So, during the Christmas break my mum and I set up a fish tank. This wasn't the first time we'd done this, but it was the first time we'd done one so large. It must be a good 20-30 gallons. Previously, we'd set it up and stock it with a few fish a couple of days after. And that's what we did this time.

Only, after doing some research I found out you're supposed to let the tank cycle water for a few weeks before getting fish. This is to let all the chemicals balance out and to give time for beneficial bacteria to grow. So, when we put these fair sized fish in, it unbalanced the water levels, stressing the fish. Over the next few weeks our four gouramies died. Meanwhile, our glass catfish simply disappear. We're quite certain the peacock eel ate them.

Now, beyond our own stupidity, the pet store (petsmart) sold us two crabs. We were informed that they would need access to air or they'd drown. That was all well and good. What they forgot to mention was that they were a brackish water animal. They'd eventually die if left in fresh water. In fact, as I did more and more research on them, I found out that many species sold in pet stores as fresh water are actually brackish, these include puffer fish, most gobbies, and archer fish. Also, all those lovely cichlids really should have a special mixture of salts and minerals in their water.

Not everything turned out bad, mind. We were forced to get another tank (five gallons) which I got to bring with me to school. So, as I'm typing this I have two crabs (a boy and girl) and two bumblebee gobbies happily crawling and swimming beside me. It's all much more work than a tank of goldfish or a betta, but much more interesting.

I suppose the moral is to research any pets you get before you get them. Even the small inexpensive ones.


Clubs

Yeash, I've had this account four years. I should submit more often. I should update more often, last was over a year ago. Anyway, my photoshop skills have greatly improved. Perhaps not as much as I'd like, but hey, I'm self taught. (Sorry, I need to preen now and then.)

Going back to school soon, so, despite logic, I'll probably update more! I seem to be most productive when I have enough responsibilities that my free time is precious, but not so many that I have NO free time.

Not taking any art classes this semester, at this, my new college, despite declaring myself an art minor. It seems that minors mean shit. I still have to ask permission to join even the most rudimentary classes, instead of signing up online. And, of course, all the art classes being offered at my level are the second class of a two semester course.

But, whatevs. The classes I do have will be pretty cool: Bio part two, Math part two (interesting once you get over the soul crushing confusion,) Neuro Psychology, Anthropology, and Chinese 1 (because all their Japanese 2 classes only happen in the fall, when I couldn't sign up, and their one Latin 1 class filled up before I was even allowed to sign up.)

The irony is, often people who really want to take X class can't because someone else signed up for X 'cause they couldn't sign up for Y class 'cause someone else signed up for Y 'cause they couldn't sign up for Z class 'cause someone else signed up for A. A vicious cycle which the bureaucrats running the school would be spending their time well to address.

I mean, I had to beg to get into Bio 1, of which there were four separate times which it was offered, all seating up to three hundred and fifty students, because all the classes were filled with people taking it to fill a general education requirement.

Gra. Well, when I'm a senior+2 I'll at least get the first pick of classes, and will finally be able to fulfill the requirements I wanted to four years earlier.



Clubs

I recently stumbled upon a very funny anime, Keroro Gunsou. Translated, I believe it's something like "Sargent Ribbit," though officially they use Sargent Frog. It's about an alien platoon from planet Keron come to invade earth. At first you may notice a few things in common with Invader Zim, but quickly it becomes apparent they are thoroughly different, but both hilarious.
I'm rather fond of Kururu, the maniacal hacker-genius of the group.
It's yet to really catch on with us English speakers, but I have a feeling it will soon. So jump on the bandwagon before it's even cool! You can find translated episodes on the web. Not gonna say where for liability reasons.

(On a completely unrelated note: Veoh.com is a pretty cool site, rather like youtube.)

But, because it's not popular you can't find lyrics to the totally awesome songs. So, I sat and wrote them down as I watched. I'll go over them with a friend who speaks the language and see about posting them.

UPDATE!

Here's the song in Romanji:

Shinryakusha!

Ya ya ya
Wo wo wo
Yay ya ya

Shinryakusha!

Ai o kudasai motto motto kudasai
Ii ja nai no heru mon ja aru mai shi

Anata no tame ni iki te iki tai
Zeitaku sasete kureru nara

Do ya do
Yume no tsuzuki
Do ya do
Doyado misasete yone

Gambari makutte yattaru de
Sonde mo tama ni wa hitoyasumi
Dosuka? Dosuka? Dosuka!
Konnan de dosuka?

Zettai no
Zetsumei no pichi wa

Koshi futte
Go makase Dancing Dancing

Ai to yuuki to ninki hoshii yo (hoshii)

Konjou to kiai de yarimasu
Iraira ni wa gyuunyuu de calcium

Umaku ika nai nara
Sore wa bouya dakara sa

Wo wo wo

Shinryakusha

`````````````

Yey! Well, most of the credit goes to whoever is translating these episodes. They put the song in Kana, so I was able to transliterate from that. My friends helped by telling me where one word stopped and another began. (Japanese doesn't have spaces (SHOCK))

If you want to listen to the actual song go to youtube and type in "Keroro ending 5." If that doesn't work, try "Keroro ending 4."



Clubs

So, the other day my sister and I got our cartaleg pierced. Now on three holes in my two ears.

I'm supposed to be writing an analyze essay right now, but I am having trouble getting started. I wanted to write it about why humans wear clothes, however I have found very little worthwhile information on the subject. I'm thinking I'll just do it on Avatar, the last airbender.

Yes they're related, shut up.


On another note, I just finished the first book in The Bartimaeus Trilogy, much of the reading was done instead of writing. I really enjoyed it. A couple interesting points in the writing style: whenever the story switched between the main characters, it also switched point of view. When fallowing Bartimaus it was in first person, for Nathanial it was third person. Also, when Bartimaus told the story he included plenty of footnotes. These were often just side comments, but quite funny.

You know what, I may have figured out what I'll write about!



Clubs

I had my first day of work landscaping today. My cheeks now have a healthy, and potentially cancerous, glow. They had nice doggies at the house. I spent most of five hours weeding. I hope I like my new job.

So, I want to write (creative) but my fanfic has gone comatose and my original projects still need developing. I might just say screw it and start anyways, but that can be difficult when you do not know the character's names. I sigh.

On a superb note; I just found out my school has Adobe photoshop. Exclamations of joy! I hope to start on a pic soon.

I need to pee now.

Clubs