HOORAY!'
Weekend!
Break time! :)
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Customers who vie for the same animal
Question: When multiple people contact you about the same animal--asking for specifics, more pictures, etc.--how do you deal with who has first chance at it?
Ahhh yes.
This happens often. Often enough to have a set of rules that I follow to be fair.
Let us imagine that there is Customer One and Customer Two.
Scenario One:
Customer One answers my ad and asks for more information.
Customer Two answers my ad an hour later with the cash.
Customer Two pays for it, and recieves the animal.
Customer One gets a nice e-mail after the animal is paid for saying that the animal in question has been sold, but please let me know if there is anything else I can help them with.
NOTE: This does not happen frequently, but unless there is a deposit or some type of monetary hold on the animal, it is still available to any one.
This is only a rule due to the type of customer base that exists in the industry, as there are people that are not truly serious about the animals in question. This is why there are ads that state "Serious Offers Only" and the like. Its a common problem, and most people handle it the way I do in terms of the sale.
This also does not apply to previous customers. Previous customers get priority, as they are returning and you know that they are good at their word (if you do know..I know my customers are!).
I have even had those people who say "I will pay you on X day" and never follow thru. To protect myself, I do not hold any animal without a deposit, even with that kind of promise. A deposit can be even $5, but it needs to be there as a good faith offering.
Scenario Two:
Customer One answers my ad and asks for more information.
Customer Two answers my ad an hour later asking for more information.
Both Customers get the information accordingly, and are left to make the decisions the way they see fit.
Customer One gets more priority than Customer Two due to the timing, but if Customer Two pays for the animal, then it is theirs.
There are instances where I do not talk about payment plans or accept offers from other Customers until I know that Customer One is fully informed. This can be a risky move, but most people are willing to wait a few days to spend their money anyway.
I do not, however, leave them hanging for long, and I try very hard not to ignore/miss an e-mail.
Scenario Three:
Customer One answers my ad and asks for more information and puts forth a ridiculously low offer.
Customer Two answers my ad an hour later asking for more information.
Customer One gets the information, as well as an explaination as to why the low offer is unacceptable, and usually a counter offer.
Customer Two gets more of my attention, as I do not expect Customer One to be serious about the animal.
Again, this goes back to Scenario One in a sense. There are a lot of wishy-washy people out there that do not take things seriously, but it is never okay to completely write them off (unless they are being absolutely rude/inappropriate/etc). This is one of those times where customer service needs to be brought to the forefront.
There are plenty of other scenarios to be brought up, but these are the most common that I have experienced over the past many years. If you have a scenario, please feel free to share as well!
I hope this helps you all out there understand the other side of the coin, so to speak, in terms of buying an animal.
Have a great day, my friends!
Ahhh yes.
This happens often. Often enough to have a set of rules that I follow to be fair.
Let us imagine that there is Customer One and Customer Two.
Scenario One:
Customer One answers my ad and asks for more information.
Customer Two answers my ad an hour later with the cash.
Customer Two pays for it, and recieves the animal.
Customer One gets a nice e-mail after the animal is paid for saying that the animal in question has been sold, but please let me know if there is anything else I can help them with.
NOTE: This does not happen frequently, but unless there is a deposit or some type of monetary hold on the animal, it is still available to any one.
This is only a rule due to the type of customer base that exists in the industry, as there are people that are not truly serious about the animals in question. This is why there are ads that state "Serious Offers Only" and the like. Its a common problem, and most people handle it the way I do in terms of the sale.
This also does not apply to previous customers. Previous customers get priority, as they are returning and you know that they are good at their word (if you do know..I know my customers are!).
I have even had those people who say "I will pay you on X day" and never follow thru. To protect myself, I do not hold any animal without a deposit, even with that kind of promise. A deposit can be even $5, but it needs to be there as a good faith offering.
Scenario Two:
Customer One answers my ad and asks for more information.
Customer Two answers my ad an hour later asking for more information.
Both Customers get the information accordingly, and are left to make the decisions the way they see fit.
Customer One gets more priority than Customer Two due to the timing, but if Customer Two pays for the animal, then it is theirs.
There are instances where I do not talk about payment plans or accept offers from other Customers until I know that Customer One is fully informed. This can be a risky move, but most people are willing to wait a few days to spend their money anyway.
I do not, however, leave them hanging for long, and I try very hard not to ignore/miss an e-mail.
Scenario Three:
Customer One answers my ad and asks for more information and puts forth a ridiculously low offer.
Customer Two answers my ad an hour later asking for more information.
Customer One gets the information, as well as an explaination as to why the low offer is unacceptable, and usually a counter offer.
Customer Two gets more of my attention, as I do not expect Customer One to be serious about the animal.
Again, this goes back to Scenario One in a sense. There are a lot of wishy-washy people out there that do not take things seriously, but it is never okay to completely write them off (unless they are being absolutely rude/inappropriate/etc). This is one of those times where customer service needs to be brought to the forefront.
There are plenty of other scenarios to be brought up, but these are the most common that I have experienced over the past many years. If you have a scenario, please feel free to share as well!
I hope this helps you all out there understand the other side of the coin, so to speak, in terms of buying an animal.
Have a great day, my friends!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Questions and Answers!
I love the Q and A portions of the blog, cause I can not blindly try and figure out what to write about, I can actually answer specific questions.
YAY!
Do you have any website recommendations for making business cards (and/or any other business card-related advice)?
I use VistaPrint right now, and they have a fast turn around time and decent prices. The quality is not outstanding (not heavy cards, matte printing -although I'm sure they offer Glossy) They save my card as I had it before, so it's just a click for more cards, and a week turn around.
For those that want more quality card stock and the sorts, I would look into a local printing shop for that. Designing the card will take more time than finding a printer to print it, but once you have it down, it should be no problem.
Make sure you love your logo and your business name... Once it sticks, that's it.
People will remember you forever for that, logos, catch phrases, etc...
Make sure it is something you want them to remember.
My breeding business is just me--I don't have anyone to help during reptile shows and such--so I'm a little worried about when I have to leave my table for a short period of time (bathroom breaks, etc.). Are people usually pretty friendly when it comes to watching someone else's table briefly? Anything else that might be a little difficult with only one person at a table?
That's a tough one, as I usually have plenty of help. Make sure that who ever watches your table is someone you can trust absolutely, and someone who has knowledge of what you are selling.
Don't ask Joe Shmoe over there selling Bearded Dragons to help you out with your table while you go get a Hot Dog, as they could be the one telling a potential customer that Ball Pythons are venomous. (This is not a knock on Beardie Breeders, and I know most reptile hobbyists know about Ball Pythons, but it is a possibility just in the sense that misinformation can be easily spread under the guise of your reputation)
People are helpful, and most can and will watch over your table, but if you can, ask the show promoter to be next to someone you know and trust. THAT is the best way to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Being one person at a show is tough. If you have a crowd, it is very difficult to provide customer service to more than one person at a time. Also, watching the table to make sure there are no sticky fingers or mistreatment of the animals is a trying task. You have to be several people at once, always watching, always aware.
Smaller shows don't bode as much of a problem as larger ones, but the issues are still the same.
If you are doing your first show, I would suggest maybe splitting a table with a friend. You can get a feel for vending, you have someone to help you and someone you trust there with you, and you can better gauge how you can handle an entire weekend of "work".
Then, when the time comes, break off and do it yourself.
It's not too hard, but there is a lot to remember to plan for and a lot to do.
I will revisit the "How to Vend" topic on another day.
I hope this helps, and please, keep the questions coming!
Have a great day, my friends!
YAY!
Do you have any website recommendations for making business cards (and/or any other business card-related advice)?
I use VistaPrint right now, and they have a fast turn around time and decent prices. The quality is not outstanding (not heavy cards, matte printing -although I'm sure they offer Glossy) They save my card as I had it before, so it's just a click for more cards, and a week turn around.
For those that want more quality card stock and the sorts, I would look into a local printing shop for that. Designing the card will take more time than finding a printer to print it, but once you have it down, it should be no problem.
Make sure you love your logo and your business name... Once it sticks, that's it.
People will remember you forever for that, logos, catch phrases, etc...
Make sure it is something you want them to remember.
My breeding business is just me--I don't have anyone to help during reptile shows and such--so I'm a little worried about when I have to leave my table for a short period of time (bathroom breaks, etc.). Are people usually pretty friendly when it comes to watching someone else's table briefly? Anything else that might be a little difficult with only one person at a table?
That's a tough one, as I usually have plenty of help. Make sure that who ever watches your table is someone you can trust absolutely, and someone who has knowledge of what you are selling.
Don't ask Joe Shmoe over there selling Bearded Dragons to help you out with your table while you go get a Hot Dog, as they could be the one telling a potential customer that Ball Pythons are venomous. (This is not a knock on Beardie Breeders, and I know most reptile hobbyists know about Ball Pythons, but it is a possibility just in the sense that misinformation can be easily spread under the guise of your reputation)
People are helpful, and most can and will watch over your table, but if you can, ask the show promoter to be next to someone you know and trust. THAT is the best way to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Being one person at a show is tough. If you have a crowd, it is very difficult to provide customer service to more than one person at a time. Also, watching the table to make sure there are no sticky fingers or mistreatment of the animals is a trying task. You have to be several people at once, always watching, always aware.
Smaller shows don't bode as much of a problem as larger ones, but the issues are still the same.
If you are doing your first show, I would suggest maybe splitting a table with a friend. You can get a feel for vending, you have someone to help you and someone you trust there with you, and you can better gauge how you can handle an entire weekend of "work".
Then, when the time comes, break off and do it yourself.
It's not too hard, but there is a lot to remember to plan for and a lot to do.
I will revisit the "How to Vend" topic on another day.
I hope this helps, and please, keep the questions coming!
Have a great day, my friends!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
It has Begun
Yes, I have been slacking.
But on the pre-couple-o-monthiversary of my wedding, I found two clutches of eggs to celebrate the day with!
The first one I found was this gal, a virgin Pastel that I have had for several years. She never bred for me until this year, and I'm kind of disappointed in the results.
She is being a very good mother, of course. So much so that when she was gravid, I didn't really want to bother her, so left her to her own devices in terms of shedding.. Eeewww.
Anyway, she got a good bath after I took her off of the eggs, but much to my dismay, here were the results.
She was bred to a Pastel Butter Spider.
Three good eggs, three slugs. Could be better, could have been worse.
I will take it.
And then I found this gal...
This is my Albino het TSK Axanthic female. I gave her a year off last year, and I'm very glad I did! She gave me three eggs last time I bred her.
And this time?
SEVEN!
She was bred to the Spider het TSK Axanthic ph Albino, so I really hope that he proves to be Het Albino this year.
Last year was a crap shoot.
This year, we will find out for real.
So with that, I bid you a good season if it has started for you already.
We shall be back tomorrow to discuss!
Have a great day, my friends!
But on the pre-couple-o-monthiversary of my wedding, I found two clutches of eggs to celebrate the day with!
The first one I found was this gal, a virgin Pastel that I have had for several years. She never bred for me until this year, and I'm kind of disappointed in the results.
Anyway, she got a good bath after I took her off of the eggs, but much to my dismay, here were the results.
She was bred to a Pastel Butter Spider.
Three good eggs, three slugs. Could be better, could have been worse.
I will take it.
And then I found this gal...
This is my Albino het TSK Axanthic female. I gave her a year off last year, and I'm very glad I did! She gave me three eggs last time I bred her.
And this time?
SEVEN!
She was bred to the Spider het TSK Axanthic ph Albino, so I really hope that he proves to be Het Albino this year.
Last year was a crap shoot.
This year, we will find out for real.
So with that, I bid you a good season if it has started for you already.
We shall be back tomorrow to discuss!
Have a great day, my friends!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Fail
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am a fail.
I have so much on my plate that the blog has taken a backseat, and I apologize.
I have much to talk about, but it will have to be tomorrow.
I promise :)
Have a great day, my friends.
I have so much on my plate that the blog has taken a backseat, and I apologize.
I have much to talk about, but it will have to be tomorrow.
I promise :)
Have a great day, my friends.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Time off
I have been really swamped with everything right now, and although I feel like I have been taking too much time away from the blog, it is one of the easiest things to hold off for a little while.
So today I am taking a break.
Plus it's Spring Break (Happy Belated First Day of Spring yesterday, by the way)
Time off today.
:)
Suggestions appreciated for topics to discuss.
Have a great day, my friends!
So today I am taking a break.
Plus it's Spring Break (Happy Belated First Day of Spring yesterday, by the way)
Time off today.
:)
Suggestions appreciated for topics to discuss.
Have a great day, my friends!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Super Mojave Super Fire (?)
This girl was sold to me as a Super Mojave Super Fire, and I really hope that it is true.
She is breeding this season, and has a delegated boyfriend that has been doing his duty. It will be interesting to see what pops out of the clutch, and I can't wait to see what she produces just on her own.
Is she really a Super Mojave Super Fire? Will her babies all be Mojave Fires? Will she prove to be a Super Mojave Fire? A Super Fire Mojave?
I haven't seen many of any of those, so this is going to be a fact finding clutch from this female.
What do you think?
Solid white with black eyes and red pupils...
Here are a few younger but clearer photos of her here when I picked her up.
CLICK HERE.
She was bred to a Mystery Male, and once the eggs hatch, I will share him with you. It will be an interesting clutch to say the least.
COME ON, SUPER MOJAVE SUPER FIRE!!!!
She is building, and there are another few females that I will introduce that I can tell are building as well.
The season is coming to fruition soon, my friends.
I can't wait to share it with you!
Have a great day!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Nolvasan
I just ran out of Nolvasan, so I decided to write a blog about it.
(That's usually how my blogs end up with a topic... Random occurrences thru the day that blossom into awesomeness)
I buy Nolvasan (Chlorhexidine diacetate 2%) instead of the cheaper version of Chlorhexidine Gluconate 2% (which I have purchased before) due to the supposed efficacy of the product comparable to each other.
Nolvasan is a bactericide and virucide that is ineffective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa or gram-positive cocci on inanimate surfaces. There are studies published confirming the veterinary efficacy of it, as well as it is the common cleaning agent in veterinary hospitals.
Chlorhexidine gluconate is what you find in your dental products and so forth. It is a bactericide and a virucide, but there are not many studies that I have found other than this one, which is convincing that it works well.
What is the difference other than the price? ($60-80 for the Novalsan, $11-$25 for the Chlorhexidine)
You just need to use less of the Nolvasan versus the Chlorhexidine.
For what I use it for, which is hard surface cleaning, I have not seen anything that convinces me that Chlorhexidine should not be used.
I just find that I can be more confident in using Nolvasan knowing that Vets use it daily. And so do I.
I have heard also that it looses efficacy when not mixed and used immediately. I have not seen anything that supports that claim that I can truly agree with, as the chemistry behind it seems solid.
(If you have found something otherwise, please feel free to share!)
Here is a large list of articles in regards to the toxicity and usage of Chlorhexidine Diacetate: HERE
Of course, I am not trying to convince you to use one versus the other, other than to say I've used both, and I am going to use Nolvasan again.
Bottom line is, they both work, they are both blue, and you have to dilute it. You should use some form of Chlorhexidine, be it Nolvasan or otherwise.
Clean with care, clean with something useful.
Have a great day, my friends.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Ol' Man Lizard
I went back into some photos again, and found this picture of Ol' Man Lizard.
Let me tell you about Ol' Man Lizard.
I spotted him on a hike in Long Beach. Cameras were out, Ol' Man Lizard was watching, and the photo taking session began.
My father took these photos, and although I saw Ol' Man Lizard first, I think it was appropriate that my Ol' Man took pictures of Ol' Man Lizard.
Mister Lizard never really moved.
He just watched us watching him...
So I began to wonder...
What do reptiles really think about?
They don't have facial expressions really for conveying emotion, and of course, we are all familiar with those basic needs every living creature must have to survive on this planet.
I am not intending to personify or anthropomorphize, per say...
I am just curious.
It's like wondering what your dog is really thinking when you get home.
An intriguing, mind opening thought process...
Especially if the looks the animals give are so open ended.
Ol' Man Lizard really seemed to be related to the Honey Badger.
He just didn't give a shit.
Which in all honesty helped get the photos we did get of him, which I'm pretty proud of. They are pretty cool.
And no, none of the photos are the same. He just really didn't give a shit and didn't move the whole time.
Touche', Ol' Man Lizard...
Have a great day, my friends!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Ooops!
Got home late, fell asleep, didn't blog.
Happy Pi Day!
3.14!!!
Will blog later.
Have a great day, my friends!
Happy Pi Day!
3.14!!!
Will blog later.
Have a great day, my friends!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Respiratory Infections
Someone asked me on Friday about Respiratory Infections.
Have I gotten them in the collection?
Yes.
Have I lost any animals to it?
No.
How was it treated?
Well... Over the course of my experiences, I have been issued Baytril and also Ceftazidime.
More recently, my local vet, Dr. Tom Greek, has been giving me the latter drug.
It is every three days, subdermally with a needle, and amount dependent on the weight of the animal.
Enrofloxacin (also known as Baytril) was also subdermally, but was also given orally as well, depending on the situation.
Have you ever given a snake a shot?
It is NOT fun, especially if you are doing it for the first time.
Sub-dermal means below the dermis, which is a thick layer of scales and skin for the Ball Python and most Reptiles. Piercing thru that layer is rather hard, and sometimes there is the possibility of piercing too far down beyond the skin into the muscle tissue.
On top of getting the right layer, one must also have the animal still and not struggling, lest you put the needle in the wrong place and have to pierce twice or three times.
It is a challenge, which is why my Vet gave oral Baytril for a while.
The effectiveness is less than that of a shot, however, so it is one of those things that is either a pain and effective, or convenient and less effective.
Ceftazidime (also called FORTAZ) has become more popular over the years in terms of effectiveness due to its potency. This is important to note that if given too much, you can kill your animal.
Both Baytril and Fortaz are meant to treat bacterial diseases. Read more here.
As I always stress, TAKE YOUR REPTILES TO A QUALIFIED REPTILE VETERINARY SPECIALIST.
Remember that even when you do this, some animals will pass no matter what you do, as I remember the loss of my beloved Enchi female.
So there you go.
To avoid RI, keep your animals clean with good husbandry, keep strange animals away (quarantine), and be vigilant. If you notice anything wrong with your snake or any animal, for that matter, do the responsible thing and take them in to a qualified Veterinarian.
You are the one that is responsible for taking care of them.
Do the right thing.
Have a great day, my friends!
Have I gotten them in the collection?
Yes.
Have I lost any animals to it?
No.
How was it treated?
Well... Over the course of my experiences, I have been issued Baytril and also Ceftazidime.
More recently, my local vet, Dr. Tom Greek, has been giving me the latter drug.
It is every three days, subdermally with a needle, and amount dependent on the weight of the animal.
Enrofloxacin (also known as Baytril) was also subdermally, but was also given orally as well, depending on the situation.
Have you ever given a snake a shot?
It is NOT fun, especially if you are doing it for the first time.
Sub-dermal means below the dermis, which is a thick layer of scales and skin for the Ball Python and most Reptiles. Piercing thru that layer is rather hard, and sometimes there is the possibility of piercing too far down beyond the skin into the muscle tissue.
On top of getting the right layer, one must also have the animal still and not struggling, lest you put the needle in the wrong place and have to pierce twice or three times.
It is a challenge, which is why my Vet gave oral Baytril for a while.
The effectiveness is less than that of a shot, however, so it is one of those things that is either a pain and effective, or convenient and less effective.
Ceftazidime (also called FORTAZ) has become more popular over the years in terms of effectiveness due to its potency. This is important to note that if given too much, you can kill your animal.
Both Baytril and Fortaz are meant to treat bacterial diseases. Read more here.
As I always stress, TAKE YOUR REPTILES TO A QUALIFIED REPTILE VETERINARY SPECIALIST.
Remember that even when you do this, some animals will pass no matter what you do, as I remember the loss of my beloved Enchi female.
So there you go.
To avoid RI, keep your animals clean with good husbandry, keep strange animals away (quarantine), and be vigilant. If you notice anything wrong with your snake or any animal, for that matter, do the responsible thing and take them in to a qualified Veterinarian.
You are the one that is responsible for taking care of them.
Do the right thing.
Have a great day, my friends!
Monday, March 12, 2012
FINALLY!
MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! One less male in the YPBM Club or the
YPBMC club which is the Yet to be Proven Breeder Male Club (club).
I think we need to relabel the YPBM Club to be the YTBPM club so it makes more sense...
We will get back to that.
We will get back to that.
Anyway, I finally caught the Pastel Genetic Stripe actually doing work.
This was a huge relief, because not only have I not seen anything since the beginning, I have also not been sharing many breeding photos, and I FINALLY GOT ONE!
Kinda.
The photos are not clear in terms of actual locks, but I can attest that there was one.
Even the female went down there to check!
Another male that has been taken off the list but I did not catch a lock on camera is the Pastel Pied.
Yeah, the guy on the left decided to man up and actually get it on with a few of the ladies.
This is an awesome feeling, because there are a few females I still need to prove that I wanted to use him for.
Now, I am closer to that goal.
I hope that it actually works, and he isn't just wrapping for fun....
I hope that it actually works, and he isn't just wrapping for fun....
We shall see, shan't we, my friends?
Pastel Recessive males FOR THE WIN!
(or FTW for short)
So hope you had a fantastic weekend, that you are well on your way to being used to the Day Light Savings Time (which I am not), and that you have a fantastic day, my friends!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Old pictures from back in the day
 |
| Albino |
So per Anonymous asking for older photos, I went into my detachable hard drive, the one I uploaded all of my old stuff on before we got a new computer.
I pulled some decent photos from the group, with more to share. I wonder how long ago I had these up on the blog or other places... I'm too lazy to go and check.
 |
| Black Pastel Ringer |
I went back to 2007 on a few of these...
 |
| G Stripe Male |
It means that when you are in the business for this long, you should keep your photos and dates that you took them!
It helps remind you why you are doing what you are doing in the first place....
I remember a lot from these photos. Some of these animals (most of them, actually) I do not have anymore.
 |
| TSK Axanthic Het Albino Male |
Some of them I have no idea what happened with them, who I sold them to. Some I remember exactly how they hatched, what they looked like, how long ago, etc.
 |
| Pinstripe |
This Pin... I don't remember what happened. I remember it was a female, however.
 |
| Lucky!!! |
Or this may be the Super Pewter, but I don't think so.
 |
| Chipo |
I may have to dig thru a lot more photos and find more. This was kinda fun.
I am still kinda sad that I don't have a screen shot of my past websites though.
THAT would have been a trip down memory lane.
---shudder---
Anyway, have a great weekend, my friends.
It should be a good one!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
You've Come a Long Way, Baby!
So last night I met a new friend for the first time to drop off a snake, and he asked me how long I have been doing this.
I had to stop and think about it. This will be my seventh season breeding, which is not to say that I haven't been doing this for longer, but that is how I quantified it for him.
So of course, when I got home, I decided to go back and look at what I had from way back in the day.
I remember when I started out, I got my website and was super excited about it.
It was an absolute mess.
(Here I wanted to post a screenshot, but apparently I didn't keep one)
I wanted to have a theme as well, so I bought some bright African themed cloth and decided to take all my photos of my animals on that backdrop.
Here is a little taste.
I was a little bummed, but hey... what are you going to do, right?
I kept trying over the next year or so, kept thinking of new ideas...
My photography was still a little shaky... I took pictures of animals on black and white after a while of experimenting, and they came out alright.
A few years went by, and I finally figured out how to manage and work things out in a better way.
My website got several renovations, my photography got better and more crisp, my animals grew and my collection did as well.
I started out with just one adult female normal and a Pastel male later on.
And now look at me!
I never would have thought I would be where I am today, really.
I imagined several instances of being able to produce the Axanthic Pied Killerblast Cinnamon Enchi Spider Albino....
I'm still a ways from that...
There are always goals to shoot for, right?
I may have to rethink that Axanthic Pied Killerblast Cinnamon Enchi Spider Albino, however. I don't think it would look that amazing, unfortunately...
But maybe something else? 10 gene animals... That's something to strive for!
Don't ever lose sight of your dreams, my friends.
Have a great day!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
What does the Future Bring?
Well, I have no clue.
And I have a feeling you don't know either.
And if you do know, feel free to share with me the winning Lotto numbers for this week, please.
I could use them!
A friend of mine asked me what I wanted to get this upcoming season.
This is always the question, every year.
What do you want to get or acquire for the collection for the future?
Every year, I think on it, I debate with myself...
This year has been especially hard seeing as how I have not really focused on my breedings as much as I would like in terms of what the final outcome for my own personal collection.
Yeah, I'm breeding cool stuff.
But I'm not sure what I am breeding that I want to keep!
And that, my friends, is part of the problem.
All the possibilities of what I am pairing up, expecting, etc...
I am not quite sure what I really want to keep back from all of it.
There are a few "Duh" animals, like if I hatch out an Axanthic Bumblebee, or if I get a Quintuple female of some kind.
But even of what I can't create myself, there is very little that I want to get.
And that is rather sad to me, in a way.
Sure, I could get a Champagne combo male.
An Ultramel would be cool.
A combo Clown male that actually breeds would also be pretty sweet.
I could get a Desert something, but that doesn't appeal as much as it used to.
Bananas are super awesome, but out of the price range for now.
There are very few new gene animals that I feel like I need!
Maybe I'm just not thinking hard enough about what to add that will be worthwhile.
I need to press pause and really THINK about it.
What about you guys?
What do you want to get this upcoming season?
What does the future bring?
The hell if I know.
The only thing I know is:
More Snakes
And I am totally 100% fully okay with that.
Have a great day, my friends!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Muse
Things are getting crazy around here again, and I am not the only one in the busy boat.
Yes, I am still sick, and I am not sure if it's due to my overwhelming myself with tons to do, or if it was my visit to the hospital (not for me, but to visit) that has knocked me on my ass once again.
I would love to say that it's not that big a deal, and that we can all have snakey fun time again real soon, but I am having a hell of a time catching up!
Being sick puts a damper on everything, including wanting to do things.
Before you freak out on me, know that the snakes are still being well taken care of, fed and watered and etc.
I am just not going in as much as I would normally do because I just don't have the energy for it.
Animals are still being shipped, deals still being done, but the blog has taken a backseat.
Right now is one of those times where I again think to myself if doing this every day is worth doing, especially when I do nothing but complain.
I am entitled to my complaints here and there, but I feel like (and please correct me on this if you disagree) I have been doing it a lot more recently.
And that can't be that fun to read every day.
And therein lies the problem of a daily blog.
Ones Muse may not be with them every day.
Mine seems to have left the building for a few weeks now.
I hate regurgitation, but I know that some people have just started reading this blog, are looking for advice, things to learn about Ball Pythons and breeding.
Problem is, where do I begin again?
I shall muse over this once more. Begin from the beginning? End? Where is that exactly anyway?
Have a great day, my friends.
Yes, I am still sick, and I am not sure if it's due to my overwhelming myself with tons to do, or if it was my visit to the hospital (not for me, but to visit) that has knocked me on my ass once again.
I would love to say that it's not that big a deal, and that we can all have snakey fun time again real soon, but I am having a hell of a time catching up!
Being sick puts a damper on everything, including wanting to do things.
Before you freak out on me, know that the snakes are still being well taken care of, fed and watered and etc.
I am just not going in as much as I would normally do because I just don't have the energy for it.
Animals are still being shipped, deals still being done, but the blog has taken a backseat.
Right now is one of those times where I again think to myself if doing this every day is worth doing, especially when I do nothing but complain.
I am entitled to my complaints here and there, but I feel like (and please correct me on this if you disagree) I have been doing it a lot more recently.
And that can't be that fun to read every day.
And therein lies the problem of a daily blog.
Ones Muse may not be with them every day.
Mine seems to have left the building for a few weeks now.
I hate regurgitation, but I know that some people have just started reading this blog, are looking for advice, things to learn about Ball Pythons and breeding.
Problem is, where do I begin again?
I shall muse over this once more. Begin from the beginning? End? Where is that exactly anyway?
Have a great day, my friends.
Monday, March 5, 2012
I lied
I need a day to recover. Still sick, super tired..
Will be back Tuesday!
Have a great day, my friends!
Will be back Tuesday!
Have a great day, my friends!
Friday, March 2, 2012
WEEKEND!!!!
I have to say, this weekend could not come soon enough. I need a break from the day to day, and although the weekend still consists of days, I enjoy them much more due to the lack of responsibility during that time.
This doesn't mean I'm not going to do anything... This is not the case at all. I don't even think I could manage to pull that off.
TOO MUCH TO DO.
BUT!
I have caught up a lot on the website, and on snakes and on other stuff. I am feeling better about things being more in sync, which gives me a bit more breathing room.
I do have to get my taxes done, however, which is a HUGE chore.
Do you know how many receipts I have to make sure I have for stuff? THAT may be what I do all weekend, compile receipts, but that doesn't sound like much fun.
Oh well.
I will find something to do.
I will admit, I kinda want to go see The Lorax.
Dr. Seuss was one of my favorite childhood authors. Roald Dahl was another. And of course, while thinking of this, I had to go and find more...
I agree with this list:
10 Great Authors in Children's Literature
Goodnight Moon was one of my favorite books as a child.
Anyway, I'm digressing.
And I'm sure my friend Colin will mention THIS book to add to the list, although I have yet to read it.
I feel good. I hope that the snakes do too, and that I finally catch some more breeding photographs to share, if not some more random photos of snakes I haven't showed off yet.
I hope you all have a fantastic first weekend of March.
I fully intend to.
Have a great day, my friends.
This doesn't mean I'm not going to do anything... This is not the case at all. I don't even think I could manage to pull that off.
TOO MUCH TO DO.
BUT!
I have caught up a lot on the website, and on snakes and on other stuff. I am feeling better about things being more in sync, which gives me a bit more breathing room.
I do have to get my taxes done, however, which is a HUGE chore.
Do you know how many receipts I have to make sure I have for stuff? THAT may be what I do all weekend, compile receipts, but that doesn't sound like much fun.
Oh well.
I will find something to do.
I will admit, I kinda want to go see The Lorax.
Dr. Seuss was one of my favorite childhood authors. Roald Dahl was another. And of course, while thinking of this, I had to go and find more...
I agree with this list:
10 Great Authors in Children's Literature
Goodnight Moon was one of my favorite books as a child.
Anyway, I'm digressing.
And I'm sure my friend Colin will mention THIS book to add to the list, although I have yet to read it.
I feel good. I hope that the snakes do too, and that I finally catch some more breeding photographs to share, if not some more random photos of snakes I haven't showed off yet.
I hope you all have a fantastic first weekend of March.
I fully intend to.
Have a great day, my friends.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Pastel Mojave and Axanthics
So in my shame, I took a picture of the last available female Pastel Mojave of the season.
She's pretty hot.
And then, I cleaned (well, I was cleaning while taking pictures) and I took out the Pastel Axanthic and I thought to myself... "Heather, you haven't taken many pictures of this girl either..."
And then I got to thinking, Axanthics are a pain to photograph, as I mentioned yesterday as well. I like to think I get some good colors out of the photos I do take, although some days are better than others.
Above, however, I think I got the good shades of greys and yellowish tinty-ness in the picture, true to the animal itself.
AND THEN I thought, well hell, I haven't taken any Red Axanthic photos in a while either.
So I pulled this guy out from where he was staying with his girlfriend, and I took a couple shots.
Over the last six months, he has changed a lot in terms of the colors, and he is now officially Red.
He is still Axanthic-like, but not grey at all.
I have intentions of elaborating on this soon with side by side photos.
But in the case of yesterday, I was too busy cleaning to stop and take more photos.
So everyone is clean, feeding day tomorrow, and things are working towards the end goal. I palpated a few females, felt a few follicles, things are on the right track.
Have a great day, my friends.
HAPPY MARCH!