Just an FYI, I felt awkward posting about my workout progress and posting pics of the progress within this blog. A few days ago I was reading through a fitness magazine and read about a section of the Bodybuilding.com website called Bodyspace.
Kind of like a combination myspace/blog/planning site. It's the perfect venue for me to write about my progress and to post pics hoping to prove my progress. Give it a look. I'm still working at it as it really is all-emcompassing. Candy store-like.
Here's the link to my Bodyspace account, pay careful attention to catch my Bodyblog link as well. It can be accessed from the Space account and the blog links have feed capabilities so readers will function with it.
Not gay-centralized, but it definitely suits the purposes I wish it to.
I've also provided the link in the shoulder as well. Help keep tabs on me! Otherwise I'll let you know when I update it with a post on here ^^
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Social Responsibility
Finally, this weekend is over.
It's been tax-free weekend in Tennessee and that basically means the store being even busier than both Black Friday or any of our Holiday days. Last year, this weekend was our biggest sales days with Saturday peaking and this weekend continued that tradition. We blew away a ton of numbers and the store looks like a hurricane hit it.
That hurricane of course is a mass of people overtaking the area. Devouring the clothing as if it were high-dollar items in a free buffet.
It amazes me at the lack of tact, respect, responsibility and guilt a majority of individuals show.
It reminds me of a case study we discussed during a social psychology class. There was a man walking down a slightly rougher end of town in broad daylight. There were people sitting around footsteps, looking out their windows and sitting on their balconies enjoying the sun.
Two men caught up with our walker and proceeded to beat him down and take his wallet. It wasn't a quick job with an equally hasted retreat. The walker put up a tad of a fight and thus the altercation took quite a bit longer to finish.
In all this time there was not a soul who had made a call to the authorities or stepped in to help this man. It was the theory of "diffusion of responsibility" in action.
There are others around so everyone believes that there should be somebody who's calling. I don't need to take a step in the right direction because someone has probably already done it. The only probably is, everyone is thinking that someone else is gonna be able to do the deed...and sadly for the poor man, no one did.
The more people you crowd into a place, general morals and responsibility seem to go out the door.
"Someone will be able to clean this up"
"No one else is making an effort to do ___. So why should I. "
"I want to try these shoes on..." *tries shoes on and they don't work* "hmmm...someone will come along to hang them back up so I'll just leave them sitting here in the middle of the floor for everyone to step over and add to the already growing pile.
Sorry, had to add in that last one. It, in general, is the kind of shopping attitude I'm talking about in connection with the story I told earlier. Connected by a similar moral...taking responsibility. Whether it be to make the first step among many to get a good deed done (as in alerting the authorities, or drawing attention to the crime) or simply by taking responsibility for one's own actions.
If this store were your house, would you treat the items within differently? I have a constant thought that comes to me when situations similar to this occurs. People find things that they want and it's GOLD. Don't attempt to pry it from their hands or get in the way of finding that size.
But if it's not what they're looking for, it may as well be trash. People could care less about the stack they just massacred...or the fact that they're one-hand groping items and in the process putting things in a position to be a hassle later for others.
Thinking the whole time that an employee will be along at any time to fix the occurrence. Unaware of the fact the majority of employees during these hugely busy times are preoccupied with filling every register to ring people out (7 in our case), keeping the fitting rooms organized/cleaned and moving (2 people), processing and bringing the ten tons of merchandise brought to try on in the fitting room and rejected (at a minimum 2 but usually is 3), plus people being shuffled for well-deserved breaks.
Where does one start to align recovery forces against a hurricane when they're devoted to aiding it?
I'm not saying to do our jobs for us, don't misunderstand. Just asking that when you're in places of retail ( or any place of business for that matter ) to try and treat everything you touch as if it were your own and people around you as if they were a friend.
Yes, I'm talking about those candy apple red skinny-fit jeans or that lady walking down the aisle with a double occupancy stroller.
There's a personal and social responsibility that people seem to forget as soon as they walk into establishments plagued by exaggerated versions of customer service.
I appreciate the people who come to our store, and appreciate the business they bring. I just wish more people, like me, took pride in the endeavors they grace.
The next time you walk into a busy store, take note. Are people showing a personal responsibility for their actions? Respect for the people around them? Are you paying the proper respect to merchandise within the store? Without making excuses, but taking on a natural personal responsibility.
In our society as it is today, it seems to me that there is a surprising lack of it. A lot of our beliefs and thinking is centered around ourselves and what is best for us. Sometimes, especially in social settings, take a step back and think...
"What is best for the people around me?"
It's been tax-free weekend in Tennessee and that basically means the store being even busier than both Black Friday or any of our Holiday days. Last year, this weekend was our biggest sales days with Saturday peaking and this weekend continued that tradition. We blew away a ton of numbers and the store looks like a hurricane hit it.
That hurricane of course is a mass of people overtaking the area. Devouring the clothing as if it were high-dollar items in a free buffet.
It amazes me at the lack of tact, respect, responsibility and guilt a majority of individuals show.
It reminds me of a case study we discussed during a social psychology class. There was a man walking down a slightly rougher end of town in broad daylight. There were people sitting around footsteps, looking out their windows and sitting on their balconies enjoying the sun.
Two men caught up with our walker and proceeded to beat him down and take his wallet. It wasn't a quick job with an equally hasted retreat. The walker put up a tad of a fight and thus the altercation took quite a bit longer to finish.
In all this time there was not a soul who had made a call to the authorities or stepped in to help this man. It was the theory of "diffusion of responsibility" in action.
There are others around so everyone believes that there should be somebody who's calling. I don't need to take a step in the right direction because someone has probably already done it. The only probably is, everyone is thinking that someone else is gonna be able to do the deed...and sadly for the poor man, no one did.
The more people you crowd into a place, general morals and responsibility seem to go out the door.
"Someone will be able to clean this up"
"No one else is making an effort to do ___. So why should I. "
"I want to try these shoes on..." *tries shoes on and they don't work* "hmmm...someone will come along to hang them back up so I'll just leave them sitting here in the middle of the floor for everyone to step over and add to the already growing pile.
Sorry, had to add in that last one. It, in general, is the kind of shopping attitude I'm talking about in connection with the story I told earlier. Connected by a similar moral...taking responsibility. Whether it be to make the first step among many to get a good deed done (as in alerting the authorities, or drawing attention to the crime) or simply by taking responsibility for one's own actions.
If this store were your house, would you treat the items within differently? I have a constant thought that comes to me when situations similar to this occurs. People find things that they want and it's GOLD. Don't attempt to pry it from their hands or get in the way of finding that size.
But if it's not what they're looking for, it may as well be trash. People could care less about the stack they just massacred...or the fact that they're one-hand groping items and in the process putting things in a position to be a hassle later for others.
Thinking the whole time that an employee will be along at any time to fix the occurrence. Unaware of the fact the majority of employees during these hugely busy times are preoccupied with filling every register to ring people out (7 in our case), keeping the fitting rooms organized/cleaned and moving (2 people), processing and bringing the ten tons of merchandise brought to try on in the fitting room and rejected (at a minimum 2 but usually is 3), plus people being shuffled for well-deserved breaks.
Where does one start to align recovery forces against a hurricane when they're devoted to aiding it?
I'm not saying to do our jobs for us, don't misunderstand. Just asking that when you're in places of retail ( or any place of business for that matter ) to try and treat everything you touch as if it were your own and people around you as if they were a friend.
Yes, I'm talking about those candy apple red skinny-fit jeans or that lady walking down the aisle with a double occupancy stroller.
There's a personal and social responsibility that people seem to forget as soon as they walk into establishments plagued by exaggerated versions of customer service.
I appreciate the people who come to our store, and appreciate the business they bring. I just wish more people, like me, took pride in the endeavors they grace.
The next time you walk into a busy store, take note. Are people showing a personal responsibility for their actions? Respect for the people around them? Are you paying the proper respect to merchandise within the store? Without making excuses, but taking on a natural personal responsibility.
In our society as it is today, it seems to me that there is a surprising lack of it. A lot of our beliefs and thinking is centered around ourselves and what is best for us. Sometimes, especially in social settings, take a step back and think...
"What is best for the people around me?"
Friday, August 3, 2007
SYTYCD Thursday - Faves
This isn't as great as having Neil shirtless but I did promise my favorite routines of the night and they've been posted finally.
I was tickled to see Sabra And Pasha together at last. It was the first time two of my favorite dancers on the show were put together. Both their Broadway and Qucikstep routines were wonderful. The beau has been watching with me and says their definitely final material. I would love to see a ballroom boy make it to the finals. *crosses fingers*
I was very sad to see Sara go though. I was hoping it was Laur=en's night and I've have at least one more week of her.
So here they are my favorite dance routines (non-Neil shirtless) videos with Pasha and Sabra.
I was tickled to see Sabra And Pasha together at last. It was the first time two of my favorite dancers on the show were put together. Both their Broadway and Qucikstep routines were wonderful. The beau has been watching with me and says their definitely final material. I would love to see a ballroom boy make it to the finals. *crosses fingers*
I was very sad to see Sara go though. I was hoping it was Laur=en's night and I've have at least one more week of her.
So here they are my favorite dance routines (non-Neil shirtless) videos with Pasha and Sabra.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
STYCD Thursday
OMG, my Sara went home! I totally thought it was Lauren's night and Sara's wouldn't be until next week. What probably did it for Sara was that sad "Push It" routine and wardrobe. Especially the wardrobe.
But anyways, I'm gonna give you my favorite dances of the night. But before I give it, I have to give this dance becasue it will forever be etched into my memory. Neil, with Lacely in a Latin Jazz routine, is FINALLY shirtless and my mouth was dragging the floor the whole time. This boy can take me so hard. My legs would be up in a moment. I know, you've never heard me be so candid...but my gosh, just look at him.
I'll have to get back to you on my actual favorite choreography as the video hasn't been posted to youtube yet. But Neil will keep me quite entertained until then.
Such a beautiful young man.
But anyways, I'm gonna give you my favorite dances of the night. But before I give it, I have to give this dance becasue it will forever be etched into my memory. Neil, with Lacely in a Latin Jazz routine, is FINALLY shirtless and my mouth was dragging the floor the whole time. This boy can take me so hard. My legs would be up in a moment. I know, you've never heard me be so candid...but my gosh, just look at him.
I'll have to get back to you on my actual favorite choreography as the video hasn't been posted to youtube yet. But Neil will keep me quite entertained until then.
Such a beautiful young man.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
TJ Triumphant!
I just had to post the conclusion to TJ's big day.
I have to say she was an incredibly brave and good girl today! Maybe it was because I was there with her and no other animals were around. She whined a bit but otherwise she was great.
I found out alot of information I otherwise didn't know... mainly flea and worm prevention, the various shots that were needed, and info on what products are quality to use for our pets and which are really not worth it.
I feel like I have a better idea of how to keep her healthy and happy. She has all her shots and is now legally immunized! I also have a better idea at what kind of mixed breed she is. We knew she was mixed but always considered her a cairn terrier of sorts, but Sara (the vet) put her as mostly dachshund (the eyes, ears, body length, modified snout, plus the whine and nosing motions she makes) and possibly schnauzer to qualify her coat and color.
To top it all off, she is totally WORM-FREE! She came back negative on all counts and the kittens were the culprits...probably have had it since their birth considering the size of the buggers found the other day. Not that I prefer the kittens to have it, just glad TJ was alright. We now get to fix the kittens, but I'm sure they'll pull through the medication phase.
I was so proud of her today. She took her shots and medicine with grace, was cordial and patient with the vets, and I really felt like we've treated her and "raised" her right. Considering she was a stray when we took her in...it really made me proud.
3 cheers for Ms. TJ! (Can you tell I'm ecstatic?)
Worms Info
I wasn't really sure how animals get worms and this is some information I found on the Dog Owner's Guide.
The only signs TJ really shows is the spitup and sometimes hacking. *crosses fingers*
Introduction
Dogs are victims of several internal parasites frequently referred to as worms. The most common are the roundworms that infest most puppies at some time in their young lives and tapeworms that can be a big problem when flea infestations are high.
Evidence of roundworms and tapeworms can be seen without the aid of a microscope, but other worms are not so easily diagnosed. Occasionally adult whipworms can be seen in the stool when the infestation has already caused some debilitation or weight loss in the dog.
Early diagnosis of the presence and species of intestinal parasite is important, for not all worms respond to the same treatment. Therefore, stool samples should be taken to the veterinarian for microscopic examination if worms are suspected. Many veterinarians include the stool check as part of the annual health examination.
Most worm infestations cause any or all of these symptoms: diarrhea, perhaps with blood in the stool; weight loss; dry hair; general poor appearance; and vomiting, perhaps with worms in the vomitus. However, some infestations cause few or no symptoms; in fact some worm eggs or larvae can be dormant in the dog's body and activated only in times of stress, or in the case of roundworms, until the latter stages of pregnancy, when they activate and infest the soon-to-be-born puppies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roundworms
Roundworms are active in the intestines of puppies, often causing a pot-bellied appearance and poor growth. The worms may be seen in vomit or stool; a severe infestation can cause death by intestinal blockage.
This worm can grow to seven inches in length. Females can produce 200 thousand eggs in a day, eggs that are protected by a hard shell and can exist in the soil for years. Dogs become infected by ingesting worm eggs from contaminated soil. The eggs hatch in the intestine and the resulting larva are carried to the lungs by the bloodstream.
The larva then crawls up the windpipe and gets swallowed, often causing the pup to cough or gag. Once the larvae return to the intestine, they grow into adults.
Roundworms do not typically infest adults. However, as mentioned above, the larvae can encyst in body tissue of adult bitches and activate during the last stages of pregnancy to infest puppies. Worming the bitch has no effect on the encysted larvae and cannot prevent the worms from infecting the puppies.
Although roundworms can be treated with an over-the-counter wormer found in pet stores, a veterinarian is the best source of information and medication to deal with intestinal parasites. Dewormers are poisonous to the worms and can make the dog sick, especially if not used in proper dosage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hookworms
These are small, thin worms that fasten to the wall of the small intestine and suck blood. Dogs get hookworm if they come in contact with the larvae in contaminated soil. As with roundworms, the hookworm larvae becomes an adult in the intestine. The pups can contract hookworms in the uterus and the dam can infest the pups through her milk.
A severe hookworm infestation can kill puppies, but chronic hookworm infection is usually not a problem in the older dog. When it does occur, the signs include diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, and progressive weakness. Diagnosis is made by examining the feces for eggs under a microscope.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tapeworms
Another small intestine parasite, the tapeworm is transmitted to dogs who ingest fleas or who hunt and eat wildlife infested with tapeworms or fleas. The dog sheds segments of the tapeworm containing the eggs in its feces. These segments are flat and move about shortly after excretion. They look like grains of rice when dried and can be found either in the dog's stool or stuck to the hair around his anus. Tapeworms cannot be killed by the typical over-the-counter wormer; see the veterinarian for appropriate treatment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whipworms
Adult whipworms look like pieces of thread with one end enlarged. They live in the cecum, the first section of the dog's large intestine. Infestations are usually light, so an examination of feces may not reveal the presence of eggs. Several checks may be necessary before a definitive diagnosis can be made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prevention
Several worms that infect and reinfect dogs can also infect humans, so treatment and eradication of the worms in the environment are important. Remove dog feces from back yards at least weekly, use appropriate vermicides under veterinary supervision, and have the dog's feces checked frequently in persistent cases. Do not mix wormers and do not use any wormer if your dog is currently taking any other medication, including heartworm preventative, without consulting the veterinarian.
When walking the dog in a neighborhood or park, remove all feces so that the dog does not contribute to contamination of soil away from home as well.
Dogs that are in generally good condition are not threatened by worm infestations and may not even show symptoms. However, it's a good idea to keep the dog as worm-free as possible so that if disease or stress do take a toll, you're not fighting worms in a sick pet.
[ Heartworm disease: an ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure]
Norma Bennett Woolf
The only signs TJ really shows is the spitup and sometimes hacking. *crosses fingers*
My Poor Little Girl...
Yesterday was going relatively well at work. We had got a HUGE shipment on Monday and were still working on it through Tuesday. It's only the beginning of August and we've already finished up our Fall 1 line of merchandise. Well...not finished up as in it's gone, just that they are now ready to start sending the "August" Book of Fall Merchandise.
We've just came out of a huge summer clearance sale which wasn't all that great. We still have quite a bit...we were hoping for an extra percentage off to help move it to make more room for the fall merchandise, but it didn't happen.
The women's department was going through a full breakdown and rebuild courtesy of sending a whole truckload of new merchandise from the next book. We finally get things set to the current one and BOOM.
*sigh*
So here I am halfway through my workday. I had just made a trip to the store to pick up lunch. I walk back to the store, pop in my Lean Cuisine Chicken dinner-thing and I get a call from the beau. I anticipate that he's probably going to tell me that he's heading home...but the news I got was not what I wanted.
He tells me that he just got a phone call from our roommate saying that she was worried about our dog TJ.
Playing catch up, the beau found her abandoned and roaming around his workplace parking lot around 3 years ago. It was a cold, rainy day and she was soaked to the bone and freezing. He feels sorry for her and considers taking her in as a gift to me of sorts. He takes her to many of the residences close to his office and asks around if anyone recognizes her or knows to who she may belong. No luck, and later that day he surprises me by waiting for her outside my work place.
Fast forward to now, she's had issues before with what I always termed a "funny tummy." She's had issues in the past year or more with random vomiting. She likes to eat very quickly, sometimes not even chewing her food and this is what we shrugged off as the reason.
Well, yesterday the beau gets a call from the roomie asking if we had fed TJ any noodles. Remember, Ramen lol ><.
"No."
"Well, there are about 5 places of spitup and it looks like noodles are in one of them."
"What are you talking about?" He asks, kind of amused.
"Well, if they're not noodles...omigosh, maybe they're worms."
And he heads back home from the office and giving me a call where I'm taking my first bite of Lean yumminess. He asks if there's any way I can get the rest of the day off and proceeds to explain what's going on with my puppy. (FYI I refer to any small dog as a puppy, just doesn't feel right calling them a dog. Such an ugly word for my cute pup.)
I get the clear, head out and I'm worried as all get out. I end up getting there before the beau and I talk to my roomie for a bit. Come to find out she didn't actually see TJ make any of the messes but assumed it was her considering her past. It couldn't possibly be her two kittens. Anything that happens in the house has to be because of TJ. Although we know better.
The beau ran into one of the kittens the other day heaving (and I caught him once again this morning). So there's a good chance they all are infected, especially sharing the same water bowl.
TJ's just as bouncy and loving as ever and for that I'm grateful. We got her an appointment with a vet for today and am bringing in stool samples from her and the kittens for them to check on. It's gonna cost a fortune, I just know it. She needs her shots too. >< but I want my puppy to be well if she truly is sick.
I'm off today and I'm mere minutes away from bringing her to the vet. I'm so nervous.
Wish TJ and I luck.
We've just came out of a huge summer clearance sale which wasn't all that great. We still have quite a bit...we were hoping for an extra percentage off to help move it to make more room for the fall merchandise, but it didn't happen.
The women's department was going through a full breakdown and rebuild courtesy of sending a whole truckload of new merchandise from the next book. We finally get things set to the current one and BOOM.
*sigh*
So here I am halfway through my workday. I had just made a trip to the store to pick up lunch. I walk back to the store, pop in my Lean Cuisine Chicken dinner-thing and I get a call from the beau. I anticipate that he's probably going to tell me that he's heading home...but the news I got was not what I wanted.
He tells me that he just got a phone call from our roommate saying that she was worried about our dog TJ.
Playing catch up, the beau found her abandoned and roaming around his workplace parking lot around 3 years ago. It was a cold, rainy day and she was soaked to the bone and freezing. He feels sorry for her and considers taking her in as a gift to me of sorts. He takes her to many of the residences close to his office and asks around if anyone recognizes her or knows to who she may belong. No luck, and later that day he surprises me by waiting for her outside my work place.Fast forward to now, she's had issues before with what I always termed a "funny tummy." She's had issues in the past year or more with random vomiting. She likes to eat very quickly, sometimes not even chewing her food and this is what we shrugged off as the reason.
Well, yesterday the beau gets a call from the roomie asking if we had fed TJ any noodles. Remember, Ramen lol ><.
"No."
"Well, there are about 5 places of spitup and it looks like noodles are in one of them."
"What are you talking about?" He asks, kind of amused.
"Well, if they're not noodles...omigosh, maybe they're worms."
And he heads back home from the office and giving me a call where I'm taking my first bite of Lean yumminess. He asks if there's any way I can get the rest of the day off and proceeds to explain what's going on with my puppy. (FYI I refer to any small dog as a puppy, just doesn't feel right calling them a dog. Such an ugly word for my cute pup.)
I get the clear, head out and I'm worried as all get out. I end up getting there before the beau and I talk to my roomie for a bit. Come to find out she didn't actually see TJ make any of the messes but assumed it was her considering her past. It couldn't possibly be her two kittens. Anything that happens in the house has to be because of TJ. Although we know better.
The beau ran into one of the kittens the other day heaving (and I caught him once again this morning). So there's a good chance they all are infected, especially sharing the same water bowl.
TJ's just as bouncy and loving as ever and for that I'm grateful. We got her an appointment with a vet for today and am bringing in stool samples from her and the kittens for them to check on. It's gonna cost a fortune, I just know it. She needs her shots too. >< but I want my puppy to be well if she truly is sick.
I'm off today and I'm mere minutes away from bringing her to the vet. I'm so nervous.
Wish TJ and I luck.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
