29 September, 2006
Breathtaking
In case you didn't see Keith Olbermann's verbal bitch-slap of Dubya a few nights ago...
~~ victoria on 6:45 PM ~~ 0 comments
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25 September, 2006
No more applications, please
I have the Quote of the Week, courtesy of Shakespeare's Sister:
"It's really too bad that "Stay out of my bedroom, my bed, my medicine closet, my decisions, my relationship, my sex life, and my uterus, you fucking assholes!" won't fit on a bumpersticker."
Can I get a halleluljah?!?
~~ victoria on 12:19 PM ~~ 0 comments
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24 September, 2006
Simon Sunday: We may have to move!
I'll wait
Originally uploaded by Planet Vicster.
It's getting to be that time of year again, when the leaves on the huge Chinese elm tree in the back courtyard begin to turn and fall. Watching the leaves fall is Simon's favourite pastime. The moment he hears the leaves rustle, he will drop whatever it is he's doing and sit at either the kitchen or bedroom window and just watch the leaves fall. He's been known to postpone meals because he's afraid he might miss a leaf fluttering past the window. I have witnessed Simon, in a sound sleep in the living room (at the opposite end of the apartment from the bedroom), suddenly leap up and tear into the bedroom where he sits on the edge of the bed and just...watches. For hours. It's quite zen, really.
Occasionally, a leaf will flutter toward the window and get caught in the wood screen where Simon retrieves it and leaves it for me as a gift. I still have last year's collection of about a dozen dried leaves. About a week ago, he presented me the first leaf of this season, for which I thanked him and promptly added it to the collection.
A few days ago, we got a notice from the property management at the apartments stating that the back courtyard area is going to be torn out and re-landscaped this upcoming week. I ran into the property manager at the Ferry Terminal a couple of days ago and he mentioned that at some point the Chinese elm was going to have to come out.
"You don't understand," I said to him. "Simon loves to watch the leaves fall from the big tree in back. It occupies him for hours and hours! When Simon is occupied for hours and hours, BILLIE AND I HAVE PEACE!"
"Well, the tree isn't going to come out next week," the property manager reassurred me.
So, for now, Simon can carry on making himself comfortable and waiting for the leaves to "dance" for him. But when that tree comes out, I may have to invest in a pet stroller and wheel His Furrieness over to the park to watch the leaves perform their seasonal dance. Or move.
Labels: cats, furkids, Simon, Simon Sunday
~~ victoria on 12:03 AM ~~ 0 comments
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22 September, 2006
WhaDa???
WTF is up with the gale-force winds in Alamdea this morning? A couple of gusts actually made my car shake!
Thankfully, the ferry ride was quite smooth; my friends and I were expecting a rather bumpy ride.
~~ victoria on 9:04 AM ~~ 0 comments
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19 September, 2006
Yarg! I've an announcement to be makin'
I shall be taking a break from my usual "Swear Like A Sailor" day to observe "Talk like a Pirate" day.
Also:
My Pirate Name Is... |
 |
~~ victoria on 7:16 AM ~~ 3 comments
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17 September, 2006
Confidential to the T.E. family:
Congratulations!!! And Happy Birthday, Little M! We're so glad you're here at last!
~~ victoria on 9:32 AM ~~ 0 comments
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Simon Sunday: Think Different
Pretending it doesn't bother him
Originally uploaded by Planet Vicster.
Well, after Tuesday evening's excitement and the aftermath, it's become very clear that I need to come up with a better playtime strategy for Simon. One that retains all of the excitement and rambunctiousness of Tuesday night's play, but keeps my hands as far away from his teeth as possible.
I see a re-stock of Cat Dancer Toys in our future.
Labels: cats, furkids, Simon, Simon Sunday
~~ victoria on 9:30 AM ~~ 0 comments
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15 September, 2006
Keith Olbermann: Another sign of intelligent life in the media
I'm a few days late on this. I didn't really have much to say on the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks because I found it difficult impossible to put my anger over the attacks--and the Bush regime's response to it--into the right words.
In his commentary Monday evening, Keith Olbermann gave pitch-perfect voice to my anger and the anger of millions of other Americans. His brand of critical thinking, raw honesty and courage is so sorely lacking in today's mainstream media that I hold these few moments of rare integrity as if they were the world's most precious gems.
Thank you, Mr. Olbermann. Somewhere, Edward R. Murrow must be smiling.
~~ victoria on 6:55 PM ~~ 0 comments
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14 September, 2006
Thumb up(date)
The thumb is recovering nicely. There is still some swelling and tenderness, but it's more localized to the area of the injury, so the phrase, "stick out like a sore thumb" is not nearly as applicable this morning as it was the previous 36 hours.
Believe me, it's quite a treat to be able to touch almost any part of the thumb to a surface and not have to stifle a scream. I'm still amazed at how much that stupid little wound hurt.
Confidential to O: Yeah, you're right, I should look into having a tetanus booster. And I will. Soon. Really.
~~ victoria on 7:12 AM ~~ 2 comments
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13 September, 2006
You never really know...
how much you use your thumbs, until the very existence of one causes excruciating pain.
Looking at it this morning, the injury itself doesn't look like much, just a puncture and it looks like he actually got the edge of the nail. However, the thumb is swollen and a little hard on the edge near the injury and it still hurts like hell. And I have a very high pain tolerance, too, so it really surprises me how uncomfortable this is.
Some things that caused me to suddenly roar this morning:
fastening my pants
putting on socks
tying my shoes
putting my hair in a clip
manipulating the kibble scoop
typing this blog post
It's gonna be a FUN day! Oy...
~~ victoria on 7:29 AM ~~ 2 comments
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12 September, 2006
OMFG!!! OWWWWW!!!
I was playing with Simon earlier this evening when things got way too rambunctious and he accidentally bit my right thumb. Hard. Really. Fucking. HARD. He punctured the spot right alongside my thumbnail. It bled like an SOB. I put it under hot water and bled it out and then washed it with soap and water. Then I started feeling like I was about to pass out. Anyone who has known me for a while will recall that the only other time I nearly keeled over like that was just after I donated blood. That's how bad that thing hurts. I staggered over by my bed to lie down on the floor with my feet up on the bed and felt a little more steady after a couple of minutes.
I went back to the bathroom to put Neosporin and a bandage on the wound (the Neosporin worked a dream when I sliced into my finger a couple of weeks ago). But it still HURTS! And I'm trying to stay low-key about it because Simon was freaked out enough as it was biting and tasting blood (well, I'm sure my shriek of pain didn't help matters, either). I keep reassuring him that I'm not upset with him and that I know he didn't mean it.
But goddamn! It HURTS!!!
(and it looks like it's bled some more...bleh)
edited to add: I've tried taking some of Bach's Rescue Remedy. Goodness knows daily doses haven't stopped the furkids from fighting, but maybe it'll lessen my stress response to the injury. Which, BTW, still HURTS!!!
Now Playing: Kick in the Ass from the album "You Will Go to the Moon" by Moxy Fruvous
~~ victoria on 9:05 PM ~~ 0 comments
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As if y'all didn't already know
83 | |
33 | |
92 | |
29 | |
12 |
| Find your MySpace/Xanga/Hi5 soulmate / pysch twin MySpace Surveys, Xanga and MySpace Codes by Pulseware Survey Software |
Quoting: "You are neither a subdued loner nor a jovial chatterbox. You enjoy time with others but also time alone. You can be very easily upset, even by what most people consider the normal demands of living. People consider you to be extremely sensitive and emotional. Novelty, variety, and change spice up your life and make you a curious, imaginative, and creative person. People see you as tough, critical, and uncompromising and you have less concern with others' needs than with your own. You like to live for the moment and do what feels good now. Your work tends to be careless and disorganized."
I'll take issue with the "Your work tends to be careless and disorganized" comment, though. I am generally very organized and careful with my work so I'm not sure what answers it was that manipulated that response. Perhaps it's being a "creative"...I'm sure to one who is not a creative/artistic type I might seem all over the place. Otherwise, it's a fairly accurate assessment.
Now Playing: Bandit Queen (w/ DT) from the album "Picaresqueties" by The Decemberists
~~ victoria on 6:54 PM ~~ 0 comments
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10 September, 2006
Confidential to T&G:
That "new to me" DirtDevil works a charm! The carpet is finally fluffy--not hairy--and the cats actually kind of like it, as long as it's not making the Monster Sounds.
Muchas Gracias!
~~ victoria on 1:00 PM ~~ 3 comments
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Simon Sunday: Return of the Felis Chocolate Thiefus
Simon at around 16 weeks
Originally uploaded by Planet Vicster.
I came home from work Friday evening with one of those yummy pieces of cheescake with raspberry in a chocolate(!) crust from Peet's Coffee. I meant to save it for after supper, but ate a bit of it while I was waiting for my pasta to cook.
Simon had just finished his supper but was, of course, looking for more food. I explained to him that he had just finished his entire supper and had no more food coming. He looked like he was about to shove his paw in my face as if to say, "talk to the PAW, lady while you're getting me more chow!" but instead let out a truly pathetic meow, complete with the raspy voice of a kitten who's been crying out for days over the heartless mother who cruelly left him to starve to death. I commended his performance and leaned in for one of his kitty-nose-kisses. He started to rub his nose on mine, but then he hesitated and started sniffing my face instead. He sniffed at the corner of my mouth and then, having picked up the scent of cheesecake with chocolate(!) crust, attempted to shove his entire head into my mouth.
This morning I've made it to the top of Simon's Meanest Cruelest Most Neglectful Mommies List because I had the unmitigated gall to sleep in until 8:30(!!!). Then, not only did I not feed him immediately upon rising, I spent several minutes washing dishes(!!!). Then I only gave him half(!!!) of his breakfast. (Note: I've started splitting his meal portions because he doesn't eat so much as inhale his kibble. At least when I split the portions his gut gets a couple minutes' break bewteen hooverings.) I had left the container of kibble next to his dish as a reminder (to me) to give him the rest of his brekkies after completing some of my morning ablutions.
Simon had inhaled his kibble within 20 seconds and was following me around the apartment shrieking from the pain of not having ALL of his brekkies which, to him, is the same as not having ANY of his brekkies. So, sending silent prayers of apology to my neighbours for having to endure his ear-piercing wails, I made my way back to the kitchen and grabbed his kibble scoop from the shelf. The moment I opened the spout to the container, Simon tried to stick his head inside. I explained to him that the getting of his breakfast would go much faster if he got the hell out of my way, so he sat back with his "I'm SO IRRITATED!" sigh while I scooped out the second portion of kibble.
Then, with a short "MROW!" he lept to his feet, slapped my hand with his paw and grabbed hold of the kibble scoop! We were locked in a fierce tug-of-war, him glaring over the scoop at me with that "Hand over the chow, biznatch!" stare and me laughing hysterically. After 15 or 20 seconds, I managed to tickle his chin, thus liberating the scoop from the death grip of his jaw. We only spilled a few bits of kibble, which Simon took care of with haste, while I dumped the rest of his food in his dish.
I would love to report that peace has been restored here on Planet Vicster following Simon's breakfast but there's a slight wrinkle: Billie's still in the bedroom WITH A DISH OF FOOD(!!!) and it's driving Simon batshit. It's like watching the tragedy "Romeo and Juliet" performed by a Shakespeare troupe from Bizarroland.
Labels: cats, furkids, Simon, Simon Sunday
~~ victoria on 9:15 AM ~~ 2 comments
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09 September, 2006
Confession
3% Republican. | "You're a complete liberal, utterly without a trace of Republicanism. Your strength is as the strength of ten because your heart is pure. (You hope.)" |
(I saw this on my friend Tim's blog and couldn't resist the temptation...)
Now Playing: The Arrangement from the album "Ladies of the Canyon" by Joni Mitchell
~~ victoria on 9:40 AM ~~ 0 comments
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And now, the weather
As I stood shivering my arse off at the Alameda ferry terminal yesterday morning I wondered if I had somehow really overslept and woke up in NOVEMBER.
Then I remembered that Simon goes into conniption fits if I oversleep for five minutes and realized there is no way he'd let me oversleep for two months (no matter how much I might need the rest).
So...WTF is going on with this cold, damp, blustery, (did I mention COLD?) Payne's Grey weather lately??? Did we do something to have our Indian Summer privileges revoked?
Now playing: Rainy Night House from the album "Ladies of the Canyon" by Joni Mitchell
~~ victoria on 9:20 AM ~~ 0 comments
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07 September, 2006
Gah! PFTTHHHTTTTTT!!! ARRRRRRRGH!!!
The apartment complex is having the parking lot repaved tomorrow, which meant that I got to spend 20 minutes of my evening driving around my neighbourhood trying to find a place to park. (Really, this is not a feature of my time living in San Francisco for which I feel any pang of nostalgia.) I found a place just around the corner from my apartment, only to discover that the city insists on clearing the block of parked cars by 7am so they can trim the feckin' trees.
I. Am. So. NOT. Amused.
(And neither are Simon and Billie, who had their supper served late. I'm still getting lectured by Simon!)
Update: So, we residents were meant to have our cars out of the lot so the pavers could start work at 5 or 6 this morning, otherwise any cars left in the lot would be towed (which is why I did the driving around my neighbourhood a zillion times extravaganza). When I walked past the back lot at 7:43 a.m., not only had the work not begun, there were still a couple of cars in the lot and no sign of a tow truck! Feh!
~~ victoria on 6:56 PM ~~ 0 comments
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03 September, 2006
Latest guilty pleasure
Footballers' Wives. Have now watched Series 1 and half of Series 2. I'm now waiting impatiently (stupid no mail delivery on holidays!) for the second disc of Series 2. While it's obviously a television drama, it does bring back a lot memories of my childhood spent around pro/semi-pro baseball, soccer and hockey. Still, it's a fun show and Tanya Turner is my new bitch-heroine!
~~ victoria on 8:16 PM ~~ 0 comments
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Farewell, Andre
Andre Agassi's tennis career came to an end today. I've been a fan of his since he first turned pro. He was a hell of a player and then there was the image: the bad boy who's actually a good guy. To me, he's the last of the truly wonderful tennis personalities and will be sorely missed.
Thanks for two great decades, Andre!
~~ victoria on 7:52 PM ~~ 0 comments
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Simon Sunday: Sunday Afternoon Wrasslin'
Chloe and Simon wrestling
Originally uploaded by Planet Vicster.
A typical view of Simon and Chloe in the early days. And since I've been chasing after my "Sports Illustrated Cover" photo since I first picked up a camera, I couldn't resist the action shot!
Labels: cats, furkids, Simon, Simon Sunday
~~ victoria on 9:18 AM ~~ 2 comments
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02 September, 2006
Adventuresome chores
A couple of questions that frequently come up when one vacuums the apartment without putting on her glasses or installing her contact lenses:
Q: What was that big thing the vacuum inhaled? The thing that made a big "schlooooop-poop!" sound?
A: Switch off the vacuum and take a quick tour of the apartment. OK, both cats accounted for. And every shoe that's not in the closet has its mate. <shrug> Continue vacuuming.
Q: What is that odd "thump thump thump thumpthumpthumpthump!" noise coming from the computer?
A: Upon closer inspection, it seems Simon has activated a window by plopping his big fuzzy arse down on the computer keyboard, causing the computer to cry for help. "GERROFF Simon!!!"
~~ victoria on 11:22 PM ~~ 0 comments
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