Michele

I am so very, very sorry your child was killed. I can't imagine your grief, and I can't begin to touch your pain. You will be in my prayers for a very long time; and I'll be praying to have peace come to you somehow, somewhere, and to know that your baby is playing in eternal sunshine and giggling the sweet joy of a child forever. Your family is grieving terribly, too, and during grief, people will express some very unthoughtful things. In this situation, with everyone's emotions raw and festering, you still get to make the decisions about your life and how you live it, not them. They can feel however they feel; you can feel however you feel. To be able to contemplate forgiveness on this scale shows me your compassion, and your strength. It shows me your intelligence, and your willingness to have your baby's life teach you something in the most dire circumstances...and it shows me the depth and breadth of your heart. None of that need change. And in fact, all of that sets an example to me to work harder at forgiveness and empathy. Your compassion, empathy, integrity, nobility and genuine peacefulness shows through; at the most terrible times, it is our native character which shines through, and yours is shining brightly. Allow those who have been affected to have their own grief and loss; but also, hold fast to your ability to see things differently, and behave differently, and stand true to your values. You are not wrong in how you feel. Let me know if there's anything I can do; I can listen really well, and I can send good virtual hugs, too. Know you will be in my prayers, as stated, for a long while. Blessed be. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

(Steel, Jer was being sarcastic...and pointing out the hypocrasy of PETA w/ regards to pit bulls.... Just thought I'd let you know....) ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I see a few that I recognize...er, took...(I wish I could get a release for the cousin's stuff...any chance of that?) You've gotten really good at seeing the shot, Michael. Well done! My love to the whole clan... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL, don't do that...Abby is still adjusting; it can take weeks, and I have one cat in my house that I can't touch - she's lived here for 2 1/2 years. So worry not...the establishment of the heirarchy is occuring, and, as I said, as long as there isn't blood, you all are doing rather well. As for the yawning kitty photos, they all are great. Thanks for posting them! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes. Sigh... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Ah, well. See, I don't give his radio show (or, frankly, his writings) too much credit - I place him on a par with Limbaugh...so no thanks, I don't want to hear it. Not interested, and fits his persona perfectly. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I have to leave for school in a few minutes, so didn't have time to read the articles on the page you linked over (the Drudge Report). Can you link over the article? I'd like to see that, and can't seem to find it quickly. Thanks. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Nope, didn't say that, and don't agree with that. Frankly, if you look at them , you'll see that some dogs will have certain traits (i.e. herding, scenting, et cetera) that are there. It means that specific training is needed, as well as an understanding of the dog's nature, is in order. If I want to bring a dog's scenting behavior as dominant, I work that and exercise it, and train it. Same with herding. If I create an environment where that need is not tended to, and in fact creates issues which exacerbate that behavior, I will have an animal with issues on my hands... If a child is learning to read, and they're not doing so well, is it right to say 'well, can't do anything...they just can't read'? Nope, we do everything we can do to help the child get that skill sharper. If we ignore it, we end up with an illiterate, or very frustrated child...and that is a shame. I see it similarly when people get dogs that are herders, and get mad when the dog herds the family. When dogs that are swimmers and leap into the pool, and the owners get mad. Or when a dog has an aggressive streak, and is not well socialized, trained, and is constantly chained up and abused so that their aggressive nature is pinpointed and brought to the fore. That's the issue... The pits I've met have all had families which understood their nature...and which have treated them accordingly from early on. And I've met poodles who'd rather bite than sit...with the owners crooning "aw, isn't that funny? She can't hurt you..." It's the owners' responsibility...know the breed, accommodate the breed, train the breed. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Curious, Bill, as to who wrote that. It would be significantly horrific if it came from a republican or democrat elected leader...however, I don't think it has. Can you identify who wrote it? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I wonder if that's the case in all bullied kids. I was bullied - a lot! - and it never occurred to me to retaliate by bringing a knife/gun to school. I "complained" to various teachers, and only one did anything about it...and that was in my 11th grade year. Do I have issues with bullies? Yep...but I handle them differently than deciding to shoot them and raid a school. The issue is, imho, a really bad set of conflict resolution skills...not that I had great skills, but they were better than "grab a gun and go kill people at school...". They've gotten better over time, too, so now they're pretty effective ('cause yes, there are bullies in the grown-up world, too...). So then my question becomes why does one kid who gets bullied react with a gun, and another does not? If that answer can be determined, and precursor signs identified, then there is a chance at effective intervention and prevention at the source. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

That will apply to any animal who is chained, ignored, and abused...not solely pits. Do the same to a chihuahua, or a horse, or an elephant...you'll get an aggressive, uncontrollable pet. There are quite a few pits in my neighborhood. One kid lets his take him skating...it's great to watch. Another belongs to a mother who regularly takes her boy in his stroller when they go on a walk. And a third patiently waits for his owners outside the grocery store. I've interacted with all these animals, and have not once been concerned for my safety...Joker thinks it's fun to see me; he gets all wiggly and happy 'cause he knows I'll love on him (he's the skating one). I was mauled by a herd of poodles. I don't blame the entire breed. I was bit on the hiney by two dobies - and in that instance, it was completely my fault (and I knew so at the time). Pits are big, strong dogs. So are Newfies and Labs and St. Bernards. But only pits get aggressive when penned/chained? Oh please. All social animals will...nothing to do with their breed, and everything to do with their treatment. PETA is weird, often criminal, and cruel to species...and I just don't like them at all. The local rescue groups get what cash I can afford; PETA will not ever see a penny that I've earned. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Unlike some folks out there, my opinion (and my integrity) can't be bought. Especially for $50. (And no, I don't mean you, Andy...) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well, see, I've had some brawls...and used my legs effectively. That's the way I was trained - use all your appendages because most often, the other side will only use two. And I've not yet met the guy whose arms are longer than my legs, either. Further, I've never been put on my ass without me intending that to be where it went (throws, absorption of energy), and the other guy always went down with me...and because I was in control of it, I was on my feet while they were still down there trying to figure out how to get up. No, this isn't a "my style is better than yours' discussion...rather, it's a clarification of my comment to Udder who seems to think that using your feet is not necessarily a wise idea. I think differently...and Cora's right, I'm not talking about arial kicking...rather, a swift kick to the opponent's midsection and/or knees will bring them down faster, allowing me to get time to get away. It's very dangerous to try to disable a guy's knees with one's hand...so I'll use my feet, thank you... 'Twardo, I was trained in both "streetfight" as well as stylistic. My tourney record is 21:20:1. In a total of 21 tourneys, I took second only once, and fought against men, women, big, small, and different styles (open tournies). We trained through pain, through discomfort, and through confusion...I never knew how much I hurt until well after the tourney...as it should be. Pain is, as they say, fleeting... And I always knew I would win when I could get the other guy to fight mad. Once the anger trigger went off, he was out of control...and was unable to perform to a level higher than me. Just happened that way. LOL... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

But the difference is there...and is in your statement. People with fight training (ring, martial arts) are taught to back off once the opponent(s) are down and no longer pose a threat...I was taught it's never a street fight, even if it happens on the street. In other words, I was taught to take it to the level that would allow me time to leave the environment, rather than stay and beat the hell out of someone. Because of that, my instinct now is to take it to that level, and then stop. He apparently has some of the same instructions...and some of the same training, as he walked away once both were down, stunned/confused, and he had time to get space and distance between he and his girlfriend and the bad guys. You may not have seen a ref, ring, or scorers in the video, but I did; watching someone who has been trained properly you can see them in the behavior of the fighter... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I'm getting here late...but I wanted to chime in and say that yes, Micro's children are simply wonderful; generous, fun, wise, interesting and interested, and without a doubt well socialized. As to the topic at hand, I feel badly for the teacher...I saw an interview with her the other day, and she mentioned that there was a local election coming up, with a bond measure that affected school funding. Apparently, the distraught parents decided to mention that they'd campaign against the bond measure unless some action was taken, and the action taken should be termination. The teacher in question has been teaching for many, many years (close to three decades), and from what I understand, the teacher had not been brought up on disciplinary action for this sort of thing before. Seems to me to be a retaliation from some parents towards a teacher, and I can only lay the responsibility on the parents... The school permission slips were signed. The museum has a website. I think that the teacher is blameless... As for it being only in Texas, as one poster seems to believe, I'll venture to say those sorts of parents are all over...and on both sides of the fence. Some got upset with school prayer; some with interractial/intergender schooling; some with interreligious education; some with Creationism/evolution...and the list goes on. And it goes on all over....not just Texas. So any tarring of an entire state for the actions of a few parents is plainly silly and not seeing the issue for what it is. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

But did your hat stay on, too? That's what was impressive... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

You know, I don't think that was an accident. If you watch the video closely, you'll see the guy look quickly left over his shoulder, and then begin the backhand with his right fist. I think the only mistake was him hitting the woman; I think he was likely aiming for the guy, but mistimed the strike. No accident there at all... The guy doing the whuppin has some training, and did very well with two opponents. I would've been more inclined to use my feet as well, but that's my training. He's got some ring time, no doubt...watch for the jab combos, and also the backing down when both guys have landed on their asses. Good control, good use of force, and definitely excellent awareness. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Oh yeah, me lovin' that alge-fucking-bra...I've got a callus forming on my finger from the stupid pencil. Sigh... Thanks for the luck wishes...they are returned, 5 fold. Kick ass, don't bother taking names, and get 100%s all the way through. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I spent the entire day Friday - including Friday night - studying math, wrestling algebra equations and trying to actually understand the problems rather than just doing them by rote... Didn't work too well...but managed a 10/10 on the quiz yesterday (which I spent in math and bio...). Today I'm wrestling new algebraic greased pig equations, and getting ready for a big exam in Poli Sci on Tuesday...with a major math exam and huge anatomy exam coming the week after this. So it's gonna be pressure at my house this week. Anyone wanna come over and cook for me? Clean for me? I am not going to have any time to even get dishes done... Sorry you're hurting, Cora. I'm sort of wishing I'd get clonked over the head by a falling display - might give me some time to catch up on things if I had a Dr's note to not think for a week... Sigh... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

The movie I am is "The Godfather", all about power and control, living by the mafia code. Well, see, I don't think I can agree with that in an overall sense...there are lots of times I like to give up control to others.... As for the leader I am, it's "Mother Theresa", a people loving macadonian dwarf. You lead with your good works and helpful nature. You just love to give. Not sure I can agree with that, although that's a lofty goal. So, I'm a mafia bound macadonian dwarf who, if I can't get them with lovingkindness, I just kill them. Sounds good to me! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Laxatone is GREAT! That totally slipped my poor tired brain (8 hours of school on Saturday - 4 in math, 4 in bio - will do that to you). I have some of that laying around here; cats do indeed love it, and it does indeed help. Thanks for the reminder... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Your new girl is still enormously stressed; sure, she might be adjusting well, but she's still adjusting. Cats will shed a lot when they're stressed...ever see the inside of a cat carrier? It's always covered with hair. The only time I'd advocate trimming is when the cat is a long hair, it's summer, and the cat is just simply really uncomfortable; or a cat that cannot groom themselves for whatever reason or has horrible mats that can't be removed with brushing. Here's the best advice I can give you. If she likes brushing, brush her constantly. Dampen a paper towel, and get the tines of the brush damp (this will help control the loose hairs). I run the damp paper towel over the kitty, and then lay it next to me for the comb's catching, as well as to keep the comb damp. BTW, this doesn't work for long hair kitties. I use a flea comb - very close set, rounded tines. This massages the skin, and really allows one to get down to the skin and get the undercoat (the one which usually sheds the most when stressed) thinned out. It also gets fleas, flea dirt (i.e. dead fleas and eggs), and other yucky things (see why the towel gets important??). Give her some Petromalt, too; it will help with the passing of the extra hair through her system, and you won't get quite as many hair balls or hacking from the kitty. They usually like the taste - I'll use the fish flavor mostly, but sometimes use other flavors. You can find this over the counter at generally any well stocked pet supply store (i.e. Petco). But it will calm down naturally, once she makes the adjustment. Be careful when you're grooming one cat, that the other doesn't think that you like the new one best...make sure you give the other kitty lots of time, too. Hope this helps... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hey, angelsmilyface dude... I ask from friends if I have no immediate solution at hand. You'd be surprised at some of the help I've gotten here on various subjects, and specifically since I can't afford the dentist at the moment, and it's a temporary, stress induced issue (in other words, when math is done, I'll not have this to worry about as I don't normally do this). So to you. Turtle, if you have something small enough to have fit my jaws last night, I wouldn't be advertising it.... Just to let you all know, chewing gum did not help. What helped was the IB 800 and being very aware of it during maths today; whenever I noticed that I was doing it, I would sort of rotate my jaw around and "stretch" the muscles out. I chewed gum specifically to pay attention to my mouth, however...and that did help. Once I get the $$ to see the dentist, I will go to him and consult him about this. And just fyi, I got a 10/10 on the quiz. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Isn't it a great thing that I don't have to take Calculus??? I will take gum with me this morning, and some Aleve...hopefully, that will help. I've got 4 hours' Algebra followed by 4 hours of Biology on Saturdays, so I'm pretty stressed already and it's not even class time yet (still have an hour...). Sigh...and a quiz in both classes. Being a student at my age is not fun. Kids, don't drop out of college like I did...it's really hard when you're old. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Mouthgrauds might be something I'll try, although I hate having them in my mouth (I feel like I am suffocating, even though my nose is not occluded... I'm weird like that...). I am trying Aleve tonight, and I'll take some IB 800 tomorrow during class (4 hours of math tomorrow in class...sigh...). If none of that works, I will be calling my GP on Monday or Tuesday, and see if he can't give me something a bit stronger, and also get some blood work done to assess my chemical levels (to see if they're adequate for right now...). Max, I will try the gum idea. It might help...at the very least, I'll remember to do something other than clench during class. Triple F, I've never taken valium. I'm a valium virgin...and since three times a week I'm up at 5am getting ready for class, I'm not sure if it would work. Maybe just a shot of good whisky instead, before bed (but the meds I'm on preclude alcohol in general, and it's not a good sedative anyway). Maybe a shot before I start studying.... I freakin' hate algebra. Sigh. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~