Ah.... life is sooo much easier now. Even though I don't leave them alone and I have to keep an eye on Lala at all times (she killed the toilet paper last night) (no doubt it was very evil) at least I'm not moving kitty litters from room to room and having to deal with one kitty crying in a room while playing with another. Soon after this Lala jumped into the circle and then attacked Spike's tail. There was a few swats but all was fine.
Spike has enjoyed some of the perks of a new kitten. The box she came in? Hello. I'm exhausted. Having a new kitten and being sick at the same time is lame. I'd rather just have a new kitten.
Lala has become much more brave in just one day. Grrrr. She is fierce.
She plays but will often just stop and then come and curl in my lap or try to shove her face up my nose. She will just let me hold her and carry her around the apartment. She also will mold herself to you, stretching her neck out long and laying it down or finding any corner that she can mash her face into perfectly. She purrs like a motor.
Lala looking out the big bad window of scariness from the safety of the other side of the living room.
2. She's cuter than I can express in photos.
It's hard to get pictures of her right now because either we're hanging out in the bathroom where the light is horrid or we're outside and she's moving rather quickly (or in this photo, going for the camera cord). I also don't have the best camera. I'm thinking of maybe arranging a yarn bribe for Katy for some professional photos. It will also be nice when I can take photos of Spike and Lala together. Death to all camera cords.
3. She loves her kitty bed.
I made Lala a bed the first night she came here because I wanted something special for her. I've wanted a kitten for a long time but getting Lala was very spontaneous it seemed. I was having a hard time getting approved and had kinda given up hope but all of a sudden APPROVED and then it was like, well, get her or someone else will, so I was like... okay. In some ways I feel very unprepared for a kitten but in other ways, not at all.
Right, back to the bed. I made it impromtu like but based it upon one of Mal's pillows. I cut out two big circles (that I drew freehand late at night so they're more of ovals) out of my star fabric then sewed the right sides together with about a three inch gap. Then I turned it right side out and sewed another circle in the inside leaving a two inch gap. I reached through both gaps and filled the inner circle semi-full, then sewed it closed with the machine. Then I overstuff the outer circle and hand-sewed it closed. Spike tried to jump in it right away but he's kinda big for it so I promised him I'll get some more stuffing and make him one too. Long legged kitten.
4. She's a hardy little kitten.
We had a scare yesterday when I didn't see Spike come into the bedroom with Lala and I. He jumped on the bed and hissed at her, then chased her and took some swats at her before I could get him out. It was really scary and poor Lala. She didn't totally freak out though, she wasn't panting or hysterical. She just seemed really sad.
We didn't go all the way back to square one (aka. Spike hissing at the bathroom door even from the living room). Spike is fine with her as long as I am holding her but they haven't bumped noses yet. Today I put Spike in my bedroom for a bit and let Lala investigate but she was pretty skitish.
She really can't go two feet without being distracted by a noise or a light or... air. It's not an anxious response though it's more of a curious response. I did end up turning on the tv though so she could get use to the noise. She's done wonderfully detailing her roommate. OMG what was that? And that? And what's that? That?
5. Lala is similar to Spike.
Once he gets over his spoiled only cat syndrome things will be a lot better. They both like small spaces, they both have oddly indifferent attitudes to cat toys, they both like to nap, and they both do that shoving of faces into noses. The big difference between the two that I like is that Lala does not seem to shed at all. I hope that never changes.
I can hold Lala right now and be in the same room as Spike. I've actually had him sitting at my feet staring at Lala without hissing.
Progress. It's good good progress.
Spike isn't... around here right now is he?
6. I made the right choice about Lala. There were three different kittens I was looking at. One was Seven, which really, is more of an idea of a kitten than a specific one. I was thinking that I needed to go for a really energetic female cat to take on Spike. There was also a beautiful persian female kitten, and then there was Lala. Lala, at first, was not an option because she was sooo shy. The only thing was, I kept on picking her up because she was so lonely looking. The persian was tempting because she was so beautiful and, as I told the vet, she was a total trophy cat as pet stores would sell her for 500$ at least, but she lacked the personality of Lala. When the SPCA told me I could get a kitten I knew that Lala was perfect.
This video is pretty long. Do you see her Vulcan foot? She's permently wishing you a long and prosper life (I know it's 'live long and prosper'). Ignore the messy apartment. I'm sick, working, and got a new kitten. I'm surprised my apartment is still standing frankly.
And a word about Spike... he'll be fine. Soon, he'll be a much happier cat than ever before. He just doesn't believe me.
I like the Olympics; however, I don't like what has happened to my city because of the Olympics. I don't like where the money has gone when 800 teachers received possible lay off notices and we're facing even more school closures. I don't like that we lost our seawall in November. I don't like the excess security. I don't like the way the homeless are being treated. I agree with a lot of what the protesters are saying. And just so we are clear, the people who smashed windows and destroyed property, are not protesters. They are wack-jobs. I don't agree with the people who protested the torch relay either. Way to be killjoys. I just think a lot of things could have been done even a little bit differently for these Olympics, and it's sad to be caught in that.
I'm glad I have friends who are benefiting off the Olympics~ they are good people and I'm glad they are getting to experience this. I'm glad I know them because it's good for me to see that.
Still, that being said, as of last Friday at lunchtime, I was telling someone that I just couldn't seem to get excited. I wanted to be at least somewhat happy. I mean, it is the bloody Olympics. You'd think I'd be, you know, even a little bit 'woo'. But I wasn't. I was.. meh.
Thankfully, I am slightly excited now. I went to an awesome opening ceremonies party where I have to say I enjoyed the ceremonies. I think it was good that I was with a group of people that shared the same emotions as me, so I didn't feel pressured to enjoy it even if I wasn't. But I did. It was fun. I loved the whales!!!! Did you see the whales?!?!?! And also? K.D. Lang singing Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah?!??! Like I said earlier, that would have been worth the ten years of credit card debt right there.
And then there was that hydraulics thingie which made us, oh, you know, nearly die. And then we were convinced someone was going to fall under the wheels of the truck, but all in all, it was pretty gosh darn awesome.
Since then I've been having fun. I totally lost it when we got gold. GOOOOOOOOOOLLLLDDDD!!!!!!
In knitting Olympic news...
Day One.... whatever... I cast on.
Day Two... about 34 rows. It looks messy but hopefully (for Meg) it'll turn out in the end. There are some dropped stitches that will eventually happen. It takes awhile. It's pretty stressful. I put in a life line but it snagged the first five stitches and pulled them through the next ones which created a huge mess (another ironic moment) but I think I pulled it off. I knit about another 20 today but I'm suppose to be knitting 30 rows a day in order to finish three days before the deadline. If I get any days off this week (cross your fingers I won't) I'll try to catch up.
A few weeks ago I dropped my precious pepper groom shaker. I was pretty upset.
I'm happy to say that even though he no longer carries pepper, he's back beside his bride. Yeah for happy endings!
I think acknowledging it is the first step. Not caring is the second.
I'm having some knitting angst. In... a few days (I really need to go finish signing up) the knitting Olympics starts. Which is good because right now I'm really really really not a fan of the real Olympics so this is a nice positive thing to come out of it. Anyhoo, yeah, I need to get my knitting under control, hopefully a little more before it starts. Right now I've got....
Yeah... this is going to require some labeling... #1: Rainbow Blanket~ lots of acrylic, happy colours, pretty boring but I love it. Would like to start on the next colour soon. #2: Crazy Harry Potter Cowl~ started this around xmas and totally forgot about it. It was actually pretty neat so I'll talk more about it when it's done. #3: Cashmere cowl that just needs some ties #4: Harry Potter socks~ just need to finish the toe but had to frog it the first time because the sock was too short. #5:Handspun cardi~ had some issues, need to frog the new blue yarn to the handspun (the pleats were not at a good spot). #6:Noro scarf~ boooooooring. #7: The Never Ending Knee Socks~ started these when I still lived in PG. I am on the ribbing but there's about four or five inches of black ribbing with tonnes of stitches on small needles. Makes my brain hurt. I need to bring this to knit night and offer rewards to anyone who knits a row for me. #8: Brown Angst Socks~ augh. So many stitches. #9: My swatch for the knitting olympics. Still haven't finished my training! I'll dedicate a whole post to this soon.
But wait! There's more! #10: Alyria's skirt. Very close to finishing.
Some of you may already know my issue. It's called stockinette stitch, and I haz it. A lot of it. And if it's not stockinette stitch, it's garter or ribbing. Very boring knits. I really want to start a shawl or patterned socks or an intricate cardigan but I need to finish some of this!
And my reward for finishing half of these is this... Dream in Colour Starry. I know I'm not suppose to buy yarn but a)I'm doing really well with not buying yarn and b)this is the first time I've seen this yarn so how was I not suppose to get it?
Onto a new subject, my bike. Still don't have a name :( Oh, and after that whole, 25km in 24 hours means you can't really move very well the next day. Oi vey. My progression into the bike culture is progressing nicely. Instead of using a purse flipped upsidedown and tied with cord to hold stuff... I'm using a real pannier! Other news, I made peanut butter tofu cabbage rolls. Mmmmm....
And the final subject of this post, I spent today with Darcy and she recommended a peacock feather for Spike. It worked really well and we played for about fifteen minutes before he decided he was done! That's a record for him. He never plays. Ever. He chases treats but that's about it.
I love this photo. The feather looks like molten something. But look! Proof! He is playing! But now he's pretty feisty so I'm going to leave him alone for a bit. Next post... hopefully finished things!!!
I have clocked 25.5 km since buying my bike yesterday at 3pm. I did a route today that I did yesterday and it felt much much harder. I'm trying to remember the angst I feel on this route because I'm hoping in a few months it will be a breeze and I laugh heartily when I think about how difficult it once was. Ahhhh hahaha.
Want a meaning of irony? When you ride all the way to your sister's place after work in order to pick up your bike lock so you can take your bike to knitting night and then get home after having gone 10 kilometres out of your way and realize there is no way you are biking to knitting night now.
Now I shall distract you with pictures of my beautiful beautiful bike.
I have no idea what to name my bike. Helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I was leaning towards Adelle but now I just don't know. Hmph.
What is it about the first few days of every month being insane? Do we remember January? If so, congratulations because I barely do. Anyhoo...
not to say it's been bad. It's just been... a doozy.
Firstly, my new phone? I barely know how to work it and today found out it's really important to make sure you press the correct button when answering a phone call from work. If you just winced and though... 'oh, I hope she didn't do what I think she did' I'm afraid you are overly optimistic about my ability to pick up phones. I totally rejected a call from work. HAHAHA!!! What can we learn from this? Be more careful, calm down, think before you press, and maybe put a sticker over the good button so you can differentiate (there really isn't much difference between the two at all unless you look really close and squint).
Secondly, I think the reason I'm so calm about this epic fail (and about other things going on right now) is because of the book I read last month. A Stroke of Insight~ I'd highly highly recommend it. If you don't feel like reading it then I'd recommend giving some of your time to listen to her speak (and her website is cool too but it makes a lot more sense if you know what it's all about). I really honestly feel like this book has made a difference in how I view others and myself. It's quite awesome. It really sucked when I rejected the call but staying upset and angry about it won't help. And also it's all cool meditation stuff but based in science. My kind of lady. I'd go into it more but I'm tired and wouldn't be able to give the book the credit it deserves. Please go read it. I'll lend you mine once I get it back from another friend.
Thirdly, this article is so awesome. Well, not awesome that this happened in the first place but awesome that it's being shown for the sham it was. It's an article about how the Lancet journal has offered a full retraction of a study showing a link between vaccines and autism. They did it just for publicity. Disgusting. My favorite part was when the doctor was said to have 'callous disregard' for the welfare of children because frankly, that is my opinion as well when it comes to this issue. It shouldn't even be an issue.
Writing in inhibiting. Sighing, I sit, scribbling in ink this pidgin script. I sing with nihilistic witticism, discipling signs with trifling gimmicks - iimpish hijinks which highlight stick sigils. Isn't it glib? Isn't it chic? I fit childish insights within rigid limitsm writing shtick which might instill priggish misgiv- ings in critics blind with hindsight. I dismiss nit - picking criticism which flirts with philistinism. I bitch; I kibitz - griping whilst criticizing dimwits, smiping whilst indicting nitwits, dismissing simplis - tic thinking, in which philippic wit is still illicit.
Sixthly, Spike.
eta: I just reread after publishing and realized I started on one arch and then dissolved said arch into a weird rambling of all sorts. You're use to that right?
Soon after this Lala jumped into the circle and then attacked Spike's tail. There was a few swats but all was fine.
I'm exhausted. Having a new kitten and being sick at the same time is lame. I'd rather just have a new kitten. 
Grrrr. She is fierce.
Lala looking out the big bad window of scariness from the safety of the other side of the living room. 
Death to all camera cords. 
I cut out two big circles (that I drew freehand late at night so they're more of ovals) out of my star fabric then sewed the right sides together with about a three inch gap. Then I turned it right side out and sewed another circle in the inside leaving a two inch gap. I reached through both gaps and filled the inner circle semi-full, then sewed it closed with the machine. Then I overstuff the outer circle and hand-sewed it closed. Spike tried to jump in it right away but he's kinda big for it so I promised him I'll get some more stuffing and make him one too.
Long legged kitten. 
OMG what was that? And that? And what's that? That?
Spike isn't... around here right now is he?
There were three different kittens I was looking at. One was Seven, which really, is more of an idea of a kitten than a specific one. I was thinking that I needed to go for a really energetic female cat to take on Spike. There was also a beautiful persian female kitten, and then there was Lala. Lala, at first, was not an option because she was sooo shy. The only thing was, I kept on picking her up because she was so lonely looking. The persian was tempting because she was so beautiful and, as I told the vet, she was a total trophy cat as pet stores would sell her for 500$ at least, but she lacked the personality of Lala. When the SPCA told me I could get a kitten I knew that Lala was perfect.
he'll be fine. Soon, he'll be a much happier cat than ever before.
He just doesn't believe me.
whatever... I cast on. 
about 34 rows. It looks messy but hopefully (for Meg) it'll turn out in the end. There are some dropped stitches that will eventually happen. It takes awhile. It's pretty stressful. I put in a life line but it snagged the first five stitches and pulled them through the next ones which created a huge mess (another ironic moment) but I think I pulled it off. I knit about another 20 today but I'm suppose to be knitting 30 rows a day in order to finish three days before the deadline. If I get any days off this week (cross your fingers I won't) I'll try to catch up. 
Yeah for happy endings!
Yeah... this is going to require some labeling...
#1: Rainbow Blanket~ lots of acrylic, happy colours, pretty boring but I love it. Would like to start on the next colour soon. 
#10: Alyria's skirt. Very close to finishing. 
Dream in Colour Starry. I know I'm not suppose to buy yarn but a)I'm doing really well with not buying yarn and b)this is the first time I've seen this yarn so how was I not suppose to get it? 
I'm using a real pannier! 
But look! Proof! He is playing! 
But now he's pretty feisty so I'm going to leave him alone for a bit. 
Next post... hopefully finished things!!!
I have no idea what to name my bike. Helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I was leaning towards Adelle but now I just don't know. Hmph.
