Better late than never?

Merry Christmas, folks!

I had a busy one: First my father & stepmonster came through Oxford, and then I went up to Memphis to spend the holiday with my mom and stepdad. My sister and her husband arrived on Christmas eve (with their three dogs in tow) and much mirth, hilarity, and rum ensued. It was really great to spend time as a family (mostly) again. The last thing I wanted to do was drive home last night to my relatively empty condo... but my cats were MORE than happy to do their damnedest to make up for the lack of people.

It was a good Christmas for my cats. They received kitty toys, and not one, but TWO cat towers. One of them is about eight feet tall, with so many platforms and gadgets that my immediate reaction was, "Now I need more cats to fill up the towers!" (Resisting temptation to bring home Melchior and Balthazar. RESISTING.) Casper has already been all over the towers, and gives them his hearty seal of approval, except for a single resounding complaint: Even using the tower, he still cannot get close enough to the birdcage. But now he can sit on top of the tower and stare at the birds from the same level, instead of from below.

I don't want to be at work today. I REALLY don't want to be at work today. But I've just got today and tomorrow, after which I have the weekend, and two more days off.

Thoroughly upsetting.

Dear Mr. Johnson,

Congratulations! You have taken one more gigantic leap toward maintaining the EPA's image as a bloated, inefficient agency that is more concerned with politics than environmental protection. We already knew the agency had grown toothless after all these years, but it seems you have no spine, either. Maybe you should have that osteoporosis looked at. It can't be healthy in the long term.

I'm especially impressed at how you efficiently quashed the desire of seventeen states - seventeen, a full third of the country - who wished to take environmental initiative amidst overwhelming federal apathy. We'll have none of that in this country, no siree!

Oh, and good job ignoring the recommendations of your staff. They're only scientists, after all.

Love,
Elisel