54. Spotted a Cyborg and Gave it Biscuits
The Case of the Confident Cat-Sitter
Hello, friend - hope you’ve had a great week!
Happiest of birthdays to all the wonderful people celebrating today - you know who you are, and so do I! The rest of you, please continue to celebrate your wonderousnessness until the hour of your own birth. That sounds weird, but lets roll with it.
With every challenge you face in the coming week, take a bite of cake. Every time you make someone grin, swoon, gain a new perspective, or believe in themselves - give yourself a gift card to the emporium of your choice.
The only thing certain in this world at the moment, is that you’re pretty great. Also, that I have groceries to collect at 10am. Those two things can be true at the same time.
Fishbird Catch of the Week
We publish articles twice a week on the Fishbird Central website - every Wednesday and Saturday! This week’s included:
Books to Read in June 2025 - Monthly TBR!
In this post we choose the books we’re going to prioritise reading in the month of June 2025! The eagle-eyed amongst you might see a few patterns here. If you’re looking for some guidance, we’ll join some bird-hunting Ornithologists, learn from McMaster & then head on home. We’ll meet some guys and girls, which isn’t a crime (but in this case, is) - and tap into our villainous side with some comic evil geniuses. Which book would you pick up first?
Check out the latest post here - Books to Read in June 2025 - Monthly TBR!
In this post our sketchy characters are not only going to help us with our drawing - they'll inspire us to read through our book stack!
Each character has designed their own reading bingo for you to enjoy. Drawing May might scratch your sketching itch, but only regulated reading can tick all the boxes. Don’t shame yourself in front of Doorbell McJames! Check out the challenges, and let us know how you go!
Check out the latest post here - Drawing May, Week 4, 2025!
Spotted Another Cyborg
You might not know this about me, but I have a few skills that I keep in my top pocket for emergencies.
I can accumulate a stack of books quicker than you can say - ‘Hey Jen, a human can’t read that many novels in a lifetime.’
I remember most of the words to ‘Jabberwocky’ by Lewis Carroll. In fairness, I recite it to myself more often than I probably should.
I can identify cyborgs.
Sometimes my excellence at spotting cyborgs can be troublesome. For example, this weekend I’ve been cat-sitting for my sister and think I’ve identified a problem.
While making sure the fluffy biscuit-eating purr machine she calls “Dee Dee” had enough chaff to poo in, and fresh water to drink - I noticed an alarming amount of glistening particles in its eyes.
Cyborg. So obvious.
Rookies to cyborg spotting often think that there has to be a “human” or “borg” component - but a lot of the time, the interloper is largely a mechanical cat or sentient toaster.
Look, I’m sure this particular model is not currently on an active mission - it was pretty sleepy last time I saw it. I’d just recommend keeping an eye on it and maybe limiting access to sensitive information, nuclear codes and bananas.
This might be a good time to check your own cat for signs of buzzing, nefarious plotting or activation. Are they overly interested in your iPhone? Red flag. Have they started talking to you in their ‘people voice’? Red flag. Are they wanting some rotisserie chicken? Normal.
Don’t say you weren’t warned. Do say hello if you see me.
Quick Fire Wrap Up
Currently Reading: ‘The Girl With the Deep Blue Eyes’ by Lawrence Block. Doak Miller operates as a private eye in steamy small-town Florida, doing jobs for the local police. Like posing as a hit man and wearing a wire to incriminate a local wife who's looking to get rid of her husband. But when he sees the wife, when he looks into her deep blue eyes... Soon he's working with her, plotting a devious plan that could put millions in her bank account. But can they do it without landing in jail? And once he's kindled his taste for killing...will he be able to stop at one?
Currently Watching: ‘Poker Face’ Season One on Stan, staring Natasha Lyonne. Charlie has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can't help but investigate and solve.
Currently Singing Along To: ‘Umbrella’ Manic Street Preachers. ‘… When the sun shines, we’ll shine together - told you I'll be here forever. Said I'll always be a friend, took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end. Now that it's raining more than ever, know that we'll still have each other…’
Have any book, song or show recommendations? Let me know in the comments! :)
Wishes for the Week
I see you.
Every day, riding out into the world like a stone cold champion - doing an amazing mix of what needs to be done, what doesn’t need to be done, and what could probably wait until the weekend. You’re a gentle warrior with a heart of gold, who sometimes gets distracted by cheese - and that, my friend, is totally ok.
As the famous saying goes - the cheese speaks louder than words and saved nine curious cats. Make of that what you will.
Stay cool, punks.
‘Cyborgs are amongst us. They’re largely nice, but some will steal your oat milk and replace it with cow milk. So annoying.’ - Arnold Schwarzenegger (probably)
Jen x