Dom

On Sunday, Erin and I also went to see the Lipizzaners perform in Trenton with Rachel and her friends. Rachel's friend got the tickets when they first went on sale months ago. As a result, we had the most amazing seats in the house. Not only were we on the floor directly next to the ring, we were also in the front row. We were close enough to smell the poo.

"Man, if one of these things spooks, we could die," I commented as we sat down.

On the ticket stubs, it specifically said no cameras allowed. I called Rachel when we got there. She asked someone working in the building and they said regular point and shoot cameras were allowed, but no videos or special lenses. Not wanting to tote my camera bag around for nothing, I left the whole thing in the car.

Minutes later, the narrator welcomed us to the show. "Feel free to take as many pictures as you want," he greeted the audience. "You may even use flash. Please do not video tape or digitally record this show as this is prohibited by law..."
I nearly screamed.

At intermission, I ran to the truck (against the rules, but the guys at the door were really nice and let us back in) and grabbed my camera. Sadly, all the airs above ground were in the first half of the show, so I didn't get anything terribly exciting. Sorry to disappoint.

The show itself was good. I hope to see the real Lipizzaners in Austria some day and realize that these guys aren't nearly as good. While we did ooh and ahh at the airs, we also spent a good bit of time critiquing the second level dressage and laughing when the horses made crabby faces at each other or refused to perform moves. The best was the one who kept kicking out when he was asked to levade. "Nah, nah, nah. Audience!! You can't beat me!!!" Haha.

Anyway, on to the pictures:




( Pretty dancing ponies. )

I'm still too lazy to edit all the kitten videos I've taken, but I thought I'd share some pictures. Since I've pretty much decided to keep Smudge, Runty, and Stupid, they're starting to spend supervised time in the rest of the apartment with my girls. They love all the extra space. Isis and Pandora aren't thrilled.






( Cute. )

When I get bored, I teach my horse stupid pet tricks. This one took forever.



Sorry about the cell quality.

Hornswaggle Hill photos are finally up!!! I think more are coming.

This was the ride I got thrown and dragged at the start of. I emailed the photographer to ask if she got it.
So far:
Top of the mountain. You can see the drag marks on my pants.

Back of the pack. Looking unamused.

Finish Line. Still smiling :)

New plan for Ozzy!!! I'm going to get a bull for my birthday and make it angry so Ozzy can get more responsive. I think he could totally be as versatile as a bull fighting horse if I just got him chased fast enough. *shifty eyes*


No?

After sending photos of the damage to my parents, I called the insurance company to file a claim. I was worried about the outcome, but ended up very pleased with the result.

I have to pay a $100 deductible and go up to Flemington to an approved facility where they will fix my damage regardless of the cost. That's it. I don't have to wait for a police report. I don't need any paperwork. There's no limit on how much they'll cover. And my rates won't go up!!! That and there's no rush. I can make an appointment whenever I want.

"Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there."
True story.

I have videos, too, but I'm too lazy to dig my little camera out.

The kittens are doing well. They're growing quickly and getting more agile by the day. They love people and climb into bed and onto the couch with me. They're cuddly, playful, fluffy, and round... everything kittens should be. I'm giving them generic names (Runty, Smudge, and Girly... who responds to Stupid thankyouBryce) to keep from getting attached, but I secretly wish I could keep them all. They should be ready to go to new homes soon. They all eat, drink, and use the litter box. Huzzah!


Runty on the bed.


And in the window.

( Kittens. )

Teaser photo:

Was driving home from Dev's and got about 15 minutes from my apartment. I was on 31, just before the Flemington circle. Nothing but businesses and dealerships all around. Not exactly a wooded area. There was a deer in the Border's parking lot, and I guess he didn't want to be there. I was in the left lane, saw him jump into the road, and slammed on my brakes. The brakes locked, smoke flew from my tires, and the deer didn't stop. *sigh* I wish I'd been speeding and just kept going. I would have missed him.

Instead, this gigantic buck plowed head first into the side of my car at full force. I was still going about 40. The deer was probably going about 30. It's a good thing I drive a metal car because he would have been in my passenger seat, spearing me with his antlers if I drove something made of fiberglass. I thought I heard shattering glass, but I think that was the sound of every bone in his body breaking at once. There's no way he survived.

At this point in my life, nothing really surprises me. I didn't scream. In fact, I didn't even really flinch. I just sighed, turned on my flashers, pulled into the shoulder, and got out to assess the damage.

My poor, poor Tercel. Both passenger side doors are badly dented. The seals on the windows are busted, and if I'd had a mirror, it would have been history. At least I have an excuse to get THAT fixed now. The car is drivable, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's totaled in terms of value.

I sighed, calmly gathered all my information, and dialed 911.

"Hi. I'm on 31 South, just before the Flemington circle. I'm ok, but I just had a deer hit me and there's a good bit of damage. I'm not sure if he's in the road posing a threat to traffic, but I'm out of the way. If you could send an officer out, that would be great."
Moments later, the cop pulled up. He asked if I was ok, took down my information, then took a look at the damage. "Wow." *long pause* "He really DID hit you."
"Yeah. I'm not kidding when I said he slammed into the side of my car."

So I hit drunk drivers and deer hit me. *sigh*

Police report will come in this week. I'll have my parents decide what they want me to do about the insurance. I should be more fazed, but I'm just not.

"Are you ok?" the officer double checked before letting me get back to my car.
"Yeah. Just aggravated. I was having a pretty good weekend. Thanks for coming out."

I'll have pictures of the damage tomorrow. My poor Go Kart :(

Erin and I went for a ride after work despite the fact that the wind was blowing at about 50mph. We were walking along behind the vineyard and I was chatting my head off as usual.

"O, ew. Dom, don't look down," Erin wrinkled her nose in disgust.
I continued on with my story and didn't look down.

Moments later, Ozzy dropped his head, I assumed to graze. Next thing I knew, Erin was shouting, "No! Don't let him eat that!!!"

I looked down and was horrified to find that my horse was trying to eat a dead rabbit.

Bryce says, "Maybe it tasted like carrots?"

Dear Ozzy,
You are a horse, not a carnivore.
Love,
Dom

Went back to the zoo today. I am proud to report that we saw every exhibit this time around. Updates later. Photos now.




They had an awesome exhibit where you go into the pen with the kangaroos! *squee*


Same with the lorikeets, and for $1 you can buy a cup of nectar.


But my shot of the day was the orangutans. I was watching the female sulk when the male came over to comfort her. I couldn't believe my eyes at what happened next. He puckered up and rubbed shoulders with her. She glared at him for a second, then softened up. They kissed... for several seconds! On the lips! She closed her eyes! Woah. They are so human it scares me.

( Zoo! )

We went to the Columbus Zoo today... definitely the highlight of the trip! We're going back tomorrow so we can see everything without rushing.

For now, here's my set of photos from today:








( Animals! )

piperrhiannon just came by to pick up the torti from the Bluestone litter, now named Amelia. Good luck, Molly, and thanks for giving the little girl a home!

Quick back story on some of these kittens, so you guys understand where I stand.

Erin and I noticed the crazy cat house a few months back when we were riding Ozzy and Willie into town for ice cream.

It was like, "O look, a kitty on a porch."
"Two kitties on a porch!"
"Three, four... eight kitties on a porch! Holy crap."

The other day, Jen saw a cat hit at the side of the road and went up the doorstep to tell the people the bad news, which is when she noticed that the place was swarming with cats. The people are a nice (but clueless) older couple who think people just keep dropping cats on their property. Never mind that they're almost all black and white. A kitten followed Jen to her car and they told her they didn't care if she took it. In fact, they've been very helpful in assisting us with catching the cats. They don't care if we trap, euthanize, rehome, or Trap Neuter Release. They're willing to shell out SOME money, but they're old and are clearly having problems supporting themselves, let alone a hundred cats. The good news is we ARE working with a TNR coordinator and should be trapping and fixing the unfriendly part of the population in the near future.

So Jen has been taking cats home a few at a time. She had the first batch tested and they all came back negative across the board.

Today I went with her. It was insane. Cats running across the porch, lawn, and yards. An abandoned, overgrown swimming pool FULL of cats. And litters in the garage out back. They were tough to catch, but I managed to snag a few. At one point I got stuck in a fig tree trying to grab the little things. The tree slowed them down and made it harder for them to see me, but I needed help getting out afterwards.

Jen has already spent $400 out of her pocket to help these guys.

I'm not about to take anything that's sick or mean-feral. In fact, I found a home for the torti, but am returning the other two Bluestone kittens to Brenda tomorrow. Socializing them isn't going well and they're trashing my room. Plus, I'm going away both this weekend and for a vacation next week. The little kittens will come with me for the weekend and stay with Jen while I'm away.

Right this very second there are eight cats of various sizes in my apartment. It's ridiculous. Jen has another eight (two of her own and six rescues) at her house. On top of the three kittens I brought home, we managed to catch three older cats (one about three months, one about five, and one about a year). The afternoon was spent injecting fluids and antibiotics, bathing smelly kitties, and applying flea prevention.

I have reached my limit (and then some). I don't mind fostering three kittens at a time, but I have to find homes if it's going to continue. The good news is that the three little ones seem to be warming up to people already. The one with the little bit of white on her face LOVES scratches, and the other black/white is very playful. They'd rather be on my chest than in their carrier and I should have no problem sculpting them into friendly, lovable kitties.

Of course I've taken some time out to photograph the little guys, and come bearing cute faces galore. Please pass the word to anyone you know who might want a cute fluffy thing to love for the long haul.


Puss in Boot. The new Ariat commercial. Ha.

( Fluffy kittens... again. )

Because apparently horse rescue isn't enough, I am getting into kitten rescue.



Quick version of the story... there is a crazy cat house down the street with literally hundreds of cats all over the porch, yard, garage, etc. Jen has been taking them home a few at a time and rehabbing them. Today I went with her and caught a few cats. On a whim I went to the garage and heard rustling leaves. Found a litter of wee baby kittens. *sigh*

My cats let the kittens out of my room this morning. I woke up, saw the door open a crack, and thought, "Uh oh." I thought I'd heard meowing in my room earlier, so I hoped they were just hiding under the bed. I took a shower and saw Isis and Pandora sitting in Juliette's open room. "Uh oh." As I left the bathroom, I spotted a tabby tail disappearing under the couch in the living room. "Uh oh." Then I saw Isis and Pan still in Juliette's room. "Damn."

So my morning consisted of chasing feral kittens around the living room in an attempt to round them back up. I didn't manage to capture the torti, but she's the friendliest out of the three so I'm not terribly worried. This did mean I had to get Is-is and Panny-poo out of my roommate's room though. My usually approachable cats decided this would be the best time to play "you can't catch me".

*le sigh*