To Make a Short Story Long or a Long Story Longer

I can't tell short stories. It's just not in my genetic make up. When others might "make a long story short," I just end up making a long story longer. Keeping that in mind, I'm offering some bullet points of what's going on as opposed to actual stories.

• Nico is settling in better, but still acts like I am going to kick him any time we cross paths.
• My work portfolio has quadrupled in the last two weeks, causing the long breaks between posts.
• I am so sick of living in an apartment. Even more annoying was discovering today that mortgage payments for a $175,000 house would be significantly less than I am paying in rent right now. Too bad my student loans would make being approved for a mortgage impossible.
• I organized a recycling program for our office kitchen. The bin is clearly labeled aluminum cans and plastic only. So why did someone dump 8 cardboard boxes and a bowl of pasta in there today? Ugh! Read the damn signs, people!

Pocket Susan Advice: Even if you're stuck in an apartment for a few more years, do what you can to make your place a little more green and lower your energy bills like changing out traditional lightbulbs for flourescents. Last weekend I installed a programmable thermostat and it was surprisingly easy and will hopefully lower my electric bill during the hot summer months ahead!

Party Animal

This past Saturday I was supposed to go to a wine and cheese party with my friend Jon. I made a bunch of tasty dip. I got ready a little too quickly and found myself with an extra hour before I had to leave. I flipped on the TV, flopped down on the couch, and promptly fell asleep. So much for being social.

Nicolai

I named my cat Nicolai and Nico for short. The irony is that Nico is Japanese for "cat". I definitely didn't know that, but am thankful that at least it makes sense and nico isn't Japanese for ferret or dishwasher or something.

Nico spent the first three hours in his carrier. He let me pet him and was purring and didn't really seem to have any desire to get out. So I let him be.

Finally, he emerged and started to explore but only when I was in the other room. The second he saw me, he flew behind the couch or to his favorite place, under the dining table on a chair. The first night he also peed in my large potted plant even though his litter box was only about three feet away. (Thankfully, today he mastered the litter box!)

He's warming up gradually, but still likes to hide under the table. He must feel safe because there is a long tablecloth that gives it a tent feel. He loves getting attention, but I have to crawl under the table to get to him. I spent a half hour tonight lying on my back under the table just to pet my cat. This is the view: