Annoying

Why do people return calls via caller id before checking the message? Don't they realize how stupid they sound saying, "Someone from this number called me"? Listen to your message, idiot, before calling. Then you might actually know what's going on.

Are You Stupid or Something?

I'm not saying the name of any of the schools at which I teach, but I think all of you know the one I'm talking about--if not, e-mail or message me and I'll be happy to tell you.

Why are students so braindead? What is so hard to understand about an assignment that is spelled out for you? How can you be confused when you're given a word number requirement, list of questions to answer about your topic, and told to pick a topic of your choice to analyze? More so, how can you be confused by this when your professor reviewed it in-depth in class with you?

Students' bodies are in class, but their minds are elsewhere. They'll even look at you and shake their heads when you ask a question. But are they listening to a word you're saying? No.

I think from now on after I assign something, I will go around the room and ask each person individually if they were listening and understand what is being asked of them. Yes, I could try that, but I doubt that would work.

Something's Fishy Here

Did anyone else ever find it suspicious that Tigger, an adult male, spent all of his time playing with Roo, a child?

You Don't Deserve It

I just watched a news story about the floods in Iowa and how some people have abandoned their animals. One of the rescuers was saying that “some people just aren’t able to take their pets with them.”

Not being able to take your pets with you is an excuse I don’t buy. They shouldn’t own a pet in the first place. If you can’t provide for it in times of emergency as well as times of enjoyment, you don’t deserve the animals.

Some may counter with all sorts of excuses as to why they couldn’t take their pets with them: not enough room in the vehicle, not sure if the hotel/home they’re staying with will allow pets, or it’s just an animal.

My solutions would be to get rid of some of the crap you’ve got packed in your car. Actually save a LIFE rather than an inanimate object. Find a hotel/home that accepts pets. In times of crisis most places are more accommodating than usual. If all else fails, board your pet (again, accommodations in times of crisis would be reduced rates—if any at all).

This was a problem with Hurricane Katrina as well. People left their animals behind and high tailed it out of town. The animals that were lucky enough to be rescued were adopted out to new homes around the US.

Now, some of the people who left their animals behind are brazen enough to ask for them back. Pardon my French, but there’s no way in Hell I would allow a former owner to regain custody of the animal they abandoned.

These people don’t deserve the unconditional love an animal has to give.

I'm So Gonna Do Ludowici's Next Top Model

New Sofa

As much as I hated to spend the money on a new sofa, I had no choice. We couldn't get the pee out of our current one.

You think it would be fun to buy a new sofa. It's not. Today I spent my lunch break looking for one. Nothing. It didn't help that I was looking for something specific--my current sofa. Well, they don't make it anymore and the ones that were similiar were too shiny or had fancy cords hanging from the arms and the pillows. Not me.

I finally settled on this one from Badcock Furniture. I don't love it like I did my last one, but I think it's nice and suits Jon and my personalities. I guess this is where my stimulus check is going.

I Don't Know Why This Commercial Touches Me

This Isn't Working Out

The new cat has messed all over my couch. She bullies the other animals and my kitten doesn't know how to react. She just sits on my lap growling if the new cat is in the room. She sleeps beside my head and is being unusually clingy. We have to take the new cat back. And get a new couch.

Newest Baby

Jon and I drove down to Kingsland, GA to adopt this beautiful lady.

I found her on Petfinder.com and instantly fell in love. Yes, I fell in love because she looks like Evie. Her profile listed her as "plump" and "quiet and sweet." Well, she's not quiet, but she is sweet and she is plump, and I lovfe my plump kitties.

She's a bit hissy at the other pets right now, but other than that, she's making herself right at home (as you can tell by the pictures). No shy lady here.

I know this puts me one cat closer to being Violet (crazy cat lady from my childhood), but when I saw that she looked like my precious Hen, I couldn't resist.

I haven't picked out a name yet. Her slave name is "Patches," but that's such a boring, generic name that there's no way I can keep it.

Have a Good Weekend!

Allow Me to Introduce.....Numskull

I don’t pretend to be down with the urban beat, but sometimes I hear the name of a rapper and can’t believe that any sane person would choose certain nom-de-plumes. Honestly. Q-Tip? Ice Cube? Ice-T?

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the best alias of all: Numskull.

Thank You for Being a Friend

Isn't it nice seeing the girls together again? I wish Estelle could have been there.

You Make the Call

JCS Review

Amazing.

JCS last night was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. I memorized the words to all the songs long ago and have seen both film versions, but seeing it in person was incomparable to any other medium. Ted Neely (although twice Jesus’ age) was awesome. He can still wail. And if I do say so myself, his voice has aged to perfection. He sounds even better now than he did when he was younger. That man who played Judas (Cory Glover) was really good too as were the rest of the cast. The band was awesome, too. Hearing the guitar scream made me want to try to learn guitar again. (Sadly, my beautiful, black guitar has sat in my closet for the past 3 years all alone.)

Please, please, please go see it if you get the chance. Don’t believe the haters who say it’s blasphemous or sacrilegious; they don’t know what they’re talking about. Seriously. Even Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber says that was not the intent, and he created the thing, so who would know better? The purpose of the musical was to tell the story of Jesus set to music. What’s wrong with that?

I'm Going to See Jesus Today!

I have rarely been more excited. Tonight Jon and I are going to see Jesus Christ Superstar at Johnny Mercer Theatre (http://www.thejcstour.com/).

Not only are we going to see my all time favorite show, but Ted Neely (the original Jesus from the 70s film version as well as multiple Broadway and tour versions) is going to be playing Jesus.

I hope I don't die before tonight. I'd be pretty upset if I did.

I'm just so excited and I wanted to share.

Hello Pudu!

I had never heard of this delightful animal until I stumbled across it at cuteoverload.com today.

According to the always accurate and well regarded Wikipedia:

"The pudú (Pudu spp.), considered to be the world's smallest deer, is a native of Argentina and Chile in South America.

The pudú has several interesting characteristics that distinguish it from other deer. It is able to climb fallen trees, and it is sometimes forced to do so, both to escape predators and reach food. Because of its small size, it is often forced to balance on its hind legs to reach foliage. When threatened, it barks in alarm.

Because it lives in the dense forests of South America, it requires an efficient way to travel throughout the undergrowth. Pudú maintain a complex system of paths and trails that allow them to quickly get from one place to another. Such paths often lead to excellent places to rest or find food.

It mates April to June, its gestation takes 200 to 220 days, and one (occasionally two) fawns are born."

Intriguing. You learn something new everyday. When it's something about cute animals, I'm always open to more knowledge.

Is This Child Abuse?

My cousin is anxious about an upcoming three hour plane ride that she'll be taking with her infant son. I realize this is a long time and a confined space in which a baby might not be at his happiest.

I suggested giving him something to make him sleep. I doubt she will do this. I think most of the people I know with babies probably wouldn't do this.

I SO would.

I've given my dogs "calming pills" for long car rides. (Ella gets so bent out of shape when we go anywhere in the car I thought it would be best for an eight hour trip.)

So weigh in on this: Is it child abuse to give a kid something to make it sleepy so it will benefit both you and the people around you?