Amanda Banana » Diary

BD010 – Wildfires (in Southern California)

abadmin — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:11:36 +0000

iTunes-viewable multimedia version (.m4a) with pictures available here (right-click (pc) or control-click (mac) and “save link/target” to download). Or if you’re reading this on iTunes, go to the amandabanana.net site to download the version with pictures.

The full impact of the recent Southern California Wildfires is not yet known, because even this weekend a brush fire in Malibu destroyed 35 homes.

These fires happened in communities where Amanda has walked dogs over the past few years. This leads her to have a very intimate connection with the communities affected by these wildfires. The same chaparral that can be so beautiful in Spring becomes deadly in late Summer. In this diary, Amanda reflects on the history of fire in Southern California. Just four years ago, we were beset by the Cedar fire in North San Diego, which caused as much as 2.2 billion dollars in damages. It seems that history (link leads to a satellite picture of the 2003 fires) repeats (a satellite image of the 2007 fires) itself. What can we learn from this?

BD009 – An Introduction to La La Land

abadmin — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:03:02 +0000

Los Angeles is a strange, mystical place. Thousands of hopeful strangers arrive here every month, to the horror of their families, in order to follow their dreams. We interrupt the story of Amanda and Destiny in order to shine a light on the spiritual materialism of this superficial landscape. Amanda has a unique vantage point from her dog park forays that allows her to see how the game is played. Thinking of moving to Los Angeles? Then you need to hear this.

BD008: The Fifties had it Right.

abadmin — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:56:09 +0000

June Cleaver. The Honeymooners. Apple Pie and white bread. It was a simpler time… especially in the area of technology. I mean, don’t get me wrong, nobody needs a red scare or a mushroom cloud hanging over their head. But you didn’t have to talk to people as much!

Banana Diary 007 – Trade Show Puppies

abadmin — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:54:34 +0000

Call me Amanda Banana, the obsessive puppy wrangler. This week I was asked to wrangle some puppies. What is it about ladies with big hair and ginormous diamond rings that they like to disturb the cutest of puppies? These puppies were being used like carrots on the end of a stick to attract people. And just who did they attract? Huge headed ladies and cell phone men. And the huge-headed ladies just had to touch them. The puppies, not the cell phone men. 50 times an hour, these puppies were being picked up. Just listen.

Banana Diary 006 – My Boyfriend Ran Me Over

abadmin — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 05:53:15 +0000

Yeah. You read that right. My boyfriend ran me over. I’d write more, except I think that says it all. Of course, I still say a lot more in this diary. Listen by clicking on the “Play button” (the grey sideways triangle) above. Anyone out there? Feel free to comment.

Banana Diary 05 – Dog Alzheimer’s

abadmin — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 03:20:33 +0000

Amanda takes us with her on a visit. Prepare to meet Harley, the dog with Alzheimers. Amanda has to practice several dog-psychology techniques on Harley in order to get him to agree to go on a walk – and truly teaches us that music hath charms to soothe the savage beast (which is actually a misquote, but we’re not the first, so there you go.

The Banana Diaries – Adventures in Petsitting

abadmin — Mon, 21 May 2007 04:42:02 +0000

While we focus mainly on dogs (of the canine and human variety) here on Amanda Banana, it’s time to take a look at the behavior of that other domesticated animal, the feline, the cat, the kitty.

It’s a tale of two kitties: The best of times, the worst of times. Cats are known to have been human companions for at least 9,500 years. So for all you cat lovers out there, take a second and enjoy this diary entry from Amanda focusing on two of her charges. And all you dog lovers, don’t worry. They will return.

Banana Diary 3: Grey’s Anatomy

abadmin — Mon, 07 May 2007 02:33:23 +0000

The key to getting along? Liking Grey’s Anatomy. Unfortunately, Amanda doesn’t. In fact, it’s safe to say Amanda hates it.

Think she’s alone? Guess Again. There are literally dozens of people out there just like Amanda. There may even be an entire underground movement, as this quote from Washington Post TV Columnist Lisa de Moraes shows:

Good to know I am not alone — I HATE Grey’s Anatomy, to the point where I hit mute when they show a commercial for it. Grey’s Anatomy and What About Brian are absolutely gag for me. (And I too, am I woman in my early 30s in the D.C. area).

Lisa de Moraes: geesh, there’s a whole underground movement! Come out into the light, people, and let your I Hate Grey’s voices be heard…

Don’t worry. Amanda still likes Oprah.

Banana Diary 02 – People Talker

abadmin — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 23:30:17 +0000

Why Amanda became a dogwalker. A personal, insightful moment.

The Banana Diaries – Episode 01

abadmin — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 07:47:25 +0000

Click on the play button (the triangle) above to play! If that doesn’t work, you can always click the download link above so you can listen to the file in your own audio player on your computer.

The dark side of Amanda Banana’s moon. Introducing the Banana Diaries (audio only), an inside look into the banana mind. Fans of NPR should appreciate this. Amanda discusses cellphone etiquette and the modern packaging of information.

Amanda would love to hear from you!. You can email her or subscribe to her mailing list. If interest warrants, we may launch a skype-line in the future. Stay tuned — new episodes or diaries every Monday.