The rare update

My DSLR is on its last legs, so I've been playing with "real" cameras less and less. (Well, that's not entirely true. My point-and-shoot has been getting daily use at work: The Cat Doctor's Facebook Page.) I've found myself using the camera on my phone constantly, though. I can't seem to stop myself from taking photographs.


Candles in a dark room

I rediscovered yoga recently. It feels really good to practice again. My body feels more flexible and my mind feels clear; it's so much better than therapy. I'm hoping to incorporate it into my daily routine and find a class I can attend weekly. Once the floor is installed on the 3rd floor, the front room will probably be a really good space to unroll my mat. I can't wait.


Lemmy woke up and yawned right as I hit the shutter. Awesome timing; interesting effects.

Things here are about to get more chaotic; the floor project starts today. Lou just rented a U-Haul van (go ahead, make the obligatory U-Haul joke, you know you want to...) and headed off to Home Depot to get the supplies needed for installation. 4,800 pounds of bamboo flooring have been sitting in our house adjusting the the environment for a few weeks. I'm at home keeping the dogs company, as the next few weeks are going to involve them being crated a lot. It's going to be stressful for everyone.

Earlier this week the car and the foster kitty started their new life. My brother and his girlfriend adopted the Subway Kitty and bought the car. Subway made herself right at home and has already rid herself of the evil collar they attempted to put on her. She's badass. (Go Subway!)

Life without a car will probably be slightly more challenging (I'm going to have to bike or bus into Center City or Fairmount twice a day most weekends and we'll have to plan a bit more for big grocery trips and the like), but all told, not much is going to change. (Updates to Carfreephilly will likely become more frequent as we adjust.)

I'm likely going to regret it, but I'm off to take the dogs for a walk. 115 pounds of pure muscle versus me: I'll maintain control, but it won't be easy.

Uh...

I'm going to start updating again. Stay tuned.

Four photos

The clematis came back like mad this year.


I love this sedum. It's so... juicy.


One of my favorite stretches of road on my commute.


R.I.P., mural. I'll miss you, except for the creepy baby.

Dogs, gardens, and bicycles...

Things have really ben busy the last two weeks. I now have dogs to walk (besides mine) four days a week. Walking other peoples' dogs is interesting. You walk in different neighborhoods and see new things. You get to watch dogs other than your own do... whatever it is they do. I'm becoming more forgiving of my monsters' quirks and triggers. Consequently, I've been taking them for longer walks and doing things I wouldn't ordinarily do - walking past a place where I know a dog lives, say - and allowing them to freak out, investigate, and calm down. We went to the park today, just me the dogs. I don't think I'd have tried that without Lou a month ago.


Sir Bart, King of Everything

Lou had a long clean-up session and chat with a neighbor on the adjacent block. It turns out, the lot across the street will be available to be gardened by any neighbor who's willing to put in the work and take care of it. Sweet! Community Garden I can see from my window. We're going to be out there leveling at 9:00 AM SAturday. I'm really giddily excited.


The lot

I am getting another bike to tool around on. A vintage folding bike called a Raleigh Twenty. I don't have it yet, but I'll take some pictures when I do. I'm pretty excited to be able to take some train rides out and about with Lou and her Brompton. It's way heavier than a modern folder and I'm not really certain I'll be able to pull off bringing it on a SEPTA bus, but you can bet I'll try. And it looks really classy.

I really feel like I'm cheating on my other bike. I still love it. I ride it every day unless I need to haul really bulky things. I'm planning on getting it painted and replacing out some parts soon so it can be all shiny and new-looking.


I somehow feel like this bike is jealous

Busy bee

Wow, it's been a busy week. I have had stuff to do after work every day, and work itself has been pretty insane as well. Oddly, I'm feeling calm. I've been enjoying the weather and taking photos. I've been walking dogs and visiting cats. Our dogs are now manageable together for me for over 1.5 miles. (As long as we follow one of two very specific routes and do not deviate. At all. For any reason. If any change occurs, they act like foaming rabid beasts on a rampage.)

It's been a good week, though. I feel like the amount of work has been balanced by fresh air, bike rides, walks, and goodness.

Oh yeah, pictures!


Ben, a kitty I'm watching


Sharon eating my head


Cool apartment building

This week has come with a new goal: to be capable of doing just about any repair one could imagine on a bicycle by the end of this summer. Not just installing brake pads and changing tires. Going to acquire a project bike in the near future.

Oh, other goal: finish keg setup and brew an IPA, STAT! This will occur in the next week.