The Adventures of Being Me

No walk today, the kitties backed away from the harnesses and ran away. It was raining anyway. Got woken up by the electric company putting in a new device so they can read meters from their vans instead of checking every one in hidden places. Electricity went off 10 seconds so had to put my watch on the alarm clock. I forgot to turn the alarm off cause when I got home it was going off, it reset to midnight and I came in after midnight. Got my Indiana Jones package. Out of no where a guy next rental counter over peeks over to see what I'm watching and asks if I like Charleston Heston movies. He would be before my time. He said he wasn't wanting an editorial just an answer to his question. Ok, No I'm not a big fan of Charleston Heston movies. I was watching the first one so perhaps he was thinking of the yearly broadcast of 10 Commandments. Found out a gal at a car rental had some bozo harassing her at her counter and called her several times when he finally left. He wanted ...

Took cats out and it starts to rain to make them jump out of the "bush" behind the dumpster and hide under the tree I'm under near the front door. Then it passed and the cats wander around building. Maintence guys coming through startled them and Frodo ran into the bushes near our back door. Then I hear a squeal coming Frodo's mouth. I thought it was a mouse cause it was grayish and furry. Then it flapped its wings and huddled in a defensive statue postion. I steal Frodo's toy to his dismay climbing my jeans to get it back. It is a baby bird (gray on top, white underneath) with fluff all over and some feathers on the wings. It's wing and hind are bleeding, but the size of cat's claw so not serious. I hold it in my hands to the cats' meows. I try to get up up into the tree, but it is way up there and I don't have a ladder. Try to get it on a branch hanging down, there are birds making a lot of noise above us. It won't leave my hand. I move it up...

How was your Memorial Day weekend. Got up around noon since I didn't get to bed until about 3:30 AM. Took cats out and then load the car towards end of walk. Precious comes over but stops short of the door. I come downstairs with an armful of flowers and discarded stuff from Spring Cleaning, and there is Precious on the steps. How did you get in here?, I ask Precious. Probably neighbor came in and he squeaked by. He follows me out and back in. He stays inside while I go get Frodo. Catfishing lure breaks and Frodo still won't out. Go into the fallen branches hanging 4-5 feet in the air caught on other tree branches from last night's storm. Grab Frodo and he sprints. Got his back foot and pull him towards me. Wrapping my arms around him to pick him up is like wrestling with a tiger cub (or alligator). His claws grab my shirt giving him leverage to jump from my mean arms. Fine, stay out here all day. I'm late picking up Mom. Hear Precious meowing in the window. Poor kitty,...

It was such a lovely day, then storm comes in making us a headline on the news, but when I left work it went back to being nice. OK, cats objected to harnesses and when I finally got them on, they refused to go out the door. Probably cause yesterday I trapped them just outside the door so they had no escape from the harnesses. My cats fall for tricks once and then I have to come up with a new one. So we stayed inside today. In fact they didn't even go out on the balcony. Go to work and find a note to the manager when grabbing my name tag in the drawer. I unleashed a little frustration at my coworker about Nightmare #1. She thinks she will end up like another nightmare customer who exploded every time I gave the total for her extended rental, on the Do Not Rent List from non-payment or failure to return. As long as they pay their bill or pay for a totaled car, we rent to them. It was quite boring and the guys left 3 1/2 hours early. Everybody will come on Monday for Tuesday morning ...

Ok I don't really hate Saturdays, just when it is busy and have to deal with Nightmare Customers from Hell with customers standing behind them. On top of that I have to give away SUVs at the compact price cause that's all have, which makes people mad cause of the gas. Actually compact cars and SUV's have the same mileage per gallon. Nightmare #1. This bitch pulls same stunt every week for the past 3 weeks. Rents her car for 2 days, extend rental another day, and then another day, and then returns car 2 days past due cause she knows on the 3rd day the manager will be calling to ask for our car back. So there are 4 charges listed on her receipt which makes her explode into she is being overcharged. The website she reserved her car on did not tell her this is the price. Hello, the reserved price is for 2 days, not a week, therefore more days are on her bill than on her reservation. Then she freaks out about having enough money on her credit card, cause she only pays enough to ...

Today I put harnesses on the cats to their displeasure. Once on Precious was ready to explore outside, Frodo takes 40 minutes to come downstairs. We traveled quite a distance and that naughty boy jumped with his back arched to break my grip on his leash. Then when I heard a loud yowl from Frodo still in the stairwell, I carried Precious back and opened the door for Frodo. Precious dashes under the cars and I wait for him to move out from under them to carry him back to the grass. Frodo walked with his tummy near the ground so he looked like a large weasel. Truck went by and Precious jumped into a tree. I reached up and unhooked the leash. Frodo make a dash for the cars and I grabbed his leash. I picked him off the parking lot and carry him back to the tree Precious is still in to notice a car coming our direction. Good thing I moved Frodo out of the way. Precious jumps down and the leash goes back on. Finally carried both back and went home. Not too many customer stories. One lady call...

Cats enjoyed there 5 hr walk as I went to my sister' shouse. Before I left I tried to pick up Precious but he had burrs right where I grab him. Naturally I try to pull them out while hanging on to Precious with one arm. He wiggles enough to cause me to let go and runs for the woods. My fingers got splinters and still hurt from the poking, even now. When I returned Frodo came right out of the bush but Precious needed coaxing. He moved when I grabbed him and meowed at the door. Frodo meowed upstairs and Precious finally decided to consent. I get a comb to get the burrs out. I felt two before and picked them out with the comb. Then when petting him I noticed a third. Precious runs away from me when I pull on his fur to get the burr out. He starts licking at the area and grabbing the burr with his teeth and makes a funny face. Eventually, he got it out with his teeth and spits it out. I threw it away. Hopefully that is all of them. They get so deep in his fur they are difficult to remo...

No leashes today cause I was lazy (I know that is bad when training animals) and they were good until it was time to go home. Frodo climbed a tree a couple times, Precious tried to chill out on the porches, dog upstairs barked at us, and played under the cars. The temperature was alright but the wind was cool. Precious came in w/out too much trouble. Frodo on the other hand ran away, I got shit on by a bird, and left him outside for a while. Heard him meow so went back outside and he came over after a couple minutes of Precious meowing in the window. So Frodo got a 1hr 50 min walk. Watched Oprah, watched the news, played with the laser, and now time for bed again. Oh, my shirt absorbed most of the bird poop and I wiped off what I could off my shoulder. Nothing else to report. Oh, ordered the Indiana Jones series on amazon.com but they were sold out. I can wait. The advertisement on TV said "First time on DVD". Actually amazon.com had a 2003 DVD version of the series so that i...

If you are tired of my cat walk stories then exit now. No leashes today and kitties had a 3 hr and 40 min walk in the bush. Frodo ran out the door and Precious stared at me from the top of the cupboards. Go downstairs and Frodo grasps his freedom to climb a tree full of birds. After 15 min Precious meows so go get him. They wander around the building and then under cars to cross the parking lot into the bush behind the dumpster. Sit there for an hour waiting for them to return. They do. Then Frodo jumped down, hides under a car, and runs into the bush behind the garages. Since Precious came later, I give them another 15 minutes outside. Call them back. Precious comes out. Go look for Frodo. He answers me but the leaves and branches are so thick he could be standing next to my foot and I would not know it. Precious helps looks for him. I hear him but can't see him as I make it to the other side of the garages. Go inside hoping separation and hunger will encourage a return. Go out 2 ...

Our walk was entirely inside the stairwell. Carried Frodo out the door and it took him an hour to come downstairs and when I clipped on the leash and open the door, he just stood there staring at me. Precious continued to relax on a step as a neighbor came upstairs and had to step over him. I apologized explaining he usually moves (usually runs up the stairs to hide from anyone going by). I told Precious that is behavior was rude. I'm sure he understood (yeah right). Then I rush to get together cause I have to hop it work. Keeping forgetting things and soon I'm off. Half way to work I realized I'm not due to work for another 40 minutes. I keep confusing my Saturday and Sunday schedules (2:00 for Saturday, 2:30 for Sunday). So I go grocery shopping on the way to work, since I have extra time. Even bought new barrettes since I forgot to put any in my hair. Then went to Subway since I didn't eat before I left. Then I recall the milk in my trunkthat will spoil in this lovel...

Today's main event is Precious being chased up a tree by a dog, with his leash dangling above my head. The dog was tied to the ground floor patio railing. The leash end came about 3 feet from my feet. It was a little terrier too. I think Precious would be the larger contender, but prefer him as a wuss. Then neighbor lady grabbed her dog and took it inside. It still barked from the glass door. We spent the rest of our walk in the stairwell. Yesterday, a guy from the car rental next door gave me a crumpled napkin with scotch tape around the middle. Gee thanks, it's what I always wanted. Open it, he says. Tear the napking open and there are 2 buttons glued together with a pin clasp on the back. What is it?, I asked. A cat, he says. Oh, I see the ears and tail made of little wires. Thanks, I reply in bewilderment. Later, when he comes by to chat I ask what the occasion is. Not my birthday and not a holiday. Oh it is something he had for years and never worn so since I like cats, h...

I was mean to my cats today. First I tried to rip mats (tangles) out of Precious's fur and got out 2 big ones that covered the space of my hand. No wonder he meowed and ran under the bed. Then I strapped those evil harnesses on them. Precious went outside for 10 minutes and then came in with me when I got Frodo. My cats hate being alone. Chase Frodo and get it harness on. Now he needs incessent petting to come outside. I had to break down and carry him out the door. He creeped out to the stairs. Precious meows in impatience and runs upstairs. Then he runs inside the apartment and jumps on the cupboards. OK. Sit with Frodo and he slowly comes downstairs. Precious meows and let him back out. We spend the whole hour in the stairwell. Frodo came to the outside door but ran when I got the leash ready to clip on. Come back from our walk and I put on the flea medicine. When I left, I reached over to pet them good-bye and they refused to let me touch them. I'm so mean. Oh then yesterda...

Let's see where do I start. Uh, put the cats on leashes, spent most of the time in the cool stairwell, carried them back, and they meow at the door. Come in to work and need to call the manager. She says they are now cutting back on hours, stopped the extra dollar per hour on weekends and after 10 PM, and in 8 to 12 months we will be a corporate location. They already cut a half hour from my schedule when I starting closing for a coworker, how much more are they going to cut? So the way I figure, I need to cut $90 off my monthly budget (taking off for taxes). Where shall I start? A) toss the cell phone B) cancel internet C) end landline service and just use cell D) end 401K contributions E) all of the above. Getting rid of cat is not an option. I am trying to stop all fast food eating, unplug things that don't need resetting, limiting 1 hour of computer time at a time, cut back on the heat from this nice weather, use microwave more often and stove less, don't go anywhere un...

Ain't misbehavin, I'm saving my love for you. I'm sure my cats singing that song when they were outside for 7 hrs. and 15 min. Wandered in the woods behind the garages and Precious managed not to jump the fence. Precious came when called. Went into the bushes to find my baby Frodo with Precious helping. Slid and fell 5 times getting him back to the garages. Then he takes off again into the bush. Tried to pick him up and off he went. 2 hours later, I have to get going to my sister's house. Still Frodo and Precious won't come inside. Bye! Getting dark as I came back and found Precious under the cars. He ran inside, but when called for Frodo he wanted back out. Got the fishing pole and hear a Frodo squeak. He is nearby. Finally he appears, sneaks across the dog staring at them from his glass door. Precious wants to lie down on the sidewalk. Pick him up twice and force him in the door. Frodo runs up chasing the fishing pole with Precious shortly behind. 15 minutes later...

We had more pleasant day today so kitties went outside. It is darker with the clouds, but no rain fell on our heads. It took 25 minutes to get the cats inside. Frodo responded to my call and did come when I got the fishing pole. Precious looked for him too and came after I got Frodo inside. No leashes tomorrow. They responded and came so the time frame is forgiven. We stirred up the dog next door and soon the apartments dogs were barking like crazy. It almost reminded me of 101 Dalmatians barking chorus. Nothing else happened today. I'm sorry I'm so boring. Post later. Bye!

Took cats outside without their harnesses and leashes. They wanted to go back to the apartment after 2 minutes. I'm guessing it was the wind or dogs that encouraged them back inside. They didn't even go out on the balcony until 7 PM. I went grocery shopping today and realized halfway through the store I forgot the canvas bags I bought to save the earth from plastic bags. Bad me. Post later. Bye!

Refering to the prior posting about pets being victims of domestic violence, I emailed the local animal shelter who I know lobby for animal rights. They answered that they met opposition this year in the House of Representatives so the measure did not get passed. They suggested writing to my representative to encourage it passes next time. They must be bad lobbyists cause casinos and NRA get their way all the time. Even with public outcry animals scheduled to be killed get killed anyway, like the geese in a local park a few years ago or beavers along the river before that. I fail to see the point of writing, the guy would of course say wants pet protection when he probably already voted against it. You know professional politicians tell you what you wish to hear. Anyway, post later. Bye!

Called Mom to wish her a Happy Mother's Day. Apparently Dad picked some red tulips in the garden for her. I think they were my xmas gift to Grandma one year. She also made him get a heart test as a make sure everything is fine before quatruple bypass surgery is required gesture. With his high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, extra weight, and never exercised body of his, his heart is not going to be in the best condition. Doctor spoke in foreign terms which translates to, This is not good. She guessed hearing it from a doctor was more of a wake up call rather than Mom nagging he doesn't need all those cookies and ice cream scoops. Mom has learned to be sneaky with fixing Dad's unhealthy habits. Good for her. Spent my work day reading my Oprah Magazine. Come join in the Beauty Revolution by accepting ourselves as is and not to live by other people's standards was this month's theme. Then right smack in the center of this Beauty Revolution was a piece rallying for ch...

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. Hope you are having a good day with your feet up and a box of chocolates in your hands watching TV while other people do the dishes. Post later. Bye!

Precious and Frodo were good cats today. Chased Frodo around, but he held still while I snapped on the harness. He wiggled as I adusted it, it is uncomfortable no matter how I situate it. Then Frodo and Precious went out on the balcony all crouched down as if hiding. Precious came out and we walked around on the grass for 10 minutes and I ran upstairs to see if Frodo would come down now. He needed reassurance in the form of petting and then came downstairs. First half hour went well with the kitties mostly lying on the grass. Dog came out to pee, and the owner directed it away from my cats. One concern I have about the leashes is that if a dog charges at them, it will be a difficult for them to rush up the tree like lightening and balance on the branch with the leash hanging on them. On the ground, it does slow their pace. Anyway, often one cat would wander while the other remained still. 2nd half hour, Precious kept bolting to the dumpter and I hung on. Then a man came out and shouted...

Let's see, there is just so much happening I barely know where to begin. Ok, that's a lie but it is a good beginning for a posting. Kitties meowed to be let out, ran when I grabbed the harnesses, so we stayed inside again. Well, actually Precious stayed on the bed while I chased Frodo all over the place. No complaints here. Went over to renew my lease. The doors are locked. I wonder if the handle is broken and peek in the window. Lights are on. I have an appointment to renew it at this time so they should be here. Guy walks by and I asked if the office is supposed to be locked up. He runs away and gets his key to the gym in the same building. I try to follow him in and he states he doesn't work here, just impatient with office locked. I just wanted to get to the connecting door between the office and the gym. That's locked too. Ok, I said, I guess they don't want me to renew my lease and back up the car to leave. Then a familiar office face comes with a guy so I ass...

Put on the harnesses of very eager to go outside cats and again chased Frodo all over. Then they decided to hide in the bedroom. Precious did come out ino the hall and then back to the bedroom. I had my coat on calling them to come outside for our walk. Frodo walked funny with his front legs stiff, the harness sits right behind their elbows. Precious sat by the window. I attempted again to get them outside but they prostested the harnesses and refused to come outside with them on. Fine, we will just stay inside and took off the harnesses. They wondered about the balcony and windows. Played with Frodo in the living room. Frodo kept going to the door ready to go outside but then I grabbed the harness and he ran away. I think a battle of wills has begun. They want to roam free and explore while I want them close by and come when I call them. Post later. Bye!

Let's see. Got up and took kitties outside. I thought my plan of leashes might backfire because if I leash them and then set them loose, the freedom might go their head and they would disapppear. Yesterday I had them on leashes from their Monday excursion causing me to miss Tom Cruise. Frodo walked funny, but I checked the harness was where it was suppose to be, it was. They got spooked by a man walking by and later a man bringing out dogs, thus ripping the leash from my hand. This time they had the leash slowing them down. So tried them w/out leash today to see how they do this time. First half hour they behaved, staying close by. Second half hour was another story. Frodo chased Precious who went behind the dumpster where the wooded slope is. I guarded the brush pile spraying my spray bottle over the brush pile when Precious approached to keep him from jumping over the fence. All was well, until it was time to go home. Precious was next to me so carried him inside the stairwell. C...

I taped the Tom Cruise interview with Oprah last Friday and watched it today. The tape had Oprah and Tom, but the sound was of a previously recorded show so I got no interview and threw the tape away. Then I remembered the closed captioning and wondered if the Oprah Closed Captioning would show up or the sound from the other show. I got the Oprah Closed Captioning, but it was poorly done. Many misspelled words and huge chunks of the interview were not typed in. So I sorta got the interview. Then I threw the tape in the garbage. Post later. Bye!

Went outside with both Precious and Frodo. Precious came when I shut the door and didn't wish to be left behind again. Tossed some trash and Frodo disappears. Precious was under a car and meowed his presence. I heard Frodo squeak a few times and called him, but didn't see him anywhere. Precious yowled his "Where are you" meow trying to find Frodo. Eventually, Frodo appeared by the back door and then chased Precious towards the dumpster. I followed them a ways into the wooded area nearly slipping on the slope and grabbing a thorny briar bush. I decided the open tree area and brush pile were caused by the top of a tree being struck by lightening and fell down. I saw another brush pile and the top of both tree trunks were very jagged so can't think of anything else that would take the top of a tree off. Precious walked passed the brush pile as I followed so thought maybe this was the end of his voyages to the back yard. We started going back and Precious jumped on th...

Took Frodo outside today because Precious refused to come out. I even waited a few minutes and reopened the door for him. Frodo cocked his head in confusion and yet Precious stuck his nose out the door to turn around and go into the bedroom. Poor Frodo was lonely outside and hid the bushes with me shortly behind. I only had to call him 5 minutes to come in swinging his fishing pole he loves so much. Then I stepped on the metallic paper and broke the toy. How I am going to get him in tomorrow? Precious was chillin by the window and jumped down when we came back. Made it to work on time. Then I print the reservation manifest to find we will be busy today. No time for DVD's. Had a couple spurts of customers standing in line and my coworker went home early (I said he could). My coworker screwed up a rental grabbing the wrong reservation and I had to cancel it to use it for my customer. The names were not similar so who knows how that happened. Had a guy pissed off he didn't get a G...

My new neighbors moved in furniture today spooking the kitties. Then I thought Precious got into the neighbor's apartment, but lady said he wasn't there. I yelled his name outside since he wasn't in the hallway. He was trapped behind the fence again and refused to come back. He even hid under the dog house platform so I couldn't grab him even if I could jump the fence. I got onto the brush pile holding on to the fence railing to squash it down as much as possible, I am getting real tired of this. I attempted to jump the fence but though I better not rip up my work pants. I finally left him alone and packed up my work stuff and then went back 5 minutes. Then he came. Bad cat. Anyone want to buy me a house with fence? I'm a little poor right now. They have been building condos, townhouses, and lofts in the downtown area, but who wants to breathe that pollution every day even with their new riverwalk trail. The new neigbors were wearing college shirts so I presume they...

I had adventure getting Frodo back inside. I saw him go behind the woodsy behind the garages area. When it was time to go home I called and called, but he didn't come nor meow. I walked Precious back home and he meowed in the window as I kept calling for Frodo. After a half hour I went behind the garages to find him. I tripped over a tree branch on the ground and got my pants covered in grass stains. Excited the dog next door and thank goodness there was a high wooden fence separating us. Stumbled through the bushes and the bugger wasn't behind the garages. Call for another half hour and finally he appears out of the wooded slope area beside the garages. I was so mad at him, and happy he came before I left for work. Let's see, my coworker decided his 1998 Mercedes SUV was guzzling too much gas so he got a brand new Honda Civic. Another coworker said he was picking up a used car after work and showed everyone the pic in the paper. My new father coworker thanked me for the ...