Is there a federal holiday in Junetober?

0. My parents had their birthday party last month at the cottage. It was super fun and super cute. Birthday float!

1. You know, it's totally useless to know that a difference exists, but not be able to explain the difference. Like, bugs are an actual different classification than insects. You just sound like an idiot when you bring it up, without being able to go further. What the hell?

2. We figured out how to hack a veg McDonalds burger (with the added bonus of being without chemical induced rage we get when we eat at McD's...we got grilled cheese in Australia and then had a blowout fight about...paradise? Not sure.). Yves burger, melted on top cheese slice (Kraft-style), pickles, mustard and ketchup and lettuce form outside and cheapest possible white bun. Awesome. We've been making cole slaw with it. Perfect.

3. We went camping at sandbanks provincial park. It's about halfway between waterloo and ottawa. It was super fun and they weren't kidding about the sand. Beaches and dunes. Good times.

4. Listening to: Weezer The Red Album. I love it (most of it). Ballads can suck it. It's the summer, time for driving tunes and anthems.

5. We have two big boxes I am slowly filling up with stuff to give away. The less we take with us, you know? We've also got a bunch of stuff to list on kijiji too. Next on the block: waffle maker. I sometimes worry about how much actual joy I get from doing these two things.

6. Oh my god, is that the same ant I've seen 4 times or do I have a freaking problem in here!? UGH.

7. Junetober is the best month because every day I think, oh I better go water the garden, and then it rains instead and I'm saved the bike ride.

8. Swheat Scoop natural cat litter now comes in multi cat. Excitement!

9. Yesterday I demolished a to-do list of random chores around the apartment. t was really nice and super easy. Is there a way to make yourself be in certain moods? Other than mellow (vicodin?). Anyway, it felt good. I will make another list today.

10. We've probably had like 5 "plans" (ideas, really) of What's Next, but we seem to have swung back to my favourite option, the long distance bike ride. Who wants to potentially semi adopt our cats for like 6 months? We'll get you the food and litter and we'll insure them with PC and pay for everything. No, don't say anything just yet. Think about it. *wink* Anyway, as always it's an idea until it happens and details are as scarce as actual facts about the idea. So, as always, I guess wait and see.

11. 'sup with y'all?

Pet names

These are some fabulous pet names:

1. Tootie
2. The Todd
3. Mr. Fantastic
4. Chairman Chuckles (TM Dooce)
5. Donny Osmond
6. Einsteinium
7. Rocketman
8. The [any two names] Project
9. Cole Slaw
10. Fats

A good pet name is one that is funny to someone else if you are angrily shouting it. FATS! FATS GET BACK HERE! FAAAAAAAAATS!

See?

Improvements

1. I biked to Guelph and back! Not in the same day, but whatever. Friday I went out there to see Skinny Kitty's show. It was fantastic to see her and I was really happy I could support her. Also, my pal Sarah came with and put me up for the night. Fun times. I stayed around for a bit of Art in the Street on Saturday in downtown Guelph, then saddled up for the ride home. The universe christened my ride with heavy rain for the 2nd half of it or so. And I got my period. And I wasn't fit really. And my chain fell off 3 times, on hills. However, I loved every freaking moment of rolling through those farms and hills, seeing donkeys and horses, and countryside shift into residential into urban. I'm definitely a cyclist.

2. We got a futon! So now, at the age of 26, I now have all the accoutrements of your average 18-year old freshmen. Sweet. Actually, I'm super happy because it came from a non-smoking home, is in great shape, is a metal framed slider (not wooden pallet) and it was only $50. Bonus: we got rid of the overstuffed 2 seater that came from a home with cigarette smoke, a chair that I never really liked (sorry rob!) AND and old table we don't like. Definite net improvement people! So, when can we expect your visit? My everlasting quest to make moving easier is on a roll.

ETA: As I was bringing out the old sewing table/plant table, there were two people sitting on the couch by the curb having a smoke. The guy was really animated and in good humour, all "don't throw this stuff out!". I said, no it's out here in case someone wants to pick it up.
Homeless man (HM): Man this is goos stuff but I can't pick it up till tomorrow! I'm homeless. Me: sorry but I have nowhere to put it, it's all parking lots around here and I can't move it anywhere (which is true).
Homeless woman (HW): hey what's that table? Me: It's an old sewing table.
HM/HW: garbage is going to come!
Me: No, garbage day is Friday, you've got lots of time
HM/HW: [thinking out loud] how are we gonna move this stuff?
HW to HM: We better get to the welfare office
HM [as they walk off]: If this stuff is gone when we get back , I am gonna be fucking pissed.

Awesome. It IS good stuff, and it's not going to landfill, hooray! I have to say, I was a little taken aback when I noticed two peole chilling on the couch on the side of the road. Good view of the construction, I guess.

3. I'm finally getting crap done on my thesis. I'm scared of interviewing people, which is probably psychologically slowing me down, so I will have to conquer that. Organizing the desk are is definitely helping.

4. Claire's birthday weekend is coming up, which means canoe trip n the Grand! Wheee! And backyard camping, which is the BEST.

5. Yarnstravaganza on Thursday...getting rid of extra yarn and needles at school. I'm thinking of organizing a bigger clothing exchange/swap meet too. Just bring stuff, take stuff away, everything else goes to goodwill. It's fun.

6. I had my first bowl of maple mini frosted wheats. yum.

7. We about to finish watching Lost season three, which will put us in a Bad Place as we wait till February for the next installments. 2010 to finish the series? That is not my style, people. I want to know the answers, please. And no, I seriously don't need to watch the show. Just answers.

8. We've been out on our cruisers a bunch of times and are planning picnics to Victoria park. I feel like Mary Poppins (or the wicked witch of the west, depending on my mood) when I'm on my bike. Rob's been looking for a wicker basket for us to take food down to the park. He is nothing if not thorough when customizing a ride!

9. My friend went to a wedding and stopped at a winery that makes fruit wines. I got Cherry dinner wine, some kind of reserve that's cranberry, blackberry and raspberry I think, and the blueberry "port". All for $40. So far the "port" is amazing. Hooray!

10. I think that's it for now. Maybe not, but that's all I can think of. Byeeee

Nuggets

1. It finally rained today, after high winds. It's been a beautiful day.

2. I am volunteering with at least one and possible two gardens this summer, which means massive amounts of primo organic food for us. This is such a rewarding activity that doesn't take too much time but pays out in so many ways. Good food and good people. That's almost everything I ever wanted.

3. We got a home hair clipper kit today at the home hardware (a store I LOVE so much). We started out by trying to shorten what he had, then Rob decided to stop screwing around and went short. He looks awesome, and if our camera weren't busted, I'd totally show you. The clippers were $11 and saved him at least one haircut, which means they have already paid for themselves. Awesome.

4. We went in to our local independent t bookstore and looked at their green architecture and eco planning shelves. It was overwhelming and made me feel happy. I truly love this stuff. Living healthier for you and the planet, plus the homes you can make are so beautiful.

5. I just remembered we have laundry in the machine. Whoops.

6. Drama! Yesterday our neighbour, Spider, was working on his RV when he messed something up and spilled gallons of gasoline into our shared driveway. It smelled awful and it was a big spill. We talked about calling the fire fighters until a neighbour actually did. It took 8 guys working on it to clean it up, and it's made its way to the soil. Now it's pouring rain outside and Spider's out shovelling the soil and kitty litter they put down so it doesn't wash into the drains. Spider had a bad day yesterday and is likely having a bad day today, since it's pouring absolute buckets as it does at the start of a thunderstorm.

The gasoline has stained the pavement, though I guess it'll all get washed into our water system. Suck it, Waterloo drinking source water!

7. The second clutch of snails eggs has hatched and the third is laid. I think we may have to start feeding the eggs to the fish. I would not be surprised if the fish was pregnant again. I'm hoping her last brood are big enough to eat the next batch on their way out. That seems evil to me. How do we get ourselves out of this position???

But why?

Stuff I do which breaks my own heart:

1. look at the humane society's "to adopt" pages

2. wait forever to do the things that need to be done, then (usually) eventually (mostly) redeem myself

3. forget to reserve the text I need for class at the library, only to get scooped by someone faster and now I have to buy it. People, it's a 100 page paperback that will cost me $55.

Lists

Ways I've Hurt Myself Recently

1. Stubbed big toe on ridge between doorways
2. Splinter in baby toe
3. "Hand talked" near a brick wall = grazed knuckles
4. Catching new knuckle scab on fingernail and bleeding again
5. Put cat on shoulder. Nervous cat = punctured shoulder
6. yoga

Reasons today was awesome

1. Slept in
2. Slept on "other" side of bed = no piercing outside light keeping me up
3. Brunch
4. Snowshoeing with new snowshoes! Thay rock!
5. Yoga
6. Made baked beans and ate very well today, all told
7. Did productive schoolwork
8. Decided what to try to make next with some of my yarn stash

People whose birthdays are rapidly approaching

1. Batman!!!


Edited to add:

Ways I Was Freaked Out Today

1. Noticed that dude accross the river (from where we were snowshoeing) in the hunting hat and camo jacket was also clearly sporting a rifle of some sort. We became much less interested in the geese (or being in their line of fire) after that. Weird, huh?