Scomin' Up

(like a flower...)

Spring is only a couple days away. It feels so good to say it! I've worn sandals this week. My toes look up to the sun and yelp for joy. Soon my skin will no longer be translucent white! I will not look like a derned vampyr what with my jagged eye teeth and my see-through skin and clammy-cold texture.

I have started to think about where else I'd like to live, if I do have to go elsewhere for a job. San Diego keeps coming to mind #1. It just keeps coming up in conversation and in random places, and it's been in my head for awhile. Boston is cool but very expensive. It's the only place I would consider living in the Northeast at this point.

In any case, if I need to go, I am going to a place with a shoreline. As in with an ocean, not some namby-pamby fresh water slime-bottomed lake. [Addendum: What is with you, lakes? You think you're so cool with your wineries and your chataus-on-the-you and your rowing teams splashing around. Really. You are SLIMY. That truth cannot be dismissed, ignored or excused. You have no oysters, no shrimp, no dolphins. You are NOT an ocean and therefore you are less-than. There. I said it.]

Also, I had to yell at my students yesterday. Not all of them deserved it but then again it's always good to answer the question "why do I write." It's a reminder of what part of you enjoys the torture. And I told those who couldn't answer the question with anything more than "it's cool, I'll get laid, maybe I can move to Hollywood" they probably are in the wrong business.

Then I went out drinking afterwards. Met SMJ and Kyle after picking up Bizarro (who actually WENT OUT on a week night). It was great craic as the Irish say.

Okay, after the last 3 image entries, I'll actually write something.

Well, first off is good news. The Rehab folks think Mom is doing so well that she'll be discharged from rehab on Dec. 1 or thereabouts. This is far better than we could have expected. It also means I have to kick things into high gear early next week to get home health aides in the picture.

I only have 2.5 more weeks at the Chorch, and I'm counting down the seconds. I love my co-workers, but I need a break from this break-neck schedule. With the extra class at the community college next semester, I will be just busy enough, leaving time for handing Mom-stuff and keeping some energy set aside for writing and hopefully getting published and moving forward in '09 with getting an agent. That was a goal for '08 that disappeared when things got bad with Mom's health.

Next week is of course "gorge yourself on rich foods and then sit on your ass for 4 days" week. My Bro is coming on Tuesday the 25th, we are leaving for Cleveland on the 26th and returning Saturday the 29th. I am looking forward to a change of scenery and being pampered a little bit. Not that I should feel good about my 70-something mother-in-law cooking for me, but there is no way to stop her. Although, she does let me help for Thanksgiving dinner, at least. But the rest of the time she insists on feeding us like were were children totally dependent on her. Which is exactly how she likes it. But I know that feeding us is how she shows her love. And actually, Dad is the same way. He cooks, too. Especially breakfast, which is Bizarro's favorite part - bacon, sausage and eggs EVERY MORNING.

Over all right now I'm feeling okay and the stress levels are the lowest they've been in weeks. I am going out tonight to meet a friend of mine, Kyle, from grad school (linguistics) who is currently doing his PhD here at the School on the Hill. Bizarro ran into him randomly at a Starfucks a couple months ago, and this is the first chance we've had to get together and shoot the shit. It's so comforting when people from the past re-enter your life at random moments. Particularly someone who knows some of your history and shares some of the same professional/academic experiences. It'll be grand to have another friend in The City on The Edge of Forever.

Next week I'm going back to Yoga class, which will kick my ass again since it's been 3 weeks since I was there last. I've done some at home but not as regularly as I'd have liked, between being sick and coming home exhausted at 8 p.m. every night from the hospital or nursing home.

One last thing to add - I'm officially addicted to watching "House, M.D." Hugh Laurie is intense and I would totally do him. Not as House, you understand, but in a general way.