see no evil ... er ... 3-D

I remember the first 3-D movie I tried to watch -- emphasis on "tried."
We went to the movies to see "Comin' At Ya," which looked really stupid but my late husband really wanted to see what all the hype was about.
So off we went.
We donned the dumb glasses and settled in to watch this fabulous flick.
My husband quickly was dodging and ducking -- while the next thing to a migrain enveloped my head.
Forget this, I told him; we have to leave. I see no 3-D and I have a splitting headache.
Reluctantly he agreed.
At my next eye doctor appointment I mentioned this experience. He started to laugh and asked why in the world I ever thought I could go to a 3-D movie, considering the "problem" I had with my one eye.
I won't bore you with the details on that problem, but suffice it to say it basically doesn't focus with any real clarity.
Oh, I see... pun intended. My two eyes don't work together, so forget 3-D productions.
Which brings me to a story just reported by the Associated Press. As the writer notes, "From Hollywood studios to Japanese TV makers, powerful business interests are betting 3-D will be the future of entertainment, despite a major drawback: It makes millions of people uncomfortable or sick."

Yea! I'm not alone in the world (I knew at least our former online editor Chris Stanley was a fellow sufferer).

But according to the AP story, as many as one in four of us have problems watching 3-D movies and TV. It might be because of eyestrain or problems perceiving depth in real life.
Regardless, it makes us queasy, dizzy or suffering from headaches.

Naturally there are researchers working on the problem, but true solutions may not come for decades.
Darn.
Guess there's no point in saving up the extra money for a 3-D TV. Or to pay more for a ticket to a 3-D movie.
And I don't get to wear those stupid glasses ... sigh.
Hey, wearing "real" glasses is pain enough, thank you.
Meanwhile, for real 3-D, I'll just head outside and enjoy nature. Ahh, much better.

He was gone far too soon...

He always wore a look that said he was just a bit worried. Maybe he always knew his days would be short. I hope not. But we lost our beloved cat, Zombie, a few days ago, and we just weren't prepared.
I knew something was wrong the last week or so. He wasn't eating right; he looked thinner. He had taken to hiding under the dining room buffet -- unlike him. But his last night at home he resumed his usual spot on the settee as we ate supper. He generally joined us, almost like a dinner guest, as if he could understand our conversation.
He was sweet; and he loved his mom Beatrice and sister Shel.
But it always seemed as if he were just a bit mournful.
He had his name for a reason. When we were trapping the kittens that Beatrice had in the summer of 2004, he was the last to give in. He was out, hiding under our porch, down in a hole, for more than a day after the others were safely inside. I had about given up; I thought he had perished.
It was raining cats and dogs... sorry ... and we decided to give it one more try. Finally the humane trap snapped... we had the last kitten. Since I thought he had died, but now here he was, full of life, my daughter said we should call him Zombie..
He was never the bravest of cats, but he was one of the sweetest. He didn't pick fights, didn't get into trouble. At Christmas he loved snuggling up to a stuffed Rudolph.
I never dreamed this would be his last year to do that.
But a trip to the vet for a checkup revealed something amiss; a mass could be felt. An X-ray confirmed a problem. Surgery was set for the morning -- this past Thursday.
I got the call at work -- three masses in the bowel and lymph node involvement. There was nothing that could be done.
I had to decide to either have him euthanized while under anesthesia, or if we wanted to be there our vet would close, bring him out of it and then, when we could get there that day, we could be there for it.
I quickly called my daughter, we cried a lot, but decided it would be cruel to not do it immediately.
Even though that almost killed us. We've never not been there to hold them, stroke their fur, tell them how much we love them before they cross the rainbow bridge.
This was even more awful ... but the alternative seemed even more horrible for Zombie.
Our vet sent us note with the sympathy card and told us how Zombie had gotten extra attention before he went into surgery, because he had just been such a love.
It didn't surprise me, but it helped a little to know that others saw what a sweet, sweet soul he was.
His mom and sister still seem lost and confused without him.
So are we ... the ache is still so strong.
These photos are just a little memorial to this very special cat... just six and a half years old.
We miss you, Zombie. We still expect to see you at dinner; to see that special face and your distinctive cry.
Until we meet again, take care. You'll live forever in our hearts.


Zombie just loved spending time with Rudolph...



Zombie was a mommy's boy... here he and mom, Beatrice, nap away...



Gotta love Christmas!



Oh, Christmas tree!!




Zombie and his dear friend Rudolph, again. Sweet dreams, forever...

'snow getting away from it

The snow is beautiful ... after you're done shoveling and you've safely arrived at your destination.
No problem for my daughter today, because her workplace was closed.
So she was able to snap these photos, offered here for your enjoyment.

I want to go to the Farm Show!

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

I love the Pennsylvania Farm Show.
I want to go. I have plans to go.
So of course snow is predicted... we'll see.
But check out this cool butter sculpture, unveiled today at the show that opens Saturday in Harrisburg. OK, maybe 1,000 pounds of butter isn't the most healthful thing around, but these sculptures always are very cool.


The Pennsylvania Dairy Industry showed off the sculpture prior to the opening of the 95th Annual Pennsylvania Farm Show, and it depicts a dairy farmer providing milk to children playing. It was created by Jim Victor of Conshohocken.

Oh, and after the show is over, the sculpture will be converted into biofuel
Now that IS cool.

Visit The Reporter!

If you check out today's Reporter, you'll see this great photo of Cub Scouts -- and one Boy Scout -- from Pack 62, based at St. John's UCC in Lansdale. They paused for this photo after touring The Reporter on Monday. The youngsters met writers and editors and had a behind the scenes look at our media company.

If you have a group that would like a quick tour, just let us know... email nbreaux@thereporteronline.com or call (215) 361-8820.
We'll be happy to welcome you in!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May your resolutions be positive and attained.
And may we move into a gentler, kinder world in 2011.