Urggggggg

So I was sitting in my apartment, minding my own business.. actually focused and getting work done.. when the police knock on my door. Long story short, apparently someone accused us (our apartment) of throwing Oscar out of the window because of the way he fell. So now I know officially that he squeezed out of a 2 inch open window in the living room - jumping on the windowsill that night even though he's never done that before. I know that however he fell, he somehow leaped. There's a cord hanging in front of that window. My guess is that he was chasing birds or something and somehow decided to squeeze himself under the window to latch on and attack the cord. It's been over a week and while I'll never "get over it" I was attempting to move in. Now I have a detailed visual of exactly what happened, am thinking about it when I shouldn't be.. and to sum it up - This sucks. Blah.. it's not reaaaallly time to get out of this apartment.

On the bright side - it's good to know that there are specific ASPCA police and that they take animal abuse very seriously. I'm sort of shaking right now..  Maybe time for an outdoor run?

I Guess I Sort of Love New York Again

I wanted to thank everyone again for their kind words and support. Yesterday was ROUGH but I'm lucky that I live close enough to my family that I was able to spend time with them. Oscar is now resting next to my childhood cats in my parent's backyard. I still miss him and think about him but know it will take time to move on. I'm glad I'm leaving this apartment soon. Thomas is sitting on my lap as I write this, more loving and cuddly than ever. I hope he's okay. Oscar pretty much annoyed the crap out of him for the most part but I'm sure he loved him anyway just like I did.

I'm not religious but the pastor of the church I attend twice a year is extremely interesting, insightful and intelligent so I was thinking of stopping by his office to discuss my thoughts over the last few days. As I was exiting the subway at 53rd and Lex, I ran into him. We talked about Oscar and loss.. and forgiveness. And I asked him if in his experience speaking with people who are going through hardships - if he thought everything happens for a reason. His response was that he doesn't think that's the case but that we can learn from our experiences no matter what. So I guess I've learned that you can never be too careful, that my friends, family and community will be there for me when things go seriously sour and.. I learned what it's like to experience loss and get through it. My pastor said that in his 61 years on this earth, he feels that our current time has been the hardest in history - economically, politically and environmentally and that it's okay to feel down but that we'll get through it. I guess it was upsetting to hear that but I also felt relieved with the knowledge that things have to get better in the world.. and that perhaps I will only experience this time of overall suckiness once in my lifetime.

On a lighter note - updates and re-caps of Internet Week New York to come soon. But I just wanted to get back to my old - funny - lighthearted self for one moment and share the first "I Love NY moment" I've had since I've been back from Colorado. While walking from the F train to the L train at 14th street, two young guys serenaded me with Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" for a whole block under ground. It was ridiculous and embarrassing but how can I not let a flattering, funny situation like that make my day? 

Total Tragedy

So last night, I got a text from my roommate at 11pm saying that she couldn't find Oscar, my 4 month old, adorable, crazy, energetic, kitten. She even took out the broom and swept knowing that he couldn't resist attacking it. I ran home from the NY Tech Meet Up after party and we searched our apartment inside out. He has never in his life hidden from anything. We searched the building. I went over in my memory the moment I left the apartment earlier that day, wondering if he somehow ran out. We checked the building, the roof, and I checked outside the building, fearful I'd see his body. Then finally left a note on the front door of my building with my contact information.

I didn't sleep at all. At 8am, a neighbor called saying that when he came home from work yesterday around 6pm, there were a group of people surrounding an orange tabby that had apparently fallen out of the window and was taken to the animal hospital directly across the street from my apartment. I called the hospital right away and the receptionist told me the vet would call back, which I knew was a very bad sign. I've seen enough ER/ Law & Order episodes to know that if a doctor is calling you back, it's not good. The vet said he had a few broken bones and his face was very damaged. He was in pain so they decided it was best to put him to sleep. He would have had to have had countless surgeries and at the time, they didn't even know who his owner was. I completely support his decision but was devastated that I couldn't say goodbye. They advised me not to see him in his current state. So I am left with the memories of the short time I had him. I truly hope that he didn't suffer too much but I know that he did. I was able to speak with the woman who stayed by his side, found him and got the vet who said Oscar tried to get up from his injuries. This doesn't surprise me at all because he was a crazy, determined fighter. She said he was surrounded by people who cared for him and from what I gather, loving people - when he was put to sleep. The whole situation seems like a bad dream that I can't wake up from.

I'm left with one of my fondest and most recent memory of him nuzzling himself next to me Monday night as I went to bed - cheek to cheek. A gesture he rarely did and especially hadn't done in the few weeks that it's been hot. Thomas came up on my bed as well, laid next to me and Oscar plopped himself next to Thomas so that for a brief moment, the three of us lay cuddled, side by side. May he rest in peace- in kitty heaven where he can eat all the food he wants, have an endless source of amusement, a long, wooden hallway to dart back and forth at and may my childhood cats Pippin, China, Cappy, Piano, Binky and Hilarious lick him with love.

Quick Kitten Update

The vet visit went okay yesterday. Oscar doesn't have worms but I have to give him some medicine everyday for 9 days. He also needs another cat to show him how to be a cat! So I'm going to foster a 1 year old named Thomas. They already met and seem to get along. I'll take pictures. It should be funny to see such a small cat next to a big one. Hopefully I can afford another cat and they won't take over our apartment but at least this one is fixed. So Oscar is getting better at things. It's pretty funny watching him prepare himself for the litter box. Weird how they know this stuff instinctively. Like a few days ago, he didn't know to cover up his poop, but now he started doing it. And he's figured out how to jump on and off my bed but not easily. He sleeps in my arms except when he wakes up at 5am and wants to play. So yeah, he needs a buddy. Stat!