It's 4 A.M., Where's your kitty?

Last night the kitties were sleeping with us, then they started to play. This is a typical night. WE let them out of the room. We kept hearing them scratch on the door trying to get back in. Around 4 A.M. I woke up and opened the door. Sputnik ran in. I tried to get her to sleep, but she was clawing at the dresser. I started to get worried because I didn't see Warner. I checked in Riboflavins room, I looked downstairs, I even looked outside. No sign of him. Then Nate said, I think he is inn the dresser. Sure enough...

My Two Cents on Pollution and Hybrid Vehicles

I was reading about an article that mentioned pollution and it I started thinking about how it has affected my views and life. I am glad that it has become mainstream to try and be "green" and that many people are trying be more aware and do their part. The one thing that truly gets my goat every time is all these people buying hybrid vehicles.

First, these cars are really not better for the environment. Okay, to drive them, yes, but to build them, no. In fact, from everything I have read, the mining of nickel (which is what is used to build the batteries in these cars) destroys land and makes it basically, completely useless. It becomes a wasteland. It is more harmful than driving a Hummer for the duration of its life.

Second, people are getting rid of perfectly good, running cars to buy these, what do you think happens to old cars? They are put into dumps, causing, guess what??? MORE POLLUTION!

Third, and one of the most despicable things I have heard, there was a guy last year that purchased a USED Hummer. His neighbors were offended by his choice and looted his car. They scratched it, popped the tires, broke windows, etc. He then had to get all this fixed. Do these people realize that tires cause pollution? Do they also realize that he now had to get it all fixed and therefore all the things that had to be thrown away would further pollute the earth.

So, here is my point: for those people that do not want to pollute, don't. It is simple. I decided a while ago that I wanted to lessen my carbon footprint, I got rid of my car and purchased a used bicycle. I know that this is not a possibility for everyone, however, I will not judge people's choice to own whatever car they please. If you want to get a hybrid, at least wait until they make stable lithium ion batteries, these are far less devastating on the environment.

Okay, done preaching.

Back By Popular Demand!

Okay, well Carly asked for an update. I know that I am charming and hilarious and everyone checks my blog every few minutes for updates.

My parents are coming to visit this weekend, as well as my aunt, uncle and two cousins! I am very excited to see everyone. My Mom has offered to bring me items from Meijer. I am very pleased about this! She is bringing 11 avocados, in total it cost her $10! I have a strange love for avocados that many do not share. The first time I went grocery shopping in DC, I nearly cried, right there at Whole Foods. One avocado was $2.99! I know I complain about how expensive food is here, but that was insane, I had never (until that point) paid more than $1.50 for an avocado. Anyway, I am about to get my fix!

We are going to see the kites this weekend, I think it will be fun. My Dad is bringing a kite for Nate to fly. He is also bringing a violin and some inventions that we have been collaborating on. Once these inventions take off I will be a millionaire and therefore able to quit working and open pie shop. It will be fantastic!

I have been practicing riding up hills, I am getting there. I know that I have to get strong and make my way up hills. It is just a matter of time. I have been riding around LeDroit Park more, this really makes me want to live there. If I decide to stay in DC, I would like to move there.

I realized the other day that I cannot remember the last time I drove a car, it is a strange feeling.

Tonight is happy hour with Nate's coworkers. I really like them, probably more than he does. I plan to have a few drinks then go home and try and give Sputnik a bath. She gets a bit smelly and she has to meet her grandparents tomorrow! So, if I have unexpected scratches tomorrow you will know that I gave Sputnik her bath whilst drunk.

Last Friday I ate so much at Almaz that I literally made myself sick. I still think I could eat Ethiopian every single day though!

bang bang

Me, with bangs.


This photo was in response to Lance sending me a picture of him drinking at 10 AM (St. Patrick's Day).

I also posted links on the left. You should read some of them, especially the one about stuff white people like, it is funny and sometimes accurate. I will post more links eventually. You know I have been lazy with the blog (among other things) lately.

Hiatus!

I have come to realize that I have not been fair to my readership as I am lazy on the weekdays and do not post. Okay, Mom, I know you are the only one that reads and I basically talk to you everyday, so maybe it is okay to not post daily.

Anyway, here are things that are very exciting.

I have bangs. (picture coming soon)

I tried two new yoga studios this week.

Monday - Maruka on 9th and N. Michele was the instructor, it was a Vinyasa class. I really loved the shop underneath the studio and the lady that owns it reminds me of Nate's Mom, almost too much! I loved the studio, very light and welcoming. Michele was a good instructor. Not great. There were only four of us in the class, so I was excited about getting adjustments and some personal time with her, it didn't happen. I did like the class and would definitely go again.

Tuesday - Georgetown yoga. GO! That is about all I have to say, it was a wonderful, wonderful class. I will be going a lot.

Other than that, not too much. I was supposed to go to Justice last night, sadly due to my sleep issues, I had to stay home. I was truly bummed out, but I did make some kitties and buddies happy because they received extra snuggles.

Tomorrow is Ethiopian with Carolyn. This is even more exciting than normal Ethiopian because it is their time of fasting which means they have to abstain from eating animal products for 40 days, meaning extra veggie items! (For you in Michigan, go to Blue Nile, I have heard good things). Later, after gorging ourselves, we will go to Wonderland!!! I have only been there once, but had a great time dancing on a couch because there was no other room to move around. I also seem to remember some kind of plastic toy gun that was held together with glow sticks.

I am also thinking that maybe, just maybe, if I stick with the yoga thing I may take the classes to become a teacher. It seems that there are a lot of yoga teachers in the area, and that is their only job, and they work 20 hours a week. So, either they make a lot of money not working a lot, or they are super granola and don't need a lot of money. Mostly, I think it could be a fun thing to do one night a week.

Indoor Activities for Rainy Days

The orange frosting really made the carrot cake great. There is also a pretty close to perfect blueberry pie downstairs.

I had a pretty laid back weekend as always, but this weekend, I visited the brand new Target in Columbia Heights. It is wonderful to have a Target so close by, it was also amazing to see that many people in Columbia Heights! I think that next weekend I would like to go up there and take some photos. One thing I noticed is that if you went less than a block off 14th Street, it still looks pretty beat down.

I have also been rewatching The Wire. Watching the last episode last week made me feel like I lost a friend. Really, it is/was the best show that has ever been on television, including Law and Order. The characters are so real, you begin to know them. I will probably talk more about this after the last episode airs tonight. I was lucky enough to have seen it earlier this week.

I should also find out this week what I should do about Riboflavin. Not the vitamin, but my stray kitty. I would like to take him in the get all the proper tests. Maybe I will have a third house cat (not to be confused with my house bear).

I also found a yoga studio that teaches beginner Ashtanga classes! Yes Diana, that means that I will be able to Ashtanga with you!

A fun-loving, good-time gal from the Midwest

I have to write a mini-biography for the website at work. This is really difficult. What do you say? The title reflects Nathan's suggestion. Isn't "good-time gal" another name for prostitute?

Any suggestions?

What to Grow?

What's in Your Soil?

So, there I was weeding my front yard, and low and behold carrots!

It is kind of hard to see them in that photo, but they were there. I was trying to get these weeds out and they were really difficult. I started digging, and carrots! Very exciting. Since I have heard that we have high lead levels in the soil, I will not eat these, however, I will use in my compost! It is also nice to know that things will grow in my soil.

So, as I was working in the yard, I had the front door open since it was sooooo nice out today. Little Sputnik was trying to break-out!


This is a picture of Nathan at the Jefferson Memorial from the bike ride last week. It was so nice, we were one of the few people there. It was beautiful.

Here is Nathan earlier in the day, being silly (and wearing a helmet).

Okay, I promise to not make a million pictures of my boyfriend in every post, but remember how I said that sometimes he takes off his shirt to do manly things...

*I also made him promise to get a hair cut.