I'm done

I quit. I ain't looking for work because all I get are bogus headhunting bullshit. I quit because every time I try to do something it doesn't work - even when I use the same tools and methods as someone else I've seen do that thing.

I quit because no one gives me any respect whatsoever. They treat me like some kind of child. I'm tired, I'm sick. I Quit.

When someone I know actually gives me respect instead of seeming to simply tolerate my existence, I might come back. Until then, though shit. I'm gone

PharmaCom scare tactics and you

I was recently researching Seargeant's Natural Guardian flea repellent. I noticed a poster by the name of "Warren" that ran horrific blurb that was a waste of (mediocre) marketing skills. Warren's comments are word-for-word and format-for-format the same at this blog (look for Warren's post left on March 24, 2008) which was less than 24 hours after posting to this blog.

I'm all for free speech, but there is such a thing as ethics involved with allowing a free-market economy. You don't bash a competitor simply because they have a product that seems to be working. Figure out how they do it and try to do it better. Isn't that what corporate espionage is all about? Or are the CEO's being paid so much that companies can't afford that anymore...

Disclaimer
I do not and have not ever worked for any Pharmaceutical corporation of any kind nor any of said companies' subsidiaries. I have likewise never worked for Seargeant's or any of its subsidiaries. I am not a doctor of any sort (J.D., Ph.D., M.D.).


Review
I've used this product on one 9-year-old cat. The only effect the first time was that the he hated the smell and let me touch him for a day or two. The second application went better I think due to him having used it before and just knowing he'd have to deal with it. Anyway, the fleas were gone, as evidenced by zero scratching for about three or 3.5 weeks. Does it last a whole month on a regular basis? I wouldn't think even essential oils will last that long.

Al-in-all, I'd use this product again with no qualms.


Now to the absurd
These are a couple of answers to the most severe questions arising out of the scare tactic comments, like Warren's. These are usually posed by some unsuspecting user interested in natural alternatives.

Is it gonna kill my cat? There may be some skin irritation from the peppermint especially if applied directly to the skin instead of the fur. However, if your cat is allergic to peppermint there could be some really serious reactions most of which will fall into normal histamine categories - one of which is respiratory failure. As with any product you might use on your pet, use your head first. Test a small amount and wait a day. If there is no reaction other than a slight redness, you're good-to-go. Anything other than a slight redness and you need to find another product.

Why is my cat angry at me? The smell is a bit strong which makes me wonder about the amounts used. The smell is what the cats are attempting to escape. Because they can't get away, eventually they hide and are usually snappish. They get better.

My cat is foaming at the mouth or drooling, is this a sign that the cat is sick? The reports of foaming are probably due to the close relationship between peppermint and catnip - same family, therefore it's the same type of, if not the same quality of, reaction. If a cat stays on the catnip-infused scratching board too long they will drool and foam a bit. Lethargic reactions to the peppermint means they are probably high (hence the inability to find a proper toilet or the inaction regarding food). Since they can't get away from what is making them that way, they may stay high for a while. You should ease up on the dose or find another product.

When you read reviews online about products that are an alternative to some large corporation's heavy chemical solutions, be aware that most of the negative posts are not from users of the product. Since the FTC doesn't do a great job in print or on TV, and cannot regulate claims made by the "public" in any forum especially online, any of the reviews you read (and most likely many of them) could be fake. Search several review sites and compare the posts. Eliminating the similar posts will give you a better idea on the product.

More Rampant Stupidity

Apparently, the sheep... I mean the twits... I mean the followers of ancient religious myths... I mean the Christian Right has won (for now) in California. The morons who ran the campaign for Proposition 8 there can't hide.

Here's their entry on Whois. Notice they have 5 other domains under just this name. They seem to be bouncing from IP to IP and server to server. Hmmmm... Zombie anyone? So why would a California "company" want the server in Chicago? If someone out there has an account with WhoIs, please post the rest of their nonsense in the comments. Thanks.

Also, the wonderfully interesting Christians apparently think it's okay to vandalize property, steal, and extort. This article explains what I'm talking about. They just don't get that their religion is just that - their religion. They still believe that morality begins and ends with them. Unfortunately they spout all this while living in opposition to their own precepts. Hypocritical much?

Well, they never were very good at living up to the standards they set for other people. From the Pope on down through all the vast permutations of Christianity, none of those groups have ever lived up to the "morality" they attempt, or as in this case do, force on the rest of the populace.

The Jews at least have the good sense to live their lives according to their precepts (mostly), but keep their religion in the temple. They don't try to cram laws down our throats.

I can think of only one law that the Muslims have enacted, and that only for the convenience of the practice of their religion: foot baths in public parks. Didn't the Christians believe in foot baths way back when?

The Buddhists are happy where they are. The Zoroastrians are not exactly silent, but are very quiet. The Pagans and Neo-pagans just can't believe any of these things are an issue. These three groups believe in the founding principle of many of our original 13 colonies: freedom of religion. In short, believe what you want even if I think you are wrong. It is unfortunate that the colonists actually meant, "freedom to practice our religion." What do you expect from Christians?

So, Christians, if the sanctity of marriage is to be truly upheld, then the tax breaks allowed those with "marriages" should be voided. Only those with a "domestic partnership," a secular title amounting to the same thing (almost), would be allowed those tax breaks. No one would be able to get a divorce except in cases of extreme violence. Even then, women would not be free to marry whom they wish, they would "belong" to the brother or nearest male relative of the original husband.

If you twits wanna live by the Bible, you better be damned sure you want to follow everything. You can't pick and choose. It's everything or nothing including all the laws you've tried to say are, "out of touch with modern times." Guess what? If some of those things are, "out of touch," then none of the rest makes any sense given the empty space left by taking them out. Ask yourself this: when was the last time you lived an entire day without breaking one of the Big 10? I can almost guarantee that none of you have. Those that claim they have have are, "Bearing false witness," (lying).

By the way, catholics - if there weren't any homosexuals out there, you'd have very few priests. Is that why you won't let them "marry?"

Edit: I just looked up other initiatives. Looks like the Fundies were busy this year. Just take a look at these and tell me that the Christians aren't legislating their religion...