12 July 2009

Decisions, Decisions

"Have you decided what name you're going to call her?"

I've heard that ... a few times ... already, but the kitteh has yet to inform me. And, as "Old Possum" himself told us (and Andrew Lloyd Webber reminded):

The Naming of Cats

The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn't just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.
First of all, there's the name that the family use daily,
Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,
Such as Victor or Jonathan, or George or Bill Bailey -
All of them sensible everyday names.
There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames:
Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter -
But all of them sensible everyday names.
But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?
Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum -
Names that never belong to more than one cat.
But above and beyond there's still one name left over,
And that is the name that you never will guess;
The name that no human research can discover -
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.
When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular Name.
T.S. Eliot, Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats

The first name that comes to mind (besides Li'l Bit, and as Jen points out, that name might sound odd if the kitten turns into a Big Ole Cat) is "Polly", because, well look:

This appears to be her favorite place, all things being equal. Although the back of the sofa (another up-high spot) is also good, it seems.

More possibilities -- and hopefully a decision -- to come soon.

11 July 2009

She Who Has Yet To Be Named

My teaching gig is growing; today I started a new, bi-weekly, class at a local business -- the class arranged through the Centro Multicultural. It's a small group, the folks who work at the business, and it is a beginners' level conversational English class. I was a bit nervous about it, because they speak little English and I speak little Spanish (although I'm working on that, too).

But it turned out well, as in most classes of any type, there are those who are more advanced, in this case one student who assisted me in translating for those who aren't as far along.

Also, I'll be starting another Level III (intermediate-upper intermediate) class next Monday (the 20th), so... more hours, more pay, yay!

But that's not what this post is about. This post is about the Great Thanksgiving Massacree... no, wait. It's not about that, either. It's about what happened after the class. Oh. And it's about today is my birthday. Did I mention that?

Jen (and the girls) had dropped me off at the class, and then came to pick me up after. And Jen said she wanted to take me somewhere "for about an hour or so" for my birthday. I was intrigued, as one doesn't often get taken somewhere. So we dropped the girls off with their dad for a while, and then down the road a bit... to the local no kill shelter! And Jen said, "Would you like a kitty for your birthday?"

Well, does the Pope want a little wine with Mass? Do Republicans want a little hypocrisy with breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack/every iota of their being?... Where was I?

Oh, right!!

I got a kitteh for my birthday!!!!!

This is her, just after we picked her from the dozen or so kitties. When Jen and I walked into the kitty room, she ran over to me and started kneading my shoe with her front feet. We looked around, but I was pretty much hooked at first glance/knead.

You can see that she still has the zip tie ID tag that all the kitties have. The shelter is really cool, and even has a website (in English, to boot!)

Here she is when we got her home after her spaying. She was still groggy from surgery when I took that, but since then she has recovered her spunky, playful self.* The deal with the shelter is that adoption is free, with a ¢3000 (about $6) donation suggested, and the will spay (or neuter, as appropriate) the animal before you take it home.

As you can see, she's just a Li'l Bit o' Kitteh, and she has yet to let me know her name -- although there are a couple that may be in the running. So for now, I'm calling her Li'l Bit or ... She Who Has Yet To Be Named. Kinda like a Voldekitteh for you Harry Potter fans. Stay tuned for more on these exciting developments, and now I leave you for... cake!!! (chocolate with peanut butter icing -- YUMMY!!!)

*SWHYTBN has already played with string, yarn, paper balls, and tried to scoot out the front door -- twice.

10 July 2009

De-Limmanated

Regarding yesterday's post (what? you don't need a link, it's right below this one), I have figgered out that Teh Google, outside the USofA, must use GMT as their time. Makes sense, they have to choose somewhere, and that is, literally, "Mean Time" -- the world standard.

So, that's six hours ahead of here (no DST in Costa Rica), so when I noticed the Nikola Tesla graphic, it was already Friday in Greenwich.

So Google and Wiki were actually in agreement. I know you'll all sleep better tonight knowing that the conundrum of The Two All-Knowing Sites Disagreeing is solved.

09 July 2009

I'm All Delimmanated, But I'm Still A-postin' It

According to Teh Google, it's Nikola Tesla's birthday, so they've got this image:


However, according to Wikipedia, his birthday is tomorrow.

So, whichever, he was a visionary scientist (but couldn't take care of finances to save his hide) who doesn't really get the respect he deserves.


"This publicity photo taken at Colorado Springs was a double exposure. Tesla posed with his 'magnifying transmitter' capable of producing millions of volts of electricity. The discharge shown is twenty-two feet in length."
(photo and text via PBS online)

Happy 153rd Birthday, Mr. Tesla, today or tomorrow!!

08 July 2009

Quote of the Day

[Obama] never got asked tough questions about his radical friends and associates, except by me and others. -- Sean "Toe The Line" Hannity, complaining about the unfair treatment of Sarah Palin (video at link!).

So, Obama wasn't asked any tough questions, except when he was. Got it.

The Results Are In!

And, accordingly, I am a bad influence. w00t!!



As you can see, that's 12 votes yes, 3 votes no, and 4 votes couldn't be bothered to figure out what the poll was. The people have spoken!!

I promise to use my powers only as they are intended.

07 July 2009

As Promised...

The long-awaited and much-promised video that I shot on the way back from Siquirres last Thursday, as we passed through the Braulio Carillo National Park.

video

And a couple more photos:



06 July 2009

Best Laid Plans....

So I've got a short bit of video that I shot on the way back from Siquirres the other day, but I've got to find and install a movie (format) converter before I can upload it here.

Bummer, but also gives y'all something to look forward to. :)

05 July 2009

Holy Crap, That Was A Big Ass 'Splosion


It's a sad (and unfortunately not unusual) post-4th article, but whoever wrote that headline needs... help.

04 July 2009

Promises, Promises...

I'll post more tomorrow and tell you more about the trip.

Yes, that was me, two days ago. But then somebody had a birthday, and today was the Fourth of July and we went over to some friends' for hamburgers, hot dogs, even more chocolate birthday cake and homemade ice cream -- the food was so good that we've got a crock pot full of chili that we started this morning and we don't want any (that just means it'll be better tomorrow), and...

Well, the point is, I am gonna post more about my excursion... just not tonight.

The Doctor calls (Jen has now met David Tennant, and we're about to visit New Earth for the first time).

Happy Birfday, Murrika!!!

03 July 2009

I'm Given To Understand That Today Is Somehow Special

Happy Birthday to my soulmate and Darlin'!! A gentleman never talks about a woman's age, but if she herself does so....

Here's wishing you many, many happy years to come!

Love you, Jen!

Teh Forecast

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