I’m not American and I wasn’t able to vote in any American election. However, my heart goes out to all of my American friends, especially those in any group which has been clearly targeted by the incoming administration. Including certain races/nationalities, and LGBTQIA+ persons.

Stay safe, I’m sending you thoughts/prayers/vibes/whatever I can, hoping you will be safe throughout whatever comes next.

You didn’t ask for it, you didn’t vote for it, you don’t deserve it. I’m angry that we find ourselves in this position. Much love for you all from Canada.

I had to pay the cat tax. I couldn’t tell the story and not include something.

The cat distribution system has been good to us.

This is a well known phenomenon. The cat distribution system.

Happened to my partner twice in the last ~10 years or so. The first was Zora, a black/white lady who was very chill and liked to stare at people (usually me, but yeah). Very friendly and outgoing. She was distributed to my partner at a bus stop. Anytime someone visited while we had her, she would go and greet them, since we’re pretty sure that she was convinced that people only ever came to visit her to give her pets.

She played fetch, ate fries and Cheetos… She’s a great girl. She passed away a few years back and I still miss the little shithead.

Then we were distributed shadow. His nickname is manager, because he tells everyone what to do, and occasionally where to go. He’s got sass when he needs it and he’s our fluffy little man. When he was distributed to us, he basically showed up at our door and when we opened it, he came in and made himself at home. He’s a very distinguished gentleman, and demands the freshest food, tastiest treats, and only the prescribed 82.475 pets in any one petting season. If you slow down or stop at any point before this quota has been satisfied, he will glare at you like he’s about to end your life if you don’t resume.

He’s got a little white spot on his chest that looks like a bowtie, so he’s always ready for a fancy party. He doesn’t like guests though, and when anyone new shows up, he will depart quickly and won’t be seen for at least 4 hours after the guest leaves.

His hobbies include windows (mostly looking through them) and trying to eat any food I may have.

They all look so happy doing it too. Eeeeeeee

Looks correct to me boss.

This cat looks exactly how I feel.

So, where do I buy this?

The only thing I’m wondering is how long it will take them to run out of meat to throw at the conflict. When all the able bodied adults are used up, are they going full Nazi Germany and recruiting prepubescent kids to go and die for their war?

Last I checked, Russia’s population wasn’t increasing. I’m certain that sending a nontrivial number of their population to their deaths on the front lines isn’t improving that situation. So I’m not convinced that they’ve underestimated Russia so much as Russia has over estimated themselves. Who are they producing the ammo for? If the strong, young adults are filling the graveyards, who will fire those bullets?

I’m still unsure why the conflict is still going. I get that at first, Putin wanted to reunify former USSR territories back into Russia, but bluntly, after 2+ years of bombings and field combat between the two, they’re not going to reclaim the country. Even if they win, they’ll just be getting land that used to be Ukraine, since nearly the entirety of the Ukraine and it’s populous is now dead or have fled to somewhere where they won’t be killed.

I don’t understand this war. I’m not sure I ever did. I hope it ends soon and Ukraine can continue and become a peaceful sovereign nation. I think about Ukraine often, and I hope against hope that the people of the Ukraine are staying safe… at least, as safe as they can be given the circumstances.

Peace and long life to all of you. 🖖