Still feeling a bit drained.. physically and emotionally. I find icon making pretty relaxing, so I did some of that.. mostly basic cropping and colorization of Imai Kira images. Same artist that did the Alice artwork used in my layout. #31, #32, and #33 make me think distinctly of natsukigirl, prolly because of the colors and major cute factor. I also just really like #30.

I've lost 4 pounds in about a week and a half - I'm sure most of that could be kind of a fluctuation in water weight and not having eaten before weighing this week. But still! It's a good start and definitely motivation to stick with not drinking alcohol. Obviously it's a mix of that and exercise and diet, but I do think it's making a difference. I'm currently getting in at least two or three 5K runs a week as well as some biking and stair climbing. I need to work more weights in, though.

Classes are okay. C++ kind of plagues me. But I finished out my History of Communication Graphics distance learning class with 100 - well, 130, but that doesn't really count. Hehe. My art classes are just so draining and I fear I'm not showing much improvement. I really need to spend more time on each project. I'll be glad when summer session is over.

Participated in a Go Game today. We played at SXSW and I signed up after to be an agent. This is the first time I've gotten a gig and I played Agent Mobius - basically just had to sit in a coffee shop until the teams showed up and then repeat five actions like I was stuck in a mini Groundhog Day. At first I think I was too obvious by fixing my ponytail and putting on chapstick. But by the end it was: read, cough, drink water, check phone, scratch arm, repeat! The last team had a much harder time and were impressed when they finally spotted me, which by then I was hacking my cough and scratching my arm in a very exaggerated manner just to get their attention. It was fun, though. And a very easy $60. Hope to do it again.

Read "Wicked" and was severely disappointed. Had so much potential, but just fell incredibly flat at the end. Currently reading Gaiman's "Fragile Things" and "Dead Until Dark" - the first Sookie Stackhouse book, even though it's basically the first season of True Blood verbatim. Not sure I'll read the others, yet.. really don't want them to give away what's happening in the show because I'm loving this season.

I really enjoyed Half-Blood Prince. Not really fussed to do much of a review for it, I've kinda talked it to death with Mike and to a certain extent Deborah and I'm sure I'll be discussing elements with absolut_jmo when I go home to NC. Overall I thought they stuck surprisingly well to the books, considering how much past films have butchered the source material. The changes they did make seemed a little unnecessary in my opinion and some of the acting left something to be desired, but it was fun and I feel like you could tell most of the core actors were having fun with it. The experience itself was surprisingly fun, too - considering we had JUST decided before going that we were going to do the expensive surgery on Binx and were completely dead from all the stress of the situation. Still, we forced ourselves into costume since I'd never not dressed as Harry for a premiere. We met up with Gary, Deb, April, and Laura at the Alamo where we got the commemorative pint glasses with our Butterbeer and some of the waitstaff were dressed up, including an excellent Bellatrix. The only picture of the night was fuzzy iPhone shot of me with her; ( follow to see! )

So of course when there's trouble I'm posting every other hour and when it's good news I wait forever. Sorry!

Our lowest point was this morning when Mike and I came to the conclusion that surgery was probably our best and only option. After the midnight showing of Harry Potter (including an illicit Butterbeer in commemorative pint glass and much laughter at the Felix Felicis bits) we passed out and literally had to drag ourselves out of bed at 7 AM to take Binx to the vet. It was a quick drop off because the doctor wasn't in yet so they told us they'd be in touch and I went home to catch another hour's sleep before class.

I got through my first class when Mike called with the amazing news - they'd taken another x-ray to check the location and the cap had made it through into his large intestine's, right into the colon! So it was on its way out and they did not think surgery was necessary but they were putting him on IV to get his electrolytes up and would observe. After struggling through two hours of my second class I just had to go home and with perfect timing - on my way out Mike called to say I could pick Binx up. We think the IV's really helped because he was so much more active and alert. He still hasn't passed the stupid thing, but he's acting normal and eating again - so it's just a matter of time.

We are beyond thrilled that our fearful $1300~$1500 surgery (new estimate given after consideration of having to stay at the overnight clinic) turned out to be $350 x-rays and fluids. We can deal with that gladly. Binx is back to purring and nuzzling and climbing and we are just so happy. Although once that stress was relieved it was like all of my strength and energy was zapped out of me from the strain of it all. We passed out for an evening nap and I missed my third class, but I think it was necessary.

Though after this great news of course we had to get a call from Mike's brother telling us that during his step-dad's visit to the doctor for horrible headaches they found a tumor in his brain. We haven't been able to reach his mom for more information so we're not sure if it's benign or not yet. I swear, if it's not one thing it's another.. But if nothing else this week has really gotten me to reevaluate some things and think about priorities. I'm certainly incredibly grateful for everything I'm lucky enough to have - Mike, our kitties, my family, my friends, our home, our health - and only wish for the strength to get through the rest.

P.S.
I can't thank you guys enough for all of your kind words, concern, and support. People were commenting, IM'ing, or emailing constantly to ask for updates. I love you all for being there.

Binx vomited again tonight, while being on an anti-vomit medication that should have lasted until tomorrow. He's weak and hasn't kept a thing down. We're considering surgery. It seems insane with being unemployed and the wedding, but.. I just don't know what else to do. He's so miserable and I can't imagine the alternative.

Appears Binx swallowed the plastic tip of a door stopper. Surgery would cost upwards around $1200, but the vet is going to try laxatives first. Downside is that if we wait too long to see if those work, he won't be as good a candidate for surgery anymore. Exceptionally troubling. Going to be a very paranoid cat mother from now on. Have thrown out most everything with ribbons and feathers and cried a bit today. Dani is very confused.

Life has kinda been getting Mike and I down lately. Some of it's small like one of Mike's XBox games getting broken and me stressing about classes. But some of it's pretty big like me still not finding a job, Mike losing his wallet, and Binx getting ill. He started this chronic vomiting three days ago and does it up to 5 or 6 times a day. Mostly water since the beginning. Our house is riddled with puke stains - seriously, 15 or so. We have to steam clean this weekend. He was acting normally, though, until yesterday - when I'm sure the strain, stress, and lack of nourishment finally started taking its toll. He's just so un-Binx-like now. Lethargic, listless, won't purr, curls up into dark corners. I took him to the vet this morning and he's currently getting x-rays. I just want my baby back, though I'm also stressing about the cost. The x-rays alone will be around $155, on top of the visit and whatever else might be needed. Money we don't have. But he's certainly worth it.

I dunno, just in a funk. One I feel like I've been in for awhile. I'm really looking forward to my trip home in August. I don't expect it to be a cure all - if anything, it will be extremely stressful since we'll be jumping around from place to place trying to meet vendors and see family. But I'm ready to be there for a little while, just to soak up the "homeness" of it all. See the people that know me the best and get me the most - family and friends included. Eat some Bojangles. Ya know, the important stuff.

Stopped drinking last Sunday - will only drink once a month until wedding. (Shower, Birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years.) I figure it'll be a good way to cut back on some empty calories. I know it always helped me when I was training for big races and I want to feel my best for the running I'm doing for exercise. So it's been over a week with only a sip of wine as an indiscretion and in my defense we were eating steak. It's pretty tough with all the free happy hours our complex gives and all the happy hours our friends like to attend. We'll see how it goes and how much of a difference it makes combined with the Nutri System. It would help if I'd stop eating a Ploughman's (bread, cheese, and fruit) for a dinner instead of one of the meals, but again.. it's been a stressful week.

Potter tonight.