Animals: 2-week update.

Adzuki has settled in nicely to his new cage. He's grown a little bit, but is still really darn cute. For the first week, he was happy to wake up at 11:30pm and run in his wheel all night. I say "run," but really it's more of high-speed gallop. And when I say all night, I'm not f-ing kidding. This hamster could win a marathon.

Recently, I've been wrangling him from the cage so he can go for a run outside the cage in the hamster ball. He has a habit of running full speed in the ball, which leads to very big crashes! But he's learning. He is getting more outgoing as time passes -- now he approaches the cage door to ask us to let him out. :)

John and I also played with him in our hamster-safe room (the hallway) a few times. Adzuki already loves to jump and climb on us! He also tolerates handling very well (doesn't squirm or jump)... although gloves are still required as he does bite!!

Andy and Zoid aren't terrified of us anymore, but they are still pretty standoffish towards us. When they feel safe (like if we leave the room or don't pester them for a while) they chatter and flirt with each other. John even taught them one of his whistles!

The birds definitely have more nuanced personalities than what I've experienced in other types of animals. They're cautious. They don't trust us (yet). They're very particular about what they eat. Andy has gotten into the habit of only eating food which Zoid regurgitates for him. (I guess they like each other!) They also won't eat veggies or pellets, even though these are supposed to be essential for their health. Gotta work on that!

We've gotten Andy and Zoid to eat seeds out of our hands. Zoid even stepped on my finger to get better access to the seeds! Not that they like us; I think they were just hungry. I can see that the taming process is going to take some time. Patience!

Gettin' right with Jesus.

I am happy to announce that I've joined a church choir! (Note: not a church, a church choir.) Since my performance at Sacred Heart in November, I haven't had any singing to look forward to, and thus, haven't been participating my favorite hobby. But now I'm back!

It's an Episcopal church near my apartment where the choir performs hymns, psalms, and classical sacred literature every Sunday. It's free to join and they want me to start performing with them right away!

So yeah. I attended Sunday mass the last 3 weeks in a row. It's very different -- the religion of my youth wasn't big on ritual and recitation. And yet, I feel very comfortable there. Gays are well-represented in the congregation, which I totally love. But I wonder: are they going to expect me to drink out of the congregational cup during communion? Oh no!

Hamsters and turtles and birds, oh my!

John and I have decided to grow our family... the easy way!

Introducing... Adzuki! (That means "red bean", in commemoration of Dumpling Day and red rodent eyes.)

Adzuki may be cute, but he is fierce! All hamsters nibble, but Adzuki draws blood. He eats enthusiastically, sprints on the wheel for hours, runs in high gear in the hamster ball, and loves to climb.


Meet Andy Bird and Dr. Zoidbird.

They are parakeets. I don't know much about birds, but I'm hoping to learn! They're pretty quiet and nervous right now, but they'll warm up to us soon. I promise not to eat you, little guys!