No more playing on the computer, little bird!
Oh, and I was at wordle.net when he attacked, so now you know all the words I use too much.
Showing posts with label conure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conure. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Parrot Attacks Wordle
Rigel doesn't really like it when I use the computer. I'm not sure, maybe he LOVES the computer, and is jealous that I'm using it.
No more playing on the computer, little bird!
Oh, and I was at wordle.net when he attacked, so now you know all the words I use too much.
No more playing on the computer, little bird!
Oh, and I was at wordle.net when he attacked, so now you know all the words I use too much.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Uninspired Tidbits
I think it is time to start learning what kind of music I like. I think I'll put some effort into that. We'll see.
I finally got ahold of the people holding my bird's new stuff hostage. There was a(nother) huge mixup in the shipment. They are sending a 110% refund. I now have to find someone else who sells Clicker training stuff. Frustrating.
I think Rigel understands "stay." It totally worked today, I could tell he really wanted to fly to me while I was in the kitchen, but didn't. Such a good boy. He deserves new toys so much.
There's plenty of food, but nothing to eat. I must plan actual meals before shopping. Must. As much as I like what I eat, the same thing is getting kind of old.
I made granola the other day. I was surprised by how simple it is, nothing special at all. Definitely not worth the arm, two legs, and my ex-husband's left testicle that it costs at the grocery store. Next stop, home-made granola bars.
It has been suggested that I change my last name to Dax, instead of going back to my original. *ponders*
In the last two weeks, I have biked 54.10 miles. I have gone grocery shopping twice. The first time was for the barbecue, and I hauled a bag of charcoal in my left pannier, groceries in the right, and an extra bag on my right arm. Stopping was educational.
The summer class is going well, minus some annoying group project stuff I will never do again. I think I'm pretty good at this technical writing thing.
Sonic's chicken strips aren't that good, definitely not worth over a dollar per strip.
I shouldn't drink cherry limeade before bed. I am tired, but wide awake.
Eh. That is all.
I finally got ahold of the people holding my bird's new stuff hostage. There was a(nother) huge mixup in the shipment. They are sending a 110% refund. I now have to find someone else who sells Clicker training stuff. Frustrating.
I think Rigel understands "stay." It totally worked today, I could tell he really wanted to fly to me while I was in the kitchen, but didn't. Such a good boy. He deserves new toys so much.
There's plenty of food, but nothing to eat. I must plan actual meals before shopping. Must. As much as I like what I eat, the same thing is getting kind of old.
I made granola the other day. I was surprised by how simple it is, nothing special at all. Definitely not worth the arm, two legs, and my ex-husband's left testicle that it costs at the grocery store. Next stop, home-made granola bars.
It has been suggested that I change my last name to Dax, instead of going back to my original. *ponders*
In the last two weeks, I have biked 54.10 miles. I have gone grocery shopping twice. The first time was for the barbecue, and I hauled a bag of charcoal in my left pannier, groceries in the right, and an extra bag on my right arm. Stopping was educational.
The summer class is going well, minus some annoying group project stuff I will never do again. I think I'm pretty good at this technical writing thing.
Sonic's chicken strips aren't that good, definitely not worth over a dollar per strip.
I shouldn't drink cherry limeade before bed. I am tired, but wide awake.
Eh. That is all.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Summertime Bath
We went to the park today, while the apartment aired out. I took him in the big cage, and put a water dish in the bottom. If I had known he would try to bathe in it, I would have taken the big blue plate.
My voice makes me cringe. Yes, I do talk to him all the time, just like that. I tried to edit out as much as possible, but it is sooo hard to not tell him how cute he is. I mean really.
My voice makes me cringe. Yes, I do talk to him all the time, just like that. I tried to edit out as much as possible, but it is sooo hard to not tell him how cute he is. I mean really.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Everything's Bigger in Texass
(they say that like its a good thing)
Oh my goodness! Oh no frickin way! Ew Ew Ew!!!
Yeah, a big one, in my bathroom, in the middle of the night. Hideously big and healthy (if you can call a giant roach* healthy), stalking me from the bathroom light switch. If I had not just peed... After several minutes of whimpering, I steeled my courage and rushed past it, out the bathroom door to retrieve whatever weapons of cockroach doom I could find. This ended up being a large wad of paper towels and a can of compressed air. I blew it off the wall, cornered it, and then held the air upside down and emptied half the can on the little....*insert string of profanities unsuitable for birdboard* until it was frozen or gassed, whichever killed it first. Yes, I could have stomped it with a shoe, but the only thing worse than a live roach is a squished dead one, guts everywhere, no thank you!
There's a question or three here, of course.
Besides the quarterly pest treatments, taking out the trash nightly, plugging the drains, and keeping all food in sealed containers, what else can I do to prevent these nasties? I lived at the old place for 1 1/2 years without a single one!!!
Can these things harm Rigel?
Do food and water containers exist that are less likely to draw the attention of a hungry, nasty critter to my bird's cage?
I will NOT consent to calling it a harmless "water bug." Nuh-uh! Nas-tay!
Oh my goodness! Oh no frickin way! Ew Ew Ew!!!
Yeah, a big one, in my bathroom, in the middle of the night. Hideously big and healthy (if you can call a giant roach* healthy), stalking me from the bathroom light switch. If I had not just peed... After several minutes of whimpering, I steeled my courage and rushed past it, out the bathroom door to retrieve whatever weapons of cockroach doom I could find. This ended up being a large wad of paper towels and a can of compressed air. I blew it off the wall, cornered it, and then held the air upside down and emptied half the can on the little....*insert string of profanities unsuitable for birdboard* until it was frozen or gassed, whichever killed it first. Yes, I could have stomped it with a shoe, but the only thing worse than a live roach is a squished dead one, guts everywhere, no thank you!
There's a question or three here, of course.
Besides the quarterly pest treatments, taking out the trash nightly, plugging the drains, and keeping all food in sealed containers, what else can I do to prevent these nasties? I lived at the old place for 1 1/2 years without a single one!!!
Can these things harm Rigel?
Do food and water containers exist that are less likely to draw the attention of a hungry, nasty critter to my bird's cage?
I will NOT consent to calling it a harmless "water bug." Nuh-uh! Nas-tay!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Ow! *pouts*
Let's ignore any mention of my* marriage or divorce, for now, okay?
Moving on.
I left Rigel at the old apartment while I was moving. It was important to me that he arrive at the new place when it was uncluttered, and full of furniture and such that he was familiar with. I also wanted to do some heavy cleaning, and get a feel for the noises of the place.
Turns out, the walls are thinner, the neighbors a bit noisier, but the grounds maintenance isn't all *BANG BANG HAMMER SAW MOWER STEAM CLEANER LEAF BLOWER* all the time, and the TV isn't on as much or as loudly. So, on balance, this place is a bit quieter, but not eerily so. Except the air conditioner, which clearly works, and could double as an airplane engine, I'm sure.
The first night and the entire next day he was sweet as sugar, honey, and caramel put together. He spent most of the time snuggled in my shirt. Adorable x1000. I'm sure he was looking for something familiar and secure, my widdle lovie dovie birdie. He munched happily on bell pepper and cherry, after an incident with an entire newly-opened bag of pellets infested with some tiny critters.
Today, not so much. I've been bitten at least a dozen times. I've bled, uh, something like 4 times. I've lost count. Looking for security is over, and he blames me for this unacceptable amount of change (it's been a day for that). He's flown at me in a rage, squawking and attempting to bite my neck. I've taken to picking him up with a tea towel or a few paper towels. He lunges at every opportunity, only tolerating petting on his forehead, and only if he is wrapped in a towel, powerless to object.
He is not a happy burrito.
I finally escaped at 5-ish to the laundry room, racked with guilt at leaving him alone, hoping to find a solution online. I failed at the free wireless that was supposedly accessible from the laundry room, but returned with clean clothes a few minutes before birdie bedtime. I spotted a black winter glove...and had a thought. Surely, it would scare him? Surely, he would attack it?
Friends, he loves that glove more than he loves me. (seems to be a pattern this week) It is a comfier perch than a bare hand, and it doesn't object to being bitten, even gnawed. (again, a pattern....hmmmm). Right now, the plan is to handle him with the glove, for both our safety (its hard to control your reaction to bites. I try, I promise, but I am far less than perfect. As you may have heard...). Later, whenever the MONTH LATE PACKAGE FROM BIRDBOARDSHOP.COM** ever arrives, I will begin clicker training. He needs entertainment and enrichment, I know that is the problem. Then I will train him to not bite the glove, as if it is my hand, and then train him off the glove.
Yeah, that's the plan.
*Mine and mine alone, really, because I paid for not only the wedding rings whatever-number-of-years-ago, but also the $230 filing fee for the divorce today. M'kay. I resist the urge to rant on...
**Yes, dear internet commerce folks, it has STILL not arrived. I SORT OF understand that the order got lost behind a desk, and you're just starting up, and these things happen. But it has now been over a week since you said it would arrive, and I deserve something more than a $10 or 10% coupon, or whatever.
Moving on.
I left Rigel at the old apartment while I was moving. It was important to me that he arrive at the new place when it was uncluttered, and full of furniture and such that he was familiar with. I also wanted to do some heavy cleaning, and get a feel for the noises of the place.
Turns out, the walls are thinner, the neighbors a bit noisier, but the grounds maintenance isn't all *BANG BANG HAMMER SAW MOWER STEAM CLEANER LEAF BLOWER* all the time, and the TV isn't on as much or as loudly. So, on balance, this place is a bit quieter, but not eerily so. Except the air conditioner, which clearly works, and could double as an airplane engine, I'm sure.
The first night and the entire next day he was sweet as sugar, honey, and caramel put together. He spent most of the time snuggled in my shirt. Adorable x1000. I'm sure he was looking for something familiar and secure, my widdle lovie dovie birdie. He munched happily on bell pepper and cherry, after an incident with an entire newly-opened bag of pellets infested with some tiny critters.
Today, not so much. I've been bitten at least a dozen times. I've bled, uh, something like 4 times. I've lost count. Looking for security is over, and he blames me for this unacceptable amount of change (it's been a day for that). He's flown at me in a rage, squawking and attempting to bite my neck. I've taken to picking him up with a tea towel or a few paper towels. He lunges at every opportunity, only tolerating petting on his forehead, and only if he is wrapped in a towel, powerless to object.
He is not a happy burrito.
I finally escaped at 5-ish to the laundry room, racked with guilt at leaving him alone, hoping to find a solution online. I failed at the free wireless that was supposedly accessible from the laundry room, but returned with clean clothes a few minutes before birdie bedtime. I spotted a black winter glove...and had a thought. Surely, it would scare him? Surely, he would attack it?
Friends, he loves that glove more than he loves me. (seems to be a pattern this week) It is a comfier perch than a bare hand, and it doesn't object to being bitten, even gnawed. (again, a pattern....hmmmm). Right now, the plan is to handle him with the glove, for both our safety (its hard to control your reaction to bites. I try, I promise, but I am far less than perfect. As you may have heard...). Later, whenever the MONTH LATE PACKAGE FROM BIRDBOARDSHOP.COM** ever arrives, I will begin clicker training. He needs entertainment and enrichment, I know that is the problem. Then I will train him to not bite the glove, as if it is my hand, and then train him off the glove.
Yeah, that's the plan.
*Mine and mine alone, really, because I paid for not only the wedding rings whatever-number-of-years-ago, but also the $230 filing fee for the divorce today. M'kay. I resist the urge to rant on...
**Yes, dear internet commerce folks, it has STILL not arrived. I SORT OF understand that the order got lost behind a desk, and you're just starting up, and these things happen. But it has now been over a week since you said it would arrive, and I deserve something more than a $10 or 10% coupon, or whatever.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Parrots aren't "Pets" and Shit
The only animals that are "pets" are dogs and cats. Period. So says the lease agreements for every "pet-friendly" apartment I talked to yesterday. Now I understand that many birds can be loud shriekers, but dismissing all birds out of hand is narrow-minded, considering that many dogs can be loud barkers. They would deal with loud dogs by kicking the offending owner out, or whatever, and I don't see how birds can't be evaluated on the same case-by-case basis. I can't see how it could be a cleanliness or odor issue, because I guarantee that a day's worth of unattended bird shit smells way way less than a day's worth of dog or cat shit left in an apartment. I know for sure that if you got even a little dog shit on your clothes, People. Would. Know. Rigel occasionally targets my clothes, and I take a damp paper towel to it and presto! no smell or stains.
Bonus, people outside the property won't step in a pile of (pet) bird shit while walking around. Asshole dog owners!
Further, dogs shed nasty mangy fur, which also stinks stinks stinks. My parrot sheds pretty, lovely feathers, suitable for crafting. Birds possibly chew on mini blinds? So? We had a dog once who CHEWED A HOLE IN OUR WALLS!
There is a silver lining, though. The apartment I really really wanted has a sign at the front desk: "We are a pet free community."
I was highly disappointed, and I pouted: "but he's just a little bird..."
Well, then that's another thing, birds and fish are FINE! They aren't considered pets, after all.
I move in tomorrow, no pet deposit!
-
Bonus, people outside the property won't step in a pile of (pet) bird shit while walking around. Asshole dog owners!
Further, dogs shed nasty mangy fur, which also stinks stinks stinks. My parrot sheds pretty, lovely feathers, suitable for crafting. Birds possibly chew on mini blinds? So? We had a dog once who CHEWED A HOLE IN OUR WALLS!
There is a silver lining, though. The apartment I really really wanted has a sign at the front desk: "We are a pet free community."
I was highly disappointed, and I pouted: "but he's just a little bird..."
Well, then that's another thing, birds and fish are FINE! They aren't considered pets, after all.
I move in tomorrow, no pet deposit!
-
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Worth It.
Worth It.
Getting bitten, shat upon, screeched at.
Cleaning blackberry poop stains off the floor.
Loads of cash for new toys never used, re-used ones are more fun.
Banana slime on my nice black t-shirt.
Waking up early to honor his sleep schedule.
Totally Worth it.
Fluffed up neck feathers, trying to whistle back.
Flew around the room three times, now wings are stuck in the "Up" position.
Belly feathers sticking through the cage bars from sleeping in the new coziest spot.
Chatters at his dish of vegetables.
First morning step-up, still surprised at how his feet feel.
Totally totally worth it.
Getting bitten, shat upon, screeched at.
Cleaning blackberry poop stains off the floor.
Loads of cash for new toys never used, re-used ones are more fun.
Banana slime on my nice black t-shirt.
Waking up early to honor his sleep schedule.
Totally Worth it.
Fluffed up neck feathers, trying to whistle back.
Flew around the room three times, now wings are stuck in the "Up" position.
Belly feathers sticking through the cage bars from sleeping in the new coziest spot.
Chatters at his dish of vegetables.
First morning step-up, still surprised at how his feet feel.
Totally totally worth it.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
A Storm of Comments!!!
The craziness must stop! AAahhhh!!! Three whole comments in as many weeks!!! Of course, I just found out, as I neglect to check my gmail very often, and these are on older posts. My responses:
Dear Baba Wayo,
Unfortunately, I gave up on the tablet PC. It is sitting in a box until I get around to scouring it of personal info and selling it at a yard sale. GoBinder wasn't really the problem in the end. The constant noise level of the fans during class, and the feeling like I was staring into a tiny window to write on just got to be too much. Also, it did not effect reducing my backpack load, since I can't download my textbook onto it and still READ my textbook while taking notes.
Short Story: It just became a pain in the ass, and a huge disappointing waste of money. People thought it was cool, though...*sigh*
Dear Beakerann,
The title of the book is called, I shit you not:
"Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle"
Watermelon pickle sounds more appealing each and every time I read the words...mmmmmmmm
Dear Stewie (here's Stewie Blog, can he train Rigel to type without chewing off the keys?!?!?!)
All is well, and Rigel sends his thanks for belated hatchday wishes. I haven't been around Birdboard much since I've been busy, except that I put up a long-ish post looking for help with ants, which quickly got buried and ignored. I have some other questions I need to get around to asking, which I will try to keep short (ha!). I'm hesitant to keep posting questions, since I don't post *look what my birdy did cute* stuff there since I have a blog for that... it makes me seem a bit needy and not very fun. In my own mind, anyway.
Dear Baba Wayo,
Unfortunately, I gave up on the tablet PC. It is sitting in a box until I get around to scouring it of personal info and selling it at a yard sale. GoBinder wasn't really the problem in the end. The constant noise level of the fans during class, and the feeling like I was staring into a tiny window to write on just got to be too much. Also, it did not effect reducing my backpack load, since I can't download my textbook onto it and still READ my textbook while taking notes.
Short Story: It just became a pain in the ass, and a huge disappointing waste of money. People thought it was cool, though...*sigh*
Dear Beakerann,
The title of the book is called, I shit you not:
"Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle"
Watermelon pickle sounds more appealing each and every time I read the words...mmmmmmmm
Dear Stewie (here's Stewie Blog, can he train Rigel to type without chewing off the keys?!?!?!)
All is well, and Rigel sends his thanks for belated hatchday wishes. I haven't been around Birdboard much since I've been busy, except that I put up a long-ish post looking for help with ants, which quickly got buried and ignored. I have some other questions I need to get around to asking, which I will try to keep short (ha!). I'm hesitant to keep posting questions, since I don't post *look what my birdy did cute* stuff there since I have a blog for that... it makes me seem a bit needy and not very fun. In my own mind, anyway.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Happy Hatchday!
The little card that described the birdy in the cage said he was hatched on 20 April 2007. It also called him Sonny. A year later, he has a better name, a willing servant/playgym, and the gift of flight.
Here are a few pictures I took of Rigel this month. There are more on my flickr account.
Here are a few pictures I took of Rigel this month. There are more on my flickr account.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
I may be excited.
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA'S FINAL SEASON STARTS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!
I made some fairly kick-ass cinnamon rolls last night, mostly from scratch, which took nearly 4 hours. The recipe should be up at RecipeZaar.com eventually, and when that happens I will post a link. They're made with a 10-Grain bread mix, and I've eaten 6 so far, so I may never poo again. I'll let you know.
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA'S FINAL SEASON STARTS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!
Rigel is cute and cuddly, and only has 2 more flight feathers to grow out. I'll take some pictures this weekend so you can see how pretty blue they are. We went through a bit of bloody ordeal at the vet because I wanted to find out his real gender, and they did that while trimming his toenails. He was such a good bird, though. We find out in about a week, and I'm trimming his nails myself from now on.
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA'S FINAL SEASON STARTS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!
I have a Calculus test tomorrow morning. I am fairly unprepared, but there will be more studying this afternoon. For real. No seriously. Oh shut up, you never believe me. :P
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA'S FINAL SEASON STARTS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!
School is generally good right now. I'm still waffling on what to do this summer, but I'm probably taking Medieval Lit and Technical Writing during Second Summer. That fills my advanced requirement for the minor, and I just need one more course. I can wait and hope that the new Professional Editing course doesn't conflict with my Physics schedule when/if it comes available. If it doesn't then I can always stick an easy lit class in my schedule and be done. I think that's the plan, but I still have to run it by my Advisor.
Oh , also, in case you were unaware, the best show currently on television will start its final season tomorrow. I'm kinda excited.
I made some fairly kick-ass cinnamon rolls last night, mostly from scratch, which took nearly 4 hours. The recipe should be up at RecipeZaar.com eventually, and when that happens I will post a link. They're made with a 10-Grain bread mix, and I've eaten 6 so far, so I may never poo again. I'll let you know.
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA'S FINAL SEASON STARTS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!
Rigel is cute and cuddly, and only has 2 more flight feathers to grow out. I'll take some pictures this weekend so you can see how pretty blue they are. We went through a bit of bloody ordeal at the vet because I wanted to find out his real gender, and they did that while trimming his toenails. He was such a good bird, though. We find out in about a week, and I'm trimming his nails myself from now on.
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA'S FINAL SEASON STARTS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!
I have a Calculus test tomorrow morning. I am fairly unprepared, but there will be more studying this afternoon. For real. No seriously. Oh shut up, you never believe me. :P
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA'S FINAL SEASON STARTS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!
School is generally good right now. I'm still waffling on what to do this summer, but I'm probably taking Medieval Lit and Technical Writing during Second Summer. That fills my advanced requirement for the minor, and I just need one more course. I can wait and hope that the new Professional Editing course doesn't conflict with my Physics schedule when/if it comes available. If it doesn't then I can always stick an easy lit class in my schedule and be done. I think that's the plan, but I still have to run it by my Advisor.
Oh , also, in case you were unaware, the best show currently on television will start its final season tomorrow. I'm kinda excited.
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