Isn't there also the possibility that the dog learned the behavior through positive reinforcement? Did you watch the part of the clip where the dog mounted the bike and his tail was wagging?
Before you jump to conclusions and assume abuse, why don't look at the information presented to you... the dog is obviously healthy; its coat is shiny, he's well proportioned... even his nails are in good condition. Abused? I doubt it.
Now on to Larry,
Don't belittle someone who stands up for something in which they believe. Question? yes. Disagree? Absolutely, but don't resort to kindergarten playground tactics.
So, as an English teacher AND a person who has ACTUALLY read the books, I felt compelled to make a few comments:
1) These books are NOT horribly written. If my students were to ask me to direct them in a book choice, and they enjoyed this type of book (teenage relationships, vampires, or both), then I would suggest the series to them. My reluctant readers have completed 600 page books in a matter of days. It's very hard to find fault in that.
2) There are definitely people on here that are judging this book based on hearsay. TRY READING THE BOOK yourself before spreading condemnation.
**Spoiler alert** 3) I actually felt as if this book did a good job of establishing some boundaries for teenagers: none of the characters drink alcohol, there's very little in the way of sex for the first 2 books (a little more in the third, then even more in the 4th... but almost all in the context of marriage), and loyalty is a very strong theme throughout. There are even deadly enemies who are able to resolve their disputes, accept one another, and work together towards fighting a greater evil.
4) Yes, there ARE codependency issues, but hopefully people have the capability to determine what's over-the-edge and what isn't. Then, if a child is reading the series, his or her parents can have a conversation about the unhealthy aspects of the main characters' behavior (aside from the whole vampire issue).
Just my two cents... take them for what they're worth!
Oh, and if I make any grammar mistakes, I apologize... I didn't know that comment posting on the fly was supposed to be proofread with a fine toothed comb. Sheesh.
My mother is a very driven and successful person. Now that I am in my mid-twenties, I can appreciate all of the hard work and drive it takes to accomplish what she has. But for a child, it can be a little hard to understand why your mother is one of the only ones who doesn't participate in the volunteer groups at school, or can't be there for the sports matched and school plays. To say that our realtionship was "strained" growing up is an understatement.
Now, we try to make up for it with fun trips and getaways that are just mother-daughter bonding time. Usually we have a great time. One such trip, however, did not hold all the joys we intended. we ended up on one of the biggest adventures of our lives.
At the time, I drove a Camaro, and we were in Utah on our mother-daughter trip. We decided that we wanted to see the national parks in Southern Utah, and drove to Mount Zion national park. Since we are not the most athletic of girls, we stuck to the easy hikes (and therefore were done by about 1 in the afternoon). The weather was nice, the park was gorgeous, so we thought "hey, why not go see Bryce canyon, too!" Big mistake.
We hop in my car and begin the 90 minute drive between the two parks. After about an hour, it begins to get cloudy. By the time we reach Bryce, it's snowing (keep in mind, we are in a sports car, 2 inches off the ground with racing tires, in a snowstorm at 7000 feet). We literally walk to the rim of the canyon, take pictures, and leave (the pics? not so great. One row of the rock formations is visible, and that's it. We weren't even dressed for that cold of weather...remember, in Zion it had been warm and sunny)
So we get back in the car and begin to drive to our hotel. However, my mother (ever the efficient one) has decided that we are going to take a different route home. She's plotted a course on a map that seems to be a better choice, because it doesn't require us to backtrack. Plus, it will get us back in time to make our dinner reservation.
I'm a little sketchy about the trip, but since my mother insists that this IS our route home, I agree to it.
The ominous signs start appearing when we make the turn onto A highway that tells us, literally, to turn back and take a different highway. But my mother doesn't believe it. She wishes to press onward.
Ever the dutiful daughter, I follow her instructions.
We drive for about an hour, and see NO other cars on the road. None. And the snow starts falling again.
I inform my mom that I do not feel comfortable driving my sports car with rear wheel drive and balding tires in a snowstorm. She shoos my worries away with a simple "We're going to hit 15 any minute now."
About 10 minutes later, we see a few more warning signs; snow pylons with nylon extensions, signs warning of snow drifts, ski resort signs, etc. Still, not wanting to backtrack, my mother insists we push forward.
Finally, we reach the intersection to the highway that leads to the interstate. I am overjoyed (and my steering wheel squeaks momentary relief from the loosening of my hands)... until I see the eight foot wall of snow in front of us. The highway my mother wants to take has been closed due to "inclimate" weather. The snow is in full effect, and my tires lose traction when trying to turn around. We proceed to srift (a litle too close for my personal comfort) toward an iron railing.
She informs me that she'd like to turn the opposite way and continue to see where this road will lead us. While it's snowing. and we're in a sports car. With bad tires. and Rear wheel drive. Oh, and have I mentioned that my car is a convertible, and as recently lost it's back window? So it's literally snowing on us in the car.
I put my foot down (on the brake) and insist that we turn back around.
We are able to navigate back to our hotel (3 hours later), and research where we had driven. Apparently, my mother wanted to take us to yet another national park in Utah... one that is a 4,000 foot canyon whose rims lie at over 10,000 feet. In a snow storm In a Camaro with bad tires and no back window. Oh, and can you guess where that 4,000 foot drop starts? Right at that railing we almost drifted into. She contemplates our findings, then turns to me and states "hmm... well, maybe I'm not the best navigator. But at least we'll be able to laugh about this, right?"
Right, mom... right.
So, while I may not have had multiple "girl" adventures growing up, my mom and her fastidious ways make up for those losses sevenfold in the present.
Just Sayin...
I'll take the pink and purple striped Disney version, thankyouverymuch.
I love shoes, but these are a little... um...
...
...
yeah. Not my cup of tea.
Though the detachable platforms would be interesting!
Well, Lemming first...
Isn't there also the possibility that the dog learned the behavior through positive reinforcement? Did you watch the part of the clip where the dog mounted the bike and his tail was wagging?
Before you jump to conclusions and assume abuse, why don't look at the information presented to you... the dog is obviously healthy; its coat is shiny, he's well proportioned... even his nails are in good condition. Abused? I doubt it.
Now on to Larry,
Don't belittle someone who stands up for something in which they believe. Question? yes. Disagree? Absolutely, but don't resort to kindergarten playground tactics.
My dad was old school
1) These books are NOT horribly written. If my students were to ask me to direct them in a book choice, and they enjoyed this type of book (teenage relationships, vampires, or both), then I would suggest the series to them. My reluctant readers have completed 600 page books in a matter of days. It's very hard to find fault in that.
2) There are definitely people on here that are judging this book based on hearsay. TRY READING THE BOOK yourself before spreading condemnation.
**Spoiler alert**
3) I actually felt as if this book did a good job of establishing some boundaries for teenagers: none of the characters drink alcohol, there's very little in the way of sex for the first 2 books (a little more in the third, then even more in the 4th... but almost all in the context of marriage), and loyalty is a very strong theme throughout. There are even deadly enemies who are able to resolve their disputes, accept one another, and work together towards fighting a greater evil.
4) Yes, there ARE codependency issues, but hopefully people have the capability to determine what's over-the-edge and what isn't. Then, if a child is reading the series, his or her parents can have a conversation about the unhealthy aspects of the main characters' behavior (aside from the whole vampire issue).
Just my two cents... take them for what they're worth!
Oh, and if I make any grammar mistakes, I apologize... I didn't know that comment posting on the fly was supposed to be proofread with a fine toothed comb. Sheesh.
Thanks!
the scope for a world war one cannon? :)
...anyone remember reading "Mark of the Beast?" by Rudyard Kipling?
NOT THAT KIND OF INFECTION!! I want a WATCH!
K, just so we got that clear :)
... reminds me of those stress balls that look like a face...
...it'd be kinda cool if the tiles were actually MADE of the stress ball material... haha
Fun Game!
Now, we try to make up for it with fun trips and getaways that are just mother-daughter bonding time. Usually we have a great time. One such trip, however, did not hold all the joys we intended. we ended up on one of the biggest adventures of our lives.
At the time, I drove a Camaro, and we were in Utah on our mother-daughter trip. We decided that we wanted to see the national parks in Southern Utah, and drove to Mount Zion national park. Since we are not the most athletic of girls, we stuck to the easy hikes (and therefore were done by about 1 in the afternoon). The weather was nice, the park was gorgeous, so we thought "hey, why not go see Bryce canyon, too!" Big mistake.
We hop in my car and begin the 90 minute drive between the two parks. After about an hour, it begins to get cloudy. By the time we reach Bryce, it's snowing (keep in mind, we are in a sports car, 2 inches off the ground with racing tires, in a snowstorm at 7000 feet). We literally walk to the rim of the canyon, take pictures, and leave (the pics? not so great. One row of the rock formations is visible, and that's it. We weren't even dressed for that cold of weather...remember, in Zion it had been warm and sunny)
So we get back in the car and begin to drive to our hotel. However, my mother (ever the efficient one) has decided that we are going to take a different route home. She's plotted a course on a map that seems to be a better choice, because it doesn't require us to backtrack. Plus, it will get us back in time to make our dinner reservation.
I'm a little sketchy about the trip, but since my mother insists that this IS our route home, I agree to it.
The ominous signs start appearing when we make the turn onto A highway that tells us, literally, to turn back and take a different highway. But my mother doesn't believe it. She wishes to press onward.
Ever the dutiful daughter, I follow her instructions.
We drive for about an hour, and see NO other cars on the road. None. And the snow starts falling again.
I inform my mom that I do not feel comfortable driving my sports car with rear wheel drive and balding tires in a snowstorm. She shoos my worries away with a simple "We're going to hit 15 any minute now."
About 10 minutes later, we see a few more warning signs; snow pylons with nylon extensions, signs warning of snow drifts, ski resort signs, etc. Still, not wanting to backtrack, my mother insists we push forward.
Finally, we reach the intersection to the highway that leads to the interstate. I am overjoyed (and my steering wheel squeaks momentary relief from the loosening of my hands)... until I see the eight foot wall of snow in front of us. The highway my mother wants to take has been closed due to "inclimate" weather.
The snow is in full effect, and my tires lose traction when trying to turn around. We proceed to srift (a litle too close for my personal comfort) toward an iron railing.
She informs me that she'd like to turn the opposite way and continue to see where this road will lead us. While it's snowing. and we're in a sports car. With bad tires. and Rear wheel drive. Oh, and have I mentioned that my car is a convertible, and as recently lost it's back window? So it's literally snowing on us in the car.
I put my foot down (on the brake) and insist that we turn back around.
We are able to navigate back to our hotel (3 hours later), and research where we had driven. Apparently, my mother wanted to take us to yet another national park in Utah... one that is a 4,000 foot canyon whose rims lie at over 10,000 feet.
In a snow storm
In a Camaro
with bad tires
and no back window.
Oh, and can you guess where that 4,000 foot drop starts? Right at that railing we almost drifted into.
She contemplates our findings, then turns to me and states "hmm... well, maybe I'm not the best navigator. But at least we'll be able to laugh about this, right?"
Right, mom... right.
So, while I may not have had multiple "girl" adventures growing up, my mom and her fastidious ways make up for those losses sevenfold in the present.
And I love her all the more for it.