Blizzard 02/10

I thought I was being clever when I parked our jeep down at the train station. I knew the blizzard could blow in and as soon as it was over the NPS would have the lot cleared and I'd be free to go wherever I wanted. I was partly right, but after getting almost 3ft of snow there weren't too many places we could get to even if we could get out. Unfortunately, the very first night of the storm Steve fell and broke his left arm. Trying to stay ahead of the accumulation he would go out every hour or so and clear the steps. I told him when we bought that damn shovel that it was evil, but he didn't believe me. I had pulled something in my shoulder earlier, taken a muscle relaxer and laid down on the couch. I also had Aura our current foster mama laying in front of the sofa with me. Deep dreamy sleep came fast, and just as quickly was interrupted by Aura barking in my face. As I slowly came out of my drugged fog, I realized I could hear someone moaning loudly and painfully. Outside, I found Steve still at the top of the steps and gripping his arm in pain. Off to the hospital we went in the middle of a blizzard. That train lot was never so far from the house as it was that night. Arm splinted and totally drugged we managed to make it back home although we couldn't drive faster than 20mph. I parked back down in that station lot and we settled in for a long weekend of broken arm pain. It wouldn't be until Monday morning that I could get him to the orthopedic surgeon for his compression cuff. Steve still has a long way to go before he's completely healed, but the pain is less debilitating now and his prognosis is great! Our neighbors steps are much like the ones that Steve fell on, but these I had to shovel. Yes, that Evil shovel is now mine. I once tried to make it a chew toy, but even puppies couldn't chew through it demonic shell. Normally I wouldn't mind shoveling the neighbors steps, but a storm like this one could convince me otherwise. Unfortunately our propane tanks are at the top of these stairs and WE have to keep access to them cleared for delivery.

Took me an hour or so, but I got them done. there's about a gallon of sweat on these steps as well. As cold as it was... this was hard work.

Here is part of the path from our patio to the neighbors on the opposite side of the house.

I clear this side so the dogs can have some space to run and of course do their business.

Poor little Moses... he looks so lost down there on the steps. He loves the run just as much as the big dogs though.

So, I finally got to go down to the Jeep and remembered to bring the camera.

I love HF when it snows. The mountains become magical. Every darkened crevice becomes a cave and snow packed paths become secret trails impossible to reach in the heart of winter and gone with the return of spring.

Our winter wonderland... I know I've called it that before, but it is what it is!!

Almost visible, are the train tracks that had fallen silent due to the amount of snow.

No trains had disturbed the silence of the valley and tree still held the snow that had rested upon it branches.

Our location affords us the strange phenomenon of watching the sun set in the east. As the sun drops below the mountain behind our home, it slowly rises up the mountainside across the river in MD. Hard to imagine unless you've been here to see it, but if you have.... you'll never forget it.

The morning after and beautiful sunshine fills the gap. You can see a few misty clouds floating along with the current. No longer are those tracks silent.

As the morning sun started heating the water, clouds of fog began lifting up and suddenly it wasn't only the Mountains that were magical....!!!

I can't really do justice to the beauty that surrounds us here. All I can do is share it.

I love my home, I love WV.

Make the time to come here. Let us know when you want to visit the magnificent place we were so fortunate to become a part of.

I know the snow storm was bad... roads were horrible... families lost power.... some tragedies were much worse. Even Steve and I were burdened with an emergency room visit and he's still suffering the broken arm.

I guess I can't help myself...... I could be delirious from all the shoveling, but isn't it still beautiful?

Make sure you take the time to see the joy of it. It'll be gone soon enough.

Happy Blizzard Everyone!!

Facebook Ate Me

Wow...I haven't posted since Sept of last year. The reason is clear. I was consumed by a greedy mind warping social network site called Facebook. With its promises of cute little farms and an endless wall of intriguing posts from all your friends and others merely acquaintances... well, so you never really met them, but you know they hate mornings and can't stand Palin, so that means they just HAVE to be your friends. Each morning I would rush through puppy chores, grab my coffee and almost trip over the dogs in order to sign on to see who had responded to my oh so clever remark the night before. HAHAHAHA.... Yes, they had read what I wrote and OH... I hate to pat myself so heartily on the back, but I must be the funniest person on FB, because they all replied... LOL, ROFLMAO, or they'd muster up the courage and try to say something equally as funny, although most of them failed. I'd laugh at the replies and scroll farther down my wall of friendly graffiti only to end up disgusted by all the "Repost This" and "make this your status" comments. Don't these people have minds of their own? Can't they manage to come up with a simple line or two that isn't exactly what someone else just posted. To make matters worse, I'd find myself going along with the rest of them and posting some lame-ass response to today's secret question. Truthfully, it disgusted me to know what color bra ANY of them were wearing and it was even worse when the answer was none. Blocking applications became some sort of war game for me. Figuring out how many I could shoot down today was a major goal for me. Then there were the constant "Improvements" being made to the site. Always with the understanding that our lives would be made simpler with these new updates. Little did anyone know how FB was becoming more and more invasive. Sucking information from our email address books was just the beginning. Searching the web with our info, discovering where we look on the Internet and what we buy, so they could target us with ads while we browsed those funny comments on our wall. What a clever bunch of fellows they are at FB. I want them on my friends list. Even Tom, on My space lets you be HIS friend!! Posting was convenient for us while on vacation. We could share our pics and adventures each day.... of course I could have done that right here as well and it would have had more substance. With all the puppies coming and going from the house, FB allowed me to constantly update the world with photos and stories.... how wonderful that was for all of you. Now I wasn't just the funniest guy on FB, but I had the biggest heart too!! I almost couldn't stand being me, I was so self important. Then the day came when i started to realize how not only me, but how everyone had been duped. Social networking, yes, it has it's pros, but it also has its cons. What had happened to e-mail? What had happened to CALLING your friends? I can send a text and get an instant reply, but if I call a friend, I get voicemail.... WTF??? Are we all so busy thinking of that witty line we'll post next that we can't answer that damn phone? Have we become so self absorbed that we can't take the time to write a letter (even in e-mail form)? Most importantly, what happened to getting together with your friends? Actual physical contact with those people you place dear to you. I've gotten ahead of myself. I forgot to write about negative posting, and some people should be crowned the king and queen of it. I seriously don't care that traffic is bad in NOVA.... It's ALWAYS bad traffic in nova. Taco Bell for dinner isn't something I would brag about. Telling the world how bad your children are only reflects on you as a parent. Sharing how your church got you through a rough patch, says you're weak willed. I could go on and on. It got so I was stressed after visiting my FB. Something I had taught myself to love and need had become an irritating addiction. Finally after deleting most of my profile and refusing to post any more worthless twaddle for the world to read, I figured out why FB had become a dumping ground for garbage commentary. In an attempt to actually BE more social, we've in all actuality become more reclusive. Unfortunately most people don't see this and therefore post and almost endless wall of negative comments. The only time they can be positive is when responding to one-anothers whimsical postings. Thus, pumping the egos of people like myself and making us feel Comedic and Wise. Fortunately I've come to terms with this false status and have made due adjustment. I wish the rest of my"friends" on FB could do the same and start something more meaningful. Social networking with all it's attempts, can not replace a hug. My Post to you Facebook....... you tried once, but now I give you permission.... Eat Me.

Twelve Little Piggies

August 1st 2009 Miss Daisy, having been rescued from BCHS, gave birth to 13 adorable pups. Unfortunately, number 13 was still born. We were very fortunate it was only one. Daisy weighs a whole 22lbs and we believe she's a long-haired Daschund Mix..... Mixed possibly with Beagle (The hound bark gave it away) Twelve squirming little poopers... WOW... How was she going to manage this lot. Well manage she did and they're all happy healthy beautiful pups. Daisy cleaned up pretty good too and this past weekend, having already weaned the pups, she was adopted by a wonderful family and will live the rest of her life in Luxury. The pups at just 3 weeks... eyes open and already starting to roam some. Here again at 4 weeks and they've learned how to bark for food. Ground puppy food mixed with vitamins and fortified milk supplement. Sounds and looks gross, but they LOVED it. Week 5 came and Steve and I went camping. While we were gone, the gypsies did a terrific job. Not only at feeding the pups, but keeping them on a strict socializing schedule. One of the gypsies had bestowed upon him, the highest honor a pup could bestow, and that was to be pooped on .... not just once but twice!!! What good fortune he must have coming his way!!! Now, 6 weeks old, the pups all have names and would be facing their first adoption event. It went great!!! Five puppy's adopted and the Mama too!!! Piccolo is the littlest pup of the litter, but by far the meek one. Then there's Herman... he's a healthy little fella. Kramer is ALWAYS a fun pup... usually comes sliding in sideways to the play area.

Dolce'.... my sweet... FAT little Dolce'

Felice means happy and that's exactly what this little girl is!!

Ellie May..... Sort of a middle child, but definitely spunky!!

Benny is a gentle little pup... sort of a mamas boy. Not feisty or needy, just a little timid, but a great cuddler!!

Libby is an in your face puppy. She has to know what's going on and what she can do to make it more interesting.

Little Jethro. He's the noisy one. Always complaining there isn't enough food or that some other puppy took his toy.

Annie, my little angel. She melts my heart ever time I look at her.

Ernie... he's a fun one. He'll bark at you if you can get him to make eye contact.

Definitely a talker this one!!

Mona... who knows what she's thinking. Calm reserved little gal one moment and then off like a bullet the next.

I've just begun the gross task of drenching the pups. NOTHING smells as bad or makes me want to vomit more than stinky squirmy puppy poop.

Somebody's got to do it I reckon. UGH!!!!

Just 10 more days and these beautiful little babies will be gone.

Twelve more pieces of my heart broken off and taken with them.

Twelve more little beings that will embark on a lifetime full of love and adventure.

Twelve little piggies, that waited patiently for me each and every morning to reappear and feed them and clean them and hold them and talk to them and love them

I miss them already.

A Week with the Silent Soldiers

It's been three years since Steve and I went camping last.

Well this past week we took care of that. Saturday the 29th, we had a family of gypsies squat in our home and since they didn't seem to be leaving any time soon, we asked them to watch all the dogs and puppies so we could take a short vacation.

(Note to the gypsies: I know how you don't like your business told, so I disguised you here)

We also had my youngest daughter and her new fiance' come visit.

Although the visit was way too short and there was a little more than average commotion with the gypsies and all, we had a great visit. I hope they have a long relaxing existence together.

This day and age it's so difficult to understand, let alone live the word commitment.

Sunday night we pulled out the telescope and took a look at Jupiter and it's 4 moons.

I don't have a camera that could have pulled off the moons.... but I did manage to get one clear (non-wobbly) pic of Ole Jup!!

Monday night, after 'bout and hour of discussing it, we decided on Longfork Campground. A gay owned and operated 86 acres in the middle of nowhere just north of Charleston WV. It's also a clothing optional facility which is just what we wanted and needed.

Tues morning we pulled out every bit of stuffed away camping gear we could find, a cooler here, a chair there.... pillows and a few sheets. Loaded the Jeep and off we went. Five and a half hours later we were pulling into our home for the next week.

As hard as we try, Steve and I just can't seem to put up a tent without getting on each others nerves. I think we focus too hard on it and somehow it backfires. Needless to say, however I will.... we shot each other a few of those "Why am I camping with you" looks, but eventually got the tent in place and our gear stored. Settled in... cooked our first meal which was flank steak with peppers and onions and a mixed vegetable stir fry.

I won't bore you with daily meals, but we ate well. Especially the shrimp and steak kabobs. By day three we were experts at boiled coffee and I'd have to say I miss it now.

Our first night up at the pool/hot tub was fun. Since it was middle of the week, there were just a few regulars hanging out (literally). Four... five... six... cocktails later we would all, flop back and forth from the HOT.. hot tub and the warm pool. Mind you the air temps were around 50 degrees. Steve after a while wandered off to tend the biggest campfire I've seen in some time.

The warmth of the fire on wet naked flesh was so relaxing. The flames were near 6 ft tall, which in hindsight was some sort of foreshadowing, because as the week moved closer to the weekend, more and more "flamers" started arriving. I guess I shouldn't be so hard on them, but they should realize how in a campground environment.... they do stand out.

What a great first night it was though. Happy people drinking and laughing and swimming and playing with fire.

Dawn came as shimmering light scattered throughout the tree tops and slowly worked it's way down the moss covered bark of those silent soldiers who protected us while we slept.

The chilled morning air a too sudden reminder that we were naked in the woods.

Naked and hung-over, but still smiling.

One morning this little fella dropped in to visit. I'm not sure of his "real"name, but I grew up calling him a Tobacco Worm, because that's what his kind would eat.

Any kind of bug or critter could have fallen from those trees, but NO... we had to have a tobacco worm visit us. I just imagined it was my dad saying Hey, and to keep certain body parts away from the fire if we were gonna drunkenly dance around it with no pants on.

86 acres covers quite a big area. Longfork has several primitive roads and a beautiful meadow that affords any day hiker a peaceful place to relax in the sun. On one of my many visits to this sun drenched oasis, I snapped these happy creatures just doing their thing.

A not so advertised part of the Camp is this old family graveyard. Some of the headstones date back to the early 1800's and later when I inquired about it, the owners told me how there's an entire family buried there who died in a house fire. They were so poor they couldn't afford funerals, so the farm family allowed them to be buried in their graveyard.

So poor were these people, that they only have rocks as headstones.

You can see the rocks behind the one headstone. There were around 7 graves with just stones.

Well, all good things must come to an end and Camping Au Natural was one of those things.

Our last day... the day before Labor Day, we flipped a coin and decided to take a chance on that 40% chance of rain. We Lost. The rain started early evening and by midnight we seriously thought our tent would be swept down the hill by mudslide. Fortunately we had already prepared most of our gear for rain, but we were never prepared for the 8 hour downpour we got.

Sometime around 1 am we abandoned our tent and headed for the bunkhouse. Steve and Tony, the owners had given us a key should we need shelter other than our floating and flooded neoprene cave. We grabbed the few blankets that hadn't been soaked and headed up hill for a drier location to finish the night, hoping our tent which we had secured to those silent soldiers, would still be there in the morning light.

Arriving at the bunkhouse we saw it was occupied, so we crept as quietly as two hikers who looked as though we had just emerged from mother natures womb, could. It was only 20ft or so from the jeep to the front door, but this was over rough stone and with bare feet softened by hours of rainwater.

We scoped our new shelter, apologized to the one tenant for our late intrusion and went back to gather our belongings. Four feet off the bottom step, I caught glimpse of the snake as it struck out at my leg. Where had this snake been when we crossed this very same path only moments before? I leaped back , just barely avoiding its fangs. It immediately recoiled, but by this time I had not only managed to be well clear of it, I had also managed to have possibly the biggest girly fit of my entire life.

Now with flashlight in hand and positioned squarely on this pissed off snake, I could see I had narrowly escaped being bitten by not only a 3 ft snake, but a 3ft Copperhead.

In the dark and the pouring rain I managed to find a stick, but assessing the situation I thought it best that I NOT hit at a 3ft snake with a 2 ft stick, especially since they can strike much farther than their length. We tried dropping a rock on its head, but only managed to piss it off even more. The snake decided we weren't worth the trouble and headed off into the darkness.

We got our blankets, got in the cabin and eventually fell asleep.

The morning came way too early.... still raining and much muddier than before, we headed back to our tent and proceeded to break camp. It'll take DAYS to dry out all our gear. Our drive home was just as beautiful as our drive to the Campground even with the sky a little overcast. We headed north to visit the Fairfax Stone. This Boundary Stone has several purposes, and one of them is to mark the spring that is the head water of the north fork of the Potomac River. Since I had spent my childhood at the mouth of the Potomac River, I thought it would be nice to see where the river came from.

I guess a dry summer made our visit a little anti-climatic, because it's suppose to be a spring. It was still nice to visit such a historical and prominent marker.

Leaving the Fairfax Stone we caught site of these wonders. An entire mountain ridge of windmills.

I LOVED it. Yes, there are organizations fighting to protect the view of the mountains... WHATEVER!!!! I'd rather see windmills parked up there than see those murdering coal mining companies destroying one mountain top after another. Lets not forget the factories that will one day block out not only the sun but that precious view those idiots are trying to protect.

If only we could get 50 or 100 of them across the river on MD Heights!!!!

We had to drive up a road that I swore led to someones Still to get this next shot. I based this on all the "Stay Out" and "Trespassers Will Be Shot" signs. Notice the tractor trailer parked at the bottom of the windmill to get the correct perspective.

We saw Saddleback Mountain going both directions and it's breathtaking whether in full sun or cloud cover. Somewhere up here is a ski resort.... not that we'd ever go.

So we made it home, some of the gypsies had left already and all our furniture was still in the same place. None of our puppies had been sold into the circus and the following morning when the neighbors were still talking to us, I realized having gypsies in your home could be a good thing.

Back to work for Steve and off to 12 piles of puppy poop X 5 times a day for me. Oh and lets not forget the laundry.... OH the Laundry.

I found myself pausing in our own back yard yesterday when I returned home form the grocery store. I stared up at our own silent soldiers. How had I forgotten them..... taken them for granted? I think we might camp at home next time. What a soul cleansing, revitalizing week it's been!!! I wish you all the same peace and tranquility that's consumed us these past several days.

Pupdates Galore!!!

First, let me say that Buddy's had a serious reprieve. Terry and Bob are taking him to a couple who train dogs who exhibit occasional aggressive tendencies. Actually they probably train dogs to not be so sensitive to the situations that get them all worked up. More importantly they'll hopefully train Terry and Bob how to notice each situation before it gets out of hand. Kudos to them both for taking this action. As hard as it is to make the decision to put an animal down, it takes more strength to commit to that animals rehabilitation.

YAY for Buddy!!!!!

Maddy, Our newest foster has been to the vet and, with the exception of hook worms, she had a clean check-up. The general consensus is that she's a Boxer/Boston Terrier Mix. Weighing in at a dainty 42.7 lbs.

They figure her to be about 1yr old and unsure whether or not she's pregnant at this time. It doesn't matter though, because we're having her spayed on the 9th. If she is with pups, well, as sad as it sounds, she doesn't need to be having unwanted babies.

I advertised her yesterday and now have the daunting task of filtering through all the replies.

From, "what's a reasonable donation" to "is she afraid of people who yell a lot".... WTF???!!!??!!

The donation question was legit, because as payment, I asked for a reasonable donation to be made to the BCHS. I figured it to be the cost of at least 4 large bags of dog food..... OR 4 large bags of dog food. (It's not rocket science)

Today I'll be turning her loose at the playground to see how she responds to screaming children.

I'm kidding here people....... I will take her though, and as hard as it may be... I'll even pretend to like it myself. I wouldn't want my disgust of inbred babies and chain smoking mothers to influence Maddy.

Maybe I should rethink this and have someone else take her.... LOL!!

Yesterday I did a home visit for two of Maggie's pups. Maggie was the Carolina Dog we fostered last January. She had the 10 beautiful puppies on Inauguration Day.

All the way to Baltimore for some of the best puppy kisses I've had in a long time. Roxy and Nona are now known as Olive and Leda.

It's funny how grown dogs can remember people and things from when they were babies. All of Maggie's pups used to chew on my beard. It started when I would nuzzle them with it while bottle feeding them. Well yesterday, they let me 3 ft in the door, before I had to get on the floor with them. Both of them at the same time grabbed for my beard. Now, mind you, it's sweet when they're puppies, but these two girls have gotten healthier and their teeth were a little bigger. I still let them do it.... I loved being reunited with them. I'm part of their pack and always will be.

Roxy/Olive was the only one of the puppies who used to crawl onto my shoulder. She was my little mountain goat, I used to call her. Well yesterday was no different. here was this 5o+lb dog laying across my shoulders..... I absolutely LOVED it!!!!

Kind of freaked out her owners at first, but they realized why she was doing it. "Mama had come home", so says Steve.

Anyhow, they're both doing Great and it was sad to leave them again, but they're more than happy in their home. They've two children, but one is just 1 yr old and a constant feeding machine for both pups. Why would they want to go anywhere else!!! :-)

So that's the Pupdate for today.

If anyone local can watch a mama dog and her 12 pups the first week of Sept, let me know. JCHS needs a temp. foster family. The lady fostering them now has to go out of town that week and if the unvaccinated pups are taken back into the shelter, they could end up contracting some airborne disease and dying.

Also, All4theanimals rescue is looking for loving foster families as well. Be a saint and turn YOUR sofa into a dog bed!!!

Another sad day

I'm not sure if any of you remember, but a little over a year ago we rescued a 2yr old Malamute named Takani from Freecycle.org . He was a handful for us... always chasing the cats, very alpha and ALWAYS had to be leashed. He could leap any size fence. A nice couple in Gerrardstown tried to take him in, but he turned out to be too much for them to handle.

A neighbor up the hill tried to make him hers and he not only escaped her fenced in back yard, but he bit another neighbors Daschund. (It was the doxies fault). Needless to say really, but he got returned again. I thought for sure, this dog would never get placed.

Low and behold a nice couple from down in Fort Valley responded to my ad. They had an elderly Mal and thought getting a new and younger one would ease the pain of their beloved Trooper when he eventually passed. Trooper would also assist in the training of the new guy.

Steve and I drove him all the way there and that day became the first day of the rest of Buddy's life..... So we thought!

Unfortunately, Buddy screwed that up. Apparently, he not only chases their horses, but attacked one of them. He's bitten the owner several times and just recently he caused a friend visiting them to get 15 stitches. AND, to top all that off, he's not even a Malamute..... he's a husky.

I didn't know. I was only going on what I was told when I rescued him. Apparently Huskies have a different temperament and aren't good in multiple dog homes, or around small animals that run...... or people who try to stop them from bad behavior.

So, today is a sad sad day. Today, Takani/Buddy goes to Rainbows Bridge. This evening he'll be put to sleep. After a year of working with him and having him consistently try to destroy everything and everyone around him, he's no longer safe to have around.

I'm sorry Buddy, I'm sorry that I let you down. I want to go visit him one last time, but I'm not sure if his new owners want me there. I got the feeling they feel I'm responsible... that maybe I lied about his breed and lied about his aggression. If they knew me they wouldn't think that, but if it helps to ease their pain, I'll accept the blame.

Had Buddy been that kind of aggressive... they'd have never met him, because I would have been the one to make the decision they're making today.

This evening, hug your pups.... hug them for all the good things they've ever done and hug them for Buddy. He doesn't know it yet, but he's going to a place where he can run free and get all the love he wants. Corsa bene, il mio amico, travel well.

Yes, I bitch A LOT

I was browsing the Anti-Gay website called Craigs List this morning and took a look at our local Rants n Raves section. Apparently there's some sort of uproar over the "Girls Gone Wild" bus that was parked in front of the titty bar, by the jail, next to the school in Martinsburg. Some local women felt it was obscene. Their little girls wanted to know WHY were those ladies holding their shirts up like that. Well rather than explain it to the kids, they chose to complain to have the bus removed. I guess they figure if it doesn't exist, it doesn't exist...... Idiots. Then there were those few complaining about being harassed by the local police. OMG.... stop smoking the weed and speeding and drinking while driving and the cops will leave you alone. Anyhow, I posted a Rant myself and I'm sure it'll get replies, but I could care. Here it is. Personally, I don't care that "Girls Gone Wild" had their bus sitting along the highway. Lets face facts here.... Martinsburg is a ghetto. You didn't see that bus in Charles Town or Harpers Ferry did you? Instead of complaining about it, use it as an opportunity to talk to and educate your children. Your daughters aren't going to grow up to be skanks because of a little raunchy advertising..... If that happens it will be entirely the parents attitude that caused it. As for all the complaining about the cops.... It's sad but true, there are a few officers out there who give a bad name to the rest. More sad and more true is the correlation between illiterate people and neighborhood trash. If you're going to bash the police for harassing you, at least do a spellcheck first. You'll come across more effectively and maybe.... just maybe, you'll get a little more respect. My complaint, as trivial as it is, has nothing to do with either of the two mentioned above. Why are there so damn many commercials about womens issues. "Do you feel dirty?" "Do you douche with vinegar?" "Do your menstrual cramps keep you from your normal routine?" WTF!!!!!! Why are there so many and why are they always on during dinner???? If women are "Suppose" to be so much smarter than us guys, you'd think they wouldn't need as many infomercials about how to stay clean or cover up those unsightly wrinkles. The fact is, many women are gullible and prone to believing someone cares about them, thus falling for the ads and buying their crap. I just wish I could go one evening without hearing how one little diet pill can make yet another grazing walmart customer beautiful, or how YAZ will cure your disorder. I'll end by saying this. Educate your daughters. Stop blaming everyone else for your inability to be a good parent. If you don't like the Titty bus parked there, organize a protest. Stop laying blame on elected officials... that's the cowards way out. If you don't want the police to notice you, then stop doing crap to get noticed. Don't wait until you're feeling picked on to talk to your police dept about the crack house out back of your home. Remember this, If you don't have a solution to the problem, SHUT-UP, otherwise you're part OF the problem. I'm turning my TV off.