August is a strange month. It’s the one that passes you by without you noticing, the one that maybe should be the highlight of summer but is often filled with rain and clouds. Whilst the autumn and winter months are memorable for their holidays, and spring is enjoyed for the peaks of sunshine after months of darkness August is sort of just… there? Maybe it’s just me.
Anywho, my August has been filled with dwarf hamsters, ice bucket challenges and wide brim hats.
Anya The Roborovski Dwarf Hamster
On the 21st my family made the mistake of taking me into Pets At Home, and within an hour I decided to take this little roborovski dwarf hamster home. I’ve named her Anya as we presumed her species was from Russia (she’s actually probably from Mongolia or northern China) and I couldn’t think of any other Russian names.
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
I’m sure by now you’ve heard of and/or possibly even participated in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. I did mine on the 23rd having been nominated by my friend Marty that morning.
The challenge itself isn’t bad at all. Of course you just get cold for a bit which is a sacrifice most of us are more than willing to make if it raises even a little extra awareness and money for those suffering with the disease. Alas, we can never have nice things because there are always so many whiny, awful, boring ballaches who just have to try and root out the negatives. By far more favourite criticism of the challenge is “it wastes water that could be in Africa” which almost always comes from people with the privilege of indoor plumbing. Meanwhile others who aren’t quite as ridiculous but are still annoying are simply passing it off as a fad because they are so above it. I just don’t understand why people have to be like that. Thankfully, no one I know has ever had to suffer with ALS but there are thousands of people who do and why wouldn’t you want to positively impact their lives even if it’s in a silly, tiny way? Even if all of the money isn’t going straight to the people, we’re still raising awareness and that must be invaluable to ALS sufferers, surely?
