ION, my apartment is a little messy. I just watched my cat stalk and pounce on a pair of underwear.

That ain't right.

Did your cat have to give chase? That's the scale you measure ain't right on.

Speaking of piercings, I got my cartilage pierced Saturday night. I can turn it without pain, and I've been cleaning and turning twice a day, and it doesn't seem red or swollen, but it's still really sore and tender. As in, uncomfortable to sleep on that side.

It's the first time I've had cartilage pierced, and it's the top part of my ear. Is that usual? Or should I be worried?

Tom, until your cat is wearing your bra on her head, you have nothing to worry about....

Did you get it pierced with a gun or a needle? I had mine pierced with a gun, and because of the percussion it stayed sore for quite a while. Weeks. But I'm a slow healer. Now I know to go needle if I ever get the third one done like I've been kinda meaning to.

I used to wear an olivine ring that my grandmother gave me, but I somehow caught it in a cash drawer snd the stone flew out of the setting, never to be seen again. By me, anyway.

I have made my peace with the impracticality of adding rings to my fingers - it just feels weird unless I wear them constantly and my short , thick fingers don't really cry out for adornment - but I coudl probably benefot from remembering to wear earrings more often. I go through phases of watch wearing, but I always hit a point where I just can't stand it anymore and have to go back to being watchless.

Tom, until your cat is wearing your bra on her head, you have nothing to worry about....

HEY! I didn't post pictures, damnit.

Oh, and for those following along, I seem to be back in my boss's good graces. We are having weekly meetings on Tuesdays, and today I gave her my action plan, and detailed everything I did this week. Thing is, it really wasn't that much more than I usually do, I just wrote it down!

This is good and bad news, because this means that some of the crazy stuff was her and not me, and I don't want a crazy boss! It kind of sucks that I have something on file that is at least 50% her freaking out and me not being there.

I found out that she has now also scheduled weekly meetings with work nemesis, and suspect that she went after work nemesis for not doing her job, and work nemisis took the opportunity to blame the hell out of me. Boss is very invested in work nemesis and I getting along.

This is my favorite local jewelry designer. [link] My parents got me a tourmaline cabochon ring of hers when I graduated instead of a class ring.

Jewelry I wear all the time: three small hoops in ears, nose stud, Celtic-inspired silver pendant, two narrow silver rings on right ring finger.

Those are some lovely rings, smonster!