I kind of had that feeling that some of your problems had to do with your cat since you said that you were at the vet. You indicated that you didn't want to talk about it, so I just let it go at that.
If the bubbles off to the right on the posts in what's new are a new feature, then I have to say that I like them. If I've been in la-la land and just didn't realize that they were over there, then I still like them.
Thanks to Doc or whoever who added that feature (y).