Intersections in research are always fascinating, and I was lucky that when I was finding out how to make my own kombucha I found out about another awesome fermented beverage called kvass, which I was subsequently able to use as a nice piece of atmospheric detail in the novel I’m working on. Woo! A scintillating threeway to be sure. Since then I’ve wanted to make my own kvass but the recipes I found seemed to differ wildly and I was afraid of poisoning myself if I made a wrong step. Recently, however, I’ve obtained a copy of a not-written-by-some-possibly-insane-person-on-the-internet recipe for kvass and plan on starting my first batch this weekend, as I am now officially on spring break and can attend to any sort of evil that might ensue in my kitchen during the fermenting process.

Spring break! Woo!

I suppose my pleasure in such things as lolcats and other low internet comedy explains my delight in this meme I read about on the Onion’s A.V. Club blog. Wikipedia names your band, first album, and Flickr provides the artwork. Here’s the deal:

i feel like our sound would be Belle and Sebastian meets Belle and Sebastian

Penelope is sick. About two weeks ago I gave her some different wet food one night when I was out of her standard PetGuard and ever since then her guts have been a little upset. Then last night she started vomiting and today she vomited some more. I just took her to the vet, she’s home now, but they’re not really sure what’s up. They gave her fluids for her dehydration and, of all things, some Pepcid AC. I just administered some sort of paste to her that is made of probiotics and something to help her tummy feel better. 

I’ve got her resting in the bedroom away from Telemachos, but I’m still worried about her. The vet also heard a slight heart murmur and it’s not heartworms so they’re running tests. I’m scheduled to go up for the weekend with Jesse to the Hostel in the Forest but now I’m a little nervous. I know John will take good care of her but Penelope. . . she is in some ways my best friend. I love her so much, we’ve been through so much together! 

Just about 11 years ago I got her from the shelter, a tiny, calico monster with enormous feet and bigger lungs, and nothing but a stump where a tail should be. Since then I’ve watched her grow up and turn into the most awesome cat I’ve ever known, talkative, bossy, particular, and sweet. She’s the Lizard-Catcher, the Moth-Swatter, the Owl-Howler, the Sandwich-Snatcher, the All-Day-Sleep-Master, the Fall-Overer, and the Mistress of Snug. I want her to be OK so much, I’ll be on tenterhooks until she feels better and her blood work comes in and she starts feeling better.

what do you mean i'm not supposed to be on the table?

i see you are not petting me? why is this?

It took about 15 minutes of Telemachos being home before he started being incredibly hyper and bad and so therefore back to normal. You’d think getting your nuts removed would make you simmer down for at least a day, but despite my best efforts he’s back to jumping on things, biting things, and generally refusing any of the aftercare advice given to me by the vet tech. I can’t seriously consider keeping him locked in his carry-case so he’s living in the bedroom for the next week, trying to get out and play with Penelope.

I’m feeling a little sick, a slight cold I’m worried will settle in my chest. I’m also worried about my Greek exam tomorrow but given that I pretty much aced the practice exam he sent out I don’t think it will be too bad.

Things are going well with editing the book but I’m a little frustrated by some news I got yesterday that I can’t really write about here. I’m still going to press on and finish the project with Jesse but the future of the book might not be as bright as I had initially desired and hoped given a few circumstances.

Telemachos is getting his neutering surgery today. I just dropped him off and I’m really worried about him. I know it’s a routine operation but I’m still nervous.

he's much older now, of course. twee droopy mustache-whiskers, squee!

He looked really scared when I left him after being super-quiet on the drive there. I’ve been trying to study for a while now but I keep getting distracted and thinking about him.

I know he’s the worst kitten in the world, but I still adore him. He’s learning to let us pet him and it’s awesome to see  him get better. He and Penelope are friends on some level at this point, and last night he only swatted at me once before letting me scratch him behind the ears for at least two minues before he nipped me.  A few months ago that would have been impossible.

I get so frustrated with him and it’s not fair. I know he can’t control his urge to make biscuits and nurse on things even if I want him to. I hold out hope that he’ll grow out of it, he seems at least to be more accepting of us throwing him off us when he tries (even if he just goes to find the nearest blanket or wad of dirty clothes to nurse on afterwards). His nips are a lot less hard these days, too, and when he gets the uge to jump on me and attack he rarely sinks his teeth into me anymore. Occasionally he does, to be sure, but he’s learning.

I hope  he’s OK.

I really wish Michael Phelps would stand up for himself regarding this whole ridiculous freak-out over the stupid picture of him (allegedly) smoking pot. It’s the perfect opportunity for someone famous and respected to speak up about the culture of fear built up around marijuana usage in America. Instead we get the ultimate back-pedal and if he ever competes again and loses, I’m sure everyone will  blame the weed.

I really love Edward Gorey’s work, and was thinking about his stuff today and how lucky we are that he was so marvelously prolific. Here’s one of my favorites of his, The Disrespectful Summons, which to me has always been a metaphor for creativity, although I’m sure it’s just supposed to be an awesome story about the Devil.

The Disrespectful Summons

Edward Gorey

Raccoon bites off perverts [sic] penis

A raccoon has bitten off a pervert’s penis as he was trying to rape the animal.

Alexander Kirilov, 44, was on a drunken weekend with pals when he leapt on the terrified animal.

“When I saw the raccoon I thought I’d have some fun,” he told stunned casualty surgeons in Moscow.

Now Russian plastic surgeons are trying to restore his mangled manhood.

“He’s been told they can get things working again but they can’t sew back on what the raccoon bit off.

“That’s gone forever so there isn’t going to be much for them to work with,” said one friend.

I wonder if the picture in the article is of the actual raccoon involved, or they’re just profiling.