Here's our answer

From the BoozeNews website theboozenews.com:
Last week was the premier of “The Bum Trading Card” and it seems like people either like it or hated it. For those who hated it, it was extremely nice of you to send lengthy emails and post us on your blogs, but in the end you just wasted a bunch of people’s time and didn’t help anyone. Rather than blame us for their situation, get up from your computer and go work in a soup kitchen.

For those of you that don't know, The Booze News is a student run publication at the University of Illinois dedicated to bringing the students news they actually care about. We tackle the hard issues of drinking, partying, relationships, and let's face it, we kick ass.

Hardly a message that the U of I should want to present.

THEY HAVE BUM TRADING CARD #2 OUT. I don't know THIS person - but, nontheless, I'm certain he is a real person.

If you're still offended - e-mail them at stuff@theboozenews.com

Objectification

Over the weekend, my husband and I went to our normal Saturday bar for a few drinks with friends. Mike always picks up this little college paper and reads it there. He likes the politcal views in the paper. He stumbled along this disturbing image:



This is a REAL PERSON that we've seen downtown. The Pokemon catch phrase printed accross his picture has a double entendre that I find alarming. My friend, gnightgirl, has already blogged about this and received a comment from the owner of the paper this lovely picture was printed in (www.theboozenews.com). Check out her blog ("This Just In" - see link on my blog) if you're interested. They say they gave THEM sandwiches and money for their time. (Wait, there's going to be more of these cards?!?!?!) I've just written them this morning and will post a reply if I receive one.

And if you're appalled and live in the area - then please write the people at the magazine. And whoever else you can.

I feel like a jerk...

I picked up Ally from the vet today. We spayed and declawed her. I will never declaw a cat again. I don't care what the kitties do to me - scratch me, ruin my furniture, my bedspread, my curtains, my lamp...They don't deserve it. Obviously, it's not beneficial to them at all. It's not as bad as doing it for aesthetic reasons like clipping their ears or boxing their tales (or whatever the terminology for those procedures are). Ilaiy don't read this part -



Her paws aren't attractive. When I look at her little white-turned-pink scabby paws - my stomach sinks and I want to cry. And when I look at her three or four inch incision from her spaying - I just want to hold her and curl up with her and cry. And you know what she did? She rubbed my face and purred and purred and she loves me. She seems to have no idea that this was MY doing.

Ilaiy - you can read again - I blogged about this about a week ago asking for opinions. I received one from "anonymous" and, I concur with everything she or he (I have a feeling it was a she for some reason) said. I knew all of the facts that she listed before I did this. In the past, I even looked for those plastic nail covers and never found them. And I thank anonymous for her comment. She did what I asked - she gave me her opinion. My husband responded to anonymous with his classic, scathing, and sometimes amusing wit. He's right - Ally's better off than if we'd left her as a stray and she loves us. And she's happy. Even though right now she's in pain.

I don't know how to wrap this up or resolve these feelings. I sang really loudly to a song I heard on the radio while on my way back to work after dropping Ally off at home. That let me have a little pity party for myself (and Ally) and be melancholy for a while - also let release some frustration. In a short while - she'll be feeling like herself again (hopefully). And I'm sure I will too. My mother always said I had a flair for the dramatic and maybe I'm just being dramatic here. But, I hope I don't forget this. I will do it differently next time.

Sist - Forgive me!!

OK, I had to seek permission from my mom before I posted this blog because it could get her in trouble. Here it is: a picture of my sister and her homecoming date and the little message my mom sent with it.

Mallory and date for Homecoming at date’s house. I'm so bad. I forgot his name.

Love ya,
The Mom

I still don't know his name. Wait - they told me last night. I've forgotten already. Maybe Mal will comment and tell us.

Stolen Blog

My mom sent me an e-mail with the latest pics of her kitties. I really like her descriptions of the pictures and I feel like I'm stealing but - here it is anyway:

#1 Grandpa Jack and Archie.

#2 Lump (Abby) in my CLEAN sheets.

#3 Abby (Lump) enjoying me making my bed with her in it at the same time. It's our game she plays every time!!!

Question

OK, so I don't have a beautiful new picture of any of my kitties. But, I wanted to blog anyway. Next Thursday (Oct. 20th) we take Ally in to get spayed. We've been trying to decide if we should declaw her. 3 out of 4 of the other kitties are declawed. We didn't declaw the oldest one due to his age. We've since been struggling with the idea because it is kinda cruel. And, I've worried about her running outside and not being able to climb a tree.

Whaddya think?

Big A$$ Cat

Please pay no attention to the fat a$$ owner holding her cat. Just look at the size of the creature she is holding. [No animals were harmed during the taking of this picture. He just looks a little uncomfortable.]