BadKarma

Ok as I don't have a grey yet and am still in the research phase I have a question. I do some gunsmithing and engraving work and since work picked up lately this came to mind. Would the chemical residue on my hands be harmful to a grey? I of course wash my hands, but after washing them six times in the last two hours I can still smell the chemicals on my hands. All my work is done in a seperate part of the house (garage) and I use air scrubbers to keep the fumes in check so I really don't think I need to worry there. I do know that I can smell this stuff and wondered what yall thought.

Dan and everyone else thank you for understanding. Also Dan I took what you said to heart. I'll still be the Grinch but maybe alittle less vocal about it. I took a step back and thought you know I have a right to be a grinch and they have a right to be cheerful and into their little day. I don't like that their right to be all into it, ie they have the right to listen to carols, interferes with my right not to. So obviously I wouldn't want my right not to to interfere with theirs. Karma

I will be the total Grinch. I HAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTEEEEEEEEE holidays. Yep thats right all of em. I've got some good reasons for them to. One of the things that drives me the most batty is how soon the stores start putting the stuff out for the next holiday. I mean I swear before you know it they'll have their displays out for christmas in July. I also hate when I have to go to the store for something basic like sugar or laundry soap and EVERY line is packed with people and they all have a million things in their carts. I walked up to the express lane one day last year and this old bag has three count them three carts overflowing. She then proceeds to explain to the clerk that its ok cause its only five different items. Like five different types. Forget the fact she has thirty or more of each. The clerk just rolled her eyes and rang up the stuff. I wanted to scream. Also if never hear another christmas carol it will be to soon. Why is it that they think everyone likes that crap? People at work have learned not to even bother talking to me about the holidays. They really don't like the answers they get and I LOVE IT!!! Also what is it with people thinking you've got to get everyone and their brother something. Give me a break. If I get my girlfriend anything it will be a serious stretch. So why would I get something for some nephew I never see. Probably the thing that upsets me the most is why do we need one or two stupid days a year to do something special for someone. If I want to give my gf a gift out of the blue for no apparent reason I will. I believe that she will appreciate it more that way than if she got it on Christmas because "she's supposed to." Maybe I'm wrong but hey it wouldn't be the first time.

Now that was cool!!! I have seen the vids of them talking (greys) talking and love them but its just plain cool when they get going on a streak doin their thing like that.

I have read several articles from people on the net who are very much against seed guards. There aparently is some inherent danger to them. I will see if I can find them again. My suggestion would to be contact a local metal worker. Any competant metal worker could make you guards. Or I have seen some that people have made themselves useing lexan or plexiglass. Sorry I'm not more help.

Its actually not a helmet. It looks more like a headband. It was designed by a father for his daughter who was an inter-national competitor. She suffered several cuncussions over a short period. She still has trouble remembering things that occured during that time. anyway I found the website for you it is www.full90.com It has some pro and semipro players wearing it maybe that will help to convince him. I used to fight and hated headgear (well honestly I still do) but I can tell you without a question that I have memory and visual problems now that I wouldn't have had if I wore the headgear like they wanted me to. Anyway I'll climb off my soapbox now.

Sorry about the rough week. I know this is kinda off topic but I just saw a deal on protective head gear for football/soccer players. I don't remember the name of the company but it was actually pretty stylish. You may want to look into it if your son is a die hard footballer.

No not a boxer. I used to compete in full contact martial arts. Made it to world team, and got to fight inter-nationally. But alas that was a long time ago. To bad about the other guys losing so much. I like to see a good mix of it. It can really hurt the kids to lose. I am still jealous cause I love to watch boxing matches and would have loved to have been in the isle. I have been to Shannon twice. Once with the military (pit stop after deployment), and once to visit my uncle pat who still lives there.

just had a hilarious mental image. He probably looked up at you like a kid with his hand in the cookie jar saying "It wasn't me.":laugh:

Well I got on the scales at work today, digital registered/calibrated. Put back on 5lbs. I would cheer but its probably just water weight. Siobhan I spent most of my life training to be competitive. Then I had a tragic accident and started feeling sorry for myself. Haven't set foot in the gym or the ring since. I do have quite a bit of equipment collecting dust hear at the house and am gearing up for a new program. As far as wishing you had to work to gain weight, I feel the same way as you do only in reverse. I wish I had to work to lose weight. Kinda a grass is always greener sort of thing.:laugh:

I've never used them for birds, Mazuri that is. I have however used them for other exotics with favorable results. I believe they are a subsidiary of Purina mills, but don't quote me on that. Used to get mine from one particular feed store in town. They were the only ones that carried them. I believe their website www.mazuri.com. will answer alot of your questions. Like you said alot of zoos are going to them. This is how I first heard of them. Was getting hard to get raw meat for my big cats. A friend from the zoo recommended them. Anyway sorry I'm not any more help.

Ok haven't checked in for awhile. I kinda got complacent living with the gf (she's on a diet) and actually lost about 15 lbs over the last month. I showed her how I normally eat and scared the hell out of her. So back to the numbers game. I have already (today) taken in more calories than most of you will in three or four. If I listed all of what I eat you would probably get sick. Sorry not trying to rub it in just stating the facts. As of right now I'm 5'9" and 140 lbs. I would really like to get back to my old fight weight of 185lbs. Started training again today also. Man am I out of shape. Also my flexibility has gone out the window. I used to do the straddle splits between two chairs.(usually with a girl on each thighB) ) Tried just doing the splits and stopped more than a foot from the floor. Gotta work on that too. :angry:

Those are some really cool pix. I need to get a new camera and take some photography classes. I know this is off topic and I am sorry but I need to say this. Birdgranna I wish you the best in getting that million but HIGHLY recommend against the monkey. As someone who has owned and worked with primates I would never suggest one to anyone. They fall on my list of animals that should never be owned by the general public. (and I am the general public) They look all cute and cuddly but believe me that all wears off very fast. They can, and most do, become very agressive when they reach maturity. Also even the smallest species have destructive power that would rival a dozen mexican fighting bulls in the proverbial china closet. They DO NOT make good pets, and are NOT just like little people. There are way more reasons not to own a primate than will ever be to own one. Oh and that million will go in short order once you start caring for one. However that being said if you do ever get that million and still want the monkey shoot me a line and I'll do my best to help in any way I can. Again sorry for getting off topic. And the pix rock.

I want to gain about 35lbs or so does that count?B)

Oh man joe that's tuff. My family gives me a hard time cause most of the songs on my laptop are love songs. I'm a sap what can I say. I love all kinds of music from clasical to rap and metal. I love swing and big band. Really anything that moves you. Especially if you can feel what the artists are trying to convey even with out the words. So I'll give you some of my favorites. HIM -Vampire heart Part of it goes "love me like you love the sun, scorching the blood in my vampire heart". U2 -With or without you. Don't ask!!! Velvet Revolver -Fall to pieces Travis Tritt -I don't love you anymore. One of the best videos I've ever seen. Jason Aldean -Why The Heights -How do you talk to an angel Saliva -Rest in pieces I believe broken heart songs make the best love songs. Nickelback -Far away Favorite part of this song goes "on my knees I'll ask last chance for one last dance." Mario -Let me love you Crossfade -Cold Chris Daughtry -Its Not Over Fight In a world of my own making Thats just a few

Yes I did Joe thanx again. JD

Sweet thanks Joe I'll give that a try. Gotta test it out first so as not to serve something sub-standard. Again thanx. JD

Ok well lets see it was a dark and stormy night. No not really. Anyway I was in a pretty crappy relationship and didn't want to admit it. I work graveyard shift in a manufacturing plant about 16 miles from my house. Every morning I stop at this gas station to get my smokes soda or whatever. I've been doing this for about four and a half years. Everyone that works there knows me and I've got a pretty good reputation for flirting with the ladies that work there. A few months ago this new girl started but I was having a bad day and didn't really say anything. I just got my stuff and walked out. I was almost to my truck when this sweat little voice behind me made me stop. (I still have no idea what she said) I turned around and there stood this cute little brunette. She just grabbed me by the arm and said can I see your tattooes. I said sure but I've got like a quarter of my body covered. She said to show her so I did. Basically disrobing right there in the parking lot. We talked for a few and then she went back inside. Truth be told I really didn't think much a bout it. I just starting flirting with her like the rest of them. Alittle over a month ago I finally ended it with the girl I had been seeing.(smartest thing I've done in a long time) A couple weeks later I was at the gas station doing my normal daily bit when the new girl said I just had to see her new tattoo. Of course I looked and we got to talking. Then saturday morning I got off work early (2am)and stopped at the station. She and I got to talking and she told me I needed to shave my facial hair off again. I asked her if I did what she would do.B) She joked around for a minute then told me that if I would ask her out she wouldn't say no like she does to everyone else who asks her at work. (Ive seen her do it) So I told her I would and we talked until I left at 5am. Yesterday I showed up clean shaven and asked her where we were goin for breakfast. She decided it would be safest for us to go to her apartment and her make me breakfast. She has a major food allergy and if she's not careful she could die. So off we went. I helped her make us some food and then we sat down and talked litterally till we passed out from exhaustion. A few hours later we both had to get up and go to work. I talked to her again this morning for a good two hours. So pretty much there we are. Not trying to get my hopes up or read to much into it but we are so much alike it's scary. Like talking to the same person. We finish each others sectences, have the same basic child hood memories, our families are the same, and most of our beliefs are exactly the same. All this and we are seven years apart. Kinda wild. If you would like I could tell you how my ex-wife and I met. She is still my best friend and me both laugh at how stupid it was. JD

OK joe I got a good one for you. I love to cook but just learned that my new girlfriend has a major food allergy. She's allergic to wheat gluten. Now this really puts a cramp in things because all the foods I like to cook pretty much have flour in them in some form, or wheat, barley etc. She introduced me to rice flour yesterday, but also said it took her like six months to learn how to cook with it and it come out right. Any suggestions would be apreciated as I would really like to surprise her. Thanx JD

BadKarma is something they used to call me when I worked at the tattoo parlor. I had a real good string of bad luck, and one day someone said man that's bad karma. It just kinda stuck. I will someday have it tattooed down my spine. I also like the fact that you all give out karma here. It makes for a nice play on words. Thanks all for the warm welcome. JD

Ok so I have been lurking in the background for several months now and decided to go ahead and join. I don't currently have a grey but have wanted one for several years and hope to in the near future. Right now I'm expecting some major life changes so I don't believe it to be the right time just yet. Ok about me. My name is JD and I live in southwest Missouri USA. I'm 29 and single (trying to change that lol). I have been working with breeding and training animals pretty much since before I could walk. I've had pretty much all the normal animals ie dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, bunnies, etc. I've also had or worked with many different types of exotics ie reptiles, big cats, skunks, racoons, primates etc. So I do know a bit about what it takes to keep exotics as well as have a working knowledge of training of various species as well. I hope this knowledge will translate over when I do get my grey. In the meantime I am doing as much research as I can. I am always open to suggestions and would appreciate any and all help given to me here. Likewise if there is any way I can be of assistance to anyone here please don't be afraid to ask. Thanks for your time. JD