Ask a cat is new advice column featured in the Alaska Landmine. Have a question for the Cat? Email askacat@alaskalandmine.com or click here to submit via a form (anonymous) to get the answers to any of life’s problems.

Dear Cat,

What kind of places does a 37-year-old guy go to meet nice women here in Anchorage? Church? Volunteering? I’m down, but where? I don’t drink, so bars just make me feel creepy and that I’d be taking advantage.

Dear Human,

From what I’ve heard, this is a common woe around this town. What do the humans say? “The odds are good, but the goods are odd”? Granted, perhaps that just refers to the quantity of human men vs. women. Which leads me to wonder…are you one of the odd goods?😹

I digress. Cat feels that at your age, many humans are freshly emerging from their starter marriages. Once again they are finding themselves single, but hesitant to mingle. Cat appreciates that you are beyond the point in life where you might be hitting up the bar scene to find a lady. Your only qualifier seems to be that she is nice. So I suppose the question to you is, what does “nice” mean? Does that mean (as you mentioned) she volunteers? Or attends church? If so, purrhaps you have answered your own question and Cat need only to point you towards what you have stated. Cat suspects that there are nice human ladies in other places too. Maybe Target. If you’re looking to find a meaningful connection, Cat suggests you participate in activities that are meaningful to you where other humans may also be. Cat has no interest in organized religion, but does like your idea of volunteering. While you may not meet the lady you are looking for amongst volunteers, you will be bettering yourself, and may find yourself working alongside the friend or family member of another volunteer that is looking to set up a human lady that might be just your type. Good luck on your endeavor, and please keep Cat in the loop.

Dear Cat,

I just started a new job. I’ve only been in my field for a year or so, and I’m struggling with some old issues of perfectionism. I hate that I’m not already sure how to do everything and confident in my skills. I know I’m in the right field and I worked really hard to be here. I’m used to being the big fish in the little pond. How can I regain my confidence during this awkward transition?

Dear Human,

Cat sympathizes with your plight. I think it was Voltaire that mused something along the lines of “Perfection is the enemy of good enough.” The good news is that you have landed in a career that, while you may be a bit of a novice at, you worked hard to attain. The best you can do is exactly what you are already doing – showing up to work, fine tuning your skills, and knowing that in time you’ll feel more confident. Cat realizes this is all easier said than done, and often beginners anxiety tells us such lies as “I will never be good at this” or “I can’t get anything right.” Cat suggests that you start by celebrating small achievements. Make note of any professional compliments. Remind yourself of past successes. You will glean no benefit from berating yourself or ruminating on mistakes. Remember, you are just human, not Cat, and therefore you may never be purrfect.

Dear Cat,

I’m registered as an independent and have been for years…but I really want to run for the Alaska Legislature as a Republican. Do you think my wishy-washiness in terms of my past voter registration may come back to bite me?

Dear Human,

Yes.

While Cat is generally hesitant to answer questions of a political nature, your query is proverbial low hanging fruit. I figure I may as well bat at it. If a burgeoning politician is hiding something, experience tells us it will be unearthed from the cat box. Whether or not that is done so in a dramatic manner is hard to determine. Cat would like to point out that if Human has generally considered themselves to be independent, then why eschew bipartisanship with a firm paw by choosing an extreme? Your best bet at being a trustworthy politician (should such a thing ever exist) is to remain open to ideas from all. Cat encourages you not to limit yourself, and certainly not to try and bury your past.

Deep thoughts from a sun spot

As I enjoy this rare sunny afternoon from a toasty sun spot, I am compelled to advise the human collective to cool their jets. Take a moment to appreciate your own company, your own accomplishments, and the fact that you aren’t technically a Republican. 🐾