"Building young lives, one dog at a time"

This is my blog, and I'll do what I want with it. So, I'm going to post a fundraising letter, in hopes that you will be moved enough to donate.


Hello Friends,

It’s that time of year again. K9 Connection’s Softball Fundraiser is ON!

I try really hard all year not to solicit funds for too many events, in the hope that I can wrangle up strong support for K9 Connection. I hope you appreciate that and will donate accordingly. J

K9 Connection, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit project of OPCC, brings the magic of dogs and kids together by educating and inspiring high risk youth through bonding with and training homeless shelter dogs in basic obedience and assisting dogs in the development of skills necessary to become adoptable. The program empowers at-risk teenagers to apply the lessons learned to their own lives as they teach the dogs; to develop an awareness of the risks of uncontrolled or impulsive behavior, and to believe in the power of positive reinforcement as an alternative to force and violence. K9 Connection aids teenagers in becoming responsible community members by focusing on goal setting, personal accountability, and personal motivation.

They’ve upped the ante this year and are shooting to raise $25,000 (up from $10,000 last year). It takes $10,000 to run just one of their intensive three-week programs. During each program the teens learn to set and achieve goals for themselves and their dogs, in addition to developing empathy and compassion for others, both human and animal.

Last year, you answered my request, and helped raise almost $2,000 (we blew the other gamers out of the water – I was the top fundraiser! I am keenly aware that this was because of YOUR generous support). I’m hoping that this year we can double that!

Here's what we can do to help this wonderful organization:

• Donate online through the website at



• Give me a check (made out to K9 Connection)



• Mail a check directly to the k9 connection office (1453 16th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404. Mention me in the memo/notes section so that I get credit for the pledge)

I’m fully aware that the economy isn’t the greatest right now, and that your budget might be very tight. Just remember that any donation, no matter how small, is helpful and greatly appreciated. I find in times of restraint and worry, it’s best to just donate with reckless abandon. It’s good for your heart.

I would also really love some company at the game. It’s a fun day in the park with food and you can bring your (well-behaved, leashed) dog. $20 will get you a "seat" at the game. $100 will get you in the game. Either will get you my undying gratitude. It’s set for June 27th in Cheviot Hills (Rancho) Park (2551 Motor Ave., Los Angeles, CA).

If you don't have the funds now, that's ok - you can still help by spreading the word! Send this email to anyone you think would be interested and please visit www.k9connection.org to see all the wonderful things they do!

Love,
R

P.S. – If you do donate, please let me know. I want to be able to thank you and keep you updated on the $25,000 goal!

Hoppy Easter!

Happy almost Easter!

In celebration of this, my favourite holiday, here is a picture of a bunny so big it can be seen from space.


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What were they thinking?

I like to play this game sometimes called, "Ummm. What?"

The way you play is you go about your daily life and when something odd catches your eye, you go, "Ummm. What?" take a picture, and then blog about it.

This question of "What?" is usually followed by, "What were they thinking?"

Play with me, will you?

This first picture is from a long time ago. It slowly caught my eye, as I was watching this Barbara Walters special, saw this part, let it keep going, realized what I saw, and then rewound it to take a picture. I give you "Barbara Walters and Miley Cyrus walking a bike with a big basket"



I picture all these well-paid writers sitting around a table, talking about how to lay out the special and someone goes, "I think we should have a shot where, out of nowhere, Barbara and Miley are walking a bike together," and then someone else goes, "Great. Let's go with that." Except let's not go with that. Because it's weird. You know that's not Miley's bike. And it's certainly not Barbara's. And then there's the fact that walking a bike is not a two person job. And why does the bike need to be there at all? Can't they just walk? Did Babs need a walker and this was there sly way of hiding it? I mean, seriously, what were they thinking? I really want to know.

The next picture isn't as clear as I wanted it to be. I should scan it, but my scanner is tucked away in my closet. But, even from the fuzzy picture here, I think it's clear that Office Depot is trying to move their merchandise with promises of free ham.



First of all...ham? Really? WHO EATS HAM? (Other than my nana.) And why is an office supply company trying to give away ham? Why not give away, I don't know...office supplies? I could use some free office supplies. I don't want your ham, whether it's free or not. And then there's the whole phrase "ham certificate" that's just disgusting. In this scenario, I picture an old, fat CEO sitting around a Board meeting going, "Give 'em ham! Everyone loves a free ham!" And also he spits when he talks.

This next pic is my favourite. This comes from tonight's episode of Wheel of Fortune. I don't watch Wheel of Fortune, but I do sometimes watch Jeopardy (I kicked ASS tonight and even got the final Jeopardy question when none of the contestants did). So I was rewinding past Wheel of Fortune (to get to Jeopardy) and I notice that there are 4 contestants at the wheel instead of 3. And one of the 4 was a midget. I'm not gonna lie, my first thought was that maybe they let one team be a regular sized guy and the midget because the midget wouldn't count as a full person. I may go to hell for that, but when you're rewinding and there is no sound, your brain only has so many places to go. Plus I'm kind of mean. Turns out the midget couldn't reach the wheel to spin it, so he brought along his friend as the designated spinner.



I'm wondering here if that was really the best they could do. Isn't it a little degrading that the poor guy had to have a partner? Like, couldn't he just walk up to the wheel to spin? Or maybe they could hook up some sort of device? There had to be better options.

This last one is more of a "Really?" than a "What were they thinking." So, Meat Loaf is a guest on tonight's House. Here's his credit:



Meat Loaf ADAY? Since when did Meat Loaf start using his last name? Was he trying to sound more legit? Dude. You're name is Meat Loaf. There is no legit for you.

Where you bean, Lima?

OMG I haven't posted in so long. That doesn't mean I don't love you, it just means I'm busy. I have some friends coming into town soon and it's taking a while to prepare.

I think next Saturday might end up being the best day of my life though, so stay tuned.

Also, I worked out with Richard Simmons again today and I can smell the BO lifting off of me in waves. Good thing Miss Mags licks her own butthole, or else maybe she'd realize the difference between things that smell good and bad and shun me and I'd have to spend the afternoon cleaning alone.

TTFN, yo.