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December 04, 2005
Rats at the door
At least, they're too small to be wolves.
One of the closet doors in the Shack has these funny little footprints on it, from some kind of (very dirty) rodent. Yes, I've lived here for two months and haven't washed it off yet. I don't intend to wash it; I don't really care that much, actually, and also I think it's kind of neat. Peter and I were speculating that perhaps the rodent ran over the door while it way lying down somewhere, not attached to the closet, but I just now noticed that there are a few prints on the trim as well.
I know you're all dying for a rat-print close up, so here you go.
Obviously a rat didn't just climb up the door, but it doesn't seem all that likely that someone would hold a rat up there and let it scrabble its feet so many times. Also, who lets their pet rat get that dirty?
I suppose the marks could have been made by someone drawing on the door with a heated fork, but again, who would do that?
This happens to also be the closet I hang my clothes in, and I noticed this afternoon that when I open the door I can smell stale cigarette smoke from my wanker neighbour, who is a heavy, heavy smoker. So now all of my clothes are going to stink, and moving them to the only other closet won't help, since it's on the same wall (both on the other side of the wall from his living room) and stinks too. So I'm going to have to rig up some way to hang my clothes out in the room instead, which will be a splendid way to make this place seem even more temporary and grotty a living space. I'm fighting my passive aggressive desire to turn my music up just to punish Mr. Wanker for stinking up my closets, but he likely wouldn't make the connection anyway (never mind the fact that it would be CHILDISH! because, heh, I never act childish). Besides, I learned that this is an ineffective strategy back when we lived upstairs from Louie; no matter how loud I turned up my stereo, it never deterred him from stinking up our apartment by cooking pork all day, every day.
In tooth news, I can now eat crunchy things again (only chewing on the side opposite the gaping wound, of course). The hole is closing fast, and already it's just a weird deep divot instead of a huge gaping chasm. Today I didn't take any painkillers. Whee! Also, my TMJ (same side as the bad tooth) seems to suddenly be a lot less troublesome.
It's pouring rain outside, which just doesn't seem right for the fourth of December. This afternoon was so warm that I opened my kitchen window for a few hours to let in some air. Peter was pretty unhappy when he heard that; he thinks the weather is conspiring against him (because it's always beautiful here, except for when he visits) and of course, I'm rubbing it in. But really, I'm tired of this. I can't wait to get home to the snow (six more sleeps!). How much would you like to bet that the snow back home will all melt by the time my plane touches down in Detroit on Saturday evening? Because the weather, she conspires against ME.
There's a brand new Knitty out tonight, and it's freaking huge. On my must-knit list: the utterly adorable Kate; Mandy's gorgeous lacey scarf; the Tubey sweater (why do I always like the things that look good on the skinny girls when I know they will cling to my love handles like blubber to a seal? too bad, I'm making this anyway).
Posted by jodi at December 4, 2005 11:49 PM | categories: athens : dumbass : sticks and string
Comments
Those are either Raccoon or Possum tracks.
Thanks for the heads up on the new Knitty :)
Posted by: Elabeth at December 5, 2005 01:26 AM
Whether they are raccoon, possum, OR rat tracks? It still creeps me out.
But best of luck with that. =)
Posted by: Christiane at December 5, 2005 08:43 AM
I'm guessing raccoon, too. The little critters have uncanny use of the forepaws. And yeah, I love the Kate pattern.
Posted by: anne at December 5, 2005 09:53 AM
I don't think you have to worry about the snow melting. It is going to barely be 20 degrees F all this week. The snow should still be at Metro when you land. It's snowing pretty hard here in Troy now!
Posted by: Kristy at December 5, 2005 12:28 PM
Yup - raccoon.
Evidence of a hole in the floor?
They chewed a hole in the floor of our beach hut right up through the carpet one winter.
Cute little creatures but quite a nasty temperament.
And I also want to knit tubey to hug my chub :)
Posted by: les at December 5, 2005 12:34 PM
I'm so making Tubey too and will constantly pull at it to stop it clinging in the wrong places but I don't care because it's so cool!
Posted by: Anna at December 5, 2005 04:30 PM
I heart Tubey also.
And I don't know about those prints. but you can get a hanging rack situation at Target if you need one. I used one when I lived in my friend's living room for an extended period of time. GHETTO.
Actually, dude, I just realized I still have it. You can use it if you need to!
Posted by: Carrie at December 5, 2005 04:49 PM
I think it looks more raccoon hands. But then, maybe not. I'm not some sort of tracker or anything THAT weird, I promise.
Must go see Knitty. I knew there would be something good about this Monday.
Posted by: Snowball at December 5, 2005 05:43 PM
I dunno, the thought of any of those critters in my closet kinda gives me the creeps.
Posted by: NWJR at December 5, 2005 09:36 PM
Good chatting with you again Jodi. I'm back on the blog now getting my fix. And get this...I'm just about done my first knitted hat.
Posted by: Rob at December 6, 2005 12:05 AM
yea, its for sure a raccoon. My husband used to keep one as a pet.
And those are coon toes if I ever did see one...
;0)
Moon
Posted by: Lisa at December 6, 2005 12:22 AM
Sorry I haven't left a comment in a while. Work, that is my excuse right now. Blackberry is so quick and easy to knit, especially without the bobbles. I love her almost as much as I love my Mariah. And I too, will have to make Tubey even with my fat rolls and love handles, (which I bet are bigger than yours)
Posted by: Erin at December 7, 2005 07:26 AM