Where you been, Mr Lee?

So, there's a German guy who got a tiny key chain camera, jacked it up somehow to take pictures every few minutes, and fastened it to his cat's collar to see where he goes all day. The cat, Mr. Lee has been on 4 recorded trips and it's something to see. Also, for those interested especially in computer/electrical stuff, he (the guy, not the cat) did a photo blog of how exactly he modified the camera, complete with circuit diagrams.

Check out Mr. Lee's travels here.

Cool. A cat-cam.

have a good day! We're packing for our first camping trip of the season made extra exciting because we're using our bikes, not a car. One way of dealing with cars is to make them obsolete!

See ya later alligators.

Quick one

I'm sure you'll all be relived to know that the vet thinks Ludwig is so much better that he doesn't need his originally scheduled 3rd visit! Yay! That's about a $40 savings which is nice, to say the least. And also the healthy cat is good. Obviously. He's still a fatty bu they are surviving on their 1 cup of food a day so they'll stay on that for a month or two and then we'll seek advice to lower it more. Maybe we'll invest in a a little diet cat food or something.

In other exciting news, our washing machine which has been broken since before christmas has been fixed! No more hand washing important stuff only! We did about 4loads yesterday and have a few more to do if we can find the change to do it. Look at all the clothes we have! It's nuts, but so, so nice to have to have that modern convenience back. We also can kind of see the bedroom floor now.

In following with my Vegan with a Vengeance cookbook obsession, I've now made muffins out of the book. The mocha chip ones, but whatever, they're super good. That means I've made 2 kinds of waffles, a fabulous spinach curry, muffins, split pea soup and more from this book. It never disappoints and the ingredients are simple but fabulous. I ed-veganize sometimes since we now seem to use cow's milk more than soy milk, but the recipes are. SO.GOOD.

I can't wait to pick up the same author's cupcake book. I've tried the chai latte cupcakes and they are amazing. Yay delicious food!

Anyhoo, I haven't done any Texas prep yet, but I still have US traveller's cheques from Australia so that's nice. I'll pack the night before/the day of. Mostly I'm worried about having stuff to do in the car. I plan to knit a lot, and I am on a mitten kick so I'll have to hit up the second hand stores for mitten wool to get that ready too. An adventure! I can already feel that I'll be a bit homesick though. I like our little home and I'm pretty used to being with Rob most every day. A little time to make the heart grow fonder, I guess.

I am currently avoiding more thesis work, though that won't go away, so research I must. I know the info is there if I'd only look, but it's all about breaking the ice and getting into it.

Rob's at the walk in clinic. Hes been a sickie all week and this weekend was the worst. I've got him on fluids like mad and he thinks he may need a little more to fight whatever he's got. wish him luck :(

Back to it. Hey, as a placeholder thesis question (it'll get refined over time, that's for sure) what do you think of:

What role to environmental innovators play in promoting sustainable communities?

I like it.

yay.

Texas on the horizon

I leave for Texas on Tuesday after tutorial...around 6-ish in the evening.

I got my F-class licence! I can now (legally) drive a 15 passenger van. Man, I forgot how freaked out a person can get waiting to do a practical test. Also, I waited until less than 10 days before the trip, meaning a fail would have left us in a pickle. Generally you have to wait 10 days to re-test...anyway it's done. Phew! It's cool because I will get experience and have the licence forever (with a written test maintenance every few years) and it'll come in handy I'm sure.

My thesis is coming along well. I have a pile of research to do to get it up to snuff, but I at least know what to look up. It's good. I might get to talk to eccentric excellent people! very good!

I can't really believe how fast Texas snuck up on me. I'll be gone for 2 weeks then it'll be March and school will proceed to kick my ass. Awkward! I'm hoping g to get a good stab in on getting things done in advance because I know that every little thing I do now will help me in the long run.

Tomorrow I'm taking a new knitter to a yarn store! I'm excited because it's always fun to talk yarn with people who actually care and I like to go back to this shop as much as I can because it's kind of discount-y and thy sometimes have wicked deals on clearance needles or yarn. I absolutely don't need more yarn, but whatever. I like to look. I'm a yarn porn voyeur!

Tomorrow Ludwig goes back to the vet for a check-up. he started scooting along the carpet and looked really uncomfortable [non-cat people STOP READING]
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And he has an anal gland infection. He had to get them, uh, expressed, and take an antibiotic every day. He "takes" his pill like a trooper every morning and I'm hoping he shows a good improvement tomorrow. He hasn't scooted since the antibiotics started, so I'm taking that as a good sign.


[/gross cat stuff]

The vet also said he was too fat, so we've started restricting their food. 1 and 1/4 cup per day for the two of them. And I add some psyllium husk as extra fibre. They don't seem too worried, though they complain if the food is getting low. Ah well, as long as their bums are good.

Awesome! aren't you glad you stopped by! At least this'll be a travel blog of sorts again soon. No pictures sue to our wonky camera, but I will try to be descriptive and tell compelling stories of 12 people crammed in a van for 15 (think of the luggage! aaaaah!) and trying to figure out hotel room etiquette and so-on. Should be guaranteed laughs!

I'm also still biking to school every day, despite wind and blowing snow. That's the worst I've had so far. The blowing snow drifts make it slow going, and it's harder to control the bike in deeper snow. It has helped me get a better idea of a rear wheel drive though. I really like biking in the winter. I have a great route where I can stay off the roads and go through a park and I can keep a tight schedule and I don't have to take the bus! It was a personal challenge for myself this winter and feel good that I've stuck with it and am doing okay still. I like the idea of setting personal challenges for myself, and setting myself up for success. Small, manageable things that still improve my life. Building good habits. I have lots of those I could still work on getting!

I'm also still thinking about the next big adventure. Carolyn, Murray , Rob and I think we've got the next trans-continental idea set for after graduation, but I also have other idea of hings to pursue. I'm glad I'm going to Texas because it feels like I've been in one place for a long time. The thing I really like about this one is I'm coming home to the same place. I'm coming home to home! That hasn't happened for my last 2 trips at least.

I've been knitting up a storm and have completed a neck warmer which was too big for me but Rob loves. I also just finished a pair of plain, lined mitts. They are extra long on the cuff to stay tucked into jackets, and they are lined with soft wool roving, which I stranded along the inside like I was changing colours. It added an extra layer and now I'm worried that they are too warm. Hopefully they'll get some use! I've cast on my next small project, but I'm not ready to say what it in case it works out and I send it to the intended recipient.

I feel so relieved about the driving test! Now all I have to do is drive to Texas. Should be a piece of cake, right?