MIAMI TO COSTA RICA

California's Prop 8 Decision: Shame

That's not okay.

 

What the Hell do you mean you're "out of butter"?  I was so irate the other day that, even with my usually decent Spanish, I simply could not conjure that phrase when I was told by the girl at the concession stand at the theater in Multi-Plaza that I would not be having butter on my popcorn.  So far, of the two places I frequent for movies, Multi-Plaza has always at least had butter (it was always cold, because they wouldn't want to plug in the $400+  heating dispenser, at the risk of shortening it's life...) - even if they do charge me for it and hide it behind the counter so no one can have what they might consider "too much", going along with what seems to be a national, obsessive fear of anyone getting more than their share.  The other theater I go to, in Plaza Mayor, simply does not have butter.  Period.  No explanation, nothing.  What worries me is that they still have the butter dispenser...behind the counter...and it's empty...like the ones at Multi-Plaza are now.  Is that how it happens?  They had butter (and yes, I know it's not butter, but some likely pertroleum-based, butter-flavored slime, like Supur-Kist) and then, one day, they ran out and, rather than continue being bothered by people who aren't satisfied with popcorn just the way it is, they decided not to get any more?  I skipped the popcorn.  I won't eat it without butter.  I'd prefer it if I could pump the butter on myself, rather than beg, fruitlessly, for more from someone who's even hesitant to give me more even when I say I'll pay for each extra pump.  Maybe that's what I'm really paying for when I see a movie in the states for $10.  Maybe I'm just paying $6 extra for free-flowing Supur-Kist?  Well, as it stands, the movies here cost me less and less all the time.  Without popcorn, the outing is even cheaper, but not as satisfying.  Maybe I'll start bringing my own butter.  I wonder is Supur-Kist comes in individual packs?

Got room for one more dog?

If you live in CR, you see a lot of stray dogs.  As someone who's rescued more than my share (back in the states) and still felt like I couldn't do enough, I know we can't save all of them, but I have to try when I can.  My daughter and I see this dog a couple of times a week up at Altos de Horizonte, near Los Anonos, on the road to Alejuelita.  She hangs out at the guard-house and, up until yesterday, I thought she and another dog (in the background) belonged to the guards.  Unfortunately, I was told Wednesday that she just turned up there a couple weeks back and the management (not a nice bunch from what I hear) is saying that the guards need to get rid of her - soon.  She's very sweet and gentle, my daughter hugs and pets her all the time and she doesn't look to be much older than 2 years.  I'm sure she'll need shots and spaying.  The guards call her "enano", which means 'dwarf'. You can see in the photos, she looks like a bit like an Irish setter with Basset hound legs - really cute.  I'd take her if I could, but we're maxed out on dogs and have no space.  If there is any way that you or someone you know can give her a home, please contact me as soon as possible.
She was probably dumped where she is and I'd hate to think of her dumped somewhere else, which is a possibility if they really want her gone.  Thank you for any help.  ;-)

Spock Trek

Go see Star Trek.  Go.  Now.  Go on.  While you're there, take a good look at Spock.  Wipe the drool.  I know it's Kirk's movie, but Spock is more intriguing...more dynamic...waaaay hotter.  While my husband has Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock on his "list" (the if-you ever-get-the-chance-I'll-let-you-have-a-freebie list), I've had Keanu Reeves and (go ahead, laugh)Drew Carey on mine.  Spock is there now. I thought about bumping Drew, but I think one sexually ambiguous choice is enough and, while Spock may be getting his groove on with Uhura, I have yet to decide which team the actor (Zachary Quinto from Heroes) plays for.  It does matter.  Really.  I can fantasize a lot of things, but 'straight' isn't one of them.  Neither is smart, which is the biggest reason for keeping Carey on the list.  Maybe I'll replace Drew and Keanu with Spock and Scotty...I'll have to go see the movie a third time to be sure.  Now, off you go.  Go see Star Trek.  Make a list of your own.

Have you heard the good news?*

"Let's see, what could we do that will get people killed in droves?  Hey, I know, let's pass out bibles to the Afghans!"  And then, in unusually sensible move (that will raise howls of anger from religious zealots hoping to convert heathens the world over) someone thought twice about this idiotic, illegal (forbidden by the military) and highly immoral idea and decided against it.  Looks like someone's finally using their head...

Military burns unsolicited Bibles sent to Afghanistan

*On the off chance that line is unfamiliar to you, it's the one I used to be hit with every Saturday morning when the doorknockers would come to sell me religion. 

And again...

Well, no baby on deck last month, so we're trying again.  I'm on day two of this month's dose of Serophene and I feel like shit.  I take the pill early in the morning and by 10am my vision is blurry, I have a headache and I'm nauseated.  I'm also fairly certain that my usually very low blood pressure is elevated.  The tight feeling in my ears makes me think my head is going to explode. 
Around 2 or 3pm, I expect to feel dizzy and have the first of several hot flashes. 
This will go on for three more days.  On the sixth day, when I stop taking the Serophene, I'll feel fine.  Then, a few days later, I'll feel a little draggy and tired and maybe have little twinges in my abdomen.  That's about the time I'm supposed to feel sexy and ready to make a baby.  Five days of "do-it-now" sex and then ten more days of waiting to see if we got it right.  I really don't know which sucks more, the crappy way I feel from the drug or the dread I feel about the results oriented sex.  No matter how much (or little) fun we have completing our assignment, I worry afterward the way I worried after tests in high school - did I get it completely right?  Did I dot every "i" and cross every "t"? 
As if all of that isn't enough, seeing as I'm a world-class worrier, I then worry that I have gotten pregnant and I fret over every thing I put in my mouth, every aspirin, every glass of wine.  Stop drinking the wine?  Oh, Hell no.  That (and chocolate) may be the only things keeping me together every month.
So, here we go again.  Yet another month where I will spend five days torturing my poor husband with panicked ovulation kit readings.  Let's hope it's the last. 

Garbage, only more worthless.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Look closely:  

This is Abby Toll, a 20 year old University of Colorado student who got pissed at her boyfriend for not kicking his dog out of their apartment.  This little shit-speck then took the dog, wrapped it in packing tape and stuck it, upside down, to a refrigerator.  The dog had a plastic bag on it's head, elastic bands on it's snout, ears and feet and had been badly scalded weeks earlier while being given a "bath".  She's being charged with a felony but, by the time all is said and done, if she's convicted of anything, it'll likely be a misdemeanor and she might have to take a class.  Her boyfriend sounds like a bit of an asshole too.  What she did was pretty bad, but those of us who have rescued dogs and collected and loved abused, neglected and abandoned animals know that it could have been worse.  Too bad she won't do some time.
Oh and this is Rex - her victim.

Have you washed your hands today?

Ten points to which ever genius at the Hallmark channel that came up with the idea of airing Steven King's The Stand during the swine flu panic.  In case you are unfamiliar with the premise of the book and mini-series, a synopsis can be found at Wikipedia.  I wonder if now would be a good time to show 28 Days Later or maybe I Am Legend too?  As it is, you can't buy a surgical mask or hand sanitizer in San José.  Believe me, I've tried.

Holy, holy, holy....

A story from CNN online: 

Survey: Churchgoers more likely to back torture

Why would this story surprise anyone?  Hasn't anyone heard of the Inquisiton?