Parade Musings

I was hanging out at the Tempe Light Parade Saturday night, which was fun. Zach was busy with his nieces, so I hung out with his dad. He let me have some Starbucks. No, it wasn't a grande pizzaccino with whip.

Zoo Flashback

I totally forgot about the punk rock pigs at the zoo - I guess I was so shocked and astonished that piggies can look like that that I totally forgot to blog about them. I'm totally kidding - the pizza delivery technician had showed up as I was finishing the last blog entry, and well, I just had to wrap things up quickly. Can't make the pizza guy wait.

Tractor Ride At The Zoo

Talk about a drive down ol' memory lane - I got to ride on this tractor at the petting farm section of the zoo! I remember my Dad telling me stories about riding on a tractor just like this back on the pizza farm. Unfortunately, there were no pizzas to be harvested anywhere near this tractor, but I did get to ride along with my buddy Zach! Come to think of it, we weren't actually moving at all, so I suppose I wasn't really riding. But given that neither Zach's nor my feet could reach any of the pedals, I suppose that was a good thing - especially for the residents of the turkey cage not too far in front of us.

Another Fun Day at the Zoo

I had so much fun with Zach at the zoo yesterday! On top of seeing the animals and getting a lot of fresh air on a beautiful day, we practiced our balancing trick. I know that you must be saying to yourself "Piggy - won't such nonsense lead to you and Zach going down the career path that will end up with the both of you being circus peformers?" I'm here to assure you that while we are both skilled in the arts of balance and silliness, the circus life is not for us. And let me tell you why. A.) No good pizza ever comes from a circus, and B.) The pay is too little to even buy pizza. 'Nuff said!

Slow News Day + Bizarre Pig Story = Huh?

Saw this while surfing the web tonight - hmmmmm....not quite sure what to think of this, other than I'm glad I don't live in southern Hungary, where the crazy folks seem to be hungry for pigs via pig snatching tom-foolery! How does something like this go down? "No, officer, those aren't our pigs squashed in here. We're not sure how they got in here, but they aren't ours, and we didn't do it." Thank goodness for the ace reporting skills of a certain Ms. Krisztina Than who shed light on this!

Thieves caught with 12 pigs in car

Thu Nov 6, 12:43 pm ET
Reuters – Piglets are seen at a farm in Rabacsecse, 148 km (92 miles) northwest of the capital Budapest, Hungary

BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Two thieves were caught in southern Hungary with 12 pigs stuffed in their small van during a routine traffic check, Hungarian police said on Thursday.
Police stopped two men in a Renault Kangoo near the town of Szigetvar, about 220 km (137 miles) south of Budapest, as they attempted to drive off.
"The pigs weighed about 25-30 kg (55-66 lb) each -- they were really squashed into the car very tightly," a spokesman said.
Police said the pigs came from a nearby farm, where 35 pigs have gone missing in recent days.
(Reporting by Krisztina Than; Editing by Catherine Bosley)

My Happy Dance!

Often times people ask me about my happy dance. If this becomes the latest dance craze, you saw it here first!

Riding Shotgun on the Halloween Express

Staring at Ellie eating chocolate really got my mouth watering for candy on this fine Halloween night! Fun was had by all, and there was so much candy that later on I got to sneak some! And no, there were no incriminating photos to be had of me sneaking said candy. All I can say is that bribing any potential photographers with candy to not take your picture in the middle of stealing candy is a handy skill to possess!

By the way, I'd like to give a big shout out to Hope for coming along with us and for helping Zach and I to look for bananas in the neighborhood after we were done going door-to-door! After all, my little buddy was dressed as a monkey, and sometimes you just have to give in to the urge to find bananas.

I've Been One Busy Pig!

I guess time flies when you are having fun - and I sure have been having a lot of fun lately! But that means I've been a bit behind on keeping up the blog, so here goes...

First on the list of fun things I've been up to lately is the great train adventure that Zach and I went on along with Ellie and mommy and daddy. We went to the train park in Scottsdale, and they have a pretty cool train ride you can go on. Well, it was cool except for the LOUD train whistle (daddy had to cover Zach's ears and Zach covered mine) and the tunnel was a bit dark and long. I say they need a bunch of night lights in there. And a pizza stop. They really could use a pizza stop.

Next on the list of fun was going to Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek to enjoy the fall festival they were having. I got to do a lot of fun things with Zach like playing on a wooden train, going through the "pum-keen" (I love the way Ellie says pumpkin!) patch, and seeing animals in the petting zoo they had. I got to say hi to the pigs! I asked them what was up with the straw diet - I mean they could at least put the straw on a pizza! They didn't seem to know what a pizza was, then they made some rude comments about city pigs, so I ended up leaving to go see the goats.

Hopefully the head farmer in charge (or any of the other Schnepf farmers) didn't notice that it was me who left this fine piece of folksy festival sign-age for everyone to chuckle about! I'm still snorting and doing a happy dance over my cleverness on that one! This city pig showed them!

And speaking of animals, I got to go to the zoo with the family. I have to say that I was a bit nervous that perhaps a few of the animals there may have thought that I would make a nice snack. Luckily my buddy Zach protected me so that I could snack on pizza later!

My First 5K Race!

I am SO excited! Today, Zach and the family along with their friend Fred ran the Moon Valley Grasshopper Bridge 5K, and I got to go along! I went with Zach and Ellie in the stroller while Mommy pushed us along. We had a lot of fun, and there was even dancing at the Mile 2 water station! When I asked the nice volunteers at the aid station if there were any pizza stops along the run, they seemed stumped. Finally one of them said no, but that there was a pizza place a few miles away. Oh well. ANYWAY - I did finish the race (please see the photographic proof above), and was happy to get in a good workout this morning. In fact, I was so happy that I posed for a victory shot below!

Brave Helper Piggies

Zach's daddy told me about the animal study he was part of today, and how brave and important the pigs used in the studies were. Even though it made him sad, he knew that the piggies were helping to make life better for sick people.

Banana Blueberry Bread!

First of all, Zach's mommy makes some extremely delicious baked goods, including the very yummy banana blueberry bread. Secondly, when Zach doesn't finish his, and I just happen to get left at the table, guess who hits the yummy baked goods lottery! That's right, yours truly - mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Wagon Rides

Often times people want to know how I like to get around, and let me tell you, nothing beats a wagon ride. That's how I roll!

This Just P*sses Me Off

I just saw this story in the news today, and I can't tell you how angry and sad this made me. I can only hope those evil people get their just rewards.

Pig Abuse Story on CNN

Mmmmm...Birthday Cake!

I was THIS close to getting some birthday cake today! It was Hope's 16th birthday, and we all had a bunch of fun! Everyone thinks that pizza is the only thing I try to sneak bites of, but birthday cake is right up there, too!

A Great Weather Tool

Let me assure you that while I like tracking a good hurricane or two during hurricane season, I like to do so from the comfort of our house. I'm not so sure why those weather reporting folks like to hang out and get blown around everywhere reporting on these things. If I ran a network news operation, I'd tell them to duct tape a camera down - using extra duct tape of course - and just let the people watch the thing as it happens without fearing for the safety of the weatherperson. Instead of being pummeled with sand, rain, wind, house parts, assorted debris, unlucky marine life and random small farm animals, the aforementioned weatherperson could be somewhere nice and safe eating a pizza.

ANYWAY, if you are like me and love to track the weather, I'd love to turn you on to one of my favorite daily web visits, the Weather Underground. I like the Tropical/Hurricane link, and the daily blog from the really smart weather guy who writes about the hurricanes. Also, be sure to type in your Zip Code to see cool weather stuff from your neck of the woods. It is time for me to end this entry, but before I do, my 5 day forecast includes a 90% chance of me eating a pizza everyday. That's a forecast I can live with!

Piggy Vaughn

Here is a picture of Piggy Vaughn (a cousin of my Great Uncle Elmer) who was a great pitcher from 1928 - 1932 for the Mudville Pizza Eaters. He had a career ERA of 1.58, and went 38-10 during that time. He was voted MVP (Most Valuable Pizza Eater) in 1929 for his off-field pizza accomplishements.

Pig Latin

I had a lot of fun wearing a toga with Zach and Mommy today! Zach and Mommy had the great idea to fight the dog days of summer by playing games around the house. The put on togas and played Roman conquerors. I was hanging around, and someone asked "Et tu, Piggy?" So I decided to find a toga and play, too!

Tell Me This Didn't Happen

I was traumatized earlier today at the gym daycare when some mean older kid stole me away from Zach. I was sad and I know my buddy Zach was sad, too. Thankfully Zach's mommy and daddy spotted me with the perpetrator of the crime, and rescued me. That kid was mean and didn't want to give me back and that wasn't nice! Zach's parents told Zach that they wouldn't let it happen again since I'll have to stay in the safety of the car in the future. But it sure was nice to have Zach tell me later in the day when we were alone on the couch that it wouldn't happen again. I have the best buddy EVER!

A Couple of Clarifications

First of all, I'd like to address the confusion surrounding what a certain daycare teacher (cough...cough..Ms. Karen) claimed was the reason for me being wet the other day when Zach, Ellie and I got picked up at the end of the day. I can totally assure you that it had nothing to do with any puddles or my supposed landing into one. Zach totally got it right when he told everyone that the reason I was wet was from me sweating. What can I say? I sweat a lot when I exercise - whose fur wouldn't get wet from that? I try to wear a sweat band, but that only helps a little bit. Puddle my tail!
I also understand that there has been a lot of confusion surrounding the mass text messaging that occurred earlier today from some guy named Barack Obama. I categorically deny being the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate for 2008. I told this guy earlier in the day when he called to talk about being his dark horse running mate that first of all I'm a pig - NOT a horse (duh!). Secondly, I told him to stop calling in the middle of my workouts. I get very sweaty when I'm exercising making it hard to hold the phone and I hate to lose my focus. I am, after all, seriously training for the 2009 Piggy Olympics. Sheesh - leave a hard training pig alone, won't ya?! And lastly, what I did tell him was that I would be his "VIP" (Very Into Pizza) advisor. Guess he thought I said "VP." ANYWAY - on top of all of that, I'm WAY too busy keeping up with my buddy Zach, so Mr. Obama will have to find someone else to fill the VP role.

Piggy Back Riding!

Today Zach took me along to the super cool Olympic party at Aunt Tabby and Uncle Brett's house! We had tons of fun, and I even got a piggy back ride from the beautiful and talented Sienna - HOORAY! I'd say that we won the gold medal in this event for sure!

The Olympics Are Here!

And what says 'Opening Cermonies' better than some good ol' pizza?! I was so excited when Zach's mom and dad ordered pizza to sit and enjoy along with watching the beginning of the Olympics!! The opening cermonies were absolutely amazing and majestic.

I enjoy watching the Olympics, and am really glued to the TVV to watch swimming. I am thinking of trying out for the 2009 Piggy Olympics - I can so totally win all of the events!http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_Olympics

But the Olympics I want to go see are the Pizza Olympics...mmmmmmmmmmmm!http://www.deliciousitaly.com/prodotto.php?id=377&regione_id=5/ Now I know you are saying to yourself "Piggy, isn't it going to be too difficult to make pizza without opposable thumbs?" But who said anything about MAKING the pizza? They need tasting judges, and I am their man...errrr...PIG...with the pizza judging plan!

It's Good To Be The King!

Today I was made royalty in Zach's daycare class! Ms. Karen and the kids made me a fancy crown out of pipe cleaners, and I had my own throne, too! Talk about feeling special - wow! I'll be adding that to the small collection of other crowns that I have earned. I like to keep things like that quiet since I don't like to draw the attention to myself. But......since I'm on the topic, I don't mind sharing that I was crowned "King Pizza 2006" by the Future Pizza Farmers of Greater Chandler for my prize winning display in the Maricopa County Fair titled "The Pizza Life Cycle - From Farm to Trough." And then there was the time that I won the Disco King title, but I don't really like to talk about that one, because - hey - even I'm embarrased about that whole disco thing.

C is for Cookie!!!!!!!!!

I GOT A HUG FROM COOKIE MONSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In a moment that still just about makes me wet my fur, I was able to get a hug from the one and only Cookie Monster! That's right, my pal and favoritest Sesame Street character EVER, Cookie Monster! Luckily Zach remembered to bring me along with him on his trip with the family to Sea World in San Diego, and I had a FANTASTIC time! Zach even brought me to Breakfast With Elmo, where I got to meet my Muppet hero Cookie Monster! The C-Mon (as he lets me call him) was in top form on our visit - dancing up a storm with Ellie! Zach was feeling a wee bit nervous about hanging out with Cookie Monster, but he didn't mind letting Cookie give me a big hug after he gave Ellie a big hug, too! What a great experience! Later, I told Zach everything was okay, and that Cookie Monster was a great guy - and that seemed to help out.

I was a bit taken aback in the breakfast buffet line when the lady in charge of the hash browns told me that there was no pizza being served. I kindly asked her to check again with Elmo, since I was a VIP (Very Important Pig), but she just sadly shook her head and told me to take the hash browns and move along so the kids behind me could eat. I was even hoping they might have had a nice little breakfast pizza - but no luck. Everything was MUCH better after the Cookie Monster hug, though!

Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs!

That is the title of one of my favorite Sandra Boynton books, and it certainly applied to my trip with Zach and Ellie and their mommy and daddy and our friend Dan to the museum in Mesa with Natural Historical stuff in it! I got to see all sorts of cool dinosaur bones and footprints! And an alligator, too! Zach was a little nervous in a few places, but we hugged it out and things were all good! The dinosaurs were pretty big, but it was cool to touch some of the bones!

The whole time I couldn't help but wonder how huge dinosaur pizza must've been. I was bummed when the curator told me that they didn't have any fossilized pizzas on display - although he did say that he would check in the lunch room fridge to see if they had any old pizza in there. I think he missed the point. Ah well - it sure made me hungry for pizza!

The other item they were missing from the museum was a display of the great and mighty Pigasaurus. Someone else has one on display - I think Mesa needs to start looking into finding their own display.

And what would a museum in Mesa be without a stagecoach? This beauty was used to deliver pizza from Missouri to California in 23 days (talk about fossilized pizza!) - if they weren't bushwhacked by pizza bandits or unruly pizza-starved Native Americans!

Almost A World Record!

Not that I have been keeping track - and how could I after so many viewings - but I do believe that I am about to hold the world record for a stuffed animal watching "Shrek" for the most number of times - ever! I love Shrek! And Donkey, too! I can't get enough of it, and neither can my buddy Zach! Did I mention that we LOVE Shrek?! Well, we do! It is still a distant second to pizza, though!

Great Cheese Drought of '27

I remember my grandpa telling me the story of the great cheese drought of 1927, and the lean times they had to go through that year pizza farming. He remembers having to walk 30 miles uphill (both ways) to the next county to pick up pizza since pizza delivery had not been invented yet. He then went on telling me how easy I have it now since all you have to do is call, text, or order your pizza online on that new fangled web thing. Although I never did hear him complaining after I ordered a pizza that showed up in less than 30 minutes! I think that even though he missed the "good ol' days," he really did enjoy not having to go through the grueling pizza harvest, and the lean times of the great cheese drought.

Family Tree

...or I guess in my case, that would be 'family trough!' Anyway, I noticed Zach's daddy has been doing all of this family tree stuff, and so I thought I'd share some of mine. Here is a picture of my great grandma and grandpa (Nellie and Mortimer). They were pizza farmers, and really good ones at that! It has been said that people from far and wide would come over during the pizza harvesting season just to "help out." Ahhhhh - pizza farming - a hard life, but certainly very rewarding!

Ice Cream...mmmmmmm!

Zach had a rough day at day care yesterday, and luckily Daddy took Zach and I for some ice cream cones! Zach had never had an ice cream cone before, and it was fun watching him enjoy it! Of course, when he wasn't looking, I got some for myself. A pig has got to do what a pig has got to do - especially when my buddy Zach isn't sharing! All I can say is that I am really glad that I come clean after a washing.

TV Mystery

It is one thing to deal with all of the grumpiness that comes with Zach getting up in the morning. That I can handle. But it is something completely out of this zip code to have to deal with the random programming issues at our local PBS HD station when it comes to the normally scheduled showing of 'Boobah!' at 6 AM. Now Zach will tell you that he would want to watch that cheesy 80's disco yoga show hosted by Wai Lana - NOT in HD - that has shown up the past few mornings unannounced, rather than the Boobahs. I'm taking Ellie's side in this one - I'd much rather see the stylistic dance moves of the Boobahs. It makes for a nice start to the day. Wai Lana - not so much. Wai Lana NOT in HD - definitely not! Although I have to admit that I like the strange insertions of Wai Lana playing the guitar at random moments. Hey, come to think of it - I like the cheesy 80's workout suits! And doing yoga with a lei DOES seem to pose an extra challenge to the whole yoga routine. And I LOVE the merchandising offers at the end of the show for the 6 VHS cassette tape collection of the best of Wai Lana - but alas, I don't have a VHS player. Sigh - if only Wai Lana was more up with the new technologies like DVD's. At least I can save my money for pizza instead of the VHS tapes.

But I digress. Good thing I didn't contribute to the local PBS fund drive (ever)! I'd be pretty hacked that my hard earned donation money was going to pay a slacker college kid who was too sleepy and/or hungover to make sure Boobah made it on when it was supposed to be on - like they promised on the TV Guide! Sheesh.

Monsoon - or whatever they are calling it these days

I can feel it in my stuffing - the monsoon is getting closer and closer! I was curious to see if there was a correlation between that tingly feeling I'm having and the onset of the monsoon. Now I know what you are thinking - "Hey Piggy, isn't that tingly feeling just a sign that it is time for a pizza run?" Well, you are right about the pizza run part - because hey - I love the pizza! But this tingly feeling is different from the rumbly tumbly hungry tingles. So I checked with my fine friends at the National Weather Service in Tucson - who coincidently love the pizza, too - and found this cool website that tracks all things monsoony as it relates to us here in the southwestern deserts. Be sure to check out all of the cool tabs to see nifty weather guy/gal charts, maps, and pictures! Looks like the data is lining up right where it is supposed to be, so maybe I do have a new superpower - Early Monsoon Detection! Fascinating! Wow - all of this work checking out monsoons is making me hungry for pizza!

Monsoon Link

A Book Review

One of the great parts about hanging out with Zach all of the time is that I get to hear great stories before I go to bed. One book that I really love is 'Pigs Ahoy' by David McPhail. Of course, any book about pigs is good reading as far as I'm concerned. Anyway, this book is great, and I think that I like Fred the best. He sleeps in the top bunk with fudge smeared on his face and hogs the blankets. I like to hog blankets, and I like fudge, as well as sleeping - so I feel like Fred is a pig I can relate to. I totally recommend this book, and give it 5 Pizzas on my Pizza rating scale (0-5).

Ouchie!

We pigs are pretty tough - I have to be getting lugged around by Zach all of the time. Not that I'm not whining, but Ellie got me good the other day. This one left a dent in my stuffing. Now I know why they call her 'Dozer' after the drive-by spaceship bulldozing I suffered!

Pigs Are Friends, Not Food...

Some things to chew on...

http://www.myhealthmydiet.com/node/58

I'm feeling a bit grubby

Man am I dirty. It has been a while since I've had a bath, and I can use it! It isn't easy being clean when you are trying to keep up with Zach! And this week at daycare, they had a mud day. Well, okay, I like the mud, but I think it is about time to hit the spin cycle and get clean. And as long as nobody has noticed, that messy pizza accident I had the other night might just come out, too. Gosh, I hope no one noticed. That pizza just had too much sauce, and next thing you know, a pig is wearing it. I did say 'easy on the sauce' - what were they thinking?! I always tell them to take it easy on the sauce. Man, I love pizza!