Crazy Days Ahead!
I still can’t figure out what this fat little mouse was up to, but we found him running in circles in the parking lot at NBC 17 last evening. Wayne and I watched him for several minutes and then I went inside and grabbed my camera to shoot this footage of it running around.
I hope it’s not an indication of how my next 90 days will be preparing for 6-12-09, but I’m afraid I will be moving just as fast. Hopefully not in circles, but you never know!
I did have the privilege of speaking to the Knightdale Lion’s Club last night about DTV and we had an engaging discussion on how people will be affected by the switch. Best part is they fed me first and man, that was a great meal! I talked about the “good ‘ole days” when I learned to turn our antenna at a young age with a pipe wrench, and found out I wasn’t the only one to experience that and how we’re getting back into the adventuresome exploration of early days when radio and TV were new.
Ever wonder why your first car had wings like the ‘57 Chevy or your first wagon was called Radio Flyer? Airplanes and radio were hot in the early days, so manufactures used the terms on their products to make them appear “cutting edge” new technology. Sure it was only a wagon, but as a kid it was a car, airplane, school bus, dump truck and parade float. Anything a young man’s imagination could perceive it to be.
Today it’s with antennas. Digital Ready! HDTV compatible! It’s just an antenna, but with modern twists. Amps and space age controls, looks, and what-nots. Still just an antenna and does the same job as it did in the Forties and Fifties, except with a little computer age design to work better for today’s signals.
We also had a discussion on remote controls and the need for an all-in-one remote, especially for the elderly. One for the TV, one for the converter box, one for the VCR, etc. Everyone chuckled when I said I buy batteries in bulk, but it’s totally true. I tried to get Mom a one-remote solution, but she’s a creature of habit like most of us, and has the remote button layout memorized, and adding functions just confuses her. The group determined it is possible to pare it down to two remotes minimal per TV. My problem with Mom is she had a universal remote, but it took a while to find the instructions on how to program it!
I really enjoyed talking with the Knightdale Lion’s Club and they are a great group of people that care for the community. I hope I get to do it again, as long as I’m not running in circles!
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Hi Russ,
I hope I’m just being unduly pessimistic.
I believe that mouse is sick in a way
that is consistent with a concept of a
parasite evolving to alter the behavior
of an intermediate host to make it more
likely to be eaten by the definitive
host. I am not up on veterinary things
but I have, long ago and unremembered
where, read of crazy behavior induced
by parasites. Google didn’t show me
much but apparently liver flukes change
the behavior of ants to make them cling
to the tops of blades of grass and
toxoplasmosis is at least suspected
of making rats and mice unafraid of
cats. That mouse is certainly unable
to defend itself from predation.
I believe you should show that video to
a veterinarian familiar with the effects
of parasites on the behavior of prey
species intermediate hosts just in case
this is an advance sign of something
endangering household pets.
Regards,
Gene