Outtake Caturday – The Upside Down, Topsy Turvy of Life!
She was awoken out of a restful sleep, as she was every morning, to the pleasant buzz of her alarm gently telling her it was time to jump of bed, rejuvenated and refreshed, with the prospect of a brand new day filled with endless possibilities ahead. Today, however, a low rumble of thunder greeted her as her feet hit the floor and as she ambled to the bathroom, the bedroom shook slightly from the wrath of the impending storm. That’s how a writer would describe last Wednesday morning, creating a mood and sense of foreboding to the reader that something ominous was on the horizon to otherwise happy and normal circumstances. Were this scene to be translated to the big screen, audience members would be screaming, “Watch out person!” “Get back in bed, something bad is going to happen!”
Well, since life does not have a rewind button, what really happened, because there was nobody to warn her to be careful, was that she was awoken out of a restless sleep to the shrieking buzz of her alarm rudely telling her to get out of bed, of which she cursed at and hit snooze numerous times so that she could prolong as long as absolutely possible, her Groundhog day routine of getting ready to go to work for a job that she was not looking forward to.
Sure, she heard the thunder, but it was drowned out by the sound of 8 hungry cats telling her to hurry up with her business and get into the kitchen to feed them breakfast. And yes, the bedroom shook, but it was only because she had stepped in a strategically placed pool of cat vomit and she nearly slipped and fell to the floor as a result. And since the “she” was actually “me,” I really wish I had paid more attention to the signs, because boy did I ever have one of those upside down, crazy, where you just question everything about your life with exasperation, even though technically nothing is really wrong, and wish you could start over and re-shoot the scene kind of days!
I should have sensed what kind of day it was going to be with the grey skies, but I was oblivious to the obvious signs that something was amiss…
It started out when I got to work. I don’t begrudge that I have a job during the day outside of my cat life, it help pays the bills and I am grateful for that. But I happen to work for an extremely dysfunctional company and the stress that is involved as a result of it is not always easy to handle. This Wednesday was a particularly difficult day and I was having a hard time shaking it emotionally, so when I got an email on my iPhone around 3:00 pm from one of my readers that they could not access my Wordless Wednesday blog post because they got an error message from Google “that the site is not available,” I figured, of course, why would you be able to get through to my site…. it was just one of those kinds of days.
And since we live in such a sound bite, instantaneous world, what’s the big deal if my Wordless Wednesday post isn’t seen on Wednesday? Not that it matters, because as it is, since I can’t be doing my cat stuff at work, I can’t join the 9:00 am BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday blog hop until I get home from work at 6:00 pm and by that point, Wednesday is already so passe that people have moved on in their minds to Thursday. And in this case, since it turns out the reason my site could not be accessed was because my server was down, it was not until 10:45 pm that I could actually join the blog hop, because that is when the server issue was resolved. Better late than never, I suppose…
In case you missed it, this was the photo from my Wordless Wednesday post. If you click on it, it will bring you to the text to the post, which was a very touching tribute to Zoey and the sun she worships.
Until the server was fixed, I tried to keep myself calm by settling on the couch to watch TV with Dan and the kitties, a time when I should be happy and relaxed, but I started to notice that every single TV show and commercial we were watching had a hash tag to it. As in the newest trend that started with Twitter where you put a # in front of a brief phrase so that it directs a theme of conversation. So now it appears we can’t even watch TV in peace without the pressure of multitasking while we are doing it by instantly trending with everyone. When is enough, enough? Can’t technology just be put on hold for a few years so we can all get caught up with what we already have? That is my hash tag topic – #please stop and slow everything down with all this technology I am getting dizzy and I can’t keep up and my life that is supposed to be easier and more convenient because of it is stressing me out because it is too much and I am on overload. Damn… that won’t work. Twitter only allows 140 characters. Okay, just use this hash tag then, #oldcrankylady.
Anyhow, in the midst of all my over heightened angst, that in the scheme of things really isn’t even a big deal at all, are my cats. My beautiful, rationale, calm, everything is the same with them, I want my dinner at 6:00 pm cats who don’t get agitated by any of it. They don’t care if my Wednesday post is not seen until Thursday and as long as I am sitting on the couch and they can snuggle with me, they don’t care if I follow Twitter, hash tags or not, and all they want is for me to pet them and be happy.
So, just how did the movie end? Well, a day that started with the ominous low rumble of thunder ended with the peaceful sound of the purr of 8 happy cats. In a nutshell, life is what you make of it and I realized I am very blessed with all that I have in my life, flaws and all, and that sometimes life deals you a grey day and you just have to get through it.
Nothing centers me more than having a cat, two, or three, waiting for me on the couch to settle my frayed nerves!! If you put your ear up to the computer, I am sure you can here them purring from where you are!
Okay! Now for some Saturday silliness – all this talk of movies and rewinding life got me to thinking of some of the fun outtake photos we have of our kitties – you know the one’s that I’m talking about where you capture your feline in the most ridiculous and awkward of poses that are not supposed to be used for blog posts, but actually make the best pictures because they are so fun to look at!! Enjoy! And in closing, what about you all? Had any of those “I wish I could rewind and start my day over again kind of days recently?
Oh dear… Mia is our prissy little princess. She is going to be none to happy when she finds out I have shared this picture of her! Please don’t tell her it was me…
Yikes!! This picture of Peanut is so alarming, I don’t even know what to say!
Our normally “cool as a cucumber,” Rolz, is showing his silly side in this candid pose!
Um, “Here’s looking at you, kid.” Or, “Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum, I’m a pirate,” says Zee. The caption possibilities are endless with this one!
MEWHAHAHA! Oh Auntie Deb I’m sorry mewz week was so topsy turvy. It must be something in the air- as my Mom was a mess all week too. From dropping everything and anything when suddenly developing ‘butter’ fingers, spilling lotion on her shoes, and returning just emptied cans of Sheba to the pantry instead of the intended recycle box, it was a sight to see. Hilarious and sad, it was far more hilarious!! *shakes with laughter*
What pawesome photos of the gang! Mew always manage to capture their personalities superbly, Mom wishes she could have mew photograph me this way. Speaking of hilarious, my Mom’s attempt at photography results in looking more like a blurry fog over a U.F.O. than a lovely portrait! *doubles over, paws in air kicking in hysterical mews and giggles*
Oh my catness, Ms. Phoebe – your Mom really was having quite the week! Sure do hope her butter fingers are under control! And oh dear, “a blurry fog over a U.F.O.” – surely you are exaggerating just a tad!!!
I so enjoyed your honest, transparent post and the wonderful LOL pictures of your fur babies. My furries are my sanity, too, after those long days we all have… blessings to you and yours… 🙂
Thank you so much Kelly – sometimes a bit of honesty is the best medicine for what ails! That and a good dose of kitty loving!
Great post Deb!! I think we all have “those” days….the ones where we want to just curl up in the fetal position and never get up….BUT….it always seems to pass and I think having our little fur-darlins is what saves us…or at least they’re what saves me. It’s okay to have the occasional pity-party as long as we don’t wallow for too long. Cause, no matter what’s going on….no matter how bad it seems….yes, I’m going to say it…”It could always be worse”!
Love the kitty outtakes!! Priceless!!
Hope you’re having a SUNNY Caturday!
☀toni
Toni – yes, we all do have “those days,” and we as people tend to have more in common than we realize when it comes to life punching us in the gut sometimes. But, you are right… it does pass, it could be worse, and for the most part, it usually really isn’t that bad when you judge on the scale of 1 to 10 factor! All is well and glad you enjoyed the outtakes!! xoxoxo
Oh my goodness, that was scary and gave me a dose of under the beds! I sure did enjoy the terrific pics!
I know Brian, that picture of Peanut reminds us of the movie, Scream!!!
Must have been Want to rewind week for many. I love the photos that are silly. It goes to show that your fur babies are not always picture perfect at any given time. I will send you positive poodle powers to make next week a great one that you don’t want to rewind.
Oh no, Carma, our furbabies are definitely not always picture perfect, just don’t tell them that!! Thank you for your positive poodle powers – all is better and I hope you and your family are having a better week too!
I’ve got “those” days too…
It sure is nice though to curl up with the kitties (one at a time still) and let them purr away my troubles!
Those photos MADE MY DAY!!!!! There’s just something about photos of animals caught with their mouths open that make me LOL. Drives Gloman crazy….he can spend a whole week capturing amazing images of wildlife and the shot that *I* love is the one with the bear’s tongue sticking out.
; ) GG
LOL Glogirly – I know what you mean – when I told Dan I wanted some of his less than “picture perfect” pictures, I think he thought I was nuts, but it’s fun to share the kitties in some candid moments that give people a laugh or two!!
I loved this post – not because of your bad day, but because it is written with such honest, sincere humor that you didn’t aim for. Other than your full time job placing pressure on you that can’t be helped (the necessary evil of a job), the other stressors are what we do to ourselves. Who cares if our Wordless Wednesday doesn’t get out until next week. Yes, those of us who like to read your great blog would miss you, but we’d survive. Now I should talk because I’ve stressed myself out over things like that too. We’re supposed to be doing this for fun and the world will not end because we did not get it done on time. I’ve stressed myself out of some jobs on Twitter too because I ran short of time or something went wrong and I didn’t get the job done. Who even cared that I didn’t get tweets out for that day – probably no one other than the group I was helping. We are our own worst enemy! Thank heavens for your 8 wonderful, purring, calming furbabies!
Mariodacat – I write the way the late Erma Bombeck did – with honesty, and because of that, it usually translates to humor, because if we can’t laugh at ourselves, then what do we have left? Anyhow, you are so right.. we can be our own worst enemy! I have learned many a time that the world does not spiral off its axis if I don’t do a blog post, or if I don’t participate in a Twitter party, or on and on! My cats will always center me, thank heavens indeed!!
I’m glad you loved the post and thank you for your heartfelt comment!
Aren’t cats amazing? They really have the ability to put things onto perspective, don’t they? 🙂
LOVE those silly pictures. Maybe Peanut is alarmed that you had the audacity to share that picture of Mia. MOL!
LOL meowmeowmans!! That is probably true…. Peanut knows that Mia is a bit vain and was worried at her reaction!
I’m always amazed with the beauty of your blog and pictures.
Thank you so much Travelling Cats!
I commiserate with you 100%; so much so I’m leaning towards taking a long blogging break, if I dare!
Layla – I don’t know how you keep up with all you do! I am sure if you take a break that all will be well. You have very devoted readers who would understand completely and be by your side when you got back from your break!
Those pictures are just terrific. Love seeing all their silly faces.Sorry you had a bad day. We all have those every now and then. hope things get better.
Glad you enjoyed the pictures, Marg! All is well, you just have to shake the dust off and move on! 🙂
Haha! You sound like our mom when you talk about technology! As soon as she think she has something figured out, they come along with something new!
Those pictures are priceless! You’re lucky the kitties didn’t complain about you posting them! 😉
Shhh… Island Cats…. they don’t know yet that I have posted these pictures…. once they find out, I am certain I will be in big trouble!! 🙂
I don’t know what Roz is doing but that face made me laugh out loud! Thanks for sharing these pics. Dan must have his camera attached to him at all times to catch these great moments!
P.S. i’m glad you crazy day ended. As long as these days are few and far between, it’s easy to get through them. It’s when they start to build up where I begin to seriously think about sending my cats in to work as me to see if anyone would notice!
Of course, I meant Rolz not Roz.
Mom is in awe of the bloggers who have full-time jobs outside the home or have multiple blogs or do all the social media stuff. She says that taking care of us, our blog posting and reading and commenting on other blogs she enjoys has her running in circles. She’s happier than she’s ever been ’cause she’s writing about things she likes (us) and is not going to spoil it with hash tagging and pinning and Facebooking and all the other stuff. If that’s what you need to do these days to be popular and trending, then she rather stay in the shadows and be the unread blogger. Mom says, when the crazies hit, put up your feet, get a glass of wine, pet the kittehs and listen to them purr their affection for you. That’s all you need to put an end to a crazy day. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Whoa! What a lot to digest. Someone has a real job. TW is impressed. There are #hashtags on TV now? Hope the rest of the week went better. BTW, those cats are gonna get you for showing those outtakes.
The Woman always likes the worst photos of us and posts them… sigh.
Holy Cat, we’re so sorry you had such a dysfunctional work experience… 🙁
And our mom completely TOTALLY understands the whole full-time job stresses that come along with it.
Our mom’s do-over day would be the day she decided to lift those nasty free weights that were too heavy for her. She’d be in MUCH less pain (and on much fewer pain meds, and soon-to-come physical therapy sessions) if she could just go back to that day and NOT DO IT.
But we three kittehs are so very glad to hear our esteemed fursibs in Florida took such good care of their human mom. (And we MOLed at Peanut’s pic!! It was the BESTEST!)
I hope you have a better deal, Better day.. Next !
Love outtake photos, they are brilliant !
Mom tried to see, Is those are photoshop ? Really good photos : )
Me and mom hope you have a great Sunday at least
((( Hug )))
A great rant, Deb! Life was calmer without the hashtag! I really don’t want to trend either, which is why I don’t do the usual CB stuff ..Mancat Monday… Wordless Wednesday etc. There is enough pressure in life! What you do and write is terrific and different and long may it stay that way 🙂