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A Cat Part Deux

So, tonight I decided that I should probably get a female cat as I’m not interested in a male cat pissing all over my home. Yes, if the male cat is trained and neutered, the risk will be lessened, but given that I don’t own the house nor do I own most of the furnishings, that would not be a good idea.

So, I thought about cat names. My older brother and his wife named their cat Labatt. Ingenious!

I’ve got some great name idea for my cat. Yes, some of these are more appropriate for a male.

Hop Juice
Bell
Avery
Hop Slam
Rogue (Dead Guy)
Dogfish Head
Troegs
St Bernardus
Westvleteren
Smithwick’s
Taco the Cat
Chimay
Nugget
Cantillion
Stella
Karmeliet
Urthel
Hop It
Yuengling
Allagash
Duvel
Barleycat

Obviously, there is a beer theme going on here.

Trivia

Don’t look it up. Think about it. I doubt anyone knows this one without looking it up first. A member of a Band had an interesting statement to make about his last concert as The group. He described it as “the beginning of the beginning of the end of the beginning.” Even if you don’t know the answer. Take 60 seconds and try to wrap your mind around that one.

Don’t let me influence your own view on this, but I interpret it as follows:

Meatloaf

I’m going to make meatloaf tonight I believe. I also may refrain from turning on any work laptops. Speaking of that, maybe it isn’t that neat, but I think it is kind of neat because I have 16 laptops sitting in my office and 2 desktops. I’ve got a lot of computers. Sometimes my computers are my only friends. Except when they blue screen!

I actually have nothing else to look forward to tonight. I don’t know if there is any good TV on. I don’t have any sporting events. I have given up rowing (anyone want to buy a rowing machine). It is dark out. I hate winter darkness. I’ve got a pile of laundry to wash. No, I’m definitely not looking forward to that. I do need to watch LOST from last week. Well there I go. Meatloaf and LOST it is.

In My Sophomore Year

There were lots of unfortunate decisions I made during my college years. As I was laying in bed last night it occurred to me that I probably should have gotten a single room my sophomore year of college. I’m not sure why I never considered applying for one. Perhaps I thought that would make me a loser. However, having my own space would have been very nice and would have probably alleviated a lot of stress. Nothing against my roommate that year. Zikri was an interesting guy and respectful roommate.

It is weird the things you think of when you are trying to fall asleep.

Hoppy Beer Tasting

Last night I decided to do a tasting of hoppy beers (I had originally written “IPA’s” but that isn’t really true). It pitted some of the best beers of that general categorization against each other. Going into it, I hoped that Troegs Nugget Nectar would finish well as I had considered it my favorite seasonal beer. Interestingly enough, I was able to identify it in the line up but Bell’s HopSlam took the cake as the best beer and secured its spot as my number one seasonal beer.

Murphy is correct in stating that Nugget Nectar is technically not an IPA but I don’t think the name imperial amber properly sets a context for this beer (as it has 5 different types of hops in it and is much more than some jacked up amber ale). It is worth noting that several of these beers are indeed double IPA’s (high in alcohol and bitterness).

A Pet

I think I want a pet cat. I’ve sort of wanted a pet for a while. I’ve grown up with cats so that’s probably why I’m inclined to get one. Dogs are ok, but I don’t think I can provide the attention a dog needs. Cats are much more independent that is more my style. I think the travel will be cutting down so that would make this a more reasonable choice. My only fear is that I’ll get a crazy cat like my parents have.

I’m going to keep checking the local SPCA until I see a nice kitty.

I agree that Sean is best looking out of the bunch currently. If it weren’t for me going away next week I would have probably gone up to the shelter today.

Decision (update 1)

Should I write about my dentist visit or 3-year anniversary of working for my company?

• I got to bed last night at about 2:30am because I was at the office until about a quarter to 2. I woke up at 8am to jump on a call. So, I think I got about 5 1/2 hours of sleep.

• Not this Monday, but next Monday I head back to the UK again. I’m going to stick around for the weekend and fly over to Dublin. I’m flying the discount airline RyanAir. My ticket was 30 pounds. Fortunately, I was able to book a direct flight home from Dublin.

• I’ve been debating all day what my Friday night drink of choice will be. I thought about some wine. I thought about just getting some cans of Murphy’s or Guinness. I also thought about a nice 750ml of something Belgian, or new, or La Fin Du Monde. Something new is always fun.

Any more topics?

Speak Slowly

I’ve been trying this new thing lately. It is called “speaking slowly.” Instead of blurting things out, often without thinking about the words coming out of my mouth, I try to draw things out in an organized fashion. This not only helps me brain catch up to my mouth but it makes me more relaxed, especially when I’m explaining complicated subjects.

Actually, there is a whole list of reasons why it is a good idea. I suspect it makes me look like more of a methodical person (not rushing to conclusions). It helps me to enunciate my words. It probably makes me come off as less arrogant because sometimes I feel that way when I’m explaining things that hard to explain (“What! You don’t understand what I’m talking about because it is complicated and I’m speaking quickly! Idiot!). I think it helps the listener to listen better as well.

If I find out that this isn’t really doing any good, I’ll be sure to share.

And to my friends that are accustom to listening to my stories, you are probably saying this is a bunch of crap because you know I speak in fragments and am hard to follow. I’m working at it. Seriously.

Obama

Irrespective of my political affiliation, or lack of in reality, I honestly believe this whole Barrack Obama thing is one of the greatest things that has happened in my lifetime. I’m going to go out on a limb and really believe this whole “change” thing he has been preaching.

As I watch him speak in the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, I can’t help but find myself sucked into this idea that things really will get better.

I’m happy to at least support the dreams of America not only being viewed more positively by the rest of the world but re-stablishing us as a power in the improvement in the quality of life for all.

The Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals suck and there is no way they will win the Super Bowl. No need to comment.

Who really deserved to go to the Super Bowl? I’m not sure actually.