BaltimoreGal

Let me tell you about the NCRC.

2012-01-04T17:23:00.000-08:00

The NCRC (National Canine Research Council) is an organization that actually collects FACTS, not innuendo or "reports" from innacurate and partisan groups, about dog bites, dog fatalities, and other canine/law issues.

FACT: In the NCRC preliminary report on 2011 (they're making sure their facts are all there before the final report is submitted, imagine that!) they are currently investigating 31 incidents in a dog population of over 78 million dogs (ALL BREEDS) that occurred during 2011 that may qualify as dog bite-related fatalities. That's roughly 1 death for every 2.5 million dogs, according to 2011 numbers. Is one death too much? Of course. But let's come back to that.

Let's look at the NCRC's finalized 2010 report:

FACT: Out of 33 dog-bite related fatalities that year (out of 78 MILLION DOGS), they have determined that only SEVEN (21%) were family pets. 64% (21 dogs) were deemed Resident Dogs*, while the rest were unknown.

From the NCRC Handout "Resident Dog vs. Family Dog"

FACT: that year, only ELEVEN of the 33 dogs could be identified as a particular breed. EIGHT different kinds of dogs were identified in those eleven incidents.

And yet, according to dogsbite.org (I suggest you don't visit the site, it's extremely frustrating and full of the worst kind of appeals and nonsense). "21 people of all ages were killed in 2011 by pit bulls."

Eleven is very different than 21, isn't it? Especially when you take into account that those eleven dogs accounted for eight different breeds. Now yes, some of the "unidentifiable" dogs were reportedly "pit bulls." But many were not. Heck, some of the dogs were never identified.

The eight breeds/eleven dogs were as follows:

American Bully/American Pit Bull Terrier (resident dog, intact male)
Siberian Husky (altered, family male)- history of killing family pets noted
American Bulldog (intact, penned male)
Rottweiler (altered- formerly bred, resident female)
2 intact Rottweilers (one male, one female, residents)
American Pit Bull Terrier (resident dog, intact male)
Wolf/Dog Cross (intact, resident male)
Boxer (intact, resident male)
German Shepherd (intact, family male)- history of aggression noted
Rottweiler (intact male, resident)

Notice, only two "pit bulls?" What does all this mean? dogsbite LIES. Oh, they have "reports." They track reports of dog bites IN THE MEDIA. Which, as we all know, is totally right all the time. (Insert sad trombone noise here.)

But let's take this a step further. What are the commonalities we see here? What are two things we can do to prevent dog bites?

Your dog should be a part of your family.

Of the known breeds, only two of the eleven were "family" dogs and they both had troubled histories.
Of the other dogs of indeterminate breed, fourteen of the nineteen identifiable cases were resident dogs, not family dogs (often involving multiple dogs with checkered histories).
Everybody has a different idea what a "family dog" may mean, I get that. I'm not saying let your dog run your life. Yes, you should train your dog. A dog is still a dog.
The NCRC says: "Family dogs are dogs whose owners afford them opportunities to learn appropriate behavior and to interact with humans on a regular basis in positive and humane ways, and who give them the tools necessary to live harmoniously in our world."

FIX YOUR DOG.

AGAIN, of the known breeds, only two of the eleven dogs were altered. One had a troubled history, one had been bred previously and was in very poor condition.
AGAIN, of the indeterminate breeds, fourteen of the nineteen identifiable dogs were not altered.
Some people will always have reasons not to fix their dog. Here are my caveats:

I can't think of one reason/excuse/justification not to fix a mixed breed or pit bull other than an allergy to anesthesia... Nope. There are way too many of these pups out there.
If you're showing your dog or whatever other reason, you are taking on an additional risk and responsibility by not altering your dog. I expect you to live up to it.
I don't like breeding of dogs. I think we have too many dogs in this country. Nevertheless, there will always be people who want purebred/ breed specific types of dogs. If you are a licensed and responsible breeder (again NOT of pit bulls or mixed breeds) who contracts for people to fix their dogs and follows up, enforces and keeps track of their dogs, that's not my fight.

If people were to make dogs a part of their family, fix their dogs, and watch for warning signs like: aggression, socialization, new or different situations, and other very common problems, the rare event that is death by dog bite could become the rarest event.

Isn't that something we all want?

B-More Dog Hits the Big Time!

2011-11-29T08:14:00.001-08:00

On Saturday, November 19, B-More Dog vaccinated 71 dogs times in South East Baltimore. 53 of the vaccinated dogs (almost 75%) were pit bulls . Plus gave out 10 spay/neuter certificates. Plus exchanged 15 leashes for old ones/chains/ropes, as well as a whole lotta collars. And we can't wait to do it again in the spring, West Side!

Here's the post we wrote for Pit Bull Rescue Central (PBRC):

B-More Dog Community Pit Bull Day in Ellwood Park

A weekend for the pit bulls- something for everyone!

2011-10-31T16:06:00.000-07:00

Come hang out with me this weekend!

I'll be here Friday night and Sunday afternoon:

COMMIT TO A PIT FUNDRAISER ART SHOW

November 4th, 2011, 7PM-10PM

Robert McClintock Studio and Gallery, Fell's Point

Artist Robert McClintock and the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, Inc. (BARCS) have joined together to present the first-ever “COMMIT TO A PIT” fundraising event, which will be held at the Robert McClintock Studio & Gallery in Fell’s Point. This weekend-long event will begin with a Kick-Off party on Friday, November 4, 2011 with light refreshments being served from 7:00PM – 10:00PM. The event will wrap up on Sunday, November 6, 2011. The highlight of the event will be a month-long silent auction featuring a Commissioned Pet Portrait by Robert with the highest bidder being announced on Sunday, December 4, 2011 (valued at $1800.00). Also, there will be an unveiling of the most recent additions to Robert’s well-known “Dogs That I Know” collection featuring his “Commit To A Pit” series. A portion of the proceeds raised will directly benefit the BARCS Pit Crew program

-OR-

I'll be at The Windup Space (Charles St & North Ave) Saturday Night with B-More Dog for

Benefit Show for B.A.R.C.S.
November 5th, 2011, 8PM-1AM

Benefit show for BARCS: Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter and the BARCS PitCrew.

$5 gets you in to see FIVE BANDS: LandSpeedRecord!, Sick Sick Birds, Sick Fix, Friend Collector and We Are Black Birds.

ALL the money collected at the door will got to benefit BARCS and the BARCS Pit Crew. There will several dog rescues and advocacy groups on hand including the Baltimore Bully Crew(BBC), Mid Atlantic Bully Buddies (MABB), B-More Dog, and the BARCS Pit Crew. Merchandise will be for sale to benefit these rescues and the pit bull type dogs they work with. We will also be accepting any additional donations you can provide.

There's something for everyone. If you're in Baltimore this weekend, I expect to see you there!

Patterson is Pretty Perfect

2011-10-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

Is he supposed to be your dog?

In order to be a Pit Bull Ambassador Patterson has been professionally evaluated, he is in obedience classes, he attends events, participates in playgroups, and can stay with a volunteer overnight.

Patterson is amazing!

He needs a home NOW!

BARCS- Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter

http://baltimoreanimalshelter.org/

301 Stockholm Street,

Baltimore, Maryland 21230

410 - 396 - 4695

Shelter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 2pm to 6pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 4pm

Please read! Ed Sayres: Professional Athletes Show Their Soft Sides For Animals

2011-10-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

Ed Sayres: Professional Athletes Show Their Soft Sides For Animals

Please check out Baltimore's Anti-Animal Abuse Commission and the "Show Your Soft Side" campaign. I spoke with Dr. Lockwood briefly at the press conference last week. We appreciate his support and participation here in Baltimore so much. As a pit bull owner/advo cate/volun teer in Baltimore City I can assure you that we have a huge issue here with animal abuse and dogfighting and need all the help we can get here in Baltimore. BARCS is under-staffed and under-funded and could use your support. These wonderful pit bulls and cats that make up the vast majority of the homeless animals deserve the best.

Why I LOVE iLove-A-Bull:

2011-05-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

iLove-A-Bull:

PTMPeeps_022.jpg

2011-04-28T13:56:00.001-07:00

PTMPeeps_022.jpg, a photo by Carolyn_Sewell on Flickr.

Yeah, this has not been my week...

You don't get to kill my dog, mister.

2011-03-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

Pit bull slurs lead to boycott of 98 Rock | ohmidog!

HELL YES THEY LEAD TO PROTESTS.

I'm a Baltimore Buzz Brigadier!

2011-03-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

"Baltimore Buzz Brigade - (noun) A non-military unit consisting of a variable number of awesome bloggers, photographers, and/or social media-ites that take ideas and run with them." - Matt Colly, Visit Baltimore

Some of you may have guessed that I like Baltimore. Being that my Twitter and blog name is BaltimoreGal. And you would be correct!

The peeps at Visit Baltimore, aka Baltimore.org, picked up on that as well and I am now an official member of the Baltimore Buzz Brigade, one of 20 socially savvy people who love this city and are willing to share their feelings with the rest of the world. Now yes, I may be a bad blogger, but I am a good Twitter-er and Facebooker and Foursquarer, etc. so I guess that makes up for it. Plus I'm not one to turn down a party...

Anywho, I'm here to tell you doubters/haters/negators that there is a lot to love about this city and I'm glad to be representing all that. There's a lovely Flickr account that shows some of our members' work here and I'll pass along a photo or two as I can. Here's one of me (middle, in blue) at lunch with some of my lovely and talented fellow buzzers at Mr. Rain's Fun House at the American Visionary Museum. Love those pretzel rolls!

photo by jamesjosephsterne, All Rights Reserved

I'll be telling you more (hopefully more often) as time goes by. Stay tuned, sweeties!

I'm in LOVE. With a BANNER.

2011-02-25T09:24:00.000-08:00

Yes, a banner. MINE! IN AN ALL CAPS KIND OF LOVE, love.

Look at how nice it is! I'm all cute and skinny in it (ha!) but also look at my Stella! She's beautiful and also pretty!

I have become a crazy dog lady, by the way. If I didn't know before, it's totally been proven when I can't decide if I'm more excited about a skinny picture of myself or a cute picture of my dog.

So here's the best part. Not only is this thing TEH AWESOME but it comes from my favoritest food blogger, the one who does the funniest possible recaps and/or parodies of the world of food. So a big thank you to Kathy, aka theminx, and I thought I'd share with you a few of my favorite works of hers:

The Guy Fieri parody Dipshits, Douchebags, and Dorks
The Top Chef Bastards Series
Most recently, the Top Chef All-Stars Episode Nine Recap (aka 'Hambooger')

Also, this picture:

She also shares recipes and what I'll call "food moments" and reviews local restaurants on her website Minxeats. So thanks again Minxy! I guess I'll have to blog more now...

I have found my spirit animal.

2011-02-23T11:02:00.000-08:00

YouTube - Will Ferrell as Robert Goulet does Loverboy: ""

Latest News and Events from B-More Dog

2011-02-21T14:37:00.000-08:00

Check it out, along with a great photo of my Stella!

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Latest-News-from-B-More-Dog.html?soid=1102632206620&aid=EeCz3gWUFdc

Hello, It's Me...

2011-02-21T08:57:00.000-08:00

And I'm still living!

In the tradition of bad bloggers, I have gone a horribly long time without blogging. I'm still out here and Tweeting and Facebooking like crazy so if you follow those you will not suffer from lack of BaltimoreGal. I also liberally share my Google Reader Feed so there's that.

What else- I've been elected to the Board of B-More Dog (yay) and am participating in this fundraiser (Baltimore location, benefiting BARCS) which I would LOVE you to help with if you have not.

I'll be back soon I promise. I just need some refreshments...

We Covet Big Beautiful Bags [Handbag Round-Up]

2011-01-10T06:22:00.000-08:00

Come check out my latest round-up at We Covet! I think it's my best yet.

We Covet Big Beautiful Bags [Handbag Round-Up]

We Covet Seeing Stars [Crafty Chicks and DIY Dudes Round-Up]

2010-12-15T06:25:00.000-08:00

Check out my latest feature post over at We Covet, where I look at one of my favorite symbols: the star.

We Covet Seeing Stars [Crafty Chicks and DIY Dudes Round-Up]

Ridiculous

2010-10-26T10:33:00.000-07:00

If "America's Dog" isn't allowed on military bases that speaks to the members of the military who have owned them, not the dog breed. Education, enforcement and prosecution work, not bans. Make it right!

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

Animal Planet on Bully Breeds.

2010-09-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

10 Things to Know Before Adopting a Bully Breed : Animal Planet

So, I really couldn't have written this any better than they did.

Fact is, my dog doesn't like other dogs unless she knows them REALLY well.

Or they are completely submissive.

But she's worth it anyway.

Not the case for all pit bulls/bullies but always a possibility.

I know plenty who loooove other dogs.

This little collection o' tips is realistic and sensible and really should be applied to all dogs, actually.

My poor neglected pup...

2010-09-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

Why wouldn't you want this?

2010-08-11T10:29:00.001-07:00

SHAME ON YOU, Maryland Retailers Association

2010-07-23T06:45:00.000-07:00

Why? Oh, because they compared a "living wage" bill (approximate increase= $2.00 per hour) to THE HOLOCAUST.

SERIOUSLY.

Here's the text of the email I sent to the Maryland Retailers Association. I suggest you do something similar in your own words.

I was seriously offended by Jeff Zellmer's statement that the Baltimore "living wage" bill would be "a Holocaust for the retail industry." Not only is that an egregiously inflated statement AT BEST but degrading and horrifying to the millions that suffered (as well as those who survived) one of the most devastating episodes in our world's history. Your group should apologize immediately.

Regardless of your feelings about this bill, that kind of talk should not go unchecked.

Help the Hamilton Crop Circle

2010-07-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

So they don't need much, but they are doing SO MUCH:

The Hamilton Crop Circle's mission is to provide fresh organic produce to local businesses, and integrate young people into the sustainable practices related to growing organic produce to promote a peaceful lifestyle.

They've done an amazing job with very little- mostly volunteer sweat and giving of themselves- but with a little bit of help from a few more people they could make a huge difference in this city.

Gutter Magazine's Happy Hour

2010-07-01T06:38:00.000-07:00

Writer? Editor? Blogger? Photographer? Next Martin Scorsese?

Chill out with your fellow media types and meet new ones at Gutter's Media Maven Happy Hour @ the Windup Space (North and Charles) on July 14th from 5-8.

Drink specials include $3 Sierras, $3 Gin and Tonics and $3 Rapiers!

This Sunday's Recipes

2010-05-24T12:40:00.000-07:00

Only cooked two dishes this week but they both came out very well!

This pasta dish is a new favorite. It's the end of asparagus season and beginning of green pea season here at the Baltimore Farmer's Market so this is the perfect dish to make on Sunday night! I may mix it up next time and add a little roasted chicken or smoked salmon but it's very good and satisfying all on its own. Don't be sparing with the lemon or the vegetables!

Creamy Pasta With Peas and Asparagus
Asparagus with pasta, made with cream, chicken broth, lemon juice, rotini, fresh asparagus, fresh peas, and Parmesan cheese.

Found at About.com

Ingredients:
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
12 ounces rotini pasta
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
2 cups fresh peas
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:
In medium saucepan over medium heat, bring cream, chicken broth, lemon juice and lemon zest to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 2/3 cup, about 5 minutes. In a large pot of boiling, salt water, cook pasta for 7 minutes. Add asparagus and peas, bring back to a boil and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain the pasta and vegetables thoroughly in a colander and return to the pot. Add the cream sauce and parsley; toss thoroughly. Add Parmesan cheese & toss. Season with salt and pepper
Serves 4.

This next one came out well enough. I had fresh strawberries I needed to use and needed to make something for breakfast this week. I used half wheat flour and raw sugar. Also was heavier on the cinnamon. Since I'm no baker, the simpler the better.

Strawberry Bread -- a Quickbread
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
20 oz strawberries, frozen
1 cup oil
4 eggs

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans. Combine dry ingredients then mix well. Make a hole in the center of the mixture and pour all liquid ingredients into it. Mix to dampen but do not beat. Pour the batter into pans and bake for 1 hour or until done.

Found at Best Bread Recipes.

Smiling Faces of Ignorance and Hate

2010-04-06T09:06:00.000-07:00

I was appalled this morning when I read about the latest twist in the Constance McMillen story.

A judge ruled she had the right to attend her school's prom with her girlfriend. So what was done? Oh, they held a FAKE PROM and only told her and a few other students, while the "real prom" went on at another location, organized by the enlightened parents of her classmates. There are pictures of the real prom here. See the smiling faces of ignorance (at best) and hate?

Great job, Itawamba County Schools, on preparing your children for the real world. Let's hope they never have to leave your county's borders and deal with it.

"you, the people of Fulton, Mississippi - you are the worst people in America"

18 Wal-Marts

2010-03-01T07:31:00.001-08:00

18Wal-Marts
thanks to sugarfreak

THAT'S RIGHT. There are 18 Wal-Marts within 20 miles of 21211. So why on earth would we need one more?

For more info please read the linked article below. Wal-Mart will NOT help our community. I watched the town of Edinboro, PA lose almost all its small-town stores when the Wal-Mart moved in. We CAN prevent this.

http://sugarfreak.typepad.com/mobtownshank/2010/02/the-new-remington-walmartlowes-development.html

Interesting show...

2010-02-01T07:50:00.000-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baltimore-MD/The-Annex-Theater/48477560551

Co-CO!

2010-01-13T12:31:00.000-08:00

Pale Force REPRESENT.

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin...

2009-12-15T14:50:00.000-08:00

Gutter's Anti-Holiday Happy Hour!

2009-12-11T07:40:00.000-08:00

Oh, I am there!

Thank you, Gutter Magazine, and God bless us, every one!

Thank you, Mobtown Shank!

2009-12-03T14:45:00.000-08:00

GODDAMN RIGHT!

Things That Make It Hard To Root For The Baltimore Sun To Succeed:

The Baltimore Sun likes to run this photo list features every so often, but this one struck us at the Shank as particularly stupid. In fact, it made us say, "Hey, fuck you, Baltimore Sun."

Source.

I have just been violated, good sir!

2009-12-02T08:36:00.000-08:00

The Baltimore Sun's "Captcha" program just went all Hannibal Lecter on me.

...seriously.

Yes, that says- labial scalp. GAH.

Where do we go from here, Sun?

I don't know if we can get back to the way things were.

Rescue Ink Fundraiser Tomorrow!

2009-11-20T07:15:00.000-08:00

That's right, it's finally here! Saturday, 9:00 PM.
Midtown Yacht Club in Mt. Vernon

$1 jell-o shots and other drink specials plus free finger foods!
Darts and trivia contests!
Raffles galore with kick-ass prizes like:
gift certificates to local bars and clubs
concert and comedy club tickets
a Ravens' gift pack
and even something for you NASA fans...

I think everyone should come.

35

2009-11-19T07:27:00.000-08:00

35. 35 is very young. At 35, people still have another 50 years to expect to live.

I'm 36 and I don't feel like I've done anything yet!

Anissa Mayhew is only 35.

Her children are 11, 8, and 5 - her youngest just made it through one year of life without leukemia.

Anissa should be celebrating, not fighting for her life.

She and her family need help and prayers. I don't really know what else to say but they certainly have mine.

Email helpforanissa@gmail.com or paypal support here.

"Biggest Bullies are back on the Block"

2009-10-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

Here's the facts, as I know them, as of Monday, Oct. 19th!

Saturday, October 24th, 10am - 7pm
Baltimore Tattoo Museum is sponsoring a Tattoo-a-thon
Proceeds benefit Rescue Ink and Baltimore Humane Society (proceeds are going to our Pit Bull spay/neuter fund!) Tattoo examples: see below.

Sunday, October 25th, 12pm - 4pm
B-More Dog and Rescue Ink will be at Baltimore Humane Society to celebrate Pit Bull Awareness Day and to rally against animal cruelty. Demonstrations will include narcotics sniffing, weight pulling, agility and more. There will be photo-ops, Q&A session, book signing, adoptable pets and a bunch of tough guys hanging around.

Monday, October 26th, Rescue Ink will tour local area shelters to help rally people to the fight against animal cruelty.

Updates at the Baltimore Humane Blog and Unleashed.

Tattoo examples: Dog paw design on top, Cat paw design on bottom.

B-More Dog Happy Hour!

2009-10-08T08:12:00.001-07:00

B-More Dog Happy Hour!
Originally uploaded by BaltimoreGal

To celebrate pit bull awareness day, come to our happy hour at Bad Decisions in Fells Point on Monday, Oct. 19 for good company, great drinks, and the chance to walk away with some great silent auction deals! All animal lovers (and those who love them) are welcome!

There will be specialty drinks and good company. And ladies. Ladies love pit bulls. ;-)

Sweet, Sweet Jasmine.

2009-08-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

From Recycled Love:

Our hearts are heavy with sadness over the loss of our Sweet Jasmine. She was recently killed by an automobile in an unfortunate accident. Jasmine touched so many lives in so many ways. Her family is devastated by her passing, but they would like everyone to recognize and celebrate the unmistakable love Jasmine received and the priceless gifts she has given to everyone.

Please understand Catalina, along with the rest of Jasmine's family, are just beginning to process this loss. Thank you for allowing time for all to heal.

There's so many reasons this is heartbreaking to me, and will be to many. She was such a tiny, lovely little dog. She put a face to the Vick case for many when she was on the cover of Sports Illustrated: Cover; Gallery; Article.
She was a success story and attention getter for Recycled Love, a worthy organization if ever there was one.

It just doesn't seem fair that she lived through all she did to leave the good life so soon.

http://robertmcclintock.com/galleries/dogs/bully-breeds/sweet-jasmine.html

Why I will always drink Coke, if you are curious.

2009-07-17T08:44:00.000-07:00

My mother has some amazing friends. Chris and Harvey were two of them. Harvey was what I would call a Renaissance man. You name it, he could do it. Intelligent, artistic, sweet, funny. He videotaped my parents' wedding (in 1970!!). The blog where he wrote chronicling his goodbyes to life was one of the most heart-wrenching yet kind and loving things I have ever encountered- I know it helped my mother prepare to lose him. On his memorial page one of the things I said was that I will ALWAYS drink Coke.

HARVEY CARTER TAYLOR III, 61, of Atlanta, Ga., and Longboat Key, Fla., died at his home in Atlanta on April 8, 2005, surrounded by his wife, Chris Fonte Taylor, their son, Scott, daughter and son-in-law, Christy and Randy Holmes and their two grandchildren, Franklin and Lily Holmes, all of Atlanta.

He was a member of St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, Dunwoody, Ga. Born March 20, 1944, in Huntington, W.Va., to the late Harvey C. Taylor Jr. and Dorothy Frantz Taylor, he is survived by his sister, Carter Taylor Seaton; her husband, Richard Cobb; and two aunts, Nancy and Elinore Taylor of Huntington. Also surviving to mourn his passing and remember him fondly are his brother-in-law, Jim Seaton and nephew Jimmy of Longboat Key; nephews, Tony and Michael Seaton; and niece Dorothy Ann Stinson of Huntington; mother-in-law, Filomena T. Fonte of Danville, Ill.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael and Berta Fonte of Silver Springs, Md., and Joseph and Kay Fonte of Carmel, Ind., Mary Ann and Gale Galloway of Danville, Agnes and Kent Burgess of Comfort, Texas, Joan and Dannie Smith of Union, Ky., and Fran and Rick Strebing of Bloomington, Ill.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, colleagues, classmates and lifelong friend, Dr. Dan Bobbitt of Concord, N.C. His grandparents, Harvey and Nan Taylor and Lester N. and Florence Frantz and his father-in-law, Frank A. Fonte, preceded him in death.

Harvey graduated from Huntington High School in 1962, earned his BS, cum laude, and his MS in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1967 and 1969, respectively. Following the completion of his master’s degree, he joined the Coca-Cola Company, where he spent his entire career, retiring in 1999.

During his almost 30-year career, Harvey rose from project engineer to Director of Engineering for Coca-Cola. Among his many accomplishments, his group designed and brought to market the world’s first plastic bottle for soft drinks. During this period, the corporate structure was reorganized and Harvey became one of only three Group Managers. Under his direction, the group developed the first plastic screw cap ever used on soft drink bottles, worked on plastic recycling and spread the use of the domestic designs in both glass and plastic to the overseas market. In 1981, Harvey took a five-year assignment in Sydney, Australia, as the Technical Manager for the South Pacific responsible for product and package development, Coca-Cola concentrate development and quality assurance in Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Fiji. During his tenure there, his group developed plastic packaging and introduced Diet Coke and other new product extensions to the South Pacific. From 1986-1989, he held the position of Director of Corporate Packaging in the United States. In 1989, another special assignment took him to Tokyo, Japan, where he was the Vice President of Coca-Cola Japan Company in charge of Special Projects.

Returning to the United States in late 1990, he was named Director of Engineering for the Coca-Cola Company. His department was responsible for all development of new technology, vending equipment technology, packaging, bottling equipment and service to the bottlers. In this capacity, Harvey made several trips to Moscow to monitor the launch of the Progress M space freighter carrying supplies to the Soviet space station Mir. On board were two specially designed cans of Coke to be tested to see if it carbonated beverages could be poured in weightlessness. Before retiring, Harvey was Director of Strategic Development under Senior Vice President of Technical Operations. He was responsible for budgetary control of the division and for development of the annual five-year business plan for the corporate technical division. He retired April 1, 1999.

A self-taught musician, Harvey played the guitar and piano. Over the years, travel and scuba diving occupied his leisure time and took his family to Kenya, the Greek Islands, Turkey, Japan, Austria, Germany, Tahiti, Fiji, England, Italy, Hong Kong, the Soviet Union, the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rico, Hawaii and the Turks and Caicos Islands. An early computer “tekkie” he developed a web-site for his Huntington High School Class of 1962 that brought together classmates around the world. As he fought a year-long battle against cancer, his son Scott set up an Internet Blog through which his family, friends and classmates followed his progress and offered encouragement. The family wishes to thank all those who supported Harvey and his family throughout this past year. Memorial services will be held at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, Mt. Vernon Rd., Dunwoody, Ga., Thursday, April 14, at 10:30 a.m. and at Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church, Norway Ave. and Green Oak Dr. in Huntington on Saturday, April 30. Graveside services following the memorial will be held in Spring Hill Cemetery, Huntington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Odyssey Hospice, 1140 Hammond Drive, Suite B-2100, Dunwoody, GA 30338; St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, Building Fund, 1978 Mount Vernon Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338; or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Harvey Taylor, 61, chief Coke packager

When it came to bottling soft drinks, Harvey Taylor was a wizard. During a 29-year career at Cola-Cola Co., the forward-looking engineer and executive helped develop and market the first plastic soft drink container and to create a can that enabled Russian cosmonauts to drink Coca-Cola in space. “

Harvey was the foremost packaging expert at the company in bottles, both plastic and glass,” said Andy Harvill of Sapphire, N.C., a retired Coke engineer and executive. “He was very involved in almost all the packaging innovations from the mid-1970s to the late 1980s.” Those include the plastic screw cap for soft drinks and plastic recycling technology.

Harvey Carter Taylor III, 61, died at his Dunwoody residence Friday of neck cancer. The body was cremated. The memorial service is 10:30 a.m. today at St. Luke's Presbyterian Church. Cremation Society of the South is in charge of arrangements.

The West Virginia native joined Coke in 1970, after earning a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech. Early in his career, he helped design and test a 64-ounce contoured returnable glass bottle. “We called it the frog bottle,” said Mr. Taylor's executive assistant, Pam Windom-Yawn of Valdosta. “If it broke, it shattered like a windshield, holding the fragments together.”

By 1973 Mr. Taylor had been promoted to management and “started working on the 2-liter plastic bottles that you have now,” Mrs. Windom-Yawn said. “We did all the specifications, testing and design and took the concept into market. There were no plastic bottles for soft drinks before then.” For the Latin American and European markets, Mr. Taylor helped develop machinery for inspecting returnable plastic bottles, testing the returned bottles for toxicity. “That technology didn't exist before Harvey led the whole process,” Mr. Harvill said. “It became very successful.”

The 1980s took Mr. Taylor to Australia --- where he was responsible for product and package development in the South Pacific and introduced Diet Coke to the region --- and to Japan, where he cut through red tape to get packaging costs down, Mr. Harvill said. Mr. Taylor returned to Atlanta in 1990 as director of engineering. He supervised one of Coke's first think tanks for future technology, Mrs. Windom-Yawn said.

Mr. Taylor's final job at Coke was as director of strategic development. He took early retirement in 1999 to go scuba diving and butterfly hunting, make stained-glass windows, create sophisticated videos, track his family genealogy back to President Zachary Taylor, and play guitar by ear at family and neighborhood events.

In 1997 --- five years in advance --- Mr. Taylor began choreographing his 40th high school reunion in Huntington, W.Va. He tracked down lost classmates, booked the band and created CDs of favorite music of the era. More than half of the 350 class members showed up for the Class of 1962 event. “It was the mother of all reunions,” said his high school classmate Linda Hodges of Lilburn.

Survivors include his wife, Chris Fonte Taylor; a son, Scott Taylor of Dunwoody; a daughter, Christy Holmes of Atlanta; a sister, Carter Taylor Seaton of Huntington; and two grandchildren.

B-More In Control!

2009-07-07T13:40:00.000-07:00

Dog Owner? Wanna be? You should come!
I plan to be there and so do many of the members of B-More Dog.

Pat enjoys the "Gut Buster"

2009-06-02T11:46:00.001-07:00

IMG_2922
Originally uploaded by howe2skate72

And no, it did not.
Bacon and Beer Happy Hour(s) at Bad Decisions was a success, as usual.

W.T.F.

2009-05-07T06:45:00.000-07:00

This ad has been driving me crazy for months.
It's on a lot of sites- news stations, etc.
Is this picture effective for sales?
Really?
WTF!

Did I mention Stella's latest brush with fame?

2009-04-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

OK, in case I missed you, she continues to be more famous and more popular than I ever will.
Plus she photographs better!

She was featured on The Baltimore Sun's pet blog "Unleashed" on April 13.
...I didn't even have to enter her- the author found me!!

Collared Today: Stella

Help me reach my goal! Sponsor Me at March for Babies!

2009-04-17T06:50:00.001-07:00

I don't have children- I may someday.
But I don't think that keeps me from knowing that there is nothing worse than losing a child.
Help me DO SOMETHING.

INHUMANE SOCIETY

2009-02-24T05:49:00.001-08:00

BE INFORMED.
Know where your money goes and what it supports.

The pup on the left is one of the 60 puppies that
was seized and destroyed. On the right, a former
Vick dog, now working as a therapy dog. Didn't
the lil'guy deserve a chance? ONE CHANCE?

Read more about this at:
http://baltimorebulldogs.blogspot.com/
http://badrap-blog.blogspot.com/
http://bestfriends.org/

Flyer:
http://bmoredog.ning.com/forum/topics/humane-society-pdfs

Found- a Wonderful Dog That Needs a Home

2009-02-23T09:12:00.000-08:00

Fellow friends of dogs and/or Baltimore people,

Let anyone who might be interested know that I found an absolutely gorgeous, fantastic dog on the streets this past Saturday and that he will be available at BARCS on 2/25.

He is a pit bull, a blue/grey brindle with hints of light brown (such a beautiful color) and green-grey eyes, and he also still has his full ears and tail. He is very thin but otherwise in great condition. Oh, and he knows "Sit."

He is just SO well-behaved! Totally sweet, playful, docile. Loves ear & butt-scratches, and gives nuzzles and little teeny kisses. I found him in our back alley and he came right in our yard! He was a little nervous at first but played with both me & my brother Pat after only a minute.

He also played with my pit/lab Stella and let her beat him up a while before I called it off because I was worried about him, being so cold & thin.

He was wonderful in the car when I took him to BARCS- rode perfectly and quietly with no fuss. And not a peep the whole time.

If I wasn't moving to a smaller place (with my dog) that already had other dogs this weekend I wouldn't even have let him go. I cried when I left him and I think Pat almost did. This boy deserves a great home.

Anyone can email me if they want to know more about him!

My City Questionnaire

2009-02-13T11:36:00.000-08:00

Baltimore is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is Hampden.

When I crave seafood I always go to Fell's Point.

To escape tourists I head to the Waverly Market.

If I want to have a great martini I go to Ixia.

For complete quiet, I can hide away in Sherwood Gardens.

If you come to my city, get your picture taken with an enormous flamingo or a neon, winking, disembodied head.

If you have to order one thing off the menu from Mama's on the Half Shell it has to be Maryland Crab Soup as your appetizer. It's the best I've ever had!

Red Tree is my one-stop shop for great gifts.

Locals know to skip the Inner Harbor and check out Harbor East (upscale) or Station North (hipster) instead.

When I'm feeling cash-strapped I go to The Dizz.

For a huge splurge I go for Tapas.

Photo ops in my city include Mount Vernon and Hampden and the best vantage point is Federal Hill.

If my city were a celebrity it'd be John Astin. Educated, intelligent, creepy & cooky...

The most random thing about my city is that everyone gets called "Hon" and no one objects!

My city has the most diverse men (from hipsters to hip-hop).

My city has the most interesting women (smart & sassy).

In my city, an active day outdoors involves a long dog walk.

My city's best museum is The Baltimore Museum of Art (close call w/ The Walters Art Museum though!).

My favorite walking route is The Avenue in Hampden!

For a night of dancing, go to The Depot. Or, for live music, check out Ottobar.

Papermoon Diner is the spot for late-night eats.

To find out what's going on at night and on the weekends, read Baltimore City Paper or Twitter.

You can tell a lot about my city from the way we're willing to laugh at ourselves, but are still proud.

You can tell if someone is from my city if they don't say Bal-TI-more. It's either BAL-timor or Bawlmer.

In the spring you should spend time in our many parks.

In the summer you should hit all the museums- there's so many!

In the fall you should hit all the festivals!

In the winter you should go to 34th street!

A hidden gem in my city is Atomic Books and all associated with it.

For a great breakfast joint try Pete's Grille.

Don't miss the HonFest festival in June.

Just outside my city, you can visit Washington, DC or Shenandoah, West Virginia (in about the same time!

The best way to see my city is from the top of Federal Hill.

If my city were a pet it would be a sweet kissy pit bull mix mutt- it can be tough but is mostly cool and funny.

If I didn't live in a city, I'd live on the ocean.

The best book about my city is not a book, it's the "Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore!" series 1-10.

When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is "Streets Of Baltimore" by Gram Parsons.

If you have kids, you won't want to miss the Maryland Science Center.

John Waters could only happen in my city.

My city should be featured on your cover or website because we're odd and a little troubled but we're unique and a lot of fun.

Create your own!

MOTHER RULES

2009-02-11T13:28:00.000-08:00

I just want to say that Her Bad Mother is BAD-ASS.

Ask Animal Planet to stop airing anti-pit episode

2009-02-10T12:02:00.000-08:00

PLEASE help me out on this!

As many of you know, Animal Planet is usually a pit bull-friendly network.

I recently saw an irresponsibly-made episode of Miami Animal Police from years ago where two loose pit bulls attacked & killed a man's rabbits. It was admittedly horrible, but became even moreso when the voiceover talked about pit bulls as "vicious animals". The animal control officer actually said "That's why we have a ban on pit bulls in Miami". As if other dog breeds would behave differently if they were abused, made to fight, and then left to their own devices!

I would like to ask Animal Planet to review these programs to ensure that they do not put out bad info and/or espouse breed bans.

If a lot of us go to http://extweb.discovery.com/viewerrelations this week and make a POLITE Network/Program Related complaint about this daytime Animal Planet program (select "Other"- it's not on the drop-down menu) they WILL flag it and investigate.

Thank you!

hirsute- Uploaded by ellynkocher

2009-02-05T11:32:00.001-08:00

hirsute
Originally uploaded by ellynkocher

What can I add?

CAST OF "DOGTOWN" & "VICKTORY DOGS" ARE "TIRED OF" ANIMAL CRUELTY

2009-01-29T13:07:00.000-08:00

Everyone, I featured these bracelets on We Covet on on January 16, 2009 and thought you might like an update. Or maybe it's just I wanted to show off the pictures of the beautiful puppies!

This is from an "I'm Tired" press release, so feel free to (kindly) repost.

CAST OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL'S "DOGTOWN" AND THE "VICKTORY" DOGS SUPPORT THE "I'M TIRED OF ANIMAL CRUELTY" BRACELET CAMPAIGN

Just as the new season of National Geographic Channel's "Dogtown" is about to get underway, the cast got cozy with their favorite "Vicktory Dogs," rescued from the abuse of former NFL Quarterback Michael Vick, while showing off their "I'm Tired of Animal Cruelty" bracelets. Half the sale ($5) of each $10 bracelet goes to benefit Best Friends Animal Society, the rescue and rehabilitation center where "Dogtown" takes place.

Best Friends Animal Society was responsible for rescuing 22 of the Michael Vick Pit Bulls and bringing them to Utah for rehabilitation. Six of the show's human stars, as well as the rest of the cast, will be wearing their bracelets on the new season of the show and supporting the fundraising efforts of the "I'm Tired of..." (ITo) campaign.

The "I'm Tired of..." bracelets were created by brother and sister team, Dan Hoffman and Carrie Pollare, to fight against the world's issues that we are all tired of, like animal cruelty, world hunger, global warming, cancer, diabetes and so many more. The fashionable bracelets are made from recycled tires and
metals, creating a fun play on the word, tired, and cost just $10, so anyone can afford them. Then half the sale ($5) from each one is donated to charities the company is aligned with that support each cause. Best Friends Animal Society is the beneficiary of the sales of the animal cruelty bracelets.

The I'm Tired of Animal Cruelty bracelet can be purchased at www.ImTiredOnline.com, as well as bracelets supporting other causes, including AIDS, Autism, Alzheimer's, Cancer, Child Abuse, Diabetes, Global Warming, Heart Disease and World Hunger.

For more information, visit www.ImTiredOnline.com. Press contact is Carrie Pollare, carrie@ImTiredOnline.com, 310-314-3660. Photos courtesy of Gary Kalpakoff and Best Friends Animal Society.

Shown with their "Vicktory" dogs are (top to bottom) Animal Behavior and Training Consultant Sherry Woodard with Ellen (wearing her "I'm Tired of Animal Cruelty" dog collar), Assistant Dog Care Manager John Garcia with Georgia (most recently of The Ellen Show), Dr. Mike Dix, Dogtown's Medical Director, with Handsome Dan, Dog Care Manager Michelle Besmehn with Ray, Veterinarian Dr. Patti Iampietro with Denzel and Trainer Pat Whitacre with Lucas.

Stella Meets Santa.

2008-11-25T14:54:00.000-08:00

Stella and I met Santa (aka John Woestendiek ) last Saturday for a "South Baltimore Christmas" photo in Riverside Park, complete with lawn chair.

John had an eventful day, best illustrated by photosets starting here and here. Or you can just read his blog entry- he's quite charitable. Not surprised he's not doing it again on the 6th in Federal Hill- but if you didn't get your pups picture you should! It's only $5 and benefits BARCS' Franky Fund, providing medical care to sick and injured animals

Stella liked Santa just fine, and happily took some treats from him, but was confused by the whole posing thing. This is her puzzled face.

Also? My hair is way too long. I need to stop being lazy and get it cut.

B-More Dog!

2008-10-20T11:51:00.001-07:00

Are you a member?

Hobo Times A-Comin'.

2008-10-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

In the light of current economic trends, I think that hobo times are upon us.

I therefore claim one of the 700 hobo names described by John Hodgman in his treatise The Areas of My Expertise.

#538: Shanty Queen Elizabeth Regina

Let it be known throughout the land.

wtfpalin

2008-09-30T13:32:00.001-07:00

Atomic is the coolest store evar- proof is in the wtf.

wtfpalin
Originally uploaded by sugarfreak

Free handbags, whoohoo!

2008-09-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

So I'm all about the free. And all about the bags.
Anyway, you should try and get a free handbag!
HandbagPlanet is giving away 24 bags in 24 hours to celebrate their launch on October 15, 2008 so try it out!

Research

2008-09-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite comic strip of all time, Dilbert, perfectly describing what it is like to be a Researcher sometimes. If only I could be like this guy!

Good Pit Bull (Hell, DOG) Owners...

2008-08-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

Stella at 5 months- hiding from paparazzi

1. DO NOT alter their animal's appearance for unnecessary reasons. This includes ear and tail docking.

2. Crate-train their animals. Veterinarians and trainers agree this is the easiest way to potty-train an animal, as well as prevent separation anxiety and destruction caused by teething and a puppy's natural chewing impulses, which often don't begin until a puppy is older.

3. DO NOT strike or otherwise physically punish a puppy. This is counterproductive and will eventually come back to make the puppy aggressive.

4. Socialize their animals early, and often- so they do not fear things. Before your puppy is 12 weeks old, make sure it has met other adults, children, and babies, as well as people of other races. Also make sure it has met dogs (that you know have had ALL VACCINATIONS) and cats, if possible. Take your pup for car rides and walks so they experience different sounds and smells.

5. DO NOT take their puppy to a dog park or dog "common area" before they've had all their vaccines (usually 3 months). This exposes them to parvo, a devastating virus that is often deadly.

6. Exercise their puppy regularly- one hour of walking/heavy play per day is important once the puppy is past three months of age unless there are health problems.

7. DO NOT give their puppy adult food before 6 months of age. Puppies need the extra vitamins and fats in puppy food. Make sure the puppy only eats the amount recommended. Do not feed dogs people food!

8. Spay/neuter their dog when their vet recommends. Breeding dogs should be left to licensed breeders, and fixing your pup means they will live longer and be less aggressive.

A happy dog is hard work but well worth it!

Originally posted on the Sugar Network

Last weekend.

2008-08-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

There was a storm. Like few I've ever been in. The thunder was so bad I gave up sleeping at 5 am and laid down on the couch with Stella so she would stay calm. And the lightning! It was like there was a flash constantly going off outside the window. I actually turned on The Weather Channel to make sure there wasn't a tornado coming.

When I let Stella out around 6:30 it was foggy. At least that's what I thought at first. And then I smelled it and felt my eyes sting. Like I was at a big old bonfire. I had heard sirens earlier in the night but that's not uncommon- I live near a fire station and a highway. But the sirens got steadier and steadier... Stella was freaking from the noise so I thought I'd better take her for a walk. And I could see what was going on. As soon turned onto Keswick I knew something had happened.

As I started to walk up Keswick fire engines went by, one after the other. Then I realized they were just sitting there. From Field Street all the way up to 33rd. I kept waiting to see a house on fire, a person being loaded into be an ambulance, something. Then I got to the corner of 33rd and Keswick (about three blocks from my house).

The Mount Vernon United Methodist Church was on fire. More appropriately, it was smoking. You can't see the number of water jets aimed at it from my cameraphone picture but there were several. I watched the steam and smoke rise off the building in disbelief. It was apparently struck by lightning.

It's hard to stand still when big things are happening. I walked Stella up to Chestnut south of 34th street (also filled with fire engines). Standing with the other early-morning dogwalkers and other lookers-on, I watched people who had been evacuated from their homes, stand in fear and panic while firemen tried to keep them calm and make them comfortable. I saw shingles go flying off the roof as they were hit by enormous streams of water. I have never seen that many fire trucks in my life.

They took down the steeple soon after- it is boarded up and fenced off. Lots of people have stopped by to take a look, to snap a picture, to think. The church itself is stone, over 160 years old. But with the inside destroyed to the tune of $5.5 million, much history has been lost and a lot will be needed to restore this already-struggling little gem, site of weekend yard sales and corner chats.

Baltimore Sun coverage

fun with flickr

2008-07-31T11:27:00.001-07:00

OK, so I found this on Queering Domesticity (a GREAT blog). She got it from Robyn of craft & found. It is so cool I wanted to pass it on! The idea is to make a flickr mosaic that represents you.

Here's mine:

1. For My Friend Jo Ann, 2. Shellfish symphony, 3. Spaulding Fibre, 4. Blue Sky and Clouds, 5. Russell Crowe DSC_6788, 6. Gin & Tonic, 7. Dublin City, Ireland, 8. Moonstruck chocolates, 9. I don't know the answer, 10. yiayia mom stella 1948, 11. Loyal North Lincoln Militia, Old Barracks, Burton Road, Lincoln, 12. blue steel

The idea is that you go to the Flickr search box and type in the answer to each of the following questions, find your favorite pic off the main page, and enter the url for the photo into the Mosaic Maker.

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you attend?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10.What do you love most in life?
11. One word to describe you.
12. Your Flickr name.

Thanks, Meaghan!

Brooke Hogan said WHAT?

2008-07-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

"You know what? I am actually not that much into voting. I think it’s kinda crazy that a woman is running, because I think that women deal with a lot of emotions and menopause and PMS and stuff. Like, I’m so moody all the time, I know I couldn’t be able to run a country, ‘cause I’d be crying one day and yelling at people the next day, ya know?"
—Brooke Hogan, when asked who she's voting for by a potential roommate on her series Brooke Knows Best.
-on E! Online

OK, where do I start with why this bothers me?

Is it the fact that we seem to celebrate stupidity by giving people like the unelectable Ms. Hogan, Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie, etc. TV shows? Not to mention shows like The Hills or Krappy Kardashians or whatever it's called. I can't even keep track of them anymore.

Or is it because a 19-year old woman would actually think like that in this day and age? So, what- women are OK to raise the next generation of leaders, just not BE one of those leaders? Or men don't have emotions?

Or is it that this was even reported, and therefore pissed me off?

Don't worry, Brooke Hogan (or whatever your name is). You will never run a country. You will never run a borough, population 14! As long as you open your mouth and just let words come flying out without any thought, you will never run anything. NO ONE takes you seriously. And if you want to know why, just re-read what you said and realize that you know less that nothing. If you knew nothing, you would have kept your mouth SHUT.

Hampden has a killer Walk Score!

2008-06-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

Another reason why I love Hampden-

It's WALKABLE! My address got a 74 out of 100 and I live on the south edge.

Not that I'm always taking advantage of that, of course. But I can. And I am going to even more now that I'm reminded of how lucky that is!

Now it's true, I'm still gonna drive to get groceries (too heavy) and prescriptions (I love my CVS) but I forget sometimes that most things are just so close and I get rushed. But soon my work will be moving to within walking distance and that will be EXCELLENT!

What's your Walk Score?

http://www.walkscore.com/

Stella plays it coy

2008-05-23T07:59:00.001-07:00

What could I possibly add to this?

Where do you fall on The Political Compass™?

2008-05-05T06:22:00.001-07:00

Well lookie here! I'm on the left!

In other words, I'm a stinking liberal. No bones about it. Not a big surprise.

Apparently I am somewhere between Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama. Quite flattering, actually.

Is anyone else disturbed that Bush is more "facist" and more "right" than any other current leader?

Take the test for yourself! The Political Compass™
I'm curious to hear how other people do on this test- I get the feeling that many of the bloggers/ twitterfolk I am in touch with are also going to be on the left.

Straight Talk Express, page 1

2008-05-01T08:37:00.001-07:00

Straight Talk Express, page 1
Originally uploaded by Mobtownshank

Mobtownshank is bringing the truth to the people. Fight the power, Benn!

Fashion Can Kill

2008-03-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

Bradley Bayou has figured it out. But at what cost? I wish there was a way that men could mentally experience, just for a day, what women go through. The hatred of the body, the shame, the humiliation.

Still, he is trying and did a brave thing. Let's hope it wakes people up.

Down in the Hole

2008-03-07T10:31:00.000-08:00

-OR-
My real estate situation is paining.

So for the last 5-6 years (who knows?) I've lived in an unusual, character-filled 1800s house in Stone Hill, a very old neighborhood in Baltimore that I consider part of Hampden (although I'm quite sure the people who paid $350K-$1M for their homes do not). The house is quaint- 6 and 1/2 foot to 7 foot ceilings, three floors, "chimney" staircase- so the rent is cheap. I'm one of only a few renters in the neighborhood and my house is the smallest and not in the state my neighbors would prefer. I get criticisms about the landscaping (I try to keep it neat but I'm no gardener, sometimes there will be weeds IN MY YARD), if my car bumper is in front of their property, blah, blah, blah. We live in a city, not the suburbs.

And, frankly, over the last two years the place has fallen apart. I currently have an exposed duct heating system in my kitchen (rather than in the wall) because the wiring is so old that it would have been too expensive to hard-wire it. There is a large section of my kitchen floor that is plywood because it started to collapse a few months ago and had to be replaced. Last week I had no electricity for a day. Oh and the bathroom and third floor aren't insulated.

So I'm looking for a place for under $1,000 a month in Hampden. For two people, that's not a shoebox because it's my brother living with me still and we need some space.

HA! NOT LIKELY.
So I'm stuck in this cold collapsing shack surrounded by snotty neighbors FOREVER.
WAH.

What's your theological worldview?

2008-03-04T11:33:00.001-08:00

What's your theological worldview?
created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Classical Liberal

You are a classical liberal. You are sceptical about much of the historicity of the Bible, and the most important thing Jesus has done is to set us a good moral example that we are to follow. Doctrines like the trinity and the incarnation are speculative and not really important, and in the face of science and philosophy the surest way we can be certain about God is by our inner awareness of him. Discipleship is expressed by good moral behaviour, but inward religious feeling is most important.

Classical Liberal

75%

Emergent/Postmodern

75%

Modern Liberal

71%

Roman Catholic

46%

Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan

43%

Charismatic/Pentecostal

39%

Neo orthodox

36%

Reformed Evangelical

11%

Fundamentalist

99.9% « The Website of Unknowing

2008-02-29T11:18:00.000-08:00

99.9% « The Website of Unknowing

Thanks to DiSnazzio for showing me this site! Carl McColman's Blog on "Cafeteria Catholics" (those who choose to be Catholic while differing with the Church on issues of doctrine) was amazing.

“Cafeteria Catholic” and “the cafeteria is closed” are insults, typically used to imply that conscientious dissidents are traitors — disloyal to the church.I find it odd that the traditionalists would dare to accuse others of being traitorous, since Christ suggested that the one who calls another a traitor will answer for it in hell fire (Matthew 5:22).

Meanwhile, statements like “one cannot be 99.9% Catholic” are forms of judgment. So anyone who says something like this appears to be disobeying Christ’s command as laid out in Matthew 7:1.

Definitely check out the rest of the article if you are interested. I found it a relief to read what I somehow knew from a young age, that it's OK to not agree with everything "The Church" tells you, that you can believe it's a good thing without believing everything they say, that the sum outweighs its parts.

My baby goes under the knife- on tv.

2008-02-17T10:40:00.000-08:00

This was definitely the most interesting Valentine's I'm likely to ever have (since I'm not particularly fond of the day, single or no)!

Stella got spayed.

You're gonna do whaaat?
Aw hell to the naw.

But as a supermodel!
Well, that's different. I accept.

The Maryland SPCA here in Baltimore City opened a new low cost spay/neuter clinic and she was the "model" pit bull puppy for the procedure- since all their puppies are fixed before adoption they wanted a community pit bull to use as an example.

Now, the fact that she has a heart on her chest, and that she turned 4 months old, all on Valentine's Day?

...and is not afraid to pose nude?

All a coincidence- it's all about who you know and the wonderful man who adopted her mother (a shout-out to Vince C!) knew the Development Director at MD-SPCA and suggested Stella.

More surprising- we ended up being featured on two local newscasts as part of the story: WJZ (CBS) filmed part of her surgery (don't worry, no gross stuff) and WMAR (ABC) was really funny. The opening was also covered in the Baltimore Sun although we weren't mentioned.

The MD-SPCA people did a fantastic job- everyone was so nice and just perfect, really. Stella is doing wonderfully (although cranky that she can't be as active as usual) and I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

I can has sticks AND chewies again?

Baby, I'm a Star.

2008-02-08T10:55:00.000-08:00

My puppy is a star! (And I am a stage mom.)

The Maryland SPCA is opening a new spay & neuter clinic for low-income eligible pet owners here in Baltimore- hoping that it will encourage owners to get their animals spayed/neutered without as much of a concern for costs. They wanted to use a pit bull/pit bull mix puppy both to educate about the breed and to encourage people to spay/neuter their pit bulls and other popular "city dogs". Since they spay their puppies before adoption they were looking for one in the city still needing to be spayed- and my sweet Stella fit the bill.

Not only will my puppy with a little heart on her chest be celebrating Valentine's Day by getting "fixed" but I just realized that the 14th will be Stella's birthday (4 months old!) That is a whole lotta coincidences, yes?

If you (or anyone) is interested, there are pictures of her here (lots of new ones):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/annrc/sets/72157602744958902/

2008-01-14T11:36:00.002-08:00

This is Stella at 7 weeks. She is twice as big now at 12 weeks but I've been so busy being with her I haven't had a chance to post new pictures. I will soon, I promise!

Baby Stella

2007-11-25T19:22:00.001-08:00

Baby Stella
Originally uploaded by BaltimoreGal

My sweet baby girl. I'll be bringing her home on 12/15!

NTBB display case x 12 cuteness

2007-11-19T13:08:00.001-08:00

NTBB display case x 12 cuteness
Originally uploaded by Shawnimal

BEST.
THING.
EVAR.

Ninjatown blind box!

2007-11-19T13:07:00.001-08:00

Ninjatown blind box!
Originally uploaded by Shawnimal

WANT.

Fire at Domino Sugar plant now contained -- baltimoresun.com

2007-11-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness!

My friend in the sky- my favorite guy

2007-06-20T10:54:00.001-07:00

canton_012007_brewershill04
Originally uploaded by Pat Gavin

I can't say this any better than Pat did-
"No matter where you go in Canton, Boh is always watching you. Sort of like God."

Uploaded by Pat Gavin on 21 Jan 07, 1.35AM EDT.