Corner of Bourbon & Division

Sporadic Life Update #75

So life proceeds apace. Just got back from a mini-roadtrip to New Brunswick with my colleague J, which was equal parts fun and frustration, mostly because she turned out to be a slightly passive-aggressive kind of travelling companion. Overall, though, it was a really good time, and the GSCVO handled the road beautifully AND had fantastic gas mileage.

Work is work. The schedule is still wreaking havoc with what little social life I have, but is otherwise pretty good. I'm not being totally overworked, which is a nice change of pace.

We've had some unpleasantness over the past few months due to the possibility of permanent positions opening up. We are 14 temporary operators vying for six job openings, and while some of us (like myself) are being reasonably zen about the whole process, others have taken it upon themselves to make things as unpleasant as humanly possible. Even though the process of filling the permanent positions is pretty much an objective one (everyone has to pass through two evaluations, one written and one oral, which are graded by one senior staff member and one HR person who's entirely impartial), these people have decided that they will be best served by trying to undermine their colleagues in any way they can think of. It's really very unfortunate, and has made the atmosphere around here pretty tense. I'm lucky enough that my 12-hour schedule keeps me mostly out of the way of said unpleasant people, which is good all-around.

It does, however, motivate me even more to keep working toward my goal of becoming a regular member. I'm not deluding myself that there won't be other problems in other jobs, but at least I'd be paid more. ;)

Lots of other minor work-related things, which I may go into in depth at some future date.


I came home from my trip to a very sick cat. Gretzky's been feeling poorly for a while now, but she took a sharp turn for the worse when I was gone. So we hied ourselves to the vet today, where I found out that my beloved vet is on maternity leave, leaving me to deal with the evil vet who accused me of wanting my cat to suffer back in the day. Evil vet redeemed himself by A) being polite and respectful, B) telling me how beautiful my cat was, and C) not trying to sell me any ridiculously expensive procedures on my cat.

Gretzky got poked and prodded, injected with antibiotics, injected with a whole lot of saline solution to rehydrate her, and even got her claws clipped since she won't let me near her paws anymore and her claws were threatening to grow right into the pads of her feet. The possibly-not-evil vet cleaned her up, talked nicely to her, and let me hold her while he did undignified things to her so she wouldn't be too traumatized.

We got home after two hours, and she's already looking much better, and seems perkier. So all is well in the feline world.

I then got called in for an emergency night shift at work, which is where I am now, sneaking onto the internet. Bad Phnee! ;) I am tired and mostly braindead, so I'm hoping they don't hold it against me too much.

In other news, the date for Capricornucopia has been set: January 15th. Mark your calendars. :)

I have to take Gretzky to the vet. The poor girl has yet another upper respiratory thing, and it looks like it's affecting at least one of her eyes. I'm pretty sure she's lost a lot of weight recently, too.

My baby's getting old.

Okay, the title is a lie, but it's been a while since I updated with anything other than whining about the fact that my head hurt. So!

Life has been proceeding apace. While it seems it's a hard winter for everyone (media sources say 70% less sun than the national average this year! GAH!), the St. John's Wort is helping me get up and get out the door every day, and that's a Very Good Thing™.

The rest of my life is being taken up by work and going to the gym, occasionally seeing people (veeeery occasionally, alas), and generally keeping out of trouble.

Supernatural started up again on Thursday with a new episode, and there was much squeeing and bouncing until about the halfway mark of the episode, when it kind of turned a little "meh." Still, it was a pretty decent episode, just not earth-shattering and annoyingly didn't resolve anything at all (I was sort of hoping for progress on a meta level. Oh well. Maybe next time.)

Basically, I've come to the conclusion that I need to just roll with the whole low-energy thing this winter. If that's how it is, that's how it is. I am going to stop feeling as though I'm letting down the universe just because I'm not a whirlwind of sociability. Seriously, Phnee, the universe will survive just fine without you there to prop it up. :P

So I'm doing the bare minimum to keep functioning and keep myself in a good headspace. I get plenty of sleep, see friends when I can (all alone time and no friends makes Phnee go crazy!), and go to the gym. The gym is a two-fold blessing: 1) regular exercise helps keep me on an even keel, and 2) I am doing SUPER well. I can totally bench press 100lbs now, and I am SO PROUD!

The cats have been like VELCRO lately. I've had a bit of extra time off from work (long story, don't ask, and I'm totally paying for it in February), and when I'm home they glom onto me like alien face huggers. Especially Pan-Pan, who has been doing his level best to actually graft himself to my person. It's been a painful if very loving experience.

Yeah, that's about it. I've been reading e.e. cummings and fanfic, and am contemplating picking up the latest Harry Dresden novel sooner rather than later. It ought to be in paperback by now, if memory serves. Part of me is considering picking up a big juicy classic in February, too, if only for a change of pace away from genre fiction.

So, how's everyone been?

George has developed a new complex/neurosis in which he likes having me around to eat. I don't have to be there the whole time, but I do have to go with him to the kitchen before he'll settle in front of his dish.

I am reminded of toughlovemuse walking her Jake to his dish, and somehow the whole process makes me both amused and sad.

George may be a pampered princess, but I think that, in the end, I would regret not taking the time to walk him to his dish. It seems like such a small concession.

Of course, right now I'm feeling less sentimental about the whole process because he just puked at my feet.

Ah, love. :P

So I'm sitting on the sofa, and Pan-Pan has taken up his favourite position on the back of the sofa behind my head. The next thing I know, in an attempt to shift positions Pan-Pan has rolled off the sofa and landed with a huge thump! on the floor and is now looking up at me with an offended expression.

*snerk*

At this rate, the whole household will have bruises.

George wishes it to be known that he is The Saddest Cat In The Universe™.

Just so you're aware.

Life with me is a pit of suffering, despair, and angst. He's been HOWLING all morning.

Cats.

I am surrounded by sleeping cats. It's nice. :)

Caramon, better known to most as Snooch from "Two Lumps" passed away on Wednesday.

Damn.

Thunderstorms and hail! Just what I needed for a day's worth of running errands. Eesh.

Got a new microwave on sale. Yay! Put the other one out with a "Free (needs repair)" sign, so caveat emptor and all that. Replaced the defective water fountain, but haven't tried to put it together yet.

Am off to bring dry cleaning and to visit IKEA for storage stuff. Am being mauled by Pan-Pan, who has decided there is not enough love in his life. Clearly I neglect him cruelly and never give him pats or love.

Picked up a gallon of paint for the bedroom, too. Not too shabby for an afternoon's work.

I am amusing myself by poking George awake every ten minutes or so. He is a grumpy cat now.

Hah.