Misuse of Animals

People sometimes just do dumb things.

Shark in Swimming Pool in California

I was saddened this week as I read the account of the shark which was flown from NY to LA for a commercial shoot. The article Kmart Shark Dies After Being Placed Into LA Pool for Commercial details the event.

Why ship a shark across the country for a commercial? Even better--why is a shark being used in a commercial for a retail store? Despite the safety assurances, shipping a shark has to be a very stressful event for the shark. Not to mention the expense to the company.

The whole incident just doesn't make the common sense threshold.

And on top of the loss of the shark a report about the incident in the LA Times states: "When the animal died, Kmart asked that a second shark be brought on set, but the production company refused and replaced the animal with an animatronic hippopotamus, Gallucci alleged in her letter."

"Perhaps more maddening is that white-tip sharks are on the list of threatened species due to a decline in population following the popularity of shark fin soup, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)." reports Ecorazzi. 

This whole incident just does not make any sense to me on any level.

I'm going to boycott Kmart for a while, because they need to get their ecological priorities straight. This incident demonstrates a lack of awareness and concern for threatened marine wildlife and the environment. They should have donated the money used for this commercial to a charitable foundation rather than killing one and possibly another shark before someone with common sense stepped into the situation.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Traffic Reflections

Every so often, I am reminded about how the joy of driving a nice car on a fast highway, like I see in the commercials, is not my usual driving experience.

I tend to wind up driving bumper to bumper lurching along on a rain swept highway at speeds below a slow jog turning a normal fifteen minute trip into an hour.

Why is it that rain makes the traffic snarl?

IMPORTANT DRIVING TIP: The lever on the left side of the steering wheel is designed to let other drivers know what is being planned BEFORE executing the maneuver. I just appreciate other drivers who crash (almost literally) across three lanes of traffic to get onto and off ramp they almost missed without regard for traffic around them or even thinking about a turn signal.

I saw a deer standing beside a particularly dark section of highway yesterday morning. I wonder . . .

I have been seeing more vehicles on the highway with unrepaired damage. Do they have insurance?

Driving should be a pleasure, not a chore.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

I have heard the saying that "no good deed goes unpunished" for many years. In fact, upon doing a little research the statement is attributed to Oscar Wilde. In my work worklife sometimes it seems to be the reality.  In my private life though, not so much--until yesterday.

How can two minutes doing a good deed turn into a fifteen minute delay? Fairly easily, as it turns out.

Heading out the door to take Makayla to the vet for her annual teeth cleaning I was asked to take a pie to the car to celebrate Pi-day. My hands were full and so I needed to make two trips. One trip for the pie and one for Makayla and her stuff.

That 2 minute delay leaving the house did not seem like a lot of time, but upon arriving at the vet to drop Makayla off another person with two dogs walked in just before me--maybe 30 seconds ahead of me. No bid deal, I was wrong!

Fifteen minutes later, the man was done checking his dogs into the vet for their procedures. It took less than 5 minutes to check Makayla in for her dental cleaning.

Ugh.

As the clock ticked and my blood pressure climbed I was in awe of how slow the checkin procedure was and how the man with the dogs found new and creative ways to lengthen the process.

The maxim about no good deed going unpunished was confirmed. Two minutes doing a good deed became a fifteen minute delay.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Pope for the World

I have been watching, fascinated again, as the Catholics select Pope.

It is a spectacle, complete with the Swiss Guards in full medieval regalia parading through the square.

I waited for the smoke to show like so many others looking at the most watched chimney in the world. I was also amused by the seagull perched in the chimney almost as if waiting for the smoke like the rest of us.

It is an exciting time. A rebirth of sorts--especially with the selection of the first Pope from the Americas. The transition of power--orderly and peaceful with reverence is a template for nations to emulate. I would not want 115 old men selecting the next leader for the U.S., but with that significant exception the selection of the Pope is a model process.

I watched the television to get the first glimpse of the leader of the Catholics. He is not my Pope, but still, I am interested in the process and the changes which will ultimately occur as the new leader takes control. I has been an interesting diversion from the murder-of-the-day news.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Governments and Furloughs

I read yesterday that Department of Defense employees will be receiving notices of impending furloughs as early as this Friday. I also read that the Senate has decided that Federal workers will not receive raises this year, for the third consecutive year.

I have lost about 5 percent of my income against inflation without the raises during the past three years, on top of that Maryland and federal taxes continue to increase as do healthcare and utility bills. I am losing money working.

And now, as a reward for my faithfulness, the DoD has decided to take another 20 percent of my pay for the rest of the fiscal year though furloughs. What a sweet deal!

What is wrong with this picture?

Under my healthcare plan,  some of my prescriptions are no longer considered necessary--and are therefore not covered. I love finding out about that when I go in for a refill and there isn't time to get a different prescription before running out. Oh, andI love it best when it is now "my" problem to solve even though "they" changed the rules and didn't have the courtesy to tell me.

Is the news getting any better? I think not. I am afraid to do my taxes for last year because I know I am going to have to pay the increases that Maryland levied mid-year that were not prorated. Politicians just don't get it.

Ok, so this is a rant. Maybe someone in high places will listen if we start talking about the insanity of it all.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Return of the Peepers

One of the joys of living near a wetlands is hearing and watching the resurgence of life during the springtime.

Last evening it was the return of the peepers. They filled the early evening air with their unmistakable sound and in so doing made another step forward on the path to springtime. The signs of springtime are everywhere. The temperatures were again moderate--in the high 50's, the geese have been incredibly active, and the junco's have been migrating through spending some time at my bird feeders. But the peepers--they put the dot on the exclamation point that spring is truly here.

I am fascinated again this year, as I have been many years, with the process of springtime rebirth and reawakening. Life is returning, everywhere.

I reviewed my blog and I believe that springtime is about a month behind last year, although, it was very early. We had daffodils in February and I remember driving with the top down on the convertible. Not so this season. Things are slower, but I suspect they will be faster given the increased sunshine.

Nonetheless, spring is here and it is time to enjoy the ride.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 11, 2013

1. Two successive days of blue skies and 60 degree temperatures make spring a reality.

2. Team USA amazingly moved on in the World Baseball Classic thanks to the player of the game--Adam Jones from the Orioles.

3. Working outside around the house is therapeutic and a great way to break out of the winter doldrums.

4. Sequestration continues with no end in sight--next up, funding the government, budget, continuing resolution, or shut down?

5. Check out the comet that is now visible in the Northern Hemisphere. Just barely.

6. What can be better than sitting around a fire as evening falls, watching the stars come out, sipping wine and being with the one you love? Two nights in a row?

7. On this date in 1847, John Chapman 'Johnny Appleseed' died in Allen County, Indiana. This day became known as Johnny Appleseed Day. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

First Flower of Spring

First Springtime Flower

While out and about yesterday, I happened upon the first flower of springtime.

It is a small Tête-à-Tête Daffodil which was growing in front of a door in a small garden.

Already blooming to celebrate the rebirth of life as the daylight lengthens and the temperatures moderate.

Given the time I spend outside yesterday, it was nice to see the small flower. My own gardens are not far behind, with lots of buds on the daffodils. I noted that the squirrels have decimated all of my tulips--there are none left to enjoy this year. But the patched of daffodils and crocus should be beautiful when they bloom in a few short days.

I also found buds on the plum trees--they are the first bloomers of springtime and I always enjoy their while, lightly fragrant flowers.

Springtime is here!  Bring it on.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Welcome 60 Degrees

Early this afternoon it hit 60 degrees!

Chris and I had been working around outside all morning and had already shed our overcoats for just our heavy shirts.

The blue sky, the sunshine, and the work on the house and gardens had begun. The grasses around the pool have been cut, the leaves removed from the gardens and reestablishing the pool area has begun!

It was great to feel the sun on my face. I may have gotten a bit of a sunburn!!

Awesome!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Blue Skies and Sunshine

The Leaves are Coming

Saturday dawned with blue skies and sunshine.

It is awesome to look out at the now desolate trees and imagine them covered in green leaves, soon.

It is a pleasant thought. They are bare now, but with the passing of the last storm and the warmer temperatures expected for the week ahead, I believe that buds will form followed by the green of leaves to clothe the trees for the coming summer. Within the next short weeks.

The official beginning of Spring is only eleven short days away on Wednesday, March 20th. Although there is still the chance for cold and even snow, the likelihood is reduced with every passing day. On the 17th, we should cross over and have 12 or more hours of sunlight per day.

But for now, the blue sky is stunning. And while it is still cold outside, it warms me to see the sun and the sky and to imagine the seasons ahead.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD