Monday, October 29, 2007
Carz Suck
Last weekend when I was in Boston, I had to bring my car into a mechanic because when I got off the highway it sounded like a Harley. $213 later it was fixed. By the time I got off the highway coming home, it sounded almost as bad, but in a different area of the exhaust. So I brought it in this morning to my usual mechanic, and $340 later (in about an hour from now) it will be fixed. Throw in an oil change and winterizing, and the final bill will be around $400. That's a grand total of over $600 put into the car in the last week.
Just in time for the holiday season to strike us down. But in all honesty, the exhaust was all factory original parts, and it's a 10 year old car, so it was bound to happen. Better to have it done now than to have pieces falling off on our way to Cleveland next month. Ugh.
But this still cheers me up:
Click on it - I dare ya, esp. if you're a Yankees (or an Indians) fan!
(thanks to Mike Z. in Rockland for the spiffy grafix!)
Just in time for the holiday season to strike us down. But in all honesty, the exhaust was all factory original parts, and it's a 10 year old car, so it was bound to happen. Better to have it done now than to have pieces falling off on our way to Cleveland next month. Ugh.
But this still cheers me up:
Click on it - I dare ya, esp. if you're a Yankees (or an Indians) fan!
(thanks to Mike Z. in Rockland for the spiffy grafix!)
Red Sox Triumph
They did it. I stayed up to watch and am in tears. What a series. The Rockies made them work for it, but they fought hard and held it together.
I want to see Papelbon (and Becket) do a victory Riverdance.
----------------
October 28, 2007
Red Sox win World Series!
By Amalie Benjamin, Globe Staff
For the second time in four years the Red Sox have won the World Series.
With a 4-3 win over the Rockies in Game 4, the Red Sox have swept their second straight Series, winning eight straight Series games.
Jonathan Papelbon closed it. The final out came on a Seth Smith strikeout swinging.
Jason Varitek had the ball, in case the Hall of Fame is looking for it.
I want to see Papelbon (and Becket) do a victory Riverdance.
----------------
October 28, 2007
Red Sox win World Series!
By Amalie Benjamin, Globe Staff
For the second time in four years the Red Sox have won the World Series.
With a 4-3 win over the Rockies in Game 4, the Red Sox have swept their second straight Series, winning eight straight Series games.
Jonathan Papelbon closed it. The final out came on a Seth Smith strikeout swinging.
Jason Varitek had the ball, in case the Hall of Fame is looking for it.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
58 Shopping Days Left
Holy jumpin' Jee-ay-zuz on a pogo stick -- there're less than 2 months 'til Xmas! 58 days, 6 hours and 36 minutes, to be exact.
I have decided that I need to lose 20 lbs. No kidding, this year has not been kind to me, and this semester has been excruciating in the "is THAT my ass?" department. None of my clothes fit right. Today I tried on a pair of worn old brown cords that I love for slumming around the house on a Saturday and they were marginally almost comfortable - until I sat down. Then I thought my gut was going to implode. Yeah. Bad sign.
So, I am taking advantage of our workout room here at the BeeHive (that's my new name for our apartment complex). It's not very pretty and it often smells fugly, but there are 2 ellipticals and 2 treadmills, and a sauna. And it's free. And I have no excuse not to be in there 3 days a week for at least 30 minutes each session. I mean krist, I have an iPod arm band and everything.
I refuse to buy myself any clothes (other than workout clothes) until I've dropped at least 10 pounds. There will be no "xmas present for myself" in the area of clothing items this year, unless I have shed some thigh fat between now and Dec. 24.
And yes, we are headed to my Filipino in-laws for T'giving week, which means I really have to be on my best behavior. 'Twill be difficult with all the chips and candy and sweets and fattening food abounding at their house. 'Twill be a test of my mettle.
It's 6:20 p.m. and already dark. Poo.
At least I got some writing done today, as well as laundry and some hauskleening. Tomorrow I need to grade papers - and go to the workout room.
I have decided that I need to lose 20 lbs. No kidding, this year has not been kind to me, and this semester has been excruciating in the "is THAT my ass?" department. None of my clothes fit right. Today I tried on a pair of worn old brown cords that I love for slumming around the house on a Saturday and they were marginally almost comfortable - until I sat down. Then I thought my gut was going to implode. Yeah. Bad sign.
So, I am taking advantage of our workout room here at the BeeHive (that's my new name for our apartment complex). It's not very pretty and it often smells fugly, but there are 2 ellipticals and 2 treadmills, and a sauna. And it's free. And I have no excuse not to be in there 3 days a week for at least 30 minutes each session. I mean krist, I have an iPod arm band and everything.
I refuse to buy myself any clothes (other than workout clothes) until I've dropped at least 10 pounds. There will be no "xmas present for myself" in the area of clothing items this year, unless I have shed some thigh fat between now and Dec. 24.
And yes, we are headed to my Filipino in-laws for T'giving week, which means I really have to be on my best behavior. 'Twill be difficult with all the chips and candy and sweets and fattening food abounding at their house. 'Twill be a test of my mettle.
It's 6:20 p.m. and already dark. Poo.
At least I got some writing done today, as well as laundry and some hauskleening. Tomorrow I need to grade papers - and go to the workout room.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
A RED SOX PRAYER
OUR FATHER, WHO ART AT FENWAY...
BASEBALL BE THY GAME.
THEY KINGDOM COME,
THE WORLD SERIES TO BE WON,
ON EARTH, THEN ON TO THE CASK 'N FLAGON.
GIVE US THIS DAY A PERFECT PAPI,
AND FORGIVE US OUR LOSSES,
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE,
LIKE BILL BUCKNER.
AND LEAD US NOT INTO DESPRERATION,
BUT DELIVER US FROM ANY LOSSES.
FOR THINE IS THE POWER,
AND THE GLORY,
TO BEAT THE ROCKIES,
FOREVER AND EVER....THE YANKEES SUCK
A-MEN.
GO SOX
BASEBALL BE THY GAME.
THEY KINGDOM COME,
THE WORLD SERIES TO BE WON,
ON EARTH, THEN ON TO THE CASK 'N FLAGON.
GIVE US THIS DAY A PERFECT PAPI,
AND FORGIVE US OUR LOSSES,
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE,
LIKE BILL BUCKNER.
AND LEAD US NOT INTO DESPRERATION,
BUT DELIVER US FROM ANY LOSSES.
FOR THINE IS THE POWER,
AND THE GLORY,
TO BEAT THE ROCKIES,
FOREVER AND EVER....THE YANKEES SUCK
A-MEN.
GO SOX
When it rains...
It pours, as the saying goes, and right now it's pouring (figuratively and literally).
A quick recap of the last few days:
1. Had my observation at Out-of-Town-University on Thursday. It went something like this:
(thanks to B. for this vid)
The thing about my observation is that she didn't give me any positive feedback, other than a general acknowledgement that it didn't suck completely. "Overall it was fine and you were in control of the class, but I'd just like to point a couple things out." This statement was followed by 40 minutes of criticism and suggestions, not all of which were even helpful.
2. After that, I drove to Boston for a fun if hectic weekend. The main event was JEB's wedding, for which I did a reading (and did a fine job, I must say). JEB - or rather now I guess I need to call her JET - was resplendent. She was quite stressed out the night of the rehearsal and dinner, which she came to call The Freakshow. But I reminded her that a bad dress rehearsal portends a fabulous performance. The wedding was gorgeous and simple, a Catholic Mass, and the reception was perfect. JET looked like the happiest girl in the world, and so did her new husband. Only, you know, he's a boy. And stuff.
3. Also got to visit another childhood friend of mine and his family. They have done very well for themselves; their house is bigger than our apartment building and the parking lot together.
4. Got to videotape Owen taking a few wobbly steps, and also had some good 1:1 time with my nephew during my visit to their house. My niece is so sweet; she baked and frosted brownies and made us divine coffee for dessert.
5. A bit of sad news - my sister-in-law from my bro's first marriage has COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). We were all supposed to have dinner together on Sunday, but she had to cancel because she wasn't feeling good. She's been a heavy smoker since her teenage years, and now she's in her 50s.
6. Raced back to NY yesterday and had to pull my head together to prep for this morning's class at Out-of-Town-University, which I was dreading. But it did go well; I'm trying a couple new things after my disappointing observation feedback.
I've decided for the remainder of the semester at OOTUniversity, I am focusing on two things and two things only: 1. How to help my students succeed and 2. What I can learn to make me a better teacher. I am not going to think about my supervisor, or the program, or the school, or the drive (although that will be difficult). This is about me and teaching, and nothing else.
And of course our beloved Red Sox are in the World Series, so there's hope for us all. It was exciting to watch those ALCS games with my brother. The night of the wedding, the DJ kept us up to date with the score, and the entire reception hall erupted in cheers every time the Sox scored another run. Good times! Whenever the Sox got a run and I'd call Bizarro to gloat, he'd answer his phone with either "Shut up, just shut up!" or "It's early, don't worry." So much for your little white towels, Cleveland!
Halloween is coming up; I have to figure out my costume. As if I don't have enough shit to do.
A quick recap of the last few days:
1. Had my observation at Out-of-Town-University on Thursday. It went something like this:
(thanks to B. for this vid)
The thing about my observation is that she didn't give me any positive feedback, other than a general acknowledgement that it didn't suck completely. "Overall it was fine and you were in control of the class, but I'd just like to point a couple things out." This statement was followed by 40 minutes of criticism and suggestions, not all of which were even helpful.
2. After that, I drove to Boston for a fun if hectic weekend. The main event was JEB's wedding, for which I did a reading (and did a fine job, I must say). JEB - or rather now I guess I need to call her JET - was resplendent. She was quite stressed out the night of the rehearsal and dinner, which she came to call The Freakshow. But I reminded her that a bad dress rehearsal portends a fabulous performance. The wedding was gorgeous and simple, a Catholic Mass, and the reception was perfect. JET looked like the happiest girl in the world, and so did her new husband. Only, you know, he's a boy. And stuff.
3. Also got to visit another childhood friend of mine and his family. They have done very well for themselves; their house is bigger than our apartment building and the parking lot together.
4. Got to videotape Owen taking a few wobbly steps, and also had some good 1:1 time with my nephew during my visit to their house. My niece is so sweet; she baked and frosted brownies and made us divine coffee for dessert.
5. A bit of sad news - my sister-in-law from my bro's first marriage has COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). We were all supposed to have dinner together on Sunday, but she had to cancel because she wasn't feeling good. She's been a heavy smoker since her teenage years, and now she's in her 50s.
6. Raced back to NY yesterday and had to pull my head together to prep for this morning's class at Out-of-Town-University, which I was dreading. But it did go well; I'm trying a couple new things after my disappointing observation feedback.
I've decided for the remainder of the semester at OOTUniversity, I am focusing on two things and two things only: 1. How to help my students succeed and 2. What I can learn to make me a better teacher. I am not going to think about my supervisor, or the program, or the school, or the drive (although that will be difficult). This is about me and teaching, and nothing else.
And of course our beloved Red Sox are in the World Series, so there's hope for us all. It was exciting to watch those ALCS games with my brother. The night of the wedding, the DJ kept us up to date with the score, and the entire reception hall erupted in cheers every time the Sox scored another run. Good times! Whenever the Sox got a run and I'd call Bizarro to gloat, he'd answer his phone with either "Shut up, just shut up!" or "It's early, don't worry." So much for your little white towels, Cleveland!
Halloween is coming up; I have to figure out my costume. As if I don't have enough shit to do.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Asleep at the Wheel
I caught my eyelids drooping a few times on the ride home today. What a shitty day at work - and I was exhausted to begin with. Haven't had a good night's sleep in about a week and it's starting to take its toll. Every night I have intensely hyper-vivid dreams, often anxiety dreams, and every morning at 5:00 I wake up like clockwork. Then I have to try to go back to sleep, which ain't always easy with the freight train running through my bedroom (that would be Bizarro's snoring), so I come out to the futon in the LR for a couple hours before I have to get up.
I need me one of these to get to work and get home faster:
www.paleo-future.blogspot.com
I need me one of these to get to work and get home faster:
www.paleo-future.blogspot.com
Monday, October 15, 2007
Catching Up
Monday is my work-from-home day. Lots of grading, lesson planning and prep work for the week. Even more so this week - I'm being observed and I have to turn in a formal lesson plan, rather than my usual hand-written notes. And of course I'm leaving for Boston on Thursday for my friend's wedding, so that puts a bit of a crunch on the beginning of the week. Nothing I can't handle, though.
Breathing the same air as His Holiness the Dalai Lama last week has made me a better person. I'm feeling a little less combative in general, not as ready to see a confrontation even when there isn't one. I realize I've spent a lot of time being pissed off about nothing, and not able to see the bounty that is in front of me. Sort of like the 4 of Cups in the tarot deck.
I'm starting to think about the holidays - esp. Thanksgiving because I'm not sure if we're having dinner here at our place, or if we are going to Cleveland to be with the Bizarros. I sure hope we find out soon what the plan is, because I have some logistics to work out if we're doing dinner here. Yes, I know it's only ("only") Oct. 15, but I will be out of town for the next two weekends in a row, and then it will be November. Yikes!
Breathing the same air as His Holiness the Dalai Lama last week has made me a better person. I'm feeling a little less combative in general, not as ready to see a confrontation even when there isn't one. I realize I've spent a lot of time being pissed off about nothing, and not able to see the bounty that is in front of me. Sort of like the 4 of Cups in the tarot deck.
I'm starting to think about the holidays - esp. Thanksgiving because I'm not sure if we're having dinner here at our place, or if we are going to Cleveland to be with the Bizarros. I sure hope we find out soon what the plan is, because I have some logistics to work out if we're doing dinner here. Yes, I know it's only ("only") Oct. 15, but I will be out of town for the next two weekends in a row, and then it will be November. Yikes!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Auspicious Rain
It is raining, which means the temps will finally come down to normal for this time of year. And, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is in town! I am looking forward to seeing him and hearing him speak tomorrow.
Today was another day of hair-pulling at Out of Town University. Once again, the air con was busted in the building where I teach, and the classroom was, according to the thermostat, 80 degrees. Stifling - no fan, nothing. Just hot air and 17 bodies packed into a room only meant to hold about 20.
I also forgot my key again this morning, which isn't a catastrophe because I can just get the spare key in my boss' office, but how embarrassing is it to have to ask for it a second time? I need a better system.
We were offline for a couple days over the weekend - the wireless contract finally ran out and we hadn't yet set up the Road Runner stuff. So Saturday night I went to go online with the cable and it wouldn't go. At all. I spent 45 minutes on the phone with Time Warner/RR (most of which was on hold) only to have them tell me that it must be something with the "business contract" so it was up to me to figure out what the problem was with my apartment manager (since the apartment complex provides the service). Luckily, the manager was able to get the RR guy down here on Monday and figure out what was wrong (took him an hour). The shitty thing is that the 2nd modem is in the living room - and my desk is in the office. Of course Bizarro has the modem in the office by his desk. So for now my computer sits uncomfortably in front of the fire place until we get a wireless router for this puppy.
Oh, and the other thing that happened Saturday night - I cleaned the kitchen and refrigerator, put a bunch of stuff down the garbage disposal -- only to have it all regurgitated into the tub. RotoRooter was out here at 10:00 at night at the behest of the emergency on-call maintenance dude. The plumber was really nice and I asked him whether he investigated paranormal activity in his spare time like those TAPS guys. He laughed and said "No, but I love that show. Those guys are awesome!"
All in all not a bad week so far, although I haven't done any writing in days and days. It's a busy time, and I'm really looking forward to having some time over the winter to write and work on my film.
Ah well, time for some hot cocoa.
Today was another day of hair-pulling at Out of Town University. Once again, the air con was busted in the building where I teach, and the classroom was, according to the thermostat, 80 degrees. Stifling - no fan, nothing. Just hot air and 17 bodies packed into a room only meant to hold about 20.
I also forgot my key again this morning, which isn't a catastrophe because I can just get the spare key in my boss' office, but how embarrassing is it to have to ask for it a second time? I need a better system.
We were offline for a couple days over the weekend - the wireless contract finally ran out and we hadn't yet set up the Road Runner stuff. So Saturday night I went to go online with the cable and it wouldn't go. At all. I spent 45 minutes on the phone with Time Warner/RR (most of which was on hold) only to have them tell me that it must be something with the "business contract" so it was up to me to figure out what the problem was with my apartment manager (since the apartment complex provides the service). Luckily, the manager was able to get the RR guy down here on Monday and figure out what was wrong (took him an hour). The shitty thing is that the 2nd modem is in the living room - and my desk is in the office. Of course Bizarro has the modem in the office by his desk. So for now my computer sits uncomfortably in front of the fire place until we get a wireless router for this puppy.
Oh, and the other thing that happened Saturday night - I cleaned the kitchen and refrigerator, put a bunch of stuff down the garbage disposal -- only to have it all regurgitated into the tub. RotoRooter was out here at 10:00 at night at the behest of the emergency on-call maintenance dude. The plumber was really nice and I asked him whether he investigated paranormal activity in his spare time like those TAPS guys. He laughed and said "No, but I love that show. Those guys are awesome!"
All in all not a bad week so far, although I haven't done any writing in days and days. It's a busy time, and I'm really looking forward to having some time over the winter to write and work on my film.
Ah well, time for some hot cocoa.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Down Sick
I am sick AGAIN, can you believe it? It's only been two months since the last time. This is a head cold and I think I've got it mostly under control - piles of echinacea, zinc, Vit. C., Elderberry, garlic, and tea. And water, of course. yesterday I made it to the qigong class that I missed last week - in hopes that it would help my body reconstruct its immune system.
I'm home from Out of Town University today - couldn't bear the driving and didn't think I'd be very effective in class anyway. My head feels like it's going to explode.
I suppose if I'm to get sick it's best to do it now and not next week (The Dalai Lama is visiting our little town) or the week after, when I'm going to Boston for JEB's wedding.
I'm to viist Momazoo on Sunday - didn't go last weekend and I really must go this weekend. I hope I'm over the contagious part of this cold by then - should be.
So much fun!
I'm home from Out of Town University today - couldn't bear the driving and didn't think I'd be very effective in class anyway. My head feels like it's going to explode.
I suppose if I'm to get sick it's best to do it now and not next week (The Dalai Lama is visiting our little town) or the week after, when I'm going to Boston for JEB's wedding.
I'm to viist Momazoo on Sunday - didn't go last weekend and I really must go this weekend. I hope I'm over the contagious part of this cold by then - should be.
So much fun!
Closer than we think!
Check out the wonderful art and descriptions at this entry on Paleo-Future.
I can feel another screenplay being hatched in my mind - thematically based on the future that never was.
I can feel another screenplay being hatched in my mind - thematically based on the future that never was.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Monday Evening
What an incredibly beautiful day outside - and me in here all freaking day grading papers and taking naps. I haven't been feeling well for the last 48 hours and today it was all I could do to get eight papers graded of the 16 I have to finish for Thursday. Plus the other 16 from my other class, plus the eight more first drafts that will be handed in tomorrow. Jeezus fucking Keerist on a pogo stick WHAT WAS I THINKING? Seriously, teaching two totally different classes - one ESL, one screenwriting - is a mistake I will never repeat again. Especially not with one an hour away. I can't wait for this semester to be over so I can get back to business as usual.
I got some writing done this weekend, which is good, but other than that I feel like the last 3 days have been pointless (not counting all the QT with Bizarro on Saturday, which was wonderful).
I'm already resenting tomorrow morning's drive.
PMP is having work issues as well, and I'd like to say, for the record, that those people need to quit dumping on the T.A. Because she's incredibly smart, talented, and has a monumental work-ethic, they are treating her like their bitch. My opinion only, understand, but I know these people - I used to work for them - and I know they have no boundaries, shitty communication skills, and unrelenting expectations that have caused a high percent of turn over in their teachers, starting with the teacher who left before me - that was three years ago. Maybe this is all TMI, but I get pretty pissed off when I hear they've dumped some new piece of shit project on someone because they don't want to deal with it or they don't know what else to do. Delegating work does not mean emailing someone over the weekend to tell them they'll have a new high-stakes, high-profile project to start on Monday!
Whew. A bit of a rant there. Clearly I still have issues over that place. Damn fucking right I do! I moved here for the job I held there, and it turned into such a nightmare that I had to go into both physical therapy and mental health counseling by the end of my first semester. They chew people up and spit them out in that place. I had to leave for my own sanity, and have been struggling to make ends meet ever since. It was supposed to have been THE JOB out of grad school. Yeah. Right.
Don't get me wrong - I'm very pleased to be teaching screenwriting again, which wouldn't have come about if I hadn't left that awful place. And I wouldn't be writing and dreaming if I were still there. I'd probably have flung myself off a gorge ages ago had I chosen to stay.
Okay, more rant. Sorry, PMP. I know you can handle a lot of work - more work than the average bear. But the question is: SHOULD you?
I got some writing done this weekend, which is good, but other than that I feel like the last 3 days have been pointless (not counting all the QT with Bizarro on Saturday, which was wonderful).
I'm already resenting tomorrow morning's drive.
PMP is having work issues as well, and I'd like to say, for the record, that those people need to quit dumping on the T.A. Because she's incredibly smart, talented, and has a monumental work-ethic, they are treating her like their bitch. My opinion only, understand, but I know these people - I used to work for them - and I know they have no boundaries, shitty communication skills, and unrelenting expectations that have caused a high percent of turn over in their teachers, starting with the teacher who left before me - that was three years ago. Maybe this is all TMI, but I get pretty pissed off when I hear they've dumped some new piece of shit project on someone because they don't want to deal with it or they don't know what else to do. Delegating work does not mean emailing someone over the weekend to tell them they'll have a new high-stakes, high-profile project to start on Monday!
Whew. A bit of a rant there. Clearly I still have issues over that place. Damn fucking right I do! I moved here for the job I held there, and it turned into such a nightmare that I had to go into both physical therapy and mental health counseling by the end of my first semester. They chew people up and spit them out in that place. I had to leave for my own sanity, and have been struggling to make ends meet ever since. It was supposed to have been THE JOB out of grad school. Yeah. Right.
Don't get me wrong - I'm very pleased to be teaching screenwriting again, which wouldn't have come about if I hadn't left that awful place. And I wouldn't be writing and dreaming if I were still there. I'd probably have flung myself off a gorge ages ago had I chosen to stay.
Okay, more rant. Sorry, PMP. I know you can handle a lot of work - more work than the average bear. But the question is: SHOULD you?
Monday Morning
Ugh. I can't believe I'm up. I am still so tired I could sleep a couple more hours.
But I have work to do - work that didn't get done this weekend. On Saturday, Bizarro and I went to the Farmers Market as usual, then to the Ithacon, then to the Apple Festival. In the evening we went to Borders for a little while - I used my Borders Rewards points and a 20% off coupon to pick up "Singin' In The Rain" - a double disc set with a documentary, original song performances, etc. etc. Was extremely disappointed when I got it home, popped it in, and realized it wasn't wide screen. Grrrr. Those heathens.
Time to grade papers...
But I have work to do - work that didn't get done this weekend. On Saturday, Bizarro and I went to the Farmers Market as usual, then to the Ithacon, then to the Apple Festival. In the evening we went to Borders for a little while - I used my Borders Rewards points and a 20% off coupon to pick up "Singin' In The Rain" - a double disc set with a documentary, original song performances, etc. etc. Was extremely disappointed when I got it home, popped it in, and realized it wasn't wide screen. Grrrr. Those heathens.
Time to grade papers...
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