On return from Dallas on Sunday, my sister informed me that she had my birthday presents from my parents and if I behaved this week I would get them on Saturday. Very funny. Then, as almost an afterthought, she mentioned that my cat Eddy had died. Eddy was an undersized kitten that I saved from a feral cat's litter in 1993. For some reason, neither of my parents called me when it happened and Amy was very nonchalant in her delivery of the message.

I can't help but be a bit irritated when I proclaim that I'm bothered by the death of a cat that I considered mine and having my sister telling me that "oh, that wasn't your cat anyway". It's as though the assumptions of how I will feel about a situation is actually how I will feel and when I say different, I'm told "whatever".

I am certainly guilty of misjudgements on the value someone places on an animal or a thing before. Specifically with Amy, who's frog had "red leg" and was prescribed a fairly expensive rounds of injections as a cure. When her frog was paralyzed and seemingly unresponsive, I advised her to allow the frog to die. I quickly realized that my words lacked empathy and apologized. My hope was that Amy would realize the same situation with me and Eddy.

Eddy had a good life with my parents after I moved away in 1998 and he lived a surprisingly long time for an outside cat. I will always remember the times when Eddy began to purr from a good pet that it was soon to be followed by a bite and an escape.

Well, the house was on the right when we were driving by it...

Here's my birthday cake (this time actually on the right).

Yesterday, in the dark of night, Bo, Rick, Cory, Betty and I decorated a tree on the side of the road. I'll post a picture next time I drive by and take one.

As many of you know, today is my birthday. Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday. Being so close to Thanksgiving (tomorrow), I don't have many friends in town to celebrate with but, Bo, Betty and Cory are going to join me for sushi. We'll end the night early because, Cory and I have an early flight out to Albuquerque to meet up with my family. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Five great things happened today. First, it was my birthday so I got a really cool shirt from Christine's Mom, and a miter saw from my parents. Next, my brother and I made some more progress on the kitchen, and then Bo, Cory and Christine took me to Ranch 616, near downtown Austin, and it was GREAT. I finished my meal with creme brule, which I've never had before and it was delicious (great suggestion Bo). Unfortunately Betty wasn't able to make it. The next, great thing was that my phone rang off the hook with people wishing me a happy birthday. Thanks everyone.

And the final great thing? Well, I finally got a job (after 15 weeks of searching). I'll be starting in January, after a few weeks of training in December.