Author
This is what Kitty Consensus looks like in the McCullough household:
Leith on one of the new radiator benches because it’s cold out
Jordan, ditto
Ashbless on the last of the old radiator benches because it’s cold out
Isabelle, ditto (though you can’t see it in the close up)
Nutmeg: Where are we going next, Boss?
(Originally published on the Wyrdsmiths blog November 7 2008, and original comments may be found there. Reposted and reedited as part of the reblogging project)
Go way. S’eeping.
But, have you seen what’s hanging out outside my window here at Castle Gaiman?
Skelemingo.*
Not my problem. Sleeping.
Well, then what about Cerbermingo?*
Still not seeing a reason why we should stop sleeping.
What about this thing?*
Okay, now that’s kind of creepy.
And random pirate dog says “Yarr!”
*All demonic flamingos are the sole product of the demented imagination of Matt Kuchta. Management takes no responsibility for any nightmares generated by same.
Da Girlz
You think you’re so smart!
What do you mean you’re not coming downstairs?
Surely you must be joking Mr. Feynman
The diet has made me hungry…for your soul!
You were done with this, right?
(Originally published on the Wyrdsmiths blog October 31 2008, and original comments may be found there. Reposted and reedited as part of the reblogging project)
Ash, Jordon, and Isabelle doing their group rendition of “It’s about damn time you turned the radiators on!”
There’s one under all the cat beds–which reminds me that high on my list of things to do once I finish this book is build a new radiator bench that makes it easier to, you know, radiate.
Leith says, “You ladies can have the radiator, I’m going for the couch in the office.”
That’s where I am, with the space heater that Laura so kindly turned on for me when she left so that I’d have a warm workspace when I got up.
Finally, Meg. “Boss where are we going next? Do you want to take my picture? I…I…What was I saying?”
(Originally published on the Wyrdsmiths blog October 17 2008, and original comments may be found there. Reposted and reedited as part of the reblogging project)
Sexy? Damn right!
Cold? No, what makes you think so?
15 pound cat 10 pound bed
Of coursh I can touch my nose with tongue, Officsher.
Once my eyes finish charging you are so going to regret waking me up!
(Originally published on the Wyrdsmiths blog October 10 2008, and original comments may be found there. Reposted and reedited as part of the reblogging project)
The flying saucer people were delicious! Moar?
I am delicious.
Say what?
I ated something delicious, and it killed me ded.
You look delicious…come here and let me lick your camera lens, big boy.
Your laptop is huge!
That’s no laptop? I am a laptop!
May I be your lap top?
That’s kind of a bizarre theme you’ve got going on there, dude.
Themes schmemes. Still the prettiest!
Re: ugly development in lapsharing negotiations.
It has come to management’s attention that already today the writer-in-residence has twice had, not one, but two cats taking up valuable lap space normally devoted to the means of writerly production (see laptop, Apple iBook G4).
Further it has come to management’s attention that resolution of which cat retained possession of said lap was resolved through hissing and intimidation. Once, blows were even exchanged. This is simply not acceptable and may actually result in demonstration by writer-in-residence that despite normal dominance protocols, writer-in-residence is in fact a larger predator, one who outweighs said cats by an order of magnitude.
Please take note of the fact that despite being a Cat Softie, with a capital CS, writer-in-residence has a very limited patience for anything that involves potential bleeding, and adjust your negotiating strategies accordingly.
Thank you,
The management
(Originally published on the Wyrdsmiths blog February 1 2008, and original comments may be found there. Reposted and reedited as part of the reblogging project)
Re: Proposed change to new lapsharing arrangements/monopolization of space normally used for writing.
It has come to management’s attention that some sort of agreement has been reached amongst the feline members of the household in re: lapsharing (the process by which writer-in-residence lap time is arranged). Said agreement seems to involve a continuous rotation of laptime amongst the four younger cats, said rotation working not unlike a relay race.
While such feline cooperation is laudable in terms of the increased level of inter-feline amicability, it does have one rather severe drawback. To whit, displacement of the laptop belonging to the writer-in-residence. Which fact, in turn, causes a significant loss in potential productivity.
For more notes on same, see attached charts. Chart one maps the difficulty of typing whilst a cat is resting her head on the writer’s wrist (Isabelle). Chart two shows reduction in productivity directly related to cats frequently licking the thumb used to manipulate the trackball (Ashbless and Nutmeg). And, of course, chart three shows the total loss of productivity caused by the repeated smashing of a cat’s forehead into the nose of the writer-in-residence (Jordan). Please contrast this with the lack of impediments to productivity caused by laying in front of the heater some yards from the writer-in-residence’s place of writing (Leith) as outlined in chart four.
Management would very much like to see more laying about near the writer-in-residence during the hours of production and less laying on the writer-in-residence during those same hours. Management proposes an increased distribution of treats and decreased amount of abruptly dropping cats off of said lap to offset lost laptime. Further, management is open to other possible compensation to be proposed by the collective.
We eagerly await your response.
All best,
Management (speaking for the writer-in-residence)
(Originally published on the Wyrdsmiths blog January 31 2008, and original comments may be found there. Reposted and reedited as part of the reblogging project)
Re: Proposed change to feline barfing schedule/cancellation of the 4:00 a.m. bathroom hallway express.
Conceded: Religious/cultural significance of barfing for feline household members. Fish gotta swim. Birds gotta fly. Cats gotta barf.
Points of ongoing dispute unrelated to current negotiations: Comparative authority/ownership of all household assets (including human and feline members). Timing and availability of treats and other food items.
Proposed alternatives: Double barfing privileges at other times, increased snack flow, reduced death threats.
Relationship to writing: Decreased 4:00 a.m. barfing should result in increased sleeping and greater literary production, which will in turn lead to more funds available for indulgence of feline needs.
In closing: We are eagerly awaiting your response.
Thanks,
Kelly
(Originally published on the Wyrdsmiths blog Dec 20 2007, and original comments may be found there. Reposted and reedited as part of the reblogging project)