Satan's Saxophones

Very Fitting title to the song by Sufjan Stevens.

My life feels like a blur. After starting on my much needed antidepressants in April, my life feels almost as if I'm Moving in slow motion. This has by far been the longest summer in my memory.

In June I celebrated Alex's one year anniversary with the flock. I also added another member for my Leo. Sheila, the cinnamon light blue opaline budgie has joined the flock by becoming Leo's girlfriend. Leo's condition has improved drastically. His neurotic vomiting has ceased to exist with his companionship to Sheila. Our hypothesis was tested and proven to be correct.

Mid-June my cousin Cameron's rowing team competed in Ohio, and we tagged along to witness their triumph at winning the gold medal for youth men lightweight eights. The hotel in which we stayed had a well-loved blue and gold macaw named Emmy. She and I became fast friends, and looked forward to scratching sessions and learning to play "Up! Down!"

Upon our return to Iowa City, I recieved a Phone call from the Aviary. Glen said that a couple of flight cages of cockatiels had escaped, and while gathering them up discovered a nest with chicks. However, the mother had already been captured and it was next to impossible to figure out which bird she was. He offered the chicks to me to raise, and I immediately agreed.

The yellow down that covered the pink chicks was barely enough to keep them warm. They were estimated to be about a week old and completely dependent on us to maintain their body temperatures and their feeding. I took their sawdust filled glass tank home and began my commitment to the babies. We named them Hungry and Hissy; the smallest not knowing to be afraid would beg for food constantly, while the largest hunkered down in the corner of the tank, swaying and hissing. They soon got over any misgivings towards the idea that I would be their new mom as I taught them to feed with a syringe. Cockatiel chick growth is incredibly fast. In less than a month they were fully feathered and testing out their flying abilities. No longer wanting to call them by their baby names, I picked out new names; Izze and Jones.

Izze, formerly Hungry, loves to fly. She has her favorite perches in the bird room and is faithful to them. However, this proves to be quite a nuisance when she refuses to return to her cage. Jones, formerly Hissy, is a mama's boy. He loves to sit on my shoulder and play with my hair. Both are very curious about their surroundings and explore everything with their beaks. They both don't realize the strength of their bills yet, and sometimes bite way too hard, especially my ears.

All four of the 'tiels reside in the same cage now, and mostly get along. The babies being pests to the older birds have lead Alex to be the disciplinary male, and he chases them around the cage when they bother him or Mello. Mello is nonchalant about the whole thing. I think that she would prefer to be in a cage by herself, but after testing that theory, proved to be much more comfortable in the main cage. Whenever I enter the room, all four go wild, wanting to be let out for attention.

In early August I drove to Wisconsin to spend a week with my grandparents. During my stay I visited Evan Barrientos and went to Horicon Marsh to bird. I also completed a quilt for college with my grandmother's 1950's sewing machine and her help. It was my Cousin Grace's Birthday on the 11th, so my aunt, grandma, cousins, and brothers all attended the Wisconsin state fair.

I can justly say that this year has been a lot of planning, and a lot of plans falling through. My plan to visit Panama in March fell through. My plan to have a summer job involving birds fell through. My plan to go to Michigan for some great lake birding and surfing fell through. And my plan to roadtrip to Colorado with Jessica fell through. I think its just my luck.

I can't wait for school to start. I need to get out of this house. My parents are stressing me out with all of their concerns about money, my grades, and their dislike of my pets. School hasn't even started yet, and they're pestering me about grades! I'm planning on transferring to SDSU next year. Maybe then they will leave me alone.

I want to switch my major to pre-vet. I have been spending my time at the humane society, and want to help the animals. I want to get to a point where I can help them for free. The government grant used towards spaying and neutering the animals at the shelter was denied this year, so many of the animals are deemed as undesirable and expensive to house for their medical bills. Especially the cats. It is so important to spay and neuter cats due to their independent and freedom-seeking nature. I am smitten by Phoebe, a gray tortoiseshell cat. Despite my severe allergies to cats, I am acclimating to the cats and my reactions haven't been as severe as they have in the past. Because I do not have a home to bring these animals home to, I am gathering materials to donate to our local centers; Old towels, blankets, bleach, paper towels, dawn dish soap, and canned pet food. Its my new passion: Helping those who cannot help themselves.