Goodbye Sophie Cat: A Tribute.

We had to let Sophie Go today. The cancer finally got her. I'm devastated and heartbroken.

About Sophie:

A few folks have asked about the state of Sophie cat, who was diagnosed with cancer back in December. She's still with us, but she's losing weight. I get her a steroid shot every two weeks, and she HATES her carry box. She doesn't seem to mind the shot or the vet's office all that much, but close that carrier door and she's one pissed off putty. However, she is still a joy in my life and we cuddle up every day (as I continue my unemployment marathon).  Thank you again to all who offered support...you know who you are.

I took this pic yesterday.

January Sucked. Back to Zero, Again.

As per my post on January 9th, I was offered a job that I thought might finally turn my situation from 2011 around. Unfortunately, things have been miserable since. I'd started the new job as an administrative assistant at a 5 Doctor medical clinic. It was a hectic and fast paced, stressful environment, and I thought I was doing OK. I was supposed to be learning the tasks of a pregnant female staffer before she left for maternity leave. She promptly had her baby boy three weeks early and well before I fully had the routines down. At the end of the 13^th day, I was informed I was not picking up the procedures of the office and was asked to resign. I have to admit, the stress of the place was literally giving me panic attacks. So here we are again, The end of January and I am right back in the same place I was a year ago this time.

The computer class I'd been taking since October is over now, and I did awful in it. I just could not absorb the amount of advanced technical information that was being thrown at me, and ultimately will probably not be able to use anything the course had to offer. Had I been better informed, I would have angled for a more beginners oriented course, but this is the class the grant landed me in. I will put in more effort at picking up the specifics here at home (I have until May to use the test certification scripts to see if I pass or not), but my guess is I won’t be able to master it.

What I really must thank everyone here for, and the brightest point of an otherwise wretched month, was the wonderful outpouring of help concerning Sophie Cat, covering over a third of the bills. She will still need her weekly shots - and as you can see by the picture of her shaved tummy, a trip to the vet warrants me serious "I'm going to poop on your pillow, you know that, don't you?" looks. The vet gave me a little trick; as soon as I get her home, Sophie gets a fresh can of cat food. Works like a charm. The first time I got her home, she made a bee-line to the space behind the sofa. But as soon as she heard the can-pop, she was right by her food dish.

My book selling annual trip to MAL was profitable enough that I was able to pay off the remainder of the bill soon after. Plus an extra special howdy to Cliff Clockner - we finally met! Another good thing about MAL? My table was next to these guys.

There was also a house concert featuring my old friend James Lee Stanely, along with Cliff Eberhardt. They are out promoting their collaborative tribute to The Doors, called "All Wood and Doors." (With surviving members of The Doors contributing.) It was my first time hearing Cliff live, and he's pretty easy on the eyes. James' voice is high and smooth, Cliff's is gruff and bluesy. As a duo, they harmonize beautifully. Having known James Lee since the mid 80's, it's always a pleasure to see him live. 

Sophie Cat (and I) need your help.

2012 is already turning into the horror movie 2011 was. Shortly after Christmas (while I was in DC tending to Joel's father after a cancer surgery), Joel told me Sophie had stopped eating. We thought it might be separation anxiety, but when I got home I was able to see a dramatically visible weight loss. I took her to the vet the next morning (New Years' Eve) and the Dr x-rayed her. She discovered clouds around her upper chest, indicative of fluid build up. The Dr immediately sent me to a pet referral center for an ultrasound, and fluid test.

These confirmed our worst fears. Sophie has Cancer. The swelling from the fluid was constricting her esophagus, making it difficult to eat. My lovable little furball of eight years, who has given me unconditional love and comfort, is going to leave us. The best we can offer her is bi-weekly steroid shots to keep the fluids and tumor sizes at a minimum. I am devastated.

However, in just three trips to the two vets, I've racked up bills coming up just short of $1,000. It is very difficult for me to ask this of my friends and fellow bloggers, but I am entering my second year of unemployment and this is a serious financial blow in addition to the emotional one. If there is any way some of you would be willing to pitch in anything (even a few dollars) via paypal, it would mean a lot to me.

If this offends anyone, I apologize.

I am just at a loss as to anyway else to get past this. Thank you in advance.

Tim

Palm Springs Leather Weekend.

Joel and I used some airline miles and an invite from our friend Peter Fiske to attend Palm Springs Leather Weekend. It was nice to get out of the house for a change and try to alleviate the fact that my depression has reached an almost crushing level of despair, along with my computer networking class being far and away harder than I ever imagined it to be.

Luckily, there are only two of us in the course and that allows the prof to answer all of my annoying questions. I fear I may not be able to catch up to the level of technology the course involves.

However, let's share some of the pictures.

My friend Alex Ironrod opened the weekend by reading from his new novel "Leather Nights" (a murder mystery) at Gear. I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout for him. I should add that I wrote his back-cover blurb.

My friend Bryce, whom I had not seen for a few years. This was in the party behind the Tool Shed where I'd set up a book table.

Mikal Bales (aka Daddy Zeus of Zeus Studios) took the time to come over to The Barracks on Saturday to say hello. He may be one of the men in California that I've missed the most since moving away. His new beau, Mick, is very sweet.

The gentleman here, Marshall, was a close friend of my late master, Gary Taylor. We had not seen each other since 1999. We had a long and somewhat emotional talk while he visited.

The notorious Gagbear and George (WetInSF) visited. It was nice to finally meet Jim after years of chat.

In what I can only say was the oddest moment of the weekend, singer Gregory Gray walked up to my table and said - in a thick Irish accent - "You don't even remember who I am, do ya?"

He was right, I didn't.  I interviewed Gregory over the phone in 1994 for Frontiers Magazine when his album "Euroflake In Silverlake" was released. When he played a show at the Virgin Megastore, I picked him up and we went to The Faultline for a wild night. He picked up a date and returned to his hotel after a few hours, and I'd not seen him since. That he remembered me and decided to hang out again was delightful and fun. Turns out he's a PS regular now and we have several mutual friends.

Of course, it wouldn't be a hot weekend if there weren't plenty of good looking men running about. (Hi Nipper!) That is, until The Barracks got busted for overcrowding (and yes, the place was mobbed), and the cops cleared everyone out. My first ever bar raid! Ah, well.

Then it was on-board the big old jet airliner for the trip home, for which we had enough miles to get first class seats. I never realized how comfortable flying could be before this. It made the end of the weekend easier to deal with. We arrived home to one very happy kitty. Now it's back to studies.

I am going to make a great effort to write more posts and reviews, if only to force my brain to write things.

Sophie and the Soda Can

Fresh Blueberries, Here!

A friend of Joel's went to the Blueberry farms of New Jersey for what is an annual trek for him. He goes over with a truck and returns with over 100 pounds of blueberries. These are sold in 10 pound boxes. Joel bought two of these from him and we spent some time washing, de-stemming and bagging them for the freezer.




We weighed out a pound per bag, then tried to squeeze the air out before sealing up the bags. That also meant trying to get the berries as dry as possible before bagging.
 


These are really tasty, fresh fruits. Joel loves to bake blueberries into pancakes and other bakery delights. Sophie was more interested in waiting for one of these little round blue things to fall on the kitchen floor so she could bat it around or chase it.

 

But for the moment, we have plenty of berries to carry us through the coming months.

While the Red Sox were beating the Phillies…

Sophie takes a nap.

Two Years of my life in Pictures

Sophie gets a Shampoo

Joel has developed a cat allergy, and we love Sophie too much to give her away. So she now gets special cat dander shampooing. More fun under the clawie. Clickie.

Sophie Cat Peeks Out.

  

Puss Massage

So...who wants to see my scars?

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and good karma over the past few days. The surgery went without incident and the fistula was removed. I have not done much else than sleep, nibble, and watch DVD's (Mad Menand District 9, which are both terrific). Joel has been an absolute angel through all of this, making sure I get all my meds at the right times. I am still sore and VERY cranky, even with the help of Demerol.

Nice Sophie Cat note. Wednesday night, before going to bed, she jumped up on the covers and curled up next to me. Normally she does this with the twin demands of attention and petting, but this time she just snuggled up and stayed with me while I was resting.  She's been very attentive since I've been home, as well.


The aftermath has not been fun. Any time in the bathroom is worse than a Spanish Inquisition, and the safe word is not Auughh!, no matter how many times I yell it. Sitting has its own unique challenges, as does trying to find a comfortable position to sleep. I have devloped new-found appreciations for Aloe-Wipes and Gator Ade, and a another confirmation that catheters just ain't my thing. Especially after having one in me for 12 hours. Dr Kitty doesn't approve.

House Diva Sophie Cat makes her World Series Prediction

The backstory: There's a lady from Florida who takes up residence at a local Dunkin' Donuts parking lot, setting up tent/tarps, tables and a van load of liscenced Phillies - World Series gear. Joel and I stopped to pick up a couple of shirts, and I set them on the love seat once we got home. Within minutes, Sophie had decided they were her new cat mat. But the pose was too priceless to pass up, so out came the camera.

She says "Phillies in seven."

Sophie Cat Takes Over

On return from Pride on Sunday, I took a couple items from my duffle bag and left it on the couch. Within 24 hours, House Diva Sophie Cat decided it was her new cat bed.



It's mine now...



She is SUCH a Diva



Poor kitty is going to be really bummed when I reclaim it for the weekend!