Ramblings of a RedHead Tuba Wench

Animal news of the weird

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 16:17:43 GMT

Fellas, look out. That female you've been trailing may be playing a bait and switch.
Scamming the Horny Panda:
One trick that zookeepers have used to get male pandas interested in mating with dowdier females (according to a December dispatch from Sichuan, China, in Australia's The Age) is to let an attractive female roam around a pen, leaving her scent, and then, in darkness, with the male in the pen and frisky at the scent, to introduce the less attractive female into the pen, back-end first, so that the pre-excited male will quickly begin copulating. Said zookeeper Zhang Hemin, "When the males find out (that they've just mated with unintended partners), they get very angry and start fighting the female. We have had to use firecrackers and a water hose to separate them." [The Age (Melbourne), 12-17-06]

Interested in more news of the weird, check it out.

Gonna Be a Bear

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 16:32:54 GMT

In this life I'm a woman. In my next life, I'd like to come back as a bear. When you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate, you're suppose to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that, too.

When you're a girl bear, you birth your children (who are about the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.

If you're momma bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone that bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.

Yup, gonna be a bear!!!
(from an e-mail I received)

Still 6 1/2 more months.......sigh

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 16:04:59 GMT

Over and Done

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 16:11:54 GMT

Well, I seem to be over my grouchy mood, but I was right about getting myself into trouble. One of these days I will learn. I think this past weekend was just hard because I had a long drive followed by a long night followed by a flat tire and and a slow day followed by another long night and some stress and another long night during which I was awakened by a huge headache and then I woke up with the headache popped some pills and returned to sleep followed by a foggy day and another long drive and another long night followed by me blowing steam on this blog, which I shouldn't do, followed by a decent night's sleep, finally. How's that for a runon sentence.

Anyway, it's almost Christmas, which for me means work. I agreed to work Christmas weekend again this year. Yes, yes, I'm wonderful, I know. Just kidding. It just works out that my family is more flexible than most. We can celebrate whenever. We were going to the Christmas thing this past weekend, but we got a little busy with the other activities that we had planned. So, I did Christmas with half. I gave my brother and his family their gifts. I also gave Dad and Mom their gifts and they gave me one. I haven't done any swapping with my sister and her family or with B & D yet. Maybe in January.

Spot on

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 12:27:56 GMT

Shout out

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 23:01:31 GMT

Congrats and good health wishes to all of the expectant parents I know, including hellscook and goldielocksnky. And to any of the aunts-to-be, get ready to enjoy being a I am a god-dess in the eyes of my nieces and nephews. I can do very little that is wrong. If I like something, it must be good. It is an amazing feeling to have someone look up to you in such a way. This bond is most apparent with my sister's daughter, but it also applies to many of the children of mu husband's siblings. And I have started winning my bro's kids to my wonderfulness. No, I am not bragging. It is humbling, as well as gratifying to be seen as something bigger than life in the eyes of a child. Awesome, and sobering. My sis can't wait until I have some lil'uns so she can become their god-dess. Oh, and a bit of advice to the moms-to-be that I learned from my Mom, sis, and sis-in-law: your child will be the most hateful to you out of everyone they know because you are the only person that they are sure will love them anyway. Anyway, best wishes to everyone.

Long Time, No Post

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 22:47:41 GMT

It's been a while. I just haven't had much to say that I could post here. However, I will now entertain you (or not) with the saga of my busted waterline.

About a month ago, on a Friday, I received a letter from the water company that the meter readings showed that I had used/lost a lot more water than usual. (7500 gallons compared to 1000) Since I had not started taking day-long showers, I could only assume that I had a leak. On Monday morning, I called a company that was suppose to take care of this for me. I had to keep calling them and by Wednesday I finally had a plumber that was suppose to come out. I called that plumber multiple times, but nothing happened. Friday (1 week after I received the letter) I called a second plumbing company (CKP). They said they would have someone out first thing Monday morning. So I stayed home Monday and two guys came out and dug around the meter and I saw some water shoot up and they fiddled around for about two hours. Then they told me that they would need to get the utility companies to come out and mark and that someone would call me. A day or two later, I received a call from Debbie at CKP. She asked if I wanted an estimate or what. I told her that I had to have the work done, but an estimate would be nice. She called me back on Friday (2 weeks after I received the letter) to set up an appointment for Monday morning for someone to come out and work up an estimate. So once again, I waited for a plumber to show up. He did, and he looked around, and he told me that he didn't think it was as bad as the first two guys had said, but that he needed to come back that afternoon to look some more. Well, I had to go to work. So I did. Guess what? I don't hear from CKP. No call to me about an estimate or anything. I called and left a message for them. They called me back on Friday (3 weeks after I received the letter), and I asked about an estimate. Debbie said that the guy has not given her anything, but that she would look into it. I called her again on Monday, and she had to put me on hold while she went and asked for the info on my problem. Did I mention that during all of this time, I was having to turn my water on and off at the meter key? That my water bill will probably over $100 instead of the usual $10? That I was "using" approximately 150 gallons of water to take a shower? So, Debbie got back on the phone and informed me that they cannot give me an estimate because they do not know how long it will take to the work. Isn't the point of estimate to guess how long and how much? So I have waited 2 weeks to NOT get an estimate. I told Debbie to go ahead and schedule an appointment to fix my line. She would call me back. Meanwhile, I had been talking to my brother, the Jack-of-all-Trades, about my water problem. He wanted to come up and take care of it himself. Of course he lives in Georgia. In the end that is what we did. Debbie called and left a non-descript message on my voice mail, but made no other attempts to contact me. So my Mom and my Bro made the trip up Friday night (4 weeks after I received the letter). I went to work early Saturday morning. My brother had a section of yard dug up by the time I came home. I kept him company, in the drizzly rain, while he continued digging. He found one section of pipe that was just end to end with no connectors. He would be surprised if that was the leak, but we fixed it and decided to see what happens. Sure enough, it was not the only leak. He continued digging by the headlights of his truck and the flashlight that I was holding. It was still raining and we had the water on. Suddenly, I noticed that one section of ground was soggier than the other. We were almost to the leak. We turned the water off. By the time we got to the section that I had noticed, it looked no different than the rest of the ground. That's how well my land soaks up water. My bro cut the line, capped it, checked to make sure there were no more leaks, and repaired that section. We went to dinner with Mom, who was spending her time in the warmth of my house. When we returned, we turned on the water and Shazzam!!!!! The dial was not moving. I am no longer losing water. Woohoo. Sunday morning I went to work while my bro and Mom back fill. I arrived home and we visited for a little bit and they hit the for the return trip. Bonus: My bro adopted my spare cat. Sheldon is going to love being an indoor cat with children and a dog to play with. Monday morning I went to work. That afternoon, I checked my voicemail and there was a message from Debbie at CKP saying that they had sent some guys out to work on my water line and could I please call her. Well, first, I had told her to calll me at work during the day as I work in a basement and don't have a cell signal down there. Second, and more importantly, I was upset that they would send men to my home with my authorization. Then I got home and realized they took my water meter key that I went out and bought with MY money. I called and left CKP a polite message to express how upset I was and that I no longer needed their services because my brother had fixed the problem and that I expected my key to be returned. I used my mean voice and everything. I received an apology call from Debbie at work today. So all is good. So far. We'll see how much they try to bill me. The first two guys were out there for 2 hours, but my bro and I are pretty sure that they busted part of my waterline when they were digging so part of that time was spent fixing something they broke. Then the guy who came out to give me an estimate never gave me an estimate. And I never told them to send guys out on Monday.

Whew. probably more than you wanted to know. I guess this is what I get for living in the country, or for being too easy going. Of course, there are a few that would debate the second part.

Yadda yadda yadda

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 21:21:53 GMT

First of all a "House" quote said by Cameron to Cuddy "Yeah, you're a hero. If it weren't for you, we'd be cutting into a dead man's head instead of Foreman's."

I also just finished sending e-mails to several news people, senators, and representatives about immigration in general and my husband in particular. We'll see if anything comes of it. If not, onward and forward with other plans.

I felt rotten this weekend, allergy flare up or a head cold. Take your pick. Luckily, I was pet sitting, and these people have many movie channels. So I had a major movie marathon. I watched Spanglish, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Elektra, Catwoman, War of the Worlds, Fever Pitch, Wedding Crashers, Miss Congeniality II. I re-watched parts of Sixteen Candles, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Batman Begins. At home, yesterday evening, I watched a movie that I had rented, I, Robot. As a big Asimov fan, I was a little leery of watching it, but it turned out a lot better than I thought it would. Likewise, many of the above movies were better than I thought they would be, or was it just the drugs.....hmmmmm......

This weekend I go to the fair, if all goes well. Woohoo!!! Cows, horses, photos, ugly lamps, artwork, corn, funnel cakes, poultry, pigs, quilts, music, et cetera, et cetera.

Clerks II (written 8/5/06)

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 20:22:08 GMT

So, I saw Clerks II. I was afraid that I wouldn’t remember enough from the original Clerks, but most of it came back to me. Not that you need to remember the first to enjoy the second, but it does add another layer of humor and enjoyment. I went to the Starlite showing and was the only person in the theater, which was great because I laughed my ass off. Seriously, I laughed, guffawed, giggled, and on and on. What is so funny is that I don’t always like some of the humor types that Kevin Smith uses, but when he uses them, it is hilarious. Don’t know what it is. I like the little touches, too. I wanted to laugh every time I saw the Mooby slogan. And Dante always reminds me of someone. I don’t know who, but he always seems like someone I know. Maybe he is just the Everyman. Maybe there is just a part of him that every man has or something, I don’t know. And Becky kicks ass. She is much cooler (and hotter) than what’s her name. Plus, I think there is a lot about her that many women can relate to. How a couple of weeks turns into years, being happy for someone even when you’re sad for yourself, although not all of us are willing to f*$@ a fugly, indecisive man on the prep station. When I was leaving the theater, the usher asked if I had liked the movie. I don’t know if he was just being polite, curious, or surprised that I was watching that movie (or maybe he had heard me laughing). A couple of years ago, I decided to have a Kevin Smith marathon and the Blockbuster clerk was surprised and impressed that I was interested in these movies. Do I just seem like the type that wouldn’t watch these flicks, or what? Maybe I just read too much into stuff. I’ve been in a weird place this year. A lot has been going on and I sometimes feel like I am just bobbing along at sea. I’ve gotten to where I don’t even put forth much effort at work, which isn’t like me. I am working toward a resolution of this limbo, as some of you know, but it is getting harder and harder to be patient and even harder to maintain my sanity (what little I have). At least my horse is well and mine. Although the wicked witch and her cronies had better hope that my attorney and family have mercy. Not likely. I think they’re even pissier than I am about what I was put through. What pisses me off the most is that my horse is changed. In the past, I could take her picture in the field with no halter or anything. Now the camera frightens her. If I could put that witch through what she put my horse and me through, I would. I’ll just have to settle for suing her high and mighty butt and hope that the court sees my side of it.

In the big scheme of things, I do not have much to complain about. It’s like the story about Fishhooks McCarthy that Donna told to Josh on “The West Wing.” Fishhooks said the same prayer, “Lord, give me health and strength. We’ll steal the rest.” I’ve got health and strength, so I can guess I can find a way to wait for the rest to fall into place, or I’ll steal the rest.

Aaaaahhhhhh

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 15:04:25 GMT

It is amazing how good it feels to not have a headache. I had one off and on from Tuesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon. And I am not talking about a dull ache. I mean the kind that throbs and pounds and makes your eyeballs hurt. I don't know how I made it home from work Wednesday afternoon. When I did get home, I merely crawled into bed and "died."

I did manage to see "Clerks II" yesterday. More about that later.

Pretty

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 11:44:02 GMT

SI Swimsuit issue

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 21:07:48 GMT

Okay, okay, so I am really behind the times, but this image is one that I have been wanting to share, and I finally remembered to find it. My sister, my mom, and I all voted that this was the best of the SI swimsuit issue this year. Of course, it was an ad, and it's not really a swimsuit, but it was the most creative and attractive in the whole issue.

Yo ho, yo ho

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 20:35:18 GMT

Which Pirates of the Caribbean character are you?

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me...

The movie was excellent...I laughed...I cried...I jumped...I laughed...just what I needed. Too bad the medicine doesn't last long enough. Maybe I'll go again.

Hide the rum!!!

Captain Jack

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 11:44:42 GMT

Yo ho, yo ho, yummy!!!

I am going to go see Cap'n Jack and friends this Friday. Can't wait.

Even with his nappy hair, capped teeth, and heavy makeup, (or maybe because of it)Cap'n Jack is scrumptious. I would have stayed on the island and drunk rum with him.

Thu, 13 Jul 2006 20:37:21 GMT

Here are a few pictures from previous trips to Mexico.

I'mmmmmmm BaaaAcccckkk

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 20:07:49 GMT

Yes, I did return from Mexico, reluctantly. I did not take any pictures this time around, aaawwww. I may try to dig up a few from previous trips and scan them in somehow. Anyway, more to come at a later date.

Mexico, ya me voy!

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 16:56:26 GMT

Mañana, yo voy a ir a Mexico. Voy a visitar mi esposo y su familia. Sólamente, tengo cuatro días para esta vacacíon. *sigh* Yo iré de Lexington a Houston a Aguascalientes en el avíon, y entonces vamos a monejar a la casa en Zacatecas. Mira la mapa.

Hasta luego, mis amígos! Tal vez, yo puedo a trajer los fotos de la vacacíon, si yo salgo la casa. *hee hee* :P

Perdón, la español mala, yo necesito practicar más.

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 15:13:23 GMT

I hope that the cartoonists that created these images will not mind that I posted them here. I credit the artists and their talent and merely want to share it with others. Thank you and have a safe and happy Independence Day.

Working the Fourth

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 14:44:17 GMT

by tonyc11815

Well, I am putting in a full day's work today, but it's all good. It means I get a bonus day which I will use to visit L. I also will be joining friends this evening for a fun filled get together of food, volleyball, and illegal fireworks. It helps to have a police officer in the family. Early Thursday morning, I leave for Mexico to set off my own fireworks. Whoops, TMI.

interesting?!

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 11:36:04 GMT

Where was your soul born?

Your soul was born in the Shadows.Your soul was born in the shadows of the moon at night. You're all mystery and enigma and your element is the Moon. No one really knows who you are, but they might think they know you. You only tell people fragments of who you are and never show your true personality. That doesn't have to mean that you're being someone you're not though. You're always yourself and you never do something just because someone else does. Some might think you're a little cold or dull, but you're just hiding your true self for some reason. Maybe only a couple of selected people have ever seen the true you. You are loyal to these people and it will take time if anyone else wants to gain your trust. You let people think that they know you and that you trust them. But sooner or later they will realize that they never really knew you. Be careful. Someday you might need someone who knows what you need. Trust people. You prefer silence and tranquillity. You're calm and collected and a nice person most of the time.
Take this quiz!

Quizilla |
Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

mmmmmmMotorcycles

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 20:22:35 GMT

What is it about these machines? Is it the vroom, the deep throated rumble, the air of rebellion that still lingers around them?

I don’t know what it is, but I am intrigued. My interest has only increased since I moved to the boondocks. Now my drive home includes a long stretch of road that is popular amongst the two-wheeled set. They also enjoy traveling down my road. Part of me would love to have one of these steel horses. However, the nervous Nellie side of me is a little afraid because of the rest of the traffic. I know the type I would want. It mirrors the type of equestrian riding I do (combined training). I do not want the kind that has my heels pitched back and my head thrust forward as if I were riding a racehorse. Neither do I want the kind that has my feet kicked forward with me lying back as if I were roping cattle. I would prefer to have one that that I can relax in with my seat deep in the saddle and my feet wrapped around the middle.

Oh, and can someone explain to me the purpose of having a helmet slung on the back of the cycle instead of on the head?

This Thing Called English

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 20:15:26 GMT

English is a bastardized language. Not being an etymologist, I do not know all of the details, but from what I understand, English arose from several European languages. Then it migrated to the New World, where it incorporated words and phrases from other languages like French and Spanish. It has since added new words at an increasingly rapid rate due to technology. Words have also changed spellings and pronunciations over the years.

With a husband for whom English is not his native language, I have become increasingly aware of the craziness of grammar rules. Spanish has irregular verbs, but one can look in any Spanish dictionary for a list of them and their inflections. I do not know of such a list for English. Not only that, but even after one knows the irregular verbs, they still follow no readili apparent system.

Example:
	I go
	He/she/it goes
	You go
	We go
Okay that makes sense, but what about:
	I do not go
	He/she/it does not go
	You do not go
	We do not go

On needs to use another verb to conjugate the original verb in the negative form, and he/she/it changes from goes to go. It makes sense on its own, but not in conjunction with its present tense form.

Then there is pronunciation. Spanish is straightforward with a few exceptions. H’s are silent. O’s are o’s. D’s are a little tricky because a d at the beginning of a word is different than a d in the middle of a word.

English:
	B’s are sometimes silent
	C’s can be hard or soft.
	O’s have about 15 different sounds from ah to ooooo.
	Then there are letter combinations like gh, tough and though.  It’s silent in one
		and sounds like eff in another.
	Past tense verbs that end in –ed, are they pronounced with another syllable or not?
		lighted, jumped.

On a related note, Congress passed a motion, bill, statute (I forget which) to make English the official language of the United States. As I’ve written before, I disagree with this stance. One, I think it is a slap in the face of our heritage as a multi-cultural, multilingual people. Two, I think Congress passed it so that it would appear that they are doing something about the immigration issue. I feel that they should quit wasting our time on legislation that has little practical purpose. I am still waiting for them to pass sweeping immigration reform. Instead they are putting an impressive looking band aid on a gaping wound.

Three, what does “official language” mean? One reason that I have heard for an official language makes some sense to me. By having English as the official language, government and communities can avoid the necessity of posting bilingual signs. I can see the merit in that, but I think states can make that decision for themselves. (the conservative side of me peeking out)

Other than that, what does it mean? Does it mean that people will not be allowed to speak other languages here? Or does it mean that people here will have to be able to speak, read, and write English to get anything? Does it mean that we will require our citizens to learn English (I know a lot of people that were born and raised here with English being the only language that they were expose to and they still can’t speak, read, or write it properly.) If we are going to require English to be used, are we going to provide the necessary classes, tutoring, and other help so that everyone can learn English to its full extent? If not, then the government and those that support this toothless measure can take it and shove it.

Five Fun Literary Words to Say and Use
cacophony
onomatopeia
hyperbole
alliteration
multisyllabic

I'll post more later when I have time

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 15:10:08 GMT

Five Fun "Smelly" Words to Say and Use

odoriferous
pungent
redolent
aromatic
miasmic

I would post more now, but I'm off to a baby shower!! Maybe I'll get something going tomorrow. Who knows?!

Wed, 24 May 2006 21:07:18 GMT

Dear Anonymous,

I have this posted in response to your comment, but just in case you don't scroll down to read it, I am posting it as a separate entry.

if someone is unhappy in the situation they are in and want to leave, let them
I am happy to let them leave if they want. I just like the courtesy of being told that the person I came with is leaving.

then you dump her because she left a bar
I did not dump her for leaving the bar. We simply grew apart over the next year. I can't remember dumping any friends over one incident.

Don't assume because they dance or talk to a "loser" that they are going to go home with them
I do not make this assumption, as I frequently talk to and dance with people that I have no intention of going home with. I only worry that someone might carry them off. It has been known to happen.

just because a guy isn't your type they are a "loser"
I never said that. I rarely classify anyone as a loser on first meeting them. I term these guys losers after they hurt one of my friends.

You must be perfect to past judgement on everyone else
I certainly have never claimed perfection. I am actually a very hard person to be friends with. I am moody, bitchy, smart alecky, flirtatious, a know it all, and this is a short list. However, this is my blog and I reserve the right to rant on it if I want. This entry is a snapshot of events that have occurred. If the people reading it want to pass judgment based on it without researching the background that is their shortsightedness.

I think you brought your own baggage with you when you chose to read my blog. Perhaps, some of it hit close to home for you. Maybe I should take your advice and not worry about my friends. If they don't return from going for a cigarette, so be it. I'll just wait til I read about the kidnapping in the paper the next day. On second thought, maybe not. Several years ago, when I was new to Kentucky, I wish that I had had friends that would have been concerned about me and looked out for me. Maybe it would have helped me avoid a few awkward situations. Instead, I dated the asshole, and my co workers said nothing as I lost weight and became withdrawn. I don't blame them, but it would have been nice if one of them had said something to me.

Friday Fun

Fri, 19 May 2006 11:40:12 GMT

Your results:
You are Deanna Troi

Deanna Troi		65%
Chekov		55%
Uhura		55%
Beverly Crusher		55%
Will Riker		50%
Spock		49%
Data		46%
Jean-Luc Picard		45%
James T. Kirk (Captain)		35%
Leonard McCoy (Bones)		35%
An Expendable Character (Redshirt)		35%
Mr. Scott		25%
Geordi LaForge		25%
Worf		25%
Mr. Sulu		10%

You are a caring and loving individual.
You understand people's emotions and
you are able to comfort and counsel them.

Click here to take the Star Trek Personality Quiz