The Meerkat Muse: 17th of December, 2025
Welcome back to the Meerkat Muse, the last one before Christmas, and the penultimate one of 2025! It’s actually fitting that the final Muse of 2025 will fall on New Year’s Eve, but I’m getting ahead of myself! There’s plenty to speak of in this Muse, so let’s not carried away!
Fond Farewells
In many regards, the man I am referring to here gave me an invaluable opportunity at a point when I desperately needed one. He became a friend who had repeatedly helped me out, and two years after I left working for him, he gave me another opportunity. I have enjoyed working with him, and I am sorry to see him go, but he has received an offer that he would be crazy not to take. Let’s put it this way, if I were in his place, I would take this offer! Speaking of which…
Interview Experience
If nothing else, getting to sit down and have an interview is good practice, so I was pleased to be offered an interview for a position that whilst not a million miles away from what I do now (and very close to where I currently work), may yet offer more stability and less stress. My current employers are struggling with basic deliveries, which is not promising, and I don’t have long-term confidence in how that will affect us. Now, this could all yet be a horrible mistake, but then again, staying put could be that mistake, and it’s probably clear by my regular rants that I am not especially happy in my present situation. Would I receive good news later in the month, or not? Watch this space.
What did unfold is something rather awkward, and it irked me. As this prospective workplace is right nextdoor to us, my team and I know them. Some of them are friends with some of us. Somehow word reached the prospective new crew, and someone blabbed to my manager. I guess I can’t be too annoyed – friends do talk, after all – but still, the responsibility for that discussion rested with me, as and when I had something of relevance to say. I decided to hold my tongue about the whole affair until I had concrete news.
In the end, that news was disappointing. I did not get the job, and I don’t mind admitting to feeling a little crestfallen. I felt I had a good opportunity, but alas, it was not to be.
A (not) Christmas Do
Owing to the recent departure of one colleague and illness of another, work’s Christmas do was two of us, drinking a few pints and putting the world to rights. It was a decent evening, albeit perhaps a bit muted by the absence of additional company. The new Wetherspoons pub had a good vibe, and the food was inexpensive.
Work may yet arrange another night out, but I can speak to how likely this is.
The Moon
As I walking to the pub, I snapped – without great success – an image of the Full Moon. Alas, I failed to capture the sort of vivid detail I was looking for, but not for the first time I have looked to the night sky with a sense of awe. This beautiful celestial body may yet inspire more Meerkat of Science! posts.
Surprisingly Prepared
I am not usually noted for being ready for Christmas even reasonably early. For once I have wrapped everything that needs wrapping, and aside from sorting out some Christmas cards, I am done. This is strange territory for me. Is it a sign of the end of times maybe?
New Ink
This may seem like a faintly unusual choice for a tattoo, as my past tattoos have connected to an interest of mine, but then again, Chris the Demon Chicken does relate to an interest: he represents my creativity and my imagination.
Over the past six years, I have put out two published books, done a host of drawings, put together a podcast, and continued to publish various articles on Meerkat Musings. That’s not counting my dabbles with fan fiction and the stuff I’ve shared on novella sites. I therefore feel that this is a terrific way of honouring all of that, with one of my latest creations, and one that form a very unique tattoo!
It’s Done!
The third part of the Chon’ith Saga is complete! I have sent the first draft over to my brother in the first instance, and shortly thereafter will send it to my publisher. It quite amazing to have finished the story that I began more than six years ago, though now the work of editing will begin. I confess to finding it quite emotional to bring this saga to a close, it has been an important part of my life for so long, so it won’t be easy to say farewell to these characters. Of course, nothing truly ends in science fiction, so watch this space!
The Finished Article
To say I am delighted with this is an understatement. I am absolutely thrilled with my latest ink, and I look forward to seeing what other tattoo ideas can spring from my imagination! Mind you, the journey home from this proved more eventful than expected, and for the wrong reasons…
The Naughty Dog
There is a women who regularly walks a dog, a French bulldog called Bruno, down our neck of the woods. Bruno is friendly enough, and once upon a time would stop my wife, daughter and I to ensure he got fuss and attention. We met them whilst walking home, and as we were talking, Bruno caught sight of some milk bottles, wrapped up in a fluffy white pouch. There is a white cat in our neighbourhood, and Bruno probably mistook the fluffy white pouch for the cat. He bolted up the path, tugging on the leash, and dragged this poor woman over.
My wife took Bruno’s leash, and I tried to help her up, but she is a larger lady, and she was pretty determined to do it herself anyway. By the time I’d fetched a neighbour she was back on her feet, and we all escorted her home, along with a subdued Bruno, who has hopefully learned his lesson. It was all a bit scary, and it could have been so much worse. If we hadn’t have been walking by at that moment, she might have been trapped there for a lot longer.
The Nightmare Cat
My cat, Castiel, is a good boy. He can be dopey, but he is affectionate and gentle. I can’t think of a single time that he’s taken a swipe at anyone. Why did I therefore dream of a scenario where he was not only hissing at me, but doing his best to sink his claws into me? I considered throwing a towel over him to subdue him, then headed upstairs and barricaded myself in the bedroom, which didn’t stop him from trying to get in. It was very strange, and completely at odds with the happy little creature who cuddled up on my lap as I wrote this. Dreams eh?
A Change of Theme
Those of you who pay regular attention to my blog may have noticed a theme change for Meerkat Musings. I figured the time had come to give the site a refresh, albeit it’s far from a bold one, it’s more of a subtle update. At least, I think it’s subtle! I hope you like it!
The Gingerbread House
Kudos to my wife and daughter for putting together an adorable gingerbread house! It seems a shame that it will be destroyed, largely via stomach acid, but oh well!
A Charming Visitor
This beautiful little video is thanks to a colleague at work, and I think it’s really rather lovely. Robins are such dainty, adorable birds, and they remind me of Christmas. It definitely feels appropriate to share this right now.
So we draw to a close this latest Meerkat Muse. The cold weather is truly closing in, the nights are long, and everyone is cosying up under blankets. The Christmas Tree is lighting up the room, and it’s a case of any last-minute adjustments to the festive proceedings. As the next Muse won’t be until after the big day, this is the point where I wish you all a very Meery Christmas!
‘Kat Comments