A day in the life of AtariCat

Note: AtariCat is a small, fluffy, grey tortoiseshell cat with brown, tan, white and black markings.
The Cat Palace is a large red scratching post with a box in the middle and a platform at the top for her to sit on.

What does AtariCat actually do all day? I decided to follow her with my camera and check it out!

Sit on me

A very blurry photo of AtariCat lying on my chest with a paw on my face
The day begins with me, happily sleeping. AtariCat uses this opportunity to wake me up by sitting on my face and demanding pats.

Lounge

Atari Cat lying on a tiled floor against a wall.
Once I’ve kicked her off the bed, AtariCat find a nice, secluded place — preferably the middle of a walkway — to lounge in.

Sit in a box

AtariCat sitting inside a plastic bag inside a cardboard box.
When she’s had enough of lounging, AtariCat likes to find a box to sit in, preferably one with plastic inside.

Eat

AtariCat sitting on a tiled floor, eating from a large white bowl. A small silver bowl filled with cat biscuits is next to her.
All that lounging and sitting in boxes has sure worked up an appetite! Time to eat some delicious chickeny biscuits!

Demand pats

AtariCat sitting on a leg, getting pats.
Don’t sit still for too long: AtariCat will take this as an opportunity to ask for more pats, heaven help you if you refuse.

Lounge

AtariCat curled up on the top of her Cat Palace, one eye open.
She’s had enough pats now, and probably bitten wherever she demanded them from. Now she takes a break, lounging some more.

Attack inanimate objects

AtariCat batting at a gum nut on the carpet. She is motion blurred.
What can I say, it was looking at her funny.

Glare at Amiga

AtariCat is sitting on her Cat Palace. Amiga (large, short-hair, orange and white tabby cat) is on the floor next to a triangle, grey scratching post. They are looking at each other.
Whether he stole her toy or just wants to walk past, AtariCat will find a way to glare at the other household cat, Amiga.

Demand pats

AtariCat is curled up on her Cat Palace. A white hand with a purple sleeve is visible patting her.
The encounter with Amiga bruised her delicate ego. Now AtariCat requires pats.

Go for a walk

AtariCat is wearing a black harness and lead. She is standing on a brick path, looking through a metal fence over a balcony.
Fresh air, sunshine, what’s not to love? Shell beg to be let out, then promptly roll on the floor and spend an our lying in the same spot.

Lounge

AtariCat is stretched out on a green and white striped doona.
She’s found a new spot: time to do some heavy-duty lounging!

Hide in a bag

A paper Colorado bag is on a tiled floor. You can see AtariCat’s back end and tail through a hole in the bag.
Of course you can’t see her!

Drink from the bathroom tap

AtariCat is leaning over a white sink with a silver tap.
If you want to brush your teeth or wash your hands, you’ll have to wait. Cats get priority.

Play with paper

AtariCat sitting on a tiled floor, on top of a plastic bag, inside a rip in some butcher paper. She is looking at the camera.
Even more fun when you have plastic bags too!

Demand more pats

A close up on AtariCat’s face, and a finger scratching her.
She’s quite a demanding cat!

Sleep

AtariCat asleep on the couch, her head on an iPad. There are socks on the couch.
It’s been a very busy day. Now AtariCat gets to relax and have some well-earned sleep.

– Pharaoh Signing Off

Look! Kitten!

AtariCat (grey, small, fluffy, with brown, tan, white and dark grey sploches) lying like a sphinx on an open MacBook.

– Pharaoh Signing Off

Conversations With A Child

Child: *does the toilet dance*
Me: Do you need the toilet?
Child: No. *continues dance*
Me: Are you sure you don’t need the toilet?
Child: Nope. *keeps dancing*
Me: How about I hold your toy until you’ve finished on the toilet?
Child: Ok! *runs to the toilet and barely makes it in time*

Some days, all you can do is laugh ^_^

– Pharaoh Signing Off

A Resolution List You Can Take Home To Mother

It is the end of Gregorian Year 2010, and the start if Gregorian Year 2011. It’s not my new year, but that’s beside the point.

It seems that now is the time for “New Year’s Resolutions” once again! How many people actually do this?

According to Internet Advertising, everyone! Everyone wants to be slimmer! And thinner! And better!

Actually, no.

No, I don’t want to try that diet pill. No, my resolution is not to look slimmer “for him”. No, I don’t think that particular food will significantly reduce my anxiety!

But there is push-back! For example, the HAES movement has going New Year’s ReVolution! It’s a wonderful place full of body love and Fat Acceptance resources. Check it out!

This list is a diet free zone, a The Secret free zone, and a self-hate free zone (and please keep comments the same).

In Gregorian Year 2011 I Resolve To:

• Read as many books as I can, because I love reading.
• Rest my feet in a foot spa full of LUSH goodness as often as I like.
• Eat fruit smoothies all through summer. Yum!
• Finish my diploma. Only six months left!
• Keep up my driving lessons. Because I don’t suck at driving!
• Ignore the voice in my head that tells me I’m not worth it/good enough/pretty enough/smart enough.
• Learn more Auslan. Maybe sign up for an Auslan course.
• Surround myself with love.
• Remind my friends repeatedly and often that I love them. And tell them why I love them.
• Sing and dance when I get the chance.
• Have fun with my kids, and treat them as people because they are.
• Be silly.
• Be Awesome

What are your goals for Gregorian Year 2011? Share them here! Share some body love resources! But please keep this page diet free and shame free.

– Pharaoh Signing Off

So I’m On WordPress Now

Welcome to my WordPress blog! I have imported all the posts from my old blog, and the content will be similar.

While I’m still working things out, please use this as an open thread. If you have any comments about the layout or theme, suggestions for my blogroll or just want to say “hi” to get yourself out of moderation, please say something.

New commenters are automatically moderated, but once you’re approved you can post without delay.

I’m also writing a new Comment Policy. Any links to good comment policies would be really useful.

Mango Rum Cocktail

I had a dream about a cocktail.

Take half a mango, juice of one lemon, shot of spiced rum, and ice. Blend. Drink.

What do you think? What would we call it? I dreamed about it being part of a Monkey Island game, so it should be called something piratey.

– Pharaoh Signing Off

An Ethical Formula Company

I have often wondered what an ethical formula company would look like. How would they advertise? What would they sell? What would they recommend?

So I’ve decided to write the FAQ for an ethical formula company. I have called it Unicorn Tots Formula Company. Add what you like in the comments.

What is the best start a baby can have?
Unicorn Tots recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of your child’s life. We also recommend continued breastfeeding for at least the first two years of your child’s life.

I can’t/don’t want to breastfeed, what can I do?
If you cannot breastfeed, have low supply, or do not want to breastfeed, you can get breast milk from a milk bank. [details of milk bank]

I have low supply, should I supplement with solids or Unicorn Tots formula?
Solids should not be introduced until your child is six months old, and then only in small amounts. If you are having a problem with supply, contact a Lactation Consultant at [details].

Can I get a sample of Unicorn Tots formula for someone else?
We don’t give out formula samples, and would not recommend giving samples to new parents.

What other things would an ethical formula company do? Throw out your ideas!

– Pharaoh Signing Off

Cat Palace: A Story In Pictures

Atari’s old cat tree was getting old and tired and falling apart, so I ordered her a new one online. We call it The Cat Palace.

The Mission: Put together a Cat Palace that Atari will love and not destroy quite so quickly.

For future reference, The Cat Palace is red plush with white rope scratching poles. Atari is a small, grey fluffy cat with brown, tan, White, cream and dark grey splotches. Building took place in a hallway about 1.5m in length.

The box arrives and we eagerly open it. Inside are the treasures that will become our new Cat Palace. But will Atari prefer the box or the toy? Only time will tell.

An open box with plastic inside. In front are the pieces of the tree. Visible are: a house (box), two square platforms, one round platform and three posts. On top of the house is a bag with screws and a sheet of instructions.

Atari has seen us putting together this strange contraption. What could it be? she wonders. And why are my servants not paying attention to me?

Same scene as before, taken close up and to the right side. The left aide of the photo is obscured. Atari sits looking up at the camera next to the wall.

She decided to check it out. It smelled interesting enough. Maybe the servants were paying tribute to their goddess! We had barely gotten started when she shoved her way in and demanded to know what was going on.

One of the platforms is upside down, three posts screwed into the bottom. A third post is visible next to the wall. Atari is sniffing the platform.

She tested her new toy out immediately. Safe to say she liked the way it sharpened her claws.

Same as previous scene, except that Atari is now scratching the post nearest to the camera.

We got the platform attached and asked her what she thought.
She looked at us for a while, then decided she’d rather play with the box.

Two platforms standing on thin edge, with the posts connecting them. Atari is in the centre looking at the camera.

Atari is sitting inside the plastic bag inside the cardboard box, looking up at the camera.

We kept working, adding the house to the upper platform. Atari noticed immediately that we still weren’t paying her any attention.

The house can be seen, with a hand and arm on top. The box in the background has an Atari head poking out of it.

As we kept building, she got more and more interested. She was very subtle about this, of course.

The box. Atari is standing with her front paws on the edge, looking at the palace. Her back feet are still inside the box. It is very obvious she is watching us.

We finished and presented it to her for inspection. Her first act was to see if she could fit inside the small house.

The bottom platform and house can be seen, with a scratching post visible above the house. Atari has her head inside the houses.

Next she inspected the platform at the top, to see if it met with her exacting standards. She of course noticed the mouse we had attached to the bottom of it.

The middle platform and house can be seen, as well as the post above the house and the top platform. Atari is standing with her back legs on the middle platform and her front legs on the top of the house. She is sniffing a white mouse hanging from the bottom of the top platform.

We moved The Cat Palace next to her old tree, just to see the difference. The difference was stark.

Old Tree On The Right: Grey with white rope posts. Three platforms. A rope drops from the bottom of the top platform through a hole in the middle platform. Rope on posts is fraying and badly damaged.
New Tree On The Left: plush red with white rope posts. Another scratching post horizontal on the bottom platform, as well as a white paw print on bottom platform. House on the middle platform with a scratching post leading from the top of the house to the third, round platform. A mouse on a strong is on the bottom of the third platform.

New tree significantly bigger than the old tree! It is 1.2m tall, and comes up to just under my shoulder.

Atari wasted no time in playing with the new cat tree. She jumped onto the top and attacked the mouse with vigour.

House and top platform can be seen. Atari is sitting at the top, leaning over the edge and batting the mouse.

This vigour did not last long. She quickly got bored or tired or both, and flopped down onto the floor.

Atari lying on a tiled floor against the wall.

Atari loves her new The Cat Palace. She sits on it daily, covering it in her fur. Plus, the mouse and scratching posts keep her occupied when we’re not home.

Mission: Accomplished.

I Give You: Capsicum Foetus!

That’s right, it’s a CAPSICUM! With a FOETUS attached!!

A white hand holding a red capsicum, the size of a fist. At the top of the capsicum is a small, bean shaped growth.

Welcome To My Frivolous Blog

This here is my frivolous blog. Here there will be no scathing social commentary, no anger at the world, no recounts of my exploits as a disabled pansexual white cis pagan woman.

Just silliness and pictures of my cat. Everyone loves cats, right?

I have called it An Ancient Ball Of String after the advice from a twitter friend, because that’s something that PharaohKitties do, isn’t it? Play with ancient string?

This is my cat. Her name is Atari, but sometimes I refer to her as AtariCat. At home she gets called ‘Tari, Kitten, and You’re A Cat.

She is a grey tortoiseshell, mostly grey with white, tan, brown, dark grey and black markings (splotches). Her fur is long and fluffy, which makes her look cat sized even though she is very small. In this photo she is engaging in her second favourite activity, next to defeating the evil cue-tips; lying on the ground.

Join me and my cat as we discover frivolity! I’ll try to make it fun.

– Pharaoh Signing Off