NaBloPoMo

Hiroshima

August 6, 2009 by kathi

Sixty-four years ago today, the world’s first atomic bomb attack devastated Hiroshima and changed… everything.

I’m not here to say whether or not it was necessary then. Or whether or not nuclear weapons are necessary in today’s world. I’m not a historian and this is not a political blog. And frankly, I’m not sure I really know the answer.

Even though some of my ancestors were originally from Hiroshima, my parents were born in the United States, and so was I. The connection is distant, so I won’t pretend it means more than it does, even on this day. But when many years ago, my brother and uncle were trying to research the family tree, it was still an odd feeling to realize that there are some things we can never find out about that part of the family since the records were totally lost.

I was 18 years old when I visited Japan. There are many things about that trip that are almost lost in my memories after more than 30 years. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum is not one of those lost things. A section of the main exhibit area holds artifacts from that day, all items belonging to young people of junior high and high school age who died in the blast or shortly thereafter. Young people, the same age or younger than I was then, who never got the chance to grow up. I don’t think I can ever forget that.

(Public domain photo from The Manhattan Project: An Interactive History – The Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima)

(NaBloPoMo | August ’09: 6 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 194 of 274)

Update: more on show dog heat stroke deaths

August 5, 2009 by kathi

I am still getting a fair amount of traffic from those looking for updates on Mary Wild, the Missouri dog handler who left eight show dogs in a cargo van overnight, causing the heat-related deaths of seven of those dogs. Previous posts with links to news stories are at:

Killer heat: don’t let it get you and yours
Update: show dog heat stroke deaths

Di left a comment today reminding us that there is still time to write to Jefferson County’s prosecuting attorney to ask that a plea bargain not be allowed. Ms. Wild has been charged with eight counts of animal cruelty, and arraignment is on August 12.

Di also left a link to Kinship Circle’s post on the subject, where you will find all of the contact information and a sample letter should you need help gathering your thoughts.

From some recent articles in The Dog Press, it would appear that the Jefferson County prosecutor’s office is taking this case quite seriously, but it is a sad fact that in general, it’s rare for animal cruelty cases to get the maximum sentences available. Put in your two cents if you feel, as I do, that your opinion might make a difference. And read the articles from The Dog Press:

Dog Handler Charged
Mary Wild Kills 8 Dogs

Even if you do not think this has anything to do with you because you don’t send your dogs out with a handler, or you don’t show dogs at all, please read at least the portions of the posts and articles that talk about heat stroke. Remember it’s August and the possibility of heat stroke should be a concern to us all. It’s not only show dogs in the so-called care of an irresponsible handler that are at risk. There have been deaths or illnesses reported this summer to police dogs (and you would think K9 handlers, like show handlers, would have more concern and consideration than the average person), pets… and children. Stay cool, everyone.

(NaBloPoMo | August ’09: 5 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 193 of 274)

My muse went on vacation and didn’t tell me

August 4, 2009 by kathi

Might as well take a TV break, because my muse has apparently gone on vacation without letting me know. Until she (muses are always “she,” right?) returns, it’s pretty unlikely anything creative will get accomplished here.

If you’ve visited here before, you know that even though the television is always on as background noise, the only shows I always make an effort to watch are Mad Men, Rescue Me, and Sons of Anarchy. Less than two weeks to go before Mad Men is back, and Sons just about a month off.

Good thing, too, because I am getting somewhat frustrated with Rescue Me. On the plus side, the show did get a deserved Emmy nod for a killer guest star turn by Michael J. Fox as the most assholish, anti-Alex P. Keaton character ever, and now a guest appearance from Maura Tierney is showing promise (may I say how happy I am to see Maura Tierney looking pretty again and playing someone other than Abby on E.R.). But the show is still spending way too much time for me on the Tommy-Janet-Sheila triangle. It is getting very tiresome. I wanted to punch Janet in the face during her “you need me if you want to keep seeing your kids” speech, and I almost fell asleep during Sheila’s “you make me hot” speech.

The firehouse banter and the actual fire scenes still make it worth my time, though. I still love to talk with my “technical advisor” about what’s real and what’s not. I was only very slightly surprised to find out that at his firehouse, they bet on Hell’s Kitchen and other cooking competitions, rather than Dancing With the Stars like the 62 Truck boys were doing last week.

Speaking of television, how disappointing to see that the Emmy Awards are not planning to televise presentation of the major writer’s awards. Without the writers, we’d be forced to watch reality crap all day and all night long. We’re way too close to that sorry state already. The #emmysfail Twitter hashtag is quite apropos for this.

(NaBloPoMo | August ’09: 4 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 192 of 274)

Weekend procrastination with a very small side of accomplishment

August 2, 2009 by kathi

Weekends are made for procrastination. Or maybe that is just me. I’m definitely pushing a few things off until tomorrow that I had hoped to complete today, including two website updates (one very minor with a few additions to an event listing page, and one a little more involved with a number of photos to resize and crop) and getting some movies and photos transferred to DVDs and CDs.

The dogs didn’t get as much training as they should have today. It was a nice day and we should have taken advantage of the lack of rain, which I think is supposed to be back tomorrow. Axel should also try harder not to injure me. Very minor, mostly my stupidity and my fault, but still, ouch.

I spent some time tonight making some rally obedience practice mini-courses that will fit in the back yard and work for both AKC and UKC. Through the rally obedience Yahoo! Group that I joined recently, I found an extremely cool freeware course designer written in Microsoft Excel. It requires Excel 2002 or later. It is working fine so far on my setup with Microsoft Excel 2007 and Windows Vista Home Premium.

If the rain holds off, or avoids my sector entirely, those practice courses will be what’s on tap for tomorrow!

(NaBloPoMo | August ’09: 2 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 190 of 274)