About Cats and Dogs

Mr. F learned something about cats the other day; you play with them on their terms, not human terms.  And certainly not dog terms.

I was lying propped up on one elbow reading, with Pepper the cat sprawled out next to me on the bed.  Mr. F had been playing chase with our dog Rocket and they came bounding into the bedroom, both bright-eyed and one bushy-tailed.  I caught the mischievous grin and realised there was no way to prevent what was coming.

Before I could even catch a breath to say "Nnnnooooooooo!", Mr. F pounced at Pepper, landing with hands and face square in front of the cat.  Now, Rocket would have instantly mimicked the pose and a nice game of rough-house would have ensued.  Mr. F, never having been owned by a cat, had no reason to think things would go differently.

In the space of about a second, Pepper did a classic cat hiss-and-puffball pose, then spun around and sprang (thankfully) over me, slamming into the headboard before landing on the floor.  Cats just don't play that way.  He then proceeded to allow Mr. F to apologise profusely.

Pepper's middle name is Magnanimous.  When he feels like it.  And may Mr. F never lose that mischievous grin.

Looking on the Bright Side (Again)

I was reading an article the other day discussing the effect recent major earthquakes have had on our planet.  Eastern Japan is now 3.96m (13ft) closer to North America, which shortened the day a whopping 1.6 microseconds.  In addition, the whole country sank down 0.61m (2ft), which together not only pulled the Earth's mass towards the Equator but also closer to the centre of the planet.

It's the whole centrifugal force thing that's causing the faster spin - the mass has moved more central and closer in, which increases the rotation speed.

Last year's earthquake in Chile had a smaller but similar effect on Earth's rotation.  The 2004 quake in Sumatra measured 9.1 and lasted 10 minutes (I can't imagine what that'd be like.  Try holding your breath for just one minute and see how happy it makes you feel).  As a result, our day became shorter by 6.8 microseconds.

So, the Earth is spinning faster, which means we have shorter days and therefore less time to get everything done.  Don't know about you but I miss those ~10 microseconds.  The good news is that it also means gravity is having more of an effect.  I'm now a little happier about getting on the bathroom scales.

Mormon Helping Hands

Recently a friend needed help packing her house for an upcoming move.  Six of us went over and boxed up all the small stuff in the house - including pictures, kitchenware and annoying must-have items that lurk in cabinets throughout the land.  Particularly bathroom cabinets.  Everyone has them and no-one likes packing and unpacking their own.  Doing it for someone else, though, is fun.

It's interesting how easy it is to do chores at someone else's house.  For that matter, it's much more fun doing your own housework when someone's there helping you. Besides, what's not to like about those happy-yellow Mormon Helping Hands t-shirts?

"... when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."
-- Mosiah 2 vs 17

Nailed

So guess where I sat for a couple of hours the other morning?  Yup, the tyre shop (US translation: tire).  I love my car to death, but it does seem to have a penchant for picking up nails - this is the second one in about 18 months.  And no, I don't spend all my time driving around construction sites.  Riding the Tail of the Dragon would be much more fun.

Have you heard of the new gel nail polish?  (How's that for a change of direction worthy of TotD?) Dries quickly, hard as - well - nails, lasts longer than regular nail polish.  Actually it doesn't come off.  Ever.  You are doomed to repeated visits to the nail salon (did I hear a chorus of "oh bummer" from some?  Sarcasm doesn't become you, ladies), peeling it off or waiting for it to grow out.

Problem with peeling it off is that the top layer of your nail goes with it.  And somehow it manages to weaken the tips of your nails if you leave it to grow out.  So either way, you're stuck with nasty, shattered and peeling nails until time has replaced your entire nail.  Mine have been three months now and counting...

My advice?  Avoid gel nail polish like the plague.  Whichever plague scares you most.

You're Paying Me to do What?

The other day I was looking through some job ads, er... because it's always good to know what's out there, right..?  Anyhoo, I spotted a couple of jobs that left me wondering:

Job title #1:   TBD
[- we don't know what you'll be doing yet.  You make it up.  We just want a new employee okay?  We're tired of the same faces day in, day out...]

Job title #2:   Temperature Sensitive Sales Manager SE US
[- for someone who doesn't like the long northern winters.]

Mix those two together and you've struck employment gold.  I wonder if they'd let me telecommute from NZ, November - April...

What's with all the Temples?

Yesterday Mr. F and I went to the Birmingham, AL Temple.  I can't begin to tell you how much of a needed break that was.  We performed proxy sealing ordinances so that those who have died without receiving these ordinances in their mortal life have the option of receiving them after they have passed on.

It's an unbelievably good feeling to know that you're giving someone the ability to choose how they will live out their eternal life after they have "shuffled off this mortal coil".  For me, sealing sessions always have a feeling of quiet joy and everyone in the room feels they are a part of something magnificent.

Sitting in the Celestial Room afterwards I felt the peace and calm that I've only ever experienced in LDS (Mormon) temples.  Like bathing in sunshine on a cold day, the atmosphere inside a temple soaks through your whole being.  We sat quietly, absorbing the feeling of closeness to the Lord and gaining strength from it.

While the six hour round trip drive from Atlanta to Birmingham is well worth it (and far less than some must travel), I'm excited for the reopening of the Atlanta, GA Temple this year.  There will be a public open house from 9-23 April and a cultural celebration on 30 April.  The rededication of the temple will be held on Sunday, 1 May 2011.  For more information, please click HERE.

Mawidge

 The second half of 2010 was a whirlwind for me.  To the surprise of many (not the least of which was me), I got married in December.  We met in 2009 and started dating in July, which to some may seem quick but when you get to our age maturity you have a better idea of what you want in an Eternal Companion.

Let the above photo be a warning to all who are planning a wedding... Never let family and friends have access to your house while you are on honeymoon.  My flatmate (US translation: roommate) decided to express her happiness in a way she knew I'd understand.  We both love Princess Bride and one of our favourite scenes is Peter Cook performing the wedding ceremony.

After us newlyweds had managed to hit the road (muchly delayed by a toilet-papered, glad-wrapped, oreo-cookie-encrusted car - thanks Tony...), both sets of in-laws and sundry friends gathered to celebrate their chance to trash the house with no fear of retribution.  After all, we would be gone for a week and by then they would have scattered to their respective corners of the country and globe.

My flatmate's parting gift (and don't get me wrong - I laughed 'til my ribs hurt when I saw it) was to graffiti the window with a sentiment that's best pronounced with Peter Cook in mind.  Yes, folks - that's wedding cake.  Red velvet, to be precise (thanks Natascha, it was lovely!).

I think the only thing that amused me more was to connect two conversations with rellies when we got back:

Bro-in-law:     "Did you find all the eggs with holes in them?"
and
Mum:     "Your brother's plane was struck three times by lightning."

Oh - and we can't forget the wonderful job they did with decorating for Christmas.  The attic looked lovely.