Okay so some stuff I forgot yesterday before I get to work on studying.
I'm not getting a job this summer. I figured it out and I can work at most 43 days. So its not really worth it.
Of course not having a job means limited fundage. Limited fundage means that I can't take swimming lessons again. And I can't take cake decoraing classes as I considered both to be my summer plans. I still do however plan on teaching my self the art of fondont all Ace of Cakes style though. Maybe I can take a cake decorating class in the fall before I start clinics. Hmm...
Also, as some of my faithful friends and readers know, shortly after moving into the apartment I have now, Riley tore about five holes in the walls. I don't know what possessed the corgi but she hasn't tried it since. So I patched them with some plaster. However the walls are textured and plaster is not. And the walls are not white and plaster is. So I bought a can of spray on texture and Joe did it for me. It looked okay unless you were right up on it. So now for some painting. I bought two little bottles of craft paint and figured I'd just work until I got a color close to the dirty off white apartment wall color I had. It didn't work. So now the largest spot is a mix of white, light grey and yellowy white. Oh well, it'll just come out of my deposit. I suppose that's why I paid it.
As usual, we're having zuccinni trouble. I thought we had a promising canidate for the first zuccinni to get picked and for Joe to eat. Its about six or seven inches long and bottle shaped. Progressively, it was filling out and I was getting excited. When watering yesterday, the narrow tip was soft and overall, the zuccinni had lost its luster. UGH! I was going to pick it and take it to Joe but I didn't feel good this morning and didn't go over there. I don't know what's going on with Drama Queen. Am I watering too much? Not enough? Should I water in the morning before the plant gets all wilty because of the summer sun? Meanwhile, the other vegetables are trucking along producing a bounty of tomatoes and peppers. Nothing however is ripening. I gave them a pep talk this morning.
I think my neighbor across the parking lot is a drug dealer. On several occassions when I walk Riley before bed, I've seen him come out and talk to cars in hushed voices and also sitting in strange cars. These cars never stay very long. And this guy always gives me the stink eye. I think the guy that lives next to him is on drugs-or at least was, I haven't noticed his weird behavior for a while now. Anyway, I saw him stumbling about before and sleeping in his car. My neighbors are weird and I am overly suspicous about their activities.
[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 7/1/11]
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
MySpace-June 28, 2008-Stuff
Okay-
So I passed surgery-the lab part-our last surgery was repairing a crainal cruciate rupture in a dog leg. It went really well. I took the final quiz on Friday and passed that too. I really enjoy surgery.
I passed emergancy and critical care too. Had that final Friday as well. I did drop my letter grade by one but was so close on the line that it was inevitable.
I have four more tests next week, including the open book small animal medicine which is case based. They gave us the cases like a week ago to work on but I've only just started. Frankly, I could care less.
On the vegetable front, there are an abundance of tomatoes and peppers yet nothing has ripened yet. I can't wait! The zuccinni has one that looks promising-again. This one is about seven inches long and is getting progressivly fatter. I think sometime next week.
Yesterday morning, I got up early to come to school to study and what did I see in the parking lot when I walked Riley? A white lab rat underneath someone's car. It sort of scampered off. Then when I came back down later before I left it was in the grass next to the stairs. It sort of just looked up at me. Riley gave chase but was unsuccessful. I thought that if I hadn't had Riley, I probably could of caught it but what would I of done with a rat?
I think that's it. I'll let you all know about how finals pan out and then I think I'll start packing.
[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 7/1/11]
So I passed surgery-the lab part-our last surgery was repairing a crainal cruciate rupture in a dog leg. It went really well. I took the final quiz on Friday and passed that too. I really enjoy surgery.
I passed emergancy and critical care too. Had that final Friday as well. I did drop my letter grade by one but was so close on the line that it was inevitable.
I have four more tests next week, including the open book small animal medicine which is case based. They gave us the cases like a week ago to work on but I've only just started. Frankly, I could care less.
On the vegetable front, there are an abundance of tomatoes and peppers yet nothing has ripened yet. I can't wait! The zuccinni has one that looks promising-again. This one is about seven inches long and is getting progressivly fatter. I think sometime next week.
Yesterday morning, I got up early to come to school to study and what did I see in the parking lot when I walked Riley? A white lab rat underneath someone's car. It sort of scampered off. Then when I came back down later before I left it was in the grass next to the stairs. It sort of just looked up at me. Riley gave chase but was unsuccessful. I thought that if I hadn't had Riley, I probably could of caught it but what would I of done with a rat?
I think that's it. I'll let you all know about how finals pan out and then I think I'll start packing.
[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 7/1/11]
Monday, June 23, 2008
MySpace-June 23, 2008-Last Week at School, Green Thumbs and Summer Jobs, or not?
Last Week at School
I can't really remember what happened last week at school. We has a surgery test on which I scored the same that I had on the previous two. Strange. We still have one more and I am curious if I score the same for a fouth time in a row. We had a surgery quiz that I did well on. We had a dermatology test in small animal medicine, which turned into a cluster fuck. The test was supposed to be worth 33 points but when we took it it was worth only 13. Apparently the guy that had the bulk of the points, neglected to turn in his questions on time. So we ended up making his part a take home, on which I just managed to miss a question. Err. We also had our first graded surgery. It went okay, I guess. My partner did some freaking out. We had some trouble finding the uterus; I cut through both sides of the bladder. Overall, though it ended up okay and we both passed. That's all I can remember of last week.
I uploaded a video of Riley and Roosevelt wrestling. You should totally check it out as it is hilarious!
Green Thumbs
So my plants in the potted garden are going crazy. There are at least eight or nine tomatoes on two plants-none ready to harvest though. And about the same on the two pepper plants. The zuccinni (Drama Queen) has continued to be the bain of my gardening existance. She's large and always begging for some water. The little zuccinnis turn yellow and get mushy. I tried to look up why the other day on the internet but couldn't find any answers. Found lots of questions regarding the same. Right now, there is one large and in charge zuccinni. I don't think the crop will be as large as once feared. I uploaded some pictures of my garden so you can check those out too.
Summer Jobs, or not
Well, I am rapidly running out of student loan money. Having a boyfriend live down here and expecting both food and entertainment, and only recently having been able to provide me with such, has been a bit of a drain on my finances.
I know that moving in with each other will prove to reduce my rent and provide me with some more cash-plus eventually, I'll get on his insurance too. However, there is the meantime. The meantime including helping with the purchase of a new exciting TV. Apparently, a 13" TV doesn't cut it for the XBOX 360. Also the meantime includes all of July's rent for two apartments. And I would like to buy a little dining set for the new place. And the various things I need as I prepare to go to clinics-dress clothes, overalls, boots, etc.
So I am thinking about getting a summer job. The problem is that I only am available for less than eight weeks. Plus there are tons of things that I want to do this summer-sewing (a skirt, curtains, pillows, restraints for dog legs and rumen pillows), reading non-veterinary books, learning to decorate cakes with fondont (all Ace of Cakes style), watching all of the seasons of Sex and the City...Tons of places I need to be/do-horse shows, camping, MOVING (myself and Joe), state fair with the mules, working with the USDA, family meet family BBQs. I don't honestly know how much time would need off versus how many days I would actually be working is.
I wouldn't plan to tell my potential employer about the short summer. My criteria is this-not a hard job-mentally or physically, variable/flexible hours/scheduling, not a lot of training, not a lot put into a uniform, etc, preferably close-walking or bicycling distance-from my house, decent pay, and high turn over (so they're not surprised when I quit)...I plan on not doing anything veterinary related either. So I'm considering various local gas stations (which Joe doesn't like because he doesn't want me to get robbed), McDonald's, a local ice cream parlor, something at the vet school along the lines of exercising pigs, and Hy-Vee. Joe told me I would make a poor waitress and that I have too may teeth and too few children to work at the Waffle House. (Mmmm, Waffle House, sounds good!) I think that Hy-Vee despite being across town may be my best bet. I don't think that they would mind that its only for a few weeks, they are pretty good about scheduling, I know most of the job, everyone there likes/knows me, they pay pretty well and I have the uniform already. Additionally, I did look into making phone calls on behalf of Mizzou to raise money. Joe says I'd hate being what essentially is a telemarketer. And more I think about it, more I think he might be right. Additionally, I hate asking for money, espcially if its for our stupid school! Of course, there's the option of just being lazy and mooching off of Joe. I really need to work out how many days can I work versus need off and then go from there. I do need to look for that job this week though. Only a week and a half left of school!
If you have any suggestions, feel free to share them. I'm willing to listen to most anything.
[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 6/26/11]
I can't really remember what happened last week at school. We has a surgery test on which I scored the same that I had on the previous two. Strange. We still have one more and I am curious if I score the same for a fouth time in a row. We had a surgery quiz that I did well on. We had a dermatology test in small animal medicine, which turned into a cluster fuck. The test was supposed to be worth 33 points but when we took it it was worth only 13. Apparently the guy that had the bulk of the points, neglected to turn in his questions on time. So we ended up making his part a take home, on which I just managed to miss a question. Err. We also had our first graded surgery. It went okay, I guess. My partner did some freaking out. We had some trouble finding the uterus; I cut through both sides of the bladder. Overall, though it ended up okay and we both passed. That's all I can remember of last week.
I uploaded a video of Riley and Roosevelt wrestling. You should totally check it out as it is hilarious!
Green Thumbs
So my plants in the potted garden are going crazy. There are at least eight or nine tomatoes on two plants-none ready to harvest though. And about the same on the two pepper plants. The zuccinni (Drama Queen) has continued to be the bain of my gardening existance. She's large and always begging for some water. The little zuccinnis turn yellow and get mushy. I tried to look up why the other day on the internet but couldn't find any answers. Found lots of questions regarding the same. Right now, there is one large and in charge zuccinni. I don't think the crop will be as large as once feared. I uploaded some pictures of my garden so you can check those out too.
Summer Jobs, or not
Well, I am rapidly running out of student loan money. Having a boyfriend live down here and expecting both food and entertainment, and only recently having been able to provide me with such, has been a bit of a drain on my finances.
I know that moving in with each other will prove to reduce my rent and provide me with some more cash-plus eventually, I'll get on his insurance too. However, there is the meantime. The meantime including helping with the purchase of a new exciting TV. Apparently, a 13" TV doesn't cut it for the XBOX 360. Also the meantime includes all of July's rent for two apartments. And I would like to buy a little dining set for the new place. And the various things I need as I prepare to go to clinics-dress clothes, overalls, boots, etc.
So I am thinking about getting a summer job. The problem is that I only am available for less than eight weeks. Plus there are tons of things that I want to do this summer-sewing (a skirt, curtains, pillows, restraints for dog legs and rumen pillows), reading non-veterinary books, learning to decorate cakes with fondont (all Ace of Cakes style), watching all of the seasons of Sex and the City...Tons of places I need to be/do-horse shows, camping, MOVING (myself and Joe), state fair with the mules, working with the USDA, family meet family BBQs. I don't honestly know how much time would need off versus how many days I would actually be working is.
I wouldn't plan to tell my potential employer about the short summer. My criteria is this-not a hard job-mentally or physically, variable/flexible hours/scheduling, not a lot of training, not a lot put into a uniform, etc, preferably close-walking or bicycling distance-from my house, decent pay, and high turn over (so they're not surprised when I quit)...I plan on not doing anything veterinary related either. So I'm considering various local gas stations (which Joe doesn't like because he doesn't want me to get robbed), McDonald's, a local ice cream parlor, something at the vet school along the lines of exercising pigs, and Hy-Vee. Joe told me I would make a poor waitress and that I have too may teeth and too few children to work at the Waffle House. (Mmmm, Waffle House, sounds good!) I think that Hy-Vee despite being across town may be my best bet. I don't think that they would mind that its only for a few weeks, they are pretty good about scheduling, I know most of the job, everyone there likes/knows me, they pay pretty well and I have the uniform already. Additionally, I did look into making phone calls on behalf of Mizzou to raise money. Joe says I'd hate being what essentially is a telemarketer. And more I think about it, more I think he might be right. Additionally, I hate asking for money, espcially if its for our stupid school! Of course, there's the option of just being lazy and mooching off of Joe. I really need to work out how many days can I work versus need off and then go from there. I do need to look for that job this week though. Only a week and a half left of school!
If you have any suggestions, feel free to share them. I'm willing to listen to most anything.
[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 6/26/11]
Friday, June 13, 2008
MySpace-June 13, 2008-Organic Food
So last night, I basically got a job offer.
I went with Mule Club down to Twilight Festival. This guy walked up to us and asked if we has any courses on holistic and organic medicine. I told him no, that we were pretty much straight by the book medicine.
He proceeded to tell me that there was a need for veterinarians with knowledge about treating animals organically, esp in the organic dairy field. I agreed with him and told him that I had applied to work with Horizon Dairy but I didn't have enough experience with organics for them. And told him that I thought that veterinary medicine and animal sciences were behind in teaching this emerging field. Josh and I continued to talk to him for a while, then I got busy with mule stuff and Jesse commendered my conversation. Eventually, I returned to the conversation at which point it was clear that these boys essentially told this man that his job (which was as an organic certifier-he goes to farms and makes sure that they are following the protocols) was worthless and organic foods are crap. So he turned to me and handed me his business card suggesting that I look into the field as an organic certifier. 'Are veterinarians really needed in this field?', I asked. And he told me that it would put me a great deal beyond other people, the salary was competitive and it was an ever growing and changing field. I agreed that organics was definantly growing. At which point, Jesse said that there wasn't a market for it in Missouri. I argued that there was because having worked at the Hy-Vee health market, I saw organic meats and milk flying off of the shelf. He said that maybe in Columbia, and around KC or STL but not where he was from...Stupid hillbilly. Where does he think the organic meat and milk will be raised?
I went with Mule Club down to Twilight Festival. This guy walked up to us and asked if we has any courses on holistic and organic medicine. I told him no, that we were pretty much straight by the book medicine.
He proceeded to tell me that there was a need for veterinarians with knowledge about treating animals organically, esp in the organic dairy field. I agreed with him and told him that I had applied to work with Horizon Dairy but I didn't have enough experience with organics for them. And told him that I thought that veterinary medicine and animal sciences were behind in teaching this emerging field. Josh and I continued to talk to him for a while, then I got busy with mule stuff and Jesse commendered my conversation. Eventually, I returned to the conversation at which point it was clear that these boys essentially told this man that his job (which was as an organic certifier-he goes to farms and makes sure that they are following the protocols) was worthless and organic foods are crap. So he turned to me and handed me his business card suggesting that I look into the field as an organic certifier. 'Are veterinarians really needed in this field?', I asked. And he told me that it would put me a great deal beyond other people, the salary was competitive and it was an ever growing and changing field. I agreed that organics was definantly growing. At which point, Jesse said that there wasn't a market for it in Missouri. I argued that there was because having worked at the Hy-Vee health market, I saw organic meats and milk flying off of the shelf. He said that maybe in Columbia, and around KC or STL but not where he was from...Stupid hillbilly. Where does he think the organic meat and milk will be raised?
So this is what I think. I don't normally buy organic products. I don't have anything against those that do. I simply feel that there is no reason to. I'm not afraid of pesticides or antibiotics and just hope that those are properly used. The key word being properly. I don't feel that in most respects, animals are mistreated or that being treated organically is any better for them.
I do feel that alot of people choose to purchase and use organic products after being mislead by the media and other groups. People don't understand how agriculture works and their views are easily skewed. There are numerous reasons why choosing organic products is the best choice. However, in doing so, you better be able to back up your arguement and understand the other side as well...such as there is no difference in cows treated with rBGH than in cows not treated with it. NONE!
The organic movement is growing. Growing so much that there is alot of pressure in certain industries to change their practices. For instance, Foremost Dairy no longer uses rBGH to treat its cows. As stated above, there is no difference in the milk if they were treated with it or not but they have received pressure from the processor to suspend using it. You have to sell that milk afterall.
I feel that animal science and veterinary medicine have spent the last 20-50 years trying to become more efficient, more cost effective. And in doing so, there has been a surge in the use of drugs, hormones and antibiotics. Is this bad? Not really. However, with the increase in the number of people willing to pay for organics, there is a lag between learning to be efficient (as is currently taught) and what is needed to be taught-how to raise and treat animals organically, an understanding for the regulations, etc. I also see a disparity in what people want and what they are willing to pay for. Some people don't want the use of antibiotics but arn't willing to pay $8/pound for ground beef. They don't see that the reason its $3/pound is because of the antibiotics and hormones that make the cattle be more feed efficient, grow faster and be overall more healthy cutting out feed and veterinary costs.
Is Jesse a stupid hillbilly? Yes. There is a demand nationwide for organic products. Wal-Mart is carrying them nationally. If Wal-Mart only thought that they would make a profit in carrying these products in metropolitan areas they would, but even at the little Super Wal-Mart in BFE, or DeSoto or West Plains, I am sure you can find organic milk. Even ghetto Aldi's here in Columbia carries organic milk. Everyone everywhere wants it.
It is harder to produce things organically. Its a large time and money commitment. Is it worth it in the long run? Does it make people healthier? Will it save the earth? And stop global warming (something that I don't believe in anyway)? I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not.
I posed the question to Joe several weeks ago asking if there would come a time where organic products would be cheaper than traditionally produced products. I forget what my point was about it. Perhaps something about the use of gasoline and the conversion of crop land from producing feed to ethanol. Maybe something about the people raising organic animals already have committed land resources for crops since they have to be organic too.
Anyway, these are the main points:
The demand for organic products is growing. Nationwide. Even in BFE.
The veterinary and animal science community is not prepared for it.
If you commit yourself to organics, be prepared to know why. Know all sides of the equation and don't let the media mislead you.
Antibiotics given properly to animals do not confer antibiotic resistance to humans. That's your fault when you go to the doctor for a cold (a virus) and get antibiotics and then proceed not to finish them. THAT'S how antibiotic resistance is most commonly started.
Hormones show up in lower levels in treated meat animals than they do in many naturally occurring plants and foods i.e. estrogens in soybeans and cabbage. (I think.)
[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on June 14, 2011]
I do feel that alot of people choose to purchase and use organic products after being mislead by the media and other groups. People don't understand how agriculture works and their views are easily skewed. There are numerous reasons why choosing organic products is the best choice. However, in doing so, you better be able to back up your arguement and understand the other side as well...such as there is no difference in cows treated with rBGH than in cows not treated with it. NONE!
The organic movement is growing. Growing so much that there is alot of pressure in certain industries to change their practices. For instance, Foremost Dairy no longer uses rBGH to treat its cows. As stated above, there is no difference in the milk if they were treated with it or not but they have received pressure from the processor to suspend using it. You have to sell that milk afterall.
I feel that animal science and veterinary medicine have spent the last 20-50 years trying to become more efficient, more cost effective. And in doing so, there has been a surge in the use of drugs, hormones and antibiotics. Is this bad? Not really. However, with the increase in the number of people willing to pay for organics, there is a lag between learning to be efficient (as is currently taught) and what is needed to be taught-how to raise and treat animals organically, an understanding for the regulations, etc. I also see a disparity in what people want and what they are willing to pay for. Some people don't want the use of antibiotics but arn't willing to pay $8/pound for ground beef. They don't see that the reason its $3/pound is because of the antibiotics and hormones that make the cattle be more feed efficient, grow faster and be overall more healthy cutting out feed and veterinary costs.
Is Jesse a stupid hillbilly? Yes. There is a demand nationwide for organic products. Wal-Mart is carrying them nationally. If Wal-Mart only thought that they would make a profit in carrying these products in metropolitan areas they would, but even at the little Super Wal-Mart in BFE, or DeSoto or West Plains, I am sure you can find organic milk. Even ghetto Aldi's here in Columbia carries organic milk. Everyone everywhere wants it.
It is harder to produce things organically. Its a large time and money commitment. Is it worth it in the long run? Does it make people healthier? Will it save the earth? And stop global warming (something that I don't believe in anyway)? I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not.
I posed the question to Joe several weeks ago asking if there would come a time where organic products would be cheaper than traditionally produced products. I forget what my point was about it. Perhaps something about the use of gasoline and the conversion of crop land from producing feed to ethanol. Maybe something about the people raising organic animals already have committed land resources for crops since they have to be organic too.
Anyway, these are the main points:
The demand for organic products is growing. Nationwide. Even in BFE.
The veterinary and animal science community is not prepared for it.
If you commit yourself to organics, be prepared to know why. Know all sides of the equation and don't let the media mislead you.
Antibiotics given properly to animals do not confer antibiotic resistance to humans. That's your fault when you go to the doctor for a cold (a virus) and get antibiotics and then proceed not to finish them. THAT'S how antibiotic resistance is most commonly started.
Hormones show up in lower levels in treated meat animals than they do in many naturally occurring plants and foods i.e. estrogens in soybeans and cabbage. (I think.)
[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on June 14, 2011]
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
MySpace-June 11, 2008- In Other News...
The vegetables are growing well. I'll post some pictures of the plants in their pots eventually.
I have alot going on but never seem to be able to keep track of it. Everything is moving too fast! Can you believe its almost mid June?
School is going well. We got back the mid terms from food animal and I am a stellar food animal student! Surgery is going well too. Next week, we get graded. Ahh! This week we did another orthopedic surgery. We broke the dog's leg and then placed an external fixator on it. We had to palpate the bone and do everything essentally blind since we didn't cut the dog's leg open or anything. Applying an external fixator requires the use of a drill. It was cool and the radiograph showed that me and Laura Braun are fantastic orthopedic surgeons. Watch out Jimi Cook! We also did a castration. And we weren't the last group done! One of my professors started to yell at me, but by the time he got my attention, I had corrected my error. And he was forced to mumble something about how to hold the needle drivers even though at that time I was doing it correctly. (I was adjusting them in my hand when he started his incoherent yelling. I have a hard time getting them to feel right.)
I started to read the newest David Sedaris book. Its good but I don't think its as funny as some of the other ones.
[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on June 14, 2011]
I have alot going on but never seem to be able to keep track of it. Everything is moving too fast! Can you believe its almost mid June?
School is going well. We got back the mid terms from food animal and I am a stellar food animal student! Surgery is going well too. Next week, we get graded. Ahh! This week we did another orthopedic surgery. We broke the dog's leg and then placed an external fixator on it. We had to palpate the bone and do everything essentally blind since we didn't cut the dog's leg open or anything. Applying an external fixator requires the use of a drill. It was cool and the radiograph showed that me and Laura Braun are fantastic orthopedic surgeons. Watch out Jimi Cook! We also did a castration. And we weren't the last group done! One of my professors started to yell at me, but by the time he got my attention, I had corrected my error. And he was forced to mumble something about how to hold the needle drivers even though at that time I was doing it correctly. (I was adjusting them in my hand when he started his incoherent yelling. I have a hard time getting them to feel right.)
I started to read the newest David Sedaris book. Its good but I don't think its as funny as some of the other ones.
[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on June 14, 2011]
MySpace-June 11, 2008-Big Brown
Last Saturday, Big Brown was poised to make history. If the undefeated colt could win the mile and half long Belmont, he would be the first horse in 30 years to win the Triple Crown. Unfortunatly, Saturday, Big Brown did make history, but not in the way that his connections had hoped. He did not cross the finish line and win the Triple Crown. In fact, he didn't even cross the finish line. Placing ninth because of a DNF (did not finish), Big Brown made history by being the first Triple Crown hopeful to do so poorly.
The scene has been repeated numerous times since 1978, the last time a horse won the Triple Crown. A promising start to the season, a win in the Kentucky Derby, a win in the Preakness, high hopes for the Belmont. Only to have those dreams shattered. Sometimes its so close but just out of reach as it was for Smarty Jones (2004), Funny Cide (2003), Charismatic (1999), Real Quiet (1998) and Silver Charm (1997)-all horses that placed in the money but failed to win. And those were only the horses since 1990. For others, like Big Brown, there were poor placings. Of course, none placed as poorly as he did. In 2002, War Emblem placed 8th but had a horrible stumble out of the gate.
(War Emblem's stumble in the 2002 Belmont)
And now the questions start being asked about Big Brown.
Did the fact that he had a repaired quarter crack play a role in his racing? Did it matter that he had not had his monthly shot of anabolic steroids in May? What happened?
Big Brown had feet issues throughout his run for the Triple Crown. I believe that he had repaired quarter cracks in the other two races as well. The crack its self, I don't believe to be a problem, however it did put him off three days of training. The sports writers seem to think that this makes a big deal. I'm not a race horse trainer. But does it really? Three days? These are finely tuned racing machines. They have the bloodlines and genetics to run. They've been trained since barely two years old to do nothing more than break from a gate and run. It comes down to the fact that they are horses. Training is important, but they are horses. If a horse can't run, they might as well be dead. What do they do in the wild? Run! I never think twice about taking out one of my ponies and asking them to trot on a lunge line for 15-20 minutes even if they've never done it before. They might be tired, they might breath heavy, they might be sore the next day. (And that's why training is needed.) BUT they are horses and if they can't do something that would come naturally to them be it in the deserts of Nevada or on the Shetland Islands than what good are they. I never think twice about asking Nell to jump something, prepared or not. I know she's got the background training to do it. Big Brown had the background training to know how to run. Three days less wouldn't of made that big of an impact. He just didn't do it.
Was it because he wasn't on steroids? Maybe. I don't know. But the fact of the matter is, that every horse Big Brown ran against had the same opportunity as he did to be on anabolic steroids. They are completely legal in the states where the three Triple Crown races are ran. Next year, they will probably be illegal in all racing states. Will this make racing better? Maybe. But only in the sense that it will be only horses pure and simple racing. Nothing altering them. Is baseball better because hormones and steroids are illegal? Does it really change anything if everyone or noone is on them? Not really. But I predict that it will even take longer to find another Triple Crown winner.
After the race, Big Brown was throughly examined. And nothing physically wrong with him was found. His foot was fine. He didn't bleed into his lungs. Perhaps it was mental. Big Brown just didn't want to do it. Horses can be like that.
Did the heat and track conditions-deeper than at the other two tracks-play a role in the colt's demise? Maybe. It was awfully hot. But why would the other horses do so well. The winner was leading from the time he broke from the gate to the time he sailed across the finish line well ahead of everyone else.
Even if Big Brown won, I feel that he didn't have any competition. His biggest competition was Eight Belles and she's dead. Most of the horses that he beat in the Derby didn't even run in the Preakness. Beating a handful of random horses isn't winning the Triple Crown. Its a cop out.
I hope that Big Brown's trainer has been taken down a peg or two. He went into the race saying that nothing could touch his horse and well, he was wrong. He was too cocky. Being confident is one thing. Being an ass is another. You can never predict tragedies.
All in all, I'm glad that Big Brown didn't win. I don't believe him to be the fantastic horse everyone made him out to be. His connections have a right to be upset, seeing their great colt go from undefeated on a Triple Crown run to not even finishing the Belmont. However, they should be thankful that he is still sound enough to race again, sound enough to fufill that $50 million breeding contract he has. After all, he's luckier than Eight Belles...
[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on June 14, 2011]
The scene has been repeated numerous times since 1978, the last time a horse won the Triple Crown. A promising start to the season, a win in the Kentucky Derby, a win in the Preakness, high hopes for the Belmont. Only to have those dreams shattered. Sometimes its so close but just out of reach as it was for Smarty Jones (2004), Funny Cide (2003), Charismatic (1999), Real Quiet (1998) and Silver Charm (1997)-all horses that placed in the money but failed to win. And those were only the horses since 1990. For others, like Big Brown, there were poor placings. Of course, none placed as poorly as he did. In 2002, War Emblem placed 8th but had a horrible stumble out of the gate.
(War Emblem's stumble in the 2002 Belmont)And now the questions start being asked about Big Brown.
Did the fact that he had a repaired quarter crack play a role in his racing? Did it matter that he had not had his monthly shot of anabolic steroids in May? What happened?
Big Brown had feet issues throughout his run for the Triple Crown. I believe that he had repaired quarter cracks in the other two races as well. The crack its self, I don't believe to be a problem, however it did put him off three days of training. The sports writers seem to think that this makes a big deal. I'm not a race horse trainer. But does it really? Three days? These are finely tuned racing machines. They have the bloodlines and genetics to run. They've been trained since barely two years old to do nothing more than break from a gate and run. It comes down to the fact that they are horses. Training is important, but they are horses. If a horse can't run, they might as well be dead. What do they do in the wild? Run! I never think twice about taking out one of my ponies and asking them to trot on a lunge line for 15-20 minutes even if they've never done it before. They might be tired, they might breath heavy, they might be sore the next day. (And that's why training is needed.) BUT they are horses and if they can't do something that would come naturally to them be it in the deserts of Nevada or on the Shetland Islands than what good are they. I never think twice about asking Nell to jump something, prepared or not. I know she's got the background training to do it. Big Brown had the background training to know how to run. Three days less wouldn't of made that big of an impact. He just didn't do it.
Was it because he wasn't on steroids? Maybe. I don't know. But the fact of the matter is, that every horse Big Brown ran against had the same opportunity as he did to be on anabolic steroids. They are completely legal in the states where the three Triple Crown races are ran. Next year, they will probably be illegal in all racing states. Will this make racing better? Maybe. But only in the sense that it will be only horses pure and simple racing. Nothing altering them. Is baseball better because hormones and steroids are illegal? Does it really change anything if everyone or noone is on them? Not really. But I predict that it will even take longer to find another Triple Crown winner.
After the race, Big Brown was throughly examined. And nothing physically wrong with him was found. His foot was fine. He didn't bleed into his lungs. Perhaps it was mental. Big Brown just didn't want to do it. Horses can be like that.
Did the heat and track conditions-deeper than at the other two tracks-play a role in the colt's demise? Maybe. It was awfully hot. But why would the other horses do so well. The winner was leading from the time he broke from the gate to the time he sailed across the finish line well ahead of everyone else.
Even if Big Brown won, I feel that he didn't have any competition. His biggest competition was Eight Belles and she's dead. Most of the horses that he beat in the Derby didn't even run in the Preakness. Beating a handful of random horses isn't winning the Triple Crown. Its a cop out.
I hope that Big Brown's trainer has been taken down a peg or two. He went into the race saying that nothing could touch his horse and well, he was wrong. He was too cocky. Being confident is one thing. Being an ass is another. You can never predict tragedies.
All in all, I'm glad that Big Brown didn't win. I don't believe him to be the fantastic horse everyone made him out to be. His connections have a right to be upset, seeing their great colt go from undefeated on a Triple Crown run to not even finishing the Belmont. However, they should be thankful that he is still sound enough to race again, sound enough to fufill that $50 million breeding contract he has. After all, he's luckier than Eight Belles...
[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on June 14, 2011]
Monday, June 9, 2008
MySpace-June 9, 2008-My Mysterious Neighbor
Actually, this blog is null and void. My neighbor moved out earlier last week but I still can't help but wonder what kept her up all of those nights.
Sometimes in the morning, when I have a test and get up at four am, I notice that my neighbor's bedroom light is on. I can see it reflecting on the pine tree outside of our windows. I still see it on when I leave for school closer to five am. I've always wondered, why is her light on? What business does she have being up at four in the morning? So I've thought of some possiblities.
She's a vampire, werewolf or other night time dwelling creature. No, that can't be it; I've seen her out in the daylight and I don't think that the early mornings/late nights correspond to a full moon.
She works at a dairy farm. No, she doesn't seem the type and I've never smelled cow coming off of her. Trust me, I'm pretty sure I could and would smell that from a mile away!
She's entertaining, if you know what I mean. If she is, she's really quiet afterall, we do share a bedroom wall.
She's studying too. Maybe, but this has also occured after classes were out.
She works at odd hours, thus keeping odd awake hours. I don't know. Maybe. I can't ever think of her leaving at a set time each day as if she had a job but not many jobs for college kids have set hours. She never wore a uniform anywhere, that I know of.
She's up all night updating her facebook or myspace page. Maybe.
She's afraid of the dark. Maybe but I'm pretty sure its not every night.
She fell asleep in the dark living room or simply, with the light on. Maybe.
Her two cats think its funny to turn on the light switch. A possiblity after I know Roosevelt likes to jump up at the door hinges and the doorknob.
She's not concerned about the environment and thus is wasting electricity. A possiblity since sometimes her car isn't there when I go take Riley outside. But who really cares, we pay for that electricity in our rent!
Well, I suppose I won't ever really know why Shauna (I'm pretty sure she spells it like that and not with a w.) leave her bedroom light on. I don't plan on asking her ever. After all, do I really need to be getting up at four am to study...or to monitor my neighbor's bedroom light habits? No, not really.
[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on June 14, 2011]
Sometimes in the morning, when I have a test and get up at four am, I notice that my neighbor's bedroom light is on. I can see it reflecting on the pine tree outside of our windows. I still see it on when I leave for school closer to five am. I've always wondered, why is her light on? What business does she have being up at four in the morning? So I've thought of some possiblities.
She's a vampire, werewolf or other night time dwelling creature. No, that can't be it; I've seen her out in the daylight and I don't think that the early mornings/late nights correspond to a full moon.
She works at a dairy farm. No, she doesn't seem the type and I've never smelled cow coming off of her. Trust me, I'm pretty sure I could and would smell that from a mile away!
She's entertaining, if you know what I mean. If she is, she's really quiet afterall, we do share a bedroom wall.
She's studying too. Maybe, but this has also occured after classes were out.
She works at odd hours, thus keeping odd awake hours. I don't know. Maybe. I can't ever think of her leaving at a set time each day as if she had a job but not many jobs for college kids have set hours. She never wore a uniform anywhere, that I know of.
She's up all night updating her facebook or myspace page. Maybe.
She's afraid of the dark. Maybe but I'm pretty sure its not every night.
She fell asleep in the dark living room or simply, with the light on. Maybe.
Her two cats think its funny to turn on the light switch. A possiblity after I know Roosevelt likes to jump up at the door hinges and the doorknob.
She's not concerned about the environment and thus is wasting electricity. A possiblity since sometimes her car isn't there when I go take Riley outside. But who really cares, we pay for that electricity in our rent!
Well, I suppose I won't ever really know why Shauna (I'm pretty sure she spells it like that and not with a w.) leave her bedroom light on. I don't plan on asking her ever. After all, do I really need to be getting up at four am to study...or to monitor my neighbor's bedroom light habits? No, not really.
[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on June 14, 2011]
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
MySpace-June 4, 2008-Veggie Tales
Okay, today when I got home, it was really hot. My car said it was 103 degrees when I got into it at 5:30pm. The dog was panting in my apartment. The zuccini plant was being its normal drama queen self and was all wilty despite last night's rain. So I went to water our little vegetable pot garden and discovered three baby zuccinis, a couple of pea sized future tomatoes and that the peppers are blooming. Miracle Grow, I'm telling you.
The wrens that built a nest in the cable box have left. The babies have grown up and flew the coop.
My week secretly didn't suck as much as I thought it would. The test Monday and today went well. The quiz Monday went well. The surgery went well even if we were still the last group to get done-again, and always. The diaphragmatic hernia is secretly a super easy surgery to do IF your anestatist is worth anything. Today, I did anesthesia and it went well. Our dog did turn blue for a while, on and off twice but we pulled it out of it and then killed it. It was a super cute, sweet dog too. I still have two more quizzes this week and really need to study for Monday's test.
Joe didn't bring me flowers but after two and half years of dating I called in the favor that every man dreads but knows is inevitable. The dreaded run for maxi pads. When I went to Wal-Mart they didn't have what I needed, so I paniked. And told Joe that if he went to Wal-Mart by chance, he should get me some. I was very clear as to what I wanted, I sent him a picture in a text message. And he pulled through. I'm pretty sure that alone makes him a keeper.
Even though I really needed to study and my study guide making has gone no where, I went out with Kevin Stokes and Zach tonight for pizza at Gumby's. I drank too much. Its always good times when we do this. I love going out with those two guys. Zach asks me as we walk in if anyone thinks we're a tag team-as in having sex-me and those two guys. He was pretty sure that's what he would think if he saw us. Whatever! I did invite Kevin to live with me and Joe. It is the plot for a good sitcom, entitled 'My Two Boyfriends'. I'm sure hilarity would ensue!
Sorry for all of the misspellings...I might be tired, I might be drunk. Whatever.
[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on June 14, 2011]
The wrens that built a nest in the cable box have left. The babies have grown up and flew the coop.
My week secretly didn't suck as much as I thought it would. The test Monday and today went well. The quiz Monday went well. The surgery went well even if we were still the last group to get done-again, and always. The diaphragmatic hernia is secretly a super easy surgery to do IF your anestatist is worth anything. Today, I did anesthesia and it went well. Our dog did turn blue for a while, on and off twice but we pulled it out of it and then killed it. It was a super cute, sweet dog too. I still have two more quizzes this week and really need to study for Monday's test.
Joe didn't bring me flowers but after two and half years of dating I called in the favor that every man dreads but knows is inevitable. The dreaded run for maxi pads. When I went to Wal-Mart they didn't have what I needed, so I paniked. And told Joe that if he went to Wal-Mart by chance, he should get me some. I was very clear as to what I wanted, I sent him a picture in a text message. And he pulled through. I'm pretty sure that alone makes him a keeper.
Even though I really needed to study and my study guide making has gone no where, I went out with Kevin Stokes and Zach tonight for pizza at Gumby's. I drank too much. Its always good times when we do this. I love going out with those two guys. Zach asks me as we walk in if anyone thinks we're a tag team-as in having sex-me and those two guys. He was pretty sure that's what he would think if he saw us. Whatever! I did invite Kevin to live with me and Joe. It is the plot for a good sitcom, entitled 'My Two Boyfriends'. I'm sure hilarity would ensue!
Sorry for all of the misspellings...I might be tired, I might be drunk. Whatever.
[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on June 14, 2011]
Sunday, June 1, 2008
MySpace-June 1, 2008-Help Joe Out and Stuff
This week is going to be horrible. I have a test and a quiz on Monday. I have a very long surgery Tuesday. A test and have to do anesthesia on Wednesday and like two quizzes Friday. I'm not prepared for anything! Add on top of that what is already starting to come out as a bad mood and people better watch out. Saturday, I yelled at Joe and stormed out of my apartment. I had plans and he was messing them up by getting there like half an hour before I was to leave.
So if you want to help Joe out, you can send him a text or give him a phone call (around 8:30 am or 6:30 pm is best) and tell him to get me some flowers. Nothing fancy, they can be from Wal-Mart. I insist that he doesn't spend more than $10. And since he has to drop off the money at DBC, he can just put them in a vase in my apartment one morning after work.(He shouldn't come to school.) Any day is fine. Probably Tuesday or Wednesday. There's a red vase right inside the door OR there's one in the cabinet beneath the toaster. He can leave a loving note. No lillies because the cat is sure to eat them. I think that is all of the instructions I have for you to give him. He's not in the dog house, but it would earn him some points for showing that he knows that I am having a rough week. (Even if secretly, I know that I was sending him instructions in a round about way.) This is his phone number 573-808-6078.
In other news...
I got my stethoscope in the mail Friday. The animals ran away when I pulled it out but I tackled them and heart rates were taken.
I went shopping on Friday which was fun. But I spent too much money.
Friday night, Joe fried some chicken and it was super good. I stole some of the leftovers today.
Also Friday, I talked to my mom. We have a horse in chronic renal failure. Unlike cats and dogs, horses really don't get renal failure. Even when they are old. This horse is three, which from the little I read, leads to the possiblity that she has a kidney defect and has had it since birth. Even the possiblity of her only having one kidney. There's the possiblity that its something else too. I'm trying to convince my mom to bring her up here for an ultrasound so I can be in on it. But basically, it boils down to managing the horse's comfort until she gets really sick or just keels over and dies. We haven't been having very much luck lately.
Last night, I went to see Death Cab For Cutie downtown. Because of my own poor planning, I went by myself. It was fine. Except for the thunderstom that started half an hour before the doors opened. (It was an outdoor show.) So the whole show was delayed by two hours. Two hours that I spent three blocks away from the gates. The show itself was pretty good. Some stupid high school kids were smoking pot next to me. Idiots. The show itself was okay. I can at least say that I have seen them now even if I never go again.
[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on June 14, 2011]
So if you want to help Joe out, you can send him a text or give him a phone call (around 8:30 am or 6:30 pm is best) and tell him to get me some flowers. Nothing fancy, they can be from Wal-Mart. I insist that he doesn't spend more than $10. And since he has to drop off the money at DBC, he can just put them in a vase in my apartment one morning after work.(He shouldn't come to school.) Any day is fine. Probably Tuesday or Wednesday. There's a red vase right inside the door OR there's one in the cabinet beneath the toaster. He can leave a loving note. No lillies because the cat is sure to eat them. I think that is all of the instructions I have for you to give him. He's not in the dog house, but it would earn him some points for showing that he knows that I am having a rough week. (Even if secretly, I know that I was sending him instructions in a round about way.) This is his phone number 573-808-6078.
In other news...
I got my stethoscope in the mail Friday. The animals ran away when I pulled it out but I tackled them and heart rates were taken.
I went shopping on Friday which was fun. But I spent too much money.
Friday night, Joe fried some chicken and it was super good. I stole some of the leftovers today.
Also Friday, I talked to my mom. We have a horse in chronic renal failure. Unlike cats and dogs, horses really don't get renal failure. Even when they are old. This horse is three, which from the little I read, leads to the possiblity that she has a kidney defect and has had it since birth. Even the possiblity of her only having one kidney. There's the possiblity that its something else too. I'm trying to convince my mom to bring her up here for an ultrasound so I can be in on it. But basically, it boils down to managing the horse's comfort until she gets really sick or just keels over and dies. We haven't been having very much luck lately.
Last night, I went to see Death Cab For Cutie downtown. Because of my own poor planning, I went by myself. It was fine. Except for the thunderstom that started half an hour before the doors opened. (It was an outdoor show.) So the whole show was delayed by two hours. Two hours that I spent three blocks away from the gates. The show itself was pretty good. Some stupid high school kids were smoking pot next to me. Idiots. The show itself was okay. I can at least say that I have seen them now even if I never go again.
[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on June 14, 2011]
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