cats » Random Says...

R is for R.I.P.

Apr 202012

I had other plans for R day, but…

This morning I woke to our cat, Monty, lying on the floor wheezing. His neck was wet and he had a hard time breathing. I took him to the vet where they found his lungs were filled with fluid and he had a clot blocking most of the blood to his lower body. Long story short, we had to put him down.

Monty was one of the sweetest, mellowest, quietest cats I’ve met. Of course he was quirky, which was part of his charm. When he was still very young, he broke one of his hips. In spite of that, he got around for years, still managing to explore and get into mischief.

I’ll miss you, Monty. R.I.P.

Monty, 2006-2012

Brothers

Where have I been?

Random 4 Responses »

Feb 212012

Well, I’ve been here. Lurking. Watching. Waiting. Trying out different themes.

Yes, I’ve been checking out different themes on my local computer. Did you know there are hundreds, maybe thousands of the things out there?

And have I mentioned I can be indecisive?

Yeah, well, sprinkle in a dash of procrastination, and a dollop of depression, and you have a lack of posts.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the distraction factor:

Mmmm, fuzzy cat pile

Incidentally, you may see some theme changes over the next few days. Don’t be alarmed! And feel free to make a comment if you see one you like (or don’t like)!

Haunting music, zombie crypts and cats

Random No Responses »

Oct 282011

Have you ever listened to a song that made you shiver? Or that made you feel something you couldn’t quite put your finger on, but that was both compelling and uncomfortable at the same time?

Here are some songs that I find haunting. Now, for me, the hauntingness comes from the music itself. If the lyrics contribute, that’s great, but music has rarely (if ever) been about the lyrics.

I doubt I’ll post music often because I know how subjective music can be. I have no reason to believe you’ll like any of these songs. Then again, I’ve discovered some awesome music by stumbling upon someone else’s selection, so…

These videos are all on YouTube. Most of them are just recordings of the track with some image for the “video” part. In other words, they’re for listening not watching.

I’ll list these in chronological order, not of the recording date, but of when it was current in my playlists. This first one is Under Ice by Kate Bush. In this case, the lyrics are part of the hauntingness, so I’m already violating my earlier point. Sheesh!

Next up, Sandman by This Ascension. This band was one of my favorites for a long time. There’s something deliciously creepy about their music.

This one may be a little obvious given the title is Ghost (by Lunasect), but the title of a song doesn’t necessarily say what the music itself evokes. I don’t know if this song makes me think “ghost” but I do find it haunting.

This next one, Buried Alive by Unwoman, features the cello, one of the most beautiful and haunting instruments ever created.

If you like dark, moody music, Katatonia might be up your alley. This is Soil’s Song.

Another group that serves up some consistently dark music is Trance to the Sun. I really wanted to post their song, Reach for the Throat, but I couldn’t find an online source, so here instead is Homewrecker.

Finally, Red Water by Type O Negative.

Do you have any songs that haunt you?

Other Tidbits — zombie crypts and cats

Awhile back, I posted about a zombie crypt in the Mt. View Cemetery. Well, I’ve been informed that the crypt has since been removed! That means two things:

I may have taken the very last photo ever of that monstrous structure.
The city clearly removed the crypt in response to my previous post. You’re welcome, Ashland.

I have reason to believe our cats are possessed. I’m not sure why I think that.

Possessed cats

Surely, there MUST be improv in Ashland

Improv No Responses »

Aug 152011

It’s been said that (acting) improv is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. (See how handy passive tense can be? It hides the fact that I’m the one who said it. Um, well, it did hide the fact.)

I have yet to find strong evidence of improv in Ashland or even Medford. (Of course, my not finding it does not mean it’s not there.)

This lack of improv has made me realize two things very vividly:

1) I really miss the great access to improv classes (and performances) I had in Bellingham. I see now what a huge benefit it is to that city to have even one, let alone two strong improv schools.

2) It is possible to go into improv withdrawal. So far the physical symptoms seem to be minor. Or it could be more of a psychological thing. Either way, I’m starting to worry that I may have to try to get the cats to improvise with me.

For those of you fortunate enough to have improv classes in your town, I strongly encourage you to give it a shot — even if you don’t want to “perform” or if you feel you’re too shy, not funny, or whatever.

I had no goal of performing when I started, yet I kept going to class for nearly five years because it was so fun to do, and so freeing. Just being in the class was entertaining because I was around other people who were also there playing and having fun. And I’d often laugh so hard my face hurt after.

Really, one might almost say it’s the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

—–

If you know of any improv classes, groups or even companies around Ashland Oregon, please let me know!

Turns out cats are not the most focused improv partners

Welcome to Random Says…

Random No Responses »

Aug 082011

I read that the first post in a blog usually sucks, so I decided to get it over with.

Call me Random. For some reason, I’ve always liked the idea of the word ‘random’ used for a name – ever since I first read Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny. (You can read more about me on the About Random page.)

But enough about me. Let’s talk about this first post thing. It’s been lurking in my head (and on my hard drive) for over a week, yet only now am I getting it posted.

You see, I’m a procrastinator, so the process of getting this post to this point went something like this:

[Random has a conversation with himself…]

Random1: Hey, if the first post usually sucks anyway, I’ll just put some quick thing up and get it out of the way.

Random2: Right. Except… don’t you want us to make a good first impression?

Random1: Well, that’s true, I suppose. But no, I like the idea of the first post sucking! It’s really very freeing!

Random2: Uh-huh. So, do you mean we should make it really suck? Like over the top, go for it kind of thing?

Random1: Ha ha, that’d be fun!

Random2: But, do we want to set that kind of precedent?

[Grows distracted by cats. Stops writing for the day. Word count: 0]

Distracting demon cat being all distracting. Plus, fuzzy.

[Several days pass. I’m busy unpacking and setting up our new house. Tuesday arrives.]

Random1: Finally! I have my computer hooked up. We have internet. I’ve got time to take a break and get that first post cranked out.

Random2: Good idea! Where were we? Oh yeah, sucky first post.

Random1: You know, we’re in the middle of this move to a new city in a new state. Why don’t I write about that?

Random2: True, lots of stuff to write about there. Oh! We can post photos of Ashland! Hm, too bad we haven’t had time to take any yet.

Random1: Well, next time I take a break, I’ll grab the camera.

[A couple days pass. During that time I often think of the first post. I remember I need to take some pictures. I make a mental note. Then I think, first I should synchronize the photos between my two computers. More days pass. Word count: 0]

Random1: This is ridiculous! It’s Sunday night and I want to get going by tomorrow. Start on a Monday. It’s a good starting day. It can be the first “Story Start Monday!”

Random2: Oh, good point, yeah! Let’s read what we have so far. [reads through what had been written] Oh, this is no good.

Random1: Fine, then I’ll just write something random!

Random2: Great! But, will you do both a first post and a Story Start?

Random1: (sighs)

[Begins typing this sucky first post…]

Random2: Maybe add a photo?

Random1: A photo of what? Nothing goes with… Fine, here you go:

Who knows what direction this blog will go?