Charlotte, NC

By now, I guess you’ve read about the little bold lady who lived in Denver (our Denver, I mean …) who had so many childre … er, pets … she didn’t know what to do.
Look — on the surface, there’s nothing wrong with rescuin’ little barks and fleaflickers; it’s what they call a “noble gesture”.
But remember: If you’re gonna take in any pet, you’ve gotta be responsible for its/their care and upkeep! Never … never have more pets than you can safely love and care for!

But 400??? Awww, man … gimme a break here! There’s a lady I know in Parkersburg, W. Va. who had 1,000 taken from her last month — ONE …THOUSAND!! (Don’t believe me? Here … read for yourself!)
And, on top of that, she’s a breeder … and, I must say, one of the sweetest ladies I’ve ever had the chance to speak with.
Now, whether it’s Denver, N.C. or Parkersburg, W. Va., the cases in both cities teach us some valuable lessons:

• Though it’s a wonderful gesture to save an animal, we have to remember that their rescue carries with it a lot of responsibility for the pet’s well-being.
• If you have too many animals to care for (and be honest about that!), then turn ‘em over to an animal rescue organization that’ll put ‘em up for adoption.
• This, in no way, is a reflection of the owner’s character or persona. That person can be as sweet and well-meaning as possible … but just has a heart too big to say “no”. He or she should be supported by family and friends, who also should help the owner to keep things under control!

HURRICANE CARLOS TO HIT TOWN! Actually, it’s Carlos Mencia, the fab stand-up and improv comic who’s coming to Ovens Auditorium this Friday (8 PM) with his At Close Range gig.
Now, if the man can keep the bleeped stuff under wraps, he’s gonna put on a show that’ll knock your socks off (so wear extra, or have ‘em in yer pocket!). I’ve seen him a coupla times already while I’ve been on the road, and he’s hilarious! This is definitely a show worth takin’ in — just be sure to get there early so you can get good seats!

LIGHTING IT UP

No, this isn’t about smoking … unless you wanna include “smoking hot” deals on lighting fixtures (see??). We’re all lookin’ for brighter, attractive new lamps, chandeliers, and bathroom lighting (in fact, didja know that psychologists say good lighting actually improves your mood?). And, of course, when we go shopping for those, we know there’s gonna be a price to pay, whether in time spent in traffic, in checkout lines or whatever, or in the high mark-up that so many places have.
But, at the link I’m about to give you, you’ll find a spot that’ll not only provide a wide selection of the most gorgeous lamps, sconces, bathroom lighting and more — but at prices that’ll make your wallet breathe a lot easier!!
And, get this: They give you free shipping on orders over $75 annnd (if you’re wondering how good this place is to shop with) you can even view their security certificate online! How many places will do that for ya?
So go ahead and click on the link that’ll get you the best lighting you’ll ever want! Believe me, you’ll see things a lot clearer … and feel a whole lot better … when you visit and get your lighting needs from these folks!

O-KAY! I give in!!
I’ve had more than a few emails askin’ what, exactly, does the Relic do, other than pennin’ one of Charlotte’s favorite blogs?
Well … ummm, see the guy in that pic? Now, imagine him without any hair on top, and you’ve got it!!

Actually, it’s not that bad (I stay away from espresso ever since that last shot at the old CoffeeWorks at the Arbouretum in Matthews. Long story …). But da man, he do stay bizzy!:

Y’see, there are three blogs I work on daily, thirty reviews typed out per month, a quarterly newspaper that’s done from scratch (even the ads are composed, with artwork), two UK acts to promote (dealing with A&R reps isn’t always easy!), seven articles to write on recurring bases, research to do, a house to maintain, bills to pay, pets to feed, and … ummmm … eat and sleep when available!!

In the office, aside from cats, are mounds of reports, papers, files, CDs, floppy disks (ummm … I … do have a computer in here somewhere!) and music. Always music. Classic rock/oldies. And, natch, The Fore and Ron Ryan (the two I’m promoting stateside).
And a litter box (see “papers”, which shall remain unsmudged by “cats”)
And, somewhere, a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich I started to eat an hour ago.

The music always keeps me pumped (why’d'ja think, over the past few years, I’ve been nicknamed Rock Relic, huh?).
But you, the readers, are the ones who get me juiced the most! 99.9% of ya e-mail rather than leave “comments” ’cause you’ve known me for a lonnnnnnnnng time. And it’s for you, as well as for those future friends who are just learnin’ about Crown Town and its wonder, that I’m writin’ this.
And it’s a blast!

SUMMERTIME and PATIOS

Together, they mean furniture that’ll make ya feel comfortable and are sturdy enough to handle that pitcher of ice-cold lemonade, maybe a few frosty Pepsi two-liters, the portable CD or the iPod and just relax with!
My fave’s always been the old “wrought-iron” look, but there are so many types you can get … either for pool-side or just out in the side yard, under your favorite shade tree!
Now, there are a lotta places in town that offer outside furniture … but, once you’ve spent your gas and fought the traffic to get to these places, you sometimes find the supply limited, and the style you wanted gone! If what you want is there, you have to spend big bux to buy it, go through long checkouts, cart it back to the house/apartment and hope it works for you!
Or … on the other hand,
you can go to the link I’m about to give you and find some of the most beautiful outdoor furniture on the market, at fantastic savings, and not have to worry about long lines, costly drives, or whether they have it in stock or not!
You can browse quickly or use their SuperSearch box to find the furnishings you want! And get this: You get free shipping and no sales tax if ya place your order by tomorrow (June 20)!
It’s fun, practical, saves time and money (as well as nerves), and is very secure (no hackers can get through to your order)!
Now, there’s not enough space here to describe it all, but you can discover this patio furniture wonderland for yourself just by clicking the link above!
Go ahead … do it now, while you’re on this site … and get ready to have a great summer with the most fabulous and comfortable outside furniture you’d ever want!

It was one of those nights I’ll never forget:

You see, I had a beautiful, soft, furry friend with big, round, copper eyes and a heart that was bigger than all outdoors. Booger, as I called him, was constantly by my side, meowing to be picked up on occasion, sitting by my computer keyboard and watching this thing we call a “pointer” move, or just jumping on my stomach when I was asleep and “kneading dough”.

But, two days ago, I had to bury my little friend. Sadly, he passed of what the doc called severe chronic kidney failure, which he’d apparently inherited from his mother. It was the same thing that downed Lightning years before.
It was heartbreaking to see him go down so fast (and it does happen quickly!). I decided to take him home rather than the doc putting him to sleep, because I knew he wanted to be around those who loved him.
My heart pounded as I held him, stroked his fur, offered a little water, talked to him softly … knowing that it could be just scant minutes …

Then, my heart totally broke:

I’d just put him in a little cage (to keep the other pets from sniffing and bothering him) and went to get a cup of coffee. I heard a “crash” and knew the dogs’d turned over the trashcan.
But …
before I could get to the trashcan …
I saw my Westie, Brandy …
take an empty can of Friskies cat food …
and …
gently, ever so gently …
sit it softly and upright …
in front of Booger’s cage.
Then, she looked in the cage, then walked back to the can. Then to the cage, then to the can.

I cried as I hugged the white canine wonder and tried, in words she couldn’t understand, that Booger was leaving us.

Today, I’m a changed man somehow. In a world where dogs and cats are treated as just “pieces of meat” to be thrown around or neglected, I’ve become more understanding and appreciative of the souls of these animals … these “forever friends”.

Some people still call them “dumb animals”.

To me, those are now fightin’ words.

Rest in peace, little Booger. You don’t haveta be sick anymore …

Now … on to something different:

DIET PILLS THAT WORK!

There are a lot of diet pills on the market that people use to try and lose weight. Unfortunately, trying to figure out which are the best for them takes time, comparison-shopping (both in price and quality), long lines, and more.
But there is a spot that’ll not only show you the best diet pill for you (it does that by comparing and reviewing over 200 of the top brands), but will even hook you up with the best places to buy them, at the best prices!
You save time, frustration, money and so much more if you just click on this link — one that’ll help you find the best diet pill that works for you!
So click that link now, and start enjoying a thinner “you” soon!