Growing and growing!

Ah yes, here's my guy Jack - Jack o' the five hearts, or perhaps I should say Jack du Cinq Coeurs!  He's my little darling.  Jack likes to play.  Doesn't say much at all, and really really loves his spring toys, his mousies and being a stealth cat.  Because he doesn't make a peep and he's grey, it's very easy for him to sneak up on me!  I've read that his eyes will get emerald green and his fur will get even more silver as he ages.  I've found that silver part holds true for a lot of us!

Jack likes to play destructo-cat!  He has become more and more proficient at finding things to do by himself.  Most of the time that's a good thing.  I know he is lonely sometimes.  Me too.  I'm lucky to have my little lucky Thai cat.

How can you not love this cuteface?  Even with his laser eyes going in this photo, you can see how adorable he is.

Jack O'Neill Thai Evensen

I’ve discovered that Jack is part Korat! It’s obvious he’s not a pure-bred. His white socks and markings show quite clearly he’s part tabby cat. However, part of him is of royal lineage!

Korats are a slate blue-grey shorthair domestic cat with a small to medium build and a low percentage of body fat. Their bodies are semi-cobby, and surprisingly heavy for their size. They are intelligent, playful, active cats and form strong bonds with people. Among Korats' distinguishing characteristics are their heart-shaped heads and large green eyes. They are one of a few breeds where individuals have only one color, blue-grey.

The legend goes that Korats have 5 hearts: Their heart-shaped heads, their sweet heart-shaped faces, their little black heart-shaped noses, and the characteristic whorls on their chests which also form a heart shape – and lastly, the heart beating in his chest that is mighty and loving.

The Korat is one of the oldest stable cat breeds. Originating in Thailand, it is named after the Nakhon Ratchasima province (typically called "Korat" by the Thai people). In Thailand it is known as Si-Sawat, meaning "Color of the Sawat Seed".They are known colloquially as the "Good Luck Cat" and are given in pairs to newlyweds or to people who are highly esteemed, for good luck. Until recently, Korats were not sold, but only given as gifts.

However, Korats are no longer seen in Thailand, having long since interbred. Korats now exist due to the diligent efforts of a few breeders, most (perhaps all) of whom are outside of Thailand.

The first mention of the Korat is in "The Cat-Book Poems" authored between 1350 and 1767 AD in Thailand, now in the National library in Bangkok. In recent years the Korat was on a postage stamp in Thailand. An example hangs in the city of Korat's post office.

Korats first appeared in America in the 1950s and arrived in Britain from there in 1972.

How lovely that I should have ended up with this breed that is just perfect for me. I read an article which talked about how well they bond with their humans and how sweet they are. I've already seen that in his behavior.


What a good luck gift he has been in my life!

My guy Jack

Hey,

baby!  I'm Jack.  How you doin?

Jack, week one.

Jack, week two!

Growing like a weed.

I think that Disney artists had a hand in Jack's markings.  He's just too cute with his black eyeliner and adorable black nose and the subtle white around his sweet face. But I suppose God has a terrific palette too and a way with a brush that is unparalleled in the Universe.  He sure did great by Jack.

Jack is around 10-11 weeks old now.  His hobbies are jumping like a flash, being a camoflage cat, and shredding his mom's legs to smithereens.  He enjoys dashing about like a crazy cat, playing with his toys and climbing on his scratching posts.  He eats alot and sleeps alot and seems to be doing fine.  He has a very different personality than my sweet Emily and we are still learning about each other.

I asked Jack to smile, and he did this to oblige me!

My centerfold boy!

Meet Jack

Here is Jack.  He is a rescue cat, born up in the North Hills area north and west of where I live.  Jack is lucky enough to have come to a good home where he and his 3 siblings have been fed, loved and nurtured.  He is coming to my house at the end of the month and I am very excited to have him!  I think Emily would have approved. 

You can tell Jack is going to be a little bit of a scallywag.  And I'm betting he eventually gets to save the world at least once a week - just like his Brigadier General namesake in the Stargate program.

My friend Roxie pondered, "Hhhmmmm.... And just how much trouble per ounce do you suppose he can get into?"

Guess we'll wait and see!

Farmer's Market

I think Farmer's Markets are a really good idea.  We all benefit from eating fresh, locally grown produce.  It helps the local economy and is healthier for us.  So, I'm pleased that we have a nice market just a few blocks from my home.  However, when you are a working slob like me, it's hard to find time to attend an event held during regular working hours.

So, as I had an early morning appointment, and was going to be late for work anyway... I took  a little detour on my way to the office.  Whittier's Friday morning Farmer's Market is a surprisingly bustling place.  It was the first time I'd been since they moved to the parking lot off Bright and Philadelphia.  I got some really fresh vegetables.  Yummy and flavorful.  There were more vendors there than I remembered from last time I visited.  Some really evil man was popping popcorn in a huge vat.  I love popcorn and the smell was maddening.  It reminded me of a Saturday morning matinee, without the sticky floors and screaming kids. 

After tasting some of the produce I purchased, I'm sorry I didn't buy more!  But it's hard to tell sometimes how much to get.  It all looks so good, but there's a limit to how much one person can eat. 

Often I will stock the fridge with really great produce, only to get caught up in my hectic life, and later discover it has all turned to soup by the time I get around to eating it.  My doctor, who is from India, has been trying to encourage me to go vegetarian for years.  When I complained to her about this principle, she thoughtfully suggested I make soup when I first bring the veggies home instead of waiting for it to turn into soup on its own. Yeah, she's a real smart alec.  But she does have a point. 

I spent a few years as a vegetarian, so it's not like I haven't tried it.  Living in California for any length of time does that to you.  It's the same with going into therapy or rehab.  If you live here long enough... but I digress... I actually bought some tofu last week, intending to marinate it and fry it up with some greens.  It's still sitting in the fridge, too.  I'm going to try NOT to wait to see what it turns into when left to its own devices in the cold dark of my frigidaire, so I need to get to the store tomorrow for some marinade.  Except the Chuck season finale is on TV tomorrow night, and I can't miss it, which may put the kabosh on any experimenting in the kitchen. 

And so it goes... Sometimes I think that Purina should just come up with People Chow for folks like me who are so hopeless in the domestic department.  You know, it could be labeled like they label cat food:  there could be People Chow for kids, for adults, for seniors, for seniors with an active lifestyle, and special formulas for folks with diabetes and other ailments, canned versions and kibble.  Soylent Green analogies aside, I think it could work.

Day in the OC

Angela, Denise (not visible) Sabrina and Dannika at our marketing meeting.  We have a nice group of  marketers in our company.  It was nice to spend some time with them.  We've got a bright, creative and supportive bunch.Here is Emma.  She was in charge and did a fine job.

Cognito Ergo Dim Sum.. I think therefore I like Chinese Food...

I work with a lovely bunch of people.  Today one of our senior engineers, Doug, took us all - the Corporate office and the LA office -  out for dim sum lunch at the Ocean Restaurant in Monterey Park. 

This restaurant is lovely and noisy!  It's like taking a little trip to China without leaving California.  Here I am with Hilary, who is currently in the process of getting her master's in engineering.   She is a lovely young lady.

Here are the other two tables of our coworkers.  Barbara is facing the camera.  We had a good group in the far corner of a very large dining hall.

I was seated at a table of 8, and was one of two Caucasians at our table.  Below this picture you will see Edward and Ivy - caught by surprise by my lightening fast super hidden camera. (sorry!) I've taken to carrying said camera to inflict terror and humiliation on unsuspecting folks.  It's nice to have a pictoral history of places I've been.  This is an extraordinary place.  You can see behind them how huge this place is, and it is always quite packed at lunchtime.  The waitresses all speak Chinese, too, so it is really a fun cultural experience.          

Here are Hilary and Christina (below).  It was nice having four Chinese speakers at our table.  They helped to run interference with the Chinese speaking wait staff, and helped explain certain dishes.  Some things took a little courage to try.  And it was a test I failed miserably this year.  Last year I was fairly brave.  But this time... well, however delicious they may be, I couldn't make myself try the duck feet.  Lots of yummy food, besides that, believe me, I didn't go hungry - but there are always a few things that just don't look appetizing to my Western palate.  We had such a pleasant time, though, overall, and I certainly enjoyed the company.  I think it's very nice of Doug to do this for us every year.  Thanks, Doug. Shu shu. (or however you spell it)