do to us. three months ago there was actually grass here
Some folks got into the costume thing. (I still don't understand how that came about. ) AEPilot Jim started it I think.Evil Robot and Jennifer were great in their new custom built leather for Blogorado!
Some of the ladies were ROCKING their costumes. How can you not have fun when you have this running around your house?
Salamander and Stingray stayed with the Mad Max theme. Sal was awesome! I said he won the costume contest until I saw Lord Humongus! .
Sorry. I just can't do it. Not only do I value my life but I adopted the Nerds a few years ago and some things a mother will never ever do to her son!
Thank you all for coming! It was a wonderful get together and it lifted the spirits of a very special lady. She enjoyed having all of you there.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Ahhhh
Another Blogorado has come and gone. We had a blast, as usual, and it was just what was needed to bleed off some stress and add some smiles.
This year I had to come pretty much as a guest, since work is dumb and I didn't get a chance to go to the Old Homestead to help much. Farmmom pulled off 99.999999% of the food by herself, and OldNFO and JimJim and Farmdad got the range together, and I rolled in Friday afternoon with Darlin' Man and The Nerds to enjoy the party. So, all the kudos go to them, seriously, especially Farmmom for being awesome enough to feed that many people as well as she does every year.
Next year, though, I suggest a few people pick a night and cook and let Farmmom have a break, since I know we have some fine cooks in our bunch.
My lever action 22mag was a huge hit, which is only fair because it's awesome. It was a gift from my Darlin Man, who re barreled it for me and did a couple other minor tweaks, and did a damn fine job, frankly. It's a joy to shoot and just flat out fun to run, and accurate enough, as Phlegmmy can attest, to put a round in the white spot on a prairie dog's chest at across-the-big-pen distances in the corral. We were going hunting and happened to see some on the way in, so we stopped and popped a few.. this particular rat I had hit in the back half, thanks to failing to lead properly, he spun to face us, and just as I was getting lined up for the mercy shot she fired one off with the magnum and turned him inside out.
I'm proud of that little rifle and I'm glad everyone enjoyed shooting it... And no, it's not for sale, or trade, no matter what AD offers in addition to the Chiappa Of Suck, it's not going anywhere.
Got to shoot some really fun guns and laugh a lot, and spend time with my family... my immediate family AND my extended one.
It was good.
This year I had to come pretty much as a guest, since work is dumb and I didn't get a chance to go to the Old Homestead to help much. Farmmom pulled off 99.999999% of the food by herself, and OldNFO and JimJim and Farmdad got the range together, and I rolled in Friday afternoon with Darlin' Man and The Nerds to enjoy the party. So, all the kudos go to them, seriously, especially Farmmom for being awesome enough to feed that many people as well as she does every year.
Next year, though, I suggest a few people pick a night and cook and let Farmmom have a break, since I know we have some fine cooks in our bunch.
My lever action 22mag was a huge hit, which is only fair because it's awesome. It was a gift from my Darlin Man, who re barreled it for me and did a couple other minor tweaks, and did a damn fine job, frankly. It's a joy to shoot and just flat out fun to run, and accurate enough, as Phlegmmy can attest, to put a round in the white spot on a prairie dog's chest at across-the-big-pen distances in the corral. We were going hunting and happened to see some on the way in, so we stopped and popped a few.. this particular rat I had hit in the back half, thanks to failing to lead properly, he spun to face us, and just as I was getting lined up for the mercy shot she fired one off with the magnum and turned him inside out.
I'm proud of that little rifle and I'm glad everyone enjoyed shooting it... And no, it's not for sale, or trade, no matter what AD offers in addition to the Chiappa Of Suck, it's not going anywhere.
Got to shoot some really fun guns and laugh a lot, and spend time with my family... my immediate family AND my extended one.
It was good.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
9/11
My heart goes out to all of those who lost friends and loved ones on this day ten years ago and the days following.
My thanks go out to the men and women who put on a uniform to protect and serve the rest of us in this country, be they military, police, firemen, or EMTs. Whether they were inspired by that event or had made that choice before then, it doesn't matter. Thank you all, past, present, and future.
That's all that really needs to be said, I think.
My thanks go out to the men and women who put on a uniform to protect and serve the rest of us in this country, be they military, police, firemen, or EMTs. Whether they were inspired by that event or had made that choice before then, it doesn't matter. Thank you all, past, present, and future.
That's all that really needs to be said, I think.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Hrm
It appears that despite my utter lack of attention, this blog still exists... who knew?
Ok, ok, I know. I'm awful. I accept all accusations of bad bloggerhood and insincerely promise to do better in the future. Frankly, just not that much blogworthy has been happening, and if I start doing current events blogging that invites all of the crap I've always tried to avoid on this blog... so I'm quiet.
The last few months have just been boring, and most of the interesting stuff just won't make it on the blog. The adventure of learning to live with someone who's happiness actually matters to you probably provides plenty of blogfodder, but frankly a lot of it is no one else's business.
Besides, there haven't been any real fireworks. A few shots over respective bows in regards to various domestic details, but that's any roommate and just not interesting.
Survived an earthquake or three over a few days a while back. The first one was just a big thump. I thought the upstairs neighbors were throwing furniture at each other, which wouldn't have been entirely out of character. Then DM came out of the office/gunbunny room (formerly the master bedroom, but I was somehow convinced that giving up the big bedroom was a good move... and I'm still not entirely sure how it turned out that he was right) and said "Hey honey, have you ever been in an earthquake?"
"Um... I've lived most of my life in southeastern Colorado. Technically yes, since there's a fault line near by, geologically speaking, but not a noticeable one."*
"You have now."
Later that night, right about the time I was dozing off to sleep, another rumble came through, this one long enough to trigger the atavistic fear of the ground swallowing me whole or something ridiculous like that... and the not so ridiculous fear born from the knowledge that the building we live in is already settling oddly, to the point that we had to make allowances for the slope when positioning the gun safe.
It's odd, at the time I remember thinking "that doesn't sound anything like the earthquakes in the movies. Hollywood gets it wrong again, go figure." But two days later, the exposure to Hollywood's version had overwritten the soundtrack in my head. For a moment it also added an Indiana Jones-esque music track, but I stomped on that fairly immediately.
Other than that it's just life. Adventures in retail customer service but hell you can find those anywhere, and nothing major even there.
I'm happy, in love, and if I could wish for some more money, well, who couldn't? But I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I've just been spending more time with my love than my computer... can you blame me?
*This portion of the conversation may have been edited to make me sound smarter since I realized most of this later. I don't recall exactly the phrasing I actually used, but it may have been something like "Bwuh? Um. No.... what?"
Ok, ok, I know. I'm awful. I accept all accusations of bad bloggerhood and insincerely promise to do better in the future. Frankly, just not that much blogworthy has been happening, and if I start doing current events blogging that invites all of the crap I've always tried to avoid on this blog... so I'm quiet.
The last few months have just been boring, and most of the interesting stuff just won't make it on the blog. The adventure of learning to live with someone who's happiness actually matters to you probably provides plenty of blogfodder, but frankly a lot of it is no one else's business.
Besides, there haven't been any real fireworks. A few shots over respective bows in regards to various domestic details, but that's any roommate and just not interesting.
Survived an earthquake or three over a few days a while back. The first one was just a big thump. I thought the upstairs neighbors were throwing furniture at each other, which wouldn't have been entirely out of character. Then DM came out of the office/gunbunny room (formerly the master bedroom, but I was somehow convinced that giving up the big bedroom was a good move... and I'm still not entirely sure how it turned out that he was right) and said "Hey honey, have you ever been in an earthquake?"
"Um... I've lived most of my life in southeastern Colorado. Technically yes, since there's a fault line near by, geologically speaking, but not a noticeable one."*
"You have now."
Later that night, right about the time I was dozing off to sleep, another rumble came through, this one long enough to trigger the atavistic fear of the ground swallowing me whole or something ridiculous like that... and the not so ridiculous fear born from the knowledge that the building we live in is already settling oddly, to the point that we had to make allowances for the slope when positioning the gun safe.
It's odd, at the time I remember thinking "that doesn't sound anything like the earthquakes in the movies. Hollywood gets it wrong again, go figure." But two days later, the exposure to Hollywood's version had overwritten the soundtrack in my head. For a moment it also added an Indiana Jones-esque music track, but I stomped on that fairly immediately.
Other than that it's just life. Adventures in retail customer service but hell you can find those anywhere, and nothing major even there.
I'm happy, in love, and if I could wish for some more money, well, who couldn't? But I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I've just been spending more time with my love than my computer... can you blame me?
*This portion of the conversation may have been edited to make me sound smarter since I realized most of this later. I don't recall exactly the phrasing I actually used, but it may have been something like "Bwuh? Um. No.... what?"
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