Coping with 2005, A Brief Treatise

OK, maybe treatise is too nice a word for this post. It's going, I think, to be more of giant whine-fest. I have a lot on my emotional plate at the moment, so I'm going to sound off here for mental health purposes. First of all, my friends left today. It was very sad. I may get to see them again in March, but still. On the plus side, my house sure is quiet. Hee, hee. The monkey isn't here to make toddler racket. At least I still have Coffee. He is a very comforting presence. I let him eat peanuts today. I think he must have liked them, because when they were gone, he climbed up onto my bed and cuddled. It was very sweet.

Whine focus number two involves the world of journalism. Dave Barry, the greatest living columnist, is hanging up his booger jokes this year, and may never be back. I'm a rather disheartened by this. Dave's column, at least for me, was like time-released humor therapy. No matter how lame life is sometimes, I always had Dave to look forward to on Monday. (I realize his column is published on Sunday in the Miami Herald, but the Winston-Salem Journal, where I read it, publishes on Monday.) However, if I understand correctly, but let's be honest, that's not likely, a film version of Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys is in the works. Dave plays himself, and John Cleese is in it, too. My kidneys are all aquiver with anticipation.

In all seriousness, I do have a legitimate concern, and I'm not just whining. My cat, Petunia (December 17, 2004) is missing. I haven't seen her in about three days. I'm really worried. Petunia and I have been together a long time. I've had her since she was born. She's the kind of kitty who needs frequent, yet cat-initiated, affection. I hope she's OK. Pray for her. She needs to come home so I can pamper her for a few days. I have tuna with her name on it. Poor, sweet meow-head. I love her very much. I mean, I know I talk more about Coffee on here, but Petunia is very special. She's soft and cuddly, and she's communicative, and she keeps the pup in his place. I need my kitty! Sniff, sniff. Maybe the crowd was too big for her. She isn't used to strangers and small children. Maybe she went to some secret cat spa till it all blew over. I sure hope she comes home.

All right, enough of all this. I'm getting really down. I think I'll publish this and head for the sack. See? I told you I'd be getting all weird before my b-day. Never fails. I'll keep you posted on the Petunia situation. Oh, get this, I was just reminded of another thing that has me all freaked out. The tsunami. It upsets me even to think about it. Those poor, poor people. Pray for them, too. For the parents who lost children, and the children who lost their parents. I can't even fathom what those people are going through. My aging is a pretty petty thing, huh? At least I get to have another birthday. At least my friends who left today are safe. At least my cat will probably come home. There are a million blessings, and yet I complain. I'd better cut it out. I mean, I'm hardly Job over here.

I'm done now! I promise! I need to go sleep. Maybe I'll dream of hockey season starting up, and it'll cheer me up. Gooooo Hurricanes!