18

So my 18th birthday was "rad" for lack of a better word. I got alot of speechs telling me how being an adult sucks and how much responcibility I now have on my shoulders. I got alot of money, which was surprising. I assumed because I'm 18 now I get nothing. My aunt Stayce took me to get my first tattoo SWEET. I got music notes behind my ear. It surprisingly didn't hurt at all. It was a very numb and vibrating feelings. Afterward it was a little sore but it hasn't hurt at all, very relieving. My sister Elissa, however got me the coolest present I think that any 18 year old could ever get. I got a back full of candy and puzzles. In the card her boyfriend, who I have always considered my brother, wrote "vote democrat", haha.

Unemployment

When the teacher assigned this blog I was worried. I had no idea about what it was or why everyone seemed to know about it and I didn't. After asking around and getting many different opinions, I was left to figure out how I feel about it. I sort of have mixed feelings in regards to this, but I tend to lean toward being against extending unemployment. While I feel that people that have lost their jobs and need the money to support themselves and their families, I also feel that they may get to comfortable and lazy. I know that if someone was giving me money every month, I wouldn't be in a hurry to look for a job. I think if people are faced with the fact the money isn't going to be coming for long, that it will urge them to hurry and find a job. I think that extending the unemployment is wrong in a way because it may be making people feel content without working, and in the United States, that is something that should be discouraged due to the fact that it seems to be a growing problem.

Research Paper

I'm going to do my research paper on Shaun White. I was thinking of a biography type thing, but focused on what inspires him to be successful. I have always loved Shaun White since the second I saw the "flying tomato". I find him quite interesting but don't really know much about him or his past before he was famous. I want to venture into that part of his life to uncover what makes him what he is today. Apart from how successful and driven he is, he is so flippin hot, haha.

The Himalayan

More often referred to as a Himmy, the Himalayan is a widely known cat. Many have seen Meet the Parents, and although Mr. Jinxy wasn’t the main character how can one now remember the cute Himalayan that used the toilet? Himalayans are simply not rare so everyone should recognize a Himalayan for what they are. But if one is unfortunately drawing a blank canvas when they hear Himalayan, read on. Also known as a Colorpoint Longhair in Britain, the Himalayan was regarded as a separate breed for show purposes. In Britain and elsewhere they are shown as a Longhair or Persian. The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and the American Cat Association have now adopted the practice of calling a Himalayan a Longhair or a Persian. This means that the days of the Himalayan identification as a specific breed are numbered. The Himalayan is a manmade breed, which resulted from crossing a shorthaired Siamese with a Persian to produce a longhaired Siamese type. In the 1920s and early 1930s in Sweden and the United States the first crosses. These crosses were made by scientists that were more interested in the genetic research instead of cat breeding. The American experiments, at Harvard Medical School, were with a Siamese queen and a black Persian tom. This produced a litter of black shorthairs. Looking for different results they then crossed a Siamese tom with a black Persian queen. Again, they produced a little of black shorthairs. In 1935, matings between kittens from the two litters finally produced a longhair with Colourpoint markings. Named Debutante, the first Himalayan, Colourpoint Longhair, or Himmy was born (Pollard). The Himalayan cat has a cobby, round body and a round head with long whiskers. The head is carried on a short, thick neck with a rounded face. There should be a break between their short nose and forehead. Himalayans ears should be far apart, and set low and their head. They should look small, rounded, tilted forward, and have good tufts. Tufts are clusters of hair coming out of the ears, or between the toes. They have sturdy, but short legs which make jumping as high as other cats difficult. Their body should be deep chested and massive across their shoulders and hindquarters. Paws should be large and round with good tufts. The tail should be short, full and carried low. Their coats are long, soft, silky, and mat easily. True Himalayans should have a full ruff and a curtain of long hair between the front legs. They have very large round eyes, with a nose leather right between them. Himalayans eyes are always blue, breeders try to produce the deepest blue they can, simply to make them cuter. Matting occurs when the cat hasn’t been brushed daily. The hair clumps together and forms mats that are impossible to comb out. Once matting occurs the only option is to get the cat shaved. If the cat has never been shaved and is above a year old they must be put under for the shaving. Mats cause a lot of unnecessary pain for the cat. They rub and pull at the skin which causes irritation. They also collect a lot of dirt. If there are other animals in the household that are indoor and outdoor pets, fleas can be given to a Himalayan. One flea turns into hundred fleas. Fleas because a pest very quickly and can be very difficult to get rid of. When cats like themselves or bit at the fleas, fleas are swallowed and then gives the cat tape worms. Tape Worms do not cause serious injury to a cat, and cats can usually live with Tape Worms their whole lives. One pill with easily get rid of all Tape Worms inside the cat. Getting rid of fleas can be expensive. If a cat has fleas take them to the vet and discuss different options. The fur of the body is white or cream an its points are a different color, like their Siamese ancestors. The points are their facemask, ears, legs, paws, and tail. They can be seal point, chocolate point, blue point, lilac point, red point, cream point, tortie point, blue-cream point, lilac-cream point, tabby point, blue-cream point, tortie-tabby point, and lynx points. The most sought after color currently are lynx point Himalayans. They have striped or tabby points. These colors are the result of the combination of the dominant agouti (tabby) gene and the recessive melanin-inhibiting gene of the Himalayan color pattern. Documentation of breedings between tabbies or silvers to Himalayans started showing up in the 1970s, (Berg). On cozy kittens.com, they are selling a male, cream lynx bi-color point for $2500, which is over double the average price for other Himilayan color points. Even with the fact that female kittens cost more than male kittens. The average price for a pure-breed Himalayan kitten is $1000. These kittens will come with papers, which means they are CFA registered as a pure-breed Himalayan. Although this may seem pricey to some, especially when they can find a “pure bred” Himalayan for as little as $200, the difference is huge. If you go to a cattery, which is a place where cats are bred, they will be more expensive but well taken care of. They will have been to the vet for regular checkups. They will be well groomed, trained, and given attention and love. Cats or kittens found somewhere else probably won’t come with papers which means they are likely not a pure bred, and will not be as well taken care of. Himalayan kittens are born with a fluffy, but not yet long, creamy-white coat. A true Himalayan kitten Longhair coat does not appear until the kitten reaches maturity. The coloring at the points however, begin to show within a few days of birth. Due to their heritage form the Siamese breed they are more active than the Persian breed. However, they are still quite lazy. They are very placid, and adaptable. Unlike their Siamese origins they are not mean when it comes to being protective of their owners. They like to do whatever their owner is doing. They are people oriented, and like to help their owner do whatever they are doing. Such as reading the paper, doing homework, making the bed, and simply walking. Himalayans like to sleep with their owner or someone they are close with, they do not like to be alone or sleep alone. They take the phrase “lap cat” to a new extent, and love being picked up and held, petted and groomed. Like many other long hair cats, the Himalayan needs to be brushed daily, to keep their long coat form matting. Their face must be wiped daily, under the eyes and around their nose. Veterinarians simply suggest using Saline Solution. Bathing them can be difficult but often necessary to reduce the amount of oil collecting in their fur and skin. If the owner has intentions of bathing the cat, they should start at a very young age of the kitten, so that the kitten grows accustomed to it and doesn’t claw, scratch, or bite during bath time. The Himalayan is a very relaxed placid cat. They love to be loved, and occasionally want to play. They would rather be carried than walk. They would rather be held than sit. They sleep, eat, walk, and everything else with their owner. They like a lot of attention and get feisty when they don’t get it. But with their “squished” faces and overwhelming “fluffiness” they are simply irresistible.

So Um.. Yeah.

I'm not sure what I would like to talk about...
Next month I'm turning 18 and I'm pretty excited about it. I feel like I've been a teenager for like ever. I'm now going to be an adult which is pretty cool in theory. I suppose not that much will change though. I've always kinda been older than my age, not to mention I've been in college for a year now. Although not much will change it will be nice to tell my dad he can't call me "kid" anymore haha. Unfortunately I think theres some bad things about it as well. My parents probably won't baby me as much, bummer. I won't be able to date 14 year olds haha, not that I did before but I suppose thats like a no no now. And worst of all TAXES, yikes.
I'm already missing my youth.

Social Issue

A social issue that comes to mind is whether the ban on smoking in public places is right or wrong. I believe its right. I have no issue with whether someone wants to smoke, thats all their business. However, if your sitting next to people that have chosen not to you no longer just harming yourself but others as well. I have done a lot of research on the effects of secondhand smoking and have come to the conclusion that secondhand smoke is just as harmful as smoking. Some people think that rights are being takin away by putting this law into action. Hopefully most people can see the other side of the story though. When your smoking out in public your forcing those around you to inhale smoke, therefor taking their rights away.

News

Lee Dewyze and Crystal Bowersox have made final two on American Idol. I do like Crystal and think she is very talented, but I feel that Lee should win because of how talented he is and how far he has come. I love Lee. :)