Despite taking 22 credits this semester and working at the Interfaith Center, I felt that I needed another timesink.  This wish was fulfilled Friday when Kristin and myself swung by the PetsMart over in Short Pump.  They were hosting an adoptathon, and through the RVA livejournal community I had seen some pictures of a family of calico kittens that were too adorable for words.

(As an aside, I was not aware of the level of detail that now goes into adopting a pet.  Considering that every pet my family had come into possession of had been from friends whose own animals had given birth, I naively assumed that an adoption center just wants to get these cats into homes.  In addition to filling out a 3-page form regarding my past pet history and my current living conditions, I also had to provide 3 character references and the number of my landlord so that they could call and verify that he was aware I was keeping a pet.  Another fact I was unaware of is that animals are never given to people under 21.  On top of all of this, I also had to sign documents affirming that I would spay and neuter my pet and pay 90 dollars.)

Say hello to Boomer.  Yes, we are geeks.

Boomer, originally named Rocky Raccoon, was the loner and most subdued of her 7 other siblings.  As I only have room and resources to handle one cat, she was the obvious choice, so we went ahead and took her home.  More photos can be found here, and I’m sure I’ll be adding more over time.