Comments for Fascination Place http://www.fascinationplace.org Michael Rawdon's webjournal Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:47:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 Comment on Coping by Chris Herdell http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/13/coping/comment-page-1/#comment-62979 Chris Herdell Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:47:35 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4154#comment-62979 We love our pets and they become part of our families, so it's natural you will go thru the normal grieving process. The hole will fill itself in time. Hugs Michael. We love our pets and they become part of our families, so it’s natural you will go thru the normal grieving process. The hole will fill itself in time. Hugs Michael.

]]> Comment on Coping by Uncle Mikey http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/13/coping/comment-page-1/#comment-62977 Uncle Mikey Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:14:43 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4154#comment-62977 You may or may not have read my recent LJ posts about losing a cat I was *not* yet particularly close to (because we'd only had him for 5 weeks). However, I have been through exactly what you're going through. Five years ago, we lost, in a six month period, the two cats my wife and I adopted back in Ithaca and had had for 12 years. One of them, Chornaya Koshka, was very much *my* cat. She loved everyone--she was a very friendly, social, cuddly cat--but she loved me best. It sounds absurd on the face of it, but five years later, I haven't really gotten over it. I've moved on, we've continued to adopt cats, and I've loved them all...but Koshka is still My Cat, and I miss her to pieces... After losing Mercutio yesterday, I've been also trying not to dwell on it too much, and to continue with my plans for the weekend. The sadness is there when I let it be...but life is for living. You may or may not have read my recent LJ posts about losing a cat I was *not* yet particularly close to (because we’d only had him for 5 weeks). However, I have been through exactly what you’re going through. Five years ago, we lost, in a six month period, the two cats my wife and I adopted back in Ithaca and had had for 12 years. One of them, Chornaya Koshka, was very much *my* cat. She loved everyone–she was a very friendly, social, cuddly cat–but she loved me best. It sounds absurd on the face of it, but five years later, I haven’t really gotten over it. I’ve moved on, we’ve continued to adopt cats, and I’ve loved them all…but Koshka is still My Cat, and I miss her to pieces…

After losing Mercutio yesterday, I’ve been also trying not to dwell on it too much, and to continue with my plans for the weekend. The sadness is there when I let it be…but life is for living.

]]> Comment on Coping by Mom http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/13/coping/comment-page-1/#comment-62976 Mom Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:22:58 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4154#comment-62976 You're right. It will take time. You’re right. It will take time.

]]> Comment on Coping by Daniel Aharon http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/13/coping/comment-page-1/#comment-62974 Daniel Aharon Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:12:18 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4154#comment-62974 You're a good egg, Michael Rawdon. A good egg. You’re a good egg, Michael Rawdon. A good egg.

]]> Comment on Remembering Jefferson: 1994-2010 by Mary (Debbi's Friend from Work) http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/10/remembering-jefferson/comment-page-1/#comment-62968 Mary (Debbi's Friend from Work) Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:44:00 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4129#comment-62968 Hi Michael, I know how difficult this has been for you and for Debbi. I have to admit, it's made me a little teary off and on since Deb told me because I've been in your shoes. As I wrote to Deb, life just plain old sucks sometimes and it's not always fair, but if we look back and remember, there's not one single day that goes by that we wouldn't do everything all over again, given the joy and love they've given us. The joy and love that Jefferson gave you. When we had to put Echo down, Debbi told me that her spirit lives on; and so shall Jefferson. The best thing though, is that he's around you all the time now, and not just when you come in the door *hugs* One minute, one hour, one day at time *hugs* Hi Michael,

I know how difficult this has been for you and for Debbi. I have to admit, it’s made me a little teary off and on since Deb told me because I’ve been in your shoes. As I wrote to Deb, life just plain old sucks sometimes and it’s not always fair, but if we look back and remember, there’s not one single day that goes by that we wouldn’t do everything all over again, given the joy and love they’ve given us. The joy and love that Jefferson gave you. When we had to put Echo down, Debbi told me that her spirit lives on; and so shall Jefferson. The best thing though, is that he’s around you all the time now, and not just when you come in the door *hugs* One minute, one hour, one day at time *hugs*

]]> Comment on The Morning After by Debbi http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/11/the-morning-after/comment-page-1/#comment-62967 Debbi Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:24:51 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4148#comment-62967 I've been thinking about the fact that our house was crowded with people the last week as well. Most of the time the group was there (and loud) in the morning, usually for an hour or so before we took off to the city. The cats would come down and socialize with us once everyone else left for the day around 7:30p. Although none of cats like extra people in the house, I want to believe it wasn't too bad for them. I think it is going to take us some time to get used to this new norm... I’ve been thinking about the fact that our house was crowded with people the last week as well. Most of the time the group was there (and loud) in the morning, usually for an hour or so before we took off to the city. The cats would come down and socialize with us once everyone else left for the day around 7:30p.

Although none of cats like extra people in the house, I want to believe it wasn’t too bad for them.

I think it is going to take us some time to get used to this new norm…

]]> Comment on Remembering Jefferson: 1994-2010 by Jim Rittenhouse http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/10/remembering-jefferson/comment-page-1/#comment-62966 Jim Rittenhouse Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:00:09 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4129#comment-62966 Agree with your mom; if my allergies would let me keep a cat, I'd have wanted one like him. A very good run indeed. Agree with your mom; if my allergies would let me keep a cat, I’d have wanted one like him. A very good run indeed.

]]> Comment on Remembering Jefferson: 1994-2010 by Mom http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/10/remembering-jefferson/comment-page-1/#comment-62964 Mom Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:59:29 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4129#comment-62964 Jefferson was a handsome, good-tempered cat who lived his life to the fullest. I know you will miss him but if he couldn't get well it was the right thing. Jefferson was a handsome, good-tempered cat who lived his life to the fullest. I know you will miss him but if he couldn’t get well it was the right thing.

]]> Comment on Remembering Jefferson: 1994-2010 by Eric http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/10/remembering-jefferson/comment-page-1/#comment-62963 Eric Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:57:34 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4129#comment-62963 Sounds like he was a good cat and had a good run. Like I said on Twitter, hope you're alright and my thoughts are with you, man. Sounds like he was a good cat and had a good run. Like I said on Twitter, hope you’re alright and my thoughts are with you, man.

]]> Comment on Remembering Jefferson: 1994-2010 by Bill Humphries http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/10/remembering-jefferson/comment-page-1/#comment-62961 Bill Humphries Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:48:25 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4129#comment-62961 Like Mark said, you made the choice that was right at the time. Jeff was a great cat. He'll be missed. Like Mark said, you made the choice that was right at the time. Jeff was a great cat. He’ll be missed.

]]> Comment on Remembering Jefferson: 1994-2010 by Mark Bessey http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/10/remembering-jefferson/comment-page-1/#comment-62960 Mark Bessey Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:40:13 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4129#comment-62960 I'm so sorry. I know how hard it can be. It's totally normal to second-guess your decisions, too. Everybody I know that's had to have their pet put to sleep agonized over whether it was the right time or not. I've known people who extended their pets lives for months where the animal never got to play, never ate normally, needed injections every day, etc, etc. It can be a very selfish thing to do... You did what you thought was best, and that's all anybody can ever do. I’m so sorry. I know how hard it can be. It’s totally normal to second-guess your decisions, too. Everybody I know that’s had to have their pet put to sleep agonized over whether it was the right time or not. I’ve known people who extended their pets lives for months where the animal never got to play, never ate normally, needed injections every day, etc, etc. It can be a very selfish thing to do… You did what you thought was best, and that’s all anybody can ever do.

]]> Comment on Adjusting to my New Environment by Dad http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/05/adjusting-to-my-new-environment/comment-page-1/#comment-62956 Dad Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:54:09 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4115#comment-62956 Rats. Rats.

]]> Comment on Adjusting to my New Environment by Michael Rawdon http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/05/adjusting-to-my-new-environment/comment-page-1/#comment-62952 Michael Rawdon Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:56:31 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4115#comment-62952 It turns out that at night you can see into the offices (well, the ones with lights on) just fine. Just FYI. It turns out that at night you can see into the offices (well, the ones with lights on) just fine. Just FYI.

]]> Comment on Adjusting to my New Environment by bbum http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/05/adjusting-to-my-new-environment/comment-page-1/#comment-62951 bbum Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:43:37 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4115#comment-62951 The first 5 times I waved to someone passing by that looked "in" my window, I thought I was being shunned or something. Then I saw someone stop & mess with their hair. (Couldn't resist -- I stuck out my tongue :) ) The first 5 times I waved to someone passing by that looked “in” my window, I thought I was being shunned or something.

Then I saw someone stop & mess with their hair.

(Couldn’t resist — I stuck out my tongue :) )

]]> Comment on Adjusting to my New Environment by Michael Rawdon http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/05/adjusting-to-my-new-environment/comment-page-1/#comment-62944 Michael Rawdon Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:48:49 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4115#comment-62944 Bill: I noticed after you told me about your office feeling like a fishbowl just how opaque the windows are from the outside! That's a plus while we're on the first floor. Bill: I noticed after you told me about your office feeling like a fishbowl just how opaque the windows are from the outside! That’s a plus while we’re on the first floor.

]]> Comment on Adjusting to my New Environment by Eric Christopher http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/05/adjusting-to-my-new-environment/comment-page-1/#comment-62943 Eric Christopher Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:42:15 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4115#comment-62943 It sounds like the building has been remodeled similar to the one we're in exile at over here. I can't wait to be a bit closer to the office though, the lack of Caffe Macs has led to some significant weight gain on my part. I want the good healthy food closer :) It sounds like the building has been remodeled similar to the one we’re in exile at over here. I can’t wait to be a bit closer to the office though, the lack of Caffe Macs has led to some significant weight gain on my part. I want the good healthy food closer :)

]]> Comment on Adjusting to my New Environment by bbum http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/05/adjusting-to-my-new-environment/comment-page-1/#comment-62942 bbum Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:24:04 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4115#comment-62942 To me, the new spot has some distinct advantages and few disadvantages. I have a nice office, though it is a bit of a fishbowl. The traffic noises are ever present, but not too bad and, frankly, it kinda reminds me of my office in NYC. It will be beautiful here surrounded by all of the trees, once the foliage comes in. It is quite nice being within easy walking distance of really good Pho, a large asian grocery store, and several good asian restaurants. As you say, the Caffe is still an easy walk and is completely awesome, but a bit more variety is always. Unlike you, I'm now on the "wrong side" of De Anza for the bike ride to/from work, but the difference is negligible in that the blight by Donut Wheel cycles pretty regularly. No big deal. The weirdest thing about the building is that the one-way glass -- which is surprisingly opaque from the outside -- makes all my notebook paper look slightly florescent purple! How odd! To me, the new spot has some distinct advantages and few disadvantages. I have a nice office, though it is a bit of a fishbowl. The traffic noises are ever present, but not too bad and, frankly, it kinda reminds me of my office in NYC. It will be beautiful here surrounded by all of the trees, once the foliage comes in.

It is quite nice being within easy walking distance of really good Pho, a large asian grocery store, and several good asian restaurants. As you say, the Caffe is still an easy walk and is completely awesome, but a bit more variety is always.

Unlike you, I’m now on the “wrong side” of De Anza for the bike ride to/from work, but the difference is negligible in that the blight by Donut Wheel cycles pretty regularly. No big deal.

The weirdest thing about the building is that the one-way glass — which is surprisingly opaque from the outside — makes all my notebook paper look slightly florescent purple! How odd!

]]> Comment on My New Environment by Mom http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/01/my-new-environment/comment-page-1/#comment-62936 Mom Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:56:15 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4095#comment-62936 Any place that gives you a new water bottle as a welcome gift must be high on the A workplace list. Any place that gives you a new water bottle as a welcome gift must be high on the A workplace list.

]]> Comment on The Seven Samurai by Subrata Sircar http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/02/27/the-seven-samurai/comment-page-1/#comment-62935 Subrata Sircar Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:40:41 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4075#comment-62935 Love that movie, though it is long. The Magnificent Seven is shorter but loses some of the lushness in favor of pacing. Kurosawa both borrows heavily from other traditions and is in turn the inspiration for others: King Lear -> Ran Macbeth -> Throne of Blood (another favorite) Yojimbo -> A Fistful of Dollars Kagemusha is another favorite. Rashomon is an original and well worth seeing on the big screen. I'd love to see Stray Dog and Sanjuro at some point. Love that movie, though it is long. The Magnificent Seven is shorter but loses some of the lushness in favor of pacing.

Kurosawa both borrows heavily from other traditions and is in turn the inspiration for others:

King Lear -> Ran
Macbeth -> Throne of Blood (another favorite)

Yojimbo -> A Fistful of Dollars

Kagemusha is another favorite. Rashomon is an original and well worth seeing on the big screen. I’d love to see Stray Dog and Sanjuro at some point.

]]> Comment on My New Environment by Katy http://www.fascinationplace.org/2010/03/01/my-new-environment/comment-page-1/#comment-62934 Katy Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:46:39 +0000 http://www.fascinationplace.org/?p=4095#comment-62934 I often want to spend half the morning under my desk at work, but not because I'm hooking up cables. :-) I often want to spend half the morning under my desk at work, but not because I’m hooking up cables. :-)

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