Theodorus Maximus

New Kitty!, originally uploaded by squirlaraptor.

Max, for short. Cory and I adopted him Monday. He's about 3 years old and very sweet. They had named him Maximus at the shelter and even though I really wanted to choose a new name for him (since I think naming a new kitty is part of making the kitty part of my family), he really is a Max. They got it right.

He has been exploring the house, cuddling with us, and generally being very cool about everything. Gracie, on the other hand, is pissed and scared. It doesn't look like there will be any catfights to break up, since he doesn't seem fazed by her hissing and she is ultimately a chicken, but I am hoping she gets used to his presence soon. Right now she's hiding in the bathroom (That's what she does anytime she gets scared. When there's a thunderstorm, she hides in the bathroom, too.) and hissing when she hears Max go by or when she is feeling particularly stressed. I think that when she accepts the fact that he's staying and starts to get braver, they will eventually be buddies.

Sophie's gone.

The vet said six months ago that she probably wouldn't last much longer. During those six months, Sophie was skinny and weak but still cuddly and playful and interested in things. Last night she was more wobbly than usual and this morning I found her lying awkwardly by the window breathing hard and drooling a lot. She was clearly in pain, so I took her to the vet. The vet examined her and said her body was shutting down and she was trying to go.

I expected that this would be her last vet trip, but it was still really hard to see her go. At least this time I know did everything right. I took good care of her and didn't let her live in pain. I already miss her lots, though. Usually when I'm sad I cuddle up with Sophie and she helps me feel better. :-(

Hair cut - rough draft

I have been feeling extremely bored with my hair lately and I'm also trying to grow out the black dye in my hair and see how I feel about going back to my natural haircolor (or something closer to it). I do not like going to have my hair done and I hate paying to have my hair done, so I figured the best way to take care of both of these problems at once was just to cut it off.

And that's what I did. I was a little nervous beforehand (and I deliberately waited until I was done teaching for the semester, just in case I really messed it up), but I got up this morning and chopped off several inches. It's pretty short again (but not as short as it once was). I'm considering this a first draft haircut. I'm going to style it today and maybe tomorrow, too, and see how I feel about it and then maybe take another run at it. If this is a rough draft, it may need some editing--especially in the back.

Overall, though, I think I'm pretty pleased with it. And after I cut it off I realized there's another major benefit: No hair on my neck during the summer. Hooray!

Back on Etsy!

I took a bit of a vacation from posting things in in my Etsy shop (and from posting here), but I'm back now. I've re-posted some things in my Etsy shop and will be posting some new things in the next few weeks (in between grading and writing).

Basically, I'm planning a serious cleaning out of my closet and so lots of stuff will be leaving this house. Some will go up on Etsy, some may go to local vintage shops, some will go to local charities, and some may even just get trashed. Check it out! If you buy something, you can even consider it a contribution to the end of my graduate degree. :-)

Photography for sale

I recently set up an account at Red Bubble, which is a site that is, in their words, "an open and inclusive website where you can share your art, photography and design with the world." It is also a site where you can attempt to sell your art, photography, and design to the world.

I have posted a few photos to see if I can actually sell anything this way. Check it out!

I'll be uploading more photos in the near future, including some of my best work from the past year or so.

Beer Express

Winter Light

Cattle

Monuments and Flags

Light & Dark

Half-Naked Family Statue

This is a statue in one of Arlington's city parks. I really have no idea what they're going for here. Yay babies, I guess?

Boy Scouts

Reaching

Mysterious Light Leaks, Part 2

Mysterious Light Leaks

I took these photos with my Minolta using new film. I have absolutely no idea why they turned out like this. It's definitely interesting, though.



What's funny to me is that although the first two posted here are clearly pictures of Gracie (with additional and unplanned special effects), the last is completely unidentifiable. I have no idea what I was shooting.