My nose ring was really tarnished, so I toughened up and pulled the SOB out. I thought that I had a couple spare along, but alas, I do not. I wanted a new hoop anyway and went to Macy's in search of a thin, tiny one like the "Jody Coyote" style from back in middle school. But, alas again, they don't sell those anymore. I ended up with the size, but not the thinness I wanted. I'm getting used to it. Alex is too. Here he is at dinner at Taco Madre