Procedures for the North Allegheny Tiger Costume

Procedures for the North Allegheny Tiger Costume
I love the fact that there are so many procedures to being a tiger. Especially so many silly procedures. Some of my favorites are:
Find an area where there are no children.
...avoid people at all cost.
The head must be on at all times.
Your chaperone must be alert at all times because you cannot see small children when they are right next to you and large children like to try to "beat up" the tiger.
Do not let anyone pull your tail. It will come off.
You will be sweaty and disgusting no matter how cold or hot it is.

Riff Raff Plaza

They are recreating my neighborhood. They are putting in brick sidewalk accents and new navy blue fixtures like light poles and tree grates. Note the anarchist flag flying high on the flag pole. They are putting a nice median in the center of the street.
They mean well, but they really have no idea. The elected officials are all old and white and live on the right side of the tracks and drive to work everyday.

They haven’t finished the construction yet and already the sidewalk is covered in gum spots, the plants in the median have been trampled by jaywalkers, and people are just eyeing that plaza to loiter in all day. Undesirables were literally sitting on the steps of the bank across the street. I can’t wait until it is done. I’m still hoping for a water feature in the middle where the homeless with bathe. I’ve been calling it riff raff park since I realized it would be there. I can’t wait to see the elected officials plan backfire on them. I also can’t wait to hang out with the riff raff.

Busy life

Well you may have seen a marked decrease in the frequency and quality of my communication. It has to do with having a real job that keeps me really busy. I need to figure out how to better budget my time… by that I mean continue to do more e-mail and stuff. I’m working on it, but suggestions are appreciated.

I’m also signing up for a big MS bike event thing. We are riding down the shore (as people call going to the beach in these parts) from just over the bridge in New Jersey. It should be fun to do, but I need to raise some funds and that is a pain. I’m hoping that you guys will want to give small amounts of cash allowing me to reach the necessary amount without having to go door to door or something like that. Just search my name Justin Dula and fork the cash directly to the MS society. It’s a good cause and you can do it online at the following link or use the one over in the links column. More information on the ride is available here. To learn more about MS click here.
So that’s it for now… an apology for not being in contact as much as I have been in the past and a request for money. Soon you’ll hate hearing from me if you don’t already. I’ll try to bring in some other things.

Oh, with the new job I can get packages at work, which will be marvelously convenient by comparison. The address is below (The address is not really below to avoid strange packages from my many internet fans). No more concern about lobby thieves. I guess that isn’t fun information either. In fact it borders on a desperate and obvious plea for you to send me large items.

Well after fishy’s passing, I’ve created a home to another fish. At first I was a little hesitant to welcome a new fish into my life after the heartbreak of loosing a companion like fishy. I mean, Fishy can never be replaced in my heart, but this fish needed a home and I’m trying to open my hear to fish again. Squishy was a wedding decoration. I didn’t attend the wedding, but Eric said that fish were placed as centerpieces in blue dyed water at the tables in the reception. They were going to be thrown in the garbage disposal when the wedding was finished. Not a classy move, guys. You are celebrating your eternal love with disposable fish. Anyway squishy is a betta. Very colorful and vicious. We’ll see if she has staying power. I supposes any length of life is better than a garbage disposal at a reception hall.

Fishy’s funeral went well.

The ceremony itself was lightly attended, but the whole Country mourned with flags at half mass. The funeral procession left 30th Street Station. Only two pallbearers were needed with Fish’s diminutive size. The location was changed to avoid the smirk of punk kid’s on this solemn occasion. The words of memoriam were read from those not present. Those who were present made their own remarks. Then Fishy’s body was lowered into the river, followed by some flowers.

Me-Ow

I don’t know if everywhere has been blitzed by Garfield Movie ads. They are on every other Train and bus here. I’m amazed that someone thought this movie was a good idea. The days of someone being wowed by a cat that wears sunglasses are long over. I’m just picturing their target audience saying, “A cat that eats lasagna, well I never!”

R. I. P. Fishy

I’m sorry to tell you that my pet fish has passed. Many of you have fond memories of fishy that you would like to share, so a memorial service will be held Wednesday June 9, 2004 at 7:00 PM at the Schuylkill River Trail between Market and Chestnut Streets. Feel free to come and share your grief with others. If you are unable to make it, please send comments to be read on your behalf.

Directions:
By Plane: Take the R1 Line from PHL to 30th Street Station. Walk east on 30th Street. Use the ramps to access the Schuylkill River Trail from Market Street.

By Train: From 30th Street Station walk east on 30th Street. Use the ramps to access the Schuylkill River Trail from Market Street.

By Car: Take I-76 to 30th Street exit. Walk east on 30th Street. Use the ramps to access the Schuylkill River Trail from Market Street.

From the East: Access the Schuylkill River Trail from ramps on Market or Chestnut Streets.

To jog your memory, I’ll supply you with the time line of this fish.

Fall 1996 – Fishy is purchased from Meijer to eat roaches in our apartment at Bellvue along with a sibling. They ate many a toxin filled roach fleeing from floating candles in their tank.

Fall 1997 – I am in China and the fish are under the care of my parents

Fall 1998- I’m living on Lovell and I forget if fishy was around or not. I’m a bad father.

Fall 1999 – I move to NYC and fishy is left in the care of my parents again.

Fall 2000 – I move to Columbus for graduate school with fishy.

Fall 2003 – I move to Philadelphia with Fishy

Summer 2004 – Fishy looks very sad and sick and there is nothing I can do.

June 6, 2004 - Fishy Passes.

Fishy

Bad news…

I don’t know how many of you remember fishy, but I think he/she is on her last legs (so to speak). I’m planning on having a memorial service some time soon, if you have any kind words to say in her honor, I’d be more than happy to read them for you. If you live locally and would like to come, you are more than welcome.

To jog your memory, I’ll supply you with the time line of this fish.

Fall 1996 – Fishy is purchased from Meijer to eat roaches in our apartment at Bellvue along with a sibling. They ate many a toxin filled roach fleeing from floating candles in their tank.

Fall 1997 – I am in China and the fish are under the care of my parents

Fall 1998- I’m living on Lovell and I forget if fishy was around or not. I’m a bad father.

Fall 1999 – I move to NYC and fishy is left in the care of my parents again.

Fall 2000 – I move to Columbus for graduate school with fishy.

Fall 2003 – I move to Philadelphia with Fishy

Summer 2004 – Fishy looks very sad and sick and there is nothing I can do.

At some point fishy acquired an name and my undying respect. I’m giving her a proper burial at sea. If you have any fond fishy stories you would like to share or if you can fill in some blanks on the fishy timeline, I implore you to.