Free Dog!

So uh -- anyone want a dog? I've got this really cute one that I'll give up for free. He's perfect in everyway except he barks at EVERY GOSH DARN THING IN THE WORLD WHEN YOU TRY TO WALK HIM. We've tried choke collars, "gentle leaders", trainers, treats, psychology, and I've read 2 books. So far, NOTHING WORKS.

I know they turn bad horses into dog food -- can they turn bad dogs into horse food?

Meet Bailey

This weekend, John and I picked up our new pooch, Bailey. We rescued him from Howard County Animal Shelter, in the depths of scary Maryland. So far, he's been really good with a few minor issues. He knows "sit", "down", "come", "stay" (sometimes), "out" (to drop a toy) and he's pretty good on leash. He's housebroken, crate trained (with coaxing), is great with kids, and doesn't bark. Sounds like a dream come true eh?

He is very HYPER. If we do not walk him and play with him a lot to tire him out, I can forsee him being a handful. But we've been doing pretty well with it so far (granted, it's only day 3). He has an interest in our cat, Dawn, but doesn't chase her or bark when he sees her. Our big task will be getting her to tolerate him.

He also goes ballistic around other dogs. I am enrolling him in a behavior class, so hopefully that will get better. Because we have so many friends with dogs, I want them to be able to play and get along.

New Addition.

If all goes well with the approval, John and I will be adopting this cute little guy sometime this week! We went up to Columbia, Maryland tonight to meet him and we really fell in love at first sight. He's cute, smart, sweet and just all around lovable. We're trying to think of a name, so any suggestions are welcomed! The shelter has dubbed him "Rudy" but we're looking for something with more piazzas.

Growing Up.

As a child, I always envisioned adults as these demi-gods that could do no wrong. Every word that came out of my parents’ and older siblings’ mouths were gospel. I can remember one time asking my mother why we had to say prayers before each meal. She responded, “So you won’t choke on your food.” As a child, I truly believed that was the reason and diligently said my prayers.

A few months later, my father went on the Optifast program—it was a fad at the time, mainly because Oprah did it. For 3 meals a day for 6 months, Dad had to drink milkshakes. Kind of like Slimfast on steroids. I can remember sitting around the dinner table, all of us with plates of food and my Dad with his sole milkshake. Right before we started to pray I asked, “Why is Dad praying? He can’t choke on a milkshake!” Everyone laughed and I couldn’t understand why. In my own mind, I had asked a legitimate question! I think I was 20 or so when I actually realized you prayed before meals to THANK God for the food – not to save yourself from the Heimlich.

So after I moved out on my own, I slowly began to realize a lot of things that my parents told me were just plain bogus. Granted, they had their reasons for most of it, but it was certainly an eye opener for me to start to realize that my parents were not the smartest people in the world. Then my niece and nephew entered the world and it became even more apparent that parents are just winging it most of the time. It also amazed me to watch them repeat everything my sister said and did. I know we are preprogrammed to be brainwashed by our parents – it is nature’s defense mechanism. If we did not absorb so quickly, how would we learn how to walk, talk and function in society? Although, my niece is quite observant. Just a few weeks ago she said to my father, “You have four children and Michelle is the smartest.” Ha! Gotta love her.

Soon after realizing parents are well intentioned imperfect people, I entered the workforce and became another worker bee in the big cubicle hive gleaning all I could from my boss, the Queen. She knew all and was never wrong. I learned just about everything I know about management from her. She was a perfect supervisor, awesome mentor and friend. Now that I am a manager myself, I am beginning to realize that half of the time, my boss was probably winging it—as were my parents, and as am I. I am often asked many questions a day from my 3 employees and I have to make quick decisions. Decisions that could impact people’s clearances, jobs and lives. It’s quite a scary thought that this responsibility has been entrusted in a 27 year old that thinks you don’t have to pray before drinking milkshakes.

I really didn’t have a point to this when I started writing it. Except maybe that I’m having a bit of a reality check being in lower management. It’s weird when employees ask me if it’s ok if they have the day off. Half the time I think to myself, “Why are they asking me?” The other half of the time I’m thinking, “Holy crap, they’re asking ME!” I’m sure this will all wear off in no time and 20 years from now when I’m CEO of a mega conglomerate, I’ll wonder how I ever second guessed myself as a management fledgling.

Way Cool.

I just ordered my DNA kit -- get yours here and participate in this once in a lifetime oppourtunity!

Ew.

While reading my Popular Science magazine, I came accross this exhibit called Body Worlds. Apparently, this place takes REAL bodies and plastifies them -- then puts them on display. They have over 200 bodies right now, and a waiting list of donors! Gross -- but yet, eerily interesting.

Very Cool.

This guy is making the news all over the world. What would you trade?

Elizabethtown.

Great flick. If you haven't seen it already, you must.

I Don't Think Wiley Liked My Gift.

Or Else.

Found.

Discovered this site while reading the Post Secret site. Turns out, PostSecret and Found are pairing up in Old Town for a short PS flick and some live music. Sounds like fun... who wants to come with me?

Is There Still Hope...?

Maybe AD fans don't have to look like this after all? More info here.

SLUM CREW 19

From Friday night June 9th, 2006 through Sunday afternoon, June 11th, 2006 you will escape from the routine to join us for a leisurely weekend of canoeing, camping and partying. This is always a great time as we celebrate the greatest outdoor weekend party we started back in 1988. See below how it all works and directions. (Please read this entire e-mail.)

Cost: $75 per person (includes a spot in a canoe, use of the campsite, and a custom-made T-Shirt)

You may still invite others, but please confirm your attendance and better yet, please send me the $ so I know you're definitely going.

PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE BY REPLYING TO THIS E-MAIL AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED A SPOT IN A TENT. PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE SERIOUSLY INTERESTED. I NEED TO KNOW WHO'S GOING ASAP.

This canoe trip is way too much fun. Come along.

Thanks everyone,

Karsten "Milk" Kinzer

When: Friday night, June 9th, 2006 to Sunday, June 11, 2006 (late afternoon)

Where: South Fork of the Shenandoah River between Luray and Front Royal, Virginia

What: Two days of canoeing (Sat and Sun.)(2 people per canoe) and two nights (Friday and Saturday nights) at the Compton Campground plus an Official Slum Crew T-shirt to commemorate this historic event. We camp next to the cars so there is no hiking and you can bring more stuff.

Cost: $75 PER PERSON. Make checks out to me, Karsten Kinzer. This includes your spot in the canoe, the use of the campsite and the T-shirt. Food and drink are NOT included.

THIS IS A RAIN OR SHINE EVENT!!! (If it does rain, it usually doesn't rain for long.) HOW IT ALL WORKS:

We are assembling at the Compton Campground (a.k.a. Golden Rock Campground) Friday afternoon or night (arrive when you can-directions follow). Carpool as best you can. It takes about an hour and a half to get there from Northern Virginia. This is a rain or shine event, so no matter what the weather conditions, we'll be there (unless you hear from me.) Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains. We'll be prepared at the campsite for any weather.

The campground is located along the banks of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River and is equipped with Don's Jons, a fresh water pump, picnic tables and fire pits (no showers). We will set up camp Friday night near the cars. With that in mind, don't worry about compacting your gear for hiking and such. Bring any and all amenities you think you might want. There will be some community tents to sleep in, but make sure you have space in a tent. Those who have room in tents or tents to share, please make them available to those who don't have tent space. Let me know if you need tent space. THERE WILL BE KEGS OF BEER IN CAMP FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO JOIN US IN GETTING OUR DRINK ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

On Saturday morning, we will be outfitted with lifejackets and paddles and then taken by bus up-river about ten miles. All personal gear will be left at the campsite except what is needed on the river such as suntan lotion, food and plenty of beverages, first-aid kit, etc. Depending on the number of canoes we rent, there will be designated bar canoes we will outfit. These bar canoes will hold all beverages, food, trash, and anything you don't want to get wet. Remember which bar canoe has your stuff. There will be NO GLASS containers of any kind on the river. We will canoe about 5-6 hours Saturday depending on the river level. The river is quite tame (except for one class two rapid at the campsite), but it is strong, moving water, so please take that into consideration. Always keep your footwear and your lifejacket on when canoeing or swimming. If it is sunny, please wear suntan lotion as you can burn very quickly. We finish Saturday back at the same campsite we stayed at Friday night.

On Sunday morning, we set off from the campsite and canoe another exciting seven miles to the Low Water Bridge at Bentonville. Sunday canoeing is shorter than Saturday, but is more eventful. The canoe company will then bus us back up to the Golden Rock Campground. We should be finished Sunday in the late afternoon.

WHAT TO BRING:

* First-Aid Kit
* Suntan lotion
* An old pair of sneakers (river rocks are sharp) - AN ABSOLUTE MUST
* Bug repellent
* Swim suit
* Drinking water or drinks both at camp and on the river. (No Glass Containers)
* FOOD!!! NO FOOD OR DRINK (EXCEPT KEGS) WILL BE PROVIDED. THERE IS A CAMPFIRE PIT THERE FOR COOKING AND GRILLING. BRING FOOD FOR THE RIVER AS WELL.

* Toilet paper
* Rain coat or poncho
* Change of clothes for the campsite including a dry pair of shoes
* Tent (if you have one). If you have more than one tent, please bring it. If we don't need it, we won't use it.
* Sleeping bag or blankets (a pillow is a nice addition)
* Large coolers (if you have them)
* Flashlight

DIRECTIONS:

From Washington D.C.:
- Follow Interstate 66 West off the Beltway for 54 miles to the first Front Royal exit (exit 13). Exit here.

- At the stop sign, turn left.

- Go under I66 and turn right on 55 West into Front Royal.

- Keep going straight (past McDonald's on right) to a "T" intersection (3rd traffic light).

- Turn left on to route 340 South and follow it about 14 miles through the town of Bentonville.

- After about 14 miles, at the bottom of a large hill, turn right onto a dirt road just before a small bridge over a river called Compton. Do NOT cross the bridge. There is a very large, 1/4 mile long active train trestle traversing over the campsite here.

- Proceed slowly down the dirt road as this road is rather bumpy.

- At the bottom of the dirt road, turn LEFT and park where you can. Locate us rowdy folk and we'll help you find a place to pitch your tents.

CELL PHONES WILL PROBABLY NOT WORK AT THE CAMPGROUND.

Mike in Vegas.

Mike in Japan.

Something tells me there's a "Mike in Thailand" photo out there as well...

Reasons for Immigration Reform.

Mass immigration is fueling unprecedented population growth.

Immigration now adds more than one million people—the equivalent of two Denvers—to our population every year. At our current pace of immigration, our population will grow to more than 400 million people by 2050. That’s tens of millions of additional people needing schools, jobs, and housing—as well as water and other precious natural resources.

Today’s immigration is extremely costly.

Unlike previous eras of immigration, today’s immigrants are 50 percent more likely to use welfare than native-born Americans. Providing for the needs of immigrants costs American taxpayers as much as $20 billion a year. We cannot provide high quality education, health care, and retirement security for our own people if we continue to bring in endless numbers of poor, unskilled immigrants. America is still working to meet the challenge of assisting our own poor and disadvantaged; mass immigration compounds the problem and impedes efforts to raise the standards of living for all.

Mass immigration depresses the wages of poorer Americans.

The gap between rich and poor in America continues to widen. Job competition by waves of new immigrants depresses the wages and salaries of American workers and hits hardest at minority workers and those without high school degrees. America’s focus must be on training our own labor force to face competition from abroad, not on importing new workers to compete for jobs at home.

Mass immigration conflicts with today’s national security priorities.

Current immigration levels are so high that immigration officials are unable to thoroughly screen immigrants before allowing them into the country—as September 11, 2001 tragically underscored. Lower legal immigration levels, an entry-exit system to detect those who have overstayed their visas, and heightened enforcement efforts are essential in order to regain control of the system and meet today’s heightened need to know who is coming into the country.

Mass immigration is overcrowding our schools.

In the last decade, school enrollments have increased by 16 percent, an increase that the U.S. Census Bureau attributes largely to the immigration influx. Department of Education officials say that by 2100, the nation’s schools will have to find room for 94 million students-nearly double the current number.

Mass immigration is straining our already fragile environment.

As our population grows, demands for resources increase; increased pollution, deforestation, waste, habitat destruction, and soil erosion are the result. America’s environmental priorities can’t be reconciled with the new infrastructure and resource consumption that continued population growth will require. Resources like water and energy are straining under the constantly increasing demand.

Already, America’s sprawling urban areas are encroaching on fragile coastal wetlands and paving over farmland at alarming rates. Just maintaining the current massive level of immigration will require the construction of millions of new homes (and the resulting loss of farmland and open space) and put tens of millions more cars of already crowded roads.

The U.S. today is a fully populated nation of almost 290 million people, not the sparsely settled territory of 150 years ago. Our priority should be preserving our remaining wilderness areas, conserving our natural resources, and ensuring a better quality of life for future generations.

The best reason we have to reform immigration is this:



Text taken from: http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_research9964

Cy-Col-O-G

When I was in seventh grade, I got this crazy idea to list all my classmates on a sheet of paper (there were like 20 of us) and give the sheets out to each kid in class. I asked each one of them to describe the other 19 using only one word. I have no idea why I did this -- I think I was just interested in what everyone else thought of everyone else. Well, this girl in my class, Kerri Smedley, got super upset. She said I was mean and insensitive for doing this excercise (probably because people were putting mean words down for her description) and demanded I stop doing it. I still have the sheets I managed to collect--not sure why, I just thought they were cool.

At any rate, I was reading Joe's blog and he had this cool excercise which you describe someone in 5 words. It's called a Johari window. A Johari window is a metaphorical tool intended to help people better understand their interpersonal communication and relationships. It is used primarily in self-help groups and corporate settings as a heuristic exercise.I thought I'd give it a go. So if you want to describe me, click here: http://kevan.org/johari?name=mijoy. It will show me what others seem to think of me.

To tell me what you REALLY think of me, you can describe my faults here: http://kevan.org/nohari?name=mijoy

LOST

For those of you that don't already know, I'm a huge LOST fan. My husband and I watch it every week, tivo in hand, so we can pause, rewind and review every last second of the show. In case you were wanting a close up of the diagram from the last episode, I managed to find it and have posted it here for your enjoyment.

Looks Like We Passed Inspection...

Hello, Michelle and John – I’m pleased to inform you that your application for adopting a Sheltie through NVSR has been approved. Kato and I enjoyed meeting you yesterday. The next step in our adoption process will be to match you with the best dog for your situation and profile. This may take some time. As dogs come in to us, we foster each of them for at least two weeks, often more. They are also shown on our Web site. If you see a dog there that interests you, please let us know at apply@nvsr.org. We try to work with each dog and one adopter at a time, but always emphasize that we are working from the dog’s point of view, doing our best to match the dog with the right home.

We look forward to helping you find your family's next best friend! Thanks again for your interest in NVSR.

Martha Heisel
NVSR Adoption Coordinator
www.nvsr.org

Movie Beam

As a kid, I always thought it would be cool to just choose whatever movie you wanted from your TV and have it automatically "beamed" down to you. Well folks, it's finally here! Too bad it doesn't work in South Riding --- yet.