Paper Fruit

Despite my negative rantings and insanity this morning, I am always continuously amazed and grateful when non-vegans are sympathetic, understanding, and considerate of my world view, especially strangers. I got this email in my inbox this morning from Omerica Organics, a company that makes sustainable, environmentally-friendly, beautiful hardwood plugs. I asked if they could make their plugs without beeswax, and this was the response:

That is no problem at all. We finish our plugs so smooth that
they do not require the wax, we just do it for a nice finish. We
recommend using jojoba oil to care for your plugs anyway, and we
can most certainly finish your plugs with the jojoba instead. We
have had this request before, and it is not a big deal for us.
All you have to do is order your plugs. Then, when you get to
the checkout page, there is a box for special requests. Just
type "Please do not use beeswax to finish, jojoba oil is fine
though". That note will be printed on your order, and the plug
makers will be sure to not use the wax.

Cynics might cry capitalism but I don’t care. These people will be receiving business from me sometime soon. And I resolve, from here on out, to remember this, and more, when I sometimes feel like the world is out to drive me insane.

Intersections in research are always fascinating, and I was lucky that when I was finding out how to make my own kombucha I found out about another awesome fermented beverage called kvass, which I was subsequently able to use as a nice piece of atmospheric detail in the novel I’m working on. Woo! A scintillating threeway to be sure. Since then I’ve wanted to make my own kvass but the recipes I found seemed to differ wildly and I was afraid of poisoning myself if I made a wrong step. Recently, however, I’ve obtained a copy of a not-written-by-some-possibly-insane-person-on-the-internet recipe for kvass and plan on starting my first batch this weekend, as I am now officially on spring break and can attend to any sort of evil that might ensue in my kitchen during the fermenting process.

Spring break! Woo!

Sometimes I feel like I am getting worse at Greek instead of getting better. I don’t know what’s been wrong with me recently, but everything seems cumbersome and nothing is fun. I don’t know why I’m doing this, spending so much time and effort on this language that only beats me like a dog in return. I’m leaving school after this year and I know myself, I know I won’t continue on with this. I get frustrated too easily. So that’s leaving me puzzling over why the holy hell I’m bothering. Bleh.

I suppose my pleasure in such things as lolcats and other low internet comedy explains my delight in this meme I read about on the Onion’s A.V. Club blog. Wikipedia names your band, first album, and Flickr provides the artwork. Here’s the deal:

i feel like our sound would be Belle and Sebastian meets Belle and Sebastian

My cohort in skulduggery Jesse just (and when I say just I mean four or five days ago) posted a nice blurb on the strange and stupid phenomenon of using “gay” as an adjective to describe things other than a person who is a homosexual. I know this is Old News but he and I have noticed it cropping up again after what I feel like was a few years of dormancy. Why? Why, people? It’s icky all around, and I’ve thought so no matter how many people assert to me such things as “well, “idiot” used to be a derogatory term for the mentally handicapped and now that’s OK” or “all the gay people I know say that, so it’s OK.” 

I first noticed it in college (no one ever, ever said it at my high school) and that was back in 2000. So as much as I can’t believe I’m posting about something so been there, done that, I can’t believe I still have to consider the topic. So there, world.

Penelope is sick. About two weeks ago I gave her some different wet food one night when I was out of her standard PetGuard and ever since then her guts have been a little upset. Then last night she started vomiting and today she vomited some more. I just took her to the vet, she’s home now, but they’re not really sure what’s up. They gave her fluids for her dehydration and, of all things, some Pepcid AC. I just administered some sort of paste to her that is made of probiotics and something to help her tummy feel better. 

I’ve got her resting in the bedroom away from Telemachos, but I’m still worried about her. The vet also heard a slight heart murmur and it’s not heartworms so they’re running tests. I’m scheduled to go up for the weekend with Jesse to the Hostel in the Forest but now I’m a little nervous. I know John will take good care of her but Penelope. . . she is in some ways my best friend. I love her so much, we’ve been through so much together! 

Just about 11 years ago I got her from the shelter, a tiny, calico monster with enormous feet and bigger lungs, and nothing but a stump where a tail should be. Since then I’ve watched her grow up and turn into the most awesome cat I’ve ever known, talkative, bossy, particular, and sweet. She’s the Lizard-Catcher, the Moth-Swatter, the Owl-Howler, the Sandwich-Snatcher, the All-Day-Sleep-Master, the Fall-Overer, and the Mistress of Snug. I want her to be OK so much, I’ll be on tenterhooks until she feels better and her blood work comes in and she starts feeling better.

what do you mean i'm not supposed to be on the table?

i see you are not petting me? why is this?

It took about 15 minutes of Telemachos being home before he started being incredibly hyper and bad and so therefore back to normal. You’d think getting your nuts removed would make you simmer down for at least a day, but despite my best efforts he’s back to jumping on things, biting things, and generally refusing any of the aftercare advice given to me by the vet tech. I can’t seriously consider keeping him locked in his carry-case so he’s living in the bedroom for the next week, trying to get out and play with Penelope.

I’m feeling a little sick, a slight cold I’m worried will settle in my chest. I’m also worried about my Greek exam tomorrow but given that I pretty much aced the practice exam he sent out I don’t think it will be too bad.

Things are going well with editing the book but I’m a little frustrated by some news I got yesterday that I can’t really write about here. I’m still going to press on and finish the project with Jesse but the future of the book might not be as bright as I had initially desired and hoped given a few circumstances.