wildcelticrose.net

~

Yes folks, it’s time for my now infamous weekly blog feature (gotta “clean the pipes out “for Drama Free Thursday and Things that Make Me Go Squee”) WTF Wednesday.

WTF Wednesday is when I (and anyone else who cares to; a few already had an early start) get to moan, whine, bitch, complain and vent with impunity)

It’s when I sit down, make a good strong margarita (with GOOD tequila) sit around in my underwear and vent.

*OK, I typed this up last night and am posting it while on a break at work so I’m not drinking or sitting around in my unmentionables (but trust me; that will change when I get home tonight)

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about supporting and promoting Popfiend’s Drama Free Thursday with my own “Things That Make Me Go Squee” and this is, in part, preparation for DFT.

I’m all about putting good energy out there (because what we put out there it what we get back)

But I’ve realized that in order to appreciate the “good” things, we need the “bad” as well, realizing of course that “good” and “bad” are shades of gray and that nothing is black and white. (and no one likes a “Pollyanna”)

It’s Wednesday, and I’m gonna bitch and vent about people that I like to refer to as “Cheetoheads”.

I wrote about this several years ago in my now somewhat famous infamous essay,

It’s only one Cheeto-A sad commentary on our society

Each week I give an individual or group the “Here’s your Cheeto award” in honor of the rude, obnoxious, selfish, “It’s all about ME” asshats that we are force to live, work and walk amongst every day.

Today, the “object of my objection” is

Politicos and Those Who Moan Whine Bitch and Complain about Things, But Do Nothing Constructive to Change Them

Seriously, WTF is wrong with people?

I have learned to dread election season (for those not in the know, we just had our primary elections here in Washington State)

We start out with the “litter on a stick” seen at every intersection and public right of way (seriously, do you really think that the candidate with the most signs at a specific intersection is going to win because of it?)

The negative political ads are beyond disgusting.

I am fed up with every candidate from every political party. These ads no longer talk about what someone is going to do to make things better, they are merely nasty attacks on their opponent.

Seriously, Dino Rossi who is one of the slimiest snake oil salesmen I’ve ever seen, who has lost for Governor twice and is now challenging one of our Senators refuses to lay out his plan until after the election.

So… Dino… Why should we vote for you? All we ever see from you is negative campaigning and no PLAN.

WTF? Why don’t these candidates concentrate on what they are going to DO for US that is POSITIVE rather than just slandering the other candidate and/or their party?

This whole political party system has really gone bad. All I’ve seen from parties is attacking the other party and thwarting any efforts they make (this goes for “all ya all”)

Is no one willing to work together anymore? Is it only about the party line and making sure that the “other” party can’t get anything done?

With that said, I’ve seen some good work accomplished by our local elected representatives.

And then there are the “citizens” that do nothing but moan, whine bitch and complain about anything and everything?

Let me ask you this.

What have YOU done lately to make your community, nation or the world a better place other than moan, whine bitch and spread your toxic, negative, hateful BS?

Oh, you signed an on line petition you say?

And you really felt like you “did something”

Well thank you very much for spending 10 seconds to hit a button (likely without doing any reading or research on what it is you’re petitioning or who is sponsoring it)

Let me give you the cold, hard facts about online petitions.

They don’t mean squat.

Businesses care about ONE thing. MONEY. If a business pisses me off, I vote with my wallet and spend my money elsewhere. Then I mail their corporate headquarters a copy of the receipt and tell them WHY they did not get my business and someone else did.

Our elected officials are interested in ONE thing, their constituents. (you know, the people that elect and re elect them?)

Any petition that does not include enough information to determine if someone is a registered voter (and only one real person/registered voter, not a multitude of sock puppets) is WORTHLESS.

Yes, that’s right, your smug petition effort is a waste of your time (if that’s the ONLY thing you’re doing)

What these people that smugly say, “I signed a petition” as if they really went out and did something need to understand is that you need to WRITE (as in a real letter) or CALL your elected officials.

How many of you know who your city council person is? (mine lives four blocks from me)

Your senators? Congress critters? Local and state judges?

A name on an on line petition means squat (they can be used to spur others to real action)

An actual letter (even better if hand written) email, fax, phone call or visit means much more.

If you are interested in making a difference, you can learn how to lobby your elected officials by clicking here

And perhaps the most important thing.

What do YOU do to make YOUR neighborhood better?

Do you know and watch out for your neighbors? Do you volunteer in your community, mentor or do anything to contribute to/make your community/the world better?

If all you do is moan, whine bitch and complain without taking action, then you my friend are part of the problem.

And I have a suggestion as to where you can put it!

I think that’s plenty of venting (was it good for you? It was good for me) and I actually have more to “squee” about tomorrow than to “WTF” about today, so I’ll leave it there.

None of this is earth shattering or even life changing it’s all minor annoyances in the grand scheme of things. it IS earth shattering and it IS life changing.

I needed to vent, and damn it feels good.

There, doesn’t that feel better?

Have a happy drama free Thursday tomorrow. I know I will.

Break’s over, back to work with me…

~L

Mood: WTF?

~

~
Dear Asshat I’m in contract with on the house:

WTF is your problem? You’re going to be foreclosed on in June (ah, but you don’t know that we know that) if you don’t unload that house. Fixing the roof, windows, doors, plumbing and hauling all the junk out is something FHA will make you do anyway. Don’t be an asshat. Just reply to the frikkin’ offer and agree or drop the damn price so I can pay for it. This waiting until the last minute BS is just pissing me off and it won’t change the outcome asshat.

Dear Public Administrator of Ventura County CA:

You work for me. I have made a reasonable request, TWICE now to find out what is happening, how much I’m dealing with and when. I have explained that I an on a tight deadline. Your predecessor already screwed up and ruined many of my mother’s things. You came on board and no one notified me that the person handling this had changed. It took weeks for me to find out who to contact. Answer my frikkin’ email unless you want your ass sued off.

Dear person who came to give me an estimate on the house on Thursday:

It’s been four days. Everyone else who came to the house gave me an estimate on the spot. I would really like to give you the work because I like your wife and know that she’s been through a lot lately. But if you can’t give me an estimate after FOUR DAYS what makes me trust that you’ll bring the job in on time?

Dear Betsy

Lazer Tag was the coolest thing ever for your 60th birthday. I had a BLAST (and blasted the crap out of several teenagers) Happy Birthday Sweetie. Let me know when you want to go for the pedicure.

Dear Teenagers at Lazer Tag Do you feel lucky punk? Do ya? Call me Grandma!!! OWNED

Dear Makers of Vibram Five Fingers The best ninja shoes for sneaking up on teenagers in lazer tag ever!!!

Dear Massage Therapist at Club Biella You worked wonders, my back was 100% pain free the next day

Dear Cycling GodsWTF is up with and getting my final ride in for my CBC Ride Leader Certification? I’m volunteering my time and energy; it shouldn’t be this stressful to volunteer. (oh, missing the Daffodil Classic AND not getting the co-lead in? That just SUCKED)

Dear BadKittyWas is really necessary to barf on the futon, my bra and my field test softshell jacket? Seriously?

Dear Neighbors, particularly “Creepy Guy in the Basement” & “Druggie Scumbag Biker” downstairs I can’t wait to get out of here and away from you bastards

Dear anyone who wants anything from me right now Right now is NOT the time

THIS is how stressed I am right now

Do NOT piss off the redhead Scorpio!!!

L

Mood: Mostly Annoyed

~

~
Ugh…

I decided not to go into work today because the combination of the extremely frigid dry air and all of the people ignoring the burn ban and filling the already yucky air with wood smoke was kiling my sinuses.

I slept for ten hours last night, (thank goodness I decided not to set my alarm last night when I felt so crappy)

I did manage to get over to Molly’s this afternoon for some best friend time and to do my laundry (it was nearly an underwear emergency)

Although I didn’t feel well, it was nice to spend some time with her. Both of our lives have been very busy and stressy lately.

The day went downhill from there.

I went to check my mail and found out that Lou (those who have known me for a long time know him as my beloved “step father in law”) passed away.

Yes, he was “extended” family, but he loved me like blood family and I cried the whole way home.

Maybe it’s because I don’t feel well, it was a tragic and emotionally trying week around here, and I am just coming off my mom’s death but it really hit me hard.

That was my last “parent” (step or otherwise)

As soon as I walked in the door, my phone rang (I let it go to voice mail) and found a message from a friend asking me why I removed her as a moderator from a yahoogroup that I turned over to her over a year ago.

WTF? I don’t have anything to do with the administration of that list anymore; and I only occasionally send an email to it.

I just sent her an email advising her to check with Yahoo. I was not up to playing tech support.

I’m sure she had no idea that I’d just gotten bad news, but that mixed with some other “debate” going on in another real life group I’m a part of didn’t help my mood any.

I let the other (real life) group know what happened, that I don’t have the time or energy to deal with the debate right now, and to just let me know the outcome.

Seriously folks, I don’t feel like being in charge, I don’t feel like arguing/debating/mediating, I don’t feel like being given any crap! (I get enough crap at work[not from management or co-workers-jussayin'], I don’t need it in my off time)

Other people can work out their own “stuff” right now.

I am officially “checking out” from extra responsibility right now. Put a fork in me, I’m done!

I’m sure the world won’t come to an end if I don’t jump in and try to fix everything.

With that said, I have a few girlfriends coming over for girls night tonight.

They are big girls and know how to pour their own wine and they won’t complain if I don’t feel up to cleaning my apartment. (which I don’t)

I can’t think of anything more life affirming right now than spending time with friends.

Oh, I did get a couple of cards in the mail today; here’s the door (holiday cards make me smile and I might as well share something happy)

Mood: Sad

~L

~

~
I almost skipped WTF Wednesday this week. (and I’m certainly not using my usual “cutesy” format)

Aside from national news being incredibly depressing, we in Tacoma, Seattle and surrounding areas in Western Washington have been hit hard with tragedy.

If this post comes off as a bit raw, that is how I am feeling; it is how a lot of us are feeling and this is a subject that brings forth tremendous emotion.

We are sad, horrified and angry. Oh yes, we are angry.

In a period of less than a month, six police officers have been gunned down (one in the Seattle incident survived)

We feel as if our world has been turned upside down; and that nothing is as it should be.

If those who are sworn to serve and protect us can be gunned down, two while doing paperwork in their patrol car and four while sitting in a coffee shop planning their day’s activities, then who is safe?

What has our world come to?

I won’t dwell on the vicious, cold blooded murders (actually, they were assassinations) nor the people who aided and abetted them, who are just as guilty.

I won’t give the sick bastards who committed these heinous acts the time or attention.

But I do want to talk about the officers involved in the manhunts, about any and all officers.

The catalyst for my wanting to talk about this, was a comment made by an aquraintance that enraged me.

Since this individual is not likely the only one who has the ignorance and audacity to say such a thing, I will address a general audience (the “royal you” as it may be)

A short history is unfortunate but unavoidable in order to put my feelings on this matter into perspective.

The perpetrator in the first killing in Seattle was gunned down when he pointed a weapon at officers who arrived to question him, the trigger was pulled but he screwed up and the gun didn’t fire. He was shot, but survived. I don’t’ know if he is still in the hospital or in jail. I don’t care. At least he is off the streets.

In the second case, the alleged killer (who was out on bail for child rape and who committed armed robbery twice after being released from prison in another state and who had been charged with assaulting an officer) approached an officer who was alone and responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle which the suspect had stolen. The suspect who approached the lone officer from behind, failed to follow the officer’s orders and then attempted to flee (and who was armed with the duty weapon of one of the murdered officers) was shot, as is legal, in line with policy and prudent when one is dealing with a fleeing felon who poses a threat to public safety.

There have been many emotional and angry responses to this.

Many are cheering his death, stating that “justice” was served. (given how many rapists, child molesters and murderers go free in this state, it is somewhat understandable that many people, when emotionally charged feel this way)

One comment on my Facebook page that made me furious was from someone with no knowledge of law enforcement, policy, procedure, law or the danger than officers face every day, infuriated me to the point where it was very difficult to respond without profanity or just dumping the person from my “friend’s” list.

This person had the audacity to refer to the officer who made the most horrible choice an officer ever has to make (and a delay of less than a second can cause the death of that officer, his or her partner or innocent bystanders) by stating that they deprived that suspect of a trial and killed the suspect in a “blind rage”

I ask (once again, the “royal you”)

How DARE you say such a thing and WTF do you know about law enforcement?

Until you get up in the morning and put on a badge and uniform, body armor and a weapon, wondering if that is the day that you won’t make it home to your family and/or that you may have to make the most horrible (split second no less) decision that anyone could have to make, you don’t know squat.

You have no right to condemn that officer.

You have not been there, you will never be there.

You feel free to blame and criticize, yet you have/will never make the sacrifice or put yourself in that position, yet you will not hesitate to ask for their help.

Oh, you’ll call 911 if there is a prowler, or if your attacked or if someone steals your big screen TV.

You’ll ask one of these public servants to risk their lives and safety to rescue you.

Yet you won’t even allow the standard investigation to take place before you condemn that same officer as a killer who was in a “blind rage”.

There are not words for how reprehensible that is.

No one goes into law enforcement with the desire to kill people or to deprive them of their rights.

They give up a normal life and often their health and relationships in order to protect the lives and rights of others.

Yes, there are bad cops.

But NO one hates a bad cop worse than other cops whom they give a bad name.

I had a bad 3rd grade teacher (in the 1960′s) who emotionally physically abused children (the boys were pulled out of their chairs by the hair and shaken when they misbehaved and she dug her fingernails into our arms-yes sometimes she drew blood.

Does that mean that all 3rd grade teachers are bad? No.

Does it mean that 3rd grade teachers support that behavior? No.

So shut the hell up!

YOU do not have the right.

I DO have the right to tell you this.

I am a former law enforcement officer.

To this day, I still won’t sit with my back to the door; I always keep my weapon hand free and protect my hip where my side arm used to lay.

I have made that vehicle stop on a dark isolated road at 1:00 AM to be told by dispatch that the driver has a felony warrant and that I have to arrest and bring them in alone.

I have worked alone in areas with no backup and sometimes no radio communication,where a drug runner or poacher (who was better armed that I was) would happily shoot me and dump my body in the river for the value of what they had.

I have been turned on by the domestic violence victim who I was trying to protect.

I have also rescued lost dogs, lost children and keys locked in cars.

I have known the feeling that I might not go home at the end of the day and that my loved ones could receive a knock at the door and be informed that I was dead.

And I have known that on any given day, I might be called upon to use lethal force.

I was lucky, I’ve used my pepper spray, my baton and have had to go hand to hand with guys that are much bigger than me.

But I never had to make that horrible choice. I never had to live with the fact that I took a human life, never had to second guess myself and ask, “Would this have happened if I had done something differently.”

For that, I am eternal grateful.

The officer who was faced with a few seconds to make that horrible choice did, and he will live with that choice for the rest of his life.

He may be being touted as a “hero”, but I can guarantee you that he would rather not have had to make that choice and live with this.

I’m certain that he would rather have taken the suspect into custody and seen him tried.

But the suspect (did I mention that he was armed with the duty weapon of one of the murdered officers?) did not give him that choice.

YOU do not have the right.

You DO owe that officer (and all officers) an apology.

~L

Mood: Pissed Off and Disgusted

~

~

Yes folks, it’s time for my now infamous weekly blog feature (gotta “clean the pipes out “for Drama Free Thursday and Things that Make Me Go Squee”) WTF Wednesday.

WTF Wednesday is when I (and anyone else who cares to; a few already had an early start) get to moan, whine, bitch, complain and vent with impunity)

It’s when I sit down, make a good strong margarita (with GOOD tequila) sit around in my underwear and vent.

*OK, I typed this up last night and am posting it while on a break at work so I’m not drinking or sitting around in my unmentionables (but trust me; that will change when I get home tonight)

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about supporting and promoting Popfiend’s Drama Free Thursday with my own “Things That Make Me Go Squee” and this is, in part, preparation for DFT.

I’m all about putting good energy out there (because what we put out there it what we get back)

But I’ve realized that in order to appreciate the “good” things, we need the “bad” as well, realizing of course that “good” and “bad” are shades of gray and that nothing is black and white. (and no one likes a “Pollyanna”)

It’s Wednesday, and I’m gonna bitch and vent about people that I like to refer to as “Cheetoheads”.

I wrote about this several years ago in my now somewhat famous infamous essay,

It’s only one Cheeto-A sad commentary on our society

Each week I give an individual or group the “Here’s your Cheeto award” in honor of the rude, obnoxious, selfish, “It’s all about ME” asshats that we are force to live, work and walk amongst every day.

Today, the “object of my objection” is

The Hotel Murano in Tacoma

Seriously, WTF is wrong with people?

I am sad for the City of Tacoma this week, due to the loss of our beloved Wintergrass Festival.

Wintergrass is the largest Bluegrass Festival on the West Coast, an amazing gathering of people from all ages and walks of life joining together to make, enjoy and learn about music.

You can read the story here

But because of Corporate Greed, the festival is no longer sustainable in Tacoma.

The Hotel Murano (formerly the Sheraton) is too expensive and is now an inappropriate venue for this type of festival.

The new (absentee) owners “renovated” the hotel, put in a bunch of fancy glass (which is getting quite passé in Tacoma the home of Dale Chihuly and the Museum of Glass) jacked up the prices and developed an attitude.

This was a great location due to it’s proximity to the convention center and other locations used as performance venues.

Back when it was the Sheraton, the hotel was filled with jamming and happy festival goers.

But no more… In addition to the jacking up of prices, the jamming was restricted and the atmosphere was not what it had been in the past.

Festival attendance was down last year and it wasn’t all the economy.

Wintergrass was forced to look at options and make some very difficult decisions.

When offered an opportunity to match the rates that another venue in Bellevue (a much higher end and more expensive area) offered, they got this snotty response from the Hotel Murano ownership.

You can read the Hotel Murano’s response here

This is a huge loss to the City of Tacoma and its downtown businesses which boomed for the four days each year that Wintergrass was in town.

Good luck filling up your overpriced and now snooty hotel for four days straight in February now asshats. (and I’m sure your neighboring businesses would love to thank you as well)

On a more personal note, it was easy to attend and volunteer when it was here in Tacoma.

There’s no way I’m going to take 4 days and either commute back and forth to Bellevue or stay in a hotel.

So I’ve attended and volunteered for my last Wintergrass which makes me very sad.

I do understand the need for the festival to have a venue which is affordable and flexible, which the Hotel Murano is not.

You can dress it up with all the fancy glass and “attitude” you want, it’s still the Sheraton and after the response to Wintergrass you can bet that I will NEVER recommend the Murano to anyone in my business or social circle that are looking for a place to stay in Tacoma.

I wish Patrice, Steve, Erla and everyone involved with the festival the best.

I know it was a difficult decision, but one that had to be made for the health and survival of the festival. I hope it thrives in its new location and that it continues to bring joy to many generations.

As for the ownership of the Hotel Murano, you can kiss my fiddle pickin’ butt!

And I have a suggestion as to where you can put it!

I think that’s plenty of venting (was it good for you? It was good for me) and I actually have more to “squee” about tomorrow than to “WTF” about today, so I’ll leave it there.

None of this is earth shattering or even life changing it’s all minor annoyances in the grand scheme of things.

But I had FUN venting, and damn it feels good.

There, doesn’t that feel better?

Have a happy drama free Thursday tomorrow. I know I will.

Break’s over, back to work with me…

~L

Mood: WTF?

~

~

I am more than disappointed to learn that today there will be a Critical Mass ride in Tacoma.

I’m now going to feel LESS safe on the road with motorists that this event has (INTENTIONALLY) pissed off and made an enemy of cyclists.

Critical Mass has no structure,  no leadership and most important no accountability.

There is an anarchist element in Critical Mass and I’m  not going to be involved in illegal activity such as corking intersections and harassing motorists.

The rides have escalated to violence in many cities, notably this headline from Seattle not that long ago:

“Mob of bicyclists injure motorist”

It was (of course) a “Critical Mass” demonstration in Seattle. For those who are blissfully unaware, Critical Mass is a cycling group that rides (as a form of demonstration) once a month to “assert” the rights of cyclists to use the road.

There is a HUGE difference between educating or advocating and “asserting”.

The groups “cork” (block) intersections, ride illegally (not to mention dangerously) and intentionally disrupt traffic. They antagonize motorists and violent altercations often occur. That’s not only illegal and uncool but it does nothing to make life easier for law abiding cyclists.

Although the “ideal” of the group and event “might” be a good one (in theory), just like any other form of “protest” a certain segment of society has to get in there and make it unsafe, illegal and violent. That appears to be what happened last year in Seattle when a motorist had his tires slashed, windshield smashed and was struck in the back of the head (bad enough that he required hospitalization) with a pregnant passenger in the vehicle no less.

Story of Critical Mass ride gone bad here

We cyclists do not need bad press and we certainly don’t need idiots like this claiming to represent us. One already takes their life in their hands riding a bike around here (I often joke that cyclists and pedestrians are a prey species in Tacoma) and we don’t need drivers having reason to hate us and want us off the road more than they already do..

This YouTube video, which was meant to show “Police Brutality” against the “poor innocent cyclists”, does exactly the opposite. It doesn’t show what lead to the arrest of the two riders, but it does show me that these are people I do not want to associate with.

They do NOT represent me as a cyclist

I belong to the Tacoma Wheelmen and Cascade Bicycle Clubs as well as the Bicycle Alliance.

These and other groups teach and promote safety and riding legally. They work within the law to create bike paths, trails and bicycle friendly communities. They teach safety classes, fit kids for bike helmets and encourage legal and safe riding on club sponsored events. They promote cycling as a healthy recreational activity and as an alternative to commuting through vehicle gridlock and paying through the nose for outrageously priced gas.

Critical Mass does nothing for the cycling community but make it look bad and undo all the hard work that legitimate groups do.

Critical Mass is a critical mess.

~L

Mood: Pissy

~

~

Yes folks, it’s time for my now infamous weekly blog feature (gotta “clean the pipes out “for Drama Free Thursday and Things that Make Me Go Squee”) WTF Wednesday.

WTF Wednesday is when I (and anyone else who cares to; a few already had an early start) get to moan, whine, bitch, complain and vent with impunity)

It’s when I sit down, make a good strong margarita (with GOOD tequila) sit around in my underwear and vent.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about supporting and promoting Popfiend’s Drama Free Thursday with my own “Things That Make Me Go Squee” and this is, in part, preparation for DFT.

I’m all about putting good energy out there (because what we put out there it what we get back)

But I’ve realized that in order to appreciate the “good” things, we need the “bad” as well, realizing of course that “good” and “bad” are shades of gray and that nothing is black and white. (and no one likes a “Pollyanna”)

It’s Wednesday, and I’m gonna bitch and vent about people that I like to refer to as “Cheetoheads”.

I wrote about this several years ago in my now somewhat famous infamous essay,

It’s only one Cheeto-A sad commentary on our society

Each week I give an individual or group the “Here’s your Cheeto award” in honor of the rude, obnoxious, selfish, “It’s all about ME” asshats that we are force to live, work and walk amongst every day.

Today, the “object of my objection” is

Those Who Harm (directly or indirectly) Wildlife

Seriously, WTF is wrong with people?

Last week, some sick bastard (s) did THIS.

They shot a fox at Pt Defiance park and left the carcass where park visitors would be sure to see it.

It is always a wonderful treat for me to see the foxes when I am there on a morning run. Unfortunately, the foxes are not as wary of humans as they should be, which made this poor critter an easy target.

Some time prior to that, 6 raccoons were found shot with pellet guns.

These animals died a slow painful death because a pellet gun does not kill instantly. More than one of the raccoons had to be euthanized.

This was done in a city park, only 10 – 15 minutes from downtown.

These are sick people. They are not hunters and they are not interested in “animal control.”

This type of individual often moves on to harming children. (we runners and cyclists have enough trouble being harassed when we’re in the park, will they shoot at us next?)

They need to be stopped.

But there is another group of people at fault here.

The idiots that drive through the park and feed the raccoons and foxes.

I’ve seen people with buckets of popcorn, bags of cat food and pizza boxes… Yes PIZZA boxes that they would dump out on the side of the road so that they could watch the raccoons.

Good job idiots, you made them easy targets for bad people (and more likely to get hit by a car). You fed them food that can make them sick, and you’ve made them dependent on human food so that when the weather is crap and people don’t want to go out and feed them they can starve.

You’ve also increased the risk of a child or other park visitor being bitten because these animals are not afraid of humans as they should be. (hint, raccoons are mean, have very sharp teeth and carry RABIES)

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again..

WHEN YOU FEED WILD ANIMALS IN A PARK OF ANY KIND YOU SENTENCE THEM TO DEATH!

I saw this as a ranger in National parks all the time.

I saw animals get sick and die, I saw them get hit by cars, I saw them have to be put down because they became a “problem animal”.

Uh yeah, they aren’t problems animals, they are the victims of problem people.

For any idiots that are pissed off by this and think it’s OK; that your little bit of food won’t hurt, don’t go there with me. I have science, wildlife management (oh and the LAW) on my side.

I suggest you go read the afformentioned “It’s Only One Cheeto” (which was named for illegal and wrong wildlife feeding) essay and then give yourself a nice big fat Cheeto where the sun don’t shine

And I have a suggestion as to where you can put it!

I think that’s plenty of venting (was it good for you? It was good for me) and I actually have more to “squee” about tomorrow than to “WTF” about today, so I’ll leave it there.

None of this is earth shattering or even life changing it’s all minor annoyances in the grand scheme of things.

But I had FUN venting, and damn it feels good.

There, doesn’t that feel better?

Have a happy drama free Thursday tomorrow. I know I will.

~L

Mood: WTF?

~

~
Mother nature is apparently premenstrual, menopausal, sleep deprived, bipolar, ADHD and smoking crack.

Holy crap what a day we’ve had.

It started out with an unforecast snowstorm (older forecasts said there “might” be some mixed rain and snow then changed to too warm for now) that really dumped on us this morning. It stuck for a good long time, but did finally start to melt off this afternoon.

Then we had a wind advisory issued.

Then along with our high winds, we got horizontal hail and some thunder and lightning.

I had a bunch of errands I wanted to run and I was hoping to swim. I ended up not doing either.

My legs are still very sore, tired and cranky after the 32 mile bike ride followed by the race, so I decided to change my rest day from next Wednesday to today. My body was pretty much demanding rest. I can get a quick run in on Wednesday and still make it to my fiddle lesson on time.

Here are a couple pictures of the St Patty’s Day Run…

Here are some of us at the cold, rainy start

And ya gotta love overpasses/instant hills

Here’s a cold, wet, worn out Lisa approaching the finish line…

I spent a good potion of my day being a geek. I set up my self hosted wordpress blog and blogspot blog so that I can update them with my phone. I can’t get LJ Text to work, apparently they don’t play nice with Verizon Wireless. But I did set up my voice posting there, and can point to my voice posts from the other two blogs (and Twitter which updates my Facebook). The test post worked perfectly.

Now, I do need to get up off my butt.

The icky boy and I are going on a real “date”. I got a gift certificate for one of my favorite local restaurants and I thought Sunday night would be less crowded than Saturday or Friday.

So I guess I should go do something with my hair and pretty up a bit.

~L

Mood: gotta get busy

~

I realize it’s not WTF Wednesday, but this one really made me say WTF?

I received an email from a former friend today.

But it wasn’t really from her.

She had given my name to an organization that she is doing an event for and let them spam me in her name.

I don’t know what makes me say WTF? the most…

A person who considers themselves internet security savvy giving up her “friends” email addresses to an organization instead of sending an email herself. (friends don’t give out friends email addresses without their permission, ever)

Or the fact that a person who ended our “friendship” with a big dramatic, “Goodbye Lisa, You have lost a good friend-Oh and I deleted your last email without reading it even though there were things in it that likely could have used.” (rather than looking at her own negative behavior) actually asking me to donate to/sponsor her after that performance.

I can only say WTF?

I managed to respond with a very polite, “In the future, I would appreciate it if you did not give out my email address-Thank You.”

Of course, this has spawned this week’s WTF Wednesday post which will be posted (DUH) On Wednesday. (and it’s not what you think)

~L

Mood: Irritated

~

Everything else (both at and outside of work) aside.

It was a weird day.

After multiple strange communications; voice mail, email, alerts I asked, “Is it a full moon?”

Sure enough, the full moon is tonight.

We got mooned. (in the most literal sense of the word)

The universe showed us her ass and wiggled it in our faces.

In other less than subtle references to butts, I froze my mine off today.

I’ve been pretty darn distracted over the last few weeks and wasn’t paying attention to the weather forecast.

It’s butt cold out.

I was wishing that I’d paid attention and worn long underwear, a hat and gloves on the train platform this afternoon.

It snowed today (not exactly where I live but around the sound) and it’s forecast to snow here in the wee hours of the morning. That should make for an interesting commute tomorrow.

I got home and realized that I’d forgotten to turn my heater on after I turned it off to use the microwave this morning.

Yeah baby; a freezing apartment on a freezing day after a hard day and freezing my ass off. It doesn’t get much better than that. (uh… yeah… that was sarcasm)

I also realized that I had forgotten to take my Claratin (allgery meds) this morning (yes, some beastly plants are spewing pollen right now) oh, and my birth control pill which also helps with peri
menopause-there’s nothing quite like sleep deprivation, stress, allergies and stupid induced hormonal imbalance.

I ran some errands after work, picked up some nachos, came home and made a margarita (or two)

I am full of nachos and margaritas.

In a few minutes, I will take my Ambien, turn off my phone, take a bath and refuse to look at emails that reference things that make my angry/guilty/dysfunctional.

Something “snapped’ in me after the last lie. (which was so heinous it was sent to me via a third party)

Part of me died and part of me realized that I DO have to take care of myself if I want to be any good to anyone else.

If anyone thinks I’m an asshole for that.

Too damn bad; they have no bloody clue.

~L

Mood: Meh