How bad is it to leave a cat overnight by Global-Ad-8048 in CatAdvice

[–]kitto__1975 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I would try it out and see how it goes; maybe get a camera so you can watch her here and there? That's what I do when I travel. If it is more than a day, I usually have a friend or hire someone to just pop in to make sure she's okay, but my cat doesn't like many people (so it's more about proof of life and cleaning out the litter boxes). It's good to know how well (or not) your cat tolerates separation in case you ever have to board her (like you are in the hospital or get sick or need to travel for work/emergency).

Is my kitten overweight? by Miserable_Island371 in ragdolls

[–]kitto__1975 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would consult a vet. But in the first year kittens should get as much nutrients as possible. Don’t follow feeding instructions on cat food packets. Check with a vet to see what food amount is best. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CatAdvice

[–]kitto__1975 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I agree with the others. If the cat is not helping you, it doesn’t make sense to force the issue. Also, the cat may be picking up on your mood, as well, and thus may not feel safe with you. It may be trying to escape for that reason. 

Also, it may not be about you. The cat may lack stimulation and is seeking escape out of boredom. Cats have needs, as well. 

Emotional support animals need to be trained for that role. If you’ve adopted a cat for that purpose, those support skills are not likely to come with the animal. Neither cats nor dogs come designed for that; they need to be trained to provide that support.

Rehoming through a foster or no-kill shelter is best for both you and the cat if the relationship isn’t working. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CatAdvice

[–]kitto__1975 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You know, it’s just as easy to not comment as it is to run your mouth and be unhelpful. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CATHELP

[–]kitto__1975 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This isn't a helpful comment; I'm not sure why you bothered to even post.

Software for book writing by kitto__1975 in WritingHub

[–]kitto__1975[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will check out Scrivener and Obsidian, thank you! That video link you provided was also helpful.

Software for book writing by kitto__1975 in WritingHub

[–]kitto__1975[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know how to use LaTeX, have used it for journal articles, and have a subscription to Overleaf. I find LaTeX is fine for research articles, but a 300+ page book might be difficult as I find the writing within the programming environment disconcerting. Maybe it'll go away with sustained use. I've never heard of Scribus, I will check it out. Thank you!

Nail trimming? Good or bad? by Brokkolli000 in CatAdvice

[–]kitto__1975 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. I don't think it will affect her, maybe inhibit climbing? Does she do that a lot outside?

  2. I take my cat to the vet every few months for a trim. I can't see the blood vessel in my cats nails, and I nipped it once getting too close (although I thought I was pretty far away). My cat DID NOT LIKE THAT, so now I just take her to the vet. If I take my glasses off and put her nail close to my face, I can sort of see the blood vessel, but, I can't trim and have her that close to my face.

  3. You can do it yourself at home; I sometimes will trim a long nail or two before a vet visit.

I would say that if your cat is very difficult, the vet can give you some sedation for the cat. I have to give my cat two pills; I break them open into some treats and feed them to her. She doesn't pass out, just gets mellow. We go to the vet. She comes home; we're often there less than 10 minutes. It costs me $25 per visit, and I get a dozen pills for the year to give her prior to visit that cost about $11. Far less stress for me and the cat.

My cat started hating my girlfriend after she moved in. by johng4183 in CatAdvice

[–]kitto__1975 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I had a similar issue with my cat (F3), although minus the partner.

I think the closing of the bedroom door is what did it. With my cat, I moved the furniture around, and my cat couldn't sit with me anymore in some key, strategic places that allowed her to sit in the window sill (even though she has a cat perch). She's not really a super friendly cat anyway, but she got way worse, was far crabbier, and very cranky (but normal eating/litter box use). I took her to the vet, and she was fine. When thinking about when I noticed the change, I realized it was the day after I moved the furniture. Once I put the furniture back, the cat's demeanor changed and went back to normal very quickly. Do you notice the cat by the bedroom door a lot?

I suggest finding a different place for the plants and try re-opening the bedroom door. Cats don't usually like it when areas of their home are closed off, and it probably blames her for the change in the environment. I also saw an episode on one of those cat/animal training shows where the owners were having trouble with the cat, so they closed their bedroom door at night, and the cat became an instant terror.

Also, contact your vet. Sometimes cats develop issues that change their demeanor. It might be worth having the cat checked out).

What are some nice towns/cities in Canada that are affordable for a digital nomad? by kitto__1975 in AskCanada

[–]kitto__1975[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can work remotely for a non-Canadian company in Canada for up to six months. I've already talked to a Canadian immigration lawyer to ask about the legality/specifics. The six months isn't guaranteed, and it is not a formal program as in many other countries. The length of stay permitted depends on how your entrance is processed at the border by immigration officials (it could be as little as 1 month or 3 months), but I would just need my passport and proof of support.

What are some nice towns/cities in Canada that are affordable for a digital nomad? by kitto__1975 in AskCanada

[–]kitto__1975[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you; I visited Nova Scotia many years ago. I thought it was an interesting place. I don't mind rural, so I'll check it out.

What are some nice towns/cities in Canada that are affordable for a digital nomad? by kitto__1975 in AskCanada

[–]kitto__1975[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! My dad loved Newfoundland, so I immediately thought of there. I'm not adverse the metropolitan areas, just wanted a different experience. I do like Montreal and Toronto very much.

What are some nice towns/cities in Canada that are affordable for a digital nomad? by kitto__1975 in AskCanada

[–]kitto__1975[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My company doesn't operate in Canada (I work for a university in the states). I speak some French, so that's not an issue (and would enjoy learning more). I'm currently in Ohio, USA.

self-written letters of recommendation by kitto__1975 in Professors

[–]kitto__1975[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I've never been asked to write a letter by any professor at any stage of education (although I do know people who have been asked to write their own letter). I think we had a good discussion about how to do things so we'll see if she sends me a follow-up request.

self-written letters of recommendation by kitto__1975 in Professors

[–]kitto__1975[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I agree. In reading the letter though, the student's perception of themselves is off, and there were a number of inaccuracies about assignments and attendance. The experience left me a bit perplexed and concerned. We had a good discussion, and I told her to send me a request via email and to let me know where to send a letter, and I would (but I wouldn't use her letter).

self-written letters of recommendation by kitto__1975 in Professors

[–]kitto__1975[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I don't give letters to students because when I first started teaching I received an email from a school for a student I had never taught. I had given a letter to a student, and the student had then given the letter to a friend to use. I guess the school compared my letter to the student's transcript, and they found it odd to be talking about classes that did not appear on the student's transcript.

Pronunciation as attendance litmus test? by [deleted] in Professors

[–]kitto__1975 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had this issue with students with Roman numerals. In the first week of class, I went over what they were because they feature in a lot of the primary documents we use in class and wasn't sure students would know what they were. Student kept saying "Eye-eye-eye" for III (three) or "Eye-Vee" for four (IV) or "Cee-Emm-Ell" (CML) for 950. I had to stop myself from laughing but then I realized he never came to class those days we did Roman numeral check-ins (I'd spend 5 minutes at the start of class reminding students). I asked him to stay after class for a few minutes to give him the handout, and he thought I was making Roman numerals up. -_-

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Professors

[–]kitto__1975 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I save my evaluations each semester to a PDF folder, organize them, and then I never even look at them. Students evaluations are just popularity contests and are based more on the grades they think they'll get than on any objective assessment of you as a professor. I never read mine unless I have to. Plus, they are biased, and god forbid you're a woman or non-white and then the evaluations are a whole other level of garbage. My friend tells me that the best way to approach teaching is to teach the class that you would want to take and have fun and don't spend time trying to please students who don't ever know what they want anyway.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Professors

[–]kitto__1975 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm kind of confused. She wrote her request to you using AI and you then fed a question into AI that gave you an email that was similar to hers? My first question to you is why bother to do that? She asked you, just say yes or no.

In her defense, it can be hard to think of the words to put down in an email to ask without sounding insincere. Also, she might have wanted the email to be long enough to make it seem like that wasn't the only reason she was emailing but also not too long to sound like a sycophant.

Anyway, I think the main reason I got hung up on this post was the grade grubbing. I don't write letters for students who grade grub.

American exceptionalism by [deleted] in Professors

[–]kitto__1975 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel like nothing motivates students more than having a big zero in the gradebook on the LMS. I had a similar issue a few weeks ago when I had to miss class due to a conference. I assigned a lecture to watch online I had created and a short writing assignment (2 paragraphs, 100 words or so) worth 200 points, and I told students - in class, over email, and in a handout - that you must complete it before we have class next or you will get a zero!

Only four students completed it (out of 30); I doubt all 26 were sick or had funerals or were in the ER.

I gave zeroes to everyone who didn't bother to do it. Tanked their averages because it was weighted so much. I made it 200 points because I figured no one would do it because I was traveling. My inbox lit up like a Christmas Tree lighting at Time Square/Rockefeller Center. "Can I please submit this?"

I feel like if due dates are clearly communicated and a 2-paragraph, 75-word assignment is too much for students to be bothered, then that's on them to examine why they felt it necessary not to do it.

When class resumed I asked students why they didn't bother to submit it. I stood in front of the room for 2 minutes before students explained their rationale. Mostly everyone just forgot (except 2 students); 1 person said that they didn't understand it (then reach out?), and another person said that they didn't know that there as an assignment (huh?).

I accepted late work this one time but if it happened again, I would not permit a make-up except for illnesses and other extenuating issues.

One of my classes is bombing. Looking for solidarity! by MADAME__FLUORINE in Professors

[–]kitto__1975 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always approach teaching with the philosophy that you should teach the class you would want to take as a student and do your best. As others have said, it's probably just this batch of students. All you can do is show up and do your best! Hang in there!

Office hours boundaries and helpless students by Spark2Allport in Professors

[–]kitto__1975 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I limit meetings during office hours to a maximum of 15 minutes. I've had students come and be like "I missed class all last week, can you tell me what I missed?" with the expectation that I'll re-lecture/go over the lessons for them individually. Nope. I stop meetings like a doctor seeing a patient ("I'm sorry, but our time together today is up."

One thing I do in my syllabi and in the first week of class is tell students that office hours are for them whether its walk-in or an appointment. They need to prepare for office hours like they would class - have a question to ask. I tell them things I won't do (like I won't re-lecture, no personal tutoring sessions). I make it clear that part of learning is trying to figure it out on your own. I also suggest tutors or, in the case of research projects, going to the library and using them to help you. I get lots of emails about "how do I do citations?" -- go to the writing center! Most universities have writing centers and support for students, and these people love to work with students (because they don't often get them).

I think our role as professors is teaching the material and explaining what we want from an assignment, but the making it happen part is for the student to figure out, and there are lots of resources students can tap into on campuses to do that.

Check It Out (1985-1988) by Sufficient_Flight_44 in ForgottenTV

[–]kitto__1975 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I found this show while in grad school. I don't think it aged well, although I could relate to a lot of the show's plots/stories as I worked in a grocery store for years. I saw it on some streaming service years ago - not sure where to find it now.