Why Someday I Will End Up with Claw Marks Across My Face
Last nightlHans was doing some recording. At one point I went in to talk to him, and Chucky followed me in. I had this moment of genius and asked if he wanted to sample the cat. Brilliant, right?

Yeah, Chucky doesn't like to be held except on his own terms. So dangling him in front of the microphone wasn't really the brightest of ideas. I would, however, like to point out that the rumbling you hear is purring, so he still loves me. I think the reverb adds a particularly nice touch.



(Yes, when we address the cat, we use this high, squeaky voice that comes from an old ventriloquist show by Ronn Lucas called "Who's in Charge Here". If you know it, you are awesome and probably had The Disney Channel in 1983.)

Breadbaking Addendum
If you all are like Aimee and are raring to go at the whole bread recipe I posted the other day, definitely have a look at this 9-page article. It includes more tips and more recipes to make with the basic mix. I made naan yesterday to go with our Indian leftovers. While it wasn't exactly the way I wanted, it was super easy and should be great once I work out how to make it thinner.

I took the last of my first batch out this morning for some bread to go with our breakfast. So I've got my second batch of dough rising on the counter. Yay! I feel so accomplished!

Mello Kitty
Chucky is sick. :( :( :(

Sick to the point where we took him to the vet this morning. I had a rough time... though I hate to admit it. This was my first "taking my child to the doctor" moment, and I was so worried. There may have been a tear or two.

It all started Saturday when Hans said he thought that Chucky was weeing in the bathtub. The germophobe in me was all ready to do some serious bleaching, and we couldn't decide whether we should encourage that behaviour or not. On one hand, at least we don't have to worry when he outsmarts us and stays inside all day. On the other hand, eww!

But on Sunday, he went in the tub again... and then again not a half an hour later. Only there appeared to be just drips, nothing significant. (I can't believe I'm talking about cat pee.)

Being the googlemeister that I am, I did some searching and found that cats can get urinary tract infections... and even worse, some people were talking about the urgency of veterinary care to avoid DEATH. Now I know with my single, solitary UTI experience, I thought I was going to die... but if this can kill my kitty, then we need to be doing something.

By this morning, he would come inside the house for five minutes and then go back out to go to the bathroom, so I insisted that we make work of this vet visit as soon as possible.

Of course, that meant getting him TO the vet. A whole other story in itself. (No blood from any party though, so we felt pretty proud of ourselves.) The doc had a quick look and said it looked like the early stages and to keep an eye on him to make sure something actually was coming out, otherwise it means his little tubes are blocked with crystals of some sort. Whatever.

So we have to give him tablets twice a day... Hans's job. I'm not sure if he'll ever forgive me for tricking him into the box with my sheep liver kitty treats, but I'm glad he's on the mend.

[click for larger]
Since I'm now the Weird Cat Lady, I can just as well post this picture. We spent another $7 a week or so ago just to further prove that Chucky doesn't play with toys... be it a cute little grub stuffed with catnip or an awesome octopus-like ball of fur.

Its name was originally going to be called Doc Oc, until the he's-not-going-to-play-with-it realization. That's when I decided that I was going to get my money's worth out of it by making Chucky wear it from now on. The toy is now referred to as Perry... that's short for Perry the Parasite with the Carrier Named Chucky. I think he likes it.

(I can't remember what else I was going to say, so this is an all-cat post.)

P.S. If I have my way those nasty burgundy walls will be a thing of the past SOON!

New Addiction
"Addiction" might be a strong word, but I'm really digging wikimapia.com. It's Google Earth mixed with Wikipedia, and their slogan I saw somewhere is "Describe the Earth". So you can find places on the Google Earth part, and then label then by adding your own knowledge like Wikipedia. You can even upload photos. It's kind of fun.

Captive Chucky
Yesterday we got home only to find Chucky the outdoor cat... inside. We did a quick sniff test and made sure that nothing had been clawed to shreds, but I think he must have just slept the whole day on the couch like he does when I'm sitting there with him. That's all.

Look While You Can
This is the hair you WON'T be seeing when I get to the States. I know I'm going there for two months in the heart of winter, but I cut a significant portion off today due to its weight and overheating properties. There will be no "after" picture, because it is traumatized, and I hate it... per usual. I'm sure it'll be fine after I get all the styling shellac out of it.

Feline Friend
I was witness to this scene tonight...


Hans dumped the frog out at the bottom of the steps though, because he didn't want Chucky to notice it. That whole thing with cats catching little creatures and presenting them at your feet to show what good hunters they are. Poor little Ribbit.