Mr. Cuddlepants is my nickname for Phantom. One of many, actually. It is a somewhat patronizing nickname; although, it’s also suitable. You see, Phantom loves to cuddle his mommy and, as his mommy I love that he loves to cuddle. But he has certain requirements. He only cuddles in the bedroom and usually only if I have a specific blanket on the bed. When I say cuddle, what I really mean is that he kneads in proximity to me. See, he was separated from his kitty mommy too early, so he kneads and sucks on blankets like a kitten would. Often, this kneading leads to claw marks on his human mommy, but I try to deal with it because I like being close to him.

While Phantom remains curiously aloof with other people, we have a strong bond. In fact, my roommate has never even heard him purr. If you visit, he’s friendly. He’ll come right up, smell you out and then promptly leave when he’s figured you out. There’s no doubt that he’s a smartypants. There’s a reason why he looks so intelligent and I always describe his cunning and his badassery.

Yes, I’m still talking about a cat.

He is mentally and physically at the top of his game, boys and girls.

But, behind the bedroom door, he is Mr. Cuddlepants, a little boy who loves his mommy and shows it in a very specific way.

If I blogged about my life on a more frequent basis, a lot of posts would be about how fucked up my sleeping schedule is. Last night, I woke up at around 6pm. It’s crazy, I know. I hate waking up that late. I hate waking up and it being dark or near dark, but it happens because it takes me so long to go to sleep. I get stuck on these schedules until, one day, I just decided to stay up as long as possible, and I eventually get back to schedule I like. Yet, it only seems to last a few days at most, and I go through the cycle all over again.

I suppose what I need to do is get on a schedule. It’d probably be best all around, but I hate the sound of an alarm. I hate waking up when I don’t have to, and that’s exactly what I’m thinking when I crawl back into bed. That I just want to enjoy my sleep because I can. And I’m certainly no good when I haven’t had enough sleep, and getting enough quality sleep is hard when the cats are so bothersome on a daily basis.

Ideally, I’d wake up at 11. I’d be up before noon, have a few hours to myself while the roommate napped and be able to hang out with people during the day. This would put me to bed sometime in the early morning hours.. except I need far more than 8 hours of sleep it seems, especially when it takes at least 3 to fall asleep.

Well, that’s enough of my first world problems. I suppose I’d down some Benadryl and try to sleep for a few hours.

I bought myself a Kindle Fire. When I realized that taxes weren’t going to be as much as I thought, I decided I needed to treat myself. I rarely do. I’m always trying to save for something that doesn’t exist and fretting about every dollar, but once I made the decision to get a Kindle Fire, there was no going back. I loved it in the store, and it far surpassed the Nook Tablet, which was the only other option I was really considering.

I’ve already gotten so much use out of it. I’ve acquired over 20 books, I’ve borrowed two from Amazon and I’ve used my free Prime membership to purchase from the store. Some apps, like Angry Birds Space, just work so much better on the screen. I’m finding the screen super easy on the eyes and the thin profile is just so preferable to actual books, especially clunky hardcover ones. In fact, I think my Kindle has made me realize that I hate physical books. Le gasp, I know.

I just want to read and read and read and read.

Last night, I was down in the dumps. I feel one million times better today. Here’s a quick list why.

• My legs feel so good guys. Amazing shave.
• Last year’s shorts fit — loosely.
• Today’s weather is amazing.
• And it’s not even dark yet. I love DST!
• I smell amazing.
• I’m not quite as broke as I expected.
• Goliath’s yucky fur is all clean.
• Cupcake and Mountain Dew.
• I don’t live in a third-world country.
• Kwik Trip makes amazing carrot cake.
• I am awesome!
• To be announced.