Photo Ops at the Zoo

I just loved playing with my macro lens at the zoo. Most of these were taken in the "Vivid" Function Mode, so the colors are already popping. The only bad thing about using a macro lens is when you don't have proper support or if you happen to have a 6 month old trying to reach for the camera, it makes it a little difficult to get that perfect shot.

Enjoy!

Can you say obsessed?

A few weeks ago we went to the Prince William County Fair. We made sure to get there before the crowd started shuffling in and I know Little Man had a great time. How do I know this you ask? Well, let's just say he saw his fair share of tractors at the fair.



I'm pretty sure this constitutes an obsession.

I am so glad that Little Man is getting old enough to be able to enjoy more things and events. Especially with the fair, we didn't have him "locked" into a stroller. We let him run around - let him get his wiggles out before the end of the day. He saw farm animals, like a rooster who scared the poop out of him (would have been funny if he actually pooped) when he cock-a-doodle-dooed as Little Man was walking by. They had a puppet show, that was semi-interesting. Lots of trucks and tractors. And just before we left we were able to catch a glimpse of the motorcycles jumping a ramp. Oh don't forget about the best part of a fair...


The funnel cake!

We'll definitely be going again next year!

Creating a Masterpiece

I received this from a friend that I worked with at the San Antonio Zoo. I remember the keepers letting the elephants "paint", but it didn't turn out anything like this!!

Enjoy!!

Any regrets??

I have a friend who is living the life right now. She and her boyfriend (would be fiance if his parents weren't paying for his college tuition and didn't like her enough that they would disown him if they knew she was living with him - it's a religious thing) are living in St. Thomas while he attends a pre-veterinary program at the University of St. Thomas. She? is living the life on the beach doing nothing. I first met her back in Minneapolis when I started working at Banfield Pet Hospital. We worked well together and she's the only one that I've really kept in touch with since leaving Minnesota.

Recently, her 5-year-old female cat was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. They first discovered it, not knowing exactly what it was at the time, back in early 2007. In the past year alone, this cat has endured two surgeries, abdominal ultrasound, chest x-rays, and multiple blood work-ups. Because she has been able to go to the veterinary college at the university, she has been able to get all of this care for a fraction of the cost it would be here in the states.

I give her allot of credit for being able to take care of all these situations with her cat. I'm also thankful of her current location during this stressful time with her pet. I mean, if she were back in the states and had to pay for the care that she is getting there, I'm sure she would be bankrupt by now. I'm glad that she is able to take care of it.

This whole situation also makes me miss working in the vet field. Our beloved cocker spaniel, Maggie, really needs her teeth clean again, but since Banfield in this region has increased their pricing to over $350 for the plan that includes the dental, we really can't afford it. Then I start to worry about our three cats and their vaccines (I don't even want to look at their teeth).

Atleast when I was working, some of that care was taken care of. Working full-time at Banfield, I would have qualified for three wellness plans that included dental cleanings and all of their vaccines. If only day care wasn't so expensive, I would have gone back to work a long time ago. Although I'm not too sure about that.

Regrets?? No. Although at times it has been hell raising Little Man A, I'm glad that I have been here for him. I feel as though I have a better relationship with him and I wouldn't want to miss all the small moments that I've been able to experience over the past year.

I love ya, Little Man!

Lost in the world

I have to admit, I'm not up to current events. Ever since I've had Little Man A, I've been lost in the world. Not up to date on current events, don't even know what weather pattern is heading our way (not that it's really that reliable lately). I used to watch Headline News on CNN throughout the day. Now that Little Man A is fascinated with the television, I'll only DVR some shows for him to watch later and we'll have SIRIUS satellite radio Kids Stuff on in the background. We get the paper every Sunday, but rarely do I sit and read every section... besides the comics (actually we get the ads and the comics on Saturday which we make reading them a family event). I try to be up to date, but the only thing I'm current on is children's fashion... and let's be honest that follows the lines of the adult world.

So, when this Sunday's paper came and on the front page was, of course, about the primaries and how Obama is leading Clinton, I decided I needed to read up on what was going on. If not the world, then atleast for the upcoming elections. I mean, I should be able to decide for myself who the "best" candidate may be for the next president.

But when you're skimming through the other sections, searching for other articles that seem interesting to read, and you come across this:



You kind of wonder.....

So, I peaked.....

Now, obviously some of you may know, I'm an animal lover, but these comparisons are hilarious! Take a look at this one:

Gwen Stefani

Simon Cowell
and my favorite...

a crying child.

Turns out these are from the infamous photographer, Jill Greenberg. Her signature is making her portraits seem as though they've been splashed with glitter and are posing for Victoria Secrets body shimmer line. She uses highlights, whitens the whites, and enhances the basic color of the photographed subject. Her current clients include Phillip Morris, Procter and Gamble, Target, and Paramount Pictures to name a few. In this case, monkeys.

The article goes on the tell that most of these primates that were used have their own portfolios including greeting cards, commercials, and even movies. Apparently, even renowned scientist Jane Goodall doesn't mind the portraits and commented in the London's Daily Mail about these "remarkable" monkey portraits.

"Study the faces of the great apes in these portraits and you will see just how closely related we are," Goodall wrote. "Look into the eyes of these glorious beings, read their wrinkles, examine their expressions. You will find wisdom, innocence, humour, even moodiness. They are more human than you ever thought."

Are you sure we're talking about the same portraits?? Maybe she didn't see Simon's portrait next to it. Oh well, I'll try again this Sunday. Wish me luck.

The Animal Rescue Site needs our help!

Hi, all you animal lovers! This is pretty simple. Please tell all your friends to tell their friends about this today!

The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their quota of getting free food donated every day to abused and neglected animals.

It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on the purple box "fund food for animals" for free. This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.

Here's their web site! Pass it along to people you know.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com


Don't know if this is really true, but when I clicked on the purple box, it said "You have given the value of .6 bowls of food to rescued animals." Let's help them!