Archive for August, 2009

No Autographs, Please

Monday, August 31st, 2009

Well, it’s official. Dustin is a bona fide celebrity. If you turn to page 84 of the Summer issue of “The New Barker”. (It’s the one with the painting of a bulldog on the cover.) You will find an article that I wrote on Dustin’s adoption. Yup, it’s a two-page spread with a great portrait shot of Dustin sitting in the back yard.

If you remember, The New Barker was instrumental in getting us a room in Miami for the weekend trip to pick Dustin up. Through them we were hooked up with the Hotel Indigo and the entire process was made infinitely simpler because of it. Naturally they were very interested in the story and I wrote an article about the experience on the off chance they could use it. Well, they did. There’s a nice shout out to Kathy Cremer and the Pet Rescue Group (where we adopted Dustin) as well. Cool, huh?

So what’s that make it? Dustin has modeled for a print ad for a rescue group. He’s been the subject of my most popular blog entries, and now he’s the subject of a magazine article. All in all, he’s doing pretty well. Maybe I should hire his publicist. Oh, wait, I AM his publicist.

What’s that about?

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Two Minute Review – District 9

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

If you’ve been wondering if the new Sci Fi flick directed by a relatively unknown director, shot in Johannesburg, South Africa, and starring an actor nobody has ever heard of is worth seeing, the short answer is: yes, most definitely, yes.

Ok, if that’s the answer, the question becomes: Why? What’s so good about it?

That’s a little bit tougher but the bottom line is that it’s a really good Science Fiction film — with a good story, performed well, and with something real to say. No, seriously, when’s the last time you saw a Sci Fi film that actually had something to say other than: “Look out! Aliens are attacking!” Throw in that the leading character is really such a dweeb that he’s the last person you’d consider a hero until (after some very poor choices) he manages to dig deep and find the hero inside of himself and you have a pretty good flick.

I particularly liked that this ISN’T a Hollywood movie. The director/writer was born in South Africa so he went home to shoot it. It was made a shoestring budget. There are no big names in it. By stripping away the typical Hollywood production values the director was able to make the story seem very real and plausible. The exterior shots were done in a real slum and the story is told in a documentary style. You can practically smell the sweat and feel the grime on everybody. And people behave in a believable (though a sadly immoral) way.

The film is Rated R and deserves that rating – it’s dark and violent. But there’s ultimately a spark of hope in it that will make you feel better about the human race and anticipate the sequel. Cause you know there’ll be a sequel.

Posted in 2 Minute Review | 1 Comment »

In Need of Homes

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009

I’ve been getting so much attention to my posts about Dustin that I thought I’d take advantage of the opportunity to let you know of some other dogs who are desperately in need of homes. Please know that this isn’t meant to make anybody feel bad or guilty. On the contrary, it’s to take advantage of the power of the Internet and alert as many people as possible to the loving animals that are available. It’s like the old shampoo commercial — if I tell ten friends, and they tell ten friend, and so on, and so. Eventuallly, the person who is meant to adopt a certain animal will find out about that animal. And the rest is Kistmet. So if you know anybody who might be ready to adopt, let them know about these guys.

Kathy Cremer emailed me this list from Sabbath Memorial Dog Rescue. Sabbath is facing an eviction notice and, while they are fighting the eviction, are trying to get as many of their dogs adopted as possible. Here’s the gist of the note.

1) First and foremost . . . We need to get as many off the property as we can . . .

2) . . . the animals still need vet care, food and medicines . . . if anyone has the financial means, please donate to Sabbath by:
Mail: Sabbath Memorial Dog Rescue Center
P.O. Box 472933
Miami, Fl 33247

or

go to www.sabbathrescue.org and donate by paypal

IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED in adopting, CALL ROBBIE 305-799-1567

BRANDY…Female Lab mix that is as playful as could be. Gets along with all people and other dogs. 65 pounds, 1.5 yrs old w/brindle coat. Great with kids, adults and everyone.

ASHLAND… Great looking Husky mix is only 1.5 yrs old and has one blue eye and one brown eye. He is friendly w/ all persons & other dogs. About 50 lbs now.

JACK… Yellow-Lab mix about 2 years old. He is about 65 lbs & very friendly. A strong dog that likes to play and run. He loves
attention.

BONES…AM BULLDOG mix. 1 yr old. Neutered. Current on vaccines & heart-worm prevention. Found weighing only 30 lbs & now is 90lbs. Full of energy, very friendly & affectionate. He is Alpha so another Alpha in the home would not work.

WHITNEY..is a 5 yr old female pure breed boxer, very sweet & loving. Very mellow but would be better w/ a family of adults & older kids. She is very friendly w/ all people. She really is an excellent dog.

CAMI.. Is a beautiful smooth skinned 2.5 -3.5 yrs old & very sweet. Poor baby was given up by owner due to $$$ problems. We are not sure of her breed but she is a beauty. 60 lbs & good w/other dogs

STARLETTE…Is a beautiful Black Lab mix that is about 3 years old and weights about 60 lbs.Very friendly, playful & affectionate with all. Older kids are ok.

Andie A beautiful small dog that looks like a Rat Terrier mix.She was turned into us after being found roaming the streets in SW Miami. About 20 lbs., very friendly w/all people & good w/other dogs.

BRISCOE… A really fine looking reddish Lab/Chow mix. Under 4 yrs old & weighs about 60 lbs. Fully trained, acts like much young- er & good with dogs & cats.

MISTY…..This girl is a Boxer mix. Only about 2 years old and gets along great with all people and other dogs. She is about 45 pounds and not a big dog. Misty has been with us a few months now and we are hoping someone will adopt her and give her a new home and a new life. She is well worth it. A very good deserving

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In Need of Homes

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009

I’ve been getting so much attention to my posts about Dustin that I thought I’d take advantage of the opportunity to let you know of some other dogs who are desperately in need of homes. Please know that this isn’t meant to make anybody feel bad or guilty. On the contrary, it’s to take advantage of the power of the Internet and alert as many people as possible to the loving animals that are available. It’s like the old shampoo commercial — if I tell ten friends, and they tell ten friend, and so on, and so. Eventuallly, the person who is meant to adopt a certain animal will find out about that animal. And the rest is Kistmet. So if you know anybody who might be ready to adopt, let them know about these guys.

Kathy Cremer emailed me this list from Sabbath Memorial Dog Rescue. Sabbath is facing an eviction notice and, while they are fighting the eviction, are trying to get as many of their dogs adopted as possible. Here’s the gist of the note.

1) First and foremost . . . We need to get as many off the property as we can . . .

2) . . . the animals still need vet care, food and medicines . . . if anyone has the financial means, please donate to Sabbath by:
Mail: Sabbath Memorial Dog Rescue Center
P.O. Box 472933
Miami, Fl 33247

or

go to www.sabbathrescue.org and donate by paypal

IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED in adopting, CALL ROBBIE 305-799-1567

BRANDY…Female Lab mix that is as playful as could be. Gets along with all people and other dogs. 65 pounds, 1.5 yrs old w/brindle coat. Great with kids, adults and everyone.

ASHLAND… Great looking Husky mix is only 1.5 yrs old and has one blue eye and one brown eye. He is friendly w/ all persons & other dogs. About 50 lbs now.

JACK… Yellow-Lab mix about 2 years old. He is about 65 lbs & very friendly. A strong dog that likes to play and run. He loves
attention.

BONES…AM BULLDOG mix. 1 yr old. Neutered. Current on vaccines & heart-worm prevention. Found weighing only 30 lbs & now is 90lbs. Full of energy, very friendly & affectionate. He is Alpha so another Alpha in the home would not work.

WHITNEY..is a 5 yr old female pure breed boxer, very sweet & loving. Very mellow but would be better w/ a family of adults & older kids. She is very friendly w/ all people. She really is an excellent dog.

CAMI.. Is a beautiful smooth skinned 2.5 -3.5 yrs old & very sweet. Poor baby was given up by owner due to $$$ problems. We are not sure of her breed but she is a beauty. 60 lbs & good w/other dogs

STARLETTE…Is a beautiful Black Lab mix that is about 3 years old and weights about 60 lbs.Very friendly, playful & affectionate with all. Older kids are ok.

Andie A beautiful small dog that looks like a Rat Terrier mix.She was turned into us after being found roaming the streets in SW Miami. About 20 lbs., very friendly w/all people & good w/other dogs.

BRISCOE… A really fine looking reddish Lab/Chow mix. Under 4 yrs old & weighs about 60 lbs. Fully trained, acts like much young- er & good with dogs & cats.

MISTY…..This girl is a Boxer mix. Only about 2 years old and gets along great with all people and other dogs. She is about 45 pounds and not a big dog. Misty has been with us a few months now and we are hoping someone will adopt her and give her a new home and a new life. She is well worth it. A very good deserving

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No Thanks Needed

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

Every since we adopted Dustin (the wonder dog) we’ve gotten emails from people who thanked us for adopting an older dog. In each case I felt like we didn’t need to be thanked. We were the ones who came out ahead. It’s like bending over and picking up a diamond everyone else just passsed by. I got lucky and made out like a bandit. So don’t thank me, I got the diamond. And yes, my 10-year old dog is a diamond. He came to me housebroken, calm, polite, and loving. And right from the get-go he’s given us so much joy.

The other odd thing is that despite all the work you’re in for people want puppies because they’re cute and playful. But Dustin doesn’t know he’s not a puppy. Yes, he’s a little stiff in the morning but he’s always ready to go for a walk. And he trots down the street like he’s got an appointment to make. He has warts and is a little gray around the muzzle but show him a squeaky ball and get ready to play. He also loves a good tug of war. And cute? He’s got a face that always makes me smile.

So what did I do? I adopted a mature dog that knows not to go in the house. Knows not to chew on the furniture, who loves to play and can still outrun me. Like I said, I got the diamond.

A friend sent me the following poem. It’s about adopting an older dog. WARNING, it’s a tear jerker. But I’m adding it here cause it does bring home the point that older dogs have a lot to offer and any dog adopted out of a shelter is a life rescued — and a friend for life.

>> ONE BY ONE …
>>
>> One by One, they pass by my cage,
>> Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
>> Way past his time, he can’t run and play.
>> Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.
>> A little old man, arthritic and sore,
>> It seems I am not wanted anymore.
>> I once had a home, I once had a bed,
>> A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
>> Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
>> Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
>> My family decided I didn’t belong,
>> I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
>> Whatever excuse they made in their head,
>> Can’t justify how they left me for dead.
>> Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
>> The younger dogs get adopted away.
>> When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
>> You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
>> You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
>> And felt I still had life beyond this cage.
>> You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
>> And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
>> We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
>> You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
>> I may have lived most of my life with another,
>> But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
>> And I promise to return all the love I can give,
>> To you, my dear person, as long as I live.
>> I may be with you for a week, or for years,
>> We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
>> And when the time comes that God deems I must leave, I know you will
>> cry and your heart, it will grieve.
>>
>> And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
>> My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
>> And I will brag to all who will hear,
>> Of the person who made my last days so dear.
>>
>> – - – - – - – - Author Unknown

Posted in Dustin, General | No Comments »

Common Sense, Sometimes, Ain’t That Common

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

Ok, I just saw this on www.anotherealm.com. It’s a web site for Sci Fi, Fantasy, and Horror fiction. The site is an ezine but it has a bulletin board where people can post information on the stories they publish or on writing in general. A fellow writer posted a link to a story about how publishers are now requiring that authors meet their delivery dates — or they’ll cancel the contract. Ok, there’s more wrong with that statement than you know. To save on typing I’m going to repost my comment here. I’ll post a link to the original newstory at the bottom of this entry. But all I gotta say is no wonder the publishing world is in trouble. And here I am trying to break into it.

My response:

Well, duh? Isn’t it obvious that not meeting your contractual obligations is grounds for the contract to be terminated and any money advanced to be returned? I like how the article says that publishers didn’t used to mind if authors missed their delivery dates. I’d very much like to meet those publishers. Imagine running a clothing factory where it’s ok if the guy making the cloth for your clothes does or does not make his delivery date. Imagine the clothing stores being told they aren’t going to get their orders cause the factory never produced the outfits.

Yeah, that works.

I’m sorry but I think that very few writers in this world can get away with that kind of behavior. Even J.K. Rowling, whom at one point was making more money than the Queen of England, got in trouble by being a year late on one of her books and her publisher started talking about suing her. Meeting the terms of your contract is just good business sense.

Besides, if you’re lucky enough to land an agent, and then luckier to land a book deal, you should really have no problem delivering your book upon the promised date. I mean, that’s why you’re there, to deliver your book, get published, make the NY Times Best Sellers List, win an award, get called a “hack” by the critics, get called a “sell out” by the fans, get into a fist fight with the paparazzi after a night of binge drinking, get sued for plagiarism by a writer who didn’t win any awards, go into rehab for an undisclosed “ailment,” find Jesus (or Moses, or Allah, or Buddha, or L. Ron Hubbard), and start again. It’s the Cycle of Publishing Life, get used to it.

The original story can be found here: http://www.observer.com/2009/books/note-authors-make-your-deadlines

Posted in General, On Writing | No Comments »

Pixar’s “Up”

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

This review might be a little late but what the heck, the movie is still enough fun to mention. The short review is that if you haven’t been to see “Up” then I recommend it.

Now I know what some of you are thinking — it’s an animated film. Those are for little kids, right?

Well, not exactly. Pixar has been on a remarkable winning streak. They’ve been making animated films that not only entertain the little ones but which have a lot to say to us adults. They’ve also shown that they will use solid storytelling techniques and not cheap out because it’s a cartoon. (Spoiler Alert!) And as if to prove the point, there is a sequence very early in the movie that reveals to us the main character’s entire life – and it’s done without dialogue. It’s just a series of images, or moments, which shows his life as he lived it. It’s terrific. In fact, it’s so good that about 50% of the audience at my showing was in tears at the end of it.

How’s that for storytelling?

I was reminded of the fact that Walt Disney said he knew he was on to something when, standing at the back of the theater at the premier of “Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs,” people cried when it looked like Snow White was dead. Walt was amazed that the audience was responding to an animated character as if she were real.

Well, Pixar has hit the same nerve. By the end of the film you’ll believe in an old man who ties balloons to his house to make it fly, a Boy Scout who’s never really been on an adventure, and a dog “who’s only just met you and already loves you.” It’s tons of fun.

Posted in 2 Minute Review, Fun Stuff, General | No Comments »

Some Things Strike Me Funny (And maybe they shouldn’t)

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

Being unemployed (yes, I am a victim of the economy) I’m constantly looking for new employment opportunities. So, imagine my surprise (and amusement) when the following two headlines appeared, one above the other, on my Yahoo.com Home Page:

“Florida’s hydroponic pot: House-grown and super-potent”

“Earn your keep on vacation by being an organic farmer”

Hmmm, Florida is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country. Maybe there are opportunities for a bright young man like me in organic farming. AAAAAAnd, Florida’s hydroponic pot seems to be going for $400 a brick ($800 if you sell it in the Northeast). Hydroponic is sort of like organic, isn’t it?

All I can think is that the poor guy who labors to make sure there are new and interesting News feeds going into the Yahoo Home Page every minute of every day must not have been paying attention.

Or maybe it’s a sign. Maybe God wants me to . . . Sorry, sorry, that’s wrong and I know it. May the Good Lord forgive me for such thoughts. But let’s face it, the Devil is having some fun at our expense. I read the article on Florida Pot. Seems it’s really good stuff. Seems it brings in a really good price. And it seems that the number of arrests for growing pot in your living room in Florida has doubled in the last year. No surprise given the economy.

All I can say is that it’s hard enough being unemployed. It’s just wrong to tease people like that. We’re only human.

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