FELINE NAVIDAD

Sunday, December 28. 2008

I love Kell; she's the mother I never had while growing up. I never even think of her as a stepmother anymore. Still, I acknowledge that she has her foibles (most of which come from her basic canine nature).
This came out Christmas Eve night when the family was gathered together, as usual for the holiday. (For me, of course, it was morning. As the nocturnal member of the group it's my job stay up all night guarding the presents.) Kell became focused on how Ms. Eyeshine was doing across the street.
While Kell doesn't have any pit bull in her, she does sometimes get a solid grip on an idea and won't let go. After a half hour of obsessing over it she finally went over to invite her to join us. Dad didn't argue; he knows her too well not stand in the way when she gets like this.
After about twenty minutes Kell returned alone, somewhat sheepish. Ms. Eyeshine had given Kell a Christmas ornament (a hairball covered with spray glue and glitter) which was hung on our tree.
Kell said that Ms. Eyeshine had kindly and patiently explained that felines celebrate holidays in a solitary fashion. (Something most of us knew already!) We ate dinner, and afterwards Kell took one of the bones remaining from the meal and covered it with glitter. By the next morning, Ms. Eyeshine had a new ornament for her tree.
This week's question for my human friends, How do you celebrate the New Year?

Posted by Lindesfarne at 11:00 | Comments (34) | Trackbacks (0)

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Me, I just wait till the guns and firecrackers and horns of midnight begin, and then start screaming "Happy New Year" at the top of my lungs until my throat is hoarse. This is if I am working (I get home about quarter to twelve in this case). If I am on a day off (Tuesday or Saturday) I just go to bed.
In my Church January 1 is a Holy Day of Obligation (Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God), so I go to Mass.
When I was a child me and my father used to shoot guns in the air. This is doubleplus ungood, as those bullets will come down somewhere just as hard as they were shot.
As for your Mom and Aby, I am glad they got a chance to see each other's Christmas culture.

#1 Thomas Mazanec (Link) on 2008-12-28 11:45 (Reply)

I know of two New Year's midnight customs observed by American humans and Domainians alike: kissing and watching the ball drop. Our ball is just a big ball of electric lights descending a pole high in Times Square. It doesn't look like anything in particular. Yours might be more interesting.

Many of us make resolutions for the new year, rarely keeping them for long. I imagine Domainians do that as well, the main difference being in the exact resolutions. A normal human wouldn't resolve to cut back on eating ladybugs, for example.

But Lindesfarne, I have a couple questions I should've asked last week, only I didn't see your post in time:

1. You say that Quinn is a hedgehog, yet dialog in the documenting comic repeatedly calls him a porcupine. Did he make the same lifestyle switch you did, or did the cartoonist make a mistake?

2. Do you use a lot of starch on your skirt? I mean, you were hanging upside-down....

#2 Classic Steve (Link) on 2008-12-28 13:58 (Reply)

You humans may not have it, but we have something called "skorts" over here; it looks like a skirt on the outside, but it's really shorts underneath. Very comfortable and useful for preserving modesty. Here I understand they even make them to go with business suits; no doubt Kell has more than a few of them in her wardrobe so she can keep her dignity while hunting on the job! I'm guessing Lindesfarne was wearing something like that.

It's also possible that she used some of her quills to keep it pinned in place in spots, but I'd think that would be REALLY uncomfortable! (Well, honestly I don't know; I'm afraid I don't have many hedgehogs in my circle).

#2.1 Terri the Tiger on 2008-12-28 15:27 (Reply)

Ah, yes. The traditional dropping of the "ball". There is a rather interesting process that goes into each marker for the new year. A kind of lottery happens to determine which species gets the honor of creating the new decoration. Then, key members come together to choose their best designers. Depending upon the species, the construction can take weeks to months. And, it's kept as much of a secret as possible to at least attempt to surprise everyone at the unveiling/dropping. We've had bird nests, beaver log houses, lion grass huts...even a dung beetle ball, once. (I think they're lottery chance has ever since been revoked.) However, most have included shiny electric lights and the shape is more often then not...roundish.

#2.2 jup-reindeer on 2008-12-29 04:54 (Reply)

This may sound lame, but it has been my tradition for several years now:

My parents are avid Las Vegas goers, though they have cut down in recent years. They each have accounts with the Las Vegas Hilton, requiring two rooms; they only have to use one room, so they gladly offer the extra to me when they go, and I gladly take it whenever possible. Needless to say, New Year's means a special promotion by the hotel, and I always accept.

Here's the thing: while my parents do the casino thing downstairs, maybe take in a show, I stay in my room and enjoy what it has to offer! An ample tub full of hot water and Epsom Salt; one or two movies on demand which I won't have to pay for; maybe some room service food; and most of all, lots and lots of sleep in a ridiculously comfortable bed, in a ridiculously dark room!

Yes, I sleep through New Year's; maybe if you admire a good long sleep as much as I do, you can appreciate this; human's don't hibernate, but this may be as close as some of us can come!

If it matters, I also spend the days before New Year's doing a thorough cleaning of my living space, so as to welcome the new year clean as possible.

Obligatory question: what's Las Vegas like on your side? Though it has tamed in recent years, this haven of adult entertainment still lives up to the "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" motto.

Anyway, that's how I spend New Year's, take it as you will.

#3 ReFlex76 (Link) on 2008-12-28 16:16 (Reply)

I usually spend New Year's either catching up on movie viewing (I have a huge pile of DVDs just begging to be watched) or arranging/alphabetizing my classical music collection. This year, however, I recently discovered several websites that let me download public domain scores (I like to read through them as I'm listening to the music) so I'll probably be printing out a few of those as 2008 gives way to 2009...

#4 Reynard on 2008-12-28 16:37 (Reply)

Omigawd! I think I either know you (there are tons of Reynards around here, after all) or someone just like you on our side of the portal. You wouldn't happen to live in the Northeastern US, would you? (Not that that would prove anything...)

#4.1 Terri the Tiger on 2008-12-29 10:08 (Reply)

No, I live in the Midwest -- on your side of the portal, BTW. (Plenty of Tigers around here, but I don't know any "Terri"s...) I just happen to be a very dedicated classical music fan who's made no other plans for New Year's Day.

#4.1.1 Reynard on 2008-12-30 16:04 (Reply)

LOL! Well, I know another fox -- actually pretty shy and retiring -- who lives up in the New Hampshire area who is also a very dedicated classical music fan. And he can read a score of music the way other people read books, i.e. hearing it all in his head and picturing it played while he reads over it. He plays a large electronic keyboard, and he bought at least one tree he's lived in based on the acoustic qualities of the largest chamber. So you can see why I thought of him when you mentioned your New Year's plans.

#4.1.1.1 Terri the Tiger on 2008-12-31 09:18 (Reply)

"(...)he can read a score of music the way other people read books, i.e. hearing it all in his head and picturing it played while he reads over it."

Alas, I'm not that good. I've never been able to sight-read music. In fact, it took me years to learn to follow an orchestral score. (I started small -- Vivaldi's "Four Seasons", some of Mozart's Masses and various symphonies -- and worked my way up...)

"He plays a large electronic keyboard(...)"

Unfortunately, I don't play any instrument. (I do own a keyboard, but it's mainly to experiment with chord combinations.) However, I am trying to teach myself a bit of arranging and composition because there is music from various movies (i.e. "The Secret of NIMH", "Once Upon a Forest", "The Rescuers", etc.) that I like and that I'm trying to transcribe into scores that I can read as I'm listening to it. (Thank heavens for Finale PrintMusic!)

#4.1.1.1.1 Reynard on 2008-12-31 18:39 (Reply)

I must know, which websites do you use? I'm similarly tracking down public domain scores and have several holes in my "collection". (I'm really hoping they're accessible this side of the portal ... )

#4.2 Ken D. Lion on 2009-01-01 22:58 (Reply)

No worries, Ken, he said he's on OUR side of the portal!

I wouldn't mind getting those URLs myself to pass along to my friend. If he doesn't know about them yet I bet he'd love to hear about them.

#4.2.1 Terri the Tiger on 2009-01-02 09:54 (Reply)

I typically go out partying with a few of my buddies, then before midnight, we catch a cab (or walk, if traffic's too bad) to Times Square to watch the ball drop.

#5 Beast on 2008-12-28 17:56 (Reply)

Personally, I tend to celebrate new years by hanging out with friends and/or family. for example I'm currently tentatively planning a video gaming session that would probably last all night but likely won't because I have to work New Years day.

Some people celebrate by getting so drunk they still can't see straight two days later, but I don't drink.

The rest is more or less what the person above said.

#6 Sulhythal on 2008-12-28 19:11 (Reply)

Some of us do the home party with friends & family .
Some go to prearrange party at a bar or restaurant .
Some others will jest ride the free bus ( so the ones that party to much can get home safe ) ..

Have A Nice Day

#7 Wolfdarkstar on 2008-12-28 19:43 (Reply)

Hello Lindesfarne.

To answer your question, many who are physically able to do so stay up until or after midnight to celebrate on New Years Eve, and a common event is a televised dropping of a large object, such as a large ball in New York, or a large acorn mock-up in my own hometown. I wouldn't be surprised if this were how squirrels celebrate New Years.

As for a question of my own, what are the various common holidays in your world?

#8 tsukos on 2008-12-28 20:19 (Reply)

In years past the hubby and I would go out to a late night comedy show that would end just before midnight, so we could start the new year with laughter and champagne. But now there's a new kitten in the house, so we're just going to stay home and watch the marathons on TV.

#9 Tabbykitty on 2008-12-28 20:27 (Reply)

Thanks for sharing your New Year's Eve traditions! For Fenton and I, after the parties for the non-nocturnal friends have ended, we watch the "Twilight Zone" marathon on the SciFi Channel.

#10 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2008-12-28 20:30 (Reply)

Too bad they edit the show to pieces.

#10.1 Mortar on 2008-12-30 22:16 (Reply)

Fond memories; those Twilight Zone marathons. For me, it was back in school days. A friend had the computer against one wall and the television against another. Twilight was so often tuned in and me and other friends would gather there for some video game sessions as the old episodes played. How I managed to have wolves for best friends, even protectors, back then is...a bit wild to conceive of. Yet, true. Even the mare was more believable.

Anyhow...I've done a fair range of New Year's things in times gone by. Watched the "ball" drop and the celebrations happening across the nation on TV some years. Had marathons during other years. Been with friends a few times. Did the video game deal through the celebrations a few times. Just slept through it, all too often, however.

This time, looks like I'll be celebrating at a private party. It's going to have some personal meanings, too.

So, Happy New Year! To all out there in multiple lands and dimensions. It seems to be something we all can find a common ground in.

Though, I have to wonder. Does it have any special meaning in the robotic world? I remember that this portal communicates to at least one such AI reality. (And, who knows how many other realities. Though, the Human world seems to be the most interactive.)

#10.2 jup-reindeer on 2008-12-31 07:35 (Reply)

Stay up til midnight and watch the baall drop, maybe with some Doritos

Might skip the ball this year though, I'm going to try and watch Robbie Knievel's big motorcycle jump over the Mirage Hotel's Volcano this year. Humans don't have wings but we get creative when it comes to flight.

#11 Elwood Blutarsky on 2008-12-28 22:43 (Reply)

I'll typically spend the evening with friends. A coworker is hosting a party this year. There will be champagne or sparkling cider, depending on the group. Really, this is one of the few times when it's okay for adults to stay up past midnight.

#12 Greg (Link) on 2008-12-29 00:56 (Reply)

New Year's Eve?

Alcohol and low-grade explosives.

#13 Nicky Firenight on 2008-12-29 08:53 (Reply)

Used to be I would occasionally go out to a party. In 2000, a nearby city had it's own ball drop, or rather a anchor-shaped light. Nowdays, I usually watch the ball drop from either my house or a neighbors. Then and now, occasionally a single drink, but no more. And yes, some unseen neighbors down the street light up firecrackers.

#14 Bixyl Shuftan (Link) on 2008-12-29 11:30 (Reply)

I can't do anything. I work the next morning. In times before we went to a family friend's place for margaritas, champagne and little plastic things that popped when you pulled the string.

I had a question for you, Lindesfarne. Over here one of the big movies is Bolt, a comedic romp artfully made and told. Is it a charming romantic comedy on that side? Applying some knowledge of how things are over there, I'd imagine it's something of a wonderfully awkward road movie that might be good for taking a date to.

#15 Gabriel LaVedier on 2008-12-30 00:27 (Reply)

Staying up past midnight isn't much of a feat for me and my boyfriend either. I doubt we'll do much of anything; he hasn't told me yet whether he's working that night. (He loves the holiday overtime pay!) If our night is free, we might spend it with another couple who are friends of ours, setting off fireworks.

This other couple and I are drinkers, but my boyfriend does not partake in any alcohol ever.

I'm curious -- the events you described with your mom and Ms. Eyeshine happened in a recent comic strip. Ms. Eyeshine mentioned Christmas Eve as one of the few times that cats "acknowledge a higher power". Surely there are instances of cats -- and other species -- never acknowledging a higher power...that is, atheists. My question is, are there (or were there in the past) correlations between religious beliefs and species on your side of the portal?

~~Dani

#16 Dani on 2008-12-30 01:33 (Reply)

Those hairballs remind me -- on this side, a zoo made and sold ornaments from painted reindeer droppings. Cute little things.

#17 palepink on 2008-12-30 05:39 (Reply)

Ew. :p

#17.1 Mortar on 2008-12-30 21:44 (Reply)

I think we can safely establish that even Dung Beetles have their Human equivalent, now. Interesting. Though, I find it less then interesting to use feline hair balls. Much less...fertilizer. To each, their own.

#17.1.1 jup-reindeer on 2009-01-01 07:47 (Reply)

I usually spend it with a couple of friends of mine. They don't do the party thing because they don't want to be on the roads with all the drunk drivers (a.k.a., Amateur Night). We hang out at my friend Chris's place and watch all the New Year shows, particually, the dropping of the ball in NY.

Personally, I'd love to go to a real party, but when you don't drive your pretty much stuck with whatever comes your way.

#18 Mortar on 2008-12-30 21:22 (Reply)

I usually end up sitting on the computer, playing a game to ring in the New Year with some virtual fireworks. This year: Fallout 3.

#19 Frenzy on 2008-12-30 23:47 (Reply)

Interesting that you'd mention the "Twilight Zone" marathon, Lindy, when I came home on New Year's Eve, I saw my wife watching TV, I asked her what it was (the scene was set in Nazi Germany at the time I asked) and she replied it was the "Twilight Zone Movie"! It may have been on a different channel, or part of the marathon, I don't know. (My wife likes movies and such from the early 60s, when she grew up.)

For the actual New Year's Eve, Mrs. Lion rented a movie (Mamma Mia! - I'd say I like the music of ABBA which is why I like the movie, but I'd get mercilessly teased about it, so unless you're a prey species (since I'm hungry!

) don't tease me about it!) which ended just before midnight. Then we watched some fireworks celebration at midnight on TV and I went promptly to bed and was asleep right away, had to work the next day (we're staffed 24/7/365, so since I took a 4 day weekend for Christmas, I figured I'd make it up to them by working on New Year's).

As for staying up on Christmas Eve guarding the presents, maybe it's me as the parent of two young uns talking, but ... that's sacriledge! Don't you know that Santa doesn't come if people are still awake? (I especially try to drill this in my kids, my youngest currently says he likes reindeer meat, so I don't think he'd refrain from eating Santa were he up. Hmmm, now that I think about it, maybe the rule about being in bed for Santa only applies to predators ... )

#20 Ken D. Lion on 2009-01-01 20:09 (Reply)

Wouldn't even think of doing so, sir.

Santa and the rules...*snickers*...that's a good one.

#20.1 jup-reindeer on 2009-01-02 23:35 (Reply)

Well, me and my fiancée spent New Year's eve night together curled up together on the bed. He described to me exactly what the ball drop was like, it was beautiful.

I was suprised to hear that Times Square was completely dry! (no liquor/beer/booze) maybe they thought they would be having enough trouble keeping others from eating others, let alone be drunk on national television.

It was a wonderful new years eve for me and my hound dog of a fiancee.

#21 Renee Echidna on 2009-01-03 02:49 (Reply)

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