Let the Games Begin!

It is our first full days of the Olympics coverage
and we have already waded through 12+ hours (DVR'd).

The boys are getting into the spirit,
and Tanji is perfecting his floor routine...

Cue the music...

Starting with a double twist...

Followed by a half-somersault.

A running leap...

Tanji planted the landing!

This is the artistic portion...

Nice extension!

Gearing up for the finale with a double-pike triple-twist...

The finale...

And the dismount!

Time to wait for the judging.


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Opening Ceremony

We are BIG Olympics fans.

We first started "dating" during the
1992 XVI Albertville Olympic Winter Games
and spent many hours watching those games together.

Since then we have:

Named pet rats Nagano, Zenkoji, Lizuna Kogen, and Hakuba,
(1998 XXVIII Nagano Japan Winter Olympics venues)

and

Both had the honor of being torch bearers
for the 2002 XIX Salt Lake Winter Olympic Games.

The 2006 XX Turin Winter Olympics were underway while
Tanji and Uschi were just a few weeks old and not home with us yet.
Hmmmm, our favorite biathlete is Uschi Diesl.... Hmmmm...

Our Olympic flag has been waiting safely in storage.

Today, it was prepared for outside installation,
the boys had to investigate...

Tanji, don't you dare kick-pickle a flag!!

We spread the flag out, and it is still in great shape.

Tanji, no walking on the flag either!!

As this is Vladi's first Olympics,
and since he did not wake us up today
at 3-4 am. (Uschi !!!) or 5-7 a.m. (Tanji !!!),
he was nominated as our flag-bearer kitty.

I start hanging the flag on the gate,
while Les holds on to Vladi nearby.

(Yes, we are wearing fleece and its August!)

Vladi is not supposed to be near the gate, so
he is a little nervous and I put the flag up quickly.

Les hugs Vladi and shows him the flag.

Vladi takes a good look...

its time to head back home.

Later, the family watches the Beijing opening ceremonies.

Just a side note,... Lesley made the push to get the
"Big TV" the month before the XXVIII Olympiad - Athens.
(Summer 2004)

Yes, I'm a lucky guy. >;-)

Let the games begin!


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Vladi's Pedestal

Hmmm, this looks good.

Vladi, you're right this seems stable,...

Hey, That's my pedestal.

Admire meeeee !

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Squeaky Wheel

For some reason when the boys jumped on their
wheel today it made a loud squeaking sound.
First Uschi tried it, then Tanji, then Vladi.

Squeak, Squeak, Squeak.

I took the wheel apart, and the boys quickly arrived to help...

This seems different.

Uschi looks distressed.

The wheel is his favorite thing,...

What is wrong with it ???

Can you fix this, please?

PLEASE???

Luckily Vladi the handyman has arrived...

I think the squeak is coming from here.

This doesn't seem fixed yet !

To my surprise and delight there are actually no bearings
in our wheel, just an axle that the thick polycarbonate "hub"
of the wheel spins on, super simple. After cleaning the hub and
coating the axle with dry moly(bdenum) spray (durable dry lubricant).

I start to reassemble the wheel...

Vladi is already performing a test run.
(the axle is not even installed yet)

But he knows this is Uschi's wheel,
so Vladi joins Tanji on the couch to watch...

The spotted brothers know who needs the wheel.

Uschi takes a spin with a big smile on his face.

I love my wheel!

Thank-you!
(with lots of purring)

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Tanji Leaps

Tanji stopped, coiled and

lept

high

landed, and

bounded again,
off he went through the tall grass.

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Tinkler

Uschi is our most "challenged" boy,...

He howls and howls on the wheel, it can be real frustrating.

We just recently realized this often means that he has to
go to the bathroom. It is kind of funny now that
we know what is going on, even though he is
extremely LOUD!!! He will yell and yell and YELL,

"DAAAD,... I feel funny,...
My belly feels strange,...
I feel kind of tingly,...
MOOOM!!! "

then he jumps in the litter box and all will be well.

Usch is so "special" >;-)

He also likes to tinkle in stray boxes to supplement his
special king-size specialty-litter box and
now his favorites are unmanned plastic containers,...

Yes, leave a container on the counter and

USCHI !!!!

(he has amazing aim ... just in the containers)

Whaattt ?!!!

Outside,... the family was watering trees
Tanj and Vladi happily chasing the water,...

"DAAAD,... I've got that feeling again."

Well go ahead,...

Uschi backed up to one of the little trees and

helped.

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Tanji Pets

Hiiii

Would you like to pet me ?

Come on,...

Pet my belly.

Thanks !!!

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Shared Napping Space

I've done my share of teasing Les for sleeping "around" the cats, giving them the best napping space while contorting into barely comfortable positions to keep from disturbing them, so she snapped these shots of me and Uschi. I had just come in from a hard bike ride and passed out while petting Mr. U.

Well, one of us looks comfortable!


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The Gloved One

Les' pink birthday gardening outfit (coveralls and kitty boots) would not be complete without matching gloves, so...

I found a pair at the local True Value hardware store,
They have everything!

This was a gift, so first on the scene came Mr. Presents himself...

Uschi!

"Uschi, you better not be biting those!"

Whatevvveeerrrrrr,
I didn't want these stinky gloves anyway...

Just kidding, MINE, ALL MINE!!

All of this excitement has attracted Vladi.
Uschi guards his gloves, but Vladi
has something else on his mind...

Lick me, please. NOW!

Uschi attacks Vladi like he's a new pair of pink gloves.


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