The Girl Detective

What, may I ask, is the meaning of this? Pluto’s no longer a planet? We’ve cast it off? Just like that? What about everything it’s done for us?! You know what I’m talking about! All that stuff it did!

This probably proves I’m a total dweeb, but I was really excited about the thought of getting three new planets. Like making new friends! I wanted to see what permanent name they’d give 2003 UB313. It’s probably just the sci-fi geek in me, but given that I won’t live to see civilian space travel (and I’m not talking about those Virgin low-orbit tours for billionaires), colonization of Mars, or the discovery of alien life, I at least wanted to see some new additions to the little scrap of space we’re stuck with. And now they’ve taken one away? Fuck.

I know, I know, they’re all still out there, and now classified as “dwarf planets.” But it’s just not the same. Eight planets? That’s not enough.

What, may I ask, is the meaning of this? Pluto’s no longer a planet? We’ve cast it off? Just like that? What about everything it’s done for us?! You know what I’m talking about! All that stuff it did!

This probably proves I’m a total dweeb, but I was really excited about the thought of getting three new planets. Like making new friends! I wanted to see what permanent name they’d give 2003 UB313. It’s probably just the sci-fi geek in me, but given that I won’t live to see civilian space travel (and I’m not talking about those Virgin low-orbit tours for billionaires), colonization of Mars, or the discovery of alien life, I at least wanted to see some new additions to the little scrap of space we’re stuck with. And now they’ve taken one away? Fuck.

I know, I know, they’re all still out there, and now classified as “dwarf planets.” But it’s just not the same. Eight planets? That’s not enough.

Remember the awesome apartment I told you all about last May? Well, I’m there, and I’m loving it. When I decided to get a one-bedroom instead of an efficiency, I was afraid that it’d be too big for me and I’d feel lost and small and lonely, but over the past week (even the first night, which I spent eating, watching TV, and then sleeping on the floor because all my furniture was still in the old place, which I seriously couldn’t stand the thought of spending another night in) I’ve found the exact opposite to be true. I LOVE HAVING MY OWN APARTMENT. Holy shit, you guys. This is nuts, it’s so great. The living room is almost completely decorated (I just have one more bookshelf to move in and some art to find for the one remaining blank spot on the wall) and the bedroom is roomy, yet cozy. Once I get my table into the kitchen, I can invite someone over for dinner. I hung my curtains today. I bought some plants. I found a sea-green vintage couch at a consignment store. God oh god oh god, I wish I didn’t have to leave this place in nine months. I’m completely in love with it. Will Tom and I be able to find a place this good in Southern California? A cheap apartment in a quiet neighborhood that’s close to shops and restaurants, and has hardwood floors, an arched doorway, and windows with actual windowframes? No, we will not. I may not have a place this nice again for years.

One of the best things about my living situation, though, is my new pet. I now own a mouse, and her name is Curry. She’s still terrified of me. But she’ll come around. Especially when she learns that when she lets me hold her, she’ll get fresh vegetables. I hear mice have a thing for fresh vegetables.

Oh, man. Oh, yes. I just hope the place doesn’t turn out to have some secret but life-changing flaw. I’ve ruled out noise disturbances; my upstairs neighbor is a friend of mine from the workshop (a happy coincidence) and the guy in the back seems silent so far. I’ve been warned that the building doesn’t retain heat in the winter very well, but neither did my last place. Plus, the bedroom seems much more insulated than the living room, and the kitchen is double-heated by the pilot light in the stove (actually, since it’s been between 85 and 100 degrees out, the kitchen is kind of a no-man’s land during the day), so if I put plastic on the windows it should be tolerable. The utilities bill is hefty, but the rent is extra low to compensate. No unpleasant surprises yet.

I think I may be in for a good year.

Remember the awesome apartment I told you all about last May? Well, I’m there, and I’m loving it. When I decided to get a one-bedroom instead of an efficiency, I was afraid that it’d be too big for me and I’d feel lost and small and lonely, but over the past week (even the first night, which I spent eating, watching TV, and then sleeping on the floor because all my furniture was still in the old place, which I seriously couldn’t stand the thought of spending another night in) I’ve found the exact opposite to be true. I LOVE HAVING MY OWN APARTMENT. Holy shit, you guys. This is nuts, it’s so great. The living room is almost completely decorated (I just have one more bookshelf to move in and some art to find for the one remaining blank spot on the wall) and the bedroom is roomy, yet cozy. Once I get my table into the kitchen, I can invite someone over for dinner. I hung my curtains today. I bought some plants. I found a sea-green vintage couch at a consignment store. God oh god oh god, I wish I didn’t have to leave this place in nine months. I’m completely in love with it. Will Tom and I be able to find a place this good in Southern California? A cheap apartment in a quiet neighborhood that’s close to shops and restaurants, and has hardwood floors, an arched doorway, and windows with actual windowframes? No, we will not. I may not have a place this nice again for years.

One of the best things about my living situation, though, is my new pet. I now own a mouse, and her name is Curry. She’s still terrified of me. But she’ll come around. Especially when she learns that when she lets me hold her, she’ll get fresh vegetables. I hear mice have a thing for fresh vegetables.

Oh, man. Oh, yes. I just hope the place doesn’t turn out to have some secret but life-changing flaw. I’ve ruled out noise disturbances; my upstairs neighbor is a friend of mine from the workshop (a happy coincidence) and the guy in the back seems silent so far. I’ve been warned that the building doesn’t retain heat in the winter very well, but neither did my last place. Plus, the bedroom seems much more insulated than the living room, and the kitchen is double-heated by the pilot light in the stove (actually, since it’s been between 85 and 100 degrees out, the kitchen is kind of a no-man’s land during the day), so if I put plastic on the windows it should be tolerable. The utilities bill is hefty, but the rent is extra low to compensate. No unpleasant surprises yet.

I think I may be in for a good year.