I promised myself I wouldn't do this...

But damnit, it's my blog!

Do you love animals? Of course you do!
Do you love the circus? Of course you do!
I know you are probably saying to yourself, "Well these are silly questions Vanessa, who doesn't love the circus?"

I will tell you who doesn't love the circus...

THE ANIMALS!

The animals that can't speak for themselves and say:
I don't want to do this.
I want to retire.
Stop hurting me.
You're scaring me.
I miss my home.
Please let me go home.

We do what we want to animals because they can't communicate their feelings the way we do.

The following is an email I received from PETA. Please watch the undercover footage (link at the bottom of email).

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the "cruelest show on Earth" is coming to New York, and we need your help to raise awareness about the cruelty and violence that go on behind the scenes at the circus. When Ringling is in your town, it’s up to kind people like you to let Ringling know that this cruel show is not welcome!

Experts, eyewitnesses, and video footage prove that physical abuse is standard practice for training elephants in circuses. Ringling’s trainers have been observed hitting and jabbing elephants, including babies, with sharp steel-tipped rods called "bullhooks." We know that Ringling causes pain and suffering to animals, but we must share this with others so that they, too, will boycott the circus.

We hope that you will take some time out of your busy schedule to join local activists for these exciting and important demonstrations:

What: Ringling demonstrations
When: Thursday, March 26, 6 p.m. (opening night)
Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m., 2:15 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 29, 10 a.m., 2:15 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 1, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 5, 10 a.m., 2:15 p.m., and and 6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 10, 10 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m., 2:15 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 12, 2:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Monday, April 13, 2:15 p.m.
Where: Madison Square Garden (7th Avenue entrance), 4 Penn Plz., New York

All materials will be provided. If you have any questions about the demonstrations, please contact me at DavidS@peta.org. For more information on this campaign, to learn what former employees say about Ringling, and to view PETA's videos showing behind-the-scenes training, please visit Circuses.com.

We're in this fight together, and we couldn't do it without you. We're grateful that you're part of our A-Team, and we encourage you to take full advantage of the network by contacting us any time with questions, requests, or concerns. Thanks so much for everything that you do for animals!

For animals,

David Salisbury, Assistant Activist Liaison
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
DavidS@peta.org


Undercover Video

Guess who I saw?

Yup! Mr. Softee!

Listen, if it is cold enough to make my nipples hard...then it's not warm enough for ice cream!

Men need new material!

So I was walking the dogs this morning and I noticed a few police officers standing in front a car service storefront. I thought, I wonder what happened there? I didn't give it too much thought and continued to walk the pups praying for them to do their business so I could catch the 8:15 bus. JACKPOT! Cupcake began crouching. So I bent down to pick up her poop (I think I am the only one in Bushwick who picks up after their dog), and I heard one of the cops say, "Damn I gotta use the bathroom too!"

*pause*

Me: Are you insinuating that I should pick up your poop?
Him: No, no... (undetectable mumbling)
Me: Have a nice day.

So I continued walking, thinking WHO says that?

Now he tries to recover.

Him: I got two dogs. Can you walk my dogs too?
Me:Ummm How much are you paying? (I'm usually prepared with witty responses, but I was at a loss)
Him: How much am I paying? *pause* Can I come talk to you? *starts walking over*
Me: *mumbles curse-words* I'm kind of in a rush.

The rest is too unimportant and long to document.

If any men should come across this post, please adhere to the following:

Do not make animal noises to get our attention
Do not ask us if you can have some of what we are eating/drinking
Do not ask us why we didn't purchase you one of what we are eating/drinking
Do not call us ma, mami, chula, sexy, boo, etc.
Do not make those I-want-to-eat-you-up faces while licking your lips and looking us up and down
Do not ask us to pick up your poop
Do not ask us to do the things you see us doing (for you), in a poor attempt to strike up a conversation (i.e. you see us taking out the garbage and say, damn ma you wanna take out my garbage?) Notice: the example was a doubly whammy because it started off with Damn ma
Do not tell us that you want to "CONVERSATE" with us

The list can go on and on, but if this post helps just one man, I am happy.

The fruits of my labor

Jazmine and Cyrus
Sibling Love (at least for the picture lol)

Psycho is back!

So my son who lives with his dad called me this weekend to tell me that his father excessively "disciplined" him, and he didn't want to be there any longer. I didn't need to hear anymore, I went and retrieved him and his things from his fathers house. His father has a history of violence and his parenting methods have always left lots to be desired. Perhaps I should have called him before removing my son from the house, but you don't know this man. He is irrational and can go from 0-100 in 5 seconds. So now he is behaving very much like a child telling me that he and I are not on good terms and that he wants nothing to do with his son. UGH he really makes me sick. He doesn't want to know anything, positive or negative about my son, and wishes me good luck. Whew! What a nut job...you ever look back and have one of those What was I thinking moments?

So my son is safely in my home. I am a little worried because his father has to come over tonight to bring the last of my sons' stuff. I don't want any drama...but I am already anticipating it.

I am not one who hesitates to dial 911, and he knows this. I only hope it is fresh in his mind. Prayers please.

Eleven minutes you'll never get back

But worth it.



Lmao.

I demand a new dress code - NO CLOGS!

My co-worker has gone from wearing boots, that for some reason create a very annoying sound when she walks, to wearing clogs. I think I will go play in traffic now.



You think you know, but you have no idea.

Someone posed the question

What's making you happy right now?

Honestly I couldn't answer it, and that made me feel sad.

Work: I hate it. I can't find the silver lining there.

Children: They've grown up so fast, and are slipping right through my Kung Fu grip.

Me: Still haven't reached my goal weight, and quite honestly, haven't been trying very hard. Top three weaknesses: Cheese Chocolate and SODA!

Friends: Everyone is so far, and I am in desperate need of a GNO!

Education: I want to go back to school so badly, but the funds just won't allow it at this moment.

Health: Fibromyalgia is really taking a huge toll on me, and my knees are crunching louder than ever before. I mean don't get me wrong, I am always thankful that I am basically in good health, and that my family and close friends are all blessed in that department. HOWEVER, that doesn't lessen the pain I feel daily.

Debt: I don't want to talk about it.

Money: Not much to talk about. Need much more than I have, and don't know where it's coming from.

Very gloomy post right? I know! I kinda wanna punch the screen right now myself.
But at the risk of irritating everyone and using a very overused phrase, it is what it is!

I'm one of those happy people that always has a smile on even when the world is trying to gain entry through my anus, but today the smile is a little crooked and kind of half-ass.

I'm sorry what??

Welcome to flight 920 to Miami, would you like some penis, PEANUTS?

I'm sorry what?

OK ma'am opening your eyes super wide while you attempt to say the word peanuts without offending people is not working.



Ha!

On animal years.

It's just not fair that our beloved pets have such short lives. We love them like we birthed them, they become a part of our lives, we watch them grow old and feeble, and inevitably have to experience the excruciating pain of their passing. When I started at my job nine years ago, our office had a mascot, G.G. My boss had found her beaten half to death on the boardwalk near his home when she was just a few years old. He was the only one daring enough to approach a wounded Pitbull, and thank God he was. G.G. is a wonderful dog. She is greedy and pushy, and doesn't like our mail man much, but she is truly a mush. I would always tell people that were too scared to come into our office, "Don't be afraid, she's a kitten trapped in a Pitbulls body!"

My boss retired a couple of years ago, and I haven't seen G.G. since. He came in today, and said he had a surprise. When I saw G.G. trotting through the door, my heart melted. She'd put on some weight as most of us women do in our old age =) but she just looked so old. Her once vibrant face was gray, her eyes had a kind of bloodshot look to them. She's 15ish now. Her real age was never known. She remembered us and went over to each desk to greet each person individually.

I tried to capture a shot of her with my phone, but as soon as I would press the button, she would move...so this was the best that I could do...



It made me sad to think that I probably won't see her again. So I said my goodbyes to her today. Her life started rough, but she was rescued by her prince charming and has a great life living upstate NY at my bosses property. She is a testament to the loving nature these dogs can have, even when they have experienced abuse.

I <3 you G.G.

Get your knot on!

www.whiteknot.org


Wear a White Knot to show support for Marriage Equality.
The White Knot is the symbol for marriage equality. Wear it every
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today that equal rights are important to everyone. Share the White Knot and
spread the word that all loving couples deserve the same legal rights,
benefits, and respect that civil marriage bestows.
Visibility is the goal.

Whether you are gay, straight, or otherwise, please show your support by
wearing the Knot and telling people why you are wearing it. Wear your
White Knot to work, to school, to your place of worship. Together, we will
keep the topic at the top of people's minds and keep the conversation going.

For a free White Knot, send a self-addressed
stamped envelope to:
White Knot for Equality
PO Box 691517
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Sometimes you just gotta ask...

What the f*ck are you doing?

Sometimes people just do crazy things that you don't understand.
Most times you don't even really expect an answer.
But you just have to ask anyway.

Just be careful when you ask this question, that you are not live on the air.



P.S. Sue Simmons is extremely gangster...I bet her pimp hand is very strong.