The Red Brick Times

It's that time of year again when tRBT hosting service wants some moolah. $95.40 keeps us up and running 'till October of '06. What a deal! Makes you wanna dig into your pockets for a contribution right this very second don't it? Last year John and Andy did that very thing and split the cost between them. Warmed the cockles of my heart. Well mookies, the cockles have gone cold again, so this is your big chance to apply some heat. Go on, show some love for tRBT! In return you get (in order of importance):

a warm fuzzy feeling

cool things to look at
Visions of Science Photographic Awards
Modern Living / Neurotica Series
NYPL Digital Gallery

fun things to do
Plastic Balls
Thinking Machine 4

What? You want more? Jeeze, you drive a hard bargain. Ok. I may even be motivated to install a picture viewing/cataloging/captioning system here that we can all upload to. There. That oughtta do it.
Posted 8:40 AM by whatley (4) comments

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Happy to continue supporting RBT, $50 .... next?

# posted by  jeichenlaub : September 30, 2005 8:41 AM
 
Wow. Thanks again John. Let me know if you want a photo catalogue or some other goodie added.

We're halfway there!

# posted by  whatley : September 30, 2005 8:58 AM
 
Done and done

Mikey

# posted by  Michael : September 30, 2005 5:56 PM
 
Holy Sweet Screamin' Jesus! Thank you Mike! We're set for another year!

As a special bonus here's a slice of life in Whatleyville. Niki, my new puppy, likes to hide her favorite chew toys. She'll ususlly take them outside and bury them then bring sticks inside for her chewing pleasure. Drives me crazy. I've discovered a couple places in the house she'll use when the urge to stash is upon her but she can't get out right then. One of them is behind my computer desk where the modem/router/cables are. Here's the slice. She was back there when I saw that you'd contributed the other half for the year. I yelled "Holy Sweet Screamin' Jesus", scared the shit out of her, she bolted, and in her haste took most every wire out with her. Not only does my laptop and network crash but I'm in the dark to boot. Took 20 minutes and a flashlight to get everything back together.

# posted by  whatley : September 30, 2005 8:38 PM
 
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Niki and I went to the First Annual Oberlin "Doggie Doo" yesterday, where Tappan Square became a dog pardise for a few hours. There were lots of assorted water containers scattered around and free dog treats galore. I was surprised at the number of booths that were set up, there must have been fifty of them. Represented were dog vets, shelters, trainers, fashion designers (yep, fashion designers), people who bake custom doggie treats and, surprisingly, one cat shelter booth (how'd they get in?). Oberlin being Oberlin there was also a booth promoting dog psychiatric services. And of course there were dogs (and owners) of every description. Niki had a swell time and damn near wore her sniffer out. The Oasis people were there and Niki seemed to recognize them, especially Vera, who she jumped all over. I even met the woman who called the cops about Niki being mistreated and got her taken to Oasis in the first place. In the two or so hours we spent wandering around the square I never heard a single angry growl. Amazing.
Posted 10:06 AM by whatley (0) comments

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Now this is how to write a letter of complaint!
Posted 6:08 AM by whatley (0) comments

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"I printed 50,000 of these speech bubble stickers. I place them on top of movie posters, ads and signs all over New York City. Passers are invited to fill them in. I go back and photograph the results."
Posted 6:04 AM by whatley (0) comments

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Things Niki, my new puppy, must learn:

1. While socks may appear to have been created as the perfect tug-of-war toy you must make every effort to refrain from using them as such, especially when I’m trying to put them on in the morning. Ditto for bath towels, whether in use or not.
2. Contrary to popular opinion the living and dining rooms are not perfect places to take a shit.
3. The idea of “fetch” is that you chase the thrown object, not me.
4. Do I steal food from your bowl? No. Please have the same respect for food on my plate. (And yes, coffee tends to be very very hot.)
5. Sticking one’s snout through the shower curtain when the shower is in use will indeed result in the aforementioned snout being squirted.

Posted 12:14 PM by whatley (5) comments

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Russ,
Get her a sock that she CAN play with and tie a knot in it so its recognizable and give it to her when she tries to take yours. We've found that the positive reinforcement method (rewarding behavior you want to encourage when there is a clear link between the two) works alot better than negative techniques we've used inthe past.

When you eat try putting her on a lead and sitting on it with your foot on the lead near her neck. Tell her to"Down" and "Stay" and make sure she does then reward her for it with table scraps or a biscuit.

You have to remember she has six months of bad habits to correct while you instill the good ones you want. Enjoy!

# posted by  A. O. : September 11, 2005 5:14 PM
 
It's not really socks themselves, it's just that she's real playful in the morning. Turning on the light and feet hitting the floor signals the start of the "morning ritual"; two minutes of frantic tail wagging and undivided attention. And she hasn't started begging. She hit my plate once when I was stupid enough to set it on a low table then walked away for a second. One other time I sat my coffee on the same low table. She sniffed at it but I figured coffee (black & very hot) must smell awful to a dog and didn't think she'd go for a taste. She stuck the tiniest tip of her tongue into it and jumped a foot in the air.

# posted by  whatley : September 11, 2005 7:24 PM
 
ain't dogs cool. Have you checked into puppy classes for her. I highly recommend it if can find a good school.

# posted by  A. O. : September 12, 2005 12:44 PM
 
Yeah, I've been thinking about that. She's over her super timidity enough now that some kind of training could start. There's only one training ad in the Elyria yellow pages. I'll probably give 'em a call and check pricing.

# posted by  whatley : September 12, 2005 4:08 PM
 
Petsmart has obedience classes on premisis. I went a few years ago with Speedy. Now I hardly ever piss in the aisle.

# posted by  Ray : September 18, 2005 8:39 AM
 
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Linda Weiss underwent cancer surgery earlier this week at the Cleveland Clinic. I spoke with her last night and everything seems to have gone pretty well. She's in good shape, considering, but will be stuck at home for at least a few weeks. Give her a call! (I hope she doesn't mind me informing people about this through tRBT but if she does, seeing as how she's ordering DSL at home and will soon be an RBT member, she can yell at me in her first post.)

I've heard that Clayton is also having some medical problems and was in the hospital but at home now. Ralph, you've spoken with him, how 'bout some info?
Posted 7:42 AM by whatley (1) comments

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Anybody have Linda's address and phone number?

# posted by  A. O. : September 11, 2005 5:06 PM
 
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The St. Jude's Parish Festival/Chicken Barbecue Extravaganza is today. Seeing as how it's in my backyard (more or less) please feel free to drop on by. I've got plenty of paper towels or, if you'd prefer, a puppy to lick your fingers clean. Parking will be at a premium around here so use my driveway if you want. The back gate that used to open onto their parking lot no longer does (just yesterday I found they did some landscaping that's temporarily blocked it) but there's an entrance off Longford just a few houses up. If I'm not here I'll be over there and soon to return so just come in through the side gate and make yourself comfy.
Posted 7:10 AM by whatley (0) comments

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Late this afternoon I returned from a four day business trip to Novi, MI. It's about a half hour or so NW of Detroit, a slightly more than three hour drive from Elyria. On the way back I called Vera from Oasis Shelter and asked if I could swing by and pick up Niki (see below). Vera couldn't be at the shelter at that particular time so I came home first, unpacked, and made a few more puppy preparations. We met up there at 6:00pm and Niki is now sitting by my chair crunching away on a chew toy. Cool.

First impressions: Niki is way timid right now. Vera mentioned just noticing this when taking Niki to the vet for her second round of puppy shots. She's ok at Oasis but going somewhere new is freaky for her, so much so that I had to pick her up and carry her into and out of the car. She wasn't happy being in the house either so I took her out back and let her loose. She liked that. I walked around the yard with her for awhile then just sat by the open sliding door. She'd come up for pets then roam around a bit. If I moved or made a noise she'd jump, but that didn't last long. After a while I came inside and sat where she could see me. She wanted more pets and eventually realized she was going to have to come on in to get 'em. First a nose, then back off and look at me through the door. Couple minutes later it'd be a nose and two feet. I kept calling her and she eventually came in. It's been the same story for each room so far. Three down and about six to go, but we'll save those rooms for later. I think she's had a big enough day.
Posted 8:20 PM by whatley (2) comments

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Cool! Have Fun!

# posted by  A. O. : September 01, 2005 10:57 PM
 
Puppy Update (puppy uppers?): For housebreaking purposes I used a couple of thick plywood panels to make a sleeping den for her in my utility room, one on each side of the washer/drier by about three feet wide, enough space for her dishes and a sleeping pad but not much more. She didn't piss or shit in there so I guess it's the right size. Not a peep out of her all night. She was thrilled to see me this morning. I hustled her outside right away and left the door open. She wants attention so comes in, gets some, and goes back out. It's obvious she wants me out there too. Sorry kid, I need my coffee.

# posted by  whatley : September 02, 2005 6:24 AM
 
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