HOLIDAYS AT HOME

Dad is looking better. Not great yet, and my parents struggle to wrap their minds around illnesses that aren’t resolved with a few days of taking medication. They’re still going to take their vacation though, and Dad’s making summer plans that don’t involve heavy labor with much aplomb.

I’ve also introduced Dad to Gmail and Google chat. He probably hasn’t checked it since I showed hi how to use it, but to be fair, there probably isn’t any mail there anyways. I’ll just have to start sending him stuff.

It was a lovely weekend of sitting outside, enjoying good food and company, and very much like it always is going home. Steph and Jason joined in the lounging and neighborhood park tours. I have a tendency to annex my friends into my family over time because I’ve come to enjoy my parents so much over the years and they’re great to visit and visit with.

All in all, a good, if unremarkable, holiday.

PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BECOME CRIME FIGHTING ROYALTY

When I was little, around the grade school era, I planned on become a writer. I was going to be a teacher, just like dad, and spend the summer holidays writing novels.

This dream, along with other standard little girl dreams like becoming a marine biologist, international spy and princess, fell by the wayside at some point. Possibly because I haven’t nearly the patience or understanding to work with young people and would surely end up scarring children for life if unleashed on the academic sector. Additionally, my writing “talent” is certainly debatable, and thus far I have failed to show the discipline involved in becoming better, like actually spending quality time writing. Oddly enough, I don’t think I ever dreamed of being 8-5 desk jockey. Will have to reflect on that one.

Anyway, now that the network television season has passed (Yes, I have an addiction, and TiVo only enables it.), I will make it a new year’s, marked by my birthday, resolution to write more frequently. Perhaps I might even come up with some kind of creative direction for my wee, vanity blog. Stranger things have happened.

THE TINY, IMPOTENT FIST OF RAGE

Life is hard and life is not fair.

While it was hardly news by my junior year of high school, it was a mantra our accounting teacher assured us would make life simpler to navigate and understand once accepted. He would also not be in before 8:45 on Fridays due to golf.

It would seem I'm as poor a student of life as I am at accounting because this is bullshit. I guess I’ve never truly accepted the bitch nature of life and fate. Sure, the cruel and hurtful can excel; what do I care. The success, or at least failure to suffer, is of the undeserving is of little matter to me. It’s when fate decides to take a gut shot at the, all to rare, generous and wonderful souls who have done nothing but make the world around them a better place, that I want some justice.

There should be balance. Karma should mean something. I'm not recommending the incentivizing of being a good person, but if being a good can't bring reward, at least one shouldn't be punished for it. I certainly deserve more knocks than I've gotten in my life, but there are those who are dished more than their share.

If life isn't going to play fair, it can takes its marbles and shove them up its ass. I want to know who's rigging this thing.

REFRESH

New fish in the tank! New Franc, the mystery snail, as well! And yes, all the mystery snails shall be named Franc. Here’s hoping I don’t have to replace another one soon, because I’ll start to feel quite bad.

Olivia is a pale blonde, and seems quite lively. I have high hopes for this happy little tank family lasting for some time. Franc II doesn’t seem like as much of a go getter as Franc I, but perhaps he arrived in the tank w/ some kind of amphetamine problem, thus his untimely demise.

I’ve no desire for a parade of ill fated aquatic life to parade through my humble living room, so should things going sour again soon, I might have to give up my plans of pet ownership purely for humanitarian reasons.

RIP V

Veronica passed quietly during the day on Friday. It’s the first tragedy for the tank, and hopefully the last, though with goldfish, that seems far fetched. Hopefully her illness and passing were peaceful. Both and V and Franc are interned near the large rock by the parking lot entrance, and will be remembered fondly.

TERMINAL TANK

Whether it’s an unfortunate side effect of my being away for five days, or an inevitable tragedy, Veronica does not look long for this world.

She was the first goldfish I brought home, but ever since I introduced her to her new home, she has seemed lethargic and sickly. I’ve made the tank adjustments that are in my power, but she has only declined in health. When I got back she was only able to swim tilting sideways, had a hard time eating and was spending the majority of her time lying on the bottom of the tank.

I’ve doctored the water with healthy fish stuff, but I fear it may be too late. Since Jacqueline appears to be in fine health, despite living in the tank of doom for just as long, I am selecting to believe Veronica was ill when I brought her home, and I only hope I have been able to make her comfortable.

Now, I’m not sure how to proceed at this point. She has been clearly unwell for some time, and I had to put Jacs in a pickle jar to separate them when I noticed she was picking on V. I would like to return Jacs to the tank, but until V either starts to look better or kicks it, I’m in a holding pattern. Is there an appropriate way to euthanize a goldfish? Perhaps I lack an essential sympathetic nature for pet ownership, but I don’t want her to suffer either.

Something will have to be done this weekend. I can’t damage Jacs’ health with improper filtration while V convalesces, and I would like to get back to having a happy fish tank. V will be sorely missed, but it looks like my first fish fatality is swiftly approaching.

VACATION, ALL I EVER WANTED

I have made it safely back from my long overdue vacation to sunny SoCal. The highlight, and primary goal, of the trip was of course hitting Coachella w/ lifelong pal Ani, but I also soaked some quality relaxation and fun out of a couple days lounging around her house in Redlands.

My glowing Seattle pallor was able to avoid sun damage while hanging out in the ninety-plus degree heat of Indio, CA, but my personal rotisserie session on Ani’s back patio sent me home a bit pinker than when I departed. Here’s hoping it starts to resemble a tan soon.

All in all, it was fantastic. I definitely need to plan long weekends away more often, or at least as often as the budget will allow.

Despite the fun in the sun, it is good to get back home. I’m really not a California girl at heart, and 70º at home is just about the most perfect weather in creation. Thankfully my Emerald City has not disappointed this week. Summer is on.