what I need is a waterproof computer

[kaigou]

The nice thing about a large computer monitor is that it's big enough to watch HD subs. Also nice is setting up the sofa so I don't have to sit up straight while watching, but can be appropriately lazy, while still able to see the subtitles clearly, even from six or seven feet away.

The problem is that the desk is no longer within easy reach... and it's damn hard to see subtitles through the fuzzy ass of a cat determined to find that Very Last Bit of Jerky that he's convinced must be hidden somewhere under the keyboard. I'm thinking maybe a watershooter. Except that this means if my aim's not perfect, I'll be soaking the screen instead. Maybe I could just wrap the monitor in saran wrap?

You think the cat'd know by now what it means when I yell at him that he's not made out of muddy water.

Comments

[sharibet]

I have a small parrot who enjoys walking over my keyboard, and who randomly chews on bits of my laptop. Prying up the keys (or trying to...) provides endless amusement for Destructo-Bird.

(I like your new journal layout, BTW)

[erika]

I totally agree with this. Who made this layout? It's fucking awesome and I may steal.

[kaigou]

Heh, glad you like! I threw it together over the weekend, with options for eight or nine different shades. I figured I'd send it to Afuna (or whomever is in charge of layouts now) and see if DW wants it as a public ready-made version. If I can figure out how to do instructions for duplicating, I'll post the code & links to the various images, so you don't have to wait. (There's only one image per version, so it's not like it's that complex.)

[erika]

That would be freaking awesome, you rock.

[kaigou]

Just finished -- it's up, and I think the steps should cover everything. If you run into any difficulty with it, just let me know and I'll help straighten it out (or just explain better) in whatever way I can.

[chibidrunksanzo]

Maybe a rubber band shooter would work instead. Of course, then there's the possibility that if you hit it just wrong or if the band is too tight the monitor could crack. Stupid opaque cats.

[kaigou]

Stupid opaque cats.

On the plus side, he's considerably less opaque than the monster, who weighs in currently at about 14lbs. Being only about 11lbs and mostly leg at that, Baccano at least doesn't make the bed dip when he jumps up on it. The problem with being all leg is that he blocks all the subtitles, instead of just some.

I think he's attuned to subtitled-shows, now. He sits in my chair instead, if I'm watching an English-language program. *shiftyeyes* Damn cats.

I'm sorry, I had to laugh, but it's shared laughter: I've been there. =)

[irrelevant]

For what it's worth (possibly not much at all), my monitors have held up fine through years of misbehaving cats and applied water discipline.

My suggestion is to get a spray bottle as opposed to a squirt gun: one of the large, garden/household ones, not the bathroom vanity type.

I suggest this because a) the spray is adjustable, and b) you get close to the same range of a squirt gun but with less volume: a cat doesn't need a deluge to get the point, and it'll keep the collateral damage to a minimum. They've worked very well for me lo these many years.

[ticktocktober]

If your cats are anything like my cats, you have two options;

1) Secure the monitor to the desk, secure the desk to the floor (trust me), and tie a string around a beanie baby; or
2) Buy an airhorn or any suitably loud/terrifying noisemaker. Works best when introduced outside the target situation and is initially tied to more physical threat, such as the water shooter.

Really, it all depends on what, precisely, you qualify as lazy.

[leorising]

Random: Oh hey look! These guys want contributors. I volunteer you.

Right. Good. I'm off, then.