The Barking Bear Blog

Just a though

2009-09-03T19:57:43Z

Is a banana shake really that unusual that when I say I want one people just start laughing? Have I said something so off the wall that it's just confusing. Oh, and is there a 12 step program for Facebook? I mean, seriously.. it's not THAT entertaining, though I do have a fabulous collection of friends that I enjoy keeping up with.

biagio @ 2009-05-11T14:06:00

2009-05-11T14:06:06Z

This article is so representative of the Republican Finger-Pointing Strategy to lay blame squarely at the feet of ANYONE else. And their war-mongering has turned inwards among their own party as they no longer have the amount of power in our own government necessary to start an actual war anymore. At least, I hope!

Cheney says he doubts Powell’s GOP values- The New Haven Register - Serving Greater New Haven, CT

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Quote of the Week!

2009-04-28T23:56:57Z

Stealing home plate is just like [Jacoby Ellsbury] tea-bagging [The Yankees]

What is Love?

2009-04-23T18:12:52Z

I was asked today how I would define love. I thought on it for a few seconds and responded, "I know I'm in love when I don't mind losing my independence." I guess that's the defining reason why I don't date or look for someone to grow old and die with. Yeah, there are days when it would be nice to have someone around but isn't that what friends are for? The companionship without the commitment or expectations.

Seriously, I think that once you're in a relationship with someone... sharing a residence, commingling lives, getting a pet or having kids together... you lose what you wanted a relationship for in the first place. Just exactly what kind of discussions can two people have if they see each other for hours every single day? Not much more than generic discussions of the days events, I bet. A twenty minute discussion on dinner for the evening then vegging out in front of the TV to watch American Idol or some sit-com.

Do I really want to spend the rest of my life like that?

Then, there's the end. Yeah, 2/3 of marriages last longer than 10 years (the optimistic way of saying 1/3 of marriages won't last past 10 years), but just how happy are these people? I'd say 1/2 of them are staying together for convenience or children. Still, a sad life to live. After the end, you now have your independence returned to you, whether you wanted it or not--- even worse, whether you're prepared to have it back or not.

To hell with that....

Do you remember that time...

2009-04-15T13:59:07Z

We were walking near the footbridge behind College Woods Park. It was a nice warm day, the sun was out. Late spring, I think. You decided to go swimming, which wasn't an issue to me. You were the one who was going to be wet.

So you're swimming back and forth in the cold river, happy as anything. I'm on the shore watching you when I noticed the swans. So beautiful they were. Mom had a bunch of little cygnets following it around. Dad was just swimming around. I think it was a perfect-ish day.

Then daddy swan got mad at you for swimming in his river. I didn't realize it at first but he stopped idly swimming and started coming right at us. I called to you and you left the river, but daddy swan wasn't havening it. He wanted us GONE. So, here we are running away from a swan in the middle of the woods.

You stopped and shook off the water, getting me wet as well. Two wet guys in the woods. Thank God nobody saw us, they would have wondered what was up... you were dripping so much.

That was a great day, Natey. I still miss you terribly, but even more on your birthday.

Happy birthday, Nate.

Earth Hour: yes, I'm kinda on the bandwagon

2009-03-10T14:31:50Z

Earth Hour, sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m.

By simply turning out all non-essential lighting for one hour, we will join tens of millions of concerned citizens throughout the world in a call for action to save our planet for future generations.

More than 50 million people in 400 cities around the world took part in Earth Hour 2008. The lights went out at Sydney’s Opera House, Rome’s Coliseum, the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge. Even the Google homepage went dark for the day.

This year, Earth Hour promises to be even bigger. In the US, the following cities have pledged to participate: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville and San Francisco. Cities around the world are also participating: Beijing, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Helsinki, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Manila, Mexico City, Moscow, Rome and Toronto.

To get a better sense of the magnitude and inspiring nature of the event, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjWD8pb5t8.

To help make sure the lights actually do go out on March 28th, you can ask that all of your co-workers ensure the office lights and all non-essential equipment are off before leaving the office on Friday, March 27th. I would also like to encourage everyone to participate in Earth Hour by turning off their lights at home during the event.

Participating in Earth Hour is easy, fun and absolutely free. For more information and to sign up for the event (which I would also ask you do), visit www.EarthHourUS.org.

The Car Drama

2009-01-24T16:17:15Z

I went and visited my sister on Sunday, Jan 18th. It started to snow, so I left... nervous with the Eagles leading in their playoff game. Stopped at Walmart and eventually got home around nineish for the evening. I fell asleep watching TV, an occurence that happens too frequently I think, and woke up around 4am. I looked out the window to see how much snow we had and realized that a different car was parked where I left mine. Now.. I did a LOT of searching in my sleep infused mind and realized that indeed my car was gone.

I called the PD around 7am to see if they had any idea (New Haven just LOVES to tow cars). They didn't. I had to report it stolen. What a drag. I called my insurance company to report the claim and get that ball rolling. Then began the worrying. No car, loan payoff about equal to car's worth. I'm going to have to get a car and do 100% financing. Looking at doubling my payment. How am I going to pay my bills?

On Wednesday, I was walking through the ice encrusted streets, freezing my willy off and looked at my phone to check the time. I saw that I had a new voice mail and missed a call around 11:30 the previous night. I listened and the PD had found my car. Abandoned, obviously hot-wired and with some body damage.

Well, the car is now in Branford getting repaired. I have to come up with $500 for the deductible, which is gonna kill me for a month.. but it's better than losing the car entirely.

It's just polite, people

2008-12-15T18:49:54Z

Unless it's really cold, or I'm really lazy, I walk almost everyplace in my neighborhood. Not that there's much reason for it... except to walk the dog... it's just something I like to do. Of course, not losing my precious parking space is a factor too, but that's a heated topic for me and I don't recommend bringing it up. What I don't understand is why so many people don't acknowledge a "Good Morning" or "Hello" as I pass them on the street. I always say it, it's simply polite, but I'm amazed at how many times I'm ignored. People don't make eye-contact and they don't respond. Not just here or there, but an majority of times! Granted, not everyone is like that. The panhandlers just love to reply. They love to ask for money or cigarettes. A good number of the locals do respond... as opposed to the "Yalies". I should start taking notes on the responses and figure out a visual demographic.

Got cut-off today by another Volvo.  For respect to better_angel or Art, I won't say it's every Volvo driver I see on the road, but 95% (again, just guessing... no solid statistics) of the time that someone cuts me off, hangs their nose halfway into traffic, turns into traffic without looking or does some other bone-headed thing that I have to react to when behind the wheel of my car, it's a Volvo that is responsible.

I'm now a member of Facebook. I had to look something up that required an account so I signed up.  First of all, I was surprised to find I already had an account (which I deleted). Secondly, it's not like MySpace at all with it's over indulgence of crap music and graphics. I like the status update thing. A one liner, easily posted via website or phone is neat. I haven't done research to check on IM'ing an update, but I'm sure it's available some how.

Still single. Still kinda happy about it. Sometimes it's sad come the holiday season, but then I see the stress my siblings go through around the holiday.  One sister especially who has to deal with my father who will whine and moan that he's hated if she doesn't make a big deal about having him over. No, I'm still not speaking to my father. He's now estranged to three of his children and at least one of his own siblings. At least nobody can say it's my fault we're not speaking. hokiebear2000 and I discussed my paternal relationship at some point in the past and he related it to cutting out cancer. He pretty much hit the nail on the head with that analogy.

Well, that's my semi-whatever update. Have a good one!

Oh yeah... and since this is public... "Brian Urlacher, will you marry me?"

CT Makes the gay news

2008-10-10T18:02:38Z

Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage.

Goals

2008-08-21T19:13:18Z

Goals for today
1. Catch-up on LJ
2. ~~Make a post.~~

Don't Pic and Drive

2008-05-23T17:34:44Z

My nemesis, My Cashcow

2008-05-22T15:04:17Z

So long to my Thirties

2008-05-15T13:31:37Z

Will the weekend come?

2008-05-14T12:58:30Z

Monday's

2008-05-12T14:15:12Z

Fire Drill Fun

2008-05-08T14:40:16Z

Me: Today

2008-05-07T20:44:09Z

BIagio LIVES!

2008-04-02T03:30:11Z

I'm sure that lots of people haven't ever said, "Why hasn't Ben been blogging?". And who could blame them? I don't know lots of people! In fact, I can guarantee you that there are more people in the world that I don't know than I have made acquaintance with.

Mostly, my absense has been laziness. I really don't have the time at work anymore to read LJ or give you the dreary updates of my life. In fact, if I wasn't watching the Red Sox play against the A's, I'd probably be in bed. (bot 4th, 0-1 Oakland).

Jocko's behavioural problems are better. They haven't left, but by keeping a better handle on him I've been able to steer him away from those 'triggers' of bad behaviour. The bugger is curled up on my lap, a bit damp after being forced out into the rain because he had to do his business. Nothing like a dog begging to go outside and then freezing when he realizes that he's gonna get wet in the process. Anyone for a Balk?

March was relatively overwhelming for me. I took a class to become an MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional). 3d/wk for a good chunk of the month of March. Lots of reading and testing to study. Then the exam came and I was positive I tanked. But, I didn't!! Scored the equivalent of a B/B+. Then there was Easter mixed in there, housesitting for a week, a birthday... Yes, that was March. Oh yeah, and work.

I love my job, but sometimes I am totally exhausted by the end of the day.

OK.. Time for bed. To all who haven't de-friended me.. HAVE A GOOD ONE!

I hate mieces to pieces

2008-03-06T21:14:46Z

For anyone interested in a very cool applet for windows, may I suggest Enzo. It seems like a good way to help me on my never ending journey (...to save my boyfriend...) to hardly ever touch my mouse.

A Community Combined

2008-01-28T17:22:39Z

On Jan 27th, I attended a fund raiser for the partner of a man who was killed in a car accident a few weeks ago. I knew very few people there and when I was invited, I almost said no. You all know me and how I am with crowds of people. Compiled with the social awkwardness of being new to a group of people. I hid outside for a good chunk of it, puffing my nicotine with the one friend I did know, meeting his new boyfriend and a couple other very nice guys.
Another thing that crossed my mind regarding the event, and increased my resistance for going, was that I didn't know the deceased or his partner (actually never did meet him). Would I be intruding? Would this be a depressed group of men, all hugging and crying over the loss of someone?

After much deliberation, I attended. And was I glad I went. First off, it wasn't depressing at all. From what I picked up around the bar, Mike was a great person. Someone that I am sorry I never met nor will ever have the chance to. It became quickly apparent that he was a well liked guy. Secondly, it showed me how much a community could come together in support for one of it's own in a time of crisis. Tiertiary to this, but no less important to me, is reconnecting with my friend Todd and meeting his new boyfriend. I missed Todd when we had to stop playing poker. It wasn't convenient to just hang out. Plus, while the ex- is a nice guy, he could be extremely negative and basically a downer to be in the room with.

Dog Delima

2008-01-15T16:25:21Z

I'm at a loss of what to do. Jocko bit me again today.

It's always the same situation. Someone comes near the house, be it while he's in the yard or in my apartment. He goes ape-shit, especially when the stranger is walking their dog. The hair pops up on his neck, he runs around barking his head off. He doesn't listen to me at all. It's as if the stranger blinds him to everything else. If I try to block his path, he runs around or away from me, barking the whole time. Today I grabbed him and now I've got two spots where the bite broke my skin and a number of other welts that didn't break the skin.

This is unacceptable behavior. I have no idea what to do about it, all my other attempts to change this have failed. I hate to do it, but I think it's time for a shock collar. Something has to bring him back to reality when I call him. I'm hoping the collar will keep him from barking and that will be enough to regain his attention so he'll listen to me.

When inside, or it's just us outside, he's great! We'll play ball, he'll cuddle with me. We can play tug (a game I win, I know if I lost it wouldn't be good and not to play it). He loves when I have guests over. But if he hears something outside he doesn't like, it's all over. This guy jumps to the top of the futon near a window so hard it moves. You can hear the bang as it hits the wall behind it and then another has it lands back on the floor.

I just don't know what else to do! I love him dearly and I'd hate to get rid of him, especially after having him for four years. Putting him down because of this has crossed my mind, but that would be the ultimate last resort. He won't be allowed near the nieces or nephews anymore, not that he's really met them. I just can't have one of them being near him when he goes ballistic.

School Daze

2008-01-09T19:43:34Z

Well, in March I'll be taking my first "class" in probably 10-15 years. Guess when I decide to do something, I just jump in. It's a Bootcamp class, meaning I'll go 2-3x/wk for the month and then be done. Once completed, and if I pass the test, I'll be a Microsoft Certified Professional on Server 2003.

Needless to say, I'm a bit nervous. Work is springing for the tuition up front. I've got to figure out dog duty since it will be impossible for me to leave work, go home, deal with dog, go to school (needless to say cruel since it will most definitely be a rush to get him out and then I leave again). Also, it's probably a lot of studying and not a lot of time to do it.

Wish me luck!

Luncheon Bliss

2008-01-08T18:08:15Z

Lunch today: PB&J on White, Glass Whole Milk.

It was orgasmic!

My Motto for 2008

2008-01-07T17:20:34Z

My motto this year is going to be.. "What's my Return on Investment?"

Which, I guess, is just a PC way of saying "What's in it for me?"

Fucking sue me.

Pro Football Pick'em

2008-01-02T14:49:42Z

Hey, I'll take 2nd place. And be proud of it!

Sorry Ham. At least your Packers still have games to play. And one hot QB.

Who the hell took #1?