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In defense of our cats

A loyal reader recently wrote:


Your blog said: Sunday night we got one by the cat food

You mean your cats can’t catch these mice??? Do they try?

Yes, it’s true – our cats have been completely ineffective in keeping our house pest free. However, it’s not really their fault. Ming, who is 14 years old, is blind in one eye and nearly deaf. Nietzsche is 15 years old and has arthritis. They are essentially just grumpy, old cats at this point in their lives and definitely no longer mouser material.

When Tina and I got married in New Mexico, Nietzsche was not yet a year old but proved to be an excellent mouser. He caught at least two in the short time that we stayed at Jan and Tom’s house and even left one on our pillow for us one night! Those days are long gone now, but they both enjoyed when I let them check out our most recently trapped mouse this morning. More on that later.

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Former NBA player John Amaechi is gay

Amaechi announced it prior to the release of his book, “Man in the Middle,” which details his experiences in the NBA. Henry Abbott, over at TrueHoop wrote an excellent and incisive article that not only deals with homosexuality in sports but talks about the larger societal picture. It’s really a must-read. Here’s a couple of excellent points he makes:

  • “I’m of the opinion that everyone in this world should be able to conduct themselves with pride.”
  • “You know that open season on homosexuality is coming to an end sooner or later. I don’t see much point in hanging on the tired ways of ignorant yesteryear much longer.”
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Snap!

This morning I followed my usual routine before departing for work:

  • Wake
  • Shower
  • Dress
  • Check email

While performing the last task, I heard a loud “SNAP” which was definitely in close proximity to my office. I peeked around the corner by the CD shelf and saw that the mouse trap there was now upside down, but appeared to be empty. I picked it up to reset it only to find that it was not empty. A very small mouse was twitching and expelling its dying breath. I set it down and returned to my office to finish reading email. After a few minutes I returned to the trap and found that the mouse was dead.

Sunday I repositioned all the traps and it has proven to be a good idea. Sunday night we got one by the cat food and now this one by my office.

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Morning Bike Commute

Distance: 5.1 miles
Riding time: 30 minutes
Max speed: 17.8 mph
Average speed: 10.1 mph
Temperature: 50º
Route:

  • 162nd to Halsey
  • Halsey to Gateway Transit Center
  • MAX to Skidmore Fountain
  • Zig-zag to Broadway
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Vital Statistics

Bike odometer: 622 miles
Weight lost: 53 lbs. (fixed 2/7 – bad math)
Hours of sleep last night: 11!
Hours billed last week: 35
Current reading: The Prince by Machiavelli, 2107 Curious Word Origins, Says & Expressions by Charles Earle Funk, 7 Seconds or Less by Jack McCallum
Recent listening: DrugMusic, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joe Walsh
Recent viewing: My Name Is Earl, The Office, High Stakes Poker, Saturday Night Live, Sportscenter, Countdown, Power Fuse, Super Bowl
Recent playing: Bust-A-Move, Castle Smasher
Recently accomplished: Updated personal wiki, renewed prescription, called mechanic (van is done), re-positioned mouse traps, groceries, cleaned office, paid bills
Imperative To Do: RMA old Tivo drive, pickup van from mechanic, vacuum van carpet, pay bills