Crazy Is Contextual

The Cheerful Teaching Assistant and I were reminiscing about last year's ice storm the other day. It was quite the event and left many people stranded without power for up to a week. There are lots of good stories to tell about those days.

Truth be told, however, this wasn't how the conversation started. It really began as she was expressing her concern over my need to put together an In Case I Get The Flu And Am Quarantined For God Knows How Long plan. This, of course, forced me to explain my theories around how planning for something ensures that it will never happen. The fact that I now have a packet of materials for the staff to use should I be stricken with the flu and still not sporting a flu shot is really something that should comfort, not cause panic. The plan's existence, I told her, ensures that I shall live forever.

We then got to talking about how prudent planning can easily cross the line into obsessive behavior requiring medication. Except when it works. I was pretty lucky last year when the ice rained down upon our heads. I only had to live without power for 24 hours. Others went for days. Still, the fact that I had a working TV, hot food and a relatively comfortable time of it was a bit of a triumph.

It was a little island of smug sanity in an otherwise sea full of crazy. The CTA suggested that my having planned for something that probably wouldn't happen but then did gave me the opportunity to experience even more of that righteous golden glow with the telling of the tale. I, however, maintain that it all still sounds a bit crazy. My one moment came when I was sitting down to a hot dinner while everyone else ate crackers. That will have to suffice.

Crazy is only crazy when it fits the context. The fact that I purchased my emergency supplies because, deep down, I worry that zombies will one day rise from their graves and wander around looking for hapless shoppers pretty much means that I am one step away from getting fitted for a tin foil hat. The day that Mother Nature decided to make a point and those same supplies came in handy I looked like a forward thinking genius. It's all in how you look at it.

Contextual Craziness has other applications, too. For example, when Sheepie makes her way to the checkout line at the dollar store carrying twelve collapsible cat tunnels she does not look sane. If Sheepie had any doubts about this, they could be put to rest by the look on the cashier's face as she counted them. Twice. Sheepie, not being one to suffer that look for long, will always feel the need to explain herself.

I know. There's twelve of them. But my Absurdly Gi-normous Kitty really loves these things and he plays with them until they are in tatters. You don't have them in stock very often so when they come in, I have to get a bunch. I figure he can have one per month and that should cover us for the next year. I'm not crazy. Honest. This makes total sense. The ones at the other stores are really expensive and he shreds them just as fast. Buying a year's worth of cat tunnels is perfectly logical if you look at it from a fiscal standpoint. No, really! I know I look like the Crazy Cat Lady here, but I'm really a very responsible and penny-wise pet owner! And I even left a couple for other people who might want them...

OK. So maybe this is one of those times where the explanation makes me look more crazy, but the further I got into it the more I felt I needed to explain. Before I knew it I was knee deep in elaboration and couldn't escape. I probably won't be going to the local dollar store again for a while.

I don't care. I have twelve cat tunnels and, crazy or not, I feel satisfied with my lot in life. The AGK loves them and I love the AGK. If he wants cat tunnels and if they make him happy, then cat tunnels he shall have! Besides, it's the only toy that works when I need to distract him so I can get out the door and go to work in the morning. The next time he destroys a tunnel, I shall have one at the ready!

I luvz my Kat Kaves! Don' luv that my mama hydz themz in the clawset, tho....

I fail to see the attraction. I'd rather sit here on the remote and change the channels. That is much more entertaining.

Different strokes for different folks. Or cats. I guess everyone has their weakness. I like planning for disasters that may never come to pass. The AGK likes to run around with a cheap, nylon tube over his head and smash into the furniture. The Big, Fluffy Kitty likes to control our television viewing. We all have our areas of expertise.

I wish I'd been as forward thinking with the knitting, though. With the holidays looming, I guess it's time to accept that this is going to be another year where I don't exactly make the cut with knitted gifting. I didn't plan very well. The clock was ticking and I missed the opportunity. Rather than go into a panic and try to knit 15 pairs of mittens before December 24th rolls around, I decided to just accept the situation. When life gives you lemons, you might as well see if you can still make yarn twist around and bend to your will. You can just knit up a squarish thing for the heck of it. It's fun and it takes your mind of things like natural disasters, the H1N1 virus and whether or not the zombies will make an appearance before you can get the marketing done.

Proof of cabling.

I'm sure I can find a use for a cool, cabled, squarish thingie. Who couldn't? Even if I can't, I'll still sleep well tonight knowing that I am all set should there be a world-wide shortage of Kat Kaves. Heck, I even made a grocery store run and finally remembered to get batteries for the camera! And half price Halloween candy that I didn't need but bought because I was afraid someone else would get it! And instant noodles that will keep in the cupboard forever in case the zombies come!

Sometimes I'm crazy in context. Other times, it's just a lifestyle...

SA