3-5 times a week I drive into old Pasadena, park in one of the public parking garages and walk to the Bar Method Studio for class. I have timed it perfectly so I’m parked there for less than 90 minutes, which means my car’s stay in the lot is free. Every time I enter the garage I look at the cost for parking and shake my head. Not because of the cost but because of my memory of the cost.
Years ago if you would have asked me how much it cost to park at one of the public garages in old town Pasadena my answer would have been $5. If there were a couple people in the car the cost was $2.50 each. 4 people, $1.25 each. Unless, of course, you didn’t make the driver pay since he/she was already paying for gas. Wherever the many came from it was going to have to equal $5. If this is true then tell me how I’m managing to get out of there for free now? Well …. because it is a $5 flat rate after 10:00 PM. Apparently that is all the cost information I required at the time. That means, at one point of my life, I only went to Pasadena after 10:00 PM. Now if I’m not brushing my teeth at that time it’s because I’ve already been asleep for a good 1/2 an hour.
That’s how I know I’m old.
(Please enjoy a few pics from my 40th birthday celebration … more proof I’m old.)
Maybe it is because I’ve had a headache on and off (currently on) for days. Maybe it’s because I need to invest in Pepto Bismo I down the stuff so regularly. Maybe it’s because I was snuggling cutie Lousy at the time I read the Facebook post. Whatever the reason I blew my top. Per a Facebook post by a dog group Pasadena is discussing passing a BSL (breed specific legislation) ordinance against “pit bulls.” Oh no you didn’ (with finger snap). Of course, because I’m a hysterical person, I, like many others, jumped to the idea that this means they weren’t going to allow pit looking dogs in their city. Not on my watch Pasadena. Not on my watch! Luckily before I came on my blog to rant about it I did some research. Turns out the BSL is specifically about spaying and neutering pit like dogs. So I’m not so worked up as much as I was a few minutes ago.
First of all let’s address spay and neutering. Do it. ESPECIALLY if you have a dog breed that is unfairly targeted because of his/her breed. There are way too many dogs in shelters and way too many of those are “aggressive” breeds (a term I don’t believe in but using to get my point across). (I actually had no idea that so many dog owners were against spaying and neutering … perhaps they are just against being told they have to do it? I’m not sure.) Wouldn’t it be great if a gaggle of pittie owners could show up to the Pasadena council meeting with their “fixed” papers and say, “I don’t know what you are all talking about. Go talk to the owners of those yippy chihuahuas.” Should this be a breed specific law? No. Calling out one breed for one reason or another is ridiculous. Unlike some other dog owners I’m a-okay with neutering and spaying laws (I actually thought there already was one … maybe that is just the city of LA) but I’m NOT okay with you demanding that of only one or two specific breeds.
NOW let’s talk about the breed of “pit.” First of all there is no such breed. Many breeds fall under what we consider “pit bulls.” How would you decide if a dog had pit in him/her or not? For many dogs I watch I get the comment, “it looks like he has some pit in him.” Probably. So what? Let’s say you have sweetie Kona in front of you and it is obvious she is a mix of the “pit” breeds. Then you would have one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever met in front of you as well. I love her so much I wrote a blog about her and her fellow pitties. The reason you distrust pits (if you do) is because of what you have heard/read about them. If I asked every single one of you what breed dog you have had an “issue” with I can almost guarantee other breeds would be more represented than those that we label as pits. Pits get their negative PR from asshats like Michael Vick and others who raise these type of dogs to fight and kill. That is a bad owner not a bad dog. Even the dogs that were saved from Vick’s horrificness are living lives where they have proven to be sweet and kind animals.
People who know pits will tell you they are extremely loyal and protective. That they are cuddlers who want to be in your lap as much as possible. That their big jaws that you may be afraid of give them the biggest smiles you have ever seen.
I’d like to convince you that pit babies shouldn’t be feared any more than any other breed. I could do research and pull out stats on what breed has hurt humans the most and all of that nonsense but I don’t think it would matter if you truly are afraid. I’m not suggesting that you go out and get yourself a pet you are fearful of. I’m not saying that you have to love my sweet Kona or adorable Lousy. I’m saying that you aren’t allowed to tell me I can’t have them as part of my family. And although I personally am okay with breeding/neutering laws you don’t have the right to tell specific breeds that they have to be fixed just because you perceive them as scary.
Oh Pasadena. I love you so much. I wish I lived in you. I go to you for everything from dining to doctors and yet your snobbishness is sometimes too much to bear. Come on Pasadena. Show me that you are classier than this and keep BSL out of your city.
(Pictures are of my adorable darlings that I have watched and loved that could be labeled as part pit bull. Each and every single one of them a sweet doll.)
Christmas. Remember when you were in school (or an adult who teaches, works at Mattel, and/or most agencies & some studios) and you got winter vacation? Not just a day or two but two whole giant weeks? THAT was a blast. If you ask my dad he will tell you all about how I would shake on Christmas morning because I was so excited to see what Santa brought me. THAT was fun too! I’m not a giant enormous fan of Christmas but I can’t deny it’s a blast. A blast as long as it follows the rules of season and holiday etiquette. I feel like this year Christmas has bullied poor little Thanksgiving into giving up it’s time in the spotlight.
As an adult I will tell you that Christmas colors aren’t nearly as pretty as Thanksgiving colors. Fall always wins the pretty color palate debate. All those browns, oranges, yellows, and greens. Softer and easier on the eyes then the bright reds, greens, golds, and white. I’m not ready for the shocking colors of Winter I’m still relaxed into the soothing tones of Autumn. Which gets me to my point. A point which will ultimately divide my readership into supporters and non-supporters. Who said it was okay to put Christmas decorations out so early? Did everyone forget Thanksgiving? How soon is too soon to start this X-mas celebration?
When did the traditional timeline of post-Thanksgiving get moved up to decorating post-Halloween? I just took my Halloween house flag down last weekend and now I’m supposed to skip by the cute turkey one and head right to the santa one? Bah humbug I say! Turkeys deserve their ornamental time! A couple of weeks ago I drove by the Citadel (an outlet mall in LA) and there was a GIANT red bow on the front of the building. Granted it was magical all lit up but it is showing itself WAY WAY WAY too early. This week I noticed Pasadena had gotten out their holiday decorations along with their lights that make the street into a winter wonderland of light flakes (aka snowflakes made by giant lights vs. snow). Again … I love those. It’s fun to walk to Bar Method and skip through fake giant light flakes but it’s TOO EARLY! Last week I went to the Americana on Brand (another mall) and the giant tree is already up and decorated. ALREADY UP!!!!!!
What’s the rush? I will give you Hanukkah. That holiday is crazy early this year so I would allow some blue and white to sneak into the Fall scheme but Christmas needs to back off. Maybe it’s the short shopping season (so I hear) that has the stores trying to push an early start on us. Not a good excuse. Haven’t they heard the saying “too much of a good thing isn’t a good thing.” — Okay that isn’t at all how the saying goes but you get my point. I love the magical Christmas time but not for 3 months before the actual holiday. Cool your jets people. You know who you are. You people who already have the Christmas channel as your default on your car radio. You are almost to Thanksgiving. Stay strong. You can do it.
Sigh …. you guys …. I’m so depressed over my good deed fail. I can’t even think of anything witty or fun to say so let’s get right to it. First the non-failure.
#25 – Sack lunch. Remember when I told you about cat man? No? I first introduced you to him in this post – https://wendyandriggins.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/psst-come-here-for-real-this-time/. Then I suggested the Pasadena mob got to him in this post – https://wendyandriggins.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/psst-come-here-yes-again/. By the way they didn’t. He was back at his spot on Colorado Blvd the same day I wrote that. It was like my blog had magic powers. Anyway, since cat man is always asking for people’s leftovers from The Cheesecake Factory I figured he would enjoy a sandwich. I put together a snack for him and his cat. I have to admit I bought this particular cat food (not only because it was cheapest) because of the cute Arstocats theme. Last night after handing cat man the paper bag full of goodies I practically marched back to my car singing the song Rescue Aid Society in my head.
It wasn’t until a moment ago when I googled the song that I realized Rescue Aid Society is from The Rescuers (adorable movie) not Aristocats (an equally adorable movie). I blame Eva Gabor. You can’t voice a cat AND a mouse in different films and expect people to keep that all straight! The Rescue Aid Society song is below from YouTube if you would like to enjoy.
FAIL – Thicker than water … especially mine. My good friend Martha had suggested I donate platelets as one of my good deeds. Martha is a very nice person and has been donating platelets since I’ve known her. This seemed like a good idea but I didn’t think I could manage platelets. To tell you the truth I don’t really know what that means. I just know it takes longer than blood donation. Martha explained it to me once and I immediately forgot. I picked up a pamphlet about it thinking I’d do some research and educate all of us. Alas I don’t have it in me know … perhaps Martha will explain it again.
A week and 1/2 ago I made an appointment to visit the Pasadena Red Cross blood donation center to donate blood. Today was the big day. I have never donated before so was a bit nervous. It isn’t that I necessarily have a problem around blood. It is the IDEA of taking my blood that makes me queasy. I have a very active imagination. I once fainted (or nearly fainted … I made it to the ground but only to my knees) while getting my head x-rayed. I think they were looking at my sinuses. I don’t really remember. I just know the tech warned me to stand VERY STILL which was enough for me to imagine my brain going to goo because I breathed too heavily and down I went. Slid right down the vertical table.
I was pumped (no pun intended) to donate. It seemed like such a terrific good deed! In my mind it would be so easy I’d make it a regular thing. I was a bit nervous as I went through the pre-questions and iron test. I don’t know why I thought I would fail but I couldn’t imagine the shame of being marched out of there deemed unworthy. Luckily, or so I thought, I passed and was escorted to a blood sucking chair by a very nice lady. I popped in ear buds and turned on an Adam Carolla podcast. I knew if things got bad in my head I could count on him to make me giggle. That part worked fine. In fact I caused people to stare at me a couple of times when I laughed out loud.
The poor woman in charge of taking my life source had to dig around a lot to try to make it work. Then she called over the boss who said it looked right and couldn’t figure out why the blood wasn’t oozing from me faster. Then after a few minutes she announced, “okay you are done.” Apparently my blood was clotting and there was no way they could take anymore. FAILURE. I was so upset I almost started to cry. She suggested maybe I was dehydrated and didn’t drink enough water. My answer was, “are you kidding I’ve spent the last 24 hours in the bathroom.” Being a good student I had done what I was told and increased my liquid consumption before the big day and had indeed spent quality time in the restroom to prove it. She shrugged and said I shouldn’t get discouraged and should try again. Sigh …. I’ve always said I live in a constant state of dehydration. I guess I really do!
They did get almost a full bag so I hope they can do something with it beside just throw it out in the reject pile. I was sweaty and queasy and my arm was already becoming bruised from the poking around with a needle so, head down, I went to the snack table to sit down and eat some Kibbler products.
I signed up for another try in 8 weeks. We will see how that goes — if it goes. Sniff. Total fail! I gotta shake it off. It is all so depressing. I think I deserve a treat. Maybe I’ll go get something yummy to eat for dinner. I want a margarita but now I can’t drink alcohol for 48 hours and still have to drink more water than usual. More bathroom trips in my future!
Hey you guys. Remember this post – https://wendyandriggins.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/psst-come-here-for-real-this-time/? At the end I mention the homeless gentleman with the cat. I haven’t seen him since I wrote that. Do you think the Pasadena mob got to him? Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh! The last couple times I’ve walked by them I could feel their eyes on me. Do you think they know I called them out in that post? Uh Oh.
Psst … come here … just come here … don’t look around … I SAID DON’T LOOK. I want to tell you something.
I swear to you that a good number of businesses I pass on a daily basis are fronts for some money laundering or drug mob thing. I mean come on. I know the cost of a candle and the average rent of a store front and it just doesn’t add up. One reason why I like it … math doesn’t lie. I’m actually scared crapless of the stores and people in my neighborhood so I refuse to call any of them out by name. Please don’t hurt me.
BUT I don’t live in Pasadena so it’s safe to call out one there right? There is this bar next to a bar next to the Bar Method studio I go to (it’s actually insane how many bars are between where I park and the studio. It’s just constant temptation to skip working out and enjoy a delicious gin and tonic instead) that I SWEAR has something shady happening. I’m now convinced it is the hang out/business location of the Pasadena mob. I don’t know exactly who and what makes up the Pasadena mob but I’m telling you they exist and can be found at the bar next to the bar by my Bar Method studio. Why do I think that? Well first of all there is ALWAYS a table reserved in the corner of the patio and 99% of the time it has one or more people sitting at it that I would not want to meet in a dark alley. I’m sure they are perfectly wonderful and nice people (I said that just in case they are reading this and are thinking of putting me on some kind of “to kill” list) it’s just odd that no matter the day or temperature they are out there smoking, chatting, drinking, and going over paperwork. Secondly, there are rarely a lot of people in the place. Maybe I’m just walking by at odd times but I did eat there once (actually kinda nice) and it wasn’t very packed then either. Finally it has a vibe. An “you can come in and drink/eat here but we couldn’t care less one way or the other” vibe.
Mob I tell you. It’s so weird. Almost as weird as the homeless guy who hangs out on Colorado with his cat. You heard me … his cat. He has a cat! His cat sits in his lap or next to him or alone on his blanket while his dad asks for money or leftovers from those holding Cheesecake Factory bags. Give him the leftovers. He has a trained cat for goodness sakes. That’s impressive.
3-5 times a week I drive into old Pasadena, park in one of the public parking garages and walk to the Bar Method Studio for class. I have timed it perfectly so I’m parked there for less than 90 minutes, which means my car’s stay in the lot is free. Every time I enter the garage I look at the cost for parking and shake my head. Not because of the cost but because of my memory of the cost.
Me Myself & Riggins 
