Wesboro baptist FAIL

Seems that only about six members managed to protest Red State at Cannes. There were more counter-protesters than protesters.

And Westboro, anything you protest is only going to make more money and become a larger attraction. With your publicity seeking, you are giving free marketing to the things you allegedly hate. You are idiots.

on kittehs and vets

Some of you may remember that about a year ago, my kitty had to have two teeth removed. And that the vet didn't give me any painkillers for her. Which, apparently that vet doesn't do unless the painkillers are requested. Because it's not obvious that having two teeth (one a molar) yanked would cause pain. I quote "We didn't know she was in pain." Me: "When I have teeth out, I'm in pain. Of course the cat would be in pain."

This conversation happened again last week when I asked them to send Lily's records to a new vet. I asked them why they didn't automatically give painkillers when a pet has surgery. "No vet ever does that." Oh really? Cause when I spoke to my new vet office and asked them the hypothetical question of a cat having two teeth out and what medication would be sent home, I was told antibiotics and painkillers. Automatically. I also know quite a few people, in quite a few states, who don't have to ask for painkillers if their animal's been through surgery. It's automatic, because most people seem to understand that if an animal has surgery, it WILL be in pain. No brainer, right? Yeah, thought so.

So we went to the new vet Saturday. It's a bit farther away and Lily HATES going anywhere in the car. She seems to still be traumatized by being left at a shelter. She's always fine on the way home, but going anywhere, she cries so pitifully. She stares through the carrier at me, sticks her paws out to grab me. It's sad. Oh, and she doesn't seem to like "Battle of Evermore" because when it came on the radio her cries were much louder.

So not only is the new vet's office much nicer (the old one hasn't been remodeled since about 1965, which isn't a big deal, but it always seemed a little dingy), but the vet I saw is sooo much better than any of the vets I saw at the old place. Instead of just holding her on the table and examining her, he took the time to talk to her, try to calm her down. It was obvious he likes animals, that it isn't just a job, if you know what I mean.

And he found out what's wrong with her ear. For about a year and a half, Lily's left ear has been oversensitive. I noticed it when her scratching was causing some bleeding. She's always had sensitive ears, and they've always been dirty. Some cats have waxier ears. But her left one started producing a LOT of wax. The first vet checked for mites (none) and said she had a bacterial and yeast infections. Antibiotics. It seemed better for a while and then was bothering her again. Took her back. Stronger antibiotics. Better for a while and back to bothering her. I tried a few home remedies which seemed to work a little, but she didn't like at all. (The vinegar and water one made her cry pitifully. That wasn't used again.) So I would just clean it every few days and she was fine. Sometimes lots of ick, sometimes not. Naturally I mentioned it to this vet. Guess what? No infections. Poor little thing has a polyp in her ear. That's why it's sensitive. Seems this isn't all that uncommon and they can grow one of two ways. Hers is growing up, which is the harder one to remove. So he said that he didn't recommend surgery unless it becomes severely painful for her. It's also a very delicate surgery, so there's no reason to take the risk at this point. And we have drops to use when her ear starts bothering her. She hates drops and my god does she try to fly out of my hands, but in a few minutes she's not twitching her ear anymore.

Other cool things: vet's accent. Office has a "pet portal"--if you give them your e-mail, you can check your pet's health status online!

So if you're looking for a vet near Old Bridge, NJ, I'll let you know who to go to and who not to.

wow, some people are crazy

Yesterday Kevin Smith was getting spammed on Twitter by one of the Phelpses. Fred Phelps, for those of you who don't know, is the (insert adjective of your choice here) individual who founded Westboro Baptist "Church." I'm thinking that Red State may be hitting a little too close to home for some people.

I know I'll be seeing it.

http://red-state.movie-trailer.com/

On Mammograms

So I went for my routine mammo today. I must say the place was very nice, MUCH nicer than where I went 7 years ago. But then, that's the difference between a comprehensive breast center and a radiology center I suppose. In fact, this place was so nice that they gave me a pink rose when I left.
That's when I realized that mammos have become like dating: you get your boobs manhandled and squashed and get a flower out of it.  Dinner would have been nice though.

not quite the snowpocalypse

Not the huge blizzard they kept saying it would be. A few inches out here in Jerseyland. So I waded out to the bus stop. It was really quiet. I saw one, maybe two cars pass by. And I waited. And waited. And waited. So then I get the bright idea to check the NJ Transit site (yay for smart phones!). Seems the bus I take was going straight from a bus stop farther away than the train station (short drive but half an hour walk with not a lot of sidewalks and a marshy area that looks good for dumping bodies) to the city, cutting off the end of the route. Where my bus stop is, of course. So I have an unintentional snow day today.

The Numbers!

btw, I really should have played Mega Millions yesterday. I mean, I never play the lottery, but I know damn well what numbers I would play.

The winning numbers last night: 4 8 15 25 47 with the mega ball 42. So damn close.

For the weird dreams file

I dreamed that a bunch of people and I were touring some caverns. There was some Cthulhuesque green disk that turned into evil spiders and not enough people could figure it out. I was closest, but I scurried away right quick! In doing so I ended up next to the tour guide. Said guide happened to be Michael Emerson. I asked him if he knew of any deserted islands to visit. He said he did, but he couldn't be sure where it was located. It was funny in the dream. Nobody else recognized him and it was a huge joke between us. The the spiders attached to someone's face and my alarm went off.

I obviously need a Lost fix.