Hounds on the Loose

I regularly walk my dog in one of the many city off-leash areas. And while most dog owners are very considerate about keeping their dog(s) under control, a few are not. There have even been a few articles in the local newspaper discussing just how many dogs can one person control if they are walking in a designated off-leash area as safety has become an issue after a few dog attacks.

Anyway, as I'm parking and getting my dog ready to walk, a big truck with a topper pulls up next to me and parks in the designated spot for handicapped persons. This spot is right by the entrance gate to the off-leash area and so the truck has backed in for easy access. Even in my vehicle I can hear the dogs barking, howling, baying and making whatever sounds dogs make. They sounded pretty darn excited. As I leave my vehicle, I can see that there are at least 10 dogs in the back of this truck. Two people get out of the truck, and spend a few seconds looking around the area. Then they open the gate to the off-leash area and then open the back of the truck.

All I can say is thank God there were no unsuspecting foxes, or any dog or person for that matter, in their way. These dogs, all large, exited the truck as one and shot off into the park like bats out of hell. The two people? They stood and watched and then started screaming for the dogs to come. Fat chance. Those dogs were off and having the time of their life. All through this, I'm standing with my dog watching the show. They see me and decide one of them better go after the dogs.

The sign on their truck said that these people were a dog walking service. I'd bet they tell their clients that their beloved pets are under constant supervision. maybe this walk in the park was a first? My issue is that dog owners/walkers are responsible for ensuring their dogs are under control. It took the two of them close to 30 minutes to finally round up the dogs and start herding them back to the truck. Oddly enough, before the happy herd got back to the truck, one of the walkers came and moved the truck out of the spot designated for the handicapped. After another 15 minutes of yelling and grabbing, the pack were finally near the park exit. Did the walkers leash them? Nah, they just opened the gate out of the park and herded the dogs to the truck, about 20 yards away. Again, it was lucky there were no other dogs, people or Animal Control officers around as it took a while to get all the dogs back in the truck. By the way, the parking lot is an on-leash area.

I considered reporting them but decided I would wait and see would happen if I saw them again. So far I have not. But I did discover one thing. Apparently stupidity is, for some people, a handicap and so it was quite appropriate for these dog walkers to park where they did. Perhaps they'll apply to the city for a proper handicapped parking permit. And maybe a business license?

Mother Nature's Justice

One thing great about Calgary's winter is that more often than not the sun shines. And with the sun comes warmth and with the warmth the snow melts. This can become a bit of a hazard as the melting snow is prone to sliding off sloped roofs. This is a particular issue in the downtown as the snow can fall several stories to the roads and sidewalks below.

Most business are nice enough to put up signs that warn of the falling snow, and some even use bright yellow caution ribbon to fence off the dangerous area. One such business has an entrance on a busy C-Train platform and on this particular day, the platform entrance was cordoned off, forcing customers to use the alternate entrance in the adjoining mall - a short walk of about 200 feet.

So while I'm waiting for a C-Train, I see a very determined shopper inside the yellow taped cordoned off area banging on the door of this store. She's dressed to the nine's in her fancy leather coat and knee-high high heeled boots. The banging on the door was emphasized with a barrage of naughty words that I'm sure were making the door blush. There was even a sign on the door asking shoppers to use the other door, but this lady wasn't taking that good advice. I'm sure you can guess what happened next and yes it did. A huge wave of snow slid off the roof above the door (likely loosened by all the banging on the door) and temporarily turned turned the nice lady into Frosty the Snow-bitch. The good news is that many of us on the C-Train platform got to enjoy Mother Nature exacting a little justice. The bad news? None.

Rock of Ages

I watched Rock of Ages the other night not really knowing what to expect. I figured it couldn't be too bad if Tom Cruise was in it. And it wasn't. I quite enjoyed the movie, largely because I loved the soundtrack.

I've always loved music. My Mom and Dad were involved in theatre when I was young and so I grew up listening to show tunes from classics like Carousel, Guys and Dolls and many others. I was in heaven when I got my first transtor radio when I was about 10, and discovered CHED (Edmonton) playing the songs of Beatles, Elvis, Rolling Stones and so on. I'd plug in the earphone (yes, only one) and listen when I went to bed. I went through a lot of batteries! Then came 45 RPM records with the little plastic insert that played on a record player. My first LP record was a K-Tel collection with songs like Crimson and Clover, Green Tambourine, Elenore and Cinnamon on it. Through the late 60's, the 70's and the 80's I collected a lot of records. Some of my particular favorites were live albums and so I looked forward to Don Kirshner's Rock Concert's on late night TV. Needless to say, I really loved the early days of Much Music and MTV. But once rap and hip hop took over I tuned out.

So how does all this relate to Rock of Ages? I think some of the best music videos ever made were from the rock hair bands of the mid to late 1980's. Not only were the songs good, but the videos were memorable as well. Rock of Ages is like a long music video with many of my favorite songs from that music video era - Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, Twister Sister and Kiss just to name a few. My stereo has pretty much been replaced by an iPod, but almost all the songs from the Rock of Ages soundtrack are on my iPod.

Check Rock of Ages out. You' ll like it. Tom Cruise even sings!

I Hate Winter

OK, it isn't even winter yet. The temperature is -6 and there is a skiff of snow. The main roads are good condition and yes, some side roads are a bit slippery. So, could someone please tell me:

 

Where is the switch in people's vehicles (or heads) that makes them drive like we're living in Moscow in January every time it snows? Is it an unwritten protocol to only clean the barest minimum of car glass and lights to ensure limited visibility? And if everyone else is going 50 km/hr and not slipping, sliding or spinning out, why would someone on the same piece of road maintain a steady 20 km/hr, completely disregarding all the the honking, light-flashing and middle finger gesturing?

 

And, why are some pedestrians dressed and carrying packs like they are embarking on a climb of Mt. Everest. All some of these people lack are a few Sherpas to help them get to wherever their expedition is going. Talk about looking like the Michelin man. What the hell are they carrying to work each day in your pack. Is the world about to end? And, does anyone obey the orange Don't Walk signals. The countdown isn't to for timing how fast your shuffling jaywalk is. And yet these morons give all those drivers waiting on them dirty looks if they dare honk , yell or gesture at them.

 

There is a flip side.

 

One day later. Same scenario as before, but more snow. It actually looks like we could be in Moscow. Say hello to all the jackasses that think their 4 wheel drive Escalades and monster trucks won't slide on icy roads. So hell yes, why slow down? Here's a news flash - even a tank will slide on ice. So if any of you drivers who think you and your vehicles are indestructible have any common sense, slow the &^% down.

 

And here's to the younger generation who seem to feel they're are immune to the cold. No Sherpas for them. No jackets, hats or gloves either. There's too cool Skippy with his butt-cracker jeans and and basketball jersey with his ball cap at a rakish angle waiting for a train. He's cool (literally) and I can tell because his lips are blue.

 

He's accompanied by Sally-stupid who looks like a hooker in training showing off what her mama gave her. Honey, even hookers know enough to wear a coat when it's cold outside. How will you explain frostbite of your muffin-top?

 

 

It's going to be a long winter.........