tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655Sat, 25 Jan 2025 19:22:26 +0000linkety linkblogs I likeanecdotes: pointless and/or ramblydogsit's politicalrandom photosgrumpyRubyin the newsNaBloPoMoquiz results and other time-wastersmusictechnical detailsflora and/or faunatransportationcooking without a netsciencebookssilly thingsreligionshoeblogginghealth care in the USholga picsqueerculture warsfstorch photosholidaysmy sister the mailmancatsvideo linksWTF deptfat chicksyard workchick stuffit's about timeI read a study about thatartfeminismgot spare change?bicyclebiofuelseconomicsenvironmental issueshousehold choresliteraturemoviespoetrysexspidersteeveevocationwaterwritingarchival copies of rambly writing about my personal life. may include foul or explicit language, or pictures of spiders.http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)Blogger385125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-3304589735521500335Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:21:00 +00002008-07-03T09:36:40.957-04:00in the newstechnical detailsIf you popped over here from Smitty's Notes, please note that more recent posts are here, along with a whole new site design & everything. I moved the blog a while ago. Julie tells me I won Runner Up in the Best Local Blog category (thanks, yall!) even though I haven't been posting very much lately. If you want to, you can read older posts by browsing through the archives here -- just click onhttp://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2008/07/ooops-wrong-link.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-8598533484317759139Wed, 02 Jan 2008 01:41:00 +00002008-01-16T16:47:59.559-05:00grumpytechnical detailsI really did see that on a sign once, in a department store, when I went in to purchase a greeting card of some kind. It was maybe 25 years ago, but I still giggle about it sometimes, because that's the kind of gal I am. I still wish I'd photographed it.This blogspot address will no longer be updated as of right after I publish this post, and (if I did everything correctly) this blog will no http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2008/01/stationary-department-has-moved.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-8458934057302999134Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:43:00 +00002007-12-24T19:05:49.422-05:00dogsgrumpyRubyThe whole thing was a great deal less stressful than I expected it to be. She rolled in something horrible on our walk a little while ago, and I tried just washing the affected areas but she still stank. Julie has warned me that I needed to put her into the bathtub and give her a real bath, just to get her used to it, while she was still young enough to think it was fun. I was prepared to http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/12/ruby-just-had-her-first-bath.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-4609150928641501191Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:34:00 +00002007-12-24T16:34:34.481-05:00silly thingstechnical detailsI just noticed that I did in fact exceed the total number of posts for 2005, my first year blogging. This was my goal, and I'm now happy. It's also, in case you are keeping track, post #384 or something like that. Traffic to alphabitch.org continues to be light, which is how I like it. I've only ever had to delete a couple of comments (mostly for irrelevant commercial shilling or really http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/12/search-strings-and-post-142-in-2007.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-7260322255203406865Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:04:00 +00002007-12-24T13:11:34.056-05:00dogsrandom photosRubyDaisy commented on yesterday's post that "I swear, it looks like they are talking! I WANT THE CHAIR! OH YEAH, WELL YOU CAN'T HAVE IT!" She was exactly right; Ruby eventually gave up, having very firmly established possession of the other two chairs, the sofa, her own bed, and my bed. It was an epic battle, but Mandy, as you can see, was pretty happy with the purple chair and her crate.Merry http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/12/mandy-did-prevail-in-case-you-were.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-5252740230526713824Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:45:00 +00002007-12-22T19:52:33.512-05:00dogsRubyShe's being fairly assertive about the chair today, Mandy is, and they are both being very good dogs. I don't have the camera at home with me today, so we'll have to look at this photo from the last time Mandy was here. It's pretty much what they are doing right now.We've got some dog biscuits in the oven and are having a pretty swell Saturday night. Maybe we'll watch a movie or something.http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/12/mandy-comes-for-another-visit.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-11381804797622461Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:55:00 +00002007-12-16T17:12:57.530-05:00grumpyhousehold choresIf you are looking for a color to paint your kitchen -- or even, say, the kitchen in the apartment over your garage -- don't pick the color of Tang®. It's really ugly, plus unappetizing. And you can see it through two coats of primer and one coat of paint. And now there's a song stuck in my head, even though I was painting a kitchen, not a living room. I can't find a link to the song or a http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/12/color-of-tang.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-8004004695236605345Sun, 16 Dec 2007 13:10:00 +00002007-12-16T11:18:31.232-05:00cooking without a netdogsI made some more dog biscuit dough yesterday, and this time I measured everything, and kept track of what I did. So here it is, because I know Linus wants some. It's kind of complicated and putzy, but you love your dog, right? I did this the old-fashioned way, meaning I dissolved the yeast in about half a cup of warm water (about 110 degrees F) with one sugar cube and then let it stand until http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/12/dog-biscuits-recipe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-4915853595040550019Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:28:00 +00002007-12-15T09:37:20.495-05:00dogsRubyThis morning Ruby performed the elusive 'down-stay' maneuver, staying put for twenty seconds. Twenty entire seconds! She's pretty good at 'sit-stay' and will go directly to 'down' on command, but she usually pops back up as soon as her elbows hit the floor.In other news, I have learned to say 'off the fence,' and 'come here,' and 'sit' pretty much every single time Ruby jumps on the fence. http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-dog-is-good-dog.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-1854285566743034365Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:40:00 +00002009-08-13T10:20:38.184-04:00dogsgrumpyRubyWhen I leave the house, I always leave a bunch of toys in Ruby's little space. And the radio playing. She gets confined to the hallway and bathroom; there's a window, but it's up high so that she can't look out and bark at the neighbor dogs or the mailman. There are several doors that get locked with hooks: to the basement, the living room, my bedroom, a linen closet, the stairwell going http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/12/environmental-enrichment-for-dogs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-8428157461463658662Tue, 11 Dec 2007 03:51:00 +00002007-12-10T23:16:16.637-05:00I read a study about thatin the newsI think my brain is missing something. I don't think I have an 'irrelevance filter.' Apparently there's memory and there's something called 'working memory:'"Working memory is important because it gives a mental workspace in which we can hold information whilst mentally engaged in other relevant tasks, which is crucial for learning."Its capacity is limited and seems to vary from person to http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/12/science-in-action-attention-headaches.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-5066808203221588067Sat, 08 Dec 2007 23:10:00 +00002007-12-08T19:16:55.497-05:00dogsRubyI think the homemade dog biscuits might have been a mistake. Oh, they turned out great, and there are a lot of them. Or, there were a lot of them. I've given away several dozens of them, but Ruby's certainly put a dent in the supply. She can tell when I have them in my pocket, on account of they are more deliciously fragrant than other dog biscuits. And there are still about 500 biscuits' http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/12/whos-training-whom.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-7132438687038426940Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:09:00 +00002007-12-05T23:30:17.960-05:00biofuelsblogs I likeRubytransportationI'm very tired and about to toddle off to bed. Ruby is in the kitchen barking to alert me to the presence on the counter of a freshly baked loaf of bread. I'm waiting for it to get cool enough to wrap up. I'm not sure why she doesn't just jump up and get it; it is within her reach.She's a funny dog.But as long as I'm sitting here, waiting around, I will tell you about another item I emailed tohttp://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/12/dreamy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-4508228006014546778Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:40:00 +00002007-12-04T21:00:19.561-05:00artflora and/or faunaspidersI emailed myself this link recently, in case I wanted to post some spider pictures. I found it via Neurophilosophy. This guy, Mike Libby, found a dead beetle one day and, intrigued by its beautiful exoskeleton, installed some watch parts in it. Why? I don't know, really. His artist statement type page says he explores "themes of science, nature, fantasy, history and autobiography; http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/12/bugwatching.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-2074855182279210475Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:21:00 +00002007-12-04T18:28:10.405-05:00musicRubytechnical detailsIf you're trying to email your request for the 2007 Christmas CD and I haven't already replied to you, please try again. A couple of folks apparently ran afoul of my SPAM filters somewhere along the line. You can email contact.alphagal -at- gmail -dot- com if the other address isn't working.I really will get them out this week; it's been a bit busier than usual here at alphabitch HQ.Also, http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/12/technical-difficulties-and-couple-other.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-558983623283084783Sun, 02 Dec 2007 23:13:00 +00002007-12-02T18:37:06.908-05:00chick stuffFriday night I was at dinner with a bunch of people, and wouldn't you know it: the minute I sat down at the table someone mentioned the Area 51 incident. I knew someone would bring it up sooner or later, but I thought I'd at least have a chance to sit down, get a glass of wine, talk to everybody for a bit, but no. I'm certainly aware that people -- people I know as well as total strangers -- http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/12/had-to-happen-sooner-or-later.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-442240497023626219Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:16:00 +00002007-11-30T15:45:07.424-05:00NaBloPoMoOr maybe even better. Sara, over at Moving Right Along, who sort of got me involved in this whole thing in the first place, and who is an all-around great gal, has made this handy "mission accomplished" badge to post. I guess I should add it to the previous post, or maybe I could put it on the sidebar somewhere. But I'm going to add another entire post, just so I can say I posted 38 times thishttp://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/11/as-good-as-prize.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-7816616712151886155Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:43:00 +00002007-11-30T15:20:12.675-05:00NaBloPoMoHere it is, the last day of NaBloPoMo, and I still haven't gotten around to posting anything really serious or profound. But you know what? I suspect that I'm just not that kind of a blogger. I don't know why I thought I might do that. I guess that because I think about serious and profound things from time to time, and I occasionally talk about them with friends and with colleagues here at http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/11/well-i-guess-thats-it-then.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-4356892330275334995Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:13:00 +00002007-11-29T11:35:52.363-05:00dogsNaBloPoMorandom photosRubyRuby is used to at least two long walks a day, plus free run of the back yard whenever she wants. This "short leash walks only until laceration heals" thing is getting on her nerves. And mine. We go out in the back yard on the leash and she just stares at me. We go back in the house and she gets into something the minute I sit down. If I'm doing laundry or chores that take me from one room tohttp://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/11/ruby-dismantles-sofa.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-532149185865141252Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:36:00 +00002007-11-28T22:00:48.179-05:00in the newsNaBloPoMotransportationI heard on the radio this morning that Americans are using less gasoline, that maybe rising costs at the pump are causing drivers to, like, drive less. Or drive more fuel-efficient vehicles. Or something. You don't say! Higher prices might make consumers reconsider their spending priorities? Capitalism in action! The Unseen Hand of the market made manifest!But actually, they went on to say http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/11/this-just-in-or-not.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-5292476266037115256Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:47:00 +00002007-11-27T17:01:06.444-05:00NaBloPoMoRubyyard workI have been looking all over my backyard, trying to find whatever it is that keeps cutting Ruby's foot. OK, it's cut her foot twice, but there's obviously something dangerous out there. I've been out there several times lately, getting rid of loose pieces of wire mesh, removing old nails sticking out of boards, and generally trying to tidy up back there, but I haven't found any obvious hazards http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/11/everythings-coming-up-roses.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-2285139338055185670Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:14:00 +00002007-11-26T20:06:18.088-05:00NaBloPoMowritingI got an email today from our fearless NaBloPoMo leader (the lovely and talented Eden Kennedy, whom I would like to thank at this time for bothering with this whole thing) cheering me on, and reminding me that there are only a few short days left in the whole blogging every day event. I have to say that it's gone by pretty fast. Yeah, there have been a few days I didn't want to bother, or http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/11/its-not-over-til-its-over.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-1373914133142442429Sun, 25 Nov 2007 21:48:00 +00002007-11-25T16:54:36.969-05:00NaBloPoMoRubysilly thingsI dropped a wasabi-coated roasted pea on the kitchen floor. Ruby chased it enthusiastically and got to it before I did. I tried to explain that dogs don't like wasabi very much at all. She ate it. And then she looked up at me with the most hilariously horrified look on her face. I took pity on her and gave her some supper a little early: some kibble and half of one of those awful Scotch Pies http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/11/ruby-does-not-like-wasabi-peas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-6731535595556910938Sun, 25 Nov 2007 17:05:00 +00002007-11-25T13:14:07.686-05:00dogsgrumpyNaBloPoMoRubyI'm planning to have a good day today, because yesterday was really really lousy. It started out fine. Ruby's friend Kalei had spent the night, and they were having a great time. Running around in the backyard, taking naps in the sun, sleeping on the couch. I was determined to change the furnace filter, because when I turned the heat on the other day I realized I couldn't remember when I'd http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/11/yesterday-is-over-tomorrow-is-another.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10485655.post-4288603846496648380Sat, 24 Nov 2007 23:12:00 +00002007-11-24T18:57:17.358-05:00cooking without a netholidaysNaBloPoMoMy mother has been going on and on about what she was planning to get me for Christmas for months now. I had my suspicions about it, that was probably some kind of kitchen gear, because she brought it up in every conversation about recipes. But I didn't really want to think too hard about it, because she was having so much fun and I didn't want to wreck it. And then there was all this drama http://alphabitch7.blogspot.com/2007/11/and-i-didnt-have-to-get-married-to-get.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (alphabitch)9