Cooler Heads Prevail
by Chris on Feb.19, 2010, under Jits, Two Cents
The purpose of this entry is to help you identify a potential ass whoopin’. This is not meant to be an all-inclusive guide to avoid gettin’ thrown a beatin’ but it might help if you’re considering doing something stupid.
The short guide below is considering a situation where alcohol has not been introduced and you’re not in a life-or-death situation. Obviously, you’d best fight if you’re life is threatened (regardless of your skill). Furthermore, I’m not going to dissect the reasoning behind why you would be doing something dumb like choose to get in a street fight. I’m simply evaluating it as if I saw two people about to throw down and I had to bet on one. (continue reading…)
California Love
by Chris on Jan.19, 2010, under Dogs, Two Cents
Training a dog to walk calmly on a leash is actually pretty easy. It just takes some assertiveness and consistency. Of course you must always keeping in mind the cardinal rule of dog handling.
Cali
Take little California for example. This lovable pound puppy would become rambunctious from the first glimpse of her leash. The seemingly simple act of clipping the leash to her collar was also a difficult task. Once the leash was attached she would bite and pull on it as she struggled for the door. During the walk she would pull so hard her two front feet could leave the ground. She would constantly be moving side to side, engage as many scents as possible, and focus on anything that passed her by. (continue reading…)
The Human Dog
by Chris on Jan.19, 2010, under Dogs, Two Cents
As I stated in another dog post, I’m not a certified dog trainer, I’m just a scientist. I know some physics and chemistry, a lot of geology, and dash of biology. I’ll never claim to be a professional dog trainer. However, handling a dog is simple if you constantly remind yourself of two things: (1) the dog is not self-aware, and (2) the dog is not a human. I suppose the latter implies the former so really you only have to accept that a dog does not have the ability to plan, remember (not to be confused with condition), reflect, reason, like/dislike, etc.
Rubbing a dog’s face in its shit does not teach it to refrain from defecating in the house because the dog cannot string together the line of reasoning. If anything, the dog only learns that shit in that spot is bad. Not his shit, just shit. (continue reading…)
Sheepdogs
by Chris on Dec.10, 2009, under Two Cents
Imagine a profession where 90% of the people you work for dislike you, 9% want to hurt you, and 1% want to kill you. Imagine a profession where you get damn near zero respect and appreciation from the people you encounter during your workday. Add in there an average salary, nothing great. Would you ever want such a job? Would you even have the resolve to continue after the first week? Would you be able to separate this from your personal life? My guess is no. But this is the life of a peace officer. He spends every shift walking into potentially dangerous situations (sometimes running into certain danger) while earning zero appreciation from those he’s protecting. It’s no surprise that law enforcement is the profession with the highest suicide rate in America and three times as many cops die by their own hand than on the street. (continue reading…)
Close Call
by Chris on Dec.03, 2009, under Jits
I met a guy at Cassio’s last night. He seemed like a nice enough fella despite his very frightening disposition. We began training and the VERY FIRST THING I DID was clock him in the nose with my knee. At the moment it happened I was desperately hoping he realized that it was an accident but for a split second I honestly thought I was going to get my ass handed to me.
He clearly understood it was a rookie mistake, considering I’m still alive to tell my story. And a good thing too, because I would have cowered down like a big pussy with zero attempt at fighting back. Before you judge my manliness, ask yourself if you would fight this dude.
Sit Human, Sit. Good Boy
by Chris on Nov.24, 2009, under Dogs, Two Cents
Owning a pet is a tremendous undertaking. If you are considering taking on the responsibility of caring for a life (chia pets and sea monkeys notwithstanding), take the time to educate yourself on the NEEDS of said life form. Although, I will say that cats are generally pretty easy to care for and as a result do not offer much companionship either. Cat people are weird.
I want to explain a little about the mind of a dog and why so many in our society are psychologically unhealthy. Be aware that I am not a certified dog trainer and I have made my share of mistakes. However, I did grow up with some amazing, well balanced, dogs and now I understand why. I am also a voracious reader, a critical thinker, and a skeptic (combined with a strong scientific background and some damn good peer reviewer friends). (continue reading…)
The Gang Goes to PDX
by Chris on Oct.25, 2009, under Friends, Travel
Fun times in Portland today, Port-Land.
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Kauai, A Family Trip
by Chris on Jul.15, 2009, under Family, Travel
Had an amazing time in Kauai with the family. I haven’t been to the big island yet but this is by far my favorite of the three I have visited.
