|
|
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
| |
10:46 pm
|
Heeee. When I was getting water to test this afternoon, the Ryukin came right up and sucked on my finger a couple of times. It was so cute. I was so happy. X3
I gave them some green peas today. I took the skins off three pees and diced each up into eighths, which I figured would be good. Once I dropped them in, though, they looked huge compared to their wee fish-mouths. D: They didn't seem too excited at first, but when I came back twenty minutes later, all the peas were gone.
I'll have to dice up a little spinach later in the week and see how they like it.
Oh, and I finally caught up on the last two episodes of Heroes. Yeah, I'm still sticking with it. I've actually enjoyed this season. Noah and Sylar are still my favourites, and this season delivered pretty well on them. I have to admit, I kind of enjoyed Puppy Dog Sylar in the last couple episodes, and I "awwww"'d more than once.
|
|
(1 comment | comment on this)
|
| Monday, February 8th, 2010
| |
1:12 pm
|
To prove I do something other than play with my fish: I started FF VIII again. I played it years ago, made it part-way through Disc 4, then quit for no particular reason. I think I just got busy with other things and never got around to finishing. This time I intend to get all the way through - will see how long that lasts. Mostly I found myself thinking of the Tripe Triad game and wanting to run around Balamb Garden challenging people. I dunno.
I'm also still working through my marathon of Twin Peaks and doing some sorting around the house, particularly the kitchen. I'm hoping to work my way gradually toward a somewhat healthier meal plan, but it's difficult when I've got so much food around and I can't bring myself to just throw it out. Maybe I'll see if my sister wants some of it.
I had big plans for going on more walks and getting some exercise, but the snow blitzed that. Probably should've just hauled out the WiiFit and done some indoor work, but I didn't. Lazy.
I'm still working on fish names, though. I've narrowed down my options a bit and I'm trying to go through each list and pick out which name would go to each fish; I figure it'll be easier to decide when I can do a direct comparison and concrete application instead of having lists of possible names for theoretical fish.
|
|
(3 comments | comment on this)
|
| Saturday, February 6th, 2010
| |
9:24 pm - Oh, willpower. I've heard of you, but I don't believe we've ever met.
|
Well, most good fish guides I've read have recommended introducing fish initially, then waiting until the cycling process is complete before any more. On the other hand, the guide that came with my tank suggested 1/3 total fish at first, then 1/3 in one week, then 1/3 on the third week as long as the water parameters were on course.
Ammonia still wasn't any higher today - it peaked at about the level it hit on the second day. Still no detectable nitrites or nitrates. It's like the process just stopped. Or...or like I'm just impatient.
Either way, I did a water change today because it seemed due. Instead of the of the original dechlorinator I'd purchased, I used Prime this time since it helps decrease the toxic effects of ammonia. I figure I won't need that once the tank is cycled and ammonia's staying at zero, but it could be useful for now. I also tried adding Stress Zyme + to the water in the hopes of helping my bacterial flora along.
I was pleasantly surprised - my fish didn't mind the water change at all. I was afraid I'd stress or frighten them and have them hiding away again. Instead, they came up and investigated my hand and the siphon several times. It took a bit of fiddling around to see what worked best, but I get the feeling water changes will be pretty quick and painless once I get the hang of it.
Sooooo...caved and bought two new fish. ( Picture heavy, so here's a cut. Click for FISHIES. )
|
|
(2 comments | comment on this)
|
| Friday, February 5th, 2010
| |
6:46 pm - The fish talk - it does not end.
|
I dropped back into the pet store today to look at the pretties.
Alas, it appears that somebody had the excellent sense to snap up the pearly Fantail/Oranda/Whatever I'd spotted the other day, as he was no longer in the tank.
The Lionhead I'd spotted was still there, though. He was one of two Lionheads that look promising. Both were active, alert, following my finger, and seemed to be fairly good swimmers. The one I'd seen before is a really rich, bold orange-gold colour on metallic white. The other one is a much softer yellow-gold with white. They've both got lovely patterns and personalities, so it's not going to be an easy decision. The softer-coloured fish was the more attentive of the two today; I'll have to see how they compare out tomorrow, when I will probably cave and purchase one.
For reference, the softer-coloured fish had colours a little like this fish or this one but without the darker red head. The darker-coloured fish had a gold more like this one or this one. Neither has any head development yet, so I'm not sure how those would look when they come along.
I expect colours could change some with time, but I'm trying to browse through images of adults to figure out which colour pattern I prefer. Going with aesthetics, I'm leaning toward the bolder-coloured fellow I saw first, but the other one was really putting on the charm today.
In other news, Goldfish Connection has gorgeous fish for auction. I shocked people at work by telling them about goldfish worth hundreds of dollars. There was a beautiful black Oranda up earlier, but I'm pretty sure somebody bought him out for about $330.
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
| |
11:01 pm - I should just give up and start calling this my FishJournal.
|
I'm still fretting over my tank levels, although that's more because I like to fret than anything. Ammonia levels still haven't risen in the past several days, and nitrites & nitrates are still at zero. According to various guides, I should be anywhere from the peak of ammonia levels to a few days away from ammonia peaking; either way, too early to really expect much in the way of nitrites. Time to just relax and let it keep going.
So...went back to the pet store today. I knew I shouldn't, but I couldn't help myself. Fiiiishies. They've got a lot of adorable Pearlscales right now. They're such ridiculous, pudgy things. They're like little, floating beach balls with tiny fins.
I spotted a really cute little Lionhead in there. If he's still there this weekend, I might just cave and get him. He's a really lovely mix of metallic white and gold, and he's got a good personality. Most of the Lionheads they have right now were milling about and not paying much attention.
There was another fish I really liked. He was small, built like a Fantail or an immature Oranda but with scales that almost looked like a Pearlscale. I didn't ask, so I'm not sure what he was, but he almost looked like he could've been a hybrid of some sort. He had a long, flowing veiled tail and a really striking calico pattern. He was probably the most attentive of all the fish in the tank. So, of course, I'm also really tempted to get him. ...Which I shouldn't. D: But I'll probably go back and look this weekend, anyway.
( The rest of this is rambling about names. It's primarily for my own benefit, to get it out in print and to amuse myself when I look back later. I don't expect anyone to bother with it, although of course feedback is welcome. )
|
|
(4 comments | comment on this)
|
| Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
| |
10:51 pm - Oh, hey, I made a fish icon.
|
My fish finally started coming out from hiding today. Previously, they'd been rushing under decorations as soon as I came around.
I think they've finally realized that I = food-giver. They're already starting to follow my finger around when I wave to them and the Black Moor came right up next to my finger when I was dropping flakes into the water.
Ammonia levels still haven't really risen much and nitrites are still at zero. I was all set to do a water change today, but it still doesn't look necessary. I know it can take a while and I was prepared for this to take weeks, but I'm still getting really impatient for some change in the cycling.
The guide that came with the tank suggested adding more fish after about a week, but most I've read recommend waiting until cycling is complete. I'm really excited about getting a Lionhead, but I'll do my best to wait and do this the right way.
C'mon, little fishies. Start producing some ammonia!
|
|
(4 comments | comment on this)
|
| Monday, February 1st, 2010
| |
12:52 pm
|
I'm still pretty happy about my fishies.
After the Ryukin did a bit of exploring the first night, they've spent most of their time hiding down among the decorations. They still seem pretty nervous when I come near; if they're out at all, they usually duck away as soon as I come over. Sadface.
Still, I figure that's got to be normal for a while. They're in a new place with a new person and all. They were social and active at the pet shop, so they should come around eventually.
I'm set to do a water change this evening after work. I bought something to help bind the ammonia so it shouldn't be as hard on them when the levels start to rise while the tank is cycling. I also got talked into buying some of the "starter" bacteria. I've read pretty mixed reviews on the topic, but I'm willing to give it a shot if it makes it much easier on my fish to get through cycling.
I also got a better test kit because I was worried the test strips might not be accurate enough. Better to be safe than sorry, and all that.
The Ryukin was finally out and swimming when I got home for lunch, though. Yesterday afternoon, it seemed like the Moor was finally doing more exploring and the Ryukin was really hiding away. The Moor even came out and ate some of the sinking pellets I dropped in this morning.
Man, but it's really hard. I don't want to decide on names yet, but I constantly find myself thinking of them as Vivi and Steiner. Unless I really convince myself of another naming set, I think those might stick.
|
|
(2 comments | comment on this)
|
| Sunday, January 31st, 2010
| |
1:58 pm - Long-winded rambling about fish.
|
|
| Saturday, January 30th, 2010
| |
9:15 am
|
I was getting ready to make a Fish Update post, but started reading back down the page of previous posts, reminiscing.
That time I went out in the skirt and OTK socks? A couple of my coworkers still like to bring that up -- although if you listen to them, I was in a jean mini-skirt and fishnet stockings. They really like to make shit up, basically.
The days of tea - I still drink a lot of tea. At this point, as far as bagged tea is concerned, Davidson's Wild Strawberry is pretty much my favourite. It's what I drink most mornings. I really need to get back into the habit of brewing loose leaf, though. I hardly ever do that in the morning.
Ultimately...pretty sad get the feeling of looking back to a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away just by browsing down the first page of my journal.
( Fish Update )
|
|
(8 comments | comment on this)
|
| Monday, January 25th, 2010
| |
11:40 pm
|
|
| Sunday, January 24th, 2010
| |
9:32 pm
|
Oh, hey. It's Livejournal again.
Many thanks to the lovely ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) himynameishelen for the holiday coupon. X3 I forgot to use it until today and I was afraid it would've been expired, but it still worked. Yay, pictures again!
Now I've got a financial incentive to stop forgetting to log in. I'll have to run through and look my friends page and see what everyone's been up to.
I've been obsessing over my latest project - setting up a fish tank. I've been wanting to set one up for over 5 years, so it was about time I got to it. I'm still working at getting everything purchased, but I'm hoping to have an actual fish by the end of the week. I'll probably post some photos and things up soon - for great fishiness.
I should get a fish icon.
|
|
(4 comments | comment on this)
|
| Monday, December 7th, 2009
| |
6:16 pm - Oh, hey, I exist.
|
This is like my favourite thing. Seriously.
Also, oh, hey. It's my journal. I have one.
Alas, my pretty icons expired and I'm not thinking it's worth paying to get 'em all back again for all that I've mostly poofed again. At least they left me with a pretty decent sampling of my old icons.
I was just drawn back in by the awesome Christmas sharing.
I need to go put my tree up, but I'll have to boot Shaba off my lap first.
|
|
(4 comments | comment on this)
|
| Monday, July 6th, 2009
| |
9:24 pm
|
I'll be flying out of the Springs airport at about 6:00a.m. on Friday morning. That afternoon, I'll be in Seattle. Woot!
If I'm good, I'll write up a big Seattle report when I return. As this is me, it probably won't really happen.
I already have all my outfits picked out and packed, and I'm gradually working on my packing list. Too many things that I can't pack until the last minute, but I'm getting there. I have the camera, ipod, and DS batteries all charged up and ready, I've picked out a book, good things like that.
I am pretty excited. I'm a total nerd, so I already have an itinerary planned out, down to the details of where I'll be eating each meal, and what I'll be doing on my free days after the AVMA convention.
Squee.
|
|
(8 comments | comment on this)
|
| Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
| |
8:20 pm - Memes are fun and stuff.
|
I should be getting my water turned on tomorrow. Thank goodness. I've been saved by some light rain, but hand-watering with a hose is still a pain in my arse. A big one.
Now if only I could get the garage door fixed, I'd be completely thrilled.
Yard is looking niiiice. Not perfect, but nice. Peonies are going to be up soon, and there's a lovely scent in the air as soon as I walk out my front door. Squee.
I'm up for some meme-stealing. ( Oh, yeah. )
|
|
(3 comments | comment on this)
|
| Sunday, May 24th, 2009
| |
3:04 pm
|
Oh, dag am I ever tired.
I had planned on doing yard work yesterday, but I got a little thrown off. I ended up staying up super late Friday night (about 3:30a.m.), and got back up at 6:30a.m. Hauled my tired ass up onto the roof to work on the swamp cooler. That seemed like a great idea - dead tired and my broken ankle still not really healed, walking around on a roof. Yep.
I fixed the broken panel latch and traded out the aspen pads. It turned out I'd purchased the wrong size, despite having measured them earlier this year. I tried to find the receipt, but had lost it. In the end, I remembered I still had a big roll of spare aspen padding, so I managed to cut some extra to cover the empty space and it all worked out. I didn't even fall off the roof or die or anything. After scrubbing the panels, changing the pads, and bringing the covers back down, my arms were so tired and I needed a nap, so I got no more yard work done. By the afternoon, I decided to run up to the Springs to visit Arwen (parents are off on vacation, so she's alone at the house, with my sister dropping in and out to feed/water her and the birds).
While I was there, I ran to the Korean market to get some instant curry, since I can't find it in town anywhere. Then up to the mall; I'd hoped to get some of those delicious coconut haystacks from the chocolate store, but the lady there spent ages talking on the phone with a customer who was apparently placing an order. When she finally finished with the phone, she flipped her hair back, then went straight to moving the chocolates around bare-handed. No hand washing between phone, hair, and chocolate. I got grossed out and left.
I did buy a few shirts and a couple shrugs at a relatively decent store there, then got Chick-fil-A and ran back to eat with Arwen for a while. On the way home, I stopped at Old Navy and it turned out they were having a big clearance sale. I got 8 pairs of trousers and a shirt for around $60, and ended up getting talked into signing up for an Old Navy card. I dunno, it was an extra 10% off, no annual fee. I'll probably cancel it eventually. There were a couple pair of trousers that weren't marked, and I ended up getting them for about $5 each, which was pretty awesome.
I got up early today, mowed the lawn, watered the front and back (water is still off to the sprinklers and I still can't figure how to get it on, and spread some grass seed in the bare areas in the back yard. I did a lot more cleaning up in the front yard, getting rid of the dead things, pulling up weeds, and pruning my sad, little rose bush. It really suffered from those evil elms. It's a lot smaller this year than last, but some flowers are blooming and there are a lot of buds getting ready, so I'm hoping it'll pull through.
I planted all my bulbs; I'm not sure how well they'll do, as it turns out they were already sprouting up. 17 lilies, 4 phlox, and 3 packets of morning glory seeds later, my arms are dead tired. Most of the bulbs needed holes about 6-12" deep, and it was a bloody lot of digging.
I found a bunch of bulbs in one area of the garden had worked their way to the surface; no idea what they are, just something that was already there. I don't know if they'll survive, but I tried reburying them, just in case. I also discovered 2 marbles and a plastic army man.
A shower and a big bottle of cold water were unbelievably nice after all that. Now here I am, cat in lap, kicking back.
|
|
(7 comments | comment on this)
|
| Friday, May 22nd, 2009
| |
10:17 pm
|
Very little yard work done today. I pulled a few weeds and some mini-trees, and that's about it. The fellow came back and installed my new valve at some point, but didn't turn the water on. I think I might try doing it myself so I don't have to go through the long weekend hand-watering. I'm a little worried I'll mess it up, though, but at least I know how to check for problems and cry for water company help if I'm forced.
There are crazy numbers of moths coming out today, and the cats are having a ball. I was coming in from the back yard, and right as I opened the screen door I got dive-bombed by about a half dozen of the buggers. Javert bolted straight out the door after a few of them and made it about half-way across the porch before he realized what he'd done. I had a moment of panic when I saw him run out, because he was going fast enough I didn't think I could catch him, but it was over in a split second. As soon as he realized he was out of the house, he froze and started crying when I picked him up. He couldn't get back into the house fast enough.
He's content with killing the moths that get inside the house, now.
Swiping from sugarcane_moon: ( Oh, memerific )
|
|
(2 comments | comment on this)
|
| Thursday, May 21st, 2009
| |
10:01 pm
|
|
| Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
| |
8:47 pm - Mala v Evil Trees: The Battle for the Back Yard
|
|
| Sunday, May 17th, 2009
| |
9:04 pm - I am full of squee.
|
|
| Sunday, April 26th, 2009
| |
10:43 am - Putting them down while I still rememeber.
|
|
|
|
|
|
