I didn’t do much traveling in 2016, but I’m grateful that so many of my friends found their way to Portland. It was a difficult year for me personally, but it was not without its moments of joy and love.
My 2016 in Pictures
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My 2015 in Pictures
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2015 was a year of massive upheaval wherein my life changed in a number of profound ways.
Posting from my phone
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It’s super easy to post photos from my phone. Prepare yourselves for an endless stream of cat and food pictures!
Happy Holidays
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May your days be merry and bright!
Finley’s First: Christmas Tree
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A child’s first Christmas is a special thing… especially when it involves a tree covered in (what seem to be) dangling cat toys. At eight months old, Finley was eager to help us with every step of tree trimming. First, he helped me trim the lower branches off our tiny tree by attacking them and tearing them out of my hands as I cut them. From Finley Then it was time to untangle the...
Revision Face
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Where have I been? Revising Above World 2!
What do revisions look like? This:
Exhibit A. Revision Face
The Many Faces of Finn
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It’s Friday, the perfect day for more cat pictures. Here are a few of Finley, now all of five months old.
From Finley
Kitten Conquers All
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Finley the kitten has successfully conquered us all. Me, Chris, and both cats. Witness the glory of his devious master plan. First, he presents himself as a soft, purring invitation that Cairo is unable to resist. (You can almost hear the evil laugh in that second picture.) Then, after spending hours and hours following Oslo around the house, he further sucks up to his big brother by mirroring...
Finn Makes Five
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After about eight months of discussing the merits of a third cat and deciding it was too much of a risk, we fell in love with a new little boy named Tab Hunter this weekend and brought him home anyway. What swayed us was a long conversation with his foster daddy, an incredibly knowledgable and caring man who blew me away with his knowledge of cat health and behavior. We knew the kitten had been...
Caturday Comes Early
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Defying all odds, the cats are still being cute.
The classic “Why don’t you ever pay attention to me?” look:
A good reminder that cats are predators:
But that they pretend to be harmless:
And last, Oslo looking uncharacteristically dignified:
Cuddlin’ Cats
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More cat pictures! Why? Because I have both cats and a camera, and this is what happens!
From Oslo
From Oslo
Finally, after almost two years, Oslo has discovered the joys of the bathroom sink.
From Oslo
The dudes have been awesome writing buddies lately. Except when they’re not.
Cats and Boxes
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Oslo is a box-loving cat. He likes to cram himself into boxes that are too small, sit in boxes that are too big, and generally explore boxes of all sizes. He also bites boxes. And drop balls inside so he can bat them around. He likes to push boxes across the floor for unknown reasons. In short: he’s a typical cat with regards to boxes. From Oslo For some reason, I love this picture. Maybe...
Sleeping Tongue
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Did someone request more cat pictures? I took these two over the weekend, when I found Oslo asleep in the middle of the sofa with his tongue sticking out.
You know that myth that all cats are graceful and refined? BUSTED.
From Oslo
And a close-up with bonus disdain:
From Oslo
Oslo, Cairo, Zar
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First things first: Oslo is doing great! That little rascal has gained a whole pound now that he eats mostly food instead of plastic and rubber. His coat is softer and shinier now, too, and he’s a non-stop playing machine. He went back to the vet yesterday for the remainder of his kitten shots, and the doc said he looked great. Every day with this awesome little guy feels like a gift. From...
Oslo is Home
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Oslo came home this morning. Within five minutes of being home, he was eating, purring, begging for scruffles, and wanting to play. In fact, he’s been like that ever since. It’s the best, most wonderful sight in the world. I just wanted to take a moment to thank the amazing vets who saved our little boy. First, Dr. Chapman at Animal Emergency Care Center in Woodland Hills did the...
Oslo Update
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Yesterday, Oslo the Kitten (who recently turned one) barfed up a hairband. As he’d been trying to hack something up for a day or so beforehand (we assumed a hairball), we were relieved to see it. Obviously he’d gotten rid of the problem and we expected a swift return to form. (He’d been playful, cuddly, and good tempered up until the object was expelled.) But then I got home...
Oslo Turns One
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On April 4th, Oslo the Kitten turned one.
The little guy has grown so much since we got him! Back then, he could fit into “the lounge” like so:
From Oslo
Cats in Window
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So many things to blog about! Like how I was doing lunges across the courtyard carrying 25-pound boxes of cat litter in each hand for five minutes before I realized the neighbors were watching. Or all my latest culinary experiments, such as Eggs a la Everything and Garlicky-Good Home Fries. Or the gash in my kung fu pants that perfectly matches the gash I put in my thigh with a poorly timed...
Oslo Bites IKEA
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Considering his name, you’d think Oslo would be good at building cheap IKEA bookshelves.* But you would be wrong:
From 2009 Photobook
* (I know, I know — Sweden and Norway aren’t actually the same country. Just go with it.)
Teensy Tiny Tree
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We’re traveling for the holidays this year, but I couldn’t resist getting a tree anyway. We skipped it last year (unless you count the one I printed out poster-sized and taped to the wall), but this is Oslo’s first Christmas! The kitten must must must be able to knock ornaments off his first tree — it’s a right of passage in every cat’s life. Behold, the tree:...
Cats, Cats, Cats!
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Okay, someone asked for cats, and there’s just no way I can pass up an excuse to post more pictures of my boys. Cairo and Oslo have been keeping me company during my post-WFC cold, and, as always, are a constant source of joy.
First up, one of Oslo’s most interesting sleep positions. Yes, he was actually asleep like this:
From Oslo
Why the World Terrifies Me
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[WARNING: This entry contains a mention of animal cruelty.] When I got home yesterday, Oslo the Kitten was sitting in the window that faces our apartment courtyard. I stopped to chat with him when two young girls came over. They were probably around 10 years old. The girls asked me a lot of questions about Oslo: Where did you get him? How old is he? What does he eat? Does it hurt when he...
Cats and Kittens!
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Cairo and Oslo have become best buds. They cuddle, they clean each other, they play… everything we’d hoped for and more. Oslo has quickly purred and played his way into our hearts. I will spare you the hundreds of photos and videos I’ve taken, and just give you a few.
Rest assured, you can see the entire Oslo Album if you want.
Here is my happy place:
The Great Accord
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Some exciting news on the feline front!
First, the kitten has a name, and that name is “Oslo.” We like the city motif (see “Cairo”), and he’s all grey and white indicating someplace cold and snowy. (What, you were hoping for Stuttgart?)
From Oslo