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Kittehs conquer world, one grandmother at a time
By Christie Keith
December 5, 2008
Do you ever, when your alarm clock goes off in the morning and you face another day at the office, think longingly, “I should quit my job and become a freelance writer?”
Yeah, well, good luck with that. Srsly, as the kittehs say.
Which reminds me, last night I was talking with my 72-year-old mom, who only started using a computer and the Internet last year, and I wanted to make a joke that necessitated explaining what LOLcats are. Of course, jokes are never funny when they require a lengthy set-up, and I forgot whatever it was I wanted to say to her by the time I was done, but this morning she said, “Christie? Could you show me that funny cat sayings website?”
I’m fairly sure my mom will be emailing me little cat macros every day from now on. I haz created monster!
On a far more serious note, the AKC Canine Health Foundation has built a pretty impressive library of podcasts, called “Genome Barks,” and they add to it constantly. Today they added a file on canine allergies:
In this week’s Genome Barks podcast, CHF Director Lee Arnold welcomes Bruce Hammerberg, DVM, PhD, a professor of immunology and parasitology at the College of Veterinary Medicine North Carolina State University. Funded in part by the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Dr. Hammerberg has spent the last decade studying the function of mast cells and IgE in allergic diseases.
The essential cause of the itching skin that starts atopic dermatitis reactions has been well known for decades, yet we do not know why there is an alarming increase in the number of dogs afflicted with this disease and we do not know why some dogs suffer much more than others living in the same environment. The cause of the itching skin is histamine and other mast cell products that are released when mast cells coated with the immunoglobulin IgE binds allergens such as house dust mite or pollen proteins. All dogs have mast cells in their skin and many without the disease have IgE that specifically bind allergens. The ever increasing numbers and complexity of genetic factors being discovered that predispose humans to allergic diseases are likely to be found as similarly daunting obstacles to fully understanding the genetic basis for canine atopic dermatitis.
Working with breeds as diverse as the West Highland White Terrier and the Rhodesian Ridgeback, Dr. Hammerberg has focused his attention on atopy (allergies) in genetically susceptible dogs, working to develop markers to predict disease development in puppies.
You can see the entire library here. Bookmark it.
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“o you ever, when your alarm clock goes off in the morning and you face another day at the office, think longingly, “I should quit my job and become a freelance writer?”
Yeah, well, good luck with that. Srsly, as the kittehs say.”
Looking at the book royalty statement that came yesterday (without a check included), I can say I’m with you 100 percent.
Freelancing is not for wimps.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — December 5, 2008 @ 10:26 am
Note to self: Buy lottery ticket.
Comment by Christie Keith — December 5, 2008 @ 10:35 am
Note to self: Sell GM stock.
Ooops. Too late.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — December 5, 2008 @ 10:43 am
Note to self: Go back in time. Buy stock. Any stock. Sell prior to Bear Steans collapse.
Comment by Christie Keith — December 5, 2008 @ 10:59 am
I’ll have my fingers crossed for you freelancers!
And don’t forget about the LOLDogs, too!
::crossing fingers on that html linky thing, too::
Comment by Lori — December 5, 2008 @ 11:08 am
Note to self: Cry, make tea, move on.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — December 5, 2008 @ 11:20 am
Oh jeesh, Lori… NOW you tell me. Forgive me if I don’t tell my mother. ;)
Comment by Christie Keith — December 5, 2008 @ 11:36 am
Being self employed is scary, scary, scary. Health insurance sucks, retirement sucks, hours suck. There is one good thing. I’m responsible for myself. My success depends on my abilities, not the arbitrary whims of my boss. I get to decide whether I want to tell someone how it is and live with the consequences. I love the freedom of that. (And yes, I do buy the occasional lottery ticket, worry, and move on.)
Comment by C.L.H. — December 5, 2008 @ 11:40 am
Note to self - buy GM stock. Its the only way I’ll ever see any of the $ that’s going to be poured into them.
Comment by 2CatMom — December 5, 2008 @ 11:59 am
Alarm clock? What’s that?! My coffee table is my “office”. This is, of course, so I can work from the couch with my dog sleeping against me. {grin} I’ll take some of the stresses that go with freelancing over day-to-day office stress.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com.....59d6_o.jpg
I’ve got my mom hooked on The Daily Puppy :)
Comment by straybaby — December 5, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
There are many a day where I wish I was brave enough to go freelancing. But I’m not.
As for the lolcats, Christie, you’ll know you did a wonderful thing when she starts making her own. Also! You can get her the book now for Christmas! Easy, affordable, present!
Although, I will say that my brother and I use lolspeak as our secret language around our mom. So, that option is now closed to you.
Comment by Christine S — December 5, 2008 @ 12:44 pm
I thought you would think this one was cute, Christie: http://ihasahotdog.com/2008/12.....deir-clan/
Comment by Lori — December 18, 2008 @ 12:45 pm