I wanted to make CF and his trusty companion Box Cat. It took me ages to figure out how I was going to do a box. It's not edible unfortunately. I made an origami box out of a box color lined paper. It doesn't have a bottom so you can just lift it off and get to the treats inside.

Box Cat has a side of smoked ham tortellini with pesto sauce. Face cat is flying through the air with tomato balloons, salad and some broccoli. It was another fun one! I just wish I had more time to work on it. Detailed ones I probably shouldn't try doing on a work night. Enjoy!

His

Mine

I also am in the process of a blog re-design. It's looking a little less 90s now. Make sure you refresh if you still have the blue background, etc. Snow is trying to work on the server so comments are allowed/safe. Feel free to email me naku(at)naku.org if you have any comments or questions though. ^_^

mine

snow's

The nest is made of fine egg noodles with Hoisin and garlic sauce, ginger, soy and crushed up cashews. Snow took the left over noodles for a test drive in his belly and said they were really delicious! The chicks are small onigiri with sweet scrambled egg, carrot beaks and nori eyes. The rolls are turkey, ham and cheese rolled in a tortilla and some lightly blanched broccoli with sesame seeds.

I really loved making these boxes. I'm pleased with how they turned out! I really hope my nori punches arrive in the mail this week. Trying to cut out tiny eyes is really painstaking.

<3

Seeing as tomorrow is snow's last day of work at the orc prison to follow his dreams of harvesting unicorn sparkles (consult full time)... I thought it would be appropriate to make him an onigiri with this face:

Tonight was supposed to be a speedy bento night, but I wanted to try the nori faces. It's fun and difficult/annoying at the same time! I'm already formulating ideas for really nice boxes, but I'll have to sketch them out first. This one is similar to the boxes we had today, but I added some more substance aka: meat to them. Mainly because I think some of the co-workers will want to drag him off for last day at the office drinks and I don't want the world spinning for him. Salad lunches will do that to you.

I ordered some more gadgets and tidbits from jlist tonight. I should not be allowed to go on that site. Luckily snow is happy to support my new obsession hobby so he doesn't mind me getting the fun tools required.

Speaking of obsession, I had a dream last night that we had some Japanese neighbors living in a secret part of a new house we apparently purchased. I wandered into this section of the house and thought it was ours and we had a second kitchen! I was totally over the moon as they say here. I prepared the most amazing bento for snow and put it in the fridge in the secret kitchen.

In the morning, I went to get the box out for him and the neighbors screamed at me that I was in their house. I didn't realize and got a terrible fright. I tried to explain and told them I needed the bento from the ice box. I looked in and it was GONE! *doom* THEY ATE IT!

In the dream it seemed like my world ended. In this same dream, Yuki escaped into the forest and was being chased by a polar bear. I was trying to assist. Cue too much Lost for me.

<3

I've decided to take up bento making as a hobby. I bought my first rice cooker and gave some onigiri a whirl tonight. Not too hard surprisingly! I ordered a bunch of molds and cutters to make really nice looking boxes, but it hasn't arrived yet. It's a super simple one, but it was my first go and I just wanted to try and get the rice correct.

Very basic plain onigiri with sesame and pine nuts mixed in, with salad and some fruit. I also put a little too much lettuce and it was a bit full. I'm sure it'll wilt and be closed by tomorrow. Someone also commented that it looked like a Henry hoover and I'm not sure I like the idea of eating out of a vacuum cleaner. Blech. New boxes should arrive shortly I hope.

I'm going to try and make some really good ones for snow to take to work. I'm sure none of his colleagues will laugh at him for eating a Pikachu rice ball.

*advance to this evening*

I got our new boxes in the mail today! I made us his/hers bentos for lunch tomorrow. I'm still getting used to all the things and gadgets so they take me a while. I'm much better at making the onigiri and tried a few different kinds. I've made some with tuna and some with beef and ginger. So far, I like the plain ones the best with some sesame seeds and black pepper. Nom nom nom!

His

Mine

Romantical lunch!

These have plain onigiri with red pepper hearts, assorted salad and a small cheese and cucumber triangle sammich. The hearts and stars are a mixture of carrots and different kinds of cheese. Filling the tiny fish bottles with soy sauce was interesting. I'm definitely hoping I get faster at making these. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and the stuff is going to go off before I close the boxes and get them in the fridge at this rate. >_<; It's so much fun though. Healthy, cheap and artistic fun! Hooray!

[Enter the Garkie]

In response to your latest blog post that I couldn't respond to:

It was truly a beautiful wedding, I'm fortunate I got the opportunity to attend. Becca and I enjoyed ourselves very much. In some cases a bit too much. We probably BOTH could have done with quite a bit less alcohol, lol. Bad Tequila... Vlad, it may take a while for me to do something about that bottle man, a good long while. It's a shame Madsen couldn't be there, I was looking forward to meeting him, and gettin a good leg romp in. But oh well, everything went off without a hitch as far as I could tell and I suppose if something HAD to go wrong, then someone I didn't know 'personally' not being able to make it was probably the lesser of possible evils. So it works out! :D

In fact, I'd have to say my ONLY complaint with the marriage, is this blog, I mean come on... Everyone else gets a cute pic, and I'm stuck makin' a face!? I bring you GOLD by coming forth with a full head of hair that could rival some GODS ... and we focus on my funny face!?

... FINE!! (Just kiddin, of course. Gotta complain about something :p) Aing and Snow got to "pose" for their pictures... jeez. That's right Snow... I'm onto you guys, I know full well that was a pose!!!

*cough* I digress....

It was a beautiful ceremony that took you guys far too long to have. Thanks though, in taking that long to tie the knot you an Drew bought me another two years on my "Time Limit", LOL. :D I don't intend to use it, but knowing it's there is re-assuring, lol.

I wish the best to the both of you throughout your new lives together. You two have bent over backwards for one another, compromised for the situation of the other on countless occasions, and have even seen the other through major sickness and surgery. In fact, I'm willing to bet you could give some 40th Anniversary couples a decent run for their money.

Now, before you go misreading that to mean you got old too fast, I simply meant you both have already been 'truly' tried and tested, and passed. Yours is a marriage that needs no foundation built. It's been built, it's even weathered a few major storms, and it's obviously made of the right stuff!

It was a memorable and beautiful day, and quite honestly, it's one of the few marriages I've had the pleasure of attending that I can look at and "know" it's Golden and going to last forever.

Congratulations on the two of you finally tyin' the knot!!

P.s. So whens the European version of the wedding taking place? You know the one with Faeries and Druids and stuff and everyone dances naked around giant rocks with pan flutes...
... what, you mean they don't do that?? Odd...

I traveled to the US two weeks prior to the event to do the obligatory bride prep work. Jumping Jeezy my Mom was awesome. She sat up with me watching silly US television and tying bows and cutting ribbon and working every night until after midnight to get things ready. I ordered these amazing chocolate covered fortune cookies with custom sayings such as, "Filet Mignon means Wookie loin in twi'lek" which was only funny to us since almost EVERYONE going to the reception ordered the Filet. We put them in these little black take-away boxes and put silver heart charms on each one and a white bow. It took like three days to put those bad boys together. Well worth it, they looked really pretty.

So, the snowy flew out a week later. We went in to apply for our marriage license which was hilarious since the very large Berks county woman looked at us like we just landed from the moon when we told her we lived on the "Isle of Man". I was skeptical, but three days later, sure enough they granted us the legal right to say "OMGIDO!!!11one"

*side note: This last week had many extremely pleasant blasts from the past, so in honor I'm listening to AFI: Sing the Sorrow... and you should too. It's old but SO fun ;)

Right... Not sure everyone knew the logistics of this shin-dig but it was hell on Earth organizing everything. I mean that in a playful way of course... Like a tickle hell, not a hell of boiling oil. We had people flying in from: Mexico, Ireland, Scotland, Africa, Isle of Man, California. Then we had people driving in from New Jersey and North Carolina. Some took care of the planning and it was fine... others had trouble and I tried to help even though I truly suck at planning and strategics. My sister kicked my ass at Stragego every goddamn time we played, so I don't know why I thought I could make this work for everyone.

Some how it did. Everyone got there with the exception of Vlad, who got detained flying in from Mexico with over a gallon of Tequilla for us and some salsa for the extremely spicy Ainge. Bugger >_< My Mom managed to get that all worked out though... Again she rocked so freaking hard I can't even express in english. Perhaps if I knew Latin or some other elegant and sophisticated language, I could thank her properly.

Friday night was the rehearsal and the dinner which was awesome! I didn't get to eat much, but that was fine... seeing family and everyone together was the best feeling in the world!

So, snowy goes off with my Dad, Ainge and Jonny to his house. I couldn't see him that night obviously so I stayed with my Mom and StepDad.

*old school music note: now switched to G-Love: Dreamin from Philadelphonic ^_^; So gorramn appropriate!

Morning comes!! Holy shit... married today wtf!! :D

I got the pics later of snow and Ainge getting ready the morning of the big day. Apparently it's customary to do the "look off into the distance in modest reflection" pose:

They looked really calm.

-meanwhile where the ladies were beautifing-

TOTAL FSCKING CHAOS!!! :D The girl set up to do my hair managed to burn my head, burn my face, make me look like a complete idiot with horrible hair. I also had to pay a lot of money for it. Nice eh? It was a goddamn disaster. I fixed it myself later. It worked out fine I think. So the girls get ready and we get picked up in a limo at my Mom's house! RAWR CLASSY!!

They had to hide me in the limo for a while because nosey people refused to go in the church with out seeing if Bon Jovi was in the limo outside or not. He was not. Just me ;) My Dad managed to sneak a really nice pic of me hiding out in there though:

So, ceremony was pretty much the short-short Spaceballs version. Do you? Do you? Good you're married kiss her! *smooooooch* Holy crap married :D I did however manage to turn and make a goofy face at the congregation when he said "I DO" making the whole church laugh at me >_<; I couldn't help it... it was awesome! My aunt said after the service that she'd never laughed so much at a wedding and had a great time. I guess that's good... they're usually boring aren't they? ;)

OMGBBQMARRIED!!

Head to the reception... Let's just say, so many people showed up I never thought I'd see there. I knew all our parents (all 8 of them) would be there and come from all corners of the planet. I didn't however think our friends would come from so far away. Ainge was snow's best man so he had to come or would have some New Jersey politics to deal with which wouldn't have been pleasant for him ;) Good news is, I think my Uncle Carl is going to adopt him into the family because they totally bonded.

Jonny however was under no obligation to come all the way from Ireland and worked it out to be there which was awesome because he's the nicest in the universe. Our seriously special pals from the Isle of Sheep Ben and Anabelle, booked off work (they work with us and it's not easy to do there) and paid to come see us which made my heart absolutely melt. Dan and Sharon who might just be the coolest humans on the planet actually rescheduled their annual Halloween bash to fly from California to see us was completely unreal. I always feel like Garth and I should repeatedly bow saying "I'm not worthy" in their presence.

*Music note: Erlend Øye, DJ Kicks ^_^;

Vlad... Vlad came all the way from Mexico and not only did he do that but he tried bringing a lot of booze and things getting him detained by the TSA in Texas making him miss his flight. My Mom was as worried about him Friday night as she would have been about one of her own children. Thankfully he made it to PA and I think my Mom wants to adopt him too. He brought these gorgeous gifts for us and our parents that blew my mind out of my ears. Vlad is the most thoughtful, beautiful creature on Earth besides snowy of course ;)

Here's Ainge and Vlad pretending to be drunk (until they were really drunk later that night on all the Tequilla Vlad brought :P)

And a cute one of them ^_^;

Kat, snow's lovely sis came all the way from Scotland and away from her studies to attend. She looked gorgeous and got to see her sweetie hubbie PFC who was there too! Jeez there were so many of us nerds in one place I thought for sure a real life besieged would take place and orcs would storm the reception. I think it makes me even more of a nerd picturing myself drop kicking an orcish warchief while wearing a wedding dress ;)

Speaking of FFXI... GARKIE AND HIS SUPER AWESOME LADY CAME!! We met Garkin after over 6'ish years of consorting online. It was amazing... he was perfect in real life and his lady gorgeous and fun. (I know her name, but not her silly "internet name" which she might not like me posting ;) but <3 to B*** because she rocks!) :D

My absolute best friend in college even showed up. I haven't seen her in maybe 4-5 years? I almost passed out when I saw her at the wedding. When we finally could talk at the reception, all I could do was laugh remembering all the good times we had and how incredible it was that she was there with me on my day. I love her so much and she's STILL gorgeous!! ^_^;

We were overwhelmed with the turn out. It was a truly magical day. Ainge made his best man speech which was initially I think addressed to all the "nerd herd" that showed up. He basically reminded me that the person who was responsible for pulling all of us together that night didn't bother showing up.

I guess it was kind of funny, and true, and sad and well... it is what it is. I think that was the only part of the night I felt sad. I know snow tried getting him to sensor that bit out of his speech, but he did it anyway.

I don't think it's a bad thing. I just looked around... I saw the love in my friend's faces for us and they saw it returned to them by us. I don't care what brought all of us together. What was important was what's right in front of us. Our entire family and true friends that made the day so incredibly special, so special, I spark tears thinking about it.

It was the most amazing day of my life... I was so happy I wanted to jump out of my skin just to look around at all the scenery and take it all in. I felt truly blessed, truly loved and surrounded by the most amazing humans on the planet, no seriously!

<3

I'm feeling so fragile right now.... You know what? I lie. I don't feel fragile... I feel strong. All it takes is one play of Tool Prison sex to remind me life really isn't THAT bad.

(hit a couple bips on the volume button for this one ;) It sounds so good loud)

And then I listen to lover's greed and want to curl up under a rock alone forever.

And then I listen to this, and I'm reminded who I am and what I am...a fucking bad ass and everything I set out to do... will work. Always does.

The last song... that's me. No emo shit.

How the fuck am I going to explain this to a Berks county lame ass radio DJ?

Wedding angst....

more to report tomorrow!

Before opening up with all the wedding crap... Let's touch base with the kitten as she was the focus of this blog as of late.

Her paw is much better and no more feet trauma. Feets check out!

Life has returned to normal. She pretends to be a toy on my desk until I throw a stuffed hedgehog out the door...

enjoys making a nest out of my fuzzy blue robe,

And is truly back to her old self again... and back to her old tricks. She runs out the door when we open it and hides in the flower garden. I think she feels if she presses against the white wall we won't be able to see her to bring her back in.

That's the kitten news. All good on the home front.

So, I'm getting married. Interested in how that's progressing? Yeah so am I. Let's watch together.

Weddings are a funny thing. So personal. According to human lore, I'm supposed to be in some kind of insane female frenzy right now. I'm really not. I've had a few nightmares and sleepless nights and the occasional stresses. Really that's it. The first wedding nightmare I had, was that I had forgotten to pack my dress and didn't realize it until I was about to get dressed on the day. Pretty silly, but at the time I was dream-pseudo shitting my pants. I hate that feeling. Your mind is only slightly aware that it's a dream and you don't really have to come up with an incredible last minute bail out plan... all I would need to do is wake up. But it's like the brain Olympics. This is the kind of shit your subconscious waits a life time for.

Most things are taken care of... still some loose ends. I'm having dress issues and have to call a tailor. Should work out though. snow and Ainge got fitted for their tuxes last weekend. You know you picked a good best person when the lady fitting your tux asks your best man politely... "Can you go slip those pants off" and your best person promptly replies, "I don't get asked that nearly enough". We didn't get arrested thankfully. Here's snow getting fitted :D

So cute ~_~

We still have to decide on rings. It's hard when you find the perfect rings but don't live in Japan and can't get them -_-; We love these: http://www.sora-w.com/gallery/main.html#/weddingRings/109 They make the most breath taking rings I've ever seen. However, I think we're going to have to settle on something less elite. Unless someone in Japan reads this and can walk over there and plead our case /sigh

Another possibility is some recycled airplane titanium rings... which is a neat idea and they look nice. Just really like the Sora ones so much, everything else looks so crap. Maybe we'll just settle for something now since time is getting critical and then get Sora rings for an anniversary? *whimpers*

We'll get there. Really the second coolest thing about us getting married... is that they are doing our cake. And if you are living under a rock and don't know who they are... it's Ace of Cakes, the popular TV show in the US. I will say that the folks there are even more friendly and nice than they appear on television. If that's possible. Hanging out with Duff brainstorming our ridiculous cake idea was like being back in art school pulling an all nighter with pals for a super fun project we were all into. It made me want to go to school for cake making >_< I'd be good I think.

56 days to go. 56 days left for snow to pack some snacks in a hankie tied to a pole and run away from home to avoid this whole thing ^_^ I'm really just looking forward to everyone getting together and having a good time and eating good food and seeing a kick ass WTFOMGBBQHOLYJESUSTHATISAMAZING cake.

Shame Madsen can't come... So far that's the one thing that's really been sad about this whole wedding process. He'll get something for not showing up though... not to worry *cheshire cat grin*

<3

It dawned on me after I had called the vet last night that I got rid of our cat carrier. We had it outside for a long time to give shelter to the hobo cat that was coming around all the time. It got rusty and pretty gross from the weather so I chucked it in the bin with the thought I would buy a nicer one some day. Well, day hasn't come so I had to figure out how get the cat to the vet with out struggling free and running out into traffic.

I remembered that I had a fold up box that we used to carry her in when we first brought her home from the breeder. Thank goodness I didn't throw that away. I figured she'd probably be able to bust out of it in .5 seconds, but it was better than nothing.

8:50am. Time to get the furball and get her into the box. I think she was in a lot of pain at this point because she let me carry her to the box, put her in and didn't put up any kind of fight. Arrived at the vet by 9:00. Anxious 15 minute wait and they called us in.

The nice man examined her paw and said that she looked like she'd been bitten or punctured it somehow and that it was very infected. He gave her a shot of antibiotics which was painful for me to watch but she needed it. I've got to keep an eye on it and try and keep it clean for the next week or so.

I brought her home, terrified and confused as she was. I opened the box and left it on the couch. I figured she loves boxes and might want to re-visit it later when she's feeling up to it. The rest of the day she slept. Groggy from the jab and the outside adventure I'm sure.

I had to leave and go pick up snow from the airport. I was so glad he was coming home and sure the kitten could use a good dose of the dad human to cheer her up. Lord knows the mom human needed some! Got him, he was in one piece as was the luggage... hooray!

We grilled some food, chilled out, equipped jammies. Life is good again. Even Yuki perked up and decided to play in her prison box since I think she knew it wasn't meant for evil, but rather good.

All is right in the world again almost. Paw will hopefully heal up nicely. Snow will destroy the house and give me dishes angst again. Work will be insane. Isle of Man will provide horizontal rain almost every day. Life... doesn't get any better than this *glee* So very happy.

And now I'm off for a long overdue snuggle!

Then after dinner I'm sitting here watching a show with Yuki curled up on my lap. Another normal part of the routine. So I figure her nails are probably due to be trimmed and I don't wanting her clawing up snow when he gets home tomorrow so I check them. And see it...

One of her toes is completely swollen and infected. I freaked out but tried to stay calm so I could see if she had something stuck in there or had a cut. I saw something in between her toes, but I think it was just litter or dirt. I removed it carefully with her struggling to get away. Doubtful the cause of the problem, but I had to try. It's all swollen where her nail comes out. It looks so painful ;_; I know how bad a goddamn hangnail hurts me... this I can't imagine.

I called my Mom and she said to try gently dipping her paw in warm water to try and soak it a bit to ease the swelling and pain and clean it out. I gingerly picked her up after testing the lukewarm water. I gently lowered her down as tenderly as I could and the millisecond her paw hit the water, she made me look like I fell asleep with Freddy Krueger on the loose. Bad idea.

I then tried gently trying to just wrap it in a warm wash cloth while holding her. Freddy entered the room once again. Bad idea number two.

So at this point, call the vet. I'm taking her tomorrow at 9:00am since they said since she's eating and trying to play even though her paw hurts she'll make it until tomorrow morning. She keeps holding it up when she's sitting and seems extremely uncomfortable.

Even bean her arch nemesis seems genuinely concerned for her well being.

I just feel so bad. I feel helpless like there is nothing I can do. Also, I was so excited and happy to finally have snow home tomorrow and now I'm just worried and getting wrinkles. Trying to get her to the vet tomorrow on my own is going to be a real experience as well. I'm sure we'll make it work. I REALLY hope snow's flights and travel stuff goes perfectly because I really can't handle any more stress at the moment.

I honestly don't know how parents do it. If I'm this upset and scared about a feline child... I can't even imagine a human one! I'm getting concerned that my future children are going to have to try and explain to their friends why Mommy makes them wear a hazmat suit with built in knee and elbow pads to school every day >_<

I'll post tomorrow on the boo boo paw developments. I'm sure taking this crazy furball on an outside adventure will make for some funny stories. I hope just funny stories -_-; So worried. I hate today so very much.

Everyone cross your fingers and paws that everything will be OK.

I think it's the kind of place you just need to see to believe. They rescue cats from all over the island and bring them to this beautiful cat utopia. Definitely not your typical animal rescue facility. All the animals are free to roam where ever they please and are integrated with all sorts of other rescued animals such as parrots.

Even when you drive in and park, there are kitties standing on cars trying to get you to stay.

If you still want to leave, they hide under your car and probably set some kitty booty traps or remove your spark plugs.

snow and I visit here quite a bit and bring some food and donations for all the critters. It's so peaceful and he usually ends up laying on the floor and the cats surround him and eventually has cats piled over his entire body. He has one little girl cat that has adopted him though. We called her Orange Ears and when ever she gets in his lap, she chases away any other cat so she can have him all to herself.

My favorite kitty is this adorable black and white little boy with blue eyes. He's missing one of his back legs and has this really cute hop walk. He has no trouble getting around and always wants a snuggle. Every time I see him, I just want to take him home. Maybe when we buy a bigger house someday.

We named him Manannin after the Isle of Man legend of the Three Legs of Mann. "Some have it to say that Manannin still lives on Barrule, and when that mist comes down, blotting out everything, they will say 'Manannin is drawing his cloak.' You'll see the three mailed legs that he turned himself into, on the arms of the island, and the motto that runs round them, 'Whichever way you throw me, I stand,' in Latin."

Maybe he doesn't like his picture taken just like I don't. Another reason I love him!

The entire place is covered with cats. They have all sorts of nice things set up for them. Comfy chairs set around a fire place. Warm benches where they can get human snuggles. Gardens with little trees to climb.

On one of these benches I met a cat that resembled the internet famous slow loris!

And what Manx kitty paradise wouldn't be complete with out a Manx cat! There are several Manxies there. After living a while, you really get used to seeing cats with no tails everywhere.

Well, that's the Sanctuary. It's a magical place where all the animals get along. The cats don't eat the birds or bunnies, the dogs don't chase the cats. The cats don't fight each other. And they burn incense and play really pretty relaxing music for the cats. I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

<3

I have never lived in a place where the wind was so strong that the rain is actually horizontal. Umbrellas are really useless here. You just look like an idiot with an inside out umbrella getting even more wet because you're standing there struggling with a soon to be broken umbrella. Horizontal rain aside, good day!

I went for a Thai lunch with some fun girls from work. Ladies who lunch! That is US! I was in a spring roll coma the entire afternoon. It's my happy place. Nice break from all the salad and other healthy foods. Of course I'm going to have to have some serious Billy Blanks energy with the work out tomorrow to cancel it out. Which brings us to tonight's topic.

So, when I'm home alone I'm usually fine. I consider myself a fairly tough girl. No night light required. Well, I do make sure all closet and cupboard doors are shut because leaving them open is just stupid because everyone knows that's how goblins enter our realm. That's just common sense.

A couple nights ago however, I had a true moment of panic. I just finished up a work out and was all salty and gross. Shower was definitely needed. Now, I usually do the work out shower thing early in the evening but I switched it up so it was about 10:30 at night before I was heating up the shower to clean and jammie up.

Our bathroom is pretty big. The shower is separate from the bath, which is nice actually. The shower is a cubicle opposite the tub with a glass door. Nice set up even if it is a pain in the ass to clean every week. But I digress.

Shower is heated up and I'm in there de-stinking myself. Just as I cover my face with a foamy exfoliating scrub I hear it... Someone is walking around upstairs.

O_O What in the holy hell is that?

My heart pounds like a Transformer running down the street. The next five seconds my train of thought went something like this:

Fuck OK, someone is in the house.
I AM COVERED IN FOAM AND CAN'T SEE MY ATTACKER! *quick rinse and stedies feet*
Stay calm.
How can I be fucking calm!? I'm about to do karate naked!
It's OK I can take him, I'm a vicious naked fiery beast of Hell! *flexes*
Oh god what if I die and they find me in the bathroom and take pictures of my ass? >_<
I need to look now and try REALLY hard not to get killed. *wipes steam off glass*

I'm shaking slightly and I look through the wiped off part of the shower door. I am ready to take this bitch down, I know he's coming so I have the advantage. I feel slightly more confident even with the horror of potentially having to fight with out clothes. At least I'll be slippery and hard to grab on to. Another advantage. Look again... ready.

Nothing happens... it's totally quiet. Then I see it.

The goddamn cat was hiding in the bathtub and jumping out at Bean! She did it as I watched and I heard the same sound... like footsteps. The acoustics in the large bathroom mixed with the running shower water dulling my hearing a bit made it sound EXACTLY like someone walking upstairs.

I burst out laughing at how absurd the situation was... I couldn't help it. I'm such a noob. I rinsed the conditioner out of my hair and got out and promptly equipped jammies. Of course I was still shaken up so just to be sure I wasn't just hoping that was the answer, I checked the whole house ninja style. Sure I looked REAL scary in my baby blue fuzzy robe. :P

After that escapade I was left feeling uneasy. The home alone paranoia set in. My imagination is way too over active to have something like that happen. So, in true dork form, I got out the sword we have from the closet and put it next to the bed... Just in case. It's not even sharpened, but I could knock a burglar out if I had to or at least scare the shit out of him. Probably not many crazy ladies with sword skills on the Isle of Man.

So this evening as I was going about my evening routine I hear the footsteps again. Thankfully I was fully clothed at the time. I investigate the bathroom and the girls were at it again so I thought I'd make it today's kitty photo shoot. Their new fun game goes something like this from what I could gather:

Yuki enters the bath and waits for Bean to come sniffing around looking for her. Plays with the strange sheep thing hanging on the faucet until she comes.

Bean pretending not to notice her sniffs the floor of the bathroom. Yuki readies herself.

YUKI ATTACKS!!!!

Rinse. Repeat!

Have a great Friday all and try not to get attacked in the shower.

Tomorrow is Friday and that automatically gives you a second wind. Some of the ladies from work and I are going for a Thai lunch tomorrow which is my favorite so it can't possibly be a bad day! I plan on going into a spring roll coma tomorrow afternoon.

So, after an hour long work out that would kill a normal person and other things around the house... the time just went away. The girls and I are just sleepy and nothing funny or cute is happening in the house tonight. Fuzzy robe and jammies and the kitten has parked herself there for the duration of the evening. Otherwise, there would be more interesting shots. Oh well... Thursday Booo.

Ni ni!

A bunch of us met up after work and climbed aboard the new IOM ferry boat to take a two hour sail around the island. I was excited since there could be pirates and seeing parts of the island you don't normally get to see would be pretty.

I tried getting some neat pictures, but the boat is fast and it was hard to stand still to get clear shots. Here are some highlights:

Nice shot of the town Laxey... at least I think it's Laxey? It kind of all looked the same.

I'm pretty sure this looks exactly like the thing in Goonies where they hold up the coin and it matches the hills in the water to the restaurant with the entrance to the underground cavern. Maybe we should go poking around there and find treasure! I shall pack a picnic lunch and we'll make a day of it!

I was hoping to see some pirates and possibly fight a notorious monster for a good drop... and save some Manx noobs and be a hero. I got excited when I saw this off in the distance. Unfortunately, they didn't attack us.

So, it was a nice evening and I was glad I went. A pirate attack would have made me feel like £18 well spent, but all in all it was a good night.

As I was walking to the car I took a couple nice night time shots of Douglas (the main city here) since I never have my camera when I'm there, let alone at night.

I think I'll write a letter to the Isle of Man government tomorrow telling them that Christmas has been over for 7 months and they should consider getting the ladder out and taking the decorations down. ;)

The prey is chosen. Today the pretend dinner of choice was... Bunny!

The prey gets dropped on the desk where I'm working. Then the next important step every good carnivore knows... you hide and wait for the prey to come flying at you.

And of course the final step... Victory!

This goes on for a good 15 minutes until I get up and go on about my evening. It's a good part of the day ^_^

Snow's bachelor thing is today/tonight. Let's all have a moment of silence for his liver and probably his dignity. Let's hope Ainge doesn't have any funny ideas about leaving him in the desert wearing nothing but a "kick me I'm not Irish" sign taped to his back.

<3