where in the world is...

1. I started a creative writing class last night. Our instructor is a stereotype: old, white-long-haired, absent-minded British bloke who read the class lecture directly out of a red notebook. Perfectly straightened posture except for the hunch in his back, wherein his head was buried in the individual typed, sheet-protected pages from which he recited his lecture - word for word.

2. Starting on July 13, I begin a part-time schedule as necessitated by deep budget cuts within the City of Seattle. Mondays off to meet my friends for walks and coffee - and to write.

3. I co-taught an evening workshop last week on social research methods and how to conduct focus groups. Near glowing evaluations aside, I was reminded that I love to teach. I think I'm pretty darn decent at it too. Even my co-instructor kept saying, "Wow, you're really good at this!" Feels good to be appreciated. Feels good to feel good at something.

4. Meshach is old, as was made apparent this morning at the vet's. He's been "leaking" while he sleeps, which is unfortunate because he sleeps right next to my face. The vet says he probably has kidney disease. She also discovered a heart murmur during his exam, which means he probably has heart disease too. Fifteen healthily cantankerous years he has had. Like watching my parents age, it is hard to watch him age too. Kitty diapers were not brought up as an option. Sticking a diaper pad under him when he sleeps was. Bleh.

5. I think I'm going to be an overly permissive mother. The vet chastised me about how I should've warned them that I was bringing in Meshach. She stated with exasperation that he was a "huge challenge" during his exam, requiring several hospital staff persons to help hold him down while he got checked out. I ignored her complaints. Instead I turned to him and coddled the pain-in-the-ass saying ever-so-gently-and-sweetly, "Don't worry, honey. Mommy's here now..."