I'm in a quandary over spending $21.
That is how much it will cost to microchip and register my cat under the Albuquerque HEART ordinance.
I definitely agree with the spirit of the ordinance. There are too many unwanted animals who are being euthanized daily in our fair city. Jubjub was literally rescued off the mean streets of Sunray when he was a wee kitten (the vet said he was probably a month old). I made certain to have Jub neutered as soon as he was old enough because I didn't want to be responsible for any of these unwanted animals should he get out. I've always made certain he's current on his immunizations and rabies shots, should he get out.
So why do I take issue over spending $21 to follow the ordinance?
Because I honestly don't think it's necessary to do for my cat. If I had a dog who was indoors and outdoors, I'd definitely do it. If I ever allowed my cat outdoors, I'd do it. But I own a 10-year-old, very pampered indoor cat (following another city ordinance that doesn't allow unrestrained cats outdoors). In the nine years I've lived in ABQ, Jub has actually set foot outdoors once. When we first moved into our house, the screen door on the downstairs slider wasn't properly latched and Jub escaped long enough to jump up on the wall separating our yard from our neighbor's. The neighbor was outside, yelled at the cat to scram, and Jub promptly ran upstairs and hid under the bed. That experience was so traumatic for him that he won't even go near an open door now. It took him over a month to sit beside the glass storm door in the living room after it was installed.
Jubjub is scared of bugs, dislikes non-climate-controlled environments, and suffers from hay fever. He doesn't recognize birds flying by outside the window, just gets excited as the shadows play on the shades. He honestly can't find his way out of a paper bag. His method of attacking anything is to sit on it and bat it with his paws. His biggest nemesis is an emery board. His favorite treat is lettuce. We have a friend who's never seen our cat in the multiple times she's been to our house the past two years. Jubjub is definitely not a nuisance to anyone but Paul and me. Because of where we live, he'd be coyote bait in no time at all if he ever did escape. What are they going to do--scan the local coyotes to tell which one ate him?
Paul finds how irritated I am by this whole thing terribly amusing. If left to him, I don't think he'd get the cat microchipped and registered either. He wouldn't be as vocally upset about the whole thing--he just wouldn't do it.
I'm probably tempting the gods by even writing this post. We're leaving for a 10-day vacation in a week and it worries me that something could happen to the cat during that time. Two neighbor children are going to be watering the plants and caring for Jub while we're gone--although we've explained that they might not see him at all during that time since he's normally found under our bed, sulking over the injustices of life. Like his name.
Here's hoping he stays safe and moody until our return.
(And as an aside, just as the red light cameras are run by an out-of-state company, the company responsible for collecting pet information is also not in NM but is in TX. Don't know why those two things bother me as well but they do.)
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Monday, July 9, 2007
Chicks dig the long ball
From the Triple-A Home Run Derby held in Albuquerque tonight. Our seats won't be that great for watching the All-Star Game on Wednesday--we're sitting at the far end of the third base line near the foul pole--but it was great for watching the home runs being hit tonight.
Evidence of my gastrointestinal fortitude--barbecue nachos. Just trust me that these are really good--odd but good.
The view from our seats back to home plate. The hitter is a wee thing far, far away.
The fielders--local Little Leaguers--ready to spring into action. Or at least stand around and chat. The wind picked up a bit as the sun went down so these guys saw some action.
During one of the breaks, the fielders relax. The one lying down was making "grass angels"
Harry Canary, one of the Zooperstars! characters at the Derby, captured on the Jumbotron.
The winner of the Home Run Derby was a retired Isotopes player--score one for the home team.
And the night ended with a bang.
Evidence of my gastrointestinal fortitude--barbecue nachos. Just trust me that these are really good--odd but good.
The view from our seats back to home plate. The hitter is a wee thing far, far away.
The fielders--local Little Leaguers--ready to spring into action. Or at least stand around and chat. The wind picked up a bit as the sun went down so these guys saw some action.
During one of the breaks, the fielders relax. The one lying down was making "grass angels"
Harry Canary, one of the Zooperstars! characters at the Derby, captured on the Jumbotron.
The winner of the Home Run Derby was a retired Isotopes player--score one for the home team.
And the night ended with a bang.
Monday morning photos
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Hope springs eternal
So, most of the past week's vacation was a wash for my sister and her family, if you'll pardon the pun. They had all kinds of plans to go to the beach and let the kids spend most of the time outside playing in the little inflatable pool my mom purchased for the occasion, in addition to lots of bubbles and water toys. Alas, none of that was to be. It rained every day of their vacation thanks to a low front that has camped out over Texas for almost a month. Of course, it wasn't raining in *their* part of Texas during the week. Such is life, I guess (although it still makes for a crummy vacation).
I arrived on Wednesday evening and rather enjoyed spending three days in the rain. In addition to enjoying all that humidity that my skin and hair just soaked up, it was also a surprising 15-20 degrees cooler in Bay City than in ABQ. And happily, the clouds also stayed away long enough for the fire works display to go on as planned on Wednesday evening. The Bay City celebration included jumpers for the children, Otto the Helicopter's firework show, and a firework display that made us all oh and ah.
Abigail was happy to find, upon investigation of my "packpack" shortly after my arrival, that I did, indeed, have the kind of gum she prefers. As she was chattering on during one conversation, she explained that while my gum was good, she really liked her Mama's gum better but Mama didn't have any in her purse. Score one for Aunt Carrie. Abigail was also entertained by my iPod, commandeering both earpieces after I shared just one. I think she managed to scan just about every song and podcast I've got. When I was still a little bit in charge, I skipped one song, unnecessarily explaining, "That one has a bad word in it." I don't know if she'd actually pick up on it but I didn't want to be responsible for her learning the use of "ass." That became her battlecry as she'd fast forward through the playlist. Huh--who knew Enya, the B-52's, or the Learn Spanish podcast all contain bad words.
After dinner on Wednesday, when the "packpack" was in the back of the Suburban, we continued the investigation with my purse. I impressed my mom and sister with the wide amount of items I can get into a smallish purse. Abigail was most impressed with an emery stone I have. It's round and stored in a case about the size of a compact. She was enthralled with that thing, requesting my "stone" every time we got in the car after that, just wanting to hold it. She also explained the use of it to everyone in the car, telling her dad, "It's very good for rough nails." We further examined the contents of my wallet when my mom actually wanted to use the emery stone, holding on to both the wallet and emery stone when Mom finished using it. Abigail was disappointed when I wouldn't give her the emery stone when we got back into the car after the fireworks. It was quiet for a bit then her little voice piped up, "Can I have your wallet?" (She didn't get that either.)
It wasn't raining on Thursday morning in Bay City so everyone loaded up after lunch and we headed to the beach. About halfway there, it started pouring down rain. We soldiered on, optimistic that we'd drive out of the storm in the next 15 minutes. Unfortunately, it continued to rain. Amy, Mom, Abigail, and I ran to one of the shelters on the beach and then Mom and Abigail decided to head on down to the beach. The surf was really rough--Mom never let go of her death-grip on Abigail--but Abs got to play in the ocean which is exactly what she wanted to do. She didn't seem to care that it was raining the whole time. During one lull, the rest of us waded down to the surf and played for a bit longer until it began thundering, ending the rainy outing to the beach.
Amy and her family left Friday morning so Mom and I ran a few errands and stopped by the still-under-construction new house. We got caught during one downpour in the house next door that is also under construction. During the 2o minutes or so we were in there, we decided how we'd completely change the floor plan to make it better and tried to convince the electrician who was working to add another outlet box at counter-height for the breakfast bar (he didn't do it but agreed it would be a good idea). Mom, Dad, and I also stayed up *way* too late chatting about everything and everyone on Friday night, not going to bed until about 1:30. There is a very good reason we all have that 10:00 bedtime. We were three very cranky, crabby beings on Saturday.
It was raining in ABQ when I arrived back home Saturday night but as much as most of TX doesn't need more rain, we desperately need it. Paul and I have another busy week this week, including the Triple-A Home Run Derby on Monday and the All-Star Game on Wednesday. Then I'll probably make a quick trip to visit my grandparents in Sunray before heading back home to get ready for vacation and finish up a few projects I wanted to finish before the end of summer. Once we get home from Hawaii, there will only be one week before school starts again. Just doesn't seem possible--I need a few more weeks to get everything done.
I arrived on Wednesday evening and rather enjoyed spending three days in the rain. In addition to enjoying all that humidity that my skin and hair just soaked up, it was also a surprising 15-20 degrees cooler in Bay City than in ABQ. And happily, the clouds also stayed away long enough for the fire works display to go on as planned on Wednesday evening. The Bay City celebration included jumpers for the children, Otto the Helicopter's firework show, and a firework display that made us all oh and ah.
Abigail was happy to find, upon investigation of my "packpack" shortly after my arrival, that I did, indeed, have the kind of gum she prefers. As she was chattering on during one conversation, she explained that while my gum was good, she really liked her Mama's gum better but Mama didn't have any in her purse. Score one for Aunt Carrie. Abigail was also entertained by my iPod, commandeering both earpieces after I shared just one. I think she managed to scan just about every song and podcast I've got. When I was still a little bit in charge, I skipped one song, unnecessarily explaining, "That one has a bad word in it." I don't know if she'd actually pick up on it but I didn't want to be responsible for her learning the use of "ass." That became her battlecry as she'd fast forward through the playlist. Huh--who knew Enya, the B-52's, or the Learn Spanish podcast all contain bad words.
After dinner on Wednesday, when the "packpack" was in the back of the Suburban, we continued the investigation with my purse. I impressed my mom and sister with the wide amount of items I can get into a smallish purse. Abigail was most impressed with an emery stone I have. It's round and stored in a case about the size of a compact. She was enthralled with that thing, requesting my "stone" every time we got in the car after that, just wanting to hold it. She also explained the use of it to everyone in the car, telling her dad, "It's very good for rough nails." We further examined the contents of my wallet when my mom actually wanted to use the emery stone, holding on to both the wallet and emery stone when Mom finished using it. Abigail was disappointed when I wouldn't give her the emery stone when we got back into the car after the fireworks. It was quiet for a bit then her little voice piped up, "Can I have your wallet?" (She didn't get that either.)
It wasn't raining on Thursday morning in Bay City so everyone loaded up after lunch and we headed to the beach. About halfway there, it started pouring down rain. We soldiered on, optimistic that we'd drive out of the storm in the next 15 minutes. Unfortunately, it continued to rain. Amy, Mom, Abigail, and I ran to one of the shelters on the beach and then Mom and Abigail decided to head on down to the beach. The surf was really rough--Mom never let go of her death-grip on Abigail--but Abs got to play in the ocean which is exactly what she wanted to do. She didn't seem to care that it was raining the whole time. During one lull, the rest of us waded down to the surf and played for a bit longer until it began thundering, ending the rainy outing to the beach.
Amy and her family left Friday morning so Mom and I ran a few errands and stopped by the still-under-construction new house. We got caught during one downpour in the house next door that is also under construction. During the 2o minutes or so we were in there, we decided how we'd completely change the floor plan to make it better and tried to convince the electrician who was working to add another outlet box at counter-height for the breakfast bar (he didn't do it but agreed it would be a good idea). Mom, Dad, and I also stayed up *way* too late chatting about everything and everyone on Friday night, not going to bed until about 1:30. There is a very good reason we all have that 10:00 bedtime. We were three very cranky, crabby beings on Saturday.
It was raining in ABQ when I arrived back home Saturday night but as much as most of TX doesn't need more rain, we desperately need it. Paul and I have another busy week this week, including the Triple-A Home Run Derby on Monday and the All-Star Game on Wednesday. Then I'll probably make a quick trip to visit my grandparents in Sunray before heading back home to get ready for vacation and finish up a few projects I wanted to finish before the end of summer. Once we get home from Hawaii, there will only be one week before school starts again. Just doesn't seem possible--I need a few more weeks to get everything done.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Paul, on books
A snippet from a conversation tonight:
Me: So, this book I'm reading now (The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian) references The Great Gatsby, which I think I read in high school or college. I remember portions but not the whole of the story, like I probably skipped chapters just to get finished with the assignment. I'll probably reread it when I finish this book.
Him: Huh. That was one of the better books I was forced to read.
There you have it. And if that isn't just an overwhelming recommendation for a book, I don't know what is.
Me: So, this book I'm reading now (The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian) references The Great Gatsby, which I think I read in high school or college. I remember portions but not the whole of the story, like I probably skipped chapters just to get finished with the assignment. I'll probably reread it when I finish this book.
Him: Huh. That was one of the better books I was forced to read.
There you have it. And if that isn't just an overwhelming recommendation for a book, I don't know what is.
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