Emo kitty and murderball

[blamebrampton]

In the spare room there is a tatty old escritoire that I have stuffed full of old things I have no regular need for but want to keep nonetheless. Having lost the key many years ago, I just push the doors in the base shut, and they are old and stiff enough to stay that way. Sometimes when a very heavy train goes past, they spring open as the whole house shakes a little.

Three times in the last few weeks I had gone into that room to find the escritoire open and my old teddy bear (oh shush, as though anyone can throw away their Teddy!) on the floor. Three times I've picked it up and put it away, closing the door carefully. And thinking "Gosh, that must have been a very heavy train!"

Last night J revealed the truth of the matter. Monster kitten goes to the doors and bats at them until they spring open. She then reaches in and pulls Teddy out, drags him away from the escritoire and proceeds to lick and nibble and roll all over Teddy before settling down for a little cuddle.

I have moved my vintage Teddy out of harm's way, but the make-a-teddy that I have for obscure reasons has been put into its place to see if it's an acceptable alternative. Oh the sweetness of the emo kitty!

In sports news, Sebastien Vettel is on pole for the Italian Grand Prix after the freakiest qualifying session ever! Poor old Lewis and Kimi are back in 15th and 14th respectively, so I expect a symphony of passing. Massa starts from 6, and must be thanking his sundry patron saints (I feel certain he has several, he's that kind of lad).

And I am at wit's end trying to find when the wheelchair rugby will be on tonight, as it's Australia versus Great Britain in the sport aka murderball. Like regular rugby, the players come in two types: brick shithouse and slim, muscly Jonny Wilkinson types. The crashing, bashing, blocking, passing, high turnover, mostly controlled violence of the game is astonishing and I really want to see these teams go up against each other, particularly because I can support both!

In a very nice Paralympic moment, wheelchair athlete Kurt Fearnley has withdrawn his protest. Kurt was meant to start the 800m from lane 7, but the officials, who aren't crash hot I'm afraid, popped him in lane 2. The 800 is a very tactical race, and it matters a lot where you're positioned. Fearnley, who was favourite, came in second behind Team GB's David Weir (they are both regularly at the pointy end). The Australian team lodged a protest and it was upheld and the race was going to be rerun. However, Fearnley decided that Weir deserved the gold, and asked that his protest be disregarded.

See, THAT's the level of sportsmanship I miss in the Olympics.

And in fandom news, much as I hate to say this, I think I need to stop beta-ing if I plan to ever write again.

Comments

[tomatoe18.livejournal.com]

How did the Monster know about the teddy being there in the first place if the room has been locked for so many years? Was it during one of the passing of the heavy train? In any case, my cat is jealous... she's always wanted a teddy. I never gave her one. :3

And in fandom news, much as I hate to say this, I think I need to stop beta-ing if I plan to ever write again.

*sweatdrops* did my e-mails bring this on? If yes, I'm sorry.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Oh the room's not locked, just the escritoire usually closed, but Monster is the Investigating Kitty.

It's not just you! But I am afraid this will probably be the last of yours I can fit in this year. I realised today that I have beta-ed or Britpicked some 10 stories in the last month and written none. This is not good!

[tomatoe18.livejournal.com]

Oh, OK, I see. I love Investigating Kitties, though. They sometimes help me find old things that I've put in cardboards and boxes! I found an old bag that way... I hope Monster is pleased with the substitute Teddy!

10?! O__o;; I didn't realize. *hangs head in shame* But this one I sent you is my last for this year. Don't think will have anymore to send. So you can write for the rest of year and... well, I'm not sure if I can do, but if you ever need my help, just ask. :)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Don't *you* feel any guilt. Aside from my dear Amber's novel, you've been the most fun to work with!

And I have just introduced Monster to the substitute teddy, there was some licking and a little nibble and she has curled up to nap with one paw on him, so we will see if he is up to scratch.

And the rugby is HUGE! Australia are five goals ahead but their best player has just been put out for a penalty. Still, it's very near the end. I have every hope that the Brits can still beat the Americans in their semi game and make it through to the medals, though.

[tomatoe18.livejournal.com]

Aww, I feel so warm inside after that comment. *hugs* You really are my most favorite person ever in the fandom. :D

Napping with one paw on the Sub!Teddy is a good sign! ... at least, with mine, it usually is. Speaking of curling up to nap, that sounds REALLY NICE right now...

*cackles* Seeing you talk sports... It's so awesome. Because it's so different! First the Grand Prix, then the Paralympics, and now RUGBY! I love your blog.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Paralympic rugby, mind!

Have a good nap!

[shiv5468.livejournal.com]

We used to wrap a hotwater bottle in a towel for the dog when he was a puppy to keep him company.

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

that is unbelievably sweet. ♥

[shiv5468.livejournal.com]

And made him a cup of tea.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Very good idea! Mon and Cookie often curl up together, but I think Mon likes soft things to play with, as her toy obsession shows. She's an odd little thing ...

[shiv5468.livejournal.com]

As long as she doesn't try mating with it.

The dog developed an unhealthy attraction to black cardigans

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

No, though she might eat it. She's a little bit of a guts. Cookie has a love for pants, which she takes out of the clean washing basket and hides around the house. Great for guests to play find the undies!

[annes-stuff.livejournal.com]

(oh shush, as though anyone can throw away their Teddy!)


I still have my plush Snoopy I had as a child, and I ain't giving him up!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Nor should you! I would pay to have him sent to Brissie for you if it came to that!

[annes-stuff.livejournal.com]

Thanks :-), but don't worry it won't come to that.

Are you feeling any better?

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Feeling less as though we're actively dying, but we're still coughing like romantic heroines and sleeping most of the days away when we don't want to as opposed to when we do. BLEAGH, I say!

[annes-stuff.livejournal.com]

You have been sick for over two weeks now, this isn't good :-(

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Two and a half. It's influenza, you're sick as a dog for two weeks and then convalescing for another two to four. People die of flu, which is why I always want to slap people who call a nasty cold flu, it's just not the same.

[annes-stuff.livejournal.com]

If you are too sick to have me stay in two weeks let me know and I will arrange alternative accommodation while in Sydney, I don't mind.

I think people calling nasty cold, the flu is just not knowing the two are different. Until I was 19 and had a doctor point out the difference I didn't know either.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

We might not be very exciting, but it should be fine. No need for major housecleaning aside from my debacle of a sewing room.

That's a good point in some cases, I will attempt to practise charity.

[annes-stuff.livejournal.com]

I don't need excitement anyway, that is what the weekend after will be for.

Argh! Sewing! I haven't gotten any done over the last couple of weeks, none at all, I have too much else on and I am afraid next weekend is already busy.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I can lend you smocks if it comes to that!

[annes-stuff.livejournal.com]

That would be great as it will mean I only have to take one dress if I have several smocks I can wear underneath it. I have one dress that fits and isn't falling apart.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Not a prob. There are at least three that are good to go and I know where they are.

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

when i moved across to nz i gave up my old teddy to the great beyond. but it wasn't easy.

i'm highly amused that monster hunts down the teddy. [*grins*]

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

She is a Hunting Kitten! Though usually in search of crisps and chicken. Occasionally balls of wool or lace bobbins, the little monkey.

I couldn't give teddy away, there are so few parts of my childhood left in my life, Teddy stays!

[frantic-mice.livejournal.com]

I shall set up NINJA assassins outside the house of ANYONE who asks you to beta again. O.O

No BabyBaby writing is TOTES FTL. <3

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

That would be LOVELY, could you manage some for people who contract me to do straightforward editing jobs that grow into mammoth tasks of doom, too? Thanks micie!

[libby-drew.livejournal.com]

Keep me updated on how surrogate teddy works out, will you? Have you tried rubbing it with catnip? It's probably something about the smell of your vintage teddy that kitty likes.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I gave her a trial introduction on the sofa. She gave him a bit of a sniff and a lick, but is now ignoring him. I'll pop him in the escritoire and see if he passes scrutiny. Otherwise I may have to break out the catnip! And yes, the old one is musty and wears a knitted wool suit, both of which may be objects of desire, too.

[libby-drew.livejournal.com]

Let the new one get musty and see what happens.

Knitted wool suits are a vastly underrated kink.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I think I will have to spill stewed tomato and pear juice over it, and then suck them of, then let it fester for about 38 years, since I think that was how the original developed its patina of grot. Maybe it would be better to find an actual toddler and see about artificially aging the mank...

[annes-stuff.livejournal.com]

Have you thought about getting a grotty old teddy from a second hand store?

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I have my mum's and dad's around somewhere, and I'm not as attached to them as I am to mine ;-)

[annes-stuff.livejournal.com]

He he.

There is also the possibility that she is attached to the teddy because she can smell you on it. So I wonder if leaving your substitute teddy in the bed with you and then giving it to her will help.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Ooh! That's a good idea! I'll let J know why I have a teddy, though, because it's a bit weird otherwise!

[leela-cat.livejournal.com]

Our Leela cat does that, banging open cupboard doors. She's also the one who makes love to undies and drags them into the hallway though.

And I definitely hear you about not beta-ing so much. I haven't exactly stopped writing, but I'm feeling the pressure because of the looming deadlines for fests I signed up for.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

YAY for undies cats!

Yes, it's the looming deadlines that have filled me with fear. I have two coming up and a trip to Italy in the middle. Also, I can't speak Italian yet. ARGH!

[leela-cat.livejournal.com]

I'm actually thinking about asking for an extension for the next fest deadline. Except that means asking for an extension of the one after that.

4K word stories really ought not to morph into almost 15K stories. Just saying. *sigh*

[uminohikari.livejournal.com]

XDDDD

I still sleep with my teddy. Ummm

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I probably would if I thought I could get away with it ;-)

[abusing-sarcasm.livejournal.com]

Ooh, wheelchair rugby is one of the most exciting sports around! I went to a game a few years back, and it was incredible. The crowed was so keyed-up and the level of play is astounding.

And awwwww at the emo kitty. :D

I really have nothing exciting to add, I just wanted to say hi. I'm glad you're feeling better! *hugs*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Still stuffed, but convalescing at last. Should be back to being an active and functional human, soon!

And the rugby was INSANE! Australia won against Great Britain just at the end, and now faces Canada, while Team GB is going up against the US. I'd love to see them both win!

Emo kitty is a constant delight. Mad as a mad thing, but an utter darling.

[aldehyde.livejournal.com]

the story of the cat + the teddy was so adorable! awwwh.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

She is such an adorable little cat! While we still miss our Min cat, these two make us smile every day.

[enchanted-jae.livejournal.com]

Cats are so silly!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

But HILARIOUS! She's a bit sulky with me for moving vintage Ted today, but she's had a few nibbles on new ted, so fingers crossed.