Stranger than Truth

I've spent the week engaged in a vitriolic struggle with a petty dictator with delusions of godhood... and since he pretty much holds the marbles (even if he has none of his own) it's been a losing proposition. Our convention this weekend is going to suffer because of it, and it's been very, very frustrating. My blood sugar and blood pressure are both up, and I'm at that stage (which I reach about this time before every con) where I'm asking myself... "Why do I do this?".

Enter today's horoscope... "Someone is about to concede defeat -- maybe not in so many words, but you'll know exactly what they're saying when it happens. Basically, you've won. You've successfully defended yourself, against all odds. Congratulations. Don't let this be the last time."

Hrm. Well. I guess I can hope it's true!

Friday Cat Blogging: Even the Cats Feel the Loss

Andre Norton was the queen of cat ladies, as well as the Grande Dame of Science Fiction. I think that word must have spread along the worldwide insidious cat-network, for Hobbes (left) was unusually pensive last night.

I tried to snap a photo of Piper being all stretchy and cuddly, but as soon as she saw the camera she jumped up and ran off. Odd, especially since I'd given her a pill earlier, and she'd stayed snuggled up to me on the couch anyways.

In other news, I'll take any good vibes I can get - I have an interview next week for what sounds like my dream job - editor/proofreader for a publishing company here in town.

Andre Norton is gone

Andre Norton - 1912-2005. I know she's been ill for very many years, and this is probably a blessing for her... but I grieve nonetheless. The first SF book I ever read was "The Time Traders", and it began a lifelong passion for me. I regret I never had the honor of meeting her.

Friday Cat Blogging: Cat Shoots Owner

I contemplated staging a picture with one of the cats and a prop gun from my collection¹, but haven't managed it yet, so here's Piper looking like she approves of the story below, and if I try to stuff one more pill down her throat, well...

Yahoo! News: Cat Shoots Owner

BATES TOWNSHIP, Mich. - A man cooking in his kitchen was shot after one of his cats knocked his 9mm handgun onto the floor, discharging the weapon, Michigan State Police said.

Joseph Stanton, 29, of Bates Township in Iron County, was shot in his lower torso around 6 p.m. Tuesday, the state police post in Iron River reported. He was transported to Iron County Community Hospital.

Michelle Sand, a spokeswoman at the Iron River hospital, said Stanton was treated there before being transferred to Marquette General Hospital for further treatment. But Marcie Miller, a representative of the Marquette facility, said there was no record of the hospital receiving a patient by that name.

A telephone message seeking comment was left Wednesday at Stanton's home.

State police said he was cooking at his stove when the cat knocked the loaded gun off the kitchen counter behind him.

Me, I think that the cat was just reacting to this story² -- after all, Wisconsin is only across the lake!

¹If I do get to taking the photo, I'll replace the one above...
²In the event that the story link goes away, it's a story about a Wisconsin fellow who "has proposed that hunters in Wisconsin make free-roaming domestic cats an 'unprotected species' that could be shot at will by anyone with a small-game license".

Friday Cat Blogging

I'm a little late and postdating this back to Friday. Ah...internet timeshifting.

Friday Catblogging is a phenomenon that I, as a devoted slave of my felines, must indulge. The furry monsters have just been through their annual shots etc. routine, and while I'm much the poorer, at least my four-footed kids are relatively healthy.

Piper, it seems, has allergies. What I thought was a hairball cough is instead an asthmatic cough, so I'm wrestling her to the couch and forcing prednisone down her (now down to every other day).

Hobbes, on the other hand, needed his teeth cleaned (another expensive procedure). Fortunately he didn't need teeth pulled, and, other than what might be the beginning of kidney problems, is in pretty good health. They're now on prescription cat food that's a tad more expensive than their usual. I think they may be getting better care than I am...

I came across Flo Control while wandering the web. They've got a visual recognition system that won't let the cat (Flo) into the cat-door if she has a dead animal (or anything) in her mouth. I'm so glad my guys aren't hunters!