Good Bye My Gentle Friend

LillyLuna


CinnamonRosie


Today I morn the loss of a small gentle friend. A lot of people underestimate rats. A lot of misconceptions like they are mean or dirty and carry diseases. Just dumb animals only good for snake food. And oddly a lot of people get grossed out by their tails. When in reality it's quite the opposite. Also there is a difference between wild rats and domesticated. Of course a rat that's living in the wild and eating and living where it can is susceptible to many diseases and germs. They are foul tempered because they are WILD Animals and do what they need to do to survive. A domesticated rat has had generations of breeding to breed out the wild nature and illnesses. Each one has their own unique little personality. And they are incredibly smart. And they are actually quite clean. Constantly grooming each other. You usually don't need to bathe them unless they get into something. Like a messy treat of some sort and they got it all over themselves.

You may think how is it possible to bond with an animal like a rat? It's possible I have had four rats so far Lilly, Luna, Cinnamon, and Rosie and bonded with each one. They are smart enough to recognize who loves them and takes care of them. Many have described them as mini dogs. My mom told me her step brother used to have one that would hang out and watch tv with him. They love to cuddle and they love to play. They are a lot of responsibility too. Because like all other animals they still get sick and are pron to certain illnesses. Unfortunatly Cancer, Tumors, And Respitory Infections are major killers to these little ones. But with the proper diet and not feeding them cheap generic pet store rat food. They can live a long and happy life often without tumors. I learned with my first rat Lilly. She was so sweet. But it was a learning process with her because I had never had rats before. She ended up growing a tumor because I was feeding her pet store food. Which research has found has ingredients that can cause them to get cancer. And that stuff isn't cheap. Neither are vet visits and tumor removal surgery. Lilly lived a long time even after the tumor removal. But she did die of cancer. Often times all you can do is make them comfortable until they pass. Which is the case with my latest loss. Cinnamon. She was very sweet. I had her for over a year. But this month she developed severe Pneumonia. She started getting real lethargic, breathing real hard because she could barely breath with the fluid in her tiny lungs, not really eating or drinking much, and secreating a large amount of Poriphorin which is a red substance that looks like blood that they produce in moments of extreme stress or sickness. Often from the eyes or nose. So I took her to the vet cost me $91 dollars just for the check up and antibiotic. It's a lot of money but it's worth it when you love something that much and don't want it to suffer. She improved sooo much even by the day after her appointment. She was breathing better more active eating drinking. This morning I went out to give her her very last dose but I noticed something odd. Everyday I would go out to her cage and she would be hiding in the same spot because they are mainly nocturnal so she would be asleep by morning. I would wake her little sleepy head and she would grab onto the syringe and drink her medicine then I would give her some apple juice and let her go to sleep again. This morning I went to her cage and she was already peeking out by the door eyes wide open. I thought thats odd but cute. So I went to open the door but she didnt move her face away and then I knew she was gone. I opened the cage and poor Rosie was still cuddled up to her and trying to groom her. But Cinnamon had already begun rigamortis. It was as if she laid down to peek out of the cage one last time and then her soul left. I tried to be stronger but as I was getting ready for work and the tears just flowed and all I could do was just sit for a while and try to figure out what went wrong and how I could have done better taking care of her. A deep sadness filled me and all I could do was cry while Allen held me. Even worse is I can't bury her until after work so her lifeless body is in a carrier on top of the cage. I prayed this morning that God take her in. With the rest of the loving pets that have come and gone in my life time. So that we may meet again some day. Some may think it's crazy. But nothing can survive without a soul. Many don't beleive animals have a soul but how do you explain the close bond they are able to have with us humans? All the wonderful personailties they have. They trust us and they have emotions like us. They know when we are sick or angry or sad. And they have a way of comforting us and giving back to us as a way of appreciation for what we do for them. Dogs have saved many peoples lives. Pulling their masters to safety. Cats are very sensative to when their owners are sick. My cats always recognize it and cuddle up with the sick person to make them feel better. With all the amazing things animals can do, how can anyone say they don't have a soul? How can anyone think another one of God's beautiful creations wouldn't have a place in heaven?

I know I will see them all again some day. For now I need to take care of my last remaining rat. Rosie. I havn't been able to bond and handle her like Ive wanted to. And she is going to need it now that her companion is gone. And sadly I don't think I will be getting another companion for her. Many people in the rat loving community would critisize and judge you if you have a single rat. I understand why. Think of it as if you were the only one of your kind in a strange place. Wouldn't you get depressed and lonely never having anyone to interact with? No one like you to talk to eat with play with? Thats why it is suggested that if you get a rat get 2. Same sex so they don't breed unless you are a professional breeder. The problem is what happens when one dies and you have one left but you decide after this one you don't want them anymore for a while? But you don't want to give the remaining one away because you love them and don't want to give them to some stranger who could say they are looking for a pet rat but then really take them home and feed them to a snake. But then you don't want to get 2nd one because when the other dies your stuck in the same situation. So all you can do is take care of the loner rat and try to make them as happy as you can until it's their time. Try to make them feel less lonely.

I have to say out of all this. As much work as it is to have pets and as sad as it is when they leave this earth. I can't imagine my life with out them. I have grown up having animals all my life and I love them. Each one is beautiful and unique in it's own way and they have definitly helped me develope into the person I am. And they are a great example of just how amazing God is and what he has done for us. So while I am heart broken from losing my little furry friend. I have no regrets for ever having her in my life. I love you Cinnamon. Your in a happier place now! Leave in peace.

R.I.P. Cinnamon

Religious Protesters at E3?! lol

So apparently there are some Protesters at E3 protesting "Dante's Inferno" A game coming out in 2010 based off of "The Devine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri. Look it up it's really interesting. It's a central epic poem of Italian literature,and is seen as one of the greatest works of world literature as wikipedia put it.
Taken from the games site:
"Inspired by the real Dante Alighieri, but adapted for a new generation and a new medium, the hero of the game is a soldier who defies death and fights for love against impossible odds. The Italian mercenary Dante returns home from the wars to find that his beloved Beatrice has been murdered, and her soul pulled down into Hell by a dark force. He gives chase, and vows to get her back. For weapons, he wields Death's soul-reaping scythe, and commands holy powers of the cross, given to him by Beatrice" Apparently some so called Christians are protesting the whole thing. Claiming this game will lead you on the path to hell. I don't think they even know where the idea for the game originated. But to be honest it's so over the top it can't be real. Some of us suspect its a Marketing ploy. What do you think? I found this article which it's the only one I have seen so far that has pictures of the protesters and their pamphlets.
http://gamesblog.ugo.com/games/e3-christian-protesters-say-dantes-inferno-will-send-you-to-hell-really

On another site someone posted a link to the fanatics website.
This is their site
http://wearesavedgroup.org
their official site is such poor quality. Plus the link at the bottom says "Give the game a piece of it's own medicine" but when you click on it, it just takes you to the game site! lol why?! Why would they want you to go learn about the game and have the option to buy it if they say it will lead you to hell? Another thing that gets me is there are only 3 protesters and their site has no area to contact them for support or complaint. This makes me suspicious it's fake. If it's real then it's just another example of idiots thinking they are doing Gods work when in reality they give the rest of us Christians a bad rep and aren't helping anyone. When are people going to understand not everything can be won through protest. Especially not something as ridiculous as this. They use waaaay too many game puns to be real or respected. oh my gosh I mean some of the stuff they had was so cheesy. Like EA=Electronic Anti Christ. Or Turn your Playstation in for a PRAYstation. I dunno im like half and half in believing it or not. All I can say is religious or not you can't go to hell from playing a video game. If it were that easy then they are basically saying Jesus being sacrificed for our sins was for nothing. Sure if you decide you want to start venturing into the occult and hellish activities your definitetly putting yourself in a bad situation and well on your way to hell. But this game isn't even about that so I'm not sure why these protestors are wasting their time. And how many more worse games are out there with much more sex, violence, and occult themes? And those are not based on anything but the fact that they know people will pay the bucks for action and gore. At least this one has some cool history behind it. They aren't accomplishing anything by their actions and they just look like a big joke and adding more fuel to the fire that is the negative stereotype Christians have been perceived as. A good qoute I saw on G4's The Feed Blog "It's not like a few wacky protesters are representative of all Christians." I'm glad someone said it. Most people would have a bias opinion and go off about how wrong and stupid organized religion is. That being said, If you guys are for real please stop protesting for such a ridiculous cause and keep your eyes on the bigger picture and what God really want's you to be doing. You are not reaching out and saving anyone you are alienating them and pushing them away. If this is a Marketing Ploy I am pretty offended by EA even pulling a stunt like that. Pretty distasteful in my opinion. And i'm sure many other people will be angry as well. Would be a pretty shameless attempt to get some publicity. Either way this is really stupid.

Conan As Host of the Tonight Show

I have to say I am really enjoying Conan O'Brien as the new host of the Tonight Show. I had my doubts because I wasn't a big fan of Late Night With Conan O'Brien. He had some funny times. But he is just so much better on the Tonight Show. He has really stepped it up. Allen and I watched his first ep with guest Will Ferrell and Musical guest Pearl Jam. That was seriously hilarious. There was no awkwardness like the first Jimmy Fallon ep who I think is doing a great job as well. I love all the sketch clips he does. He did this one where he took the tram tour at universal studios but he took it to another level I was crying from laughing so hard!

Took it from the Hulu so there is an ad at the begining. So great hahahaha. Tonight he has Green Day as a musical guest and interviewed Tom Hanks who was pretty interesting with his impressions of people he knows and works with haha. There is one point where they were discussing Conans night background behind his stage and Tom Hanks suggest having meteors flying by in the background every so often. Conan says yeah I think we can figure out some thing like that. Then he asks one of the crew to cue the meteor and a giant foam meteor swings down and Knocks Tom Hanks over in his chair hahahahahah priceless. Unfortunatly there are no vids up of his 2nd episode yet or I would post some good clips.
Hahaha I found this animated gif randomly.
<--------Tom Hanks getting owned!!! lol
There's another sketch clip where he says he always hears how people dream of having a shopping spree on Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills. He says now that I am in L.A. I told NBC I want to go on a shopping spree on Rodeo Dr. on NBC's dime. They said no way but they did let me go on a shopping spree on Rodeo Rd. Which is in south central L.A. hahaha he went to some Urban style clothing stores and a wig store. What he ends up with is so fantastic especially because he is a very pale skinny man. I will update this post once I can get more content. All I know is the critics are saying he isn't doing well and that his comedy isn't strong and he is relying too much on pre recorded sketch clips. Why is it when critics review things they never have the same opinions as actual viewers. It's like that with a lot of movies and other shows. Critics will say something is awful and the rest of us totally loved it. Same situation here. A lot of people are lovin Conan. We loved Jay Leno and he was awesome as the host as well as Johnny Carson. And i'm sorry but those critics don't know what they are talking about most of the time. Conan is doing a spectacular job. I am laughing so hard everytime I watch. And I think they are really underestimating his capabilities. Keep up the good work man!!! And Jay I can't wait to see your new show!

Xbox E3 Press Briefing And CA Science Center

Well here's the first post! I decided to jump on the blogging bandwagon and keep my friends and family updated on things in my life. Like for instance, my bf and I were in L.A. all weekend and today. He won passes to the E3 Microsoft/Xbox360 press briefing from Major Nelson. The contest was you just e-mail Major Nelson with your name and Xbox Live ID and he chose 100 people to take themselves and a guest to this briefing where we would be the first to hear about Microsoft's latest plans for games and Tech for the Xbox360. Allen(my bf) is big on gaming so he was pretty excited. I love video games too so I didn't mind going myself. I'm really glad I did! It was amazing! We stayed at the hotel we were picking up the passes at. So at 8:45 this morning we checked out then went and got our tickets.
















We literally only had to walk a few feet because the place where the press conference was being held right next door. Was really neat seeing all the media showing up. Major Nelson from OXM and Adam Sessler From G4 were outside. Major Nelson walked right by us. So we had to wait outside for an hour before they opened the doors but it wasn't too bad actually time went pretty quick. Was just a bit humid outside. Allen and I actually got some great seats when we got inside. The set up was beautiful.

The colors and screens changed with the announcment of each new game. Was really neat.
Allen Was pretty stoked hahah

They announced a lot of new games and we saw a a few celebrities. Upon announcing The Beatles Rockband game Yoko Ono made and appearance then Paul McCartney and Ringo Star came out and commented on the game. We also saw Tony Hawk announce one of his new games and the craziest was Steven Spielberg helping promote an impressive Microsoft piece of technology and Lionhead Studios latest project. Microsoft has created what they are calling "Project Natal" it is a motion censor voice recognition camera that allows you to play games with out controllers. Then they showed this interactive game I guess if you can call it that. I was amazed at what it can do. For now it's call Milo. Using Natal you can interact with Milo a young virtual child who is so life like and so smart he can communicate with you remember your name have emotion recognize color and so much more. You completely forget your speaking to a computer. I was impressed and looking forward to when it's perfected and ready to be released.
Project Natal


Milo
Was exciting. After we finished with the xbox fun we decided to go to the California Science Center which was basically across the street and down aways. I remember this place but faintly because I was in grade school the last time I had visited that place. It's great! The architecture is really beautiful and there are a lot of fun things to see and do there.



Probably one of the best things to see when visiting the science center is Tess she is a larger than life anamitronic open body that talks and teaches you about Homeostasis. And how your body works. It's really educational and fun. Allen and I also visited the Earthquake room which pretty much speaks for itself hahah.
Tess


we weren't supposed to take video of her so shhhhh lol There were other things like a live exhibit where you can see baby chickens in an incubator days old and if your lucky you can watch them hatch. Soooo cute.


And there were bugs Blech!

There were so many other things we got to see and do there but im afraid this blog is getting to lengthy to keep anyone's attention. But if your interested in what this place has to offer check out there site or go their yourself! You will love it. And so do the kids.