Saturday 2 May 2015

More Oakland, More Cats

I was early for my cat appointment this week so I took a tootle around Oakland. Actually I was looking for a cash machine, but en route I found a huuuuuge lake. 
Oakland Lake
There weren't any ducks visible but there were geese flying about and also the usual urban birds. A blackbird had found a chunk of bread and was about to fly off with it when something slightly bigger - possibly a Thrush? - strong-armed it away from him. To add insult to injury, the Thrush didn't even fly off but just sat there munching on it. 
Oakland - Two Birds
The poor blackbird was left hanging about waiting for a chance to get it back. Can you see him on the left? I felt so sorry for him!

Next to the lake was the Cathedral of Light. It looked fairly impressive from outside - quite like Liverpool Cathedral. 
Cathedral of Light, Oakland
Artistic close-up. 
Cathedral of Light, Oakland
There was a service going on or I would have explored inside too. 

As often seems to happen, a block or two away from the money buildings, you get the run down houses and homeless living on the street. 
Spooky House in Oakland
This weird house reminded me of The Munsters! The van outside is a phenomenon I've become familiar with since moving here. It seems like white vans and trucks are fair game for graffiti artists, judging by how many of them you see covered from top to bottom. I have no idea how the owners feel about it but you certainly see a lot of them. You also get the wall-based graffiti although it tends to be murals rather than the tagging you more often see in London and Tokyo. 
Oakland Graffiti

After a good perusal of the area I was ready to catify myself, and I was not disappointed. 
Ginger Cat
He later moved from the 'bagel' to the 'baguette'. 
Ginger Cat Sleeping
Then there was a guy called Pilgrim who I just read was adopted this morning. 
Sleeping Black and White
So adorable. Then a different ginger boy was curled up with his mouse. He had assumed more of a 'croissant' position. 
Ginger Cat Sleeping with Rat
And then there was the little 8 month old who was my best buddy on this trip. I didn't get his name but he was so adorable. He was very curious about anyone going past outside. 
Black Cat Looking Out of Window
I started off sitting in that chair and he came over and jumped up in my lap and was adoring the strokes. Anytime anyone went past he'd put his paws on my shoulder to get a good view out. 
Black Cat Paw with Claws
He really was instantly loveable. I can't wait until we're in a flat that allows pets so that I can actually leave one day with my adopted cat. This little black cat was just the latest in a list of cats I've longed to be able to take home with me!


Monday 27 April 2015

I Don't Actually Know What I'm Doing

When I graduated the most hated thing said to me was along the lines of "Oh, but you can do anything. You could get any job. You've got all your options open!" I didn't want lots of options - I wanted a clear indication of what I should do next whether this be some internal instinct, an actual hand on my elbow guiding me towards an actual building, or something in between. I now find myself in the same god awful place, with the exception of graduate training schemes, for which I am now somewhat age'd.
Snow White and the Evil Queen
I've transitioned from left to right. 

I need to be able to go back to the UK 3-4 times a year so that's 8+ weeks of holiday I need straight off. All my experience is in England so I'm unfamiliar with any US working practices. I've just had 18 months off. My main field, project management, has different qualifications over here. I kind of feel like a 3-pin bird in a 2-pin world.
Smiley Socket
In fact I kept finding myself humming Jake-the-peg yesterday which won't make much sense to most people and is, in any case, almost as non-pc, given last year's court case, as two-little-boys. I seriously thought Rolf Harris was innocent, right up until the guilty verdict. Anyway. I digress.
I Eat Kids Graffiti

I have pondered consulting a career advisor but my experience of them in the UK has suggested it is a good career for people who also don't know what to do with themselves, which doesn't necessarily make them suitable to advise you on your own direction. Pooch is away for a few days for a conference so I'm using the time to have a bit of a think. Any advice? The more specific the better.