Unemployment, Lent and Bio-Terrorism. In that order

I have 2 1/2 days left at the Institute. Other than meetings, letting folks know I won't be here as of Monday and who to contact, and slowly finishing a project, I have checked out. I don't wanna anymore and really, what are they going to do about it? In all honesty, it probably doesn't look that different to anyone from when I first started here. I think I may have mastered how to look busy. Funemployment is looming! Still looking forward to it, so that hasn't changed at all. Whee...

Yesterday was Mardi Gras- yay! Other than work, I ordered a pizza and watched Hunger Games. So I guess you could say I took a literal meaning to celebrating Fat Tuesday. I'm not a religious person by any means but I know all about Lent. I actually find the whole concept of the Lent season to be a bit ridiculous (TL;DR version for those of you who don't know the religious aspects of it, Lent symbolizes the sacrifices Jesus made fasting in the desert for 40 days which is how long the season is, then afterwards lead up to His crucifixion, death and rising from the dead-Easter, or as some like to call it, Zombie Jesus Day. Don't get upset with me, I don't make this stuff up, but I do write for the masses. Obviously.). I understand why the devoted participate. Christianity can sometimes have romanticized, symbolic gestures and practices that the faithful wholeheartedly participate in. Others might look at it as a 2nd go at a New Years Resolution- give that gym membership a go again! While anyone else might view the start of Lent like it's a Wednesday. Why I find it ridiculous- for those religious/spiritual folks, you give up sugar, curse words, being late to work and other things that really shouldn't be called a sacrifice. Not to say you should renounce your first born or anything like that-this isn't some cult...but you do compare that menial surrender with the sacrifices of Jesus and that some how makes you a better Christian. Oh to be a heavenly fly on that wall if that conversation were to happen between you and Jesus.

Jesus: "So it looks like you gave up sugar for 2 years in a row and quit smoking for like an hour one year, and didn't get black-out drunk dancing on tables on your 22nd birthday."
You: "Yeah, but at least I tried, and that's more than the Atheists can say!"
Jesus: "Uh-huh, musta been a real bitch for ya. You know what I gave up? My life. For you. You ungrateful little..."

I'm no better, I normally fall into the "It's Wednesday" crowd, the only difference is I don't hide behind faith to make a point. Uh-Oh! Hot button issue.

Little Red Dog and I walk every day either in or near the park we live next to-we only walk in it when it's not dark outside. There's crazy folk about, and Chug is not going to do squat to protect me so we walk where there's light. On our walks I often see numerous dog bombs left unattended by previous park enjoyers. One of the great things about this park is that they literally give out FREE poop bags (ok, some of our tax money goes to pay for them but still) and there are garbage cans all over the place so people can get rid of their dog's presents instead of letting their precious Bowser leave its shit for the rest of us to admire. How freaking thoughtful!

This has been a long winded/passive aggressive issue for so long and in so many communities. You're either raging mad that the dog's owner didn't pick up after their dog or your the dog owner that is too important to get anywhere near that mess. Oddly enough, I'm the rager. A) If you can't pick up after your dog, you shouldn't have one. B) There is an old folks home just up the block, a couple live there with their sweet bull terrier and all three of them look like it's hard to move, but that man still picks up after his dog and refuses anyone's help even though it looks like a struggle- if he can do pick up after his dog, so can you. C) Leaving your dog's shit on the ground should be considered an act of bio-terrorism. Hear me out, before you call me crazy. Pooch fecal matter has a bunch of bacteria and germs, and potentially carrying worms and all sorts of viruses that can spread not only to my dog, but to me as well and possibly you.

Don't believe me? Here's an internet article backing my point: Yucky!
Think about this! You, your kids and your dog are having a nice day at the park. Your dog sniffs around a present from another dog and when you get home you've introduced your house to hook worms, heart worms, or maybe even parvo-which doesn't affect humans, but it can kill your dog.  What a damper to a nice day, huh?

Chug is definitely not the most graceful canine on this planet and has in fact fallen into a pile not picked up (which oddly enough, was right next to a garbage can...) and instead of me getting ready for work, I had to give him a bath. I am not alright with this, you shouldn't be alright with this. Also, vet visits can be really expensive. Over $200 for an ER vet visit.

Too much passive aggressive with this one. It's time to say something when you see it, not just post it online- I do both, a bit more aggressive than passive, but I simply don't have time for your dog's shit.