Tag Archives for love

Sofie

We adopted a cat yesterday! This is kind of a big deal for me because most people who know me know that I am not an animal person. I’m not very good around animals, and for a long time I was afraid of dogs and cats–mostly because I am very allergic to them, and one bit my toe when I was little. But since we moved into our new place, Andrew and I decided that we had the space, time and funds to support a pet. We went to the humane society yesterday where they were coincidentally having an adoption event. We looked at many cats before we spotted this one, who was curled up and sleeping when we saw her. We didn’t have too many requirements for a cat–we wanted one no older than 3 years, and one that would want to sit with us and enjoy being petted. I’ve also long loved grey cats. So, to my surprise, this little one fit all of those requirements. We took her into the visiting room to get to know her and she was so sweet, calm and affectionate. I think we both loved her instantly, even Andrew, although he isn’t as vocal about these things as I am.

I’m normally awful around animals–flinchy, scared–but I’ve warmed up to her quickly and now all I want to do is hold her! It’s so nice having another life around in our house. And she’s pretty much adorable.

Revisiting my travels | Paris

I’ve had Paris on the brain lately since I’ve been thinking about re-practicing my French reading and writing skills–considering I have a minor in it, oddly enough. French was my favorite subject in high school, so it was natural to incorporate it into my college education, but I ended up having a pretty miserable time studying French in college so it’s not something I think about very often. But for some reason, my interest in French has re-surged lately, and the desire to travel definitely came back in full force after going to Washington D.C. in June. Andrew and I are planning a trip to Germany next year, which I’m really excited about. And I just bought an Italian car with satellite radio so I’ve been listening to BBC World and the French music stations, so, you know, I’ve been thinking Euro lately.

Our first trip together–about two months after we started dating!–was to France and Holland. A pretty big trip for a new couple, but we had a great time. We went in 2009 so it was a while ago! Doesn’t feel that long ago, though… c’est la vie!

My favorite picture of the trip:

Okay, we’re pretty cute. ;)

P.S.

I am way behind on the poetry challenge so I will catch up tomorrow!

San Francisco, pt. 3

I realized the other day that I totally forgot to post the rest of my pictures from my quick trip to SF last month. Here are some I took with my real camera (i.e., not my smartphone).

Smoke screen

in clouds of jasmine and
eucalyptus, you pushed me down.
the lights were soft, cloaked in
smoke, and you blew on them like
candles and they flickered against
the darkness

the room smelled like weed and I felt
the taste in the back of my throat. I put
my lips around the apple, inhaled the
smoke from the bowl–the fruit & the plant
hit my nose with the force of sweetness and a
small forest burning. I felt the fire in my chest.
I always crave the scent of doused matches and
lighter fluid.

this den, this room, we are in middle eastern sands
and you tell me my incense smells aphotic. I lie
and say it’s from Istanbul but I actually
just got it from world market. The eucalyptus reminds me of
rain in berkeley and I recall telegraph drenched.
the hemp and beads damp and slick. the pipe
is cold, glassy and sanitized,
filled with ice to sooth the hit.

I can connect the taste of you with the scent
of you the tang of your skin under your belt buckle,
the sweat pooled in the indentations from the
zipper and the clasp
breathe on me and in your breath
in the electric dark room that could be anywhere
in memories of being both child under tilden park
trees and now woman in cages of iron and burberry perfume
and the many stages in between, encompassed,
I am surrounded, encased and
pulled away.

Best geeky Valentine’s Day cards

So, depending on your time zone, it may or may not be Valentine’s Day already. It seems like everyone has some opinion about this damn holiday. I’m pretty meh about it myself. I mean, I have an awesome boyfriend whom I love, so we like to celebrate it, but neither of expects some extravagant display of devotion. In fact, romance often makes me cringe.

We like romance best when it’s nerdy. This year, my boyfriend got me an assortment of Portal goodies, since I am officially working on my Master’s thesis on it this semester (more on that soon). This included an Aperture Science sticker for my laptop, the warning sign stickers from inside Aperture that I will probably place on various notebooks, and the potato science kit. Pretty rad, right?

He just got a sweet job at a prestigious research institute here in Northern Nevada, and since it’s called the Desert Research Institute, we often joke and call it Black Mesa. Half-Life 2 has been his favorite game for a long time, and he kinda looks like Freeman with his beard and glasses. So, being the loving girlfriend that I am, I got him a Black Mesa coffee mug for his lab, a new HL2 shirt, a BM parking pass, and of course, a crow bar. I was going to build a HEV suit, but alas, I only have so much time to dote on my boyfriend.

Needless to say, it’s full on Aperture Science vs. Black Mesa in our house right now. GLaDOS vs. the G Man. Gordon Freeman vs. Chell [Redacted]. Who will reign supreme?

Anyway, if you and your lover are nerdy like us, you will probably appreciate some funny Valentine’s Day cards. Here are some of my favorites that I’ve found on the web:

Portal cards by zerotux

A bit of commie humor by Ben Kling:

Skyrim:

Left 4 Dead

Game of Thrones

Happy Valentine’s Day!