Who Says an Old Human Can't Learn New Tricks?

Good evening felinity assembled! Someone young (and sassy!) is here to report something new that someone old plans to do.

There is no denying that the past 2 ½ months have not been easy for us. Daddy Kiril had his job searching interrupted (and a later job prospect turn out not to work out, through no fault of his own) by unexpected eye issues, the more serious of which still needs to be resolved. With the status of his Ca. unemployment still unexplained, he had to make the difficult decision to cash in his IRA.

Meanwhile, my mentor, Nikita, has been dealing with weight loss, and eating, issues that have been ongoing for more than a year. No matter what daddy offers him to eat, wet, or dry, he hasn’t eaten enough, and now weighs around 9 lbs., and even he is puzzled as to why. Despite that he is still his playful, frisky, sometimes annoying to daddy (he’s a paper rattler extraordinaire!) self. The good news is he ate a whole serving of Nature’s Recipe Tuna, tonight!

Despite all this Daddy Kiril has all 3 of us excited for the future, and what 2013 can hold for him personally, and for the 3 of us creatively.

It all began with him, and us, being encouraged to write our blog posts out in MS Word, so as to do a spelling and grammar check, then he surprised us by creating a Facebook page devoted solely to our writing efforts, and related things (Like us!).

He then convinced Nikita and me that, as had been suggested to him, it might be time, after 5 years on his blog, and 3 years with this one, to change their look and design, among other things.

Being young, eternally curious, and ready to try anything new, unlike Nikita, and daddy, both old, and somewhat set in their ways, I was surprised and encouraged by all of this bold decision making, and willingness to learn new things, especially as, when it is Nikita’s time to head off to Rainbow Bridge (when he’s 20 or older, may Ceiling Cat bless my hero with long life!), I will be taking my place beside daddy, as lead writing cat, in whatever variation our creativity takes in the future.

Then, several weeks ago, he sprung something so totally unexpected, and off the wall on Nikita and I, that I had to sit him down and have a good long chat about it (Nikita just purred and said “About damn time!”, and went to go lay in his favorite sun spot, made even better, this week, by daddy’s new bed.

In fact, I have had several chats with him since his announcement, all ending with the same question by me, and answer by him. After each chat I’d go hide behind first his airbed then the new one, and think long and hard about it.

Blog Paws: The animal blogger convention. This is the journey of the Mad Macedonian.
His 3 day mission: To meet new people, make connections, and give a presentation...
To seek out new life as a writer, and new directions for that life...
To boldly go where he has never gone before…

What daddy wants to do is attend the Blog Paws Convention at last. 4th time is the charm, and all that, I suppose.

But not just attend; mind you…but to be a guest speaker.

My apologies if anyone reading that last was not sitting, or laying, down. It shocked me, too. Nikita just purred as if daddy had done nothing more than say he was going out to get a litter refill at Petco.

With advice and encouragement from his friend, The Creative Idea Gal, his creative “Drill Sergeant” ever since we moved to Houston, he set about writing a proposal, a short bio, and other things required to be turned in with the proposal.

I lay in the hammock, watching him work at the computer and tossing in my 2 cents from time to time (Nikita would, every once in a while, yell something from his sun spot, or napping chair.).

I was amazed at his willingness to take this chance.

When it was finally ready, and no more could be done to enhance the proposal’s prospects, he asked me to press the send button, and off it went. Daddy has been assured that, accepted or not, he will be notified but, the folks at Blog Paws, being understandably busy humans, who knows if they will remember if he’s not chosen.

Now daddy, with our help, will begin to create the speech he would give, and try to find a sponsor, if at all possible.

As for the subject, we will let Blog Paws announce that first, if he is chosen. If not chosen, daddy wants to still create a speech on the subject in the hope of giving it in another venue, or sharing it on this blog.

Daddy has spent the past 2 years doing a lot of reading, and thinking, of an inspirational nature, about his hopes and dreams for his writing and ours and, apparently believes, despite everything going on in his life that the time is now, 2013.

He is 52, Nikita is 14 ½ (Both have birthdays on March 5), and they are not getting any younger. If not now, then when?

This Sassy Lady (Age 3 on Feb. 15th) is more than game to join them on this journey…

 …To seek out new life as writers, and new directions for that life... To boldly go where we have never gone before…

Comments

[Mog]

I don't see why not. When I was younger, I did something similar at a convention. Think positive. You can do it.

[Andrea and the Celestial Kitties]

Well how cool is that! I hope they accept it! Fingers and paws crossed!

[Sparkle]

Good luck to your human, and paws crossed that things work out with his eye operation. Has Nikita had his senior blood workup? If nothing shows there, ask the vet about the possibility that he may have IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease) - although I am a few years younger than Nikita, I have the same issues, and that is what the vets think may be going on with me. Maybe that is not it, but it is worth having a discussion.

[the PDX pride]

Good luck! Paws crossed for all of you on this new journey! We're off to "like" your new FB page.

[Gracie]

Wow, that is great that your daddie might present at the convention.

I wish him the best in thiis new writing and much success.

Way to go dad.

[Scylla, Socks Tuiren & Fenris]

Good luck, paws crossed he is selected as a guest speaker.

[Samantha, Clementine & Maverick]

Oh what a wonderful idea Kiril!! We will purr and pray for success in the Speech and getting to Blog Paws!

((((HUGSSSSSSS))))))))) from your TX furiends,

[Zoolatry]

YAY for you! Do it! Go for it! Dream big! IT WILL HAPPEN!

[Karen Jo]

Kiril, I am so happy for you! I hope you are accepted

[Sweet Purrfections]

Wishing Kiril lots of luck. Our mom is thinking about attending this year.

[CatSynth]

It certainly has been a challenging time for all of you. Wishing best of luck on your application to speak at Blog Paws!

[jansfunnyfarm]

Congratulations on stepping out yet again. You have taken many bold steps these last few years. We hope this year will be the year you get to attend BlogPaws!

[Connie]

I am going to BlogPaws for the first time myself, and I am getting a little nervous about it :)

Congrats on going and good luck on speaking

[meowmeowmans]

Wow, that is so cool! We have our paws and fingers crossed. We are hoping to go to Blog Paws, too, by the way!

[Glogirly and Katie]

Wishing you lots of luck with your proposal! Last year was my first at BlogPaws and I hope very much to attend again this year. : )

~Glogirly