Navigating a Cubicle Maze

That's what it feels like I do whenever I leave my desk when I'm at work! Really, they should have signs like shopping malls do, with bright colors to indicate what department is what.  That would be really helpful to me, "short blonde co-op who has no idea where she is going."

Anyway, I don't like to blog about work because I just KNOW that one day, I'm going to be working somewhere, and someone is going to want me to work on a super secret government project because I am FABULOUS at my respective field (you can giggle here)... then they'll do a quick google search, read this blog, and discover that I'm not trustworthy! I've leaked super secret company secrets on the internet! Oh NO!

So, I guess I'll share some general thoughts on how my co-op is going.  I've only been working for a month, but I've done a lot of stuff and I feel like I've actually accomplished things, which is good.

1.  Living alone isn't so bad, especially because I don't have to worry about anyone tripping over my things.  My apartment isn't a sty (well, maybe that back room... and under my bed...) but everything is where I know I will remember.  There are no siblings or parents moving my things around.  My keys are always hung over the door, so I never leave the house without them and lock myself out.  

2.  Being far away from my sweetie isn't so bad, because:

              a.  I can hide all my stuffed animals that he gave me under my bed.  Stuffed animals, I cannot stand you, you clutter my bed and stare at me, asking to be hugged.  But, they're gifts... I can't throw you away! Now, you all get to live in lovely harmony under my bed.  If you stare at my feet, it's okay, just no eye contact please.  Thanks.

             b.  I can make him cute things without him knowing! Who's that Pokemon!?

Urm... he's not finished of course.  Otherwise you would recognize him, dammit, I know you would!

3.  I am sensitive to the soap in the bathrooms.  I don't know why.  I spend most of my work-day on the computer, and for some reason this really makes me need to pee at least once every 2 hours.  I noticed I was getting a pretty gnarly rash, but figured it was from Lotus. Then my fingers started to swell, and it interfered with my typing (at work) and knitting (not at work.)  I now present a definition:

problem (n.): Something that interferes with knitting.

Oh, not to mention my mom has Palmar Pustular Psoriasis, which started as a similar thing.  That also worried me, so I went to see a doctor, who said "It's probably the soap" and made me extremely thankful that I had health insurance and could be charged that much money for that answer.

Since Monday of last week, I've brought my own soap to work.  Weird, I know, but it worked! No more itchy, burning rash on the back of my hands and no more puffy fingers that don't want to bend.

4. Lotus is starting to adjust.  Last night, she stretched out on the floor of her cage and let out a ferocious yawn! Did you know hedgehogs can yawn? I sure didn't. Heck, I didn't even know they liked to stretch.

I also bought her mealworms over the weekend, and she is too happy.  I wish I could adequately capture her joy on my camera after she devours one! It's impossible! 

t= 0 sec.

t= 0.1 sec

This one of her licking her lips might do it though, hehe!

 

Let's boost my blog readership by putting up some cute hog photos, shall we?

Okay, that one's kind of fuzzy... can't win 'em all.

What's Up Right Now

As of Sunday, I have a new apartment mate! Lotus came to live with me, and we are experiencing a typical roomate-falling-out.  She's nocturnal, I wake up during the day.  She likes bland food, I like onions, garlic, and pepper.  She can tolerate sitting on my lap, but god help me if I pester her when she's napping on top of her hot pad (another thing that bugs me-- she likes to be super warm, even for a hedgie, even at 82 degrees F she sits on her hot pad and snoozies!). This is evidenced by her angry face, as shown above.

We both love sitting on the couch, though.  I don't know what's up with her and my leather couch, but she likes to crawl under the fleece pillow and nap.  Which is cute :)  She's a bit camera shy, so maybe I can get some cute head shots at a later time.

Oh, yeah, I've been knitting too.  Behold, one sock of two that I'm making for my Uncle Mike, a guy who could use some more socks.

The pattern is improvised from these socks (ravelry link) I wanted to do a toe-up version that was easier to fit, so basically it's just a toe-up sock with the pattern repeat.  I think it's a really nice, mellow pattern that's easy to memorize and looks impressive without a lot of work... just my type :)

I'm also making a bit of a surprise.  This is going to be a free pattern up when I finish it, because it is... blatant copyright infringement... hehe. I think people will be excited when I post this.

Anyway... have a good week :O

Happy Hedgehog Day!

Nyyyyaaaaaah

Yes, that's right, the length of our winters was originally predicted by hedgehogs! During Roman times, in fact! Actually, I don't think people believed in it, even back then... but at least you got to see a cute hedgehog nose, right.

I'm celebrating with some older pictures of baby girl, before she went to her new home! She's happy and healthy, so is her brother :) I'm so proud. Anyway, enjoy.

Oh, and about knitting... yeah. I'm working on things. I promise.

Happy Day After Christmas!

As a Christmas present to the world, I took some pictures of the hedgehogs! The babies eyes opened on Monday, and today when we cleaned their cage they played in my mom's bathtub. Okay, so I videotaped them playing and Warren cleaned the cage. Details.

Baby Girl was kind of a fussguss, but Baby Boy was very curious and friendly! Both of them like to gum hands, which might be a problem when they get teeth but is just adorable now. You can tell them apart because Baby Girl is bigger, and Baby Boy has brown hands and feet. Also, Baby Girl is more of a Momma's Hog, following Lotus around and calling for her if she's alone to long. Baby Boy is more independent and mellow. Sorry the lighting is kind of crummy, I thought it was bright but you can't really see their eyes.

Also, after they went back into the cage, Baby Girl went right to sleep in their blanket, but Baby Boy tried to stay up to explore the new cage! Lotus attempted to control him, but he fought her off and ran about, being very spoiled, which is unusual for him. It's actually usually the opposite. Anyway, after Lotus got a hold of him she ran on the wheel with him in her mouth, which he took like a trooper. When she does it with his sister, Baby Girl usually screams like the world is going to end.

P.S. - All of my Christmas knitting was finished, except of course the socks for Ashley and the socks for my uncle. I'm knitting my uncle's socks two at a time though, so they should be done readily!