Molly... 1995 - 1 May, 2011

Molly liked the waterbed.

Molly, born sometime 1995 (or 1994 -- according to vet chart) 
Went peacefully with assistance at 1:45 pm.  She was responsive up to the end.
(She was suffering from heart/kidney failure.) 
She spent the morning taking sun on the porch with me... before her appointment. 

(Saido and Pippi went with me to say goodby...)

even A box... makes a good sleeping spot

Clean Laundry, the best...

Molly,  
Was a lady and a diplomat.  
She'd walk up to any new cat (or dog) and buzz right on by and sit down...
Would sit in the window and make the cat "chatter" sound at birds.
Was always clean and fastidious.  Period.  It wasn't an option.
From the first time I met her, would come up and "greet" me when I lay down on the bed by climbing on top of my chest; give me five minutes of PURRR,and then move off.  (You've had your allotment for the day)...
Would share her food with  other cats.  She'd always back off with some left in the bowl and see who else was hungry... but she definitely was queen of the household; no confusion about that!
Loved Chicken, Tuna and Salmon; especially sashimi grade.
Survived hyperthyroid and radiation treatment with radioactive Iodine (for about 5 years?), so briefly she WAS a glow-in-the-dark kitty.


Always was willing to share a little love.

(she, baby and MR Taffy are hopefully all taking 'tea' together...)
...


I miss her.  

Remembering Baby, (sometime 1994) - April 24, 2011 rest in peace

About 2008 timeframe, a very good friend of mine entrusted me with the care of his cat Baby

She was born  sometime 1994 (we think); and quickly established herself as an independent and yet graceful member of the household.

She had a distinctive Siamese tone to her voice, and used it often to communicate her opinions, wishes and whatever side commentary she felt appropriate.  I could carry on an entire conversation with her, she would respond back at the appropriate times when I paused and it really did sound like she was listening.

When my friend and I went to get her, she was perched ABOVE the mailboxes in the entry to his condo complex; about 10-15 feet in the air... on a set of 4x4 roof beams.  I'm glad that she made it so easy to get her; I don't think I could have climbed up there!

As far as I know, she never sprayed indoors, never picked a fight, and would warn you endlessly that she was "going to get mad"... long before she had any need to actually do anything about it.  Baby came when I called (and not just because there was food!); and on her own terms would jump in your lap for a cuddle and a nap.  One night, she climbed in to my Mom's lap; and just stayed there comfortably purring... and my poor Mom was so taken that she sat still with her for at least a hour or two more than she had any plan.

Baby got sick (classic renal? failure) and went fairly quickly and dramatically a couple days ago.  I couldn't find her the evening before, and one of my roommates woke me to tell me she could hear something.  I got Baby out from under the couch where she was hiding, and held her pretty much until the end.  

I couldn't write anything, I was still feeling it.  I still do.

... April 24, 2011. I think she died in my arms.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1959398433609&set=a.1959398233604.2119139.1502225046&type=1&theater

the economy and consulting (a whine)

The fun continues; 

1. Last year, I had a room-mate call the police because I started eviction proceedings... and as a result I was a guest of Devonshire (where I saw my ex-boss's sister -- she is a Detective), and then Van Nuys...   

Not exactly a steller recommendation if I wanted to keep my reputation as a good guy intact.

The court eventually (3 months later) dismissed all charges; but the damage was done anyway... (bail, lawyer time, etc).

2. Since January of last year; I've been stiffed on consulting gigs almost as often as I get them... whether it's that they never intended to pay or we just couldn't resolve the differences (some of each), and that doesn't help my finances...  One guy would never give me real contact information, just a cellphone and a email address (should have figured that one out on my own).  Another, just upset because the website didn't come in under budget and really wasn't as well crafted as we'd all like...

3. Meanwhile, I was *briefly* employed by  a phone company in Glendale where the principal software architect (who had worked for one of my other reference companies  as a consultant); informed me that a the word was that I was (a) a nice guy, (b) completely incompetent and (c) so junior as to be nearly useless... (paraphrasing).  Since my references from there ... don't operate that way (or at least I thought so); I am stuck on how to repair that kind of reference.  I have an idea who would have stabbed me that hard... if true, but then again... no-one really knows.

Meanwhile I'm trying to re-invent myself in some fashion where I actually get paid to do work.

I worked Dec-January for a computer store in the valley as a consultant - troubleshooter, going out to the client sites to do finish work on camera installs and other networking; but they're having issues (and again... I'm not really getting paid much)... so that does not work.

4. Then... This month I had to evict (yet another) roommate who had resulted in two police calls; and the other gal who was rooming with her is moving to Hollywood to be a recording engineer.  (As soon as she can find a way)...  

But I have a positive mental outlook.  I just wish that I wasn't getting so many chances to excel...

And then there were three...

Roommates and landlord(s) that is.  (I hate it when I can't get the tenses to come out -- grin).
In July of last year (2010) I had the unfortunate experience of discovering how dangerous a person can be when they hold malice; or worse yet cannot think through the consequences.  And wisely she went elsewhere, not my problem.

So what do I do?  I go and acquire another one... I get two new roommates in October?, and one of them had some appropriate control of temper issues.

It's unfortunate that the gal who just left could not control her anger.  She becomes enraged, projecting faults onto everyone around her (but obviously NOT HER).  So, a month and change ago, we had a small incident where police were called and she got warned.  Specifically, if she blew again she would be asked to leave.  I don't have time or interest in being that paranoid and careful at home... where I am supposed to be safe.

When she repeated her pattern today getting progressively more and more abusive and hinting at violence...  she got asked to leave.  And I had just driven across the valley to get her and her friend.

So, she ended up moving out today escorted by the Police... who I am sure have better things to do; but are interested in keeping the peace!  and not having to write a report involving injuries and death.

Yay.  Now that the stress of that is over .... how do I pay the bills?

The grind

Celgene To Buy Abraxis BioScience For $2.9 Bln...
So what's the problem?

My gf works there; and is losing her job...  as are countless others.  You see, they wanted the science but not the people.  Yay.
American Innovation:  Improving the job market and the economy by dumping one successful company (and the people employed therein) at a time...

 -- and it isn't making her feel wanted or happy.

Would you be happy?

And meanwhile I'm still underemployed.  (We'll gladly pay you Thursday for a Hamburger Today)...
How the hell am I supposed to be supportive?

negativiity

One of my worst failings; is hoping for the best and planning for the worst.
In this case, I've got now (*three*) gigs this year that refused to pay me; and that either speaks to my reputation or to the fact that I haven't staked anyone out in the Nevada desert recently...

I've got two roomates (out of three) who cannot seem to get it together financially; like --- you know the rent is due on the first, not the 29 th)...  and one who so far has paid pretty much on time, and cleans up after herself.

And I have a gig with a computer store in Reseda/Northridge where the owner is doing the Whimpy-hamburger thing ... you know 'I'll gladly pay you Thursday for a Hamburger today"...

But I need cash dammit.  Between mortage, HELOC (thanks a lot Karyn for suggesting it), and credit card rates  on emergency expenses (Diane McK and Alivia A. Hu...)  I've got an additional three grand in high interest.

And no quick solutions.


yay.

OR as my good friend Kelly would say...

That's Great...

-

life.

and wait... there's more...

So... another month of non-payday's go by; and I land another fly-by-night gig.

 "Certainly the game is rigged, but if you don't bet, you can't win" -- Robert A. Heinlein

"And all cats are NOT grey after midnight.  Endless variety" -- Robert again.

It would be good to get paid.  Just to mark a diference from
1. Hitachi Consulting - aka - Robert "Bobby" B******  -- scofflaw
2. LWA  -- but that ship has sailed.
3. Mts --- aka myS*****M*****

but I digress...

Next time, I hold the towel out of reach.