On Cats and Light
Who would have thought I'd be happier than I've ever been, living and working in an area I've tried my best to leave?
It happens. I still have an axe over my head at ** where I work, but that's just a fact of life I accept. If you have to go to work every day, this is one of the better places to go. I'm not terribly busy most of the time, so all I have to do is show up and look pretty. This gives me time to work on my second source of income, or Plan B as I like to call it. I've been writing radio scripts for some Pretty. Big. Companies. Tylenol, Sara Lee, HP. It give me a chance to be creative - something that's anathema here - and they pay me handsomely. No, they pay me Prince Charmingly. This affords me a life rather than just paying bills. I have a horse; I've participated in two local shows so far this summer. I take Krav Maga twice a week which hopefully will turn me into a lean, mean fighting machine. I've already got the Mean part down pat.
And the cat, Max, is establishing himself well in the household. I call him "Love Beast" because he's the biggest baby. He likes to sleep next to me as close as he can get, resting his head on my leg, and throwing one of his little arms around it as well. It's July in central Pennsylvania and I can't tolerate this for too long, but it IS sweet. My darling Julius used to do the same thing.
New Cat Update
The cat has finally been named, a good 2 months after he arrived. His name was Rad and I hated that. I went through Byron, Nero, Atticus and others and finally settled on Maximus, or Max for short.
I was on a Roman name kick with my darling Julius, and have continued it with this cat.
In case I didn't mention it, I posted about the death of my cat Bizzy on Salon.com. It was a treacly piece of drivel, but it earned me a "best post" nod anyway.
A New Cat In The Family
A few weeks ago, someone at the office sent out a company-wide email that his cat needed a home. Seems he was moving in with his girlfriend and it would have cost $300 in a pet deposit plus $25 extra a month to take the cat with him. The girlfriend also has two small kids, and the guy was concerned about them and the cat.
I don't get people who treat their animals as disposable, but I told the guy if no one else stepped up to take the cat I would.
No one else did, and I now have a new cat. It's a little soon after putting my darling Bizzy down because of lymphoma, but all my cats have been rescues. We'll have to see how this one goes. I said I'd take him sight unseen.
He's a beautiful cat. All black with the biggest gold eyes. He looks like a panther and he's a friendly guy. A little out of sorts right now, which is to be expected. I'm a good cat owner though and he'll have all the space and time he needs to adjust.
After that, I want a kitten. I've never had a kitten, and I really would like one.
Things Can Change In A Heartbeat
So, in the continuing of All My Paranoia, life has picked up considerably. I'm busy, productive and on a new assignment that's really changed everything for me. It's called Search Engine Optimization, which is all about copy. It's an exacting form, not unlike haiku, which is the only poetic form I'll attempt. I also like playing sonatas for the same reason - a strict form in which you can create something magnificent. Go listen to Beethoven's Appassionata Sonata some time if you don't believe me. The 1st Movement is spectacular with a form as strict iambic pentameter.
No, I'm Safe, At Least For Now
I've been the model corporate citizen lately. Productive, proactive, personable, punctual (mostly). I think whatever was going on has perhaps been put off, at least for now. However, it would still be wise to escalate Plan B. With all I've learned here lately, I could probably ramp up my freelance biz again and make it more lucrative this time around.
Then Again...
This may be my last hurrah before getting fired. Stay tuned.
Reprieve - There IS Light
So I have a meeting with my manager today and we're starting an effort of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) which is copy and copy only! Joy of joys. Really!
This place actually does suprise me, and usually on the positive side. I have a cynical view of things.
It wouldn't have been a bad thing, either way. But it's infinitely better to stay employed - at both my jobs.
