Wind = Exhaustion

I've said this before: If you have a dog and you don't consider your dog a part of the family, you're missing out on your best friend's potential. That means treating your dog like a child, especially when they're sick, scared or in need. If you ignored your child, you'd be arrested for child abuse, right?
Well, last night a strong Alberta Clipper system came through the Md./DC/Virginia region and brought VERY gusty winds overnight. Our weimaraner,Dolly, tends to get startled, even frightened when the winds gust madly outside. She did last night, too. After going to bed at 10am, Dolly awoke at 11am when the winds picked up and kept slapping the flag wildly in the front of our house.I got up and let Dolly out back, not realizing it was the wind. Back to bed, 30 mins. later, from her bed (next to ours) she reached up and put her paw near my head, waking me again. I realized it was the wind, and went outside (Wind Chill near 15) and took the flag down. She went back to bed for 1 hour more and Pawed me again when the screen door on our unfinished back porch slammed back and forth- so I went outside and secured it.
I decided with the wind howling, she'd only wake me again, so I put 2 blankets on the floor and she and Franklin came and curled up underneath them with me. We slept about 2-3 hours last night, if that. Dolly kept getting up, and was shaking from fear when the wind would howl. SO, I'll have to work with her on getting over that. Meanwhile, I treated her like she was a human daughter, and let her know she was safe. THAT's what love is all about. That's how my parents treated me and raised me. Dogs should be treated no less.

New England has Come a Long Way in 20 Years

Wow. I read the following article on CNN today about a bill proposing gay marriage in Maine and thought- It's amazing how people in New England seem to be so much more understanding, accepting and caring of EVERYONE. This is totally opposite of how I felt when I moved from there 20 years ago, when I thought a lot of people were unfriendly. Now, MA and CT have gay marriages. Vermont has civil unions. For a state like Maine to consider gay marriage is tremendous. It's nice to see that the "Down home friendliness" of Maine really DOES extend to every human being there.
BILL WOULD ALLOW SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN MAINE - A Maine lawmaker introduced a bill on Tuesday that would allow same-sex marriages in the state. FULL STORY: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/14/maine.same.sex.marriage/index.html

Just Wondering... if will apply to humans

I saw this article in the news today and am wondering, if this applies to humans there are a number of states that may be devoid of population in the future...(that's mean!)
Extinct Tasmanian "tiger" DNA has clues to demise
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - DNA taken from the hair of two extinct Tasmanian "tigers" suggests the Australian marsupials last seen 70 years ago may have become too inbred to survive as a species, researchers reported on Monday. http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE50B72T20090112?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest

Doggy Exercise on a Frigid Day

It's been a cold winter here in Maryland (like everywhere else), so I've developed an alternative to walking Dolly (the weimaraner) and Franklin (the dachshund)if it's below 30F outside (because the wind chill is usually in the 20s or teens). We toss a ball around, or a play rope toy inside! Dolly is much more playful than Franklin, however. PICTURE: Dolly enjoying gnawing on her rope toy waiting for another toss.




PICTURE: What Franklin does after fetching a ball for 5 minutes... under the covers and gives us "the butt."




PICTURE: Rob posing with Dolly during a break in the 30 minutes of playtime.




PICTURE BELOW: Rob posing with the snoring Franklin. 5 minutes of play just wore him out!

West Side Story at the National Theatre

On Sunday, our friends Hil and Richard treated us to the production "West Side Story" at the National Theatre. I was at a disadvantage, because I hadn't seen the production before, and several of the songs and some dialogue was in Spanish, to be more true to the Puerto Rican characters. The people who have seen it before could follow along. Fortunately, I still remember a little spanish, enough to keep me interested in the story- but I think other newcombers to it were lost.
The dancing and singing was wonderful! I read a couple of reviews from sour people who saw it and said that there was no chemistry between the leads "Tony" and "Maria." I totally disagree. They were very believable (with the exception of a passionate kiss on their first meeting).
The story: WEST SIDE STORY transports Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to the turbulent streets of the Upper West Side in 1950’s New York City. Two star-crossed lovers, Tony and Maria, find themselves caught between the rival street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds, the “Jets” and the “Sharks.” Their struggle is to exist together in a world of violence, hate and prejudice.(Pictured: Matt Cavenaugh, who plays "Tony") Anyone that knows me well, knows that I want to see a happy ending... so why people like Romeo and Juliet or the ending to this story is beyond me. I wanted to see them have a great life! It was a very good show, and I wouldn't pay attention to any bad reviews. There was a LOT of great talent on that stage. (It just needs to be all in English).

Movie Theatre Dampens My "Spirit"

I've been looking forward to seeing the superhero film "The Spirit" since I heard about the movie in September 2008! It was released Christmas day, and yesterday we finally got to the theatre to see it! So, last night (Saturday) I was so excited, as it's been a long time since we've been to the movies. Anyway, we checked the listings on-line and in the newspaper, and there was a 5:20pm show. We drove to Annapolis Mall and when we got to the ticket window, management had REMOVED the showing and ALL showings except the 10:30pm show (who in the hell goes to the movies at 10:30pm???). I was livid.
The employee told me some DUMB movie about "bride wars" was going to be shown in the theatre slated for the "Spirit" from now on. He said "Bride Wars" is sold out. Yes, a movie about 2 women in a cat fight over weddings. I just don't understand the mentality. An adventure movie with a plot, great photography, handsome and famous actors and actresses, intrigue, mystery and suspense is THROWN OUT of a theatre in place of stupid, slapstick cat fights? I'm exasperated. I guess I'm going to just have to keep watching the movie trailer on-line until it comes out in DVD. SIGH.
The Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDeOkaCUUI8&feature=related
After that, we decided we'd just go to dinner, which we did. We then went home and watched on DVD an episode of the BBC's "Hetty Wainthrop Investigates" followed by an episode of "Murder She Wrote." Both of which are WAY better than some stupid movie about a cat fight. Hell, we see those in real life every day! (Can you tell I'm bitter about it?!) :)

DC Comics' Jonah Hex Coming to the Big Screen

I've loved the old west since I was a kid. I'm fascinated with Wyatt Earp, and have read every book about him. I've even traveled to many of the towns he lived in, and investigated his history. The movie "Tombstone" is one of my all-time favorites.
Combining the love of the old west with comic books, is a DC Comics character, "Jonah Hex." He's a bounty hunter with a disfigured face, that was once a confederate soldier. I've collected and enjoyed all the comic books about him. NOW, DC Comics is making a movie about him, and I'm excited about it! See below.
Source:The Hollywood Reporter January 6, 2009
Jimmy Hayward, who directed the animated Horton Hears a Who! will make his live-action debut with Jonah Hex, the Warner Bros. western based on the DC Comics character.
Josh Brolin is attached to star in the film, which previously had Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (Crank) on board as directors. The duo, who also wrote the script, bowed out over creative differences in November. The studio hopes to put the movie into production in March or April. The character of Hex, known for having the right side of his face disfigured and wearing a Confederate army uniform, was a rough-and-tumble gunslinger and part-time bounty hunter whose adventures always ended in blood. One incarnation of his comic book series saw the Western genre combined with supernatural elements, and it's this aspect that was featured in Neveldine and Taylor's script. Andrew Lazar's Mad Chance and Akiva Goldsman's Weed Road are producing.

Caring for a Sick Dog - Dolly has a Tough Night

Whoever says that a dog is "just a dog and not a member of the family" obviously doesn't know dogs. Last night, our Weimaraner Dolly woke up at 11pm and nuzzled me (I sleep on the edge of the bed, and the dogs sleep on their bed, which is on my side). I thought she got scared by the wind, as she did during the day yesterday. She went back to sleep and woke me again at midnight. I felt her ears and they were cold. I knew she was sick and she wanted to go out, so I let her out in the backyard. Something she ate apparently didn't agree with her. She came back in in 5 minutes, and went back to her bed. At 1am she woke me up again, and I let her out. Again, she needed to go. After coming back in that time, I grabbed some extra blankets and tossed them on the floor with my pillow. Dolly immediately curled up next to me. I heard her tummy gurgling, but she finally slept peacefully with me holding her. We awoke to Tom's alarm clock at 3:45am as usual (so he could get ready for work).
I let Dolly and Franklin out again, and both came back in quickly (it was 27F outside) and hungry. I felt Dolly's ears, and they were warm as they should be. She had purged whatever was troubling her, and actually ate breakfast. I was so happy to see she was feeling better after a tough night.
I tell you this, because my mom and dad treated me this way when I was young. When I was sick, they would stay with me, no matter what ungodly hour of the morning. THAT is how a dog should be loved. Dolly and Franklin are our children, and they deserve no less.

Untie-ing the Tongue Mystery / Captain America

TONGUE UNTIED - On Thursday, I went to see an ear, nose and throat specialist because it's been cumbersome to swallow, the underside of my tongue hurt, and last week part of my tongue was weak. I also found it odd to have the same (left) side of my throat hurt from what is a neck prob the chiropractor is fixing... Anyway, it turns out I have a muscle strain (with multiple muscle spasms) going on in my throat. Last week, I was eating a sandwich and had to open my mouth wide. That caused a painful muscle spasm underneath my chin (in my tongue). It caused a lasting ache that will fade. The spasms also enable me to swallow food fine, but not saliva so easily. Interesting.
The doctor looked into my mouth, examined my tongue, ears, and put a camera scope up my nose. Yeah, it wasn't too much fun, but it cleared any thoughts of other health issues. So, in time, the tongue, neck and all the other irritating things should heal.
CAPTAIN AMERICA- Back in the 1970s when I first started reading comic books, I always liked Captain America. Over time, however, the Steve Rogers character became stale. There wasn't any new direction to take him. Last year, Marvel Comics took a big risk and killed Steve Rogers, replacing him with his former sidekick "Bucky" (also wound up in suspended animation from the 1940s and 50s). Since then, the "new" Captain America is interesting, mysterious and the character has a lot of history to brood over. I've been buying Cap ever since Bucky replaced Steve Rogers, and it's an OUTSTANDING series for the first time in decades. Now, I can't wait for the movie! (See below)
CAPTAIN AMERICA MOVIE "THE FIRST AVENGER" is currently being scripted for a 2001 release. "Based on the Marvel Comics character from the second World War, a mild-mannered young soldier named Steve Rogers volunteers for a special Super Soldier program for the US Army. Donning the colors of Old Glory, Captain America leapt into the hearts and souls of every American bringing hope and justice to a war-weary nation." (source Imdb.com)

Great Video! Uncle Jay Explains: Year-end! 12-22-08

Here's the year 2008 in review, by a talented and funny guy named "Uncle Jay." It was sent to us, and you, too, will enjoy it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWiXy55OHyY

QUICK! - Register your Cell Phone # on "Do Not Call" list

Here in the U.S. all Cell Phone numbers went public yesterday, Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - To avoid getting telemarketer calls that get charged to YOUR minutes, call the Federal Gov't's "Do Not Call" number today from your phone. (This reminder came via email from one of our city councilors!)
REMINDER... all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies this week and you will start to receive sales calls.
..... YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS
To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.

The Tongue Trouble Continues

On occasion (since last week), the center part under of my tongue feels odd, like its almost cramping...or curling the front of my tongue underneath toward the back of my mouth. I can't explain it.
Back in 2004, I had a sudafed-caused half-paralysis. I could always take Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) before that without issue. However, one day it paralyzed my right side and put me in the hospital for 4 hours until it wore off. Very scary. Even one side of my tongue was paralyzed. (Pic from the Internet of a weimaraner with a fake tongue) Over the last week, it's been odd moving my tongue from time to time (or at least it feels like it). I've researched it, and found things referencing "Disorders of the 12th cranial nerve (hypoglossal nerve)" cause weakness of the tongue on the affected side. This nerve moves the tongue. INTERESTING. I've gone on to read that it needs an operation to correct (which I'm hoping isn't my case), however, I have to wait until Feb. 5th for an appt. with a neurologist.
What's even more interesting is that the nerve is on the left side of the neck- where I've been experiencing pain lately, too. I think they're connected. I've been going to a chiropractor, because he's noted 4 vertebrae in my neck that aren't as curved as they should be, so I'm undergoing treatment. The pain has been fading in the neck, thanks to the chiropractor, sleeping on a firmer pillow, and muscle pain gel. I'm wondering if the neck strain has affected the hypoglossal nerve. Hopefully, my tongue will work correctly all the time as my neck muscles/vertebrae go back to normal.