A Scary Sight

Today as I was driving home I saw a city bus, all decked out in one of those hokey ads that envelop the entire bus. While the usual ads are for insurance carriers, collision center, or even the godforsaken Buckeyes, this one was a tad more alarming.

It had an ad for the local VA hospital, which apparently is in need of some psychiatrists. Yes, they have resorted to the side of a bus to diagnose and treat shell shocked soldiers who have seen god knows what, done stuff I don't want to know about, and maybe had some really fucked up shit happen to them. Oh yeah, some of these guys may have re-enlisted and had even worse shit happen the 2nd time around. I feel bad for these guys, and I suppose they should have good treatment, but more importantly, if they're in bad shape, perhaps violent, or in some post traumatic stress induced stupor, well they should really be taken care of. I'm not sure that whoever is wandering around, in need of a job, desiring nothing better than shitty government pay, and responding to this bus ad is up to the task.

Sometimes things just aren't as the seem

As a kid, I watched my share of cartoons, and the amalgamation of Loony Toons creations was a part of this educational experience. Among the cartoons was the tale of Speedy Gonzales, which always seemed a little wrong. Was it the fact that Speedy was supposedly the same species as Mickey Mouse and looked nothing like him? No, it wasn't that--Pluto and Goofy as well and Daffy and Donald have prepared me for that. Was it the fact that over the top ethnic stereotypes was a part of overall premise? No Bugs Nips the Nips took that concept to new lows. Was it the depiction of Speedy's stoner cousin Slowpoke Rodriguez? Nope. I just didn't know what seemed so off--Until now!

Now it all makes sense. Speedy wasn't a Mexican mouse, rather he was a Chilean chinchilla! Sure he wore the sombrero and lived in Mexico, but he likely made a wrong turn Santiago or something, and well--maybe he just liked the look that a sombrero helped him pull off. You see, mice aren't that fast, nor are they that cute. Basically they're just snake food (I can't wait until Mickey's copyright finally lapses and some of that stuff gets animated). A clever speedy rodent with big ears and a long tail, well that's a chinchilla. I know that now that we've adopted one. Yes the old homestead has gotten more crowded. Now there are two guinea pigs, three kitty cats, a bunny, two dogs, a turtle, and a chinchilla.

Pedro is his name, and we adopted him last Saturday. He's a nocturnal fella, and well he's a bit different (who else bathes in dust?). He's started to fall for our bunny Petra, who I suppose is as close of a critter as we have in our petting zoo, but I'm old fashioned about inter species romance. I suppose the times are a changing. Now we just need to get the little fella a sombrero to round out his wardrobe.