As I sat here reading alt.cats, my furry beast jumped up, sunk his front
claws into the side of my fabric-covered computer chair, and flailed around
violently for a split second.  I could feel his kitty muscles giving way as
he tried to do a kitty pull-up and raise his rear end to the arm-rest of the
chair.  Seconds later he fumbled his way to the floor.  I patted my lap
repeatedly but he refused to jump up.  Instead he casually walked around my
chair with his head held low.  His shame got the best of him.

After picking him up and dealing with his "put me down" attitude for a few
seconds he was happy to rest in my lap (until whatever that loud noise was
happened).  Cat embarrassment is so cute.

Dave