Beginning tomorrow, I’m supposed to watch my sister’s kittens while she’s in Chicago for a few days. These are the instructions she e-mailed me:
On Friday, change the litter. All you have to do is pick out the hard pee and poop. I know it sounds gross, so make someone who has cats do it. Then all you have to do is put fresh crystals on top so it doesn’t smell too bad.
Damn right it sounds gross. Sorry, but the idea of a pet that leaves its excrement lying around in a box for you isn’t all that appealing to me. I know, I know, I need to stop the cat-bashing. I’m sure my next girlfriend will simply adore cats and I’ll have a dramatic change of heart. Or I might just keep my mouth shut.
Okay, a technical question for the electrical engineers in the audience. I use a battery charger to recharge the external battery connected to my ventilator on a nightly basis. In Europe, can I plug the charger into a transformer and still use it to charge my battery? Or do I shell out an obscene amount of money for a dual-voltage charger from the vent manufacturer? My wheelchair manufacturer is loaning me a dual-voltage charger free of charge, but the vent manufacturer :cough Puritan Bennet :cough: isn’t in as an accommodating spirit. Thoughts?
Change the litter ‘ONLY ON FRIDAY?’ Ummm…what about DAILY! At least! Felines appreciate pristine potties…just as humans do. Be a sport, Mark and enjoy the kitty. Thay are great souls!
Seen at the Onion:
“Want boxes of shit in your house? Get a cat.”
Heh.
As for the electrical problem, I’m not an electrical engineer but I’m a German who has lived in the U.S. a couple of years back. So I know the problem in reverse.
The difference is threefold: a) Voltage (110-120VAC vs. 220-240VAC), b) Frequency (60Hz vs. 50Hz) and c) different plugs (U.S. vs. many different designs across Europe).
A transformer will change the voltage but not the frequency (unless it’s a really expensive electronic switching type). It might also help solve the plug problem if it comes whith the appropriate plug and outlet. Whether or not the frequency is relevant in your case depends on the power supply of the battery charger. The batteries themselves are most likely charged using DC but the power supply of the charger might take offence to the lower AC frequency here in Europe. You’d better check beforehand.
Does your charger need a ground connection? If not then the two pin plugs used in Europe and called “Eurostecker” in Germany will probably fit the outlets in most countries over here. If it does need ground (check if its plug has three pins) then you’ll need appropriate adaptors for the countries you are travelling to. In Germany the plugs with ground are called “Schukostecker”. Google for them to see what they look like. I think that the German plugs will fit outlets in France but don’t take my word for it.
HTH and have fun on your trip!