Compostable Kate

According to the vet, it's most likely that Freddy is the instigator of the fights he's been getting into.  Based on the scratches on his head and chin, that is. I took him to the vet today to get his FIV vaccine.  He didn't have it when I adopted him, as he was going to be an indoor cat, but now that he's been out a few times - firstly by escaping, and lately by my allowing him out - he needs to have his FIV vax.  As he's already  been in some scrapes, and been scratched and punctured a few times, he was also tested to see if he had already contracted the virus.  Preliminary tests look like he's OK, and I'll find out in about 3 months for sure. The vet had to check Fred for a fever, but Fred kept clamping down on the themometer whenever the vet tried to insert it!  I really don't blame him; surely they can take a temperature some other way?!?  But no fever, which indicates he doesn't have any infections going on.  I have to keep an eye on his

I think today must have been declared National Slow Driving Day , and I was the only not to know about it.  Not that I'm a speeder (I have no sympathy for people who get speeding fines), but I do like to drive as fast as is allowable, according to the conditions.  Nothing irritates me more than people hanging about at a green light, or driving 10km or more below the speed limit, when it's a clear, dry day.  I especially dislike drivers who drive at 50kph in a 60 zone, but then continue at 50 through a 40kph zone. And it seemed to be endemic today (as opposed to yesterday, which was "Let's see how fast we can drive in a torrential downpour with zero visibility; first one to drop under 60 is a wimp!") But it could have been worse.  I could also have found myself playing an impromptu round of  "How Many Random Manouevres Does It Take For Me To Beep You".  This is when the driver ahead speeds up, slows down, brakes and/or swerves/merges (or a combinati

As I can no longer watch much live telly, due to the sad lack of reception, I've started renting TV shows on DVD (an entire season for $7 a week; much cheaper than Foxtel!).  As Season 4 of "Bones" wasn't available, I've decided to start watching DS9 from the beginning.  I've seen Voyager, Next Generation and Enterprise from start to finish (oh, except for the last 2 episodes on disk 6 of season 2 of Enterprise, as Dexter fetched it for me and left his mark), and only ever seen a few eps of DS9, although most of the last season. Having seen the first 3 episodes, I can understand why it's not always the favourite incarnation of the Star Trek universe, as it gets distinctly weird and esoteric, with explanations of linear timelines and lots of vision sequences.  I can see how it ties in, having seen other episodes (it gets similarly weird towards the end, though), and knowing how much the Bajoran religion features throughout.  Perhaps I have less patience w

This is the THIRD time the cable on my hand controls has snapped.  The THIRD time.  I was driving along Brunswick Street (not even accelerating) when the cable pinged and sprang apart.  There were still a couple of strands connected, but I didn't trust them to hold for much longer that the rest of it.  Fortunately, the cable only controls the accelerator; the brake is operated by a solid bar, so that still works when the accelerator goes.  I was able to get to the Blockbuster carpark, so was at least off the road (and while I was there returned my DVD...). That's where I ended up the first time this happened, and I spent hours waiting for the RACQ, then the RACQ's buddy, so I could get my car driven home for me.  As I still had cable at this point, I decided to risk it, rather than have all that waiting around again.  I knew I could just stop if I needed to. On the way, I experimented with using my foot on the accelerator - for the first time in about 13 years!  I have

I had a particularly bad setback yesterday, after a bit of a mixed week in terms of my diet.  I'd been shopping with Dexter in the early afternoon (after spending the previous day and a half in my PJs, too exhausted to function) and he whined and begged for pats from people the whole time (this is the same after any promo event we do which involves pats from the general public).  I was frustrated with him already when I got home, but still needed to go over to Coles.  I'd bought a food processor (yes, another one; the other one died after one use) and a water filter and went to drop them in and get a new bag before heading over. However, on our way out, rather than shutting the door for me, while I kept Fred inside, Dexter just bolted , absolutely bolted away down towards the ramp (afterwards I thought that there are probably baby possums in the trees, as it's springtime), and Fred followed him. I had to catch Dexter first, as he's the one that can get in the most t