I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.

keepcalmcarryon @ 2009-12-20T19:04:00

2009-12-21T02:04:20Z

This is stupid but I have to get this off my chest somewhere.

I sent my ring in for another resizing today because losing weight has made my fingers de-puff a lot. They're about back to the size they were last year, when my promise ring still fit me. I wasn't going to do it since I know my weight will fluctuate in the future- I don't want to have my beautiful ring not fit me- but I was constantly taking it off after playing with it and then forgetting it places. I'd rather have it strangle my finger than lose it. In September I had it sized from a 6 to a 5.5 and now it's going to a 5. I'm not really worried about the integrity being compromised despite the two resizings, because I know Tiffany will make sure that it's stable, but now I'm paranoid that it will be too tight. When I tried on the ring sizes at the store the 5.25 was still too loose and the 5 fit snugly but comfortably (it went on fine and felt good on my finger but took a little effort to get off.) But when I put my promise ring back on at home I needed lotion to get it off! Granted, the heart on my promise ring extends back past the band which makes it fit tighter than a 5, but I'm still worried. Especially since if I gain weight again it won't fit- and my god, I will look like an insane person getting it resized again! I mean, I wonder if they'll only do it a certain number of times before telling me to not be fat!

Promise ring picture reference:

I also looked at wedding bands today and I'm questioning my thoughts about getting the diamond band with alternating pink sapphires. I love pink sapphires, but I just don't think they look right in the size ring I'm considering (2mm.) I didn't like how their darkness contrasted with the light diamonds. Even though it's more expensive, I think I'll go for the all diamond band.

Wedding bands picture reference:

(The pink band looks much better in this picture than it does IRL because of the gem size.)

Kitty pic spam.

2009-11-09T10:29:39Z

After yesterday's Stevie goodness I realized that I should probably post pictures of two of my three other pets! (The spider isn't really one for pictures, haha.)

How we got our current kitty babies:

We got our kitties from my fiance's mom who got them from a woman she worked with. This woman has what she calls a "cat community" and I strongly suspect she's a hoarder because she'd occasionally bring in litters of kittens to Nate's mom's workplace to give away, but she'd never let anyone go over to her house to visit the kittens. One day while she was searching for one of her female cats (she was getting ready to have her spayed thank god) she found a suprise in a closet- her cat and two little kittens. My girls were the only ones born in their litter. I have no idea what the mom looked like, or any of the possible dads but I'd be very curious because these cats are the most unique looking ones I've ever owned- I think they're cool looking (and Floof is adorable and soft) but Nate's nephew says they're the scariest looking cats he's ever seen! Their coats are also curious because they're a mix of long and short hair which gives them a very "tufty" appearance- they also have tufts of hair between their toes. Right now Grey is having some problems pulling out the hair on the middle of her tail. If we had money to spare I'd take her to the vet but I've examined her tail myself for any skin conditions, it's not tender to the touch, and she's had no other behaviorial changes except for the weird hair pulling. If it gets too bad and I see any bald spots or I can tell she's in any pain whatsoever she'll go straight to the vet, but for now I'm just hoping this is a weird phase. I really have to get pictures of it, she looks like a groomed poodle!

I should also mention that we consider Grey as MY cat and Floof as Nate's cat because they have clear preferences. If Nate's not home, Floof is nowhere to be found, and Grey is like my third shadow- Steve being my second haha. As corny as this sounds, I really feel like I have a special connection with Grey- I just feel like she can sense my emotions better than any animal I've ever owned, even Steve. Steve will lick my tears if I ask him to snuggle me when I'm upset, but as soon as she hears me crying Grey will jump to my side to give me a rub. If I'm laying on the bathroom floor sick as hell she'll be in there with me, keeping watch over me. Steve will just pile up toy after toy beside me if I don't give him constant attention, haha. Unfortunately, Grey is neither cuddly nor does she like to be touched- at all. She's pretty onry and bites if you pet or brush her for longer than she approves but she always has to be in my immediate vicinity. Oh, and if she hears me put the toilet lid up she will book ass into the bathroom to rub my legs (it's kind of weirds me out, but as a lifelong cat owner I'm used to it.)

And a scary story about her that happened last week: she caught on fire! My poor kitty literally caught on fire! What happened was I was burning a candle on a shelf next to my computer and she decided that it was a good idea to jump on top of said computer. I looked over at her to scold her and get her to jump down when I saw flames go up into the air! I screamed and threw her off the computer (not in a violent way haha, I wanted her to get the fuck away from that candle) and the on her went out. She landed on her feet of course and then looked at me like, "what was that for you bitch?" She had no idea that she had just been on fire! I chased her down (she doesn't like to be approached first) and examined her side and a good portion of her hair was charred. Luckily her hair is very thick and long because not only was her skin not burned, but her hair wasn't entirely signed off either! I was so relieved she was ok and brushed all the burnt hair off of her. But the smell of burnt cat hair permeated my entire apartment for a day (even with all the windows open!) and it was so gross I could hardly take it! All in all, if I ever have an open flame around again, I will make sure she gets nowhere near it!

BEBES!

Greycat:

Back before she decided to "syle" her tail.

Classic, freaked-out Greycat face.

Floof:

I was getting ready to do the dishes one night after dinner and someone was just sitting in that too-small mixing bowl! My kitchen was a mess but I HAD to get a picture!

Sometimes they love each other!

Steve Pic Spam (also, cats)

2009-11-08T08:56:43Z

One fateful day in November of 2007 I was at Plato's Closet with Nate reselling some of my old clothes. They told us they'd need a bit to go through my clothes and price everything so we decided to kill time at the pet shop next door. I looked at all the puppies but was disappointed that the only Pomeranian (I had always wanted one and was always passively on the lookout for one) there was a not very friendly looking girl. I was ready to leave when Nate called me over to a corner of the store where he had found a quiet little pom in a cage. I went over and as soon as the puppy saw me he jumped up and started liking the top of his cage. I about died of a cute heart attack and the pet shop employee spotted an easy target so she let me hold him. My heart absolutely melted. He was adorable, friendly, and didn't bark at all! I wanted him so much but knew getting a dog at that point in time just wasn't the best idea so we left, and I felt like I left a piece of my heart there. On our way back to our apartment Nate and I discussed why getting a dog would be a bad idea, and I wasn't pouty or anything (haha) but I was bummed I couldn't take that sweet little fluffball home. Later in the day Nate dropped me off at work (I worked at a Zumiez store at an outdoor outlet mall) and I had to tell all my coworkers about the adorable puppy I had seen. Not halfway into my shift Nate walks in the door and I see he's carrying something. My heart drops as he sheepishly holds out the little puppy with a big red bow stuck to him! I could hardly keep from crying from happiness/ excitement and it broke my heart when they had to leave and I had to keep working. My coworkers and I had a good squee about how cute the puppy was and how amazing Nate was, and then when my shift was over I literally ran home. I didn't have a car at the time, but our apartment was very close to the mall so all I had to do was run across a field. Which I did, in record time especially impressive because I smoked back then! When I got home I could hardly believe the little puppy was mine and ever since we've been inseperable buddies. I would even sneak him in to Zumiez with me when he was small so he didn't have to be alone while I worked. Now he's been certified as my service animal and he is the reason I was able to attend classes on campus last semester. He is incredibly well behaved and has the bladder of an elephant. Anyway enough of the rambling and onto the pics!

Nate took those right after he bought Steve and were on their way to surprise me at Zumiez!

Me holding Steve for the first time in our apartment. And black hair woah!

The locals (that is Floof) were not amused.

How could anyone absolutely not die over that face! He had floppy ears!

Crashed out on our couch!

Crashed out again on a pillow. Note local #2 Greycat. She is such a creeper!

I don't think Nate got enough pictures of us napping hahaha.

My favorite picture of him ever!

My parent's neighbor works at a pet boutique so when she heard I had gotten a dog she gave my mom lots of clothes to give to me. We tried them on for laughs but then they retired to a box somewhere.

First bath! And Nate did this not me haha. I think he looks like a Yorkie in the last one.

Steve checking out Floof in her cat cube. She was pissed.

Steve running towards me and Greycat creeping in the background. Note all the pre-wrapped Christmas presents everywhere!

"WHAT DID YOU BRING INTO MY HOME?"

Getting bigger! And his little ears were starting to stand up!

I can't leave freshly dried laundry alone for 5 minutes without it being an animal attractor! This was also the beginning of secret best friends.

Puppy uglies haha!

Vaccuum attatchment chewing/ snuggling. Haha idk.

He was still pretty young in this picture but this is exactly what he looks like now, just bigger!

A very unflattering picture of Nate sleeping, and Steve doing what he does best- sleeping in weird positions.

Another one of my favorite pictures of him.

Steve and my mom's dog Jack (when Jack was a puppy) crashed out in the backseat of my car.

This is what Steve thinks of Astronomy! I actually sent this picture to my professor and he loved it!

This picture most accurately represents Steve. That is what he wants to do. All day. Every day. 24/7.

I took this picture last year for our thank you cards that said, "you're no grinch, thanks for the gift!"

Uggh, it grosses me out SO BAD when that happens. Haha, can you tell by my face in that last pic?

Steve on campus with me last year, taking a break from going batshitinsane in the leaves. This is the only picture I have of him in his service vest and the vest is totally covered!

These are from my Facebook from our road trip this summer.

I broke my no dog clothes rule for this day obviously haha. I actually didn't even get to see the parade though because I got so naseous (I don't recommend traveling while going through withdrawal!) I had to leave.

And just in case those million pictures weren't enough:

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Steve swim fetching, although this is absolutely nothing compared to what he can do, he's swam the length of that lake once. I keep meaning to get a picture of him swimmng furtherbut I always forget to bring my camera.

Steve going insane over snow least year.

keepcalmcarryon @ 2009-09-20T19:53:00

2009-09-21T01:54:20Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEXFUbSbg1I

I <3 John Stossel and this is the most honest information about health care I've ever seen in my life. Everyone should watch this.

keepcalmcarryon @ 2009-09-10T22:24:00

2009-09-11T04:27:14Z

Even when I feel like shit, this poem makes me feel better.

S’io credesse che mia risposta fosse
A persona che mai tornasse al mondo,
Questa fiamma staria senza piu scosse.
Ma perciocche giammai di questo fondo
Non torno vivo alcun, s’i’odo il vero,
Senza tema d’infamia ti rispondo.

Let us go then, you and I,
When the evening is spread out against the sky,
Like a patient etherized upon a table;
Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets,
The muttering retreats,
Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels
And sawdust restaurants with oyster shells:
Streets that follow like a tedious argument
Of insidious intent
To lead you to an overwhelming question...
Oh, do not ask, "What is it?"
Let us go and make our visit.

In the room the women come and go,
Talking of Michaelangelo.

The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the windowpanes
The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle upon the windowpanes
Licked its tongue into the corners of the evening,
Lingered upon the pools that stand in drains,
Let fall upon its back the soot that falls from chimneys,
Slipped by the terrace, made a sudden leap,
And seeing that it was a soft October night,
Curled once about the house and fell asleep.

And indeed there will be time
For the yellow smoke that slides along the street,
Rubbing its back upon the windowpanes;
There will be time, there will be time
To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet;
There will be time to murder and create,
And time for all the works and days of hands
That lift and drop a question on your plate;
Time for you and time for me,
And time yet for a hundred indecisions,
And for a hundred visions and revisions,
Before the taking of a toast and tea.

In the room the women come and go,
Talking of Michaelangelo.

And indeed there will be time
To wonder, "Do I dare?" and, "Do I dare?"
Time to turn back and descend the stair,
With a bald spot in the middle of my hair--
(They will say: "How his hair is growing thin!")
My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,
My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin,
(They will say: "But how his arms and legs are thin!")
Do I dare
Disturb the universe?
In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions that a minute will reverse.

For I have known them already, known them all-
Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons,
I know the voices dying with a dying fall,
Beneath the music from a farther room.
So how should I presume?

And I have known the eyes already, known them all-
The eyes that fix you in a formulated phrase,
And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin,
When I am pinned and wriggling ton he wall,
Then how should I begin
To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways?
And how should I presume?

And I have known the arms already, known them all,
Arms that are braceleted and white and bare,
(But in the lamplight, downed with light brown hair!)
Is it perfume from a dress
That makes me so digress?
Arms that lie around a table, or wrap about a shawl.
And how should I then presume?
And how should I begin?

Shall I say, I have gone at dusk through narrow streets
And watched the smoke that rises from the pipes
Of lonely men in shirt-sleeves, leaning out of windows?

I should have been a pair of ragged claws
Scuttling across the floors of silent seas.

And the afternoon, the evening, sleeps so peacefully!
Smoothed by long fingers,
Asleep... tired... or it malingers,
Stretched on the floor, here beside you and me.
Should I, after tea and cakes and ices,
Have the strength to force the moment to its crisis?
But though I have wept and fasted, wept and prayed,
Though I have seen my head (grown slightly bald) brought in upon a platter,
I am no prophet - and here's no great matter;
I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker,
I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker,
And in short, I was afraid.

And would it have been worth it, after all,
After the cups, the marmalade, the tea,
Among the porcelain, among some talk of you and me,
Would it have been worthwhile,
To have bitten off the matter with a smile,
To have squeezed the universe into a ball,
To roll it towards some overwhelming question,
To say, "I am Lazarus, come from the dead,
Come back to tell you all, I shall tell you all," --
If one, settling a pillow by her head,
Should say, "That is not what I meant, at all."
"That is not it, at all."

And would it have been worth it, after all,
Would it have been worthwhile,
After the sunsets and dooryards and sprinkled streets,
After the novels, after the teacups, after the skirts that trail along the floor--
And this, and so much more?--
It is impossible to say just what I mean!
But as if a magic lantern threw the nerves in patterns on a screen:
Would it have been worthwhile
If one, settling a pillow or throwing off a shawl,
And turning towards the window, should say:
"That is not it, at all,
That is not what I meant, at all."

No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;
Am an attendant lord, one that will do
To swell a progress, start a scene or two,
Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool,
Deferential, glad to be of use,
Politic, cautious, and meticulous;
Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse;
At times, indeed, almost ridiculous,
Almost, at times, the Fool.

I grow old... I grow old...
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.

Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.

I do not think they will sing to me.

I have seen them riding seaward on the waves,
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.
We have lingered in the chambers of the sea,
By sea-girls wreathed in seaweed, red and brown,
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.

Writer's Block: Regrets Only

2009-06-05T19:27:22Z

Do you think that animals feel regret?

View 500 Answers

My dog Steve sure as hell feels regret when he's caught rooting around in the garbage! The guilty/ sad look and the fact that he'll run to his crate is a sure sign of regret.

Friends Only.

2008-11-07T05:27:08Z

Friends Only.

Comment to be added.