Something that Lifted my Spirits

Today has been a shitty day, though it was topped off by meeting my favorite comedian, Daniel Tosh! (Despite the fact that the person I was going to see his show with bailed less than an hour before the doors opened, I went to the comedy show alone and had a great time. I needed the laughter.)

I cannot stand this picture of me, but Daniel is such the hottie... a very nice guy... and I probably won't get to meet him again, so it's a keeper!

R.I.P. Izzy (Approx. October 2006 - February 23, 2008)

My dear, tiny little rattie girl, Izzy... aka "Dizzy" Izzy, or more commonly, Izzybella... just passed away in my arms 15 minutes ago. I hope I was able to be of some comfort to her in her last moments here on earth, as it was difficult to watch her go through.

I could tell she wasn't well early in the evening, I could see the signs. Then, when she wasn't eating her favorite puffed wheat cereal, and she was walking poorly, I knew the end was near. She was also breathing harder than she normally would and felt a bit chilly... especially her tail. I kept checking on her and trying to keep her warm, and she wasn't getting any better.

I fell asleep on the couch for a couple hours, and then when I woke up I checked on her again, and she was looking even worse, so I took her out of her cage and held her. I held her and talked to her and tried to comfort her... until she passed away on my lap and craddled in my arm while I was petting and holding her.

She passed fairly quickly, and it was seemingly painless... though she was obviously frightened... as was I.

I handed her to her cagemate, Holden, for a final goodbye, which was something else that was difficult to watch. (Most people don't know this, but when rats lose their cagemate / lifemate / sibling, etc., they grieve like people... so a "final goodbye" is very important when one passes. I'll have to watch Holden closely for any behavioral changes related to grieving.)

Anyway... Izzy was my special little girlie rat. She had a neurological disorder, which is part of why I took her home with me. Other than her "ticks" and walking in circles (until moving in with Holden... then that part went away), she was a normal rattie who made me giggle and smile all the time. I couldn't hold her freely, as I do my other rats, as she didn't have good balance and with her "ticks" would thrash about sometimes... but I made up for it with my hands inside the safety of their cage playing with her. And sometimes by sitting in an empty bathtub and playing with her there.

Izzy, have fun at The Bridge, (where all of the other animals... and my other ratties... go / have gone when they pass). Eat all the puffed wheat and vanilla yogurt that you want! When you were here with me, you always seemed like you were having fun, and looked like you were grinning... it was in your eyes. I hope that's how you are now, but free from your challenges and the infection that took your life. I will forever remember your little hand always reaching out to hold my finger, and the adorable way you'd grab... run with... and hold onto any treats as you'd eat them. I love you and will miss you so very, very much. You will never be forgotten.

It's Not about Politics... Go Ahead, Say "Thank You."

http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/fullmovie.php

I'm all for verbally saying thank you to those in the military (and I do as I run into them), however, I like "the sign" as well. I'd imagine this meaningful gesture would be especially helpful for the more timid, when on the go, or even together with a mouthed "thank you."

Unlikely Friends!

One of the cutest, most touching animal videos I've seen:

http://www.slide.com/r/hD6DvyAOxD9ClUhvUpVcUMABW9QzpGnQ

Valentine's Day Sucks!

Appetizers, and More Appetizers

I forgot to turn on the flash before giving the camera to our waiter, Jon. GRRRR!

Anyway, this was my evening out to dinner with "the boys" on Tuesday... downtown. Look at all those appetizers! They were soooo delicious, we were all full before our dinners even arrived. Hooray for leftovers!

Tom: next to me in the dark, Me: Skippy: across from me, and Greg.

Toys? Who Needs Toys?

I do, I need toys!

MY NEW TOY!! My 4MB iPod Nano... it is rocking my world, after just one day of use so far. I'm looking forward to adding more and more music to it, and maybe even a video or two, but that will have to wait for the weekend.

(Thank you for your help in finding this one, Dad!)

Interesting Facts About Colorado

Things you may not have known about Colorado:

1. The highest vertical climb is not on a mountain but up the north side of the Black Canyon. Rising 1,700 feet, this sheer rock face is even higher than the famous Diamond on Longs Peak and was not conquered until 1969.

2. In 1899 Crested Butte recorded 254 inches of snow near the top of Kebler Pass. That year, snow buried a train near Leadville and left only stove pipes showing above cabins at many mountain towns. Usually, Wolf Creek Pass near Pagosa Springs gets the most snow in Colorado.

3. Leadville is the highest (10,200 feet) incorporated town in Colorado and the entire U.S. It has also had the highest rate of premature babies in the U.S. Researchers concluded that the altitude causes smaller babies.

4. Delta, south of Grand Junction, gets less rain per year than Tucson, Arizona.

5. Winds blowing around the Great Sand Dunes near Alamosa create sounds resembling music. That's how Music Pass above the dunes got its name.

6. Colorado was the second state in the U.S. to give women the right to vote. Wyoming was the first. (You would think the eastern states would have been more progressive, but it took the frontier adventure to make men realize how strong and intelligent women were.)