Since one set of my grandparents lives in Japan, we mostly communicate through email. EVERY time I get an email from my grandma, there's something NEW wrong with their pug!

 

(Jolly is short for Jolly Rancher - or as my grandpa calls him "jawrry")

As you know, Jolly had not been doing at all well for more than a month, but he is breathing well now so he doesn’t need the oxygen ICU any more. But he has a problem with the nerves in his back and his hind legs caused by a new bone that grew in his back. So he is receiving steroid IVs next weekend on top of last weekend. He also gets a series of three lazar treatments and already he is starting to be able to walk pretty well again. The other day he couldn’t walk.

 

It's insane. They've gone through like 6 pugs in the past 20 years. These dogs keep having epilepsy, narcolepsy, every other 'epsy under the sun. They're always on breathing machines, IVs, taking steroids, having an altered diet, etc. Now Jolly just grew a new bone in his back that is pinching his nerves?! Their pugs are such high maintenance and they insist on having them. I want to tell them they need to just get a golden lab or something when Jolly dies. They don't need the added stress of dealing with dog health issues.

 

Granted pugs are a more high-maintenance breed but that sounds like there's more to the story. Yes, they have breed-specific health issues but it sounds like their vet is getting kickbacks. How old is Jolly?

 

Jolly is probably 10 by now. Maybe a little older. Their last dog, Benny, had a bunch of issues too. I agree, I think there's some corruption among these vets. My grandma tends to be overprotective and treat her dogs like they're kids.  Maybe when she takes the dog in for checkups, the vet  'makes up problems' knowing that pug owners are more likely to believe it since they're prone to more health issues. Especially with my grandma being an old woman. Seriously, how does a bone suddenly just magically appear in a dog's back? Especially at an old age. That should defy genetics. I can't imagine hormones causing that either. I could see it effecting bone density but not an additional bone.

Btw, MayDay, here's Jolly for reference. I don't know how old he is exactly but he looks pretty old now. Doesn't look too Jolly these days. He was really skinny and lively back when I lived with them. You think I should suggest to her maybe get a second opinion from a different vet? As a pug owner, have you ever heard of new bones growing in, later in life?

 

 

I think the gay scared him.  lol

 

 

Note:  Don't know if anyone in the picture is gay, but my GayDar went off.

I'm guessing Jolly is at least 10 years old - our Emma is 9 and she has a smidge of grey in her face. Jolly has quite a bit more than she does.

 

My partner has said he's *never* heard of a "new bone" growing on a pug. Sometimes they have to have work done on their hips, but that's common for the breed.

Interesting. I'll mention the bone growth thing to her. I think you're right, it sounds like she's being scammed.

 

 

Note: Don't know if anyone in the picture is gay, but my GayDar went off.

 

Which one? Anamoto-san isn't gay and my grandpa obviously isn't.

 

I probably should have edited those photos before posting them.

I think the gay scared him.  lol

 

Note:  Don't know if anyone in the picture is gay, but my GayDar went off.

 

It's the cultural thing, honey. Your gaydar needs polishing.

She's completely fine with them, as are, of course, the kids. We'd been playing with hissers at COSI for years and finally decided to take the plunge.

 

Your son must love the heck out of COSI. When we gave NoFunk that tour in IV and knocked on your door, he answered and told us all about the last excursion. He said he won something at COSI and ColDayMan asked him how he won it, to which he replied "I bought it" lol!! He was trying to describe this ball that expands - no one could articulate how it works or what it's called but we knew what he was talking about.

 

 

I'm more concerned about the summer. If we don't separate the females from the males there'll be sweet, sweet love-making going on once the temp tops 80.

 

If I ended up with a bunch of giant hissing roaches l would call an exterminator. Then I would take about 5 of them, put 'em on my arm and when he arrives and I answer the door, I'd raise my arm and go "they're #$%^ing everywhere!!" The look on his face would be priceless.

 

Yeah, we're part of the reason why COSI is failing: we're heavy-use members. They did make some of their money back in their gawd-awfully over-priced gift shop. Milosz got to pick out some swag as a reward for kicking butt on his report card. From some of the exterminators I've known, though, unless it's an E.G.-Marshall-at-the-end-of-Creepshow type infestation, five hissers ain't gonna do it.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86kKGPkUXBI

Spotted on Craigslist's W-M for Cincinnati --

 

"I am an 18 yr old, gorgeous blue eyes, 5 1, 110 lbs, and very sexy. I am looking to meet up with some generous guys today!!! I can come to you!! Email me for pics and phone #. This ad is for real. The bengals suck!!"

 

Well, the Bengals do suck!!

Spotted on Craigslist's W-M for Cincinnati --

 

"I am an 18 yr old, gorgeous blue eyes, 5 1, 110 lbs, and very sexy. I am looking to meet up with some generous guys today!!! I can come to you!! Email me for pics and phone #. This ad is for real. The bengals suck!!"

 

Well, the Bengals do suck!!

 

:laugh: :laugh: Craigslist twink!  :roll:  :laugh: :laugh:

 

Anybody who's really gorgeous/sexy doesn't have to advertise in that smutpit full of disgusting trolls!

After a week in testing, I am finally releasing a new photo gallery for Abandoned (and soon for the other sites). Comments/suggestions please!

 

http://www.abandonedonline.net/index.php?catid=301&photos=1

 

The big improvements to this is the load times. It's basically non-existent. The photo gallery listings have now been compacted onto the left in a dynamic, srolling box. If there are photos with galleries, it looks like --

 

http://www.abandonedonline.net/index.php?catid=153&photos=1

Spotted on Craigslist's W-M for Cincinnati --

 

"I am an 18 yr old, gorgeous blue eyes, 5 1, 110 lbs, and very sexy. I am looking to meet up with some generous guys today!!! I can come to you!! Email me for pics and phone #. This ad is for real. The bengals suck!!"

 

Well, the Bengals do suck!!

 

:laugh: :laugh: Craigslist twink!  :roll:  :laugh: :laugh:

 

Anybody who's really gorgeous/sexy doesn't have to advertise in that smutpit full of disgusting trolls!

 

I contacted her and she sent me her picture.

 

 

 

Is it just me or does google maps now suck.  They slightly revised the layout making it more difficult to use street view. 

 

 

Yes, I hate it.

I think it's easier

I just got a report to stay out of the LV store on Fifth Avenue. There was a Big Fight.

 

This is why I don't shop on Fifth Avenue.  Too many wannabe's, shop lifters and window shoppers!  Where the hell was security??

---

According to MediaTakeout.com Jim Jones and his goons were shopping for the last Louis Vuitton manpurses when they ran into Ne-Yo and Jay-Z’s good friend Ty-Ty:

 

Things came to a head on Monday at NYC’s ultra-luxurious Louis Vuitton store on Fifth Avenue. MediaTakeOut.com EXCLUSIVELY learned that Jim Jones and a group of men ran into Jay Z’s best friend Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith and R&B singer Ne-Yo while doing some Christmas shopping.

 

Then, according to a witness who spoke EXCLUSIVELY to MediaTakeOut.com, one of Jimmy’s pals made a disparaging comment about Jay Z to Ty Ty. And when the 5 foot 4 Ty Ty responded – things really popped off.

 

The insider explained, “It was total chaos – Ty Ty got stomped out right there in the store – I though they were going to kill him. And when Ne-Yo tried to break it up, he got stomped too … someone had their foot on Ne-Yo’s neck!!!”

 

No word on the extent of injuries that either man faced. But our source claims that neither appeared to suffer serious injuries.

 

I’m a little skeptical of a “stomp out” that left no serious injuries. Were those Prada shoes on Ne-Yo’s neck? Even though a good black eye don’t show up til the next day. Either way, I’m not really trying to put beating up Ne-Yo and a 5′4″ Ty Ty on my thug resume, if this indeed happened.

 

Jim Jones has made a respectable transition from sidekick to entertainer (Remember “Me, My Moms & Jimmy”?) and even executive. But doesn’t he realize a beef with Jay-Z never really pans out? Ask Cam’ron, Fat Joe, Prodigy and even Nas. Did it get them extra sales? Only in Nas’ case. Did it get them more street cred? Nope. (Once a Fat Joe fan, you’re pretty much always a Fat Joe fan.) Has it diminished Jigga’s rep? Only his music can do that. So when will MC’s realize that this is NOT the way to get “Arab Money.” Fail.

 

Ne-Yo gets on my nerves.  All those harps and sh!t he throws in his music.  Bout time he got slapped for no reason lol.  The fact that it all happed at Louis Vuitton cracks me up.  I walked through there last year (of course I couldn't afford anything) but it's the last place I'd imagine something like that happening.  Sounds like a Boondocks episode in the making for season 3.

Ne-Yo gets on my nerves.  All those harps and sh!t he throws in his music.  Bout time he got slapped for no reason lol.  The fact that it all happed at Louis Vuitton cracks me up.  I walked through there last year (of course I couldn't afford anything) but it's the last place I'd imagine something like that happening.  Sounds like a Boondocks episode in the making for season 3.

 

This is why I shop on Madison Ave.  None of this would have happened on Mad.

 

According to MediaTakeout.com Jim Jones and his goons were shopping for the last Louis Vuitton manpurses when they ran into Ne-Yo and Jay-Z’s good friend Ty-Ty:

 

 

lmao

 

According to MediaTakeout.com Jim Jones and his goons were shopping for the last Louis Vuitton manpurses when they ran into Ne-Yo and Jay-Z’s good friend Ty-Ty:

 

 

lmao

 

the kii-kii is they were shopping together.  "how you doin'?"

That 'altercation' probably stemmed from Jim Jones and Ne-Yo fighting over the last LV bag.

That 'altercation' probably stemmed from Jim Jones and Ne-Yo fighting over the last LV bag.

 

LOL

Here's a story out of Ohio that brought a tear to my eye.

 

 

Shuttered bakery reopens, rehires workers

 

ASHLAND, Ohio (CNN) -- An Ohio bakery shut down in October is bustling again, with 60 eager employees who had expected a Christmas on the unemployment rolls.

 

Some 300 workers lost their jobs when the Archway cookie factory in Ashland, Ohio, was suddenly closed by the private equity firm that owned it. The workers also were left without benefits like health insurance.

 

But then Lance Inc., a Charlotte, North Carolina-based snack food company, purchased Archway at a bankruptcy auction. And last week 60 workers were asked to return immediately, with perhaps more coming back in the months ahead.

 

 

good story, but it's been posted here:  http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18042.0.html

See article for photos. Soooo cute!

 

What can cap off a unique car? Santa's hat, of course

By Ry Rivard, Daily Mail, December 24, 2008

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For those who saw a small, odd-looking two-seater wearing a Santa Claus hat and parked in downtown Charleston this week, let it be known that it was Robert Fernatt's car.

 

Like many owners of a Smart ForTwo, Fernatt is more involved with his car than the typical car owner.

 

Standing in front of his office at the Diamond building on Capitol Street, Fernatt explained how he came to put a hat on his car. It started with a Canadian software developer.

 

 

That 'altercation' probably stemmed from Jim Jones and Ne-Yo fighting over the last LV bag.

 

My wife and I were in the LV part of Saks the other day to buy something for my mother in law (some keychain). A couple high school age kids came in and started trying on sunglasses. One of them came over to the guy helping my wife and asked "Hey, how much are these sunglasses?". The guy said "670". The look on the kids face was priceless. He said "six HUNDRED??"

 

I heard him back with his friend saying "Why are they six hundred dollars". His friend said "That's because they're Louis-s, baby".

 

I'm with you kid. $600 for a pair of shades is preposterous.

 

On a side note, as we stepped out of the LV store, Lebron walked past us with his entourage. He had those big thick dork glasses on and a yankees hat (I still see you, Lebron!), and six guys to carry his bags.

Sherman, that reminds me of something I saw last week in my neighborhood (near the Christmas Story house) - three Mini Coopers (ivory, red and yellow) in a row. They all had reindeer "antlers" and the front car had a red nose. :?

That 'altercation' probably stemmed from Jim Jones and Ne-Yo fighting over the last LV bag.

 

My wife and I were in the LV part of Saks the other day to buy something for my mother in law (some keychain). A couple high school age kids came in and started trying on sunglasses. One of them came over to the guy helping my wife and asked "Hey, how much are these sunglasses?". The guy said "670". The look on the kids face was priceless. He said "six HUNDRED??"

 

I heard him back with his friend saying "Why are they six hundred dollars". His friend said "That's because they're Louis-s, baby".

 

I'm with you kid. $600 for a pair of shades is preposterous.

 

On a side note, as we stepped out of the LV store, Lebron walked past us with his entourage. He had those big thick dork glasses on and a yankees hat (I still see you, Lebron!), and six guys to carry his bags.

 

Well, I'm a firm believer that if you "need" or "must" ask the price of an item, you shouldn't be in that store!  Period.

Sherman, that reminds me of something I saw last week in my neighborhood (near the Christmas Story house) - three Mini Coopers (ivory, red and yellow) in a row. They all had reindeer "antlers" and the front car had a red nose. :?

Mini cooper, Marriott, san souci and some other vendors had sponsored an event and auction.

 

 

 

 

 

I heard him back with his friend saying "Why are they six hundred dollars". His friend said "That's because they're Louis-s, baby".

 

I'm with you kid. $600 for a pair of shades is preposterous.

 

Yeah, I don't really understand what you can do to a pair of glasses that necessitate that kind of price. You can get decent sunglasses for 10 bucks. You see so many women with the staple 'LV' bag, it's clearly just a way for women to try and look wealthy in public. Those bags are ugly if you ask me. They all look the same.

 

 

Well, I'm a firm believer that if you "need" or "must" ask the price of an item, you shouldn't be in that store!  Period.

 

Alright, snob.

 

I heard him back with his friend saying "Why are they six hundred dollars". His friend said "That's because they're Louis-s, baby".

 

I'm with you kid. $600 for a pair of shades is preposterous.

 

Yeah, I don't really understand what you can do to a pair of glasses that necessitate that kind of price. You can get decent sunglasses for 10 bucks. You see so many women with the staple 'LV' bag, it's clearly just a way for women to try and look wealthy in public. Those bags are ugly if you ask me. They all look the same.

 

 

90% of those are probably fake. My wife asked out of curiosity what the price of this one particular bag was. "oh , that's one of our new cruise bags. It's $2,300.".

 

Cruise bags, eh? Is that because they cost as much as one?

 

I heard him back with his friend saying "Why are they six hundred dollars". His friend said "That's because they're Louis-s, baby".

 

I'm with you kid. $600 for a pair of shades is preposterous.

 

Yeah, I don't really understand what you can do to a pair of glasses that necessitate that kind of price. You can get decent sunglasses for 10 bucks. You see so many women with the staple 'LV' bag, it's clearly just a way for women to try and look wealthy in public. Those bags are ugly if you ask me. They all look the same.

 

 

90% of those are probably fake. My wife asked out of curiosity what the price of this one particular bag was. "oh , that's one of our new cruise bags. It's $2,300.".

 

Cruise bags, eh? Is that because they cost as much as one?

 

lol...2300. That's crazy. If it's not a classic design it'll probably go out of style in 1 year.

 

That's why I always try and buy classic looking stuff. I only spend a lot on clothes if it's a t shirt,  polo or button up because the higher end stuff still doesn't cost that much.

 

If I can scrounge up some money within a few months I really want to get one something like this:

 

 

 

I only have 1 polo. I love that burberry polo and ralph lauren stuff is always classic. You can get really good deals online for expensive clothes - a lot of vendors give you exact measurements of the stuff so you know how its gonna fit without trying it on.

Alright, snob.

 

HATA!  I'm not a snob! 

 

If I was a snob I'd say,"you people should know your place!"

 

And if you need to ask the price of an item, it's not here!

 

or here (unless you would like to be apart of a fight)

 

 

or here

 

where I happened to pick up a pair of glasses as a gift for my dad

 

 

And God forbid they let you people in here

 

or here

 

You knowwhatImsayin'?  :wink:

 

 

 

 

lol...2300. That's crazy. If it's not a classic design it'll probably go out of style in 1 year.

 

That's why I always try and buy classic looking stuff. I only spend a lot on clothes if it's a t shirt,  polo or button up because the higher end stuff still doesn't cost that much.

 

If I can scrounge up some money within a few months I really want to get one something like this:

 

 

I only have 1 polo. I love that burberry polo and ralph lauren stuff is always classic. You can get really good deals online for expensive clothes - a lot of vendors give you exact measurements of the stuff so you know how its gonna fit without trying it on.

 

Sweetie, a Good handbag will never go out of style.  2,300 for a handbag is a bargain.

 

You scrounged for a polo?  You can do much better.

 

Classic well made garments transcend time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alright, snob.

 

HATA! I'm not a snob!

 

If I was a snob I'd say,"you people should know your place!"

 

 

 

You basically did. Sh!t, you pretty much said AJ's wife doesn't belong in Saks since she asked how much a particular purse is.

 

You're saying people who can afford upscale clothing don't look at price tags. No way in hell that's true. Some people have money BECAUSE they look at prices and think rationally. Everyone compares things. Like all BMW owners just walk into a dealership like "give me a red one, fully loaded - who do I write a check out to?". It's ridiculous. I hope you go broke from your impulsive irresponsible spending!

LL Bean suites me just fine. Their stuff is nicely made, comfortable, and wears like iron. The price is right, too, considering that it'll outlast the cheaper stuff by a factor three or four to one.

Alright, snob.

 

HATA!  I'm not a snob! 

 

If I was a snob I'd say,"you people should know your place!"

 

 

 

You basically did. Sh!t, you pretty much said AJ's wife doesn't belong in Saks since she asked how much a particular purse is.

 

You're saying people who can afford upscale clothing don't look at price tags. No way in hell that's true. Some people have money BECAUSE they look at prices and think rationally. Everyone compares things. Like all BMW owners just walk into a dealership like "give me a red one, fully loaded - who do I write a check out to?". It's ridiculous. I hope you go broke from your impulsive irresponsible spending!

 

Actuallly, I've seen that happen before.  Theres the car and honey can I have it.  Bam...they're driving off the lot.

 

I make a good salary, have only one reoccurring bill, have no dependents and have planned very well for my and my nephews and nieces future.

 

....and with that I'm off to Beachwood to be a.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tYLo9FkqNc

 

 

I heard him back with his friend saying "Why are they six hundred dollars". His friend said "That's because they're Louis-s, baby".

 

I'm with you kid. $600 for a pair of shades is preposterous.

 

Yeah, I don't really understand what you can do to a pair of glasses that necessitate that kind of price. You can get decent sunglasses for 10 bucks. You see so many women with the staple 'LV' bag, it's clearly just a way for women to try and look wealthy in public. Those bags are ugly if you ask me. They all look the same.

 

 

90% of those are probably fake. My wife asked out of curiosity what the price of this one particular bag was. "oh , that's one of our new cruise bags. It's $2,300.".

 

Cruise bags, eh? Is that because they cost as much as one?

 

lol...2300. That's crazy. If it's not a classic design it'll probably go out of style in 1 year.

 

That's why I always try and buy classic looking stuff. I only spend a lot on clothes if it's a t shirt,  polo or button up because the higher end stuff still doesn't cost that much.

 

If I can scrounge up some money within a few months I really want to get one something like this:

 

 

 

I only have 1 polo. I love that burberry polo and ralph lauren stuff is always classic. You can get really good deals online for expensive clothes - a lot of vendors give you exact measurements of the stuff so you know how its gonna fit without trying it on.

 

 

Up by where my parents live they have an unusual outlet center that's carries overstock from higher end stores.  I have a friend who buys a lot of Burberry and got it all at a normal store, only to return it all later when he got it for 1/4 of regular price at their outlet.  It shows the reality of pricing quite clearly.  I mean, they are still profiting at outlets.

^I like buying stuff online because online stores have practically no overhead - passing the savings onto me lol. Is it a chain outlet store? (like an off 5th?). Otherwise I bet the stuff is hot or fake.

 

Speaking of polos, I was walking past a Brooks Brothers the other day and finally noticed their symbol on a polo:

 

 

Here's the symbol:

 

 

What's with that?

 

 

 

PS-Does anybody remember this?

 

 

 

And here's a nice little follow up:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8v-QpOBb1w

 

um ok.....calll me crazy, but that was crazy!

I remember seeing that on tv for the first time.  That is soo crazy.  The second video is hilarious.

I remember seeing that on tv for the first time.  That is soo crazy.  The second video is hilarious.

 

The second video is GENIUS!

Speaking of polos, I was walking past a Brooks Brothers the other day and finally noticed their symbol on a polo:

 

Here's the symbol:

 

 

What's with that?

 

I didn't even know they had a logo. I have a Brooks Bros. tie from my uncle and it doesn't have a logo at all. I wonder if it's a new thing? Maybe they are trying to  appeal to the up and coming Pentecostals with something they can relate to like. . . the sacrificial lamb!?

Sorry for the double post but. . .

 

^^ THAT VIDEO WAS CRAZY. and the welcome to granby, priceless

Doesn't look like many of that town's buildings amounted to much, anyway.

 

From the way the dozer was blowing steam at one point, it looks like his cooling system may have been his Achilles' heel. I'll make it a point to remember that when I build me one o' them. I have a welder, but I'm gonna' need a bigger garage.

I was standing in my Starbucks Thursday morning bored out of my gourd (I have no clue why we were open Christmas morning, not a single person was there the first three hours) trying to imagine what I would do if one of those killdozers came through the window.

 

Doesn't look like many of that town's buildings amounted to much, anyway.

 

From the way the dozer was blowing steam at one point, it looks like his cooling system may have been his Achilles' heel. I'll make it a point to remember that when I build me one o' them. I have a welder, but I'm gonna' need a bigger garage.

 

Haha yeah.  I agree on those buildings Rob.  The town looked so boring in the first place.  I can't believe how powerful that thing was though.  I was reading an article about it and it said that they had the National Guard on alert because they needed more firepower.  As in tanks maybe??  It's just so freaking crazy.

It's such a shame the guy was that angry with the town. Looks like the troops in Iraq could use his help to armor up their vehicles. . .

Speaking of polos, I was walking past a Brooks Brothers the other day and finally noticed their symbol on a polo:

 

Here's the symbol:

 

 

What's with that?

 

I didn't even know they had a logo. I have a Brooks Bros. tie from my uncle and it doesn't have a logo at all. I wonder if it's a new thing? Maybe they are trying to  appeal to the up and coming Pentecostals with something they can relate to like. . . the sacrificial lamb!?

 

No, it's a sheep being suspended by a ribbon, it has been a symbol of British merchants for some time.  Looked that up a couple years ago when I first started wearing their clothes.

Also, I just realized my next post is #1900, and since most of my posts are incoherent anyways, I figured I'd waste #1900 in the off-topic thread instead of posting something insightful.

That Brooks Bros logo is lame. I think Ralph Lauren has the best logo. Or maybe Canterbury -New Zealand. Worst has to be Izod. You can tell Izod was big at one time then went out of style like mad - they've basically taken over thrift stores now. I like how Burberry does the plaid inside the button part of the collar as their signature. 100 for a polo is kinda crazy though - Lacoste is a little more reasonable.

 

I thought about doing something like this for the t shirt design competition but it would have taken forever to pull it off with the crappy rastor-to-vector program I had. It took about 2 hours just to get the bridge right.

 

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod76510065&parentId=cat13140748&masterId=cat000526&index=0&cmCat=cat000000cat000470cat000526cat13140748