May 6 2013: I had a good friend in her 80's who would reminisce for hours about her childhood and 20's. It was fascinating to me that she could remember vivid details from 75 years earlier yet I often had to remind her to put her teeth in!
Her reminiscing could go on for literally hours. While her stories were very interesting there were times that it was extremely frustrating as I didn't want to interrupt her but I really needed to go home or get her home. I came to suspect that my friend wasn't telling me these stories as much as she was engaged in heavy introspection.
I did love listening to her and in time I came to realize that was my role in her life. Her family was too busy to sit and listen to her so I embraced it. I do believe that she needed to tell those stories, share those times, almost as a form of processing. I learned a lot from her and I am now the keeper of those memories. I have a feeling that I heard things that perhaps she had never shared before. Writing this has reminded me of a few of the incredible doozies she shocked me with! Those were the stories that were worth sitting through...the kind that knocked me off my chair and made me see me see my fragile, eccentric friend for the well-rounded, incredibly experienced, fabulous human being that she was. Here's to you Margaret ~ you would have loved TED!
Apr 23 2013: David Sedaris.
One of my favourite authors of all time. He can have me completely glued to the page about something as ridiculous as his partner popping a boil on his butt. Not because it is necessarily a great story (actually, it is) but because he is a gifted author.
You ask a subjective question. If it is in you to write, then you need to write! If you need some direction and/or motivation then I suggest you pick up a copy of Natalie Goldberg's book "Writing Down the Bones" or taking a creative writing class at your local college. There are some great writing groups out there but you may have to visit a few before you find one that is right for you.
...If it isn't in you to write, if it isn't a passion burning through your veins then it may become more work than pleasure to pen your anecdotes.
Good luck to you Jodie.
Mar 4 2013: Hi Manuel
My understanding is that spaying and neutering differs from castration in the sense that castration refers to the removal of (the dog's) testicles (which of course would have the same outcome). I fully support neutering/spaying as any responsible person should. I haven't done enough research to know whether leaving a dog's testicles in tact would have any health benefits but I do know that "neuticles" are becoming quite common. Prosthetic dog testicles...
To answer your question, I feel that altering an animal's body in any way should only be done for the sole purpose of benefitting the health of the animal. Never, ever for looks or human convenience. I remember when I was 16 years old my grandmother's dog had puppies. The lady who had asked to breed her dog with my grandmother's (that is another topic altogether...) came over soon after the precious little puppies were born. She didn't oooh or aaah over the tiny, perfect babies, she just went over and started PINCHING their little tails off with her bare hands. I was traumatized and screaming for her to stop. Then she acted like I was being dramatic and told me the pups couldn't even feel it. I was mortified and bewildered when I was told it was for aesthetic purposes. Humans can be so brainwashed into believing what they want to believe.
I met a doberman puppy last year. He was the biggest sweetheart who would run to the fence and play with me through the chain link. Then one day he had bandages on both of his little ears. He didn't want to come to the fence to see me at all and was in obvious distress. When I called out to his owner she explained she had his ears "cropped" so he wouldn't look funny when he was older. I couldn't believe this is even legal. The confusing part was I knew she really loved him and cared about him.
I definitely don't think this is ethical. I believe these are unconscionable acts of unnecessary cruelty.
Thank you for asking such an important question.
Dec 15 2012: Linda, I didn't have an agenda. I left a comment about guns that I should have known would get some panties in a knot. Judging by the aggressive tone in your reply I can see that it is best that I keep my comeback to myself, it would probably upset you further and that was not my intent. I appreciate having conversations with people whose opinions are different than my own but when it gets personal and mean I'm no longer interested. See ya.
Dec 15 2012: Edward, we have each had our say. We will probably never see eye to eye on this. I genuinely hope that you never have to use your gun to protect yourself or your family from someone with a gun.
Dec 15 2012: Just because 1000's of hunters use LONG GUNS safely in hunting does mean that the general public should have easy access to HANDGUNS. This argument does not hold any weight.
(On a separate note...I sign off wondering how there are any animals even left in America if this info. is accurate)
Dec 15 2012: GUNS KILL.
That is where my head is at only hours after this tragedy. I can't even begin thinking about the media...
Edited~ I am not going to respond to all the comments this is apparently going to elicit. Your "reasoning" is wasted on me and angers/sickens/frightens/confuses me deeply. I'm not interested in disputing your ridiculous arguments as I fully know where it will go. Nowhere.
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A comment on Conversation: Is reminiscence good for people over the age of 60?
Her reminiscing could go on for literally hours. While her stories were very interesting there were times that it was extremely frustrating as I didn't want to interrupt her but I really needed to go home or get her home. I came to suspect that my friend wasn't telling me these stories as much as she was engaged in heavy introspection.
I did love listening to her and in time I came to realize that was my role in her life. Her family was too busy to sit and listen to her so I embraced it. I do believe that she needed to tell those stories, share those times, almost as a form of processing. I learned a lot from her and I am now the keeper of those memories. I have a feeling that I heard things that perhaps she had never shared before. Writing this has reminded me of a few of the incredible doozies she shocked me with! Those were the stories that were worth sitting through...the kind that knocked me off my chair and made me see me see my fragile, eccentric friend for the well-rounded, incredibly experienced, fabulous human being that she was. Here's to you Margaret ~ you would have loved TED!
A comment on Conversation: When to write a book?
One of my favourite authors of all time. He can have me completely glued to the page about something as ridiculous as his partner popping a boil on his butt. Not because it is necessarily a great story (actually, it is) but because he is a gifted author.
You ask a subjective question. If it is in you to write, then you need to write! If you need some direction and/or motivation then I suggest you pick up a copy of Natalie Goldberg's book "Writing Down the Bones" or taking a creative writing class at your local college. There are some great writing groups out there but you may have to visit a few before you find one that is right for you.
...If it isn't in you to write, if it isn't a passion burning through your veins then it may become more work than pleasure to pen your anecdotes.
Good luck to you Jodie.
A reply on Conversation: To what extent is mutilation of pets for aesthetic or practical reasons unethical?
My understanding is that spaying and neutering differs from castration in the sense that castration refers to the removal of (the dog's) testicles (which of course would have the same outcome). I fully support neutering/spaying as any responsible person should. I haven't done enough research to know whether leaving a dog's testicles in tact would have any health benefits but I do know that "neuticles" are becoming quite common. Prosthetic dog testicles...
To answer your question, I feel that altering an animal's body in any way should only be done for the sole purpose of benefitting the health of the animal. Never, ever for looks or human convenience. I remember when I was 16 years old my grandmother's dog had puppies. The lady who had asked to breed her dog with my grandmother's (that is another topic altogether...) came over soon after the precious little puppies were born. She didn't oooh or aaah over the tiny, perfect babies, she just went over and started PINCHING their little tails off with her bare hands. I was traumatized and screaming for her to stop. Then she acted like I was being dramatic and told me the pups couldn't even feel it. I was mortified and bewildered when I was told it was for aesthetic purposes. Humans can be so brainwashed into believing what they want to believe.
I met a doberman puppy last year. He was the biggest sweetheart who would run to the fence and play with me through the chain link. Then one day he had bandages on both of his little ears. He didn't want to come to the fence to see me at all and was in obvious distress. When I called out to his owner she explained she had his ears "cropped" so he wouldn't look funny when he was older. I couldn't believe this is even legal. The confusing part was I knew she really loved him and cared about him.
I definitely don't think this is ethical. I believe these are unconscionable acts of unnecessary cruelty.
Thank you for asking such an important question.
A comment on Conversation: Should parents, teachers and other personnel be able to carry a concealed weapon in a school?
A comment on Conversation: Media breaking news reports.
A comment on Conversation: Media breaking news reports.
A reply on Conversation: Media breaking news reports.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ushomicidesbyweapon.svg
http://mobile.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/human_nature/2012/12/connecticut_school_shooting_semi_automatic_weapons_and_other_high_speed.html
A reply on Conversation: Media breaking news reports.
(On a separate note...I sign off wondering how there are any animals even left in America if this info. is accurate)
A comment on Conversation: Media breaking news reports.
That is where my head is at only hours after this tragedy. I can't even begin thinking about the media...
Edited~ I am not going to respond to all the comments this is apparently going to elicit. Your "reasoning" is wasted on me and angers/sickens/frightens/confuses me deeply. I'm not interested in disputing your ridiculous arguments as I fully know where it will go. Nowhere.
PS...
GUNS KILL
A reply on Conversation: The new generation: should we take control?