February 11, 2005
It has been several months, and I think I've successfully transitioned into lord of the manor...
The journey did not start off well. At the prospect of traveling in the truck, I had to think fast. I thought of resisting like Harley (devil cat) would, but scratching just isn't my thing anymore. So I ironically chose the
path that instigated my move to begin with. As we exited the house, I let loose with a powerful blast of Lilo spray. Some of my attack missed, and ended up on the sidewalk, but my skill is formidable, and I manage to drench Daddy's shirt, pants, Sun badge, the truck running board, a little of the entry, Annie's clothes, and Annie's booster-seat cover. I had no idea that I'd had that much to drink that day.
Despite the efficiency of my attack, the ploy didn't work. The trip turned out to be somewhat enjoyable. With urine coating my butt, I found it amusing to walk around the truck, and particularly enjoyed rubbing my rear on Annie and Daddy. I'm not sure, but I think those clothes were destroyed. I believe Daddy's comment was "It really is better to be pissed off than pissed on..." Upon reaching my new home, I found the trees and open area a little intimidating, and preferred the closed quarters under Annie's seat. I stayed there for 45 minutes, before I could no longer resist Annie's attempt to give me treats. So, I came out and was quickly moved into the house.
Annie was very kind, and showed me the entire house: her room, Daddy's room, the study, the cat boxes, the food and water, the refrigerator, her play room, the entryway... I found that the open area is very exciting. I can sit in the window sill and watch the trees, and there are tons of birds, squirrels, and large animals (some of which have antlers!). There is one large animal that seems to drool on everything that I haven't quite figured out. He doesn't seem very smart, but appears to be very affectionate...
I have discovered another cat (Sandy, who thinks she is a bear), much like Simba (from my last home), but she seems to have a speech impediment. I feel sorry for her, as apparently when she tries to meow, it comes out as a hiss. However, I think we are making headway in being friends. Today, she came out and smelled my butt. As a male, I figure that can't be a bad thing. It has inflated my ego, and I've been out strutting my stuff all day.
The first week, I'll admit I was nervous. I spent most of my time under Annie's bed. Daddy would coax me out, but I would always go back after a potty break and a bite to eat. Around 2:00 am, I'd begin to think that maybe Daddy was sincere, and wanted to talk to me. So, I'd go the study (I really like the study), and tell the stories of my life. It felt good to get it off my chest. It generally took about two hours to start feeling better, and Daddy was very patient with me. He would encourage
me to come to the bed for a brief session of pets and talking, and then I would eventually go to sleep, and I guess so did he. I don't understand it (maybe he was having a bad day), but after five days of this, he seemed to lose interest. I realized this after a long oration about a spider that I noticed crawling on the wall (really quite amazing, I'll go into it later), and discovered that he had moved to the couch and shut the door. Of course, I knew it was a mistake, so I went to the door, and continued my story. Apparently, he was not feeling well, because he came back into the room and went back to bed, and seemed to be trying to ignore me. Feeling bad for his condition, I went back to Annie's room, and went back to sleep, which I managed to do with minimal interruption (I don't know why he was so cranky at 6:30 am, but I got over it).
In closing, I am pleased to say that I believe I have adequately trained the two-leggeds (Annie and Daddy). I get my breakfast of filet o' salmon prepared in a fine fat sauce every morning (unfortunately, it's been pureed and looks like pink tofu), and have the run of the house. Sandy is quite content with the floor, so I have chosen my domain at the higher levels (counter tops, table tops, window sills).
More on this later as my empire grows.
Lilo the Cat Panther
The journey did not start off well. At the prospect of traveling in the truck, I had to think fast. I thought of resisting like Harley (devil cat) would, but scratching just isn't my thing anymore. So I ironically chose the
path that instigated my move to begin with. As we exited the house, I let loose with a powerful blast of Lilo spray. Some of my attack missed, and ended up on the sidewalk, but my skill is formidable, and I manage to drench Daddy's shirt, pants, Sun badge, the truck running board, a little of the entry, Annie's clothes, and Annie's booster-seat cover. I had no idea that I'd had that much to drink that day.
Despite the efficiency of my attack, the ploy didn't work. The trip turned out to be somewhat enjoyable. With urine coating my butt, I found it amusing to walk around the truck, and particularly enjoyed rubbing my rear on Annie and Daddy. I'm not sure, but I think those clothes were destroyed. I believe Daddy's comment was "It really is better to be pissed off than pissed on..." Upon reaching my new home, I found the trees and open area a little intimidating, and preferred the closed quarters under Annie's seat. I stayed there for 45 minutes, before I could no longer resist Annie's attempt to give me treats. So, I came out and was quickly moved into the house.
Annie was very kind, and showed me the entire house: her room, Daddy's room, the study, the cat boxes, the food and water, the refrigerator, her play room, the entryway... I found that the open area is very exciting. I can sit in the window sill and watch the trees, and there are tons of birds, squirrels, and large animals (some of which have antlers!). There is one large animal that seems to drool on everything that I haven't quite figured out. He doesn't seem very smart, but appears to be very affectionate...
I have discovered another cat (Sandy, who thinks she is a bear), much like Simba (from my last home), but she seems to have a speech impediment. I feel sorry for her, as apparently when she tries to meow, it comes out as a hiss. However, I think we are making headway in being friends. Today, she came out and smelled my butt. As a male, I figure that can't be a bad thing. It has inflated my ego, and I've been out strutting my stuff all day.
The first week, I'll admit I was nervous. I spent most of my time under Annie's bed. Daddy would coax me out, but I would always go back after a potty break and a bite to eat. Around 2:00 am, I'd begin to think that maybe Daddy was sincere, and wanted to talk to me. So, I'd go the study (I really like the study), and tell the stories of my life. It felt good to get it off my chest. It generally took about two hours to start feeling better, and Daddy was very patient with me. He would encourage
me to come to the bed for a brief session of pets and talking, and then I would eventually go to sleep, and I guess so did he. I don't understand it (maybe he was having a bad day), but after five days of this, he seemed to lose interest. I realized this after a long oration about a spider that I noticed crawling on the wall (really quite amazing, I'll go into it later), and discovered that he had moved to the couch and shut the door. Of course, I knew it was a mistake, so I went to the door, and continued my story. Apparently, he was not feeling well, because he came back into the room and went back to bed, and seemed to be trying to ignore me. Feeling bad for his condition, I went back to Annie's room, and went back to sleep, which I managed to do with minimal interruption (I don't know why he was so cranky at 6:30 am, but I got over it).
In closing, I am pleased to say that I believe I have adequately trained the two-leggeds (Annie and Daddy). I get my breakfast of filet o' salmon prepared in a fine fat sauce every morning (unfortunately, it's been pureed and looks like pink tofu), and have the run of the house. Sandy is quite content with the floor, so I have chosen my domain at the higher levels (counter tops, table tops, window sills).
More on this later as my empire grows.
Lilo the February 10, 2005
My friend Flanders showed me this site...IllWillPress
Warning - this is not for the faint at heart (foul language, politically incorrect content), but it made me chuckle pretty hard...
Crossing my legs
Warning - this is not for the faint at heart (foul language, politically incorrect content), but it made me chuckle pretty hard...
Crossing my legs
A couple of weeks ago, I called Annie's teacher and indicated that since science doesn't seem to be a part of the curriculum, I'd like to help out in that capacity (what was I thinking??? oh yeah, Sierra Nevada). She thought it was a great idea, and this past Tuesday we had an experiment where the kids made crystals with epsom salts. True to nature, I had a presentation on the fundamentals of atoms and molecules.... with 21 five year-olds.
To get into character, I wore my Ph.D. hood, which Annie refers to as "Daddy's funny hat" (couldn't be more true - wish I had the robe to go with it). We started out talking about how the Greeks thought that matter was composed of earth, air, water, and fire (of course, I had examples of all). We then discussed how the Greeks were wrong (sorry), and that there are actually over 100 elements or atoms that make up everything, and at last count there were 118.
Next, we discussed covalent bonding. Ok, I didn't tell them it was covalent bonding, I just said that some atoms like to play catch... a lot. We demonstrated this by rolling a couple of balls between me (the oxygen atom), and a couple of students (the hydrogen atoms). I pulled out one of my foam-ball water molecules. Well, we kept it going and went into the symmetry and pattern requirement for crystals, as I laid out about twelve water molecules. Before I could even pull out my poorly constructed snowflake (didn't I used to be good at that?), someone said that it would be a snowflake.
We talked about crystals some more, and showed a quartz crystal, and talked about uses of crystals, and what happens to sand if it is allowed to crystalize, and one time, at band camp... Ooops, started to ramble too much. We did the experiment, which killed my back (why can't 5-year olds be taller?). It was a blast!
The highlight for me was while I was cleaning up, one of the kids, Jerry, came running in to see me from recess. He had found a rock that had a small crystal formation on it, and was glowing from the discovery. I was ecstatic.
Four hours later, I was on the way home from daycare with Annie. A proud and dedicated parent, I was sure that this was an experience (daddy going to school and "teaching") that she would remember for a long, long time. I began our ritual of describing her day:
Excited Father: What did you do today in Kindergarten?
Disinterested Daughter: I don't know...
Puzzled Father: What happend after you checked in this morning?
Disinterested Daughter: I don't remember... my brain isn't listening to me.
Frustrated Father: You don't remember anything special about today?
Disinterested Daughter: No. I think Noah-A-Sound came today.
Hurt Father: Annie! I came to Kindergarten this morning with you and spent the day with you and your friends talking about crystals!
Disinterested Daughter: Oh yeah.
Resigned Father: Oh yeah.
Interested Daughter: Did you get me any M&Ms today?
Lost cause?
Patterned and Symmetric
To get into character, I wore my Ph.D. hood, which Annie refers to as "Daddy's funny hat" (couldn't be more true - wish I had the robe to go with it). We started out talking about how the Greeks thought that matter was composed of earth, air, water, and fire (of course, I had examples of all). We then discussed how the Greeks were wrong (sorry), and that there are actually over 100 elements or atoms that make up everything, and at last count there were 118.
Next, we discussed covalent bonding. Ok, I didn't tell them it was covalent bonding, I just said that some atoms like to play catch... a lot. We demonstrated this by rolling a couple of balls between me (the oxygen atom), and a couple of students (the hydrogen atoms). I pulled out one of my foam-ball water molecules. Well, we kept it going and went into the symmetry and pattern requirement for crystals, as I laid out about twelve water molecules. Before I could even pull out my poorly constructed snowflake (didn't I used to be good at that?), someone said that it would be a snowflake.
We talked about crystals some more, and showed a quartz crystal, and talked about uses of crystals, and what happens to sand if it is allowed to crystalize, and one time, at band camp... Ooops, started to ramble too much. We did the experiment, which killed my back (why can't 5-year olds be taller?). It was a blast!
The highlight for me was while I was cleaning up, one of the kids, Jerry, came running in to see me from recess. He had found a rock that had a small crystal formation on it, and was glowing from the discovery. I was ecstatic.
Four hours later, I was on the way home from daycare with Annie. A proud and dedicated parent, I was sure that this was an experience (daddy going to school and "teaching") that she would remember for a long, long time. I began our ritual of describing her day:
Excited Father: What did you do today in Kindergarten?
Disinterested Daughter: I don't know...
Puzzled Father: What happend after you checked in this morning?
Disinterested Daughter: I don't remember... my brain isn't listening to me.
Frustrated Father: You don't remember anything special about today?
Disinterested Daughter: No. I think Noah-A-Sound came today.
Hurt Father: Annie! I came to Kindergarten this morning with you and spent the day with you and your friends talking about crystals!
Disinterested Daughter: Oh yeah.
Resigned Father: Oh yeah.
Interested Daughter: Did you get me any M&Ms today?
Lost cause?
Patterned and Symmetric
Yall will have to be patient with me as I learn this crazy thing. I'm looking forward to writing my thoughts (well, some of them) down for future chuckles by Annie and me. I hope that some of it will seem amusing to others as well. Ultimately, this will give my distant family a chance to share a little in our day-to-day lives...
Rearin' to go
Rearin' to go