I feel the same way. Our pets make such great friends because they don't care about any of the things people care about. They don't care about how much money you make, what kind of car you drive, whether you live in a mansion or a crappy little apartment like mine, etc. So long as you treat them right they just love you. It's wonderful, and right now there's a cockatiel-shaped hole in my life and my heart.

My relationship with this woman is uncertain. I haven't heard from her since Thursday night. It really feels bad because if I were in her place and too busy to really chat, I'd still pop in on my phone or whatever and share the occasional exchange. It makes me feel like I'm not a priority in the life of the woman who says she loves me, which in turn recalls painful memories and feelings from when I was a child, when I wasn't a priority in anyone's life.

I got my vacation request for July back, and it's approved. I'm going to Dallas, Texas. I booked the flight, the car rental, and the airbnb. I can't wait. Right now I'm really feeling sad, and I look forward to spending a week in Texas where I can pretend my life isn't so bad. I lived in a Dallas suburb when I was young, and I've booked an airbnb that's a stone's throw away from my dad's old house. I'm interested in going back and seeing what's changed, as it's been 22 years since I've been back.