A Respite

There is no play practice tonight so Miss Caitlin is using the time to catch up with her friends, after a very productive morning. We are very glad because she was starting to go a little batty. For instance, this morning she grabbed a fork to eat her cereal with and did not notice until she took the first scoop. A nap later in the day restored her sanity. We are glad for her.

The play is running slightly ahead of schedule and everything is still going pretty smoothly. Hopefully it will continue so.

Miss Caitlin is keeping abreast in Anna Karenina and her other readings. She is attending a meeting this weekend to get to know the other students going to Greece in May. She knows one girl from theater classes and hopes the other students are likable as well. Sunday will tell.

Other than that small amount, I am afraid there is little to report. With Miss Caitlin gone so much, very little happens. While we wish the play to be a great success, we also hope that she lasts until then.

The Visitor and Other News

Deirdre came over on Monday after I posted. She's very nice. She made a nest in Cat's headphones, since Cat doesn't use them much. She has a pretty necklace, and she likes my earing. She likes books and stuff, but she doesn't make fun of me for watching anime. She says she likes Dr. Who better, but anime is fun too. She says Miss Adrien's roommates watch anime too. It made me remember that it was those girls that got Cat into anime when she roomed with them last fall. I'd forgotten because I came to live with Cat last spring, and she was in the campus apartment then, and already watching anime. But anyway, Deirdre doesn't mind anime.

Last night was a short rehearsal for Cat because they were only running through Act I. The actors were supposed to be off book. Some of them had to be scolded because they weren't. They're running Act II tonight - hopefully it will be better this time.

Cat's Mom linked to us from her blog! She writes about her needlework stuff mostly. This time she put up some pictures Cat took of the ice from the ice storm. Cat's a little disappointed that Mom forgot to take pictures of the christening gown that she made for Cat's baby cousin. Cat had to come to school and work on the play, so she didn't get to go to the christening or see the gown when it was finished. But maybe someone will send Mom a nice picture of it and she'll put it up.

It's pretty warm today (pretty warm means above freezing). Cat says the trees throw pieces of ice when the wind blows. She says it's like the Old Forest in Fellowship of the Ring, when the trees throw leaves and twigs and pieces of bark because they don't like the hobbits. Deirdre and Snibbly thought this was funny, but I didn't since I haven't read that book. Cat says she'll read it again this summer, so I can read it with her then. I feel I should, because those books are very important to Cat.

Cat's been watching anime for a reward when she gets what she's supposed to done. It's been hard for her to fit time for herself in with rehearsal, so this is a good way for her to unwind. Code Geass is getting really interesting. We're starting to like that one a lot. Bleach has also been awesome lately. We started watching Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto, (there's a mouthful for you) which is very good. It's about the last few Samurai in the 1800's. There's a lot of politics and history stuff, so we're watching them again to try and follow that since neither of us know a lot about Japanese history at that time (we're also trying figure out everyone's name this time through). The main plot's pretty good too. Adrien's coming over today to watch Hana Yori Dango 2 with us. It's the second season of a Japanese drama. We watched the first season last year. It's not an anime, but it did come from a manga. It's kinda hokey, but that's what makes it so much fun.

Funness

It's snowed! Cat's happy because now it'll be easy to walk she says. I guess walking on sheets of ice is hard. I don't walk much so I wouldn't know - being carried around in pockets is much more stylish.

I got to play in Cat's Dungeons and Dragons game! I got to play their angel friend who sent them on a quest to explore a dungeon. They're doing a dungeon because they're easy to make and Cat doesn't have much time. Adrien came over and played this time which was fun, but she didn't bring Deirdre. She said she'd come over soon though. I hope Deirdre isn't as annoying as Snibbly. Maybe she'll be more fun like Clem.

Saiunkoku Monogatari updated again. It was a good episode - it's starting to get real exciting. The new guy's being really forward with Shuurei though. It's okay because he's not really a good guy (but I don't think he's a bad guy either) so Seiran will come and kick his butt.

Apologies

I find I must apologize for my lapse but it has been a hectic week since we have returned to University. Rehearsal for the Shakespearean comedy, Taming of the Shrew, has proceeded well. Miss Caitlin, who has the position of Assistant Stage Manager, reports that things are progressing at a fair pace, and that all stylistic decisions made so far have been consistent. Miss Caitlin is hopeful that things will proceed in this matter.

For her Interdisciplinary Seminar, Miss Caitlin is reading Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, which we have both found to be diverting so far. I am relieved that we are finally reading something of worth. Miss Caitlin is also taking a class on Islam, which sounds fascinating, though Miss Caitlin has admitted to me that she feels isolated in that class. It seems that many of the Philosophy-Religion majors are rather elitist. I assured Caitlin that she had nothing to worry from them. Her religious education has been superior to that of many other Americans, and the subject holds great interest for her. The elitists are most likely all bluster; surely they are no more intelligent than my lady is. Her other classes, one on the construction of the English language, one on the nuances of how to apply make-up for the Stage, and the last on aspects of technical writing, sound diverting, though not as interesting for me as her others.

I am currently waiting for a visit from my dearest friend, Deirdre. A fair and intelligent pig, Deirdre is my intellectual equal in all ways. She has an overriding interest in history, literature, and the arts, which she picks up from her Mistress, Adrien. Before the holiday break, I had the pleasure of visiting with Deirdre at her home, which is far distant from us, being all the way across the street. Miss Caitlin extended an invitation to Deirdre at that time that she might come visit us during this the new year. A precise date was not set, but I am confident that it will be soon, and I shall behold her delicate image and hear her dulcet tones soon.

Until then, I must satisfy myself with readings from Anna Karenina and reports from Miss Caitlin about the progress of her play.

Returning to University

The preparations have been set in motion for our return to University. Unfortunately our friend Clem is overcome with dread concerning the upcoming train ride. He has been terrified of the train every since Amtrak misplaced Miss Caitlin's duffel several years ago as she returned to school from Spring Holidays. The unlucky Clem was in said duffel and he braved a several day long trip to Las Angeles that no one expected. I feel that he is justified in his mistrust of the train, however, since that incident Miss Caitlin has been more contentious about where she stows her duffel, so there is little to worry about. In general, the trip is very enjoyable, since it gives Miss Caitlin a chance to read, write, or even watch movies (or anime, sigh) for the four hour trip.

Miss Caitlin is in the process of washing her clothes and packing. Packing, for Miss Caitlin, seems to be more about exerting the proper will-power at the objects in question that it does about the laws of physics. For instance, one of Miss Caitlin's maxims on the subject is "You can fit an almost infinite amount of underthings into any space, no matter how small." The frightening thing is that she makes it work. But today she may have to declare defeat and set out to buy different sized boxes as the ones she has are either to small to fit much, or too big to be manageable.

On a different note, Miss Caitlin and I had the joy of going out the lunch with some fabulous ladies, including Miss Caitlin's dear friend Miss Pippin and her porcine friend Gip. I always enjoy Gip's conversation and yesterday was no different. I only wish that I had gotten to see more of her over the break.

I must preside over the packing now, so I must say good-bye.

Hiya

I snagged the first post of the new year. This makes me happy.

Saiunkoku Monogatari updated last night. This made me very happy.

There's another guy trying for Shuurei's hand. This made me less happy.

Snibbly got to go out again and I didn't. This made me more less happy.

Overall, Saiunkoku Monogatari updating wins out to make me happy.