Mad Macedonian

Happy Halloween! A Cat Reveals a Secret

What better day to go public and reveal that I have a genetic inheritance of a most unique nature, than this most spooky of holidays.

People are already freaked out by black cats (Which are freakier than you folks are capable of understanding, trust me on this.) so what's one more feline with a secret? ;-D

I have a variation of what is known, in the Feline Community, as Cheshirism, the most famous Cat with this condition being, of course, The Cheshire Cat, who was immortalized in literature by Lewis Carroll.

The ability to become invisible at will, and being undetected except by others in the Animal Kingdom, and those, in the Human Community, such as Children 12 and under, and those older Humans whose minds are sufficiently infused with a special sense of "Imagination" that allows them to see what others can not, as they had when they were young.

Yes, that is me on the pillow (You can see, by the indentation, that I am there!) and my head is actually next to my little mousey. ;-D

I persuaded Daddy to let me reveal this little secret because I want to do more than just write from the confines of where we live.

If there is some place I want to go, or a story I want to write about, Daddy can accompany me (Yes, yes, HE can see me and your Human might not ever be able to. Tell your Human not to get all stressed out over this lack on his/her part, it isn't worth it trust me on this, too!)

I know I've said I've never been allowed to be an outdoor cat.

Daddy wasn't sure it was wise, considering.

Dogs being such high strung creatures, some with severe cat "issues", letting ME loose in the neighborhood, with my sense of humor and pranksterism...well, use your imagination. ;-D

Not to mention that the only time I spent more than a few minutes outside alone, many years ago, freaked ME out. ;-D

Anyway, I've been working on him for a year, now, and I think he's beginning to come around to the idea that, to take me somewhere, the carrier might not always be needed.

Happy Halloween!

Odd Thoughts That Wander Through My Brain On Halloween

Ever wonder what a Care Bears movie written and directed by Rob Zombie might be like?

Zombie, a life long fan of the horror genre has made quite a name for himself in recent years with his horror films and getting good reviews from respectable reviewers for his efforts.

What if he was hired to re-imagine the world of the Care Bears in an effort, by the studio that owns the property, to re-invigorate the franchise and make it relevant to the more savvy toddler/elementary audience of the 21st century?

There is a very important reason why smart Care Bears don't go out at night.

If Care Bear parents raise their cubs right the little ones learn important lessons that will last them a life time.

But, like children everywhere, some kids never learn.

They laugh off the admonitions of their elders, strutting their bravado in efforts to prove their "coolness"  to their friends.

As often happens this leads to...

a very sad and messy ending.

Happy Halloween! ;-D

(Yes, yes, I know that's a SPRING Bear, not a Care Bear! Call it creative license by an imaginative "director" with a very, very small budget , hee, hee!)

Art Pedroza is Purrrfectly Delightful! Pt. 2

Checking my very own e-mail this morning (One of the perks of being a blogger with  Daddy!) I found this very nice message in response to my post of yesterday:

Sorry Nikita!  I should have noted that you penned the post in question.  You are quite the talented kitty!

My own cat, Tiger, is jealous!  He is not much of a writer, but he is very good at catching things in our yard.  And he is an excellent napper.

Art Pedroza

Orange Juice

Daddy tells me that the news that Mr. Pedroza has a cat for an animal companion may come as a revelation to the many folks in the OC who either dislike the man for his views and activism, or just don't know him.

I think it's pretty cool! ;-D

Art Pedroza is Purrrfectly Delightful!

I spent all day yesterday with a warm and fuzzy feeling all over and no it was not due to an excess of catnip!

The nice man who leads the pack over at Orange Juice honored me by leading off his fire update with excerpts from my post of the other day! ;-D

The Mad Macedonian blog has put up a fantastic post for those of you who are animal lovers, and who have been affected by the So Cal Firestorm.

So Cal Firestorm, Day Eight Update: What about the pets?

Okay, so I was not identified by name as the author of said "fantastic post", but I trust that the discerning readers of Orange Juice will see from the excerpt that they might want to pay attention to the bottom of the original where my name, not Daddy's, appears. ;-D

***UPDATE - 10/30***

Art Pedroza apologizes! ;-D

***END UPDATE***

I See and Hear...People 2

Another trip down memory lane:

Just sit right back and read my tale

The tale of a felon trying to skip

When fleeing the cops

From his car he had to abort.

The witness was a tired unemployed man

The Coppers brave and sure

The bad guy had set off this eve on a vehicle stealing tour

A vehicle stealing tour.

The Police gave chase and things got rough

There was a crash and out a man was tossed

The chase was on as down an alley he flew

And across a yard, and down a street

wobbly legs carried him too

If not for the alertness of a passer-by

The suspect would be lost

The suspect would be lost.

The thief ran around and hopped a wall

While yours truly, seeing the Law,

Raised the alarm and shouted a call

With an officer huffing in pursuit

And half the department too

The miscreant was finally caught

And will be sent away for a long, long while.

My homeland has always been an interesting place to live, though that didn't stop me from leaving it behind.

There I was, minding my own business, walking down a side street around 930pm just a few blocks from home...

When 2 blocks south of me there was a screech of brakes...

Seeing and Hearing The People Around Me

People amaze me sometimes and sometimes they amaze twice in the same encounter!

In the land of my birth there is an express bus that I used to ride.

One rainy night led to an interesting experience.

It was dark and raining and we are on the freeway with headlights and rear lights all around us.

The driver kept the lights in the front section of the bus off, so anyone, like me, in the front, couldn't while away our time reading on the ride home.

He was able to see better that way. Makes sense to me.

Anyway, the guy across from me got up and asks the driver, by name, to turn on the lights so he can read. The driver says no, because it would hamper his vision.

The passenger had a fit and said that he was told if a passenger asks for lights the driver must turn them on. The driver says no lights, and that's final.

As the passenger started to get threatening I told him to quit whining, sit down and count his blessings that, unlike some folks, he can afford to ride this bus everyday. 30 minutes in the dark is a small price to pay.

He gave me a LOOK and sat down and the driver smiled his thanks at me.

30 minutes later we arrive at the passengers stop and as he got off he meekly offers a "no hard feelings" and the driver responds by explaining again why he had to say no.

As we got underway again I looked at the driver and said: Well, I'll be, the guy turns out to be smarter than he appeared to be after all!

Of course it DID take him 30 minutes to wise up. ;-D

Everyone laughed and the driver leaned over and shook my hand. ;-D

Let this story be advanced warning that I, The Mad Macedonian, am out and about dear reader (On foot, on my bike and on the bus.) and you never know if I might be witness to, or participant in, something you say or do, anytime, anywhere...

So, watch this column, to be called “I See and Hear...People.” ;-D

People amaze me sometimes and sometimes they amaze twice in the same encounter!

In the land of my birth there is an express bus that I used to ride.

One rainy night led to an interesting experience.

It was dark and raining and we are on the freeway with headlights and rear lights all around us.

The driver kept the lights in the front section of the bus off, so anyone, like me, in the front, couldn't while away our time reading on the ride home.

He was able to see better that way. Makes sense to me.

Anyway, the guy across from me got up and asks the driver, by name, to turn on the lights so he can read. The driver says no, because it would hamper his vision.

The passenger had a fit and said that he was told if a passenger asks for lights the driver must turn them on. The driver says no lights, and that's final.

As the passenger started to get threatening I told him to quit whining, sit down and count his blessings that, unlike some folks, he can afford to ride this bus everyday. 30 minutes in the dark is a small price to pay.

He gave me a LOOK and sat down and the driver smiled his thanks at me.

30 minutes later we arrive at the passengers stop and as he got off he meekly offers a "no hard feelings" and the driver responds by explaining again why he had to say no.

As we got underway again I looked at the driver and said: Well, I'll be, the guy turns out to be smarter than he appeared to be after all!

Of course it DID take him 30 minutes to wise up. ;-D

Everyone laughed and the driver leaned over and shook my hand. ;-D

Let this story be advanced warning that I, The Mad Macedonian, am out and about dear reader (On foot, on my bike and on the bus.) and you never know if I might be witness to, or participant in, something you say or do, anytime, anywhere...

So, watch this column, to be called “I See and Hear...People.” ;-D

As Fire Engulfs SoCal Animal Companions Need Help

As is well known we cats have 9 lives, but as I watched and read the news this week I shuddered to think of all those cats who may have lost a few, or all of them, to the horror of fire.

Animal Companions and livestock, from Birds to Rabbits and beyond have been affected by this tragedy, and efforts are under way to provide disaster relief:

1. The Ca. Vet Medical Ass.:

With the ferocious wildfires in Southern California and San Diego County, the CVMA wants to assure you that the CVMA Veterinary Disaster Response program is in effect. California veterinary professionals are responding to the wildfires in Southern California and San Diego County and many have contacted the CVMA. Do you need help? Supplies?Staff? Can you offer help? Is your practice taking animals?

Contact the California Vet Medical Ass.

2. Catnip and Carrots is a wonderful website I just learned about while getting in Daddy's way while he read the paper this morning during breakfast. ;-D

If your pets are evacuated due to the devastating wildfires, we are here to help you.

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND!

Please contact us immediately for assistance.

714-290-9104

Their main page is chock full of important stuff during these difficult days:

Info on safety and why you should keep your Animal Companions indoors.

Info on how you can make donations of various kinds.

A list of Evacuation Centers for Animal Companions, and small and large animals of all kinds, and word that many private vets are helping out as well.

Check out Catnip and Carrots for available info.

3. VCA Animal Hospitals Offers Free Boarding for Pets Affected by Southern California Fires: Here is a comprehensive list.

4. Pet connection Blog has several posts worth of news reports and links to resources and info:

10/20: California fires: People and animals in danger

10/23: Southern California fires and disaster readiness

10/24: California fires: How you can help

10/24: California Fires: Businesses, groups step up to help fire victims, pets

10/24: California fires: More on how you can help

10/24: Get your tags on (and chips in, too)

10/25: Thursday update: More information, more help and open thread

5. The Blog of Wayne Pacelle, of the Humane Society of the United States has several stories, and more resources:

10/24: Into the breach

10/25: Beating the blaze

10/25: Talk back - Gratitude and grief

The organization has deployed its Disaster Services Team to assist.

Rescuers Respond to Calls for Help; Veterniary Students Treat Shelter Residents

There is undoubtably more such efforts going on.

Use the comments, or e-mail, to let me know of more.

***UPDATE - 10/27***

Daddy went to Petco, this morning, for food and litter and learned some things.

As usual I "helped" him read the papers during breakfast again, and spotted some new info, too!

1. The Irvine Animal Care Center is taking in small animals and can use supplies to help with animal care.

Call 949-724-7741, or bring items to 6443 Oak Canyon, in Irvine.

2. PETCO is asking its customers to "Help the Pets of the California Wildfires":

In efforts to assist animals affected by the devastating wildfires throughout Southern California, a nationwide Round Up campaign has been implemented at Petco Stores that will run from Wednesday, October 24 through Saturday, November 3.

PETCO customers are encouraged to "round up" their purchases to the next highest dollar. All funds go to alleviating the many challenges the animals and their guardians in Southern California will continue to face.

Here is the Press Release and the webpage where you can watch a video, learn more and even make a donation (Daddy added $4 to his purchase this morning!).

3.  PETSMART is asking its customers to help with donations that will help "PetSmart Charities provide food, crates, litter, beds, and funds for medical supplies and vaccinations."

Here is the Press Release and the webpage where you can watch a video, learn more and even make a donation.

4. SPCA Los Angeles has a program it callS DART (Disaster Animal Response Team) that has sprung into action across Southern California:

DART is spcaLA’s mobile command post and emergency response team for disaster situations, such as fires or earthquakes. The DART program consists of an equipped mobile command center, portable kenneling, horse trailers, field rescue vehicles and trained staff and volunteers.

DART is designed to respond to disaster situations where evacuations are probable or underway.

Learn more, including how to donate, here.

***END UPDATE***

3 Cheers for the Marines!

When I awoke this morning it was foggy.

According to the news a Marine Layer sparked a change in the weather, dealing a blow to the Santa Ana winds and providing some much needed help to the gallant fire fighters in their battles.

Orange Juice has a round-up of the latest news stories about the fires.

The Cycling Dude has a round-up of critical information that cyclists need to know about the health risks of riding under these smoky conditions.

Where there's Smoke, there's Fire: Should You Ride?

Bear Flag League Bloggers on the Fires

Members of the community of Bloggers called the California Bear Flag League have been blogging the fires:

Cal Tech Girl, of Not Exactly Rocket Science, has a Southern California Fire Information Roudup.

Cap'n Bob and the Damsel has a great photo.

Da Goddess, in San Diego, has been posting all weekend, with pics and has packed her belongings and is ready to leave her home at a moments notice.

Darleen's Place, in a canyon in San Bernardino County, is on alert.

Fellow Orange Countian, HolyCoast has been Blogging all weekend, and has some great pictures:

Malibu is Burning!

A Scene of Courage.

Paterico's Pontifications has an interesting article in light of the fires in Malibu.

Fellow Orange Countian Powder Blue Report says "It's A War Zone In Socal."

In San Diego Q and O says "It smells like...burning."

SoCal Pundit says Canyon Country Fire Too Close For Comfort and has several pictures to prove it.

This from Tammy Bruce about a scheduled appearance: Due to Fires, Speech at Pepperdine Postponed.

The Paragraph Farmer, in San Diego, has a NASA satelite photo that is amazing and is " Praying for Southern California."

The Right Coast, in San Diego, has been blogging the fires all weekend.

Web cam on the Harris Fire.

The family unit and I are camped out in a seedy motel in La Mesa, having been evacuated from our lovely home...

Fellow Orange Countian, Window Manager, has this.

Newspapers versus Blogs over Future of Journalism

John Seiler spent 19 years as an editorial writer for the OC Register and he's wondering if  the Orange County Register and its parent company will be sold by the Hoiles family that has owned the paper since 1935.

I remember the paper expending a lot of ink celebrating its long history, a while back, and found this essay quite interesting.

He feels that the "New Media", including blogging, "not only are the future, but the present, of the news business."

He finds comparisons in the problems of the NY Times, and Freedom Communications.

I, for one, hope that his notion that "Newspapers will be remembered nostalgically" will be proven wrong.

As much as I rely on the internet news sites, blogs and FOX News on cable, for my news, being a lifelong book lover and reader, I strongly believe that, as with a good book (the more pages the better!), there is nothing like sitting down with the newspaper, especially with the hefty sunday edition.

In this last regard I agree with Thomas Anthony Gordon, of Orange Juice (Thanks for spreading the word about this story!).

The place of newspapers in our daily lives is evolving, there is no doubt, but I believe it will not disappear completely.

If you want to understand why I believe this then you owe it to yourself to read this book.

It is the story of the "Bloggers" of the founding century of our nation, the "rowdy beginnings of American Journalism", and how it adapted and evolved, especially between the end of the War of Independence and the death, in a famous duel with Aaron Burr, of a co-founder of the New York Post (Yes, THAT New York Post!)...

the incomparable Alexander Hamilton, in 1804.

When you read these books you will thrill to the discovery that not only was a he politician, but he  was also one of the most outspoken and partisan journalists of his day. 

Read: Newspapers’ decline: Will the Orange County Register and its parent company be sold?

***UPDATE - 11AM***

There is a column, on the California City News Blog (Now listed in the sidebar!),  by Frank Simpson of Petaluma 360, dealing with the role of bloggers and their impact in the media world.

There are, of course, many types of bloggers covering many topics.  Just look at the variety of bloggers on Petaluma 360 alone.

A few weeks ago, someone forwarded a blog link talking about the role of "political bloggers" in today's society. "Local Political Blogs are Here to Stay"
 
Frankly, it caught me off guard -- Me! A political blogger?

I am still mulling it over...not really comfortable with the appellation.

One observation he makes is a really powerful one:

One aspect of using the Internet to communicate, whether it is by blogging or web pages, does warrant special mention--the digital camera. In a manner of minutes (dare I say seconds?) a photo can be online generating comments and e-mails from around the world.  It still gives me pause...

I love my camera!

My Camera is my friend! ;-D

Read - Guest Column: I didn't mean to do it! It was an accident...Stop me before I blog again!

***END UPDATE***

I am still mulling it over...not really comfortable with the appellation.