Boodle Speaks

Aging Lady's musings on a variety of things including, work, TeeVee, movies, genre fiction, food, drink, 80s electronic music, and strange beasties. Caveats - I am proudly pro-abortion, have some problematic faves, bleed Maize and Blue, and post a lot of Babylon 5.

[neroon]

I had way less time than I thought I would to acclimate before returning to work, but I feel mostly ok right now and am hoping nothing blew up while I was gone. I decided not to try and take my car in to get the AC fixed today because I need to prioritize work, the temps are lower thus week, and I just want a more normal day my first day back.

Happily the cats continue to seem fine and unbothered by whatever they may have going on and so I don't feel like I have to rush them to the vet. Although I might be getting Ishii a cone to help her fur grow back where she's gnawed it away!

[neroon]

I've decided that Ishii might be allergic/sensitive to a new litter we started using not long before the trip. Her overgrooming her tail coincides with when I ordered it from Chewy and the sitter was using that litter while we were away. So I've reverted back to the old one and am hoping that helps. After getting a good night's sleep (albeit still being jet lagged) and being able to think more clearly, I'm feeling better about stuff - still stressed about having to get my car fixed and making sure the cats are ok, but not like everything is snowballing and the world is conspiring against me! Although I will be glad to maybe have one day where something doesn't break or go sideways!

[neroon]

I feel like I've offended some deity. Our car's AC stopped working just after we left the long term parking lot coming home and when we got home we discovered that Ishii's been way overgrooming her tail and haunches and now looks like a freak show (still beautiful and adorable but also weird). We'd told the new sitter she overgrooms so I don't blame her for not mentioning it, but it's still concerning. So now I have both car and cat care the week after being gone longer than expected. Whee.

[neroon]

We are on the plane to Detroit and they just did the "prepare for takeoff" announcement! I finally have hope!

[neroon]

A woman sitting next to us almost had a medical incident right before takeoff and I was 100% convinced we were not making it off the ground...but we did!

[neroon]

We are on the plane to Detroit and they just did the "prepare for takeoff" announcement! I finally have hope!

[moviesludge]

[neroon]

I wish I could be beamed home!

[neroon]

I managed to sleep for a pretty solid 3 hours before waking up a little after Midnight and not being able to do more than doze on and off until my alarm went off at 2:30. So far I don't feel too bad. But the good news is we are now at the airport, our bags are checked, we got through security, and now are waiting for them to provide gate information. I do still think US airports make more sense and it's way easier to get information and help.

[thecryptkeeper]

i know the way people talk about their pets now is probably how we’ve been doing it for all of history. a cat owner in ancient rome saw their cat lounging on the dining pillows and commented “he thinks himself to be the senator claudius 🤣”

[neroon]

Yet another point of stress is that the air quality at home in Michigan is really bad due to Canadian wildfires and we don't know how it is in our house now. We have an air purifier in the living room and I've asked the sitter to turn that on high and also crank the AC to get some more filtration going, but I'm so worried about being away from the cats right now. I still can't believe Delta canceled a whole international flight with no replacement or help for their passengers. I'm dreading travel tomorrow but also can't wait to leave.

[neroon]

Since Delta isn't giving us a voucher for our second hotel night and we have to put in for reimbursement after the fact (because of course!) we are switching to the airport hotel that's right across from the terminal rather than a long shuttle ride away. It's a bit annoying to have to move but we were getting super anxious about how early we have to leave on Saturday and navigating security, border control, baggage, and a tighter than we'd like connection at CDG. So being able to walk to the terminal when we want rather than trusting another transportation connection seems like the smart play. Also apparently we have to check in with Air France because they are operating our first flight, which should be ok but adds another layer of uncertainty.

[neroon]

We are doing what one does in fucked up liminal travel spaces and taking advantage of much more liberal European drinking laws. Apparently we can buy alcohol all night long from the front desk.

[neroon]

Our flight home was canceled due to the most fucked up mechanical situation and Delta has been horrible about helping. They basically told everyone to rebook using the app, which kept crashing, and the gate agents said they couldn't do anything to assist with new flights (after they lied and said we'd be "automatically rebooked" when we just thought this was a delay) so we don't have a flight until early Saturday morning. They are giving us a hotel, but they also flat out lied about the details...like right now they are only covering one night and the hotel is having to navigate getting us two. Plus the Delta staff at the airport gave us bad info about the "hotel shuttle" and we ended up on a regional bus that literally dropped us off in a field and we had to hike almost a mile to another bus stop with all our luggage in the beating sun. Luckily our pet sitter is able to come two more days, but what a fucking nightmare.

[neroon]

Security at the Berlin airport was pretty intense and a little confusing. Unlike in the US they do not like giving out a lot of info about what is happening and when. Also my Better Half was randomly selected for extra screening which was fine but also stressful, especially because they escorted him away while he was still holding my passport. So obviously all the memes about "when I go to the airport I question whether I am really a cartel kingpin and just don't remember!" kicked in! But we are now at our gate, the plane is still on time, and hopefully other stuff will go well.

[neroon]

It's crazy to be in Europe right after a huge World Cup win. We are on our hotel balcony watching Spanish fans literally stopping traffic waving flags in the street.

[jellyfishforest135]

Rest in peace Sam Neill. Thank you for the awe and wonder you brought to us.

[neroon]

The pet sitter said that Satai's ear seems about the same but that she doesn't seem bothered by it, she's actively eating, and is being more social every day! We'll be home on Thursday night (knock on wood) so I'm choosing not to worry unduly. And I'm thrilled that both the kitties have reacted so well to the new sitter, who also spends time playing with them!

[neroon]

Two very different looks for the incomparable Neil Tenannt from Pet Shop Boys' smaller club show and then the greatest hits outdoor arena concert. Both were amazing. Cat issues aside we are very happy we came here.