By Popular Demand.

Mullen Sisters School of Dance (75th Anniversary).

This was the funnest dance we’ve done. I think this was my fourth performance. The music was “I’ve Got Rhythm” from Crazy for You. And it was fast. So that probably added to the fun factor–it went so fast that if you missed steps it just didn’t matter all that much.

As for my performance: I didn’t choke and no major f***-ups. Really, that’s all I can ask for. As always, it could have been better, and, as always, it could have been worse.

Kitten Update.

Well, I was hoping to to be giving daily kitten updates, but the past week has just been a killer. My work schedule was all crazy all over the place–actually, I had a chunk of time off, pre-kittens, but then had to work several whole days. Plus there was the dance recital and rehearsal. And the whole 50 mile deadline thing. So Friday and Saturday I got no miles in, and had to do them all Sunday and mostly Monday. Anyway. So, too wrecked to write kitteny updates.

Anyway.

We are making much kitten progress. I keep rotating names, but today the names are Omar (because he’s got street cred), and Lady Bird, because she flew around the bathroom when she first came out of the box, and now she’s all dainty and delicate. The names will probably change tomorrow.

So, where we are now. The girl came home exactly a week ago, in the late afternoon (seven days). The boy came home on Friday, late, so  this will be the fifth day.

o They hiss at me when I first approach them.

But,

o Both will come on my lap to eat.

o They will eat from my finger.

o They are grooming themselves.

o Yesterday they played with each other a little bit.

o Yesterday Omar played with a new string toy. Lady Bird didn’t know what to make of it. Or, I should say she plays like Miss Whiskers, just touches the thing and holds on.

o Everybody is using the litter box. Yay.

o I can pet them while they eat.

o I can touch them without food, but they’d prefer I not do that.

o I can get my hand under their tummies, and push them around a little. They leave the food, but come right back.

o Miss Whiskers was permitted in the bathroom, and hissed at the girl, but then didn’t really care. She seems not to notice the invasion of the bathroom.

o Mostly, the kittens are acting like kittens, and don’t cower nearly as much. They sit in their little box relaxed, with their little hands tucked underneath them, or sleep in a normal cat position. Lady Bird is looking not scruffy at all, and her fur looks really good. Omar still looks skinny, and seems to have really long legs.

So, this is going surprisingly well. I’m hoping maybe next week to move them into the spare bedroom. Yesterday I had to sit in the bathtub to give them room enough to play. Omar was going to town with the string toy, and actually seemed to forget that I was there. He came really close to the bathtub, and when he looked up and saw me gave a big hiss.

June Wrap Up.

Well, I don’t know what the heck was up with yesterday, but I got like 52 hits. Whatever. Probably me at the store showing kitten pics or something.

Ok. Are you ready? The big, bad, summary:

Walking: 19.9

Treadmill: 10.13

Bike: 2.96

Rowing: 17.31

Grand June Total: 50.3 miles moved.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

What this all means:

o I set a goal and actually achieved it. In fact, since my original goal was 100 miles in three months, I almost overachieved. Perish the thought.

o I rowed 10.22 miles on Monday interspersed with quality kitten time.

o I have four blisters on my hands.

Kill Me Now.

Seven miles to go. Today.  And I cannot feel my arms.

Two Days to Go …

Rowed: 1.18 and 1.52

Total Rowed: 4.07

Cumulative Distance: 36.5

To Go: 13.5

Yikes.

Don’t you think the Dance Recital and Rehearsal and all that running up and down of stairs should count for something? I do.

You Can Just Call this the Kitten Blog.

Guess what’s in my bathroom? Two feral kittens. Yay! Crammed behind the radiator.

This is Number One, who is definitely a girl:

This is Number Two, nabbed today:

He/She/It was going to overnight it in the garage, but then I was thinking they really should be together. And the G-Man agreed (in a way), so I brought No. 2 in. And it was a good decision, for now they are both crammed behind the radiator, but they actually seem relaxed. Except for the crammed behind the radiator thing.

They won’t eat while I’m in there (tough love), but if I leave the food, they gobble it (a free ride). Sunday and Monday I’m home all day, and expect to spend lots of quality time on the bathroom floor. Whee.

Number Two crushing Number One. But the cuteness! And the crammedness! This could be a problem … And, when I got home from my dance rehearsal, there was a huge atomic sh** in the litter box. How awesome is that? I was so proud! They used the litter box? This taming thing will be a piece of cake. Ha. Ha. Ha.

This seems to be a pretty good site, in case you get your own feral kittens in your bathroom. And this vet also made some videos, which are pretty inspiring as far as the taming challenge.

I Think We All Know …

That I don’t much go for the sap.

But this is actually very nice, and worth watching the entire piece. Especially for the vomit comet! yay!

Go watch Matt dance now!

And, clicky on the “watch in high quality.”

You’re welcome!

You know Monty Python’s Rabbit?

Well, it’s in my bathroom, in the form of a wee little kitten. With very tiny teeth and claws, which are both very sharp.

We set a gigantic havahart trap and nabbed our first wee little kitten today. I thought it would be easy-peasy to transfer the kitten from the trap to a crate in the comfort of my enclosed bathroom. Well, that little beasty flew, flrew around, every which way, and here I am thinking, oh, I can just grab it and pop it into the crate. Now, also be aware, when all this kitten nonsense started up a week ago with the first sighting, I honestly thought I could just grab them with my bare hands and bring them home. There’s just not a lot of thinking going on in my pretty head, sometimes. Anyway, I have some massive scratches and one very nice bite from little kitten’s jaws of death.

Gloves? Gloves you say? Shut up. Monday morning quarter back kitten catchers.

Rest assured, he/she/it is going to Mr. Vet tomorrow, who is supposedly experienced with strays. I don’t know how they can even get within ten feet of this thing.

Tim: There he is!
King Arthur: Where?
Tim: There!
King Arthur: What? Behind the rabbit?
Tim: It *is* the rabbit!
King Arthur: You silly sod!
Tim: What?
King Arthur: You got us all worked up!
Tim: Well, that’s no ordinary rabbit.
King Arthur: Ohh.
Tim: That’s the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on!
Sir Robin: You tit! I soiled my armor I was so scared!
Tim: Look, that rabbit’s got a vicious streak a mile wide! It’s a killer!
Sir Galahad: Get stuffed!
Tim: He’ll do you up a treat, mate.
Sir Galahad: Oh, yeah?
Sir Robin: You manky Scots git!
Tim: I’m warning you!
Sir Robin: What’s he do? Nibble your bum?
Tim: He’s got huge, sharp… er… He can leap about. Look at the bones!
King Arthur: Go on, Bors. Chop his head off!
Sir Bors: Right! Silly little bleeder. One rabbit stew comin’ right up!

Fitness, or Dull. Dull. Dull.

Today: 2.8 (max speed 5.7)

Treadmill to date: 10.13

Totally Total: 33.8

I should say a challenge has been thrown down. The challenge is great: 50 miles by the end of the month. But the reward is great as well. My original challenge was 100 miles in three months.

Fitness

Treadmill: 1.4

Treadmill: 2.25 (max speed 5.4)

New York: 19.9

***

To Date:

Treadmill: 7.33

Walking: 19.9

Bike: 2.4

Rowed: 1.37

Super Distance Grand Total:

31 miles in June. Moo.