God love me, but I do like doing these things. Thanks, Stephen, except that you skipped a few questions-raising my suspicions...
1. What is your occupation? GIS Analyst.
3. What are you listening to right now? At this very moment, nothing. This morning, on the way into work-a list of 13 songs on the verge of becoming 10 for my upcoming installment in Coalescent Music Co-op. Yesterday at work-iTunes shuffle.
4. What was the last thing you ate? Five prunes-look out!!!
5. Do you wish on stars? I guess not as such. But I'm not against it.
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Lame. But some sort of forest green, I guess.
7. How is the weather right now? Misty, rainy, and about 45.
8. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Mighty Tom, last night.
9. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Nobody sent it to me.
10. How old are you today? 35.
11. Favorite drink? Really good coffee, mango shake, or a great American Pale Ale or Vienna Lager from a craft brewery, depending on mood and circumstances.
12. Favorite sport to watch? College basketball, at its very best.
13. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes, for a sufer costume, Halloween 2002.
14. Do you wear contacts or glasses? Contacts for day to day & rigorous activity. Glasses to rest my eyes.
15. Pets? Yes, Saraki (aka Squeaky or Feaky Bender)
16. Favorite month? October. Or April.
17. Favorite food? There's a few Indian dishes that might make a run at it, but pizza is still king.
18. What was the last movie you watched? Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Sharon & I, in our two-person book club, have been working our way back through the HP series of books, and watching the movie installments for extra clues, and general escapism.
19. Favorite day of the year? I think this is something you have to evaluate in hindsight, and it would differ each year depending on events that unfolded.
20. What do you do to vent anger? I don't really have "heat of the moment" anger issues. If Lucy's really pushing my buttons, sometimes I look up at the sky and make that "Aaaaagh!" sound Pee Wee Herman made when jumping off the train while the hobo was singing in "Pee Wee's Big Adventure." That usually stops breaks the irritation cold, as Lucy has to disengage enough to ask me what's going on, and things get diffused pretty nicely. Overall anger at the state of the world's affairs I deal with by writing or talking with those with similar views.
22. Hugs or kisses? From Lucy or Sharon, bring it on. From other family & close friends, I think hugs are great, though I don't tend to initiate.
23. Cherry or Blueberry? Depends on mood and what's being flavored. Generally, cherry.
24. Do you want your friends to email you back? What? No, I want my friends to pretend I don't exist.
28. When was the last time you cried? I may have since, but the last time I recall for sure was listening to Ben Folds' "I am the Luckiest."
29. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoe sorters, laundry sorter, probably some assorted clothes that missed the laundry sorter. What the hell kind of question is that?
30. What friend have you had the longest? Boy...Mixdorf? Wow.
31. What did you do last night? Went around the block with Lucy on tricycle. Fixed supper (Sharon was coming back late), got Lucy ready for bed, then put her down. Kind of crazy night trying to get her to sleep & I was not freed up till 8:45. Then called Mighty Tom based on a pre-arrangement. His family is out of town and I have Vonage (e.g. free long distance), so we had planned to have a beer over the phone. I drank a Summit India Pale Ale. We talked for at least a couple of hours.
32. Favorite smell? Coffee beans or pine needles. Smell of coffee wafting through the pines?
33. What inspires you? Family, friends, great art (books, silver screen, visual art) & music, social justice issues, physical activity, and nature.
34. What are you afraid of? Being the only guy that doesn't know what the hell is going on.
35. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Veggie burger. (same as Stephen)
36. Favorite car? I hate cars (same as Stephen). But one with great gas mileage, I suppose.
37. Favorite dog breed? Any kind of good timin' dog, medium-sized or up. I don't hate "little yippie dogs" like some people, but they're definitely not my style.
38. Favorite TV show? I don't really think in terms of a favorite. Don't watch anything currently, but I've started collecting the original Simpsons, so maybe that's it. I also really like Star Trek, the original series, Blackadder, the British version of The Office. I know there's some really well-made dramas I could have really gotten into through the years, but I just never made the time.
39. Number of keys on your key ring? Four (two cars, bike, house).
40. How many years at your current job? four and a half.
Stephen, if you want to pull those missing questions out of hiding, feel free. I don't fear them: my life's an open book. And Mixdorf, Aaron, & T-Clog, consider yourself tagged.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Stubborn? Maybe.
I can't recall whether I've done a follow up since that one blog discussion we had over stubborn vs. independent, but I have since been willing to concede that Lucy is stubborn. I think the two are definitely related, but I am pretty sure that she simply sometimes resists our authority as a test of wills.
It's pretty much the biggest issue we have. Looking back on our parenting of her first nearly three years, there's not too much I'd change, but I think we could have been a little more firm in setting limits. We've never really had a problem with "giving in," but what we may have done is let ourselves get drawn into long, drawn-out discussions and mousing around, needlessly, after a decision had already been made. In a book we recently read about parenting without threats or punishment, it talks about this part of a young child called the "baby self" that simply wants your attention, regardless of whether they're arguing, whining, or crying. A seemingly distraught child might actually be licking her chops undercover, the second you give her the response she's been noodling for. The book sums up nicely: "What the child needs: a lot of you. What the child wants: all of you."
We've actually been making a conscious effort (after the initial foot has been put down, and the reason given) of simply not entertaining any further discussion, whatsoever. If she wants to cry or get angry or whine, that's something she can choose, but the expectation that she will do what she's supposed to do will remain. Of course, it's easier said than done-especially when, say, trying to get her ready to get out the door without being late in the morning, but sometimes you're left with simply taking action (e.g. scooping a little girl up and simply inserting legs into pants against her firey will). But presumably, over time, she will continually learn that the "baby self" sorts of behaviors will simply not accomplish anything, and meeting our expectation in a positive way is the most sure-fire way of getting attention she craves. It's tricky, tricky, but we've actually seen some progress already. Almost like there's a load off her tiny little shoulders, but being in a constant state of being ready to rumble.
Of course, I don't mean to give the impression we've had all sorts of difficulties: there's no end to good times and fun, but the "baby self" conflict engagement definitely seems to have a knack for seeking you at at your most frazzled, drained times, and has been our biggest (and maybe only) issue.
It's pretty much the biggest issue we have. Looking back on our parenting of her first nearly three years, there's not too much I'd change, but I think we could have been a little more firm in setting limits. We've never really had a problem with "giving in," but what we may have done is let ourselves get drawn into long, drawn-out discussions and mousing around, needlessly, after a decision had already been made. In a book we recently read about parenting without threats or punishment, it talks about this part of a young child called the "baby self" that simply wants your attention, regardless of whether they're arguing, whining, or crying. A seemingly distraught child might actually be licking her chops undercover, the second you give her the response she's been noodling for. The book sums up nicely: "What the child needs: a lot of you. What the child wants: all of you."
We've actually been making a conscious effort (after the initial foot has been put down, and the reason given) of simply not entertaining any further discussion, whatsoever. If she wants to cry or get angry or whine, that's something she can choose, but the expectation that she will do what she's supposed to do will remain. Of course, it's easier said than done-especially when, say, trying to get her ready to get out the door without being late in the morning, but sometimes you're left with simply taking action (e.g. scooping a little girl up and simply inserting legs into pants against her firey will). But presumably, over time, she will continually learn that the "baby self" sorts of behaviors will simply not accomplish anything, and meeting our expectation in a positive way is the most sure-fire way of getting attention she craves. It's tricky, tricky, but we've actually seen some progress already. Almost like there's a load off her tiny little shoulders, but being in a constant state of being ready to rumble.
Of course, I don't mean to give the impression we've had all sorts of difficulties: there's no end to good times and fun, but the "baby self" conflict engagement definitely seems to have a knack for seeking you at at your most frazzled, drained times, and has been our biggest (and maybe only) issue.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
I'm Just a Little Girl!
And some notes about Lucy from her teacher that we received at our recent conference:- Current Work: Does very well with more complicated practical life. Good sequence usually with clean up. Enjoys puzzles, flower arranging, plant watering, table scrubbing, pasting, painting, cooking, food preparation, language & science work, counting.
- General Behavior: Mature and usually helpful in the classroom. Very social at times. Sometimes resists authority. Likes to do things in her own way. Very sure of herself.
- Movement: Loves to dance and move and jump. Enjoys being on the playground.
- Independence: Very independent and self-reliant. Strong personality.
- Language: Excellent language skills. Tells great stories and is able to talk about her feelings. Loves to sing and make up songs.
- Peer Relationships: Gets along well with most children. Has developed close friendships. Easily upset when teased.
- Group Time/Songs: Loves to sing and dance. Enjoys organized movement activities.
- Toileting: Doing and excellend job of usuing the bathroom. Normal & occasional accidents.
- Emotional Issues: Usually stable. Does well with using words and talking about feelings. Can get angry. Needs clear limits.
It's On Now!
Thank you, TopatoCo...
Also check out Not a Doctor. I'm seriously considering ordering a couple of these...
Also check out Not a Doctor. I'm seriously considering ordering a couple of these...
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Workin' for a Livin'
Well, I just returned from a three-day business trip to beautiful Austin, TX. The pure nuttiness of a guy like me staying at a downtown Hyatt Regency and presumably networking with a bunch of business demographers reached levels quite probably beyond my ability to explain in detail. so I won't really chance to go down that aspect of the trip at all. I will simply say that Crocodile Dundee moments were indeed in full flower and, while I certainly made the most of the moments I could create for myself...God, business travel is not for me.I left in a flight early Wednesday morning to spend an afternoon doing "fieldwork" in the city (e.g. checking out location opportunities and noting progress of our stores under construction and those of our competitors). In a wonderful city, I was pretty much reduced to spending the entire day flying around from one nameless, faceless center of big-box commerce to the next. It would have been hard for me to tell I was in suburbian Austin, rather than suburbian Minneapolis, were it not for the towering, unbelievable overpasses that snaked their way around the edge of this rapidly-expanding city. I made sure I was back to the hotel in time for exploring the riverfront trail system via a four-five mile run (very cool!), and then changed and ready for hoofing it across the Commerce Avenue Bridge, just in time to see a few inhabitants exit the largest urban bat cave in the world, and swing into for some authentic Mexican fare along with my first Anchor Steam Lager (review soon to follow).
The next two days, I alternated attending conference seminars & sessions and skipping out on conference-sponsored meal events in the hotel, in favor of pursuing a personal agenda. I squeezed in another run; this time attempting to follow something called the Shoal Creek Greenway based on the directions from this guy who I suspect purposely sent me on a crazy spashing along a concrete girder that ran straight along the middle of a foul, cement-laden waterway until I finally reached an impassable point just before a bridge, from under which shambled a mountain of a bum with hair down to his back and a hump up to his ears. That was the end of that joyride. But upon returning, I did enjoy soaking in an outdoor hot tub with views of the Colorado River and downtown on the other side (it was 45 degrees, so I had the place to myself). Another trip into deep South Austin to eat at a second great Mexican restaurant, and sample a local micro brew (Shiner). I regret slightly that I didn't get a chance to check out the scene on world-famous sixth street, but I was extremely tired and (after meals each night) stuffed. I fell asleep in the room the first night after having just watched the surprisingly good movie, Spanglish; and the second night with a smile on my face, having witnessed the mighty Adam Morrison and Duke's entire starting five reduced to blubbering heaps as a result of their respective exits from this year's NCAA tournament.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Minnesota Blog of the Day!
No, not me, but us, as in Camden Civic Theatre. City Pages picked up Valerie Borey's Good Doctor production journal in their daily Blotter. You can click there, but the actual text is just the brief item below. Not an immense amount of exposure in this snippet, but our promotion of the show has not really begun at all.
MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY
It's not quite like Waiting for Guffman, but you can follow a play from first rehearsal through opening night as the Camden Civic Theatre puts on Neil Simon's The Good Doctor and blogs about it.
MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY
It's not quite like Waiting for Guffman, but you can follow a play from first rehearsal through opening night as the Camden Civic Theatre puts on Neil Simon's The Good Doctor and blogs about it.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Friday, March 17, 2006
Only in the City...(and Happy St. Patrick's Day)
A St. Patrick's Day that was wonderful and again wonderful.
Sharon & Lucy came to pick me up at work just before noon. We swung out and got a bite to eat, and then it was over to the Landmark Center in St. Paul, where the Irish Music & Dance Association was hosting their 25th annual St. Patrick's Day festival. It was a great event, except for initially finding parking (St. Patty's Day is like a mini Mardi Gras in that city, which has deep Irish roots). We walked around & saw various vendors & artisans, passed on the $4.00 a stadium cup-Harp Lagers (not sure if I would have even bit on a better, traditional Irish beer at that price in a cup like that, but for sure not a Harp), but got by far the most enjoyment out of the Irish dances & music. I couldn't believe how fired up I was during these live performances; the energy, rhythm, and fun festive atmosphere was absolutely infectious.
There was one particular moment in a traditional music set when a bodhrán (that goatskin drum with the little dumbell-like mallet) player suddenly set down his instrument and flew to the middle of the stage to engage in a flurry of dance steps that grew increasingly intense until the crowd was brought to cheers, whistles, and nearly to its feet. We also saw some kids performing from one of the (more than one, apparently) Irish dancing schools in the area (pictured). A lot of fun, too, making me wish at that moment I had some sort of single or double generational ethnic heritage to flout at such an event, rather than my stinking "date back to the 17th century on both sides" -bull shit lineage I'm stuck with.
Sharon & Lucy came to pick me up at work just before noon. We swung out and got a bite to eat, and then it was over to the Landmark Center in St. Paul, where the Irish Music & Dance Association was hosting their 25th annual St. Patrick's Day festival. It was a great event, except for initially finding parking (St. Patty's Day is like a mini Mardi Gras in that city, which has deep Irish roots). We walked around & saw various vendors & artisans, passed on the $4.00 a stadium cup-Harp Lagers (not sure if I would have even bit on a better, traditional Irish beer at that price in a cup like that, but for sure not a Harp), but got by far the most enjoyment out of the Irish dances & music. I couldn't believe how fired up I was during these live performances; the energy, rhythm, and fun festive atmosphere was absolutely infectious.
There was one particular moment in a traditional music set when a bodhrán (that goatskin drum with the little dumbell-like mallet) player suddenly set down his instrument and flew to the middle of the stage to engage in a flurry of dance steps that grew increasingly intense until the crowd was brought to cheers, whistles, and nearly to its feet. We also saw some kids performing from one of the (more than one, apparently) Irish dancing schools in the area (pictured). A lot of fun, too, making me wish at that moment I had some sort of single or double generational ethnic heritage to flout at such an event, rather than my stinking "date back to the 17th century on both sides" -bull shit lineage I'm stuck with.
Lucy was tired to begin with and started fading & getting grumpy. Though I did not imbibe at the festival, I was driven to the point of needing a drink by the time I got home. Luckily, I picked up a six pack of (much, much better than Harp) Smithwick's Irish Ale earlier this week. Sorry I don't have a review up yet, it's coming soon. Lucy & Sharon both hit the sack shortly after supper, then I went out by myself for phase two of "Only in the City," as I walked a few blocks south and listened to a small jazz combo play at Camden Coffee Company for one of their increasingly trendy and attended Friday music nights.
I've never been a big fan of jazz, having always felt it was a bit inaccessible and lacked general "musical progression." All I can say now is that three or four live performances I have seen have opened my eyes. The piano player in this group is a regular there that with whom I'm somewhat acquainted. During tonight's break, he kind of broke it down for me finally, explaining that the beginning and end of the song establish the melody and are pretty much reproduced as written, and then there's essentially just tablature in between; root notes or chords around which you just take turns improvising and jamming. Where pop music makes me think of places, people, moods, events, & stories, jazz just makes me think of color and of waveforms. It's almost like the inside of my head turns into one of those "vizualizations" in a computer's media player. I just relax, chill out, and get into it. A great closure to a great holiday, and another reminder of how deep in me the hooks of the urban life have truly set. Could I/would I give it up? I would like to think I could, but I think I'm beginning to believe more and more that such a decision is not something I will come to through sitting on a pinnacle of stone, or by checking out stacks of books, or through hours of endless internal debate. It will come to me, if it is meant to be, and I come to a place in my life where I am compelled to migrate. But there is no hurry.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Friday, March 10, 2006
Quick Thinking!
I brought my new library book in and began reading it over my lunch hour. When I was ready to get back to work, I suddenly realized I had not brought along a bookmark to hold my place. Thinking quickly, I grabbed a piece of paper, ripped off a strip, hastily wrote "Coretta Scott King" on it, and jammed it in. Disaster averted!
Thursday, March 09, 2006
About Us
Photos & biographies up on the Camden Civic Theatre website. There have also been a lot of other improvements to the site, if you want to poke around for a minute.
I'd also like to take some space to mention our Get Involved section, where you can be a patron of the arts of sorts and make a tax-deductible contribution to CCT. The case for dollar support for our company is the community-building work we are doing; even though we live in the most theatre-rich city in the nation (measured by companies per population), we will be the only theatre company operating in the modest, blue-collar borough of Camden. You can read more about the mision here.
I realize, though that the community-building aspect of our organization does not affect the majority of your own local communities, which have their own needs; so I understand if you feel the case it not totally there to inspire your volunteer dollars. However, if you live too far away to reasonably be expected to attend a performance, but would otherwise like to support us, consider picking up some stylish Camden Civic Theatre gear at Cafe Press.
I'd also like to take some space to mention our Get Involved section, where you can be a patron of the arts of sorts and make a tax-deductible contribution to CCT. The case for dollar support for our company is the community-building work we are doing; even though we live in the most theatre-rich city in the nation (measured by companies per population), we will be the only theatre company operating in the modest, blue-collar borough of Camden. You can read more about the mision here.
I realize, though that the community-building aspect of our organization does not affect the majority of your own local communities, which have their own needs; so I understand if you feel the case it not totally there to inspire your volunteer dollars. However, if you live too far away to reasonably be expected to attend a performance, but would otherwise like to support us, consider picking up some stylish Camden Civic Theatre gear at Cafe Press.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
End of Feb. Resolution Check-In
A few days late here, but I'm still intending to hold myself accountable on a monthly basis to my goals for 2006.
Future: Residence Issue Resolved
Unbeknownst to Blogging Nation, we had almost decided to reverse course and make the decision to stay in our current house (barring Zephyr) for the rest of our lives. A sudden turn of events (future addition of child), as well as some recent financial figurings (namely, how our monthly house payment plus monthly home improvement loans would equal the cost of an upgrade in house/neighborhood, anyway) has made me make one, last desperate reverse course. If I can get Sharon on board, I'm hoping the time crunch of her pregnancy could launch me into a focused "get the house in selling condition" mode. Definitely "top of mind;" hopefully I'll have something to report next check-in.
Health: Be on regular cardiovascular schedule AND be eating right/in moderation.
Christ, this was going so well, before a crazy one-two combination of events derailed me: First, I decided to do a detoxification program that required me to not do any strenuous exercise for a couple of weeks. About a week in, though, we hit this crazy set of circumstances with my cat which caused me to leave work a lot over the course of a few weeks. My regular "running at lunch" schedule was thrown totally off track, as was my diet (stress-related). I'm pretty sure that I'm more full of toxins than I was before the detox. Need to get back to business on this.
Art: Finish Secret Of HIM.
As it turns out, my involvement with Camden Civic Theatre, in preparation for our inagural production, has demanded a lot of my time & energy. Back to the old situation of no energy and/or time left for recording. I do have the energy to at least noodle around on guitar, and I'm planning to do a totally solo show (my first ever "official" show of that sort) sometime in April or early May. Not necessarily on track for this resolution, but if I'm sacrificing one arena of art to make progress in another, I don't consider that a total failure.
Wow-I'm not exactly having total success with my resolutions...
Future: Residence Issue Resolved
Unbeknownst to Blogging Nation, we had almost decided to reverse course and make the decision to stay in our current house (barring Zephyr) for the rest of our lives. A sudden turn of events (future addition of child), as well as some recent financial figurings (namely, how our monthly house payment plus monthly home improvement loans would equal the cost of an upgrade in house/neighborhood, anyway) has made me make one, last desperate reverse course. If I can get Sharon on board, I'm hoping the time crunch of her pregnancy could launch me into a focused "get the house in selling condition" mode. Definitely "top of mind;" hopefully I'll have something to report next check-in.
Health: Be on regular cardiovascular schedule AND be eating right/in moderation.
Christ, this was going so well, before a crazy one-two combination of events derailed me: First, I decided to do a detoxification program that required me to not do any strenuous exercise for a couple of weeks. About a week in, though, we hit this crazy set of circumstances with my cat which caused me to leave work a lot over the course of a few weeks. My regular "running at lunch" schedule was thrown totally off track, as was my diet (stress-related). I'm pretty sure that I'm more full of toxins than I was before the detox. Need to get back to business on this.
Art: Finish Secret Of HIM.
As it turns out, my involvement with Camden Civic Theatre, in preparation for our inagural production, has demanded a lot of my time & energy. Back to the old situation of no energy and/or time left for recording. I do have the energy to at least noodle around on guitar, and I'm planning to do a totally solo show (my first ever "official" show of that sort) sometime in April or early May. Not necessarily on track for this resolution, but if I'm sacrificing one arena of art to make progress in another, I don't consider that a total failure.
Wow-I'm not exactly having total success with my resolutions...
Monday, March 06, 2006
OK, So I Was Never any Good at Keeping Secrets, Anyway
Sharon & I are expecting our second child. In almost identical circumstances to those surrounding Lucy, the pregnancy was unexpected but entirely welcome and cause for celebration.
I almost think it was some sort of combination of the various money stresses of the past number of months, and all the other stresses on my mind (courtesy of the Year of Big Decisions), combined with the sudden wash of joy; but the moment at which she showed me the little indicator on the home pregnancy test (99% accuracy rate), I just started laughing. I couldn't stop. She started trying to ask me why I was laughing and then she started laughing, too. Lucy came wandering in, wondering why her momma & daddy were laughing, laughing, laughing and locked in an embrace; then she started laughing, too and asked to be picked up and held between us. A wonderful moment. Sure to be on the Short List for "Best Moment of 2006," though almost assured of not being the Best Moment.
Ah, new life! I'm a Grade-A Cynic; but for me, bringing a new life into the world is the greatest expression of optimism I can possibly imagine. Optimism not only that I can add someone to the world that will do it more good than harm, but also optimism that we face a world worth living in. It's a crazy, sometimes messed-up and frustrating little world we live in, with seemingly no end of disappointment, cruelty, and suffering. But it is an extraordinary, wild, wide, and wonderful world too, with love, beauty, laughter, and curiosity enough to bring you pleasure, were you to be able to live a thousand lifetimes. All the things that make life worth living: the "spices of life." I love them and the experience of sharing them with my daughter brings me such joy I want to jump around and explode. And I can't wait to let someone else in on all the fun!!!
I almost think it was some sort of combination of the various money stresses of the past number of months, and all the other stresses on my mind (courtesy of the Year of Big Decisions), combined with the sudden wash of joy; but the moment at which she showed me the little indicator on the home pregnancy test (99% accuracy rate), I just started laughing. I couldn't stop. She started trying to ask me why I was laughing and then she started laughing, too. Lucy came wandering in, wondering why her momma & daddy were laughing, laughing, laughing and locked in an embrace; then she started laughing, too and asked to be picked up and held between us. A wonderful moment. Sure to be on the Short List for "Best Moment of 2006," though almost assured of not being the Best Moment.
Ah, new life! I'm a Grade-A Cynic; but for me, bringing a new life into the world is the greatest expression of optimism I can possibly imagine. Optimism not only that I can add someone to the world that will do it more good than harm, but also optimism that we face a world worth living in. It's a crazy, sometimes messed-up and frustrating little world we live in, with seemingly no end of disappointment, cruelty, and suffering. But it is an extraordinary, wild, wide, and wonderful world too, with love, beauty, laughter, and curiosity enough to bring you pleasure, were you to be able to live a thousand lifetimes. All the things that make life worth living: the "spices of life." I love them and the experience of sharing them with my daughter brings me such joy I want to jump around and explode. And I can't wait to let someone else in on all the fun!!!
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Friday, March 03, 2006
The Longest Pee
My poor cat!
So, following the surgery, Saraki is not supposed to use traditional cat litter while she still has her stitches in because of the dust factor. We were instructed to use shredded paper instead, and told that she would be able to make the adjustment.
On day one after her last return from the clinic (Sunday night), she peed on an old dog bed we had placed under the couch, where she had immediately retired, in an effort to be alone for awhile after all the stress. We attributed that somewhat to grogginess and confusion, and a little to the discomfort of trying to make her way all the way over to one of the shredded paper stations we had put out for her. The vet had also told us that there was a chance she might protest the change in litter in a couple of instances, but assured us that she would get with the program shortly thereafter.
From that point on, though, things became, "The Great Squeaky Pee Hunt." We could find no further evidence of pee in the house. There was nothing in the shredded paper litters. Ditto on the floor mats in the entryways. There was no way she could get upstairs or downstairs; those cat-holes were sealed off, tight. There were really only three rooms we left accessible to her, and we just couldn't find a thing. I was certain she had found some nook or cranny we were overlooking, but Sharon was convinced that we would have been able to smell something after two days stretched into three days and then finally on to a fourth day.
Finally, yesterday on the way home from work, Sharon picked up a new kind of litter made of recycled newspaper processed into little pebble-sized balls, called "Yesterday's News." Fresh, clean, and much like The Squeak's traditional litter, except completely dust-free and safe for her use. We got out the old litter pan, cleaned it up good, and poured in a luxurious four-inch carpet of the new stuff. Sharon set Sqeaker right in the center, where she proceeded to pee for at least 45 seconds. It was immediately followed by a crap of the size that would have made a golden retriever proud. Good Lord, but that's a stubborn cat.
So, following the surgery, Saraki is not supposed to use traditional cat litter while she still has her stitches in because of the dust factor. We were instructed to use shredded paper instead, and told that she would be able to make the adjustment.
On day one after her last return from the clinic (Sunday night), she peed on an old dog bed we had placed under the couch, where she had immediately retired, in an effort to be alone for awhile after all the stress. We attributed that somewhat to grogginess and confusion, and a little to the discomfort of trying to make her way all the way over to one of the shredded paper stations we had put out for her. The vet had also told us that there was a chance she might protest the change in litter in a couple of instances, but assured us that she would get with the program shortly thereafter.
From that point on, though, things became, "The Great Squeaky Pee Hunt." We could find no further evidence of pee in the house. There was nothing in the shredded paper litters. Ditto on the floor mats in the entryways. There was no way she could get upstairs or downstairs; those cat-holes were sealed off, tight. There were really only three rooms we left accessible to her, and we just couldn't find a thing. I was certain she had found some nook or cranny we were overlooking, but Sharon was convinced that we would have been able to smell something after two days stretched into three days and then finally on to a fourth day.
Finally, yesterday on the way home from work, Sharon picked up a new kind of litter made of recycled newspaper processed into little pebble-sized balls, called "Yesterday's News." Fresh, clean, and much like The Squeak's traditional litter, except completely dust-free and safe for her use. We got out the old litter pan, cleaned it up good, and poured in a luxurious four-inch carpet of the new stuff. Sharon set Sqeaker right in the center, where she proceeded to pee for at least 45 seconds. It was immediately followed by a crap of the size that would have made a golden retriever proud. Good Lord, but that's a stubborn cat.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
More Local Activism: My Letter to the Mayor
Unlike my mayor, I intend to follow through on the promise I make at the bottom of the letter...
Dear Mr. Rybak,
Ordinarily I would not have assumed that you would be the contact point about development plans of the old Kowalski's building at 44th Ave & Humboldt Ave N; with it being a single, freestanding retail location. However, like many of my Camden neighbors, I was quite encouraged by a piece of campaign literature only days before the November election promising a "focus on redeveloping the Kowalsk's site."
Well, in calls to your office prior to the election and leading up until yesterday, I have been unable to find anyone in your office that is even familiar with the building in question, much less someone who has any idea of any specific work you are doing with respect to the property. Indeed, in a conversation with someone in your office yesterday, I was told that, as mayor, you would have absolutely no involvement with any change of ownership or future development at the site. I can assure you, this is an issue of great importance to us up here. The neighborhoods of Lind-Bohanon, Webber Camden, Victory, and Shingle Creek Neighborhoods are at a crossroads and we consider the survival of retail at that corner to be critical to the vitality of our community.
I'm not sure whether you've really got something in the works and I'm just not talking to the right people in your office, or whether you made an empty promise in a last-ditch effort to scrape up a few extra votes from gullible Northsiders, but I'm desperate to believe the former. Please convince me you're involved in this project and/or why you made this promise at election time, or I will most definitely put a lot of energy into turning this apparent deception and lack of follow-through into a real issue via local publications and at neighborhood organizations with which I'm involved.
Regards,
Dan Hylton
Lind-Bohanon, Camden
Dear Mr. Rybak,
Ordinarily I would not have assumed that you would be the contact point about development plans of the old Kowalski's building at 44th Ave & Humboldt Ave N; with it being a single, freestanding retail location. However, like many of my Camden neighbors, I was quite encouraged by a piece of campaign literature only days before the November election promising a "focus on redeveloping the Kowalsk's site."
Well, in calls to your office prior to the election and leading up until yesterday, I have been unable to find anyone in your office that is even familiar with the building in question, much less someone who has any idea of any specific work you are doing with respect to the property. Indeed, in a conversation with someone in your office yesterday, I was told that, as mayor, you would have absolutely no involvement with any change of ownership or future development at the site. I can assure you, this is an issue of great importance to us up here. The neighborhoods of Lind-Bohanon, Webber Camden, Victory, and Shingle Creek Neighborhoods are at a crossroads and we consider the survival of retail at that corner to be critical to the vitality of our community.
I'm not sure whether you've really got something in the works and I'm just not talking to the right people in your office, or whether you made an empty promise in a last-ditch effort to scrape up a few extra votes from gullible Northsiders, but I'm desperate to believe the former. Please convince me you're involved in this project and/or why you made this promise at election time, or I will most definitely put a lot of energy into turning this apparent deception and lack of follow-through into a real issue via local publications and at neighborhood organizations with which I'm involved.
Regards,
Dan Hylton
Lind-Bohanon, Camden
Brokeback Mountain: 5 Stars
Lost in the shuffle: post Saraki amputation and pre-diagnosis with heart failure, Sharon & I had our late Valentine's date Friday night. Dinner at the recently reopened Udupi Cafe (yay!), and a viewing of the much ballyhooed and booed, staple of light night talk show monologue move, Brokeback Mountain.
I though I'd heard, going in, the whole "gay thing" was secondary to the plot, which is a love story. I totally must have misheard that. In anything approaching mainstream cinema, I realize now we're probably about twenty years out yet from something like that; and the subject was right out, front and center.
Ang Lee, the director, did a really interesting and quite amazing thing thing in Brokeback: he placed this scene about 15 minutes in that just assaults your sensitivities, even if it's something you think you're prepared for. I couldn't help but to squirm in the ever-so slightly uncomfortable way and exlaim a low, "whoa..." After that, I think the movie kind of says, "Are you still with me? Good..." It's like it just wanted to say, "I think I know what you're afraid of, so let me just throw this at you, so we can just get it out in the open and you don't have to be wondering in the back of your mind what's going to happen, when." From that point on, the movie becomes one of the (choose to believe it or not) most accurrately portrayed Westerns I have ever seen, as well as an incredible, beautiful, heart-rending love story. It is also, maybe, the best acted movie I have ever seen. I can't specifically recall any better. I cannot recommend it enough.
On a side note: these cowboys in this movie are badasses. T-Clog would love almost everything about the Heath Ledger character. He's just like a young Woodrow Call, except he gets fucked up the butt.
I though I'd heard, going in, the whole "gay thing" was secondary to the plot, which is a love story. I totally must have misheard that. In anything approaching mainstream cinema, I realize now we're probably about twenty years out yet from something like that; and the subject was right out, front and center.
Ang Lee, the director, did a really interesting and quite amazing thing thing in Brokeback: he placed this scene about 15 minutes in that just assaults your sensitivities, even if it's something you think you're prepared for. I couldn't help but to squirm in the ever-so slightly uncomfortable way and exlaim a low, "whoa..." After that, I think the movie kind of says, "Are you still with me? Good..." It's like it just wanted to say, "I think I know what you're afraid of, so let me just throw this at you, so we can just get it out in the open and you don't have to be wondering in the back of your mind what's going to happen, when." From that point on, the movie becomes one of the (choose to believe it or not) most accurrately portrayed Westerns I have ever seen, as well as an incredible, beautiful, heart-rending love story. It is also, maybe, the best acted movie I have ever seen. I can't specifically recall any better. I cannot recommend it enough.
On a side note: these cowboys in this movie are badasses. T-Clog would love almost everything about the Heath Ledger character. He's just like a young Woodrow Call, except he gets fucked up the butt.
Monday, February 27, 2006
New Links
A couple of new blog links to the right:
- Stephen's From the Edge to Center: Stephen being, again, the dude who tracked me down after 16 or some odd years to find that we both had some interest in what was going on in one anothers' lives. Check in to see what books he's discussing and what cool pictures he has taken to document his latest doings down in Iowa City and beyond. Welcome, Stephen!
- The Good Doctor: Also from a recent post, this is the spring production of Camden Civic Theatre. Valerie, a founding member of the fledgling CCT, a profilic blogger, & wonderful writer, will be posting regular updates to chronicle not only the technical steps, but the thought processes of our company as we throw together our inagural production. Of course I'll still be sure to catch major happenings for this play, as they relate to me, within this forum. Welcome, Valerie and CCT company members!
- Stephen's From the Edge to Center: Stephen being, again, the dude who tracked me down after 16 or some odd years to find that we both had some interest in what was going on in one anothers' lives. Check in to see what books he's discussing and what cool pictures he has taken to document his latest doings down in Iowa City and beyond. Welcome, Stephen!
- The Good Doctor: Also from a recent post, this is the spring production of Camden Civic Theatre. Valerie, a founding member of the fledgling CCT, a profilic blogger, & wonderful writer, will be posting regular updates to chronicle not only the technical steps, but the thought processes of our company as we throw together our inagural production. Of course I'll still be sure to catch major happenings for this play, as they relate to me, within this forum. Welcome, Valerie and CCT company members!
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Home & Stable
Before...
and After...
head tucked in to the right, spot of missing leg is obvious, and
adhesive pain patch on her back
As the title indicates, her condition stabilized; to the point where we were able to bring her home today. We will keep her on a medication called Lasix which is intended to keep fluid out of her heart and lungs. In talking with a number of folks over the past day, there's few people out there who have not had their lives touched in some way by someone (human, that is) who has suffered congential heart failure. In addition to putting things in perspective (dearly though we love our cat), it also confirmed-if there are to be assumed any similarities between human & feline cases-what the vet has been telling us, which is that the success of this type of treatment varies wildly.
What I stated in my last post is what we're going to hold to, here. We simply want her be relaxed and comfortable, regardless of whether she has two weeks or two years (less than two years and it would be real, real hard to find a silver lining). As you can see in the second photo, she is relaxed and comfortable. So far so good.
and After...
head tucked in to the right, spot of missing leg is obvious, and
adhesive pain patch on her back
As the title indicates, her condition stabilized; to the point where we were able to bring her home today. We will keep her on a medication called Lasix which is intended to keep fluid out of her heart and lungs. In talking with a number of folks over the past day, there's few people out there who have not had their lives touched in some way by someone (human, that is) who has suffered congential heart failure. In addition to putting things in perspective (dearly though we love our cat), it also confirmed-if there are to be assumed any similarities between human & feline cases-what the vet has been telling us, which is that the success of this type of treatment varies wildly.
What I stated in my last post is what we're going to hold to, here. We simply want her be relaxed and comfortable, regardless of whether she has two weeks or two years (less than two years and it would be real, real hard to find a silver lining). As you can see in the second photo, she is relaxed and comfortable. So far so good.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Somebody Up There Hates My Pets...Or Me, Part 3
So, in the roller coaster of news concerning my cat, she started having labored breathing with a kind of rattley sound last night and, concerned, Sharon ran her back in at about 3 am. First they found that she had fluid in her lungs and later, after having confined her to an oxygen tent and running myriad tests, determined she is experiencing congestive heart failure; probably due to the physiological stress her body has undergone over the past few days.
She's responding to some treatment they're giving her in order to relieve the lung fluid, but it remains to be seen how she will respond to heart medication. She could live from a few days to a couple of years, depending on how manageable is the condition. Looking back, we can't see a single point where we've misstepped in terms of getting her treated. Nevertheless, we're once again faced with a pet that's experiencing an insanely unfair and untimely set of life-shortening health issues. The omnipresent realization, also, is that we're into this a dollar amount which, like the national deficit, has exceeded our capacity to even plan paying, and is into the realm of numbers better wrangled by astronomers and geologists.
What we're wishing for at this point is that she can return home at least be with us until she has the chance to heal from the discomfort of her surgery and be able to have a period of leisure & relaxation before the end.
Of course, that is trusting to hope, which has long since forsaken these lands.
She's responding to some treatment they're giving her in order to relieve the lung fluid, but it remains to be seen how she will respond to heart medication. She could live from a few days to a couple of years, depending on how manageable is the condition. Looking back, we can't see a single point where we've misstepped in terms of getting her treated. Nevertheless, we're once again faced with a pet that's experiencing an insanely unfair and untimely set of life-shortening health issues. The omnipresent realization, also, is that we're into this a dollar amount which, like the national deficit, has exceeded our capacity to even plan paying, and is into the realm of numbers better wrangled by astronomers and geologists.
What we're wishing for at this point is that she can return home at least be with us until she has the chance to heal from the discomfort of her surgery and be able to have a period of leisure & relaxation before the end.
Of course, that is trusting to hope, which has long since forsaken these lands.
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