I am CuTRis

During these times when we are trying to avoid H1N1 and other contagious diseases, it is important to follow simple rules to maintain health and avoid transferring illness to our friends and families. We may need to encourage others to use these guidelines, if they are not familiar with them. As we get together over the holidays, etc., please be conscious of this. We have probably all heard about keeping hands and food preparation clean. There is another very basic way to help prevent spreading germs and viruses. Everyone should use serving utensils when putting food on their plates. The fork or spoon you are eating with should never be used to take food from the communal serving dish. This is why restaurant buffets and salad bars demand that you use serving spoons and a new plate upon each trip. This may seem to be standard for some of us, but it is not for everyone. Please help to encourage everyone to keep our friends and families healthy. Thanks, and have a great holiday season! ...

On Saturday, we hiked along Nine Mile Creek in Bloomington, MN. Here are a few images.

We went to the 8th Annual Red Wing Holiday Stroll this late afternoon/evening. It was quite festive with free chili, music and barrels stoked with burning logs!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cutris Attacked by Mall Bear UnAssociated Press November 24, 2009 You may have heard of Mall Rats, but what about mall bears? Cutris was posing for a picture at a local mall recently, when he was apparently attacked and bitten by a statue bear. Cutris said that the whole thing was "quite a surprise," but he was uninjured--because "mall bears aren't all that dangerous."

Today, it was sunny and 50 degrees (Fahrenheit). It was too nice of a day to pass up. My wife and I went hiking on the state trail parallel to the Bluff Trail in the Long Meadow Lake unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The three Bald Eagles that circled us, didn't wait for pictures. That did not stop me, however, from taking plenty of them. Here are a couple that I'm willing to share. -KJC

Many people suck. Some don’t, but many do. Certain groups of people have a higher likelihood of sucking, such as bosses, owners, politicians, lawyers and commission sales people. This is because they tend to have private agendas that often conflict with that of the rest of the population (who may or may not suck too). It is important to give everyone a chance, even if they come from a group that elevates their personal likelihood of sucking. If you are open-minded when dealing with individuals, you can feel good about yourself —even if later you learn that they do indeed suck. There are levels of sucking. For example, some bosses are incompetent. That sucks, because it makes it harder for everyone to do a good job. Still, that doesn’t mean that they are trying to suck. They may just suck and not know it. In other cases, for example, a boss might actually try to make life miserable for employees. This is a malevolent boss, which is far worse than an incompetent boss. However, it is f...

I Am Cutris is made possible in part by, Rapid Ho, if your ho is too slow, call Rapid Ho! Hellways Superstore, it's just like what Hell must be like! Ghetto Foods, "...like you got it from a guy who sold it out the back of a truck."

Cutris had Previous Run-in with Garbage Frog UnAssociated Press November 13, 2009 This picture obtained by the UnAssociated Press, clearly shows Cutris running like a girl--from the garbage frog that attacked him earlier this week. This photo was carbon dated , and appears to have been taken in early September of this year. This could explain why the garbage frog was so quick to attack. This photo clearly shows Cutris running like a girl from the garbage frog. While unpredictable, garbage frogs often prefer to blend into their surroundings to avoid confrontation. They are, however, predatory, and will try to eat anything they can swallow. " Cutris may have resembled a large cricket," said University of High Tuition , entomologist Bugs Malone. "Or, it may have just been a case of protecting its territory." When asked to comment, Cutris flashed reporters an obscene gesture and ran away.

Cutris Battles Garbage Frog UnAssociated Press November 11, 2009 The UnAssociated Press has obtained photos of Cutris fighting with a giant, garbage frog. The situation apparently got out-of-hand, when Cutris approached the garbage frog, and it suddenly attacked! A bystander apparently snapped these photos before running to safety. Cutris would not comment on the incident, except to say that garbage frogs are "unpredictable," and that both he and the frog were alright after the altercation. Cutris is shown pointing at the garbage frog. Cutris takes on a defensive stance. Cutris uses his fighting skills to protect himself. Click on photos to enlarge.

Today we acknowledge the United States of America Veterans.

I've previously blogged about my experience at Ann Taylor , waiting for my wife while she looks at clothes. Recently, I found myself being led back into this place that is so strange for any heterosexual man. Instantly, we were asked by one of the female employees (Note* I have never seen a man working there--which is further proof that this is no place for men), if "we" needed any help finding something. I answered that I wasn't actually looking for anything. When the next employee (Note* There were about two employees for every one customer) asked if "we" had any questions, I said that I did not. As my wife continued looking, I began to read to her aloud, the "what we believe" sign, that was hanging on the wall. What propaganda/drivel! Then, I went to find the "men's couch," that has been my refuge several times before on these expeditions. It is usually "outfitted" with some kind of magazine (one, maybe two) that would...

For your enjoyment, Cutris has compiled a brief list of news headlines that you are probably never going to see. 1. Young Urban Males Decide to Wear Pants that Fit 2. Man Admits, That as a Child He Molested Priests 3. Hero Cat Saves the Day! 4. Paris Hilton Graduates 5. Cheney Admits Guilt 6. Government Center Condemned to make Room for New Lake 7. Woman to Lead Taliban 8. Phone Company Pays Customers to End Contract Early 9. Al Sharpton Makes Sense 10. Vikings Win Super Bowl!

Saturday we spent some time at the Tamarack Nature Center , in the beautiful, 60 degree Fahrenheit, November weather. The afternoon Sun made for spectacular lighting for photography. I usually don't put my best pictures on my blog (just in case I ever want to publish a photography book), but here is a sample.

Since I first met him, I've been asking my nephew (now age 9) about his car. I'll ask him if I can see his car or his driver's license, and he always reminds me that he is still a kid. I usually seem puzzled by this, and ask how he can drive without a license? Then he tells me he doesn't drive, and then I ask him how he gets to school??? Recently we went through this, and he told me that he rides the bus to school. I exclaimed, "You drive a bus???" He said, "No! I take the bus!" Then I said, "Oh… you shouldn't take the bus if it doesn’t belong to you…" Soon his four-year-old sister got into the conversation. She is a pretty opinionated four-year-old, so she put her hands on her hips and told me, "He doesn't drive the bus, he isn't old enough!" So, I asked her how old a person has to be before they can drive a bus. She thought for a minute, and replied, "You have to be at least ten!" KJC

Your Johnson is out of control. It’s the third time this week! So what should you do? Many men suffer from this embarrassing problem. You’ve tried pills, crèmes and everything in-between! You can’t afford expensive doctors. You’ve even tried restrictive underwear! Now you can find relief! For just 25 cents per application, Coin-operated Johnson Controls is there for you. For only a quarter, you can keep your Johnson in check from now on. Coin-operated Johnson Controls are not for everyone. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, and the possibility of "Detached Johnson Syndrome." Available at fine drug stores everywhere.

An eagle flew over me as I left work Tuesday (just before my wife and I endured something very difficult). I took it as a sign that God had not abandoned us. My Ojibwe brother Joe says that Migizi flies closest to the Creator.

The rain reflects my feelings, Subtle tears falling for a child whose steps will not be heard. I know it is for the best, But I cannot help but to feel sad on this rainy day. I turn toward the future, But my wife and I will never forget the past few days. I love her more than ever. Our lives are changed forever by the child who never was. -Kevin J. Curtis

Here are just a few of my favorite kinds of tape. Invisible Tape, for taping invisible things. Masking Tape, to make masks out of. "Duck" Tape, in case your duck breaks. Mounting Tape, To keep the dog from falling off.

Cutris Becomes Extremely Animated UnAssociated Press October 26, 2009 Cutris became extremely animated today, when he was asked to give a brief history of mounting tape. His talk went on for about five minutes, and was very entertaining. Mounting Tape Cutris becomes animated.