For the Birds

I feel so accomplished! Today I did laundry, finished my Naarah's Ark website, and sold a lovebird (young college student who drove all the way from the Illinois/Wisconsin border!)

Just another Monday....

First, I would like to say that Berry Krispies are a) not NEW and b) not as good as I remember them in my childhood. Of course, at that time they were just strawberry Krispies and tasted suspicially like strawberry Nesquick. ;)

Well, it's officially been spring for a week now! And today finally is starting to feel like it: the sun's out, the air has a hint of warmth to it, there are folks down by the lake fishing, and the biggest sign of all: I shaved my legs. Yup. Not that you all care about the state of my legs. And you guys out there who think that women go through the labor of shaving our legs all winter, get a life. If our legs are shaved in the winter it's because 1) we're single and have a hot date, 2) have a job interview and are wearing a skirt, or 3) going to a special event (wedding, play, etc) and are wearing a skirt. Those of us who are in long-term relationships or married, go hairy all winter. Who sees our legs anyway. I wear pants all winter. Besides, I was going to the doctor today (another sure sign of spring: time to get the yearly exam to get the birth control refil!) I'm sure my new doctor wouldn't have cared about the state of my legs, her being located in Ann Arbor and all and she probably sees plenty of hippie granola chick hairy legs, but it's like an etiquette thing or something. Isn't it? You go to the doctor, you shave your legs. So, anyway, legs shaved. Got it. Went to the doctor. Do not have a kidney infection. Am not pregnant. (YAY!) She gave me exercises to do to strengthn my back. She was kindof surprised that I was never given any before, since I have a back injury due to a car accident I was in, in 2001. I explained to her that the physical therapist I went to after the accident was a Big. Fat. Fucking. Schumck. (ok, so I didn't say fucking. Still, you get it. He was an asshole). He thought I was faking because nothing was broken. Ummm, hello! Asshole! Muscle damage doesn't show on an x-ray. Putz. So, here I am 5 years later with a bottle of muscle relaxants so I can get through the day. Gotta love the state of our health system. Speaking of, the reason I'm seeing a new doctor is because my old doctor doesn't accept HMOs (the doctor I've had for over 10 years), and I switched over to Rob's insurance because his insurance through U of M is better than what I had through Ritz. Well, and now that I'm officially part time slave labor, I don't have Ritz's health insurance anyway. Anyway, I really like the new doctor. She's very nice. I think I'll choose her for my Primary Care Physician.

Well, it's getting late, and I think I should go wake the ferrets up and clip their toenails. I'm thinking about showing (Mega)Pixel and Token at the 2006 Ferret Fun Fest. I thought I'd see how they score before they have their visit to the vet to take away their manhood. I've been trying to hold the boys and teach them how to "hang" for show. This is easier said than done. A ferret is held one-handed for judging, hand wrapped around the back, fingers and thumb underneath the armpits. The ferret is supposed to "hang" still like a rag doll. Whoever thought this was the best way to judge a ferret was smoking crack, by the way. First, ferrets are wriggly and easily distracted. Second, Token is so damn big I can barely wrap my hand around him! Well, if anyone's free on Saturday, May 6, and wants to keep me company.... :)

I'm a brewing storm, baby!

Got this from Mel's blog. Thought it was cool.

Thunder ~ 55% Water ~ 74% Wind ~ 59% Earth ~ 74% Fire ~

Change the street change the decade Still the longing's left inside... Your colours are the light blue of the sky and its exact opposite, the fiery crimson. You are likely energetic, ambitious, inquisitive and honest. However, you may sometimes appear insensitive or restless. You could try wearing a Jasper that inspires compassion and tranquillity, or a Peridot that relives irritation and inspires comfort and thus bring you a bit closer to harmony. In detail: Your Ground Chakra, which is associated with the element of fire and represents our basic desires and driving force, and your Throat Chakra, which is associated with the element of wind and represents our desire to learn and communicate, are predominant. Your Creative Chakra, which is associated with the element of earth and represents our need to preserve and grow, and your Heart Chakra, which is associated with the element of water and represents our sense of love and compassion are not quite as prominent. These are the results you will get if you score highly on... None of the four elements: Balance Wind: Gust Fire: Blaze Water: River Earth: Valley Wind & Fire: Thunder Wind & Water: Clouds Wind & Earth: Canyon Fire & Earth: Lava Fire & Water: Tornado Water & Earth: Trees Wind, Fire & Earth: Storm Wind, Fire & Water: Stars Wind, Water & Earth: Forest Fire, Water & Earth: Avalanche All four elements: Harmony

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:



You scored higher than 45% on water







You scored higher than 51% on wind







You scored higher than 50% on earth







You scored higher than 72% on fire

Link: The Elemental Balance Test written by Nitsuki on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

You Go Girl!

The President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation, Cecilia Fire Thunder "will personally establish a Planned Parenthood clinic on my own land which is within the boundaries of the Pine Ridge Reservation where the State of South Dakota has absolutely no jurisdiction"

My brain cells have mutinyed

Is that even a word? Oh well, not that I care right now.

Ok, so I'm usually not one of those people who read trash novels. I'll read fluff, like the DaVinci Code or Wicked, but not those trashy romance novels. That is until now. And you won't believe whose fault it is. Mel's.* It's all her fault. Yesterday at work she was going on and on about these hilarious books. But they're romance novels, which she never reads. They got put on her suggested list on Amazon when she ordered some Harry Dresden novels. So, she added them to her wish list, figuring she'd eventually order one. Well, she got a couple as a gift, and loved them! She said she couldn't stop laughing. The books in question are the Undead series by MaryJanice Davidson. Mel had just finished one of Davidson's other books, The Royal Treatment. Bored while at work, I picked it up and started reading. 50 pages later, I'm hooked and can't put the damn thing down. Oh, it's absolutely horrible! It's utter trash! My brain cells are fleeing at the very thought of my picking the book back up to finish it. But I can't stop! It's junk food for the soul. Really. It's like potato chips or M&Ms.... they're horrible for you, have no nutrients, but as soon as you rip open a bag and you find yourself, without even thinking, munch... munch.... munch.... reaching into the bag for another handful.... munch... munch... munch... and another.... munch.... munch... munch.... and before you realize it the bag's half empty and all the calories have gone to your ass.

*I've already called Mel. She's letting me borrow the Undead series. :P

*GRUMBLE*

I've been have back pain for the last couple weeks. Last week it was focused on my right side. I pretty much felt bruised and uncomfortuable and took alot of advil. Yesterday, however, the pain slowly increased until by the time I got to work it was like someone stabbing knives in my back (right around the kidney area). It hurt to stand up straight. I was at work for an hour when I turned around to go to urgent care. I had to drive to the urgent care in Belleville, because that was the closest one that my health insurance accepts. They did the usual: blood pressure, temperature, pee in a cup. Good news: it's not a UTI or kidney infection. Bad news: he doesn't know what it is, but it could be kidney stones. So, he took an x-ray. Trying to figure out if my insurance would cover an x-ray of the back/stomach area at urgent care took about 20 minutes. They ended up taking the x-ray, which looked fine. He gave me a prescription for Tylenol 3 and told me to go and see my primary care physician. I don't really have a primary care physician yet. This year I switched over to Rob's insurance. With him working at the U, his insurance is better. They have a whole list of insurances to choose from. After research, we decided to go with HAP HMO (we went with the HMO because it was cheaper than the PPO.... let's face it, for what we make, the PPO was just downright not afforadable). My old doctor, who I'd been going to for around 10 years doesn't take HMOs. Fuck. Time to find a new doctor. I'm running low on some of my meds, so I pulled up the list of providers on HAP's website and picked one (my criteria: Ann Arbor area, female doctor, speaks English). Yesterday I called and made my appointment for March 27. At the time, my back was bothering me no worse than normal.

The problem with HMOs is that nothing can get done without a primary care physician. So, until next Monday, I have to eat advil like candy and enjoy my Tylenol 3 before bed (if I take it during the day, all I will do is sleep), and probably walk around like the Hunchback. What fun.

It's like collagen -- only cheaper

So, the other day I go over to my parents house to take pictures of some lovebirds that are for sale. Her cockatoo, Sammy, is making kissing noises, which means he wants you to give him a kiss. So, I go over to Sammy, and say, "Give me kiss" and lean over for a kiss. Instead of a kiss, I end up with a pierced lip. And fuck does it hurt! He latched on and was hanging there! I was screaming with tears running down my face. It's been two days and it still hurts. The bonus? I have that whole pouty lower lip thing going on. Rob joked that since I'm halfway there, I might as well just go get the lip pierced. :P

In other exciting news.....

the Laurel Park Ritz Camera forgot to validate my hours for one of the weeks I worked there. That's 16 hours without pay on my check. I am furious! I'm over $100 short! And I have bills to pay. Clarence, the manager over there, validated and faxed in the hours yesterday. I called payroll to say: hey, it's not my fuckup, I need the money. I was told I'll get it next paycheck (two weeks), but if I need it now, I can ask Sandie (our DM) for an advance. Ummmm, I don't want an advance. I want my money. My money that I earned and should get rightfully paid for! *GRUMBLE*

This weekend I'll be going to the 2006 Ann Arbor Orchid Festival. Specifically, I'll be going to the photographer's hour on Sunday. Maybe I'll even get myself a little orchid and try to keep it alive.* Afterwards, I'll be off to a bird show. Nope, I don't have a table at this one. But one of the vendors there is buying two of my parrotlets. And we'll be picking Joel up on the way so he can pick out a cage for his lovebird, Radar. Rob and I hope to get some better cages and stands. And maybe get our canary, Jack Sparrow, a girlfriend.

And now, I should probably go check on my laundry (yay! clean socks!).....



*Yes, I know I am the killer of all plants! You don't have to remind me that I can't even keep an aloe alive! I'll just keep it while it's blooming, then give it to my mom, who is actually good with plants.

Moving on out...

Growing up Jewish in the metro Detroit area, I was well aware of the stigma the city of Howell had due to it's past affiliations with the KKK. Does the city purchasing a clan robe offered up for auction in it's own city so that it can burn it on the spot or the city hosting the "Hateful Things" traveling Jim Crow exhibit erase these negative stereotypes? Maybe. Because the latest KKK recruitment newsletters have been found in newspaper boxes Northwest of Adrian and Southwest of Ann Arbor. The Ann Arbor News article is here and Adrian's Daily Telegram article is here. I find something so close to home terrifying. I live in Ypsilanti and work in Ann Arbor. And these areas could not be more of a melting pot of people and cultures. That's one reason why I love living and working here. The University draws students and professors from all over the world. People here are open-minded; they are thinkers and philosophers, not intimidated by the rebeliousness of youth or the wisdom of age. Walk downtown and the world is your fingertips in the stores, restaurants, and people walking the streets. To imagine that intolerance is so close... but then again, to those who fear what I embrace, what better place to target? Fear and hatred can spread like wildfire. But I can have hope. Hope that the people who chose to live in the outlying rural areas of Ann Arbor chose to live close for all the reasons I love living here. With that hope, I really have nothing to fear.

Weekendy Stuff

Well, I survived dinner with my family. Amazingly. Though I feel sorry for Sharon and Judy because I was in such a sour mood. :-P They did, however, seem to take my mood in good humour. I know I was no fun to deal with that night. It's five to six, Rob and I are pulling into the parking garage, and I get a phone call from my dad that they're leaving the house right now. Amazing! I didn't know one could beam themselves ala Star Trek! Needless to say, they were late (and it wasn't my dad's fault). This proceeded to make me crankier. End result: the pizza is awesome and Rob's family is tolerant. :)

Sunday Rob and I went to see UltraViolet with Tammy, Tom, and Paul. It was everything I expected it to be. If you're looking for a thought-provoking movie, go see something else. If you're looking for action fluff, this'll work.

Monday I had off and it took much mental prodding to get my ass out of bed. After I'd been up a bit, I gave Mel a call and asked if she wanted to go to the botanical gardens. A bit later, we were off to go see some green and take pictures. And the gardens are closed on Monday. So, we decided to walk around downtown Ann Arbor, visit the rock shop... and in our wanderings downtown, we found that the rock shop is also closed on Monday. Along with half of Ann Arbor. I am making a mental note that for some reason Ann Arbor rolls up the sidewalks on Monday. :-P Mel and I did find cool stores to go into. We bought books. We looked at lots of nifty stuff in nifty little shops. We had lunch at Mongolian BBQ. It was a good day. :-)

And, now I have to go feed baby birds and leave for work. (doesn't that sound exciting???)

Happy Birthday Rob

Well, ok, Rob's birthday was 2 days ago.

For Rob's birthday I got him this watch. Yes, it is the epitome of nerdom. It is "geektastic." It is Rob.

And that's not all! Oh no. I didn't stop there. How could I? Rob also got rats. Yes, rats. Those adorable, smart, cute, fuzzy little pet rodents* And look, I've added pictures for your viewing pleasure.













See? Aren't they simply the cutest things you've ever seen? They are, from left to right, Yasmin, Ginger, and Rexanne. So, I go to the pet store** and ask to see the dumbo eared rats. The pet store employee was picking them up by their tail (*gasp!*) to check the sex. He pulled out two girls for me. One of which was a standard ear, which no longer made her a fancy rat, thus now eligible to be a feeder. So I choose to take both. Then I saw another tank with smaller ratlings for sale. One was a little black mismark rex. It was a girl. I took her too. If I could have, I would have tried to rescue them all, but I know that three is more than we have room for. Then I went across the street to Pet Supplies Plus to pick them up a temporary ratitat. Then, when I got home, I called Rob and asked him to come downstairs and get his present out of the car. :-) The little girls are housed separately from the big girls for now. We will make slow introductions and eventually cage them all together. I went out and bought some kitten replacement milk and put a small bit in the cage with the girls. Rexanne is absolutely tiny! She is mouse-sized. She is eating on her own, but I want to make sure that she's getting all her nutrition. Ginger and Yasmin are both smooth haired and I think the color would be considered a "dove" self (no other markings). Yasmin has the dumbo ears (large ears with side placement). Rexanne is a little black mismark (has some white on her belly, toes, and tail, but it's not even) rex (curly fur and whiskers). Rob named Yasmin and Rexanne, I named Ginger (she's a little shy).

And now, just so that my big girls don't feel left out, here's some new pictures of them in their "house."
















The girls wake up in time for a Cheerio treat! Yay!

Then, after we set the new girls up in their home, we went to Red Robin for dinner. I haven't been to a Red Robin in over ten years. Last time I was at one, Carrie chipped her tooth on a broken spoon.... or something along those lines. I don't remember all the details, though I'm sure Carrie does. So, if you're curious, I guess ask her. Anyway, dinner: I forgot how extremely obnoxious Red Robin is. Oh. My. God. I think it's supposed to have a diner feel to it. I think the place just had a serious case of ferret shock going on. All the lights and sounds and oh my. Sensor overload! Sensor overload! Rob ordered their "clucks and fries" (in normal people terms: chicken strips) and I had fish and chips. It was alright. Our waiter was on the obnoxious side. But then again, what at Red Robin isn't obnoxious? Really.

And now, tonight, Rob and I are having dinner at Pizza House with our families. If you don't hear from me for a week, I won't have survived and will be in the looney bin (this is no part a reflection on Rob's family.)



*No, they are NOT vermin. They are NOT snake food. They are wonderful pets! And anyone who disagrees: :-P" You don't know what you're missing.

**Why? Why more rats? Well, as many of you may know, our little girl rat Zig Zag passed away a couple months ago. Rob was feeling sad and thinking about another rat. I was talking to Tammy the other day, and her and Paul went to this reptile specialty pet store. Paul has been looking for live pinkies to feed his snake. I had recommended this particular pet store a while back to them, thinking that because they specialize in herps, that they would most likely have live pinkies. Tammy was most unhappy with the conditions the mammals were kept in (they had more rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc). They are not mammal people at this store. They are lizard people. They honestly could care less. But anyway, back to how I ended up there on Thursday. Tammy mentioned that they had some fancy and hairless rats. I thought I'd go down, rescue a rat (as in singular) from it's likely fate as a snake snack. Needless to say, I ended up with three.