Confessions of an Undercover PETA Member

I've always wanted to run a cat rescue. There are so many feral cats surviving out in the cold, searching for food and water when they remember a warm bed by the fireplace and yummy chicken dinners. They were oh so cute as little kittens, but then they grew up. A new baby came, or the owners moved, or they were just plain unwanted after their natural cat behaviors didn't mesh with their human's lifestyle. Even purebreds sometimes get the boot.

Yesterday I got to start my animal rescue, but not for a cat. Our home became shelter to a mistreated goldfish. You see, this goldfish was one of a few goldfish that was bought purely to play a trick on someone. The buyer thought it would be funny for his coworker to come in and discover goldfish in his water glasses. When the fish were discovered, this one was the only one still alive. So after a rough transfer to a vase, this little guy found himself lucky enough to have someone feel sorry for him.

When he got to my house, he was laying on his side gulping for air. (It sorta reminded me of those asthma commercials a while back.) I really didn't think he would make it. But I put him in an empty tank with melaluca and aquarium salt. And what do you know? He was still alive this morning. After some research, I put in a heater on the lowest setting to make the tank 70 degrees. I put in another dose of melaluca too. And tonight he was actually swimming around a little. He's still close to the bottom of the tank and still bloated, but I really think he's going to make it.

I was actually pondering putting goldfish in my smaller tank, so now I have a start. He's a pretty little guy with twin tails. (Strange that this trickster didn't just get cheap ordinary feeder goldfish.) So, now I hopefully have a new fish complete with his own tale: How Lucky Was Lucky.

So, no I don't claim to support PETA and I don't give them my money, but my heart is in the same place.

A Balanced View

You Are 50% Left Brained, 50% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

Where Have All Our Values Gone?

I love folk music. "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?" is one of those great folk songs that most people think of when reflecting back on the days of hippie communes and Vietnam War protests. The verses spin a circle of sadness because of a war many people felt was doing more harm than good. We see the flowers picked by young girls, the girls marrying young men, the men becoming soldiers, the soldiers buried in graves, and the graves gradually becoming covered with new flowers.

Today is a new era, and we are fighting a new war. But, the song I would write for today is "Where Have All Our Values Gone?" For, while the hippie movement did contain lower morals in some respects, it was also counter culture. Today's era is about not offending anyone, and proving that by saying everything is okay.

It's okay to grossly lie and call it nonfiction. How does a memoir of getting over drug addiction help others when the sensational stories in it are totally untrue? But, thanks to his publisher and Oprah's bookclub, James Frey has made millions trying to do just that with A Million Little Pieces.

It's okay to glamorize a homosexual relationship on the big screen. With all the great movies that were produced this year, why did Brokeback Mountian have to receive a Golden Globe for Best Picture? It certainly wasn't one of the biggest money makers, but it is apparently necessary to prove the judges aren't homophobic.

It's okay to sentence a child molester for only 60 days of prison. Is it? Apparently so, since this has not only happened once, but three similar times in the last few weeks in three different states. Now how is that supposed to keep our children safe?

Fortunately, there are still some brave souls that do have values. I commend Oprah for calling James Frey on his lies, and admitting to her embarrasment and disgust of selecting his book. So, here's my new verse for the 21st century.

Where have all our values gone; long, long time ago? They've gone to brave souls every one. When will we ever learn? When will we ever learn?