The Real Reason There is a Skyrocketing Cat Population in Canada: Crazy Cat Lady or the Truth?

Before you say, "Great, it's not the humans' fault after all, it's the squirrels' or the truck drivers'", it's still the human's fault.

In 2011, over 600,000 cats did not find homes in Canada. Of that number, most have likely been euthanized.

My theory as to what happened is as follows.

For thousands of years humans were content to be born as humans, hunt and gather food, tend to the crops and raise their families. Somewhere around Victorian times humans became too smart for their own good and they knew it.

Humans started demanding basic human rights that were constantly taken away by their employers. They started abusing each other and demanding stuff for free. They wanted the government to look after them, but they didn't want to pay the taxes.

Humans sat down and had a good hard look at the world around them. They looked at their pets whom they loved. "I want to be a cat," they said to each other.

"If I can't be a cat in this life, I want to be a cat in my next life."

Tomorrow, those human souls become kittens via reincarnation.

By now you realize that your odds of finding a good kitty home are next to nil.

And once again, the cat overpopulation is still the humans' fault, just like it has always been.

SPCA Cat Report:
http://www.spcans.ca/documents/news/CFHS_CatReport3.pdf

Five Things I Loved About Vancouver Fan Expo & Five Things I Hated About Vancouver Fan Expo 2013

What I loved:

1. All the fabulous costumes that the fans wore, from comic book super heroes to Doctor Who to Star Wars characters.
2. Seeing the stars up close. We didn’t have to purchase autographs or photo sessions to see many wandering around or seated at one of the tables.
3. The panels with the stars which were very informative and entertaining.
4. The chance to buy some cool merchandise.
5. The chance to have our photographs taken with the stars.


What I hated:

1. It’s costly to buy a ticket that only allows entrance to the event, but does not offer anything else.
2. The lack of panels. This was a chance to hear the stars talk, but I guess they’d rather earn money selling photos and autographs.
3. The lack of non-comic book related merchandise. I seriously did not get my Doctor Who fix.
4. Being rushed through autograph and photo sessions. These cost from $40 plus, and only offered about one minute with each star.
5. The mass confusion and lack of security to direct people anywhere. A major concern after the Boston bombing.

Prepare Your Time Machine for the Time Travellers' Bazaar in Vancouver, BC!

12:30 - 4:00 pm

Brittania High 

School Cafeteria

Vancouver, B.C.

Looking for that perfect outfit or costume for Fan Expo, Comic Con, Dragon Con or Victoria Steam Expo? Come on out to this free event, there is no entrance fee at the door. Just come to browse, socialize or shop among the Time Travelling Vendors.

Yours Truly will have mostly jewellery, accessories, and handmade posies for your Victorian costumes. There will also be a bagful of clothes and half a table full of crafting supplies. I'm not sure what the other vendors are bringing but I did hear whispers of Victorian, Steampunk, and Super Heroes.

Anything that can be crafted or worn is allowed at the Bazaar.

Join us for a blast through the past and don't forget to steam up your Time Machine!

What in bread's name is L-Cysteine?

I've always wanted to write a blog entry about the L-Cysteine food additive but sadly can't keep up with my fun projects, let alone depressing nutritional news. Here's a great article that says pretty much what I wanted to decry about the new L-Cysteine food additive. No, we should not be forced to eat human body parts. Yuck. I am not a cannibal!

Source:
I am not a cannibal!

How to Comb a Cat and Get Away with It!

The other day I asked my boyfriend for blog ideas. Perhaps my readers are getting tired of reading about Steampunk, writing, cats, and booze. Not necessarily all at once. 

"How to Comb a Cat" is what he suggested. While he's right on the money with how-to articles being a popular blog choice, I asked why he picked this topic. 

"Because my cat enjoys being combed for five seconds and then she bites me." So, what he was really asking was not how to actually comb a cat, but how to get rid of the tangles and mats.

The topic for this article should be more like "how to comb a cat and get away with it". 

Personally, my cat loves being brushed and combed. She can't get enough of it! If I crazy-glued my hands to her body she would be the happiest kitty in the world.

I bought her one of those flea combs with the tiny prongs. I start by using the wider prongs around her face. Most cats love having their chins and necks scratched and rubbed. Let your cat get used to the comb. Flip it around and use the smooth side, the one without the prongs. Try it for a couple of minutes each day. If she bites the comb then stop. You're telling her that the pleasurable experience ends once she bites the comb or you.

Use the blunt end of the comb to gently stroke her fur from her head to her tail. Don't aim to remove fur at first, just let her get used to the feel. If she hates it, it's going to be a long combing curve.

Do this once a day for about a week. If she's already graduated to being successfully combed then give her a cat treat. If not, use the comb side on her for a few seconds, then go back to the blunt side. Always avoid her tummy, most cats don't like being touched there at the best of times, unless it's my cat.

Comb along the upper back near the tail. That's a hot spot for kitties. 

Remember, if your cat bites or scratches you at any point, it's time to put away the comb and leave the room. Don't reprimand her or look surprised. It's normal cat behaviour. Try again the next day. If she repeats the bad behaviour repeat and rinse your wounds. Biting and scratching means the fun part stops.

Cats are quick learners and will soon realize that seeing the comb in your hand means a fun grooming experience is at hand.

Don't comb your cat for more than five minutes at a time. Most cats have short attention spans. If kitty is happy, leave her happy. 

Once your cat is used to this new combing routine you can get down to business and actually start using the comb to remove loose fur and gently pull apart tangles. Keeping up with this routine on a daily basis will give you and your cat some pleasurable time together and her fur will look fantastic.

THE 2013 ZODIAC GUIDE TO CRITICISM

I was pondering how the different zodiac signs interact with each other. Some get along, some don't. Some interact better with the opposite sex.

Here's my guide to criticism.

Point in question: "Hi, your name here. You've been looking a bit tired after all the holiday stress."

Your response based on your zodiac sign:

Capricorn: Did you watch the game last night?

Aquarius: Are you buying me a coffee to make me feel better?

Pisces: Let's play video games!

Aries: Ha ha ha ha

Taurus: Tell me how you really feel.

Gemini: I look better than you do.

Cancer: Let's have a drink and talk about it.

Leo: You *&%$#@!

Virgo: Let's go to bed!

Libra: Sigh!

Scorpio: Boo hoo you're so insensitive. 

Saggitarius: It's all these extra hours I've been working. 

How to Save Money in the New Year

You’ve over-budgeted the Christmas gifts, the groceries cost double what you expected, and your liquor allowance went through the roof. It’s after Christmas and you’ve sat yourself down to have a good hard look at your finances, but you don’t like what you see.

How are you going to survive through January, if you don’t have enough money to cover your perishables and necessities for even one week?

Here’s a few tips on helping you survive through the New Year until you bring in a few paycheques to cover your credit card bills.

Dig to the backs of your cupboards and fridge. I know food doesn’t last long in the fridge, but you can dig to the back of your freezer too. I have some frozen vegetables in there from the fall which are still perfectly well within their expiry dates but not too appetizing. So what? Cook them up and add salt and pepper and butter. Likely you have enough food in your fridge and freezer to get you past the first two weeks. Dig to the backs of your cupboards. Everyone has bags of pasta back there that can be added to those veggies.

Have you run out of dish soap? Head to the bathroom and dig out those bottles of stinky shampoo that you bought but didn’t like. They make great dish soap! They can also be used as bubblebath.

You can also interchange shampoo with dish soap. I’ve used an unscented on occasion and it’s great, no allergies!

Run out of lipstick or toothpaste? Really? Now is the time to clean out your bathroom closets and drawers. Use up all that junk that you bought, tried and hated. No point in buying more when you already have supplies. Use up all those hateful products. Why not? They’ll do the job just fine. So you have to double rinse to get the smell/taste out, who cares? Don't lick your lips!

Clothes getting a bit tatty? I’m sure if you cleaned out your closets you’d find dozens of items that are in perfect condition. Styles don’t evolve as quickly as they used to. You’ll be fine at work.

I’m sure you have absorbed the idea now. Use what you have, don’t buy anything more until all the items in your home have been depleted. Repurpose, reuse, recycle and you’ll be well on your way to having your bills paid off by February. Have a Happy New Year!