Hollywog's Pond

Cloudy skies.

The skies read winter even though there is a lot of color left on the trees. My porch plants are looking particularly sad, especially the chives that were relegated to outdoor duty after the cat puking incident(s). Who knew all members of Allium were really bad for kitties? The good news is that Sugs is fine and the plants will survive. I like the rain but I still crave crisp, dry days for walking and tree gazing. Looks like those days are gone. Lots of cold and gray ahead.

To cheer myself up out of the gloom I have started thinking about where I would like to move when my lease is up in the early spring. I'd like to move closer to one of the bike paths (i.e. downhill from my current location) so I am more likely to actually bike in to work. The hill I live on is so very daunting at the end of commute after a long day. The trouble is that it is hard to day dream with any kind of house in mind until much closer to the potential move-in day. And then there is the whole roommate question. It is obviously cheaper but difficult for me to negotiate as I come with an apartment in a box and a cat. Living on my own is more simple and easy but less happy for the budget. Regardless my main goal is to live on a quieter street which shouldn't be too difficult as I live on the highway now. Here's hoping I find my dream place in the spring!

Wow, not five minutes has passed and I just looked out the window and the city is completely gone. Talk about cloud cover.

Last night was a great game night though I abstained from most of it and just watched. When I did get into it I played a new game, Pandemic. It is the first game I have played where you are trying to beat the board and cooperate with fellow players instead of beating them into defeat. You take on the role of a CDC person and help to wipe out infections across the globe. I liked it alot. :) Still hoping that I will get to play San Juan soon. That sounded good too, though more along the line of Settlers and less cooperating going on there.

My latest plan for Xmas (and the resulting week off of work) is to buy Michelin X Radials (I need new tires desperately so why not get the top rated ones?) for my car, find some diamond chains and rock the mountains. Will have to remember to bring a hot cocoa thermos next time. Makes any cold day better!

Have been thinking about joining the Y. Mostly because they have a pool and though their prices are more than the City of Seattle pools they seem to have much cleaner facilities. I plan to tour one of the branches this week to get a feel for things and see if I want to get on a bus at oh dark thirty to get a swim in before a work day. Inertia is tough to overcome so I'll have to come up with a plan that is easy and effective. Swimming should really become part of my routine given the messed up knees. I just wished I liked it more. My friend suggested I get a swim cap or (with any frequency) my hair will suffer greatly from all the pool chemicals. Wonder what the consequences will be for my oh so sensitive skin... Must do more research.

My veggies have finished roasting so I think I'll go make some nummy soup now. And maybe eat some butter pecan ice cream. That makes everything better. Oh yes, and with magic shell of course. I'm on my last bottle that mom gave me, the horror!