With thanks to my dog and cat…

August 12th, 2008 | By Kelsey | No Comments »

My mom wanted me to thank my childhood dog Sammy, a dog that has survived coon dog paralysis and whose tail never stops wagging, in my acknowledgments.

Annie wanted me to thank Oreo, the cat who own me, hogs my chair, and sprawls out across my notes.

I thanked neither.

After reading an article titled “With Thanks to My Cat” in London’s Guardian, I’m glad I chose to reserve my thanks for two-legged creatures. I found the article while Googling for tips on writing acknowledgments. The article features many of the clichés included in acknowledgements in quotes, including “my cat,” “incomparable editor,” “ceaseless attention,” “tireless encouragement,” etc.

I tried to avoid many of them, but at least one “without whom this book would not have been possible” snuck through. Darn gratitude, anyhow.

The article briefly addresses dedications with this frightening mix up:

The publisher of one of CP Snow’s novels scribbled on the proofs when sending them back to the printer the rather exotic name (let us call her Samantha) of the printer who was to deal with them. And she, being absent on holiday, could not prevent “For Samantha” appearing on the dedication page - to the alarm of Snow’s wife, Pamela Hansford Johnson.

If this happened to my book, and it ended up being dedicated to Samantha, Sheila, Tyra, Oprah, or whomever, I’d be in it deep. Annie would beat me. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.

Garfield minus Garfield

July 15th, 2008 | By Kelsey | No Comments »

I’m a huge Garfield fan, so I never would have guessed that I would like the comic strip minus the cat.

Garfield minus Garfield removes Garfield from the comic, making poor Jon Arbuckle look like a schizo.

Hilarious and brilliant all in one.

Oreo, the GalleyCat, exploited?

June 5th, 2008 | By Kelsey | 4 Comments »

I’m Oreo’s writer. She is not my cat. The possession doesn’t flow that direction, unfortunately.

I scoop her poop. I pick her eye boogers. I put ice in her water. I stop working when she tells me to. When she demands it, I make room for her on my chair.

Media Bistro’s blog GalleyCat has accused me of exploiting Oreo for marketing purposes. Nothing could be farther from the truth. If anything, Oreo is exploiting me to spread Her Preciousness across the web.

GalleyCat, the website, reworked, GalleyCat, the photo:

Oreo is pleased with the photo appearing on another website, but she is offended by the LOLcat spelling. If she – being the supreme sentient being she is – chose to bless us with her words, spoken or written, they would be of perfect grammar and biting wit.

She will most certainly punish me for the way this has unfolded.

Me exploit her? I wish!

Hurry home Annie!

March 6th, 2008 | By Kelsey | 4 Comments »

Sometimes long-haired cats have issues in the kitty litter box and end up a little less than fresh in their posterior regions. And sometime those cats, decide to sit their messy little bottoms on their writer’s notes.

Annie has the kitty bottom cleaning job in our household. I hope she gets home soon. She has a lot of work ahead of her.

A new category: Cat’s and their writers

February 20th, 2008 | By Kelsey | 4 Comments »

The cat, Oreo, that let’s me occupy her house has now decided the chair – which was the only thing in the entire home which was solely mine – is pretty cozy. We’re sharing for now. But I foresee a future where I will write on the floor and she will supervise from above.

Oreo already dictates when I can and cannot work. Although, she did send me a Valentine this year, which makes her less of an evil dictator. It read:

(Outside) Today I though about clawing you to pieces and feasting on the remains. But I didn’t.

(Inside) If that’s not love, what is?

I’ve made a static page here that will feature cat’s and their writers. Whether you are a writer or not, if you’re owned by a cat in your office send a photo and I’ll add it.