Where'd you learn to walk? Sears?
I forgot to finish the story of my Sunday. Not only did I wake up on the wrong side of the bed, but when we finally got our a-yasses out to the car to take a drive up the lake, the car wouldn't start. The battery seemed completely dead, but the lights hadn't been left on, nor the dome light. We waited 1 hour 15 for a truck to come and jump the battery. He said the connection was corroded. So we drove it over to Sears, which is very closeby and they of course replaced the entire battery as well as the connections. $102. The good part is that I was approved for a Sears card with $4000 credit. Must be my credit report isn't so shabby these days. Woo hoo!
After all that it was around 4 p.m. so we headed to the creamery on the lake. The place was pretty disappointing, both food and ice cream wise. Their hamburger was, according to Bizarro, of Dairy Queen Brazier quality. The soft ice cream wasn't very flavorful and I didn't even finish mine. Hell if I'm going to have lactose intolerace problems I want to enjoy the ice cream. No sense farting from bad ice cream.
That was pretty crass, wasn't it?
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Bombarded
That's how I'm feeling today. My boss walked in and said "okay you're going to meet now with J and K about the evaluation project." Just like that. Not even 5 minutes notice. The meeting was fine and in fact I'm relieved to finally get a conversation going about it since I've been told it's my thing but had no real direction. This job is going to be hectic, that much is perfectly obvious to me. I'm not looking forward to it, but then again usually the reality is never as bad as the anticipation. It doesn't help that I've got people telling me 5 times a day "it's going to be soooo crazy / hectic / busy... YOU'LL see."
On a more uplifting note, my aforementioned friend G-Man is in Elmira for a few days and is coming to Ithaca tonight to see us. It's been years since I saw him and we have a lot of catching up to do. He and Bizarro will have plenty of martial arts stuff to discuss, I'm sure. So a good night is in store, even if my day is draining.
I don't know why I'm still having so much trouble getting up in the mornings. I've been on this schedule now for over a week. Of course all that will change soon! I look forward to not having to get up before 8 a.m.
Time for launch.
That's how I'm feeling today. My boss walked in and said "okay you're going to meet now with J and K about the evaluation project." Just like that. Not even 5 minutes notice. The meeting was fine and in fact I'm relieved to finally get a conversation going about it since I've been told it's my thing but had no real direction. This job is going to be hectic, that much is perfectly obvious to me. I'm not looking forward to it, but then again usually the reality is never as bad as the anticipation. It doesn't help that I've got people telling me 5 times a day "it's going to be soooo crazy / hectic / busy... YOU'LL see."
On a more uplifting note, my aforementioned friend G-Man is in Elmira for a few days and is coming to Ithaca tonight to see us. It's been years since I saw him and we have a lot of catching up to do. He and Bizarro will have plenty of martial arts stuff to discuss, I'm sure. So a good night is in store, even if my day is draining.
I don't know why I'm still having so much trouble getting up in the mornings. I've been on this schedule now for over a week. Of course all that will change soon! I look forward to not having to get up before 8 a.m.
Time for launch.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Sunday Sniffles
What is it with the gobs of you-know-what that cause me intense sneezing and snuffling every morning and throughout the day? It's a cold, no, it's an allergy, no it's a cold... what's going on here? Is it NY? Maybe my immune system is getting back its defenses against the allergens in this area.
Woke up feeling depressed this morning, and again I'm wondering if that's not a NY thing. Hell I spent 20 years being depressed in central/western NY. I've had more bouts of this feeling in the last month than in the last 5 years. Then again, it could just be all the things surrounding the move and the massive changes in my life over the last 6 months that have finally comingled and surfaced. I have to believe that my emotional gyroscope will finally level off. It better before winter hits, or I'm toast. I have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) at the best of times. Luckily, my boss got us full spectum lamps for our offices at work, so that will definitely help. I'm also going to get a couple bulbs for home, too.
Yesterday I drove down to see Momazoo. I took her to the grocery store and showed her the best yogurt for her to eat while she's getting over the G.I. problems she's been having. I also did a little housework for her (just light weight stuff like watering plants and cleaning the top of the refrigerator). We also drove around Elmira and looked at the buildings that are still there, and the empty storefronts. It's such a shame; Elmira was once a bustling place. You can feel the wisps of that time when you see some of those buildings (the ones that haven't been razed) or catch a glimpse of imagining what a busy corner may have looked like. Hell, even since I was a teenager the downtown as gone into severe decline.
What happened, in a nutshell, was that in 1972 there was a massive flood in that whole region. Elmira never fully recovered - but they did have a chance, which they blew. Developers wanted to put one of those new-fangled "malls" down the street from the downtown area. The powers that be said "No, you'll take away our business" (meaning downtown business). So, they built the mall out in the middle of nowhere across from the airport two towns over. That area is now teeming as the mall has undergone a number of expansions, and across the highway is the Wal-Mart anchored "consumer square". Downtown Elmira is a ghost town. Same story all over the country, I know. Downtowns being forsaken in the white flight to the suburbs, or in this case, just poor decision making. Here are some photos and memories of Elmira, NY, past and present .
I think I've got Bizarro talked into going out and exploring around the lake this afternoon. There's an ice creamery somewhere on the western side of the lake I'd like to find. I hope we end up going. I could use some water and nature.
I'm being asked "Are you done there, yet?" so I guess that means I'm done. Here's to another week.
What is it with the gobs of you-know-what that cause me intense sneezing and snuffling every morning and throughout the day? It's a cold, no, it's an allergy, no it's a cold... what's going on here? Is it NY? Maybe my immune system is getting back its defenses against the allergens in this area.
Woke up feeling depressed this morning, and again I'm wondering if that's not a NY thing. Hell I spent 20 years being depressed in central/western NY. I've had more bouts of this feeling in the last month than in the last 5 years. Then again, it could just be all the things surrounding the move and the massive changes in my life over the last 6 months that have finally comingled and surfaced. I have to believe that my emotional gyroscope will finally level off. It better before winter hits, or I'm toast. I have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) at the best of times. Luckily, my boss got us full spectum lamps for our offices at work, so that will definitely help. I'm also going to get a couple bulbs for home, too.
Yesterday I drove down to see Momazoo. I took her to the grocery store and showed her the best yogurt for her to eat while she's getting over the G.I. problems she's been having. I also did a little housework for her (just light weight stuff like watering plants and cleaning the top of the refrigerator). We also drove around Elmira and looked at the buildings that are still there, and the empty storefronts. It's such a shame; Elmira was once a bustling place. You can feel the wisps of that time when you see some of those buildings (the ones that haven't been razed) or catch a glimpse of imagining what a busy corner may have looked like. Hell, even since I was a teenager the downtown as gone into severe decline.
What happened, in a nutshell, was that in 1972 there was a massive flood in that whole region. Elmira never fully recovered - but they did have a chance, which they blew. Developers wanted to put one of those new-fangled "malls" down the street from the downtown area. The powers that be said "No, you'll take away our business" (meaning downtown business). So, they built the mall out in the middle of nowhere across from the airport two towns over. That area is now teeming as the mall has undergone a number of expansions, and across the highway is the Wal-Mart anchored "consumer square". Downtown Elmira is a ghost town. Same story all over the country, I know. Downtowns being forsaken in the white flight to the suburbs, or in this case, just poor decision making. Here are some photos and memories of Elmira, NY, past and present .
I think I've got Bizarro talked into going out and exploring around the lake this afternoon. There's an ice creamery somewhere on the western side of the lake I'd like to find. I hope we end up going. I could use some water and nature.
I'm being asked "Are you done there, yet?" so I guess that means I'm done. Here's to another week.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Chocolate Mousee Bloat
Just back from the substantial and expensive luncheon with my program colleagues. Not only did we have a fantastic 2-hour lunch but we have the rest of the day off! I'm going to head out of here pretty soon. I think I better walk to A Lot rather than bus it after that incredible chocolate mousee.
First week is over - I survived. Thank gawd it was a slow week because there are so many new things to learn and get used to. By the time classses begin I should be feeling somewhat settled in here.
Well I think it's time to amscray. Have a great weekend!
Just back from the substantial and expensive luncheon with my program colleagues. Not only did we have a fantastic 2-hour lunch but we have the rest of the day off! I'm going to head out of here pretty soon. I think I better walk to A Lot rather than bus it after that incredible chocolate mousee.
First week is over - I survived. Thank gawd it was a slow week because there are so many new things to learn and get used to. By the time classses begin I should be feeling somewhat settled in here.
Well I think it's time to amscray. Have a great weekend!
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Week 1
I've just finished my second day at the new job. I am DEFINITELY in the right place. Things are crazy as beginning of the semester usually is, and everyone is telling me that it's just "go with the flow" and encouraging me in this "trial by fire" period. These people have no idea the hell-mouth I just left! The minor inconveniences are a breeze because 1. It's Cornell, 2. I love this job. 3. I'm getting paid what I'm worth. 4. It's Cornell and 5. It ain't OU.
Tomorrow night we're going to a dinner/bonfire at the home of our good friends who helped us move in. I love it!!
Mom had a doctor's appointment today with a Gastroentroeoeoaie9st something specialist. She's been having GI problems for the last few months and finally decided to go to the doctor (I went with her last week). Since the fiber supplement hasn't helped her, it's time to look at more serious causes. I'm scared that this will turn out like my dad: he went to doctors for GI problems and they said "you're fine" and within 6 months he was in stage 4 cancer. Today I heard the exact same story from one of my co-workers whose brother has just gone through the same thing. For anyone out there who's the praying type, please keep my mom in your prayers.
Last thought of the day - I have a net ID (still need to get my password and get logged in) and the ID includes the number 33. It's funny how the number 3 always finds me! And since my birthday is March 3 (3/3) it's even more appropos.
Time to head home. Yay!
I've just finished my second day at the new job. I am DEFINITELY in the right place. Things are crazy as beginning of the semester usually is, and everyone is telling me that it's just "go with the flow" and encouraging me in this "trial by fire" period. These people have no idea the hell-mouth I just left! The minor inconveniences are a breeze because 1. It's Cornell, 2. I love this job. 3. I'm getting paid what I'm worth. 4. It's Cornell and 5. It ain't OU.
Tomorrow night we're going to a dinner/bonfire at the home of our good friends who helped us move in. I love it!!
Mom had a doctor's appointment today with a Gastroentroeoeoaie9st something specialist. She's been having GI problems for the last few months and finally decided to go to the doctor (I went with her last week). Since the fiber supplement hasn't helped her, it's time to look at more serious causes. I'm scared that this will turn out like my dad: he went to doctors for GI problems and they said "you're fine" and within 6 months he was in stage 4 cancer. Today I heard the exact same story from one of my co-workers whose brother has just gone through the same thing. For anyone out there who's the praying type, please keep my mom in your prayers.
Last thought of the day - I have a net ID (still need to get my password and get logged in) and the ID includes the number 33. It's funny how the number 3 always finds me! And since my birthday is March 3 (3/3) it's even more appropos.
Time to head home. Yay!
Friday, August 19, 2005
Countdown
I can't believe it's Friday. 3 weeks have gone by. What did I do for 3 weeks? Unpacked, read, went swimming, cleaned... um. Where did 3 weeks GO? Of course this week I had to get sick, in preparation for having to go to work on Monday. And I found out because I happened to ask on Wednesday that I need to use my appointment letter to get my parking permit and my I.D. My appointment letter is nowhere to be found, however.
I have a strong feeling the people in Transportation took it when I went in there for my temporary 3-day pass when I first got here. I happen to know there's an envelope waiting for me from Transportation in my office (which I can't get to if I don't have a parking permit and an I.D. to ride the campus shuttle bus). I have a feeling the content of that envelope is my appointment letter. Grrrrrrrrrr!!! I'll just have to see to it all this morning. Of course I feel like utter SHITE so this should be a grand day.
Bizarro and I were supposed to have a day out and about together today but 1) see above and 2) I'm sick and 3) it's supposed to rain. We've been in "moving and settling in mode" and haven't really had time to get out together and see any of the natural beauty around here, of which there is plenty. I was really hoping we could do that today, or maybe this weekend. We'll see. Still 2 more days before work starts.
I'm now feeling all these little trepidations about the new job. Will I fit in? Is it going to be too much work for me? I was told 40ish hours a week, which is fine, but I hear other people talking about 13 hour days and 60 hour weeks and that is NOT what I signed up for. Well...we'll just see what happens. I must be careful not to get overly defensive before I even get there, and then act like an asshole for no reason.
Well - another piece of evidence that mercury is in retrograde: one of the tell-tale signs, besides communication and transportation going awry, is that you're supposed to hear from old friends out of touch. It happened last MR with my friend from Ireland, and it happened again 2 days ago. A good buddy of mine from high school who is now a secret service organized crime task force officer (I'll call him GMan) got in touch with me after almost 3 years of no contact (since before I went to Korea). He and I never dated but we hung out a bunch of times and had mutual friends (those who weren't the "in" crowd in HS but neither were the bottom rung of the social ladder.) He's a very nice guy and extremely introspective (for a cop - ha!). He would get along quite well with Bizarro and Mr. Club - similar politics and a knowledgable interest in martial arts. He lives in the Windy City and is single - I have a girlfriend who just moved up there a couple months ago. Hmmm...
Anyway, I'm glad we're back in touch. He's one of the very few folks I care to be in touch with from H.S. (which mainly holds bad memories for me). He's in regular contact with a few of our other friends, and I'm hoping I can get back in touch with them. One's an army guy, one is getting his PhD from Columbia or someplace like that. Funny thing is those guys were not held in very high esteem at our school. The guidance counselor tried to disuade both Gman and ArmyGuy from joining the army (Gman started in the army) -- no doubt so that the school could keep up their percentage of graduates going on to college. Both of them have done far better and seen more of the world than the local yokels who went to regional colleges and are working in retail. NOT that there's anything wrong with retail, but you get my drift here.
I was in honors and AP classes but I wasn't from a rich family like my other classmates in those classes, and I wasn't part of their "in" crowd. Still, I feel vindicated that I've lived in Asia and I wonder if many or any of them have lived abroad. Well I should stop gloating now, I suppose.
Y'know how I can tell I'm sick and not just with allergies? I have no taste for coffee whatsoever. Just tea. I only get like that when I'm sick. Good thing I have some "Irish breakfast tea" in the house.
Speaking of which, I'm going to go drink that now. Here's to a wonderful day!
I can't believe it's Friday. 3 weeks have gone by. What did I do for 3 weeks? Unpacked, read, went swimming, cleaned... um. Where did 3 weeks GO? Of course this week I had to get sick, in preparation for having to go to work on Monday. And I found out because I happened to ask on Wednesday that I need to use my appointment letter to get my parking permit and my I.D. My appointment letter is nowhere to be found, however.
I have a strong feeling the people in Transportation took it when I went in there for my temporary 3-day pass when I first got here. I happen to know there's an envelope waiting for me from Transportation in my office (which I can't get to if I don't have a parking permit and an I.D. to ride the campus shuttle bus). I have a feeling the content of that envelope is my appointment letter. Grrrrrrrrrr!!! I'll just have to see to it all this morning. Of course I feel like utter SHITE so this should be a grand day.
Bizarro and I were supposed to have a day out and about together today but 1) see above and 2) I'm sick and 3) it's supposed to rain. We've been in "moving and settling in mode" and haven't really had time to get out together and see any of the natural beauty around here, of which there is plenty. I was really hoping we could do that today, or maybe this weekend. We'll see. Still 2 more days before work starts.
I'm now feeling all these little trepidations about the new job. Will I fit in? Is it going to be too much work for me? I was told 40ish hours a week, which is fine, but I hear other people talking about 13 hour days and 60 hour weeks and that is NOT what I signed up for. Well...we'll just see what happens. I must be careful not to get overly defensive before I even get there, and then act like an asshole for no reason.
Well - another piece of evidence that mercury is in retrograde: one of the tell-tale signs, besides communication and transportation going awry, is that you're supposed to hear from old friends out of touch. It happened last MR with my friend from Ireland, and it happened again 2 days ago. A good buddy of mine from high school who is now a secret service organized crime task force officer (I'll call him GMan) got in touch with me after almost 3 years of no contact (since before I went to Korea). He and I never dated but we hung out a bunch of times and had mutual friends (those who weren't the "in" crowd in HS but neither were the bottom rung of the social ladder.) He's a very nice guy and extremely introspective (for a cop - ha!). He would get along quite well with Bizarro and Mr. Club - similar politics and a knowledgable interest in martial arts. He lives in the Windy City and is single - I have a girlfriend who just moved up there a couple months ago. Hmmm...
Anyway, I'm glad we're back in touch. He's one of the very few folks I care to be in touch with from H.S. (which mainly holds bad memories for me). He's in regular contact with a few of our other friends, and I'm hoping I can get back in touch with them. One's an army guy, one is getting his PhD from Columbia or someplace like that. Funny thing is those guys were not held in very high esteem at our school. The guidance counselor tried to disuade both Gman and ArmyGuy from joining the army (Gman started in the army) -- no doubt so that the school could keep up their percentage of graduates going on to college. Both of them have done far better and seen more of the world than the local yokels who went to regional colleges and are working in retail. NOT that there's anything wrong with retail, but you get my drift here.
I was in honors and AP classes but I wasn't from a rich family like my other classmates in those classes, and I wasn't part of their "in" crowd. Still, I feel vindicated that I've lived in Asia and I wonder if many or any of them have lived abroad. Well I should stop gloating now, I suppose.
Y'know how I can tell I'm sick and not just with allergies? I have no taste for coffee whatsoever. Just tea. I only get like that when I'm sick. Good thing I have some "Irish breakfast tea" in the house.
Speaking of which, I'm going to go drink that now. Here's to a wonderful day!
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Squeaky Wheel
For once, this description doesn't apply to me. It applies to the woman with the baby stroller that is in some serious need of WD-40. Jeezus, lady, this is a LIBRARY! I overheard her explaining herself to a library patron that she needs to keep moving to "keep her quiet." Jeezus, the baby'd made less noise than the damn stroller!
I just got my Tompkins County Public Library card - a boon since we have no money to buy books and I'm at the end of a series I need to finish (as well as start a new one).
Squeaky wheel lady is on her way out - damn I can hear that all the way down the hall. I think everyone in this part of the library was ready to throttle her.
Today I decided to come down to the commons with my Huzz-binnd and check out the library. We had cheap yet very satisfying Chinese food for lunch (cheaper than China King back in Athens). Later on I have to help out my new friend here by letting her dogs out to play for awhile, since she has to work today from 7:30 a - 9:00 p.
Guess that's all the news that's fit to print.
For once, this description doesn't apply to me. It applies to the woman with the baby stroller that is in some serious need of WD-40. Jeezus, lady, this is a LIBRARY! I overheard her explaining herself to a library patron that she needs to keep moving to "keep her quiet." Jeezus, the baby'd made less noise than the damn stroller!
I just got my Tompkins County Public Library card - a boon since we have no money to buy books and I'm at the end of a series I need to finish (as well as start a new one).
Squeaky wheel lady is on her way out - damn I can hear that all the way down the hall. I think everyone in this part of the library was ready to throttle her.
Today I decided to come down to the commons with my Huzz-binnd and check out the library. We had cheap yet very satisfying Chinese food for lunch (cheaper than China King back in Athens). Later on I have to help out my new friend here by letting her dogs out to play for awhile, since she has to work today from 7:30 a - 9:00 p.
Guess that's all the news that's fit to print.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Mercury in Retrograde
My husband scoffs at the notion of any astronomical event having an effect on mortal lives, but I swear... there's just too much of a shitstorm to say it's just coincidence. Here's the list:
1. O.U./OPIE forgot that I dont work for them any more and deposited a little over $1000 in my account on Aug. 1. I noticed this on the the 2nd and sent a terse email for them to fix the problem. They did.
2. SPRINT double charged me for 2 weeks in June - once last month and again this month, pushing my minutes over the Anytime allotment. I had to spend 40 minutes on the phone with customer service so they could say "we have no idea why that happened" and manually adjust my bill.
3. MBNA, the credit card bastards, for some reason didn't register the autodebit in July (made it look like a bounced check) and of course charged me a late fee. I called up and said "you guys are full of sh*t" and she apologized and took off the late fee - they withdrew the money on Aug. 5 no problem. No idea what happened on July 5. There was around $2000 in there, so I know it didn't bounce for real.
Since the autodebit expired after Aug. 5, they expect me to send another check on Aug. 22nd! Two payments in one month?? I DON'T THINK SO! When I said to the woman on the phone that I wanted to set up new autodebit with my new bank she said "Oh, you have to go online to do that." Okaaaaaaay.... so I did. And.... their website doesn't rekkonize my security information for the online account. Sooooo I tried calling the bastards back... and I'm guessing I"m not the only one experiencing on-line banking problems because for over 24 hours the on-hold message said they were "experiencing unusually high call volumes. Please call back later." FUCKERS!!
4. I want to close out my account in the Ohio bank but I can't because there's an outstanding check. That check is part of the deposit I sent in July to the apartment manager here. Apparently, she can't cash it until we sign the lease. We've been here 2 weeks and haven't seen a lease yet. She keeps apologizing and says "I'll get to it soon... I'll drop it off today." And then doesn't.
5. We turned on the A/C the other day and got a bunch of bees in our house through the vent.
6. My bank has turned down the application for overdraft loan because my income to debt ratio is too low. But I wonder... did they actually use my real income from Cornell? or did they pick up my last reported income which was some pathetic poverty-level T.A. stipend. Hmmm.
I'm sure there's more but I can't think of it.
So yeahhhhh.. Mercury in Retrograde.
*sigh* But actually, I'm doing a lot better than I was, attitudinally speaking. Looking forward to the weekend and visiting with some of our NY friends on Sunday for a spagetti dinner here. Tonight we went shopping at Wegmans... ahhhh Wegmans. We'll have to take some pictures soon and get them online.
Welp, time to get into my comfy pants and break out the hummus and cracker-ass crackers.
My husband scoffs at the notion of any astronomical event having an effect on mortal lives, but I swear... there's just too much of a shitstorm to say it's just coincidence. Here's the list:
1. O.U./OPIE forgot that I dont work for them any more and deposited a little over $1000 in my account on Aug. 1. I noticed this on the the 2nd and sent a terse email for them to fix the problem. They did.
2. SPRINT double charged me for 2 weeks in June - once last month and again this month, pushing my minutes over the Anytime allotment. I had to spend 40 minutes on the phone with customer service so they could say "we have no idea why that happened" and manually adjust my bill.
3. MBNA, the credit card bastards, for some reason didn't register the autodebit in July (made it look like a bounced check) and of course charged me a late fee. I called up and said "you guys are full of sh*t" and she apologized and took off the late fee - they withdrew the money on Aug. 5 no problem. No idea what happened on July 5. There was around $2000 in there, so I know it didn't bounce for real.
Since the autodebit expired after Aug. 5, they expect me to send another check on Aug. 22nd! Two payments in one month?? I DON'T THINK SO! When I said to the woman on the phone that I wanted to set up new autodebit with my new bank she said "Oh, you have to go online to do that." Okaaaaaaay.... so I did. And.... their website doesn't rekkonize my security information for the online account. Sooooo I tried calling the bastards back... and I'm guessing I"m not the only one experiencing on-line banking problems because for over 24 hours the on-hold message said they were "experiencing unusually high call volumes. Please call back later." FUCKERS!!
4. I want to close out my account in the Ohio bank but I can't because there's an outstanding check. That check is part of the deposit I sent in July to the apartment manager here. Apparently, she can't cash it until we sign the lease. We've been here 2 weeks and haven't seen a lease yet. She keeps apologizing and says "I'll get to it soon... I'll drop it off today." And then doesn't.
5. We turned on the A/C the other day and got a bunch of bees in our house through the vent.
6. My bank has turned down the application for overdraft loan because my income to debt ratio is too low. But I wonder... did they actually use my real income from Cornell? or did they pick up my last reported income which was some pathetic poverty-level T.A. stipend. Hmmm.
I'm sure there's more but I can't think of it.
So yeahhhhh.. Mercury in Retrograde.
*sigh* But actually, I'm doing a lot better than I was, attitudinally speaking. Looking forward to the weekend and visiting with some of our NY friends on Sunday for a spagetti dinner here. Tonight we went shopping at Wegmans... ahhhh Wegmans. We'll have to take some pictures soon and get them online.
Welp, time to get into my comfy pants and break out the hummus and cracker-ass crackers.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Here's my flying car!
I've been writing this morning; working on my sci fi that needs to get finished in the next month. Anyway, while doing some image research online, I found this article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3676694.stm
Today I'm in the creative mode. I'll go for a swim later and will have to get to a grocery store in the evening, after it cools down.
That's all the exciting news in my life. Things are getting back to "normal" finally. Yay, normality!
I've been writing this morning; working on my sci fi that needs to get finished in the next month. Anyway, while doing some image research online, I found this article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3676694.stm
Today I'm in the creative mode. I'll go for a swim later and will have to get to a grocery store in the evening, after it cools down.
That's all the exciting news in my life. Things are getting back to "normal" finally. Yay, normality!
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
How About This Heat?
Today and tomorrow in the 90s. The pool is my friend. I've decided I need to get up earlier again and start doing morning exercises. I'm also going to start writing again today. I have a screenplay almost in the finishing stages and a new one that's been bursting to get out of my head, onto the scene.
One problem I've had to face, and I knew it would be a problem, is having cable TV after not having it for many years. It's like a gravity well. Sit in the chair, grab the clicker, turn on the TV and surf meaningless chatter. I have a magnet on the refrigerator: "TV should be a choice, not a habit." I really need to remember that!
I read that Mercury is in retrograde from July 23 - August 29th or thereabouts. That explains some things to some degree. Bizarro doesn't go in for that sort of hokum pokum, but I believe there is some connection between the mood of us puny humans and the movement of the astronomical bodies. But I could be wrong.
Time for cof-fay. For some fun insights into being unemployed/staying at home all the time, visit this guys hilarous site: www.oddtodd.com
Today and tomorrow in the 90s. The pool is my friend. I've decided I need to get up earlier again and start doing morning exercises. I'm also going to start writing again today. I have a screenplay almost in the finishing stages and a new one that's been bursting to get out of my head, onto the scene.
One problem I've had to face, and I knew it would be a problem, is having cable TV after not having it for many years. It's like a gravity well. Sit in the chair, grab the clicker, turn on the TV and surf meaningless chatter. I have a magnet on the refrigerator: "TV should be a choice, not a habit." I really need to remember that!
I read that Mercury is in retrograde from July 23 - August 29th or thereabouts. That explains some things to some degree. Bizarro doesn't go in for that sort of hokum pokum, but I believe there is some connection between the mood of us puny humans and the movement of the astronomical bodies. But I could be wrong.
Time for cof-fay. For some fun insights into being unemployed/staying at home all the time, visit this guys hilarous site: www.oddtodd.com
Monday, August 08, 2005
Over The Hump?
Well I think I finally got over the transitional blues enough to feel like half a real human being. Today I did some food shopping and got a new book to read after finishing the Orson Scott Card last night. I picked up the sequal to "Cryatal Singer", "Killashandra" by Anne McCaffrey.
Hey, Mr. Club I got your message-thank you for the wonderful thoughts. I promise to call soon (after 9:00 cause I'm cheap). :D
Well I think I finally got over the transitional blues enough to feel like half a real human being. Today I did some food shopping and got a new book to read after finishing the Orson Scott Card last night. I picked up the sequal to "Cryatal Singer", "Killashandra" by Anne McCaffrey.
Hey, Mr. Club I got your message-thank you for the wonderful thoughts. I promise to call soon (after 9:00 cause I'm cheap). :D
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Sunday Ramblings
Well, we've been here a full week, now: Sunday to Sunday. I can barely imagine all that actually took place in the last week. So much hard work and effort, toil and trouble. I've had a hard time "coming down" after the training. The first couple of days were unique in their emptiness and freedom. Now I find myself struggling to find something - anything - that is familiar. Even my night ritual of taking a bath or shower has been interrupted because for some inexplicable reason, our hot water heater stops working at night. No hot water after about 8 pm. We assume there's some kind of timer on the thing but we haven't seen anything that looks like it. I find myself craving Avalanche pizza, even though the local pizza house here is pretty darned good. I'm still trying to find a niche here, on a personal level. A daily routine - although that will all change in 2 weeks anyway.
Perhaps that's more the issue - I have established and re-established more daily routines in the last 2 years than I can count. Most recently, graduating and beginning work as a professional teacher of ESL. I changed my identiy and schedule from student to teacher, with a week of a break. Then 5 weeks later I change my identity and schedule again - from O.U.'s bitch to Cornell's latest paramour - with a huge move and a lightning fast schedule that came and went in 3 days.
My head is really spinning and I am feeling like I'm floating without a gyroscope. There are a million things I know I "should" be doing (T'ai Chi, meditation, writing, to name 3) but I'm finding it hard to bring about the focus and gumption to do anything but take a few dips in the pool, sit in a chair and read, feed myself, and sleep.
Although we had a really lovely visit with Momazoo yesterday, it was a tiring day driving down and back from Elmira, twice. I'm still getting used to my new kitchen and of course I screwed up a couple things around dinner yesterday - none of which had any real bad consequences, but I knew the mistakes were there and it made me feel bad.
Today's follow up was the laundry fiasco. We have these computer chip cards that we feed money to, and then have to use in the laundry "shacks" in the complex. After rousing my dead-to-reality self enough to go with Bizarro to find the closest shack and figure out where to put money on the card, I then got the laundry together, threw the card and detergent in the basket, and ventured forth. Only to find, once I'd got there, the card was missing already. So with tears of frustration and 87+ degrees of sweat already covering me, I retraced my steps and found the damned thing lying on the round where it had fallen out of the basket. Came back to the shack, only to have the stupid machines read "bad card" when I tried to use it. I came back to the apartment in tears and a total wreck. Kudos to Bizarro for being a kind, compassionate and wonderful husband! He helped me get back on the horse, so to speak, and he took care of changing the clothes over to the dryer while I went to the pool.
Why is this story significant? Because I keep feeling like I'm just on the edge of not being able to hold things together. Little things are going astray and I'm feeling not able to deal with those little things.
It is my hope that this malaise will clear up with a few more days of sleep and sun. Of course I have the monthly curse to look forward to in a few days too, which only fills me with dread at how utterly shitty I'll feel. Well we'll see.
*sigh*
Funny how I always find something to complain about. I know I should be grateful and happy, and deep down I really am. But this transition stuff is proving far more difficult than I'd imagined. I suppose time and relaxation will heal some of that. This weekend we're hoping to have some friends over, and my new friend I met at the training, Leah, will also hang out with me this week sometime. I am missing friends from Ohio, so I suppose it's good to rekindle the older friendships here and work on forging new ones. That also takes energy - and at this point I must remind myself that this is IT. I'm not moving away in another couple years. I won't have to say good-bye again. I hope.
Well, we've been here a full week, now: Sunday to Sunday. I can barely imagine all that actually took place in the last week. So much hard work and effort, toil and trouble. I've had a hard time "coming down" after the training. The first couple of days were unique in their emptiness and freedom. Now I find myself struggling to find something - anything - that is familiar. Even my night ritual of taking a bath or shower has been interrupted because for some inexplicable reason, our hot water heater stops working at night. No hot water after about 8 pm. We assume there's some kind of timer on the thing but we haven't seen anything that looks like it. I find myself craving Avalanche pizza, even though the local pizza house here is pretty darned good. I'm still trying to find a niche here, on a personal level. A daily routine - although that will all change in 2 weeks anyway.
Perhaps that's more the issue - I have established and re-established more daily routines in the last 2 years than I can count. Most recently, graduating and beginning work as a professional teacher of ESL. I changed my identiy and schedule from student to teacher, with a week of a break. Then 5 weeks later I change my identity and schedule again - from O.U.'s bitch to Cornell's latest paramour - with a huge move and a lightning fast schedule that came and went in 3 days.
My head is really spinning and I am feeling like I'm floating without a gyroscope. There are a million things I know I "should" be doing (T'ai Chi, meditation, writing, to name 3) but I'm finding it hard to bring about the focus and gumption to do anything but take a few dips in the pool, sit in a chair and read, feed myself, and sleep.
Although we had a really lovely visit with Momazoo yesterday, it was a tiring day driving down and back from Elmira, twice. I'm still getting used to my new kitchen and of course I screwed up a couple things around dinner yesterday - none of which had any real bad consequences, but I knew the mistakes were there and it made me feel bad.
Today's follow up was the laundry fiasco. We have these computer chip cards that we feed money to, and then have to use in the laundry "shacks" in the complex. After rousing my dead-to-reality self enough to go with Bizarro to find the closest shack and figure out where to put money on the card, I then got the laundry together, threw the card and detergent in the basket, and ventured forth. Only to find, once I'd got there, the card was missing already. So with tears of frustration and 87+ degrees of sweat already covering me, I retraced my steps and found the damned thing lying on the round where it had fallen out of the basket. Came back to the shack, only to have the stupid machines read "bad card" when I tried to use it. I came back to the apartment in tears and a total wreck. Kudos to Bizarro for being a kind, compassionate and wonderful husband! He helped me get back on the horse, so to speak, and he took care of changing the clothes over to the dryer while I went to the pool.
Why is this story significant? Because I keep feeling like I'm just on the edge of not being able to hold things together. Little things are going astray and I'm feeling not able to deal with those little things.
It is my hope that this malaise will clear up with a few more days of sleep and sun. Of course I have the monthly curse to look forward to in a few days too, which only fills me with dread at how utterly shitty I'll feel. Well we'll see.
*sigh*
Funny how I always find something to complain about. I know I should be grateful and happy, and deep down I really am. But this transition stuff is proving far more difficult than I'd imagined. I suppose time and relaxation will heal some of that. This weekend we're hoping to have some friends over, and my new friend I met at the training, Leah, will also hang out with me this week sometime. I am missing friends from Ohio, so I suppose it's good to rekindle the older friendships here and work on forging new ones. That also takes energy - and at this point I must remind myself that this is IT. I'm not moving away in another couple years. I won't have to say good-bye again. I hope.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Maxin' and Relaxin'
(Damn that's so 80s)
Today was (is) my first day of having NOTHING to do. No school work, no pro sem, no teaching, no prep work, no job search, no packing, no cleaning, no unpacking, no driving, no training. Nothing. Nada. The big fat bagel.
I asked myself this morning "So, E., what are you gonna do today?" My answer was, of course "Whatever I wanna... GOD."
In fact, I spent some time veging in front of the boob tube watching an E! special on the Olsen Twins (I didn't finish watching it, though, so I missed the part about anorexia and partying). Also saw Jimmy Fallon's last episode of SNL (hosted by the Olsen twins - E! was running a theme I guess). And I napped. Then had some launch, then I moseyed on over to the pool and took a couple dips in between reading my book (Speaker for the Dead). Came back, did some spic n spanning in the kitchen until my huzbinnd came home, then made some spaghetti for myself while he ate giant meat-wads covered in large dollups o' meat-wad gravy.
Bizarro decided it was a bit warm (which it was) so we finally flipped the circuit breaker and cranked on the Air Con. Within a few moments we had 5-7 bees in the living room. Apparently the little guys have built a home in the A/C unit. Great. I called the apartment office and of course all the maintence guys had gone home for the night. So for now we turned off and closed off the vent to the A/C and tomorrow a.m. one of the guys will come and do whatever it is that needs to be done. I feel I must say may "Om mani padme hums" for the poor bees about to get evicted from life/their home.
Bizarro would say (with that ghetto voice and cocky head movement) "Better them than me!" I feel bad, but whaddyagonnado? You cant have a swarm of yellow jackets in da house.
I think we're headed to the mall soon. There are so many more exciting places to visit than the mall, but I figured since it's closeby we'll get it out of the way first and then we'll be on to more interesting things in the coming weeks. Sounds good, right?
(Damn that's so 80s)
Today was (is) my first day of having NOTHING to do. No school work, no pro sem, no teaching, no prep work, no job search, no packing, no cleaning, no unpacking, no driving, no training. Nothing. Nada. The big fat bagel.
I asked myself this morning "So, E., what are you gonna do today?" My answer was, of course "Whatever I wanna... GOD."
In fact, I spent some time veging in front of the boob tube watching an E! special on the Olsen Twins (I didn't finish watching it, though, so I missed the part about anorexia and partying). Also saw Jimmy Fallon's last episode of SNL (hosted by the Olsen twins - E! was running a theme I guess). And I napped. Then had some launch, then I moseyed on over to the pool and took a couple dips in between reading my book (Speaker for the Dead). Came back, did some spic n spanning in the kitchen until my huzbinnd came home, then made some spaghetti for myself while he ate giant meat-wads covered in large dollups o' meat-wad gravy.
Bizarro decided it was a bit warm (which it was) so we finally flipped the circuit breaker and cranked on the Air Con. Within a few moments we had 5-7 bees in the living room. Apparently the little guys have built a home in the A/C unit. Great. I called the apartment office and of course all the maintence guys had gone home for the night. So for now we turned off and closed off the vent to the A/C and tomorrow a.m. one of the guys will come and do whatever it is that needs to be done. I feel I must say may "Om mani padme hums" for the poor bees about to get evicted from life/their home.
Bizarro would say (with that ghetto voice and cocky head movement) "Better them than me!" I feel bad, but whaddyagonnado? You cant have a swarm of yellow jackets in da house.
I think we're headed to the mall soon. There are so many more exciting places to visit than the mall, but I figured since it's closeby we'll get it out of the way first and then we'll be on to more interesting things in the coming weeks. Sounds good, right?
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
"Cause it's vacation time bruhthuh, vacation time bruhthuh, vacation...
Finished the 3-day OPI training and now am officially on vacation until I go to my new job on the 22nd. Phew!! Now that the training is done I can honestly say it was a very good investment of my time (and the money that I didn't have to pay!). I feel much more in tuned with how this program I'm going to teach in operates.
So, the O.U. saga continues... I checked my last withdrawal slip that I made before leaving A Town and discovered around $1500 more dollars than there should have been in my checking account. Stupid fucks never took my name out of the payroll system - they paid me for the second summer session even though I'm not teaching! I sent an email and have gotten no response. If that money's still in there a month from today I'm keeping it. Bastards.
Well I need to grab some dinner. Oh - I haven't looked at your ecard, Mr. Club, because it requires a plug-in and I don't want to mess with Bizarro's computer (you know how he is). Once I check it with him then perhaps I can view the card. But thanks!! We really miss you guys (especially tonight - it's Wednesday and there's no Casa Cantina or you guys to drink with!!) :(
Time to eat.
Finished the 3-day OPI training and now am officially on vacation until I go to my new job on the 22nd. Phew!! Now that the training is done I can honestly say it was a very good investment of my time (and the money that I didn't have to pay!). I feel much more in tuned with how this program I'm going to teach in operates.
So, the O.U. saga continues... I checked my last withdrawal slip that I made before leaving A Town and discovered around $1500 more dollars than there should have been in my checking account. Stupid fucks never took my name out of the payroll system - they paid me for the second summer session even though I'm not teaching! I sent an email and have gotten no response. If that money's still in there a month from today I'm keeping it. Bastards.
Well I need to grab some dinner. Oh - I haven't looked at your ecard, Mr. Club, because it requires a plug-in and I don't want to mess with Bizarro's computer (you know how he is). Once I check it with him then perhaps I can view the card. But thanks!! We really miss you guys (especially tonight - it's Wednesday and there's no Casa Cantina or you guys to drink with!!) :(
Time to eat.
Monday, August 01, 2005
First Day
I survived my first day on campus. This morning was a bit hectic, figuring out where to get my temp parking pass. But once I did it was a piece of cake. It's a 5 minute drive to the parking lot on the edge of campus, then I ride a bus into campus and get off with a 3 minute stroll to my building. Not bad!
The OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) training was very interesting today, although I was so exhausted it was hard to focus, at times. I met a really cool woman who lives nearby, too. She's worked in India, Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia and other countries of that ilk, and she practices Tibetan Buddhism. She's finishing up her PhD in Ed. I think we'll probably stay in touch after this training is over. Cool! I made a friend on my first day of school!
The apartment is pretty well put together - now the nitty gritty stuff needs to find places and niches to be. We DEFINITELY need more book cases!! I have a feeling that will always be the case with us.
Well I'm pooped and I need to read over my OPI stuff before crashing out. All in all, it's been a very good first day.
I survived my first day on campus. This morning was a bit hectic, figuring out where to get my temp parking pass. But once I did it was a piece of cake. It's a 5 minute drive to the parking lot on the edge of campus, then I ride a bus into campus and get off with a 3 minute stroll to my building. Not bad!
The OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) training was very interesting today, although I was so exhausted it was hard to focus, at times. I met a really cool woman who lives nearby, too. She's worked in India, Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia and other countries of that ilk, and she practices Tibetan Buddhism. She's finishing up her PhD in Ed. I think we'll probably stay in touch after this training is over. Cool! I made a friend on my first day of school!
The apartment is pretty well put together - now the nitty gritty stuff needs to find places and niches to be. We DEFINITELY need more book cases!! I have a feeling that will always be the case with us.
Well I'm pooped and I need to read over my OPI stuff before crashing out. All in all, it's been a very good first day.
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