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.

The colors were awesome, of course, but the snake was not at the forefront, and it's colors compared to real life just didn't fly.

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!

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!

Plans... Oh, how they change

So having a bit of time to peruse the collection, I stopped to look at things and how they are progressing.

Some animals are not eating as well as I would like.

Some 2011s are already overtaking some of the 2010s.

And with that, the heart sinks and the plans change.

It's kind of a mixed blessing, I suppose.

Some plans for some animals are no longer on cue, which gives other smaller animals who may do better things in the future more time to catch up.

Case in point: I have a Super Pastel het Hypo female that is from 2010 not even breaking 500 grams. Why, do you ask? Well, for the longest time, she would not eat for me. She was a mouser, and she and I were in a battle of wills to get one another to acquiesce. I would not back down, and neither would she for the longest time. But she finally did, and is now chowing down happily on rats.

The problem with this scenario?

I lost several months of good growth with her if I had just given in.

Should I have?

I could have... I just don't like feeding mice unless I absolutely have to.


Is it a personality glitch that I need to have everything my way?

Nah, I don't think so. I just need things to be easier in the long run, and I am willing to wait a bit.

Sometimes though, I kick myself for fighting the good fight. Now I have to wait with these gals and pump them up more now than ever before to catch them up to a good weight for the next season. Or wait some more.

Either way, that is why Ball Pythons have the reputation they have. They can be tricky, they can be a pain, but in the end, they are totally worth it.

I just have to remind myself of that when I see tiny two year old critters in my rack.

...sigh...


Have a great day, my friends.

It's that Time AGAIN...

I know we discussed breeding and plans a month ago or so, but I am going to tell you, I have not really thought about it since.

I have thought maybe briefly about something here and something there, but not sit down and PLAN kinda thinking.

And now, here we are, a few days past my birthday, which is usually the time where I have already planned things completely out and have started pairing up.

Hey, guess what?

I haven't started pairing up.

So I need to get my act together and get things planned and going and ready, because apparently, it's breeding season again.

Recall that I still have one or two clutches left to be laid...

Yes.

So therefore, I'm not quite mentally prepared to start a new season when the last season hasn't even finished yet!

But... It has to happen, or I may loose valuable breeding time that cannot be retrieved.

The tubs with markers for animals that will breed this year have been up since the last time we discussed, but I really need to get cracking on who goes with who. And of course, stick with that one pairing. No more mystery clutches if I can help it.

Have you guys already started pairing? Have you already planned who to go with who?

You have any suggestions for what you'd like to see next year out of the Heather's Herps menagerie? 

As always, I feel like I am late, but the East Coast tends to have earlier clutches than the West just by default seasonal changes.

So off I go, to print out spreadsheets and plan pairings.

And this time, I'm going to do it for REAL.

Have a great day, my friends.

Constantly Changing

I am always of a mindset that is constantly changing.

Not opinions, mind you... but plans.

And one cannot plan well ones life, as things are constantly changing in the environment that make you think twice about the plans that you have had.

Thus, we come to the center of the reason why this comes up.

I AM CONSTANTLY CHANGING MY MIND.

Priorities are no longer priorities... Other things become more important to catch up on, things become more interesting, less interesting, and the collection changes to fit that need.

I am in a conundrum and with many issues in life, snake purchasing and plans are at the forefront right now.

Why? I should be worried about "real life", aka school, wedding, work... etc.

Sure, those things are important, and like many things, are an all encompassing stresses in themselves.

So I choose to stress on things that can be solved.

Like, what should I pick up this season without spending everything I have earned and still make a reasonable decision for the upcoming seasons?

How much is too much in terms of spending versus trading?

What can I manage to scrounge up that will be worth it to me in the long run?

Should I sell something that I produced so that I can get something that I can't produce yet?

How long should I wait until I just give in and buy the animal that I have been planning to produce/need over the long haul in projects?

Who do I bug about helping me decide?

Can I trust myself to make the right decision?

...........

And it goes on and on and on, my friends.

I have spoken on this many times before, but tonight it has really come to head. I am not sure what the best move for me and my collection is, and there are so many things that can be/should be done.

So, what to do?

Well, I consult other breeders and close friends. I determine what I am willing to spend and try not to go overboard on it.

I promised myself and Joel that I would only purchase a few minor things this year. (But what is minor?)

And of course, while scouring the classifieds, I see things that fit my projects that I hadn't even considered needing this year, which of course, puts me into a Frenzy of Want.

Being in a Frenzy of Want is not a good thing...

It is hard to step back, especially right now when things are hatching left and right.

For me, it is the realization that I have a lot already, and that really... all I need is... _________.

That blank was left blank for a reason.

I don't REALLY need anything. I can go about my season next year and do reasonably well with it.
But as a breeder, and as many of you all well know, being a breeder is not only breeding, but improving your stock.

So in the sea of morphs, where to focus?

That is something I have to delve deep to figure out for myself. And then hold on for dear life.

I have yet to do it.

I hope you all out there have a better grasp than I do. But know that if there is a WANT out there that I can help you with, I would love to do so. I feel your pain.

Have a great day, my friends.

My Game Plan

So some of you out there are wondering what is going on in my head in terms of what I want to get, and what I plan to do over the next few years for my collection.

Well... Me too.

I am not 100% convinced that I know what I am doing some days, but I try.

And trying is half the battle, yes?

Anyway, I had to stop and think about what my intentions are for this year in terms of acquisitions.

And you may be thinking, "Heather, damn, you have a ton already! What is it that you need?"

Well, as my friend Colin Weaver has mentioned before, in lamens terms, you must spend money to make money in this industry. (I am not quoting him directly, this is my own interpretation)

I agree! You cannot, as a breeder, stay stuck with what you have if you intend to branch out and be competitive with other breeders out there.

Case in point. Yes, I hatched out a goal snake last year. My Super Pewter, which apparently I am stuck on talking about all week, is with me, and forever will be until the day she dies. BUT!!!!!!! Do I intend to never do that pairing again, or not to attempt to make more Super Pewters because I have the one? Absolutely not!

I don't intend on using her parents to make more this year (as they are separated and already involved with other people right now), but I have other ways of doing it in the next few, and yes, I will be attempting for Super Pewters and more over the next few years. I want to make more than Super Pewters, and this is why I full invision owning a Sterling Bee or Sterling Pied to put back with that Momma Pewter I used.

And thus, I need to spend that money or trade for that animal to get there, so that I can have what I want and MORE.

Because, granted you can work your projects into oblivion with just a few co-doms and a crap ton of time, the time is part of the problem. To stay competitive, time is not on your side unless you have a BRAND NEW MORPH THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS!


So, after all that, what, pray tell, is your game plan, Heather???

Well, in the situation I am in, I intend to hold back and acquire double and triple co-dom females. As many as I feel fit, which tends to be more than I should, but never less than I want.

With that, invest in a quad or quint male, or a  visual recessive double co-dom male... (HAH! In my dreams.. well, yes!)

THIS is my intention over this year, although I have several other pressing matters financially to attend to this year... (Cough, cough, wedding...)

So that is my plan as of right now, March 2011.

And yes, it may change in May 2011, but it is now etched in stone here on the blog for me to revisit later and reminisce.

So what is it that you, my friendly hobbiest/breeder, should take from all of this?

Plan accordingly. Work your animal plans in a way that fits your budget, your space, and your time.

I could have a bunch more animals if I so choose, and breed more animals in the process. But I don't. I do not want to take away from the quality of life that each animal deserves.

Remember this, my friends... You are only one person. Do not over-reach. Dream big, make it happen, but do not do so in a way that will harm or otherwise hurt your animals/yourself.

Dream big, but breathe.

I do, every day.

It's fantastic.

Have a fantastic, dream big, breathing day, my friends!

Random Pictures and Plans

Well, today is random picture day. I realize I haven't been doing many of those, and last night I went out and took some good looking animals out for some photos...

Above is one of the Pieds I held back from last year.. She is looking good, and hey look, she's smiling at you!

On top of taking random pictures of my animals, I have been trying to see what animals I want to add to the collection this year that are feasible.

Let me go over again the number sex ratio to our newcomers to the blog.

1.0.0 represents one male animal
0.2.0 represents two female animals
0.0.1 represents one unsexed animal

So, lets test our knowledge.

3.1.2

What would this mean?

3 males, 1 female, and 2 unsexed.

Usually unsexed is not used in Ball Pythons, as they are easily sexed. Unsexed is usually used in Crested Geckos or animals that develop sex indicators later in growth/age.

So now that we went over that already, it will be more clear as to what I am out to get!

I want:

1.0 Lavendar Albino
1.0 Pastel Calico (or something combo Calico)
1.0 Mystic/Phantom something
1.0 Champagne (MAYBE.... I like them, but not enough to jump on one immediately)
0.X Calicos (not sure how many I want, but I want some)
0.X Spotnoses (again, not sure how many, but I want some)

Random Snake Image to break up the blog

Hope you enjoyed it!

I need a few more males as well, so the thing that I am trying to determine is WHAT?

I am at a loss for what I should get.

Its one of those points in the collection that make things complicated and rather difficult.
One must stop and just let things flow, and see what happens.

So at this point, that is what I am doing. I am absolutely prepared to get something, the matter is what?
We shall see what comes my way, eh?

Plans change, of course... but as of right now, that is it, with more on the side, as there always is.

Sigh.

As I dwell on this, have a fantastic day, my friends.

Goals and Aspirations

This weekend has been an interesting one for me, one that has caused me to rethink a few things, and put myself in a position that I am usually not in.

In five years, or ten years, or twenty years, what do I plan on doing and want to be doing with my life?

I would like to settle down, get married,  have some kids, finish up my career goals, and those seem to be the goals that are easily set and will happen soon enough.


The one thing I don't know for sure is in terms of the snakes.

One thing is for certain.

I will still have Ball Pythons.

BUT... with all the planning that I have in terms of future projects, future animals to own, future everything, it is limited to a few years in scope.

What about in twenty years?

What animals will I have combined to make what?

Can you imagine the combinations that will be available then? What about the market, and the subsequent base morphs that come out of it? Will we be, like some people say, like the Corn Snake Market, flooded with $25 snakes? This I doubt, but I may be eating my words in time.

So, without seeing into the future, I think I am set on these few things.

-I will make a combination that will take at least two recessives and at least two co-doms combined. I don't know what yet, but Spinner Snows sound like a great idea at this point.

-I will have a bigger snake room with a better set up in a larger facility.

-Marty Cohen will still be with me.

-I will try and keep up with the blog (We shall see on this one)


So there it is. With everything else surrounding life, those things I have my eyes set on. My eyes on the prize so to speak.

Now that I have shared mine, I hope that it has made you think of yours... These ball pythons live a long time. Twenty years is a drop in the bucket for them...

Are you prepared for your goals and your animals?


Have a great day, my friends!

RANT: Puppies and phones don't mix

So...

Last night I went out to check on the yard and feed the dogs. Apparently, my phone fell on the ground, and I didn't notice.

A few hours later, I notice my phone is gone... and I check everywhere to find it.

I finally find it with the help of a few friends and Joel outside in the yard, covered in mud and scratches...

We clean it off, and lo and behold, there are chew marks and scrapes from the puppy.

How classy is my phone now?? SO TOTALLY EXTRA CLASSY NOW!



Boo.

I'm a little bummed, but such is the life of a puppy owner, yes?

And yes, I still love Kona. I'm just a bit miffed.



Anyway, I have been giving the males a longer break than normal due to my hectic schedule this week, on top of the fact that I have not been seeing much action in terms of prized pairings. So... Time for a break for everyone, a few nice juicy rats, and then we are back in business.

I am trying to figure out the last few pairings that I have been putting off, as well as a few females that I have been on the fence about putting into the rotations this season.

1100 gram females around this time of year are the bane of my existance.

1200, and we are good. 1100??? They are just taunting me.

And of course they are off feed, or else they would already be 1200 grams...

Sigh.

Maybe I should just push the limit to 1500 grams and be over it. That way these females can't keep pissing me off.

Yeah.

Maybe I'll do that.

Maybe.



Anyway, yes, that was a random photo of the Sulfur Mojave. I'm stoked to have her, and have been wracking my brain to figure out what to put her with when the time comes, but of course, with the age she has, I have a year or so to decide anyway.

That's another thing...

Plans in the future. I try not to have any anymore, because they NEVER seem to work. I just grow them up, and figure out the pairings with the males and females that I have at the time. It seems to be better for my sanity that way.

It's good to be sane.

Have a fantastic day, my friends.