Loss

I'm so very sorry to inform my readers that Harold, my unconditional friend, my perpetual, longtime companion and champion of all things metrosexual cat passed away just over two weeks ago.  He became unexpectedly gravely ill and the decision--so as to end his suffering--was quickly made to put him down. Given his condition at the time, I'm confident that it was the right decision.  I was with him and held his paw, stroked his head, spoke to him and comforted him throughout the entire procedure.  

He was the best companion anyone could ever ask for for well over 15 years.  He was independent, codependent (or was that me?), whimsical, incredibly wise and in fact he had his own alter ego online known as Shabba who actually performed on live casts, and as you all know, he was also a columnist on this blog for Between The Whiskers.  Incidentally, he was also as much my caretaker, as I was his.  And he loved to spoon and run that purring motor of his.  He was also a nephew to his Uncle Chet and Aunt Maggi Rose the daschund, a grandson to my Mother, and a friend to many of my family and friends.  All of those folks have been incredibly kind to me--calls, sympathy cards and more calls--and many have expressed that they miss him already as well.  I thank you all for that and you know who you are.  Your kindness and sensitivity has meant the world to me and it brings me comfort to know that he was loved and appreciated by so many. 

   

I'd had him since he was a scrappy, scrawny, flea-infested stray kitten, with ears as big as his heart.  

As some of you may already know, he was also a fantastic companion to his brother, Lil Man.  Survival of the fittest didn't apply when it came to these two.  They loved hanging out with one another, perusing the neighborhood from the windowsill.  And so now the two are back together once again.  Or so I hope.  I had Harold cremated and for now his remains sit upon my nightstand, however soon they will join Lil Man's remains on the shelf in the living room.

I've had many, many pets in my lifetime and I have to say that out of all of them, Harold was the one that I could have easily thrown myself upon the proverbial coffin for had there been an opportunity to do so.  I'm afraid I'm short on words--organized thoughts, or proper punctuation for that matter, as words just aren't coming so easily for me--as I'm filled with grief and yet, empty, as I feel like a part of me is missing.  He was a part of me.  But most of all, he was my friend and I shall never forget all of the joy, amusement, companionship and love that he gave me and the many others who knew him and his unique personality.

This is the last photo that I took of my handsome man just a few weeks prior.  Harold, you certainly grew into those ears.  You most certainly did.  

Harold 1997-2012

And so, Goodbye, friend.  May you rest in peace.

-Harold's Mama

Delayed Post

July 4th: East










July 4th: West

The entire weekend was riddled with filmmaking, improv, creative energy and good friends, while our venue for The 4th provided an astounding view of innumerable fireworks displays--pro and amateur alike--all while perched high above the downtown skyline.

No injuries to report despite the rickety trap door.

jenji

Precipitation Consideration

They said it would rain Sunday. In fact, they predicted it.

Personally, I knew it would rain wherein I made a concerted effort to check the Doppler radar for meteorlogical advisement Sunday morning, as I could sense that the swelling, bucking and heaving within my bones was indicative of stormy weather; my personal body barometer if you will. Those who have cracked a couple of bones in their neck, a few more in their arm and one in their knee, which by the way only proves to piss off a systemic condition in the end, might be able to relate to this osteopathic, predictive pinging.

Still there were other individuals who knew it would rain as well. In fact, a friend of mine (who shall remain nameless in an effort to protect the brilliant) intentionally opted for the bus over her bike for just that reason; milling around, slathered in SPF 50, waiting to be rescued by public transportation.

However, another friend of mine (who shall remain nameless in an effort to protect the innocent), insisted that it was in fact not going to rain yesterday. Insisted, I tell you.

If only I had wagered some cash regarding that prediction.

Here's the thing: For the most part, I'm not the type of individual who has an imperious need to argue my point when I'm already more than sure that I'm right; that type of give and take just doesn't interest me. However, I am totally the type of individual who would expand upon it in an obnoxious, passive-aggressive blog post in order to prove my previous point in the end.

Now, whether or not this friend pissed off Mother Nature with his/her obvious snub is still up for debate... ...sort of.

Okay, not really. He/She totally pissed her off and now evidence of her wrath is pooling in my front yard among a gaggle of hillbillies. Thanks a lot anonymous friend whose name may or may not rhyme with Gallison! Sheesh.

Exhibit A
a shot of the street from jenji's driveway









Exhibit B
jenji's redneck neighbors frolic as the water begins to recede








Exhibit C
stupidity is clearly contagious








I'm just sayin', they said it would rain yesterday and they were right.

jenji

Seriously, did you hear something?

What bonds a friendship?

No, Chet...not a hot glue gun covered in Bubbleboy epidermal cells--keep yer unda'pants on already.

It's not Elmer's Glue (unless you're under age 10)

Not staples

Not velcro (that is like, sooo 1986 I could gag)

Not rubberbands

Not even the Randy go-to for sinking ships, Hypoxy.

It's certainly not the fruity, gooey hunk o Hubba Bubba that one has covertly managed to jam under one's chair (you know who you are!)

Hmmm, it's definitely not braiding each others hair and watching American Idol---in Smug Town this is also known as exchanging salt scrubs and watching snails screw (thhhhhannks!)

I decided to ask a glue expert and he suggested various forms of adhesives like:

acrylic adhesive
aerosol adhesive
anaerobic adhesive (and you know how I loathe cardio)
catalyst adhesive
conductive adhesive
cyanoacrylate adhesive
Epoxy
Glue Dots (if they taste like they sound I'll give em a whirl)
Hypoxy (sans the lit cigarette)
Hot Melt adhesive (if this is anything like a Hot Tuna sandwich, I'm out)
mastic adhesive
methacrylate adhesive
silicone adhesive (too easy, no comment)
solvent based adhesive
urethane (No! You're a thane!)
UV Curable (thank God, I'm all out of penicillin)
and finally, water based adhesive

But one would think that sharing a birthday would be enough to bond a friendship--apparently not.

Clearly nothing bonds a friendship like good ol gaffers tape and a gecko.

Thanks for your (you know who you are) pragmatic response during a sticky situation.

jenji