So, I have been extra-bitchy lately. Reason being: every morning for the past two months or so, my cats have been baying & scratching at my bedroom door starting at 5:30. They have become immune to the vacuum-sound threat. In general, Nox would start up the earliest. I'd get up, put him in the office. Then Olive. At which point I'd have to track her AND Mim down to be put in the office, because Mim hates being alone. And of course on the mornings where the cats RUN from me at 5:30 am because they know I'm putting them in the office? UGH. And to top that off? Olive can wake us up with her wailing from all the way across the apartment and from behind two closed doors, so putting them in the office was becoming less and less effective. So let's just say I haven't felt fully rested in a super long time. I have been cranky.

Yesterday, we bought a timed cat feeder. Now, we switched the cats over to a wet food diet when Olive was sick because it was easier to divvy up the food and make sure each cat got a share. If we fed dry, poor Olive, who eats the slowest, would always get pushed out of her bowl. So... our new game plan. At 5:30am, the dry timed feeder spits out a small, snack-portion of food. 1/4 cup for them to munch on until I get up for their morning wet food.

This morning, my 7:30 "feed the cats" alarm went off. I woke up and realized I'd actually gotten a full night's sleep. When I went out to feed them, they lazily strolled up to me like "oh hey!" Their attention was on the feeder, and not on my door.

VICTORY. Let's hope this keeps up.

'Cause this is something I've seen a lot lately. In lots of different contexts, but usually in discussions of social justice. It goes something like this.

Person A: I have an opinion on something. Let me clearly articulate my opinion.
Person B: But no! Your opinion is wrong because my* life experience contradicts it! In fact, I may subtly mock your opinion through willful misinterpretation and/or the use of hyperbole!
Person A: But dude, no. I have this opinion because it's based on things that have happened to me**, and lots of other people like me.
Person B: I GUESS I AM NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE AN OPINION, THEN? I GUESS I SHOULD SHUT UP, AMIRITE? I AM TAKING MY INTERNETZ BALL AND GOING INTERNETZ HOME.

*usually more privileged
**usually the person with less privilege

Person B, if you're really such a ninny who, if someone voices a contradictory opinion, immediately launches into a whiny, flouncy whinge, maybe you really SHOULD shut up. Because the reason you can't defend or discuss your opinion past your first parry? It's probably because that opinion is full of more holes than Swiss cheese. You're a self-indulgent child who's likely used to being coddled or deferred to, lest your wimpy, fragile mind have a total meltdown. Here's a lollipop and a teddy bear. Go home, or I'll call the Whaaaaaambulance for you.