The 30 day Horror challenge. Day Eight.

Day 08 – Your favorite anthology:

Three Extremes

I enjoyed all 3 of these, but the 1st one (Dumplings) was by far the best.

It didn't hurt that it had Bai Ling in it.

Yummy!

Free Lennox! A terrible story of dog cruelty from Belfast.

A bit of a different post, but as an animal lover I wanted to get this out into the world.

LINK

On the 19th May 2010, Lennox, a five year old American Bull dog Labrador cross was wrongfully seized by Belfast City Council Dog Wardens from his loving family home where he lives with his owners and his kennel mates. Lennox committed no crime nor did any member of the public complain about him. Three Belfast City Council Dog Wardens came with the PSNI to his home unannounced. The Dog Wardens then told the Police to leave as there was no need for them at the location.  The Belfast City Council Dog Wardens then had tea with his owners, smoked cigarettes, chatted, played with the other family dogs after which the Dog Wardens then measured Lennox’s muzzle and rear legs with a dress maker’s tape measure and decided on those measurements without seeking any professional advice that he was possible “Pit Bull Type Breed” and so he was led from his home to be put to death by the Council. Northern Ireland has yet to fully implement the same dog legislation as mainland UK; if Northern Ireland were to complete the dog legislation here then Lennox could now be at home with his family and they would not now be facing legal prosecution. The USPCA said the law in Northern Ireland could be changed simply and rather quickly by an order in Council.

Lennox’s family have done more than required by the law as responsible dog owners who also foster dogs for various Northern Ireland dog shelters. When Lennox was a puppy his owners had him neutered, licensed, insured, DNA registered, Pet Safe registered and micro chipped and although the Belfast City Council have issued a dog licence for Lennox for the last five years and continue to do so today, the Council now find the need to class him as a Pit Bull type dog and murder him. On the day Lennox was ripped from his family home the Belfast City Council issued his owner with a warrant of seizure which was incorrectly addressed and was for another location, furthermore the Council used the ADBA Inc (American Dog Breeders Association Incorporated) breed standards guide to help identify Lennox as possible Pit Bull type. It has now become clear that the Council used this ADBA breed standards guide illegally breaking international and Berne copyright laws as Belfast City Council have never been authorised by the ADBA to use the copyrighted breed standards guide in full or derived version. Since Lennox’s seizure the ADBA have issued the Belfast City Council with ‘Cease & Desist’ orders due to the Council’s unauthorised continued use of ADBA material.

Lennox’s owners have only been contacted once by the Belfast City Council and this was two hours after Lennox had been taken. One of the Dog Wardens who seized Lennox telephoned Lennox’s owner to say “If you do not sign him over to us to be destroyed then you will most certainly lose your job as we will force a prosecution upon you through the courts.” On many attempts the family have telephoned the Council’s Dog Control Manager but to date the Manager has never taken the families call or returned any calls. Lennox’s family have never been told where he is being kept, what condition he is in, what type of care, feeding or regular exercise he receives, if any. Lennox’s family have repeatedly requested visitation to see what condition he is in however the Dog Control Manager for Belfast City Council Dog Wardens Department has continually refused all requests through the families Solicitor. Photographs of Lennox have emerged recently and have been passed to the family which clearly show Lennox in a cold inhumane concrete kennel which is visibly too small, there are no visible signs of a constant fresh water supply, heating, toys for stimulation and the photographs show Lennox sitting upright in a box type bed surrounded by his own faeces with only saw dust for bedding which many dog experts have agreed is harmful to dogs and unsuitable for bedding, yet Belfast City Council Dog Wardens Department have stated they practice humane animal welfare as set out by the DARD (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development). After studying the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is clear that none of Lennox’s welfare needs are being met at this undisclosed Council contracted kennel.

Local leading MP’s joined in support of Lennox stating in the Belfast Telegraph and other media they were “Appalled” by the seizure and treatment of Lennox and his family. A global campaign which boasts hundreds of thousands of supporters and petition signatures has begun in support of Lennox’s freedom. The ADBA Inc, various Animal Rights groups, Animal Welfare organisations, Veterinarians, Dog Breed and Behaviourist Experts have all gave their support for Lennox’s freedom and many supporters who are regular tourists to Northern Ireland have went further to state they will not return to Northern Ireland until Lennox is returned to his home. The most heartfelt plea of all was heard from Brooke, the owners eleven year old Daughter who is registered disabled. Lennox grew up around Brooke and the two became inseparable. Due to Brooke’s illness she is unable to play each day with other children and so found Lennox to always be there as a playmate and someone to be of comfort to her. Since her best friend was taken Brooke has missed much School due to suffering health and unneeded stress caused by missing her dog. Brooke’s specialist Doctor at Belfast Royal Hospital for Sick Children has also expressed growing concern for the child’s separation from her pet.

We ask for your help to Save Lennox, stop his incarceration and stop him from being put to death by Belfast City Council who wrongfully took him. If you have any compassion you will clearly see that far too many wrongs and errors have been made by the Council in the seizure of this much loved family pet and you will help correct a wrong. Please help this little girl become reunited with her best friend.

What You Can Do
1. This is a stumbling block, and cannot be accepted as defeat. For the sake of Lennox, please offer your support to his family and keep up with developments in his case by joining the Save Lennox Facebook fan page. LINK
2. Let the Belfast City Council know what you think of their actions in this case. Contact them here:

- Belfast City Council -
Belfast City Council Complaints:
complaints@belfastcity.gov.uk
Belfast City Council Chief Executive:
mcnaneyp@belfastcity.gov.uk
Belfast City Council Health & Enviromental Manager:
wylies@belfastcity.gov.uk
Belfast City Council Dog Warden Department:
dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk
Belfast City Council Dog Warden Manager:
elwoody@belfastcity.gov.uk
Belfast City Council Dog Warden:
lightfoots@belfastcity.gov.uk
Belfast City Council Dog Warden:
franceyw@belfastcity.gov.uk

You may also be able to leave feedback on the Belfast City Council Facebook page but it would appear that they are deleting many messages left there in order to keep things tidy.
3. Tell his story. Share it with those who understand, and educate those who do not.
4. See more information and find future calls to action at http://savelennox.co.uk

The 30 day Horror challenge. Day seven.

Day 07 – Your favorite supernatural horror film:

The Shining (1980)

This movie still creeps me out.

 

Redrum. Redrum.

The 30 day Horror challenge. Day six.

Day 06 – Your favorite vampire movie:

Blacula & Scream, Blacula, Scream

 Ooh, fancy DVD set. On the Amazon wishlist with you!

 I still have my video tapes somewhere.

 UK release.

 From a t-shirt.

Great poster, but showing the vampire with the stake in his chest is kind of a spoiler, don't you think?

Yes, these movies are kind of cheesy and low budget. In their defense, William Marshall was a fantastic actor, and the 2nd one has Pam Grier. I'd bite her neck any day. As someone once said: "Pam Grier should have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and her vagina should have it's own ice cream flavor." (source unknown)

Vampire movies aren't usually my thing, but my love for the "Soul Cinema" genre (I guess Blaxploitation isn't PC anymore) made watching these a must. And if you like horror, this is a great double bill. That's why they're both here, as choosing between them is impossible.

The 30 day Horror challenge. Day five.

Day 05 – Your favorite monster movie:

The Thing (1982)

This one freaked me out as a kid. The plot/premise has been done so many times, but in the right hands it can still be great. The X-Files episode 'Ice' was really well done, the Val Kilmer movie 'The Thaw', not so much.

Brandon Morrow's problem is his elbow, not his forearm. Toronto Blue Jays.

LINK

"Morrow’s spring ERA is 0.75 and his sore elbow is not considered serious."

I emailed the writer about that quote, and this was his response.

"It became the elbow when I asked him where the inflammation was and he pointed to his elbow, then said he had tightness in his elbow. Yes, the team called it a forearm strain."

What's up with the GM and the Manager? Who do they think they're fooling? Are they as cluess as the Nats GM and Manager?

I feel bad for Brandon Morrow. At this point, I think if they allow him to pitch at all he'll probably blow out the UCL within 4-5 starts. If they do the smart thing and send him to Dr. Jobe now, OR rest him until the UCL has healed AND work on fixing his mechanics, they might salvage something out of his arm.

Who does that most remind you of?

Ah yes, Mr. Strasburg.

Enjoy the next 12-18 months off Brandon!

The 30 day Horror challenge. Day four.

Day 04 – Your favorite werewolf film

An American Werewolf in London

I really haven't seen a lot of werewolf movies to compare this one with. I might have to rectify that.

The 30 day Horror challenge. Day three.

Day 03 – Your favorite slasher:

Freddy Krueger

I'm going exactly by how the question is worded. It doesn't say slasher movie, it just says slasher. And there's no better slasher than Mr. Kreuger.

Expos Best - Andres Galarraga. Custom Card.

Ah, the classic blue road unis. The Big Cat. Le Grand Chat. If a pitcher could hit the outside corner low, Andres had no chance. And still he had a pretty darn good career.

I found this online. Pretty funny.

The 30 day Horror challenge. Day two.

The horror film that you relate most to:

A bit of a difficult one to come up with, as I hardly find myself relating to any horror movies.
So, I went with this one because one of the characters is a photographer, and I own a camera.

C.H.U.D.

Brandon Morrow on the short road to Tommy John surgery.

15 day DL for a forearm problem.

Next stop, TJ surgery.

The 30 day Horror challenge. Day one.

I've watched a lot of horror in my time, but trying to remember them will be tough. Still, it's a worthy challenge.

Day 01 – A horror film that no one would expect you to love, but you do.

Seed of Chucky!

 It's all Jennifer Tilly's fault.

Carlos Perez.

A post by The Night Owl (LINK) inspired me to look at Carlos's career.

Carlos had a decent rookie season in 1995, then missed all of 1996. He came back in 1997, and the Expos allowed him to pitch 8 complete games out of 32 starts! He also had 5 shutouts, but only went 12-13 with a 108 ERA+. He pitched 206 innings in 1997, 241 in 1998, and after that he was essentially pitching batting practice.

I'm working on a theory that hard luck pitchers are often hurt by their team's defense and not just by the lack of runs scored in support. In 1997, in his 13 losses, Carlos gave up 17 unearned runs. In his 12 wins, he gave up 3 unearned runs. However, 12 of the unearned runs came in only 2 of the losses, so the theory will need more research.

Carlos was entertaining, and when he was on his game a good pitcher. Unfortunately there was a lot of ugliness in his non baseball life.

I wonder if there was something wacky in his tobaccey?

1982-1989 Topps wantlist. Montreal Expos

Much fewer needed for these ones. No shock.

1982 7T Tim Blackwell

1982 83T Al Oliver

1982 104T Dan Schatzeder

1982 118T Frank Taveras

1983 707 ERA Leaders (Rick

1983 22T Terry Crowley

1983 62T Bryan Little

1983 93T Bobby Ramos

1983 119T Mike Vail

1983 125T Chris Welsh

1983 128T Jim Wohlford

1984 188 Bryan Little

1984 474 Greg Bargar

1984 16T Fred Breining

1984 73T Gary Lucas

1984 78T Andy McGaffigan

1984 103T Pete Rose

1984 118T Derrel Thomas

1985 88 Bryn Smith

1985 257 Bryan Little

1985 473 Tim Wallach

1985 501 Dan Schatzeder

1985 526 David Palmer

1985 578 Terry Francona

1985 687 Bill Gullickson

1985 9T Hubie Brooks

1985 34T Mike Fitzgerald

1985 52T Joe Hesketh

1985 73T Vance Law

1985 87T Steve Nicosia

1985 94T Bert Roberge

1985 95T Bob Rodgers MG

1985 128T U.L. Washington

1985 131T Herm Winningham

1986 89 Randy St. Claire

1986 40T Andres Galarraga XRC

1986 55T Wayne Krenchicki

1986 71T Bob McClure

1986 72T Andy McGaffigan

1986 128T George Wright

1987 17T Casey Candaele

1987 45T Neal Heaton

1988 94T Luis Rivera

1988 102T Nelson Santovenia

1989 91 Floyd Youmans

1989 42T Kevin Gross

1989 66T Mark Langston

1989 92T Spike Owen

1969-1981 Topps wantlist. Montreal Expos.

Finally getting around to sorting some of my Expos. I bought a 3200 lot from one eBay seller, an 800 from another, had a few hundred of my own, and have received some from trades as well.

I'm starting with Topps, the plan is to collect from 1969-1990 for the moment. Once those are all done, I'll probably do Donruss and Fleer from beginning to 1990 as well. After that, who knows.

So here's the1969-1981 Topps Wantlist. If you want to do some trades, hit me up!

*condition is not hugely important, especially on the more expensive years*

1969 22 Jesus Alou

1969 45 Maury Wills

1969 67 Bill Stoneman

1969 92 Jack Billingham

1969 117 Jim Fairey

1969 138 John Bateman

1969 183 Don Shaw

1969 208b Donn Clendenon

1969 230 Rusty Staub UER

1969 236 Manny Mota

1969 284 Expos Rookies (Jer RC

1969 306 Mudcat Grant

1969 326 Gary Sutherland

1969 351 Carroll Sembera

1969 399 Bob Bailey

1969 442 Ty Cline

1969 466 John Boccabella

1969 496 Larry Jaster

1969 524 Expos Rookies (Lab RC

1969 549 Ron Brand

1969 578 Don Bosch

1969 606 Gene Mauch MG

1969 625 Mack Jones UER

1969 646 Expos Rookies (McG RC

1970 19 John Boccabella

1970 38 Mack Jones

1970 109 Expos Rookies (Jes RC

1970 124 Larry Jaster

1970 147 Angel Hermoso RC

1970 164 Ty Cline

1970 193 Mike Wegener

1970 221 Ron Brand

1970 238 Jose Laboy

1970 243 Joe Sparma

1970 268 Claude Raymond

1970 293 Bob Bailey

1970 332 Bobby Wine

1970 364 Dan McGinn

1970 398 Bill Stoneman

1970 417 John Bateman

1970 442 Gene Mauch MG

1970 476 Don Shaw

1970 509 Expos Team

1970 527 Don Bosch

1970 548 Howie Reed

1970 585 Rusty Staub

1970 607 Gary Waslewski

1970 632 Gary Sutherland

1970 646 Jim Britton

1970 666 Adolfo Phillips

1970 690 Ron Fairly

1970 707 Kevin Collins

1971 21 Dan McGinn

1971 42 Boots Day

1971 59 Gene Mauch MG

1971 94 Don Hahn RC

1971 132 Jose Laboy

1971 142 Mack Jones

1971 157 Bob Bailey

1971 171 Bobby Wine

1971 209 Steve Renko

1971 232 John Strohmayer RC

1971 266 Bill Stoneman

1971 284 Jim Gosger

1971 315 Ron Fairly

1971 376 Expos Rookies (Cly RC

1971 398 Howie Reed

1971 418 Adolfo Phillips

1971 434 Gary Sutherland

1971 452 John Boccabella

1971 474 Jim Fairey

1971 515 Carl Morton

1971 536 Claude Raymond

1971 560 Rusty Staub

1971 608 Mike Wegener

1971 628 John Bateman

1971 665 Ron Swoboda SP

1971 674 Expos Team

1971 699 Jim Britton

1971 713 Mike G. Marshall SP

1971 743 John O'Donoghue SP

1972 5 John Bateman

1972 58 Ernie McAnally

1972 82 Ron Woods

1972 110 Ron Hunt

1972 134 Carl Morton

1972 159 John Boccabella

1972 234 Ron Taylor

1972 276 Gene Mauch MG

1972 307 Steve Renko

1972 308 Steve Renko IA

1972 331 Stan Swanson RC

1972 371 Denny Lemaster

1972 405 Ron Fairly

1972 489 Expos Rookies (Ter RC

1972 493 Bob Bailey KP

1972 505 Mike G. Marshall

1972 526 Bob Bailey

1972 582 Expos Team

1972 610 Bill Stoneman

1972 631 John Strohmayer

1972 653 Jim Fairey

1972 657 Bobby Wine

1972 727 Jose Laboy

1972 743 Cesar Gutierrez

1972 773 Ron Brand

1973 19 Tim Foli

1973 77 Mike Torrez

1973 106 Terry Humphrey

1973 125 Ron Fairly

1973 149 Ron Hunt

1973 211 Balor Moore

1973 307 Boots Day

1973 377 Gene Mauch MG

1973 576 Expos Team

1973 592 John Boccabella

1973 - Team Ch NNO15 Montreal Expos

1974 146 Ron Fairly

1974 193 Tom Walker

1974 208 Leading Firemen (J LL

1974 352 Bill Stoneman

1974 377 Ron Woods

1974 485 Felipe Alou

1974 531 Gene Mauch MG

1974 600 Rookie Infielders RC

1974 653 Bob Stinson

1974 - Team Ch NNO15 Montreal Expos

1975 34 Steve Renko

1975 101 Gene Mauch MG

1975 149 Tim Foli

1975 254 Mike Torrez

1975 270 Ron Fairly

1975 286 Mike Jorgensen

1975 341 Hal Breeden

1975 365 Bob Bailey

1975 391 Don DeMola RC

1975 416 Larry Lintz

1975 471 Bob Stinson

1975 496 Pepe Frias

1975 521 Dennis Blair RC

1975 568 Dale Murray RC

1975 592 Balor Moore

1975 627 Tom Walker

1975 - Team Ch 15 Montreal Expos

1976 94 Jim Dwyer

1976 117 Mike Jorgensen

1976 141 Larry Parrish RC

1976 216 Montreal Expos / K CL, MG

1976 238 Larry Biittner

1976 312 Don Carrithers

1976 374 Dan Warthen RC

1976 397 Tim Foli

1976 418 Jose Morales RC

1976 441 Gary Carter

1976 642 Dennis Blair

1977 102 Jose Morales

1977 178 Bombo Rivera RC

1977 417 Wayne Garrett

1977 647 Dick Williams MG

1978 120 Gary Carter

1978 185 Ellis Valentine

1978 221 Chris Speier

1978 269 Wayne Twitchell

1978 294 Larry Parrish

1978 414 Darold Knowles DP

1978 495 Dave Cash

1978 576 Sam Mejias

1978 603 Will McEnaney

1978 629 Don Stanhouse

1978 654 Pepe Frias

1978 679 Wayne Garrett

1979 43 Wayne Twitchell

1979 76 Warren Cromartie

1979 97 Sam Mejias

1979 124 Dan Schatzeder

1979 181 Mike Garman

1979 269 Woodie Fryman

1979 294 Pepe Frias

1979 426 Chris Speier

1979 603 Rudy May

1979 628 Del Unser

1979 673 Tom Hutton

1980 14 Dave Cash

1980 70 Gary Carter

1980 97 Bill Lee

1980 125 Tony Perez

1980 235 Andre Dawson

1980 293 Elias Sosa

1980 319 Chris Speier

1980 345 Larry Parish

1980 375 Ross Grimsley

1980 395 Ellis Valentine

1980 415 Bill Atkinson

1980 427 Tom Hutton DP

1980 446 Duffy Dryer

1980 479 Dick Williams MG

1980 497 Jim Mason

1980 520 Steve Rogers

1980 539 Rudy May

1980 559 Dale Murray

1980 578 Scott Sanderson

1980 607 Woodie Fryman

1980 653 Stan Bahnsen

1980 660 Rusty Staub

1980 680 Expos Future Stars RC

1980 712 Rodney Scott

1980 724 Jerry White

1981 125 Andre Dawson

1981 181 Elias Sosa

1981 235 Scott Sanderson

1981 267 Stan Bahnsen

1981 413 Tony Bernazard

1981 680 Expos Team, Dick W MG

1981 710 Ron LeFlore DP

1981 725 Steve Rogers

1981 744 Ray Burris

1981 813 Mike Phillips

1981 816 Tim Raines

1981 819 Jeff Reardon

Expos Worst - Rodney Scott. Custom Card.

This was too good of a picture to pass up, but in no way could I include Rodney as an Expos Best. So, a whole new series is born!

Rodney had 3 full seasons with the Expos, none of which were any good at all. If it wasn't for having an ability to draw walks and steal bases, Rodney might have been one of the worst players in history. Incredibly, Rodney got an MVP vote in 1980, despite an OPS+ of only 69. I wonder which Montreal writer voted for him?

Weird 1/1 Vlad Guerrero item on eBay. WTF.

LINK

The card has him wearing an Expos jersey, despite having spent the previous season with the Angels. And the patch....doesn't seem to be from an Expos OR an Angels jersey. And it's a 1/1.

 

One of my favorite basketball cards. Isiah Thomas - Rapid Penetration.

I bet he was proud to be known for this.

Some cool shots from another book.

 


right click and choose view image to see a larger version

A mistake from another book. The Rocket That Fell to Earth.

  The Rocket That Fell to Earth by Jeff Pearlman.

Not the best book in the world, and amongst the mistakes and gossip, the above error was quite funny. 

Sam Mack? It's not like Shane Mack was some nobody. Mistakes like that might be small, but to me they suggest that the writer and editors don't really know what they're writing about.

Small error in a book.

Splitters, Squeezes and Steals.

 It's a pretty decent book, all things considered.

 However, this is one of the first 10 pages. 

"remains the only pitcher to strike out 20 or more batters in a single game"

Erm.....Kerry Wood?

Technically of course, Tom Cheney holds the record with 21 K's in a "single game". It took 16 innings, but still, it's the record for a "single game".

2009 release date, so there was really no excuse for skipping Kerry.