I Have Seen the Dark Side

and it's name is. . .Facebook! Yes, I have been sucked into the black hole of the internet world and am just spiraling around and around.

I can't remember when I created my wall but it was under pressure (thanks Jen). Well, I created that one and MySpace because people kept telling me how easy it was to use to connect and blah blah. I wasn't using it much until lately. That's what happens when you get the flu and feel too blech to do much. So, I go on there and see that I have almost 100 requests. What are they? Mainly they were friends giving me things from games. So, naturally, being me I feel compelled to gift back which then leads to me being signed up for a bunch of games.

Harmless right?

Uh huh. Well, most of the are for the ADD afflicted which is probably why you can get sucked into so many at once. Like me cause we all know I love games ( I am an admitted pogo addict). So now I am playing a lot of them at once and trying to manage everything else.

I am sure that the novelty will wear off. It usually does. I pretty much make sure that any of the games where things are timed while you are away (like the crops going bad in Farmville) are not really doing anything unless I know I have time for it the next day. The rest can wait.

Still, it is an evil soul sucking time wasting internet entity and I have been seduced.

Last Catch Up of the Year

I can't believe that the semester is almost over. Well, technically the classes are. Finals will be over this Friday. The semester is kind of a blur because so much was going on.

Basically life was broken down into school, health and home stuff.

Classes went as usual though I have to say that the majority of my students were very good this semester. I mean, I usually get a bunch of good classes but they seem to come in clusters with at least one more obviously lagging behind the others despite me giving them the same material. This semester, however, all of the classes were pretty decent. They were all very supportive of each other and there wasn't a sens of distance in any of them. There was one that was particularly close to each other and the atmosphere was always lively. And there was one that was pretty subdued but I think that was the hour because they had moments. lol So, I am pleased with them and the finals I've read are looking pretty good overall.

I got sick THREE times this semester. All three hit me over weekends so I don't know exactly what each one was but it doesn't matter. Hell, I was stuck in a damn box all semester. The rooms I was in for most of my classes had no windows and I question the ventilation. So, germs of all kind were rampant.

The first one I got hit with was a very nasty cold right after my last entry. It felt like I had razor blades in my throat. It started out feeling like the one I had in the spring but it was much worse. I lost my voice and even had to cancel classes. That one took about two weeks to get rid of (probably because I only canceled a day). The second one was a relapse about two weeks after getting better. It wasn't as bad. That one was partially Michael getting it and my students having it. The third was the beginning of November. That one was one of the flus. Which one? Dunno cause, again, it was the weekend and I didn't get checked out. Probably the swine since I had a fever but I really don't care. You treat them the same way. Niquil was my friend. lol

Actually that last one was partially brought on by me leaving the Hallmark job. Couldn't do it anymore. It was just too much stress for so little gain. We just weren't being given enough hours to produce results that they expected and that I could live with. I felt much more relaxed after leaving which signaled my body that I was in "break" mode (like at the end of a semester). You know, where your body goes, "Oh, good, I have time to get rid of all of the gunk at once." lol The good thing was that hit around the time the students were doing library research so I didn't have to cancel class. I think that was about the time I started becoming a Facebook game addict. lol

Home stuff wasn't anything hectic. I include friends with that. Had to help a friend through a major meltdown around Halloween that took up a lot of my free time for about two weeks. That was probably also why I got sick again because once the stress and worry of that relaxed, I'd almost burned out. But I've been so slack on things (mainly communication) that I wasn't going to flake when I was really needed. And that's just the point, all, you need me, you let me know. Otherwise, I will assume all is well and life is flowing quickly along for you as it is for me.

Anyway, Michael and I thought of giving Chug back to the adoption group because we are hardly home and when we are we're so worn out. The computer games are just a way for me to zone. We thought that we weren't being fair to him but they have convinced us otherwise. I mean, he gets to be with us when we are home. And he doesn't even require us for playing outside because he just loves to run with his ball on his own. lol We throw it but he just takes off afterward and runs like a mad wuppy (our nickname for him).

We broke down and did a credit max at Value Furniture for a new bed to help Michael's back. The one I bought back in '03 is a firm one and even though we had a 2 inch memory foam topper on it, he was starting to have problems. So, we found a good deal on a king (cause if we were gonna do a bed we might as well get the bigger one we wanted since we both sprawl) with a 4 inch topper. Michael took the topper we had, folded, and cut it for his half of the bed so that he actually has 8 inches of padding. lol Well, it worked and he is more than happy that we did it. And since he hates credit, that says a lot. Me? I was ok either way. I sleep equally "well" on most beds. We got it right before Thanksgiving.

Oh, and Michael got me the vacuum cleaner I wanted. Yay!! I know, I'm such a dork to be excited over a vacuum but we needed one, especially with the dog. They say that greyhounds don't shed much but. . .they may have been on crack when they said that. lol Seriously though, a Swiffer is just not good enough. So now I have a new Hoover Platinum (thank you Best Buy card). Michael wanted us to have a bagged vacuum and I also wanted it because it comes with a handheld for quick cleaning. Well, let me tell you, they are both very powerful. Considering how many cheap vacuums I've gone through, I should have just done this years ago. Ah, well, now I have a good solid one. Yay!!

We had a good Thanksgiving. Went to lunch with the in-laws to one of the local restaurants. That was a nice time. We're supposed to go to his brother's house for Christmas. Looking forward to that. For the evening we went to his "second" family's. That was fun too. Nice to have family time.

Well, that pretty much wraps up the past few months.

There are days I really love my job (more than usual). Been talking on and off to students as I write this and this would be one of those days. I like it when I can chat with them one on one about various things and just have moments. I don't worry about the reviews anymore. That passed away a long time ago because, for the most part, they are consistently good. I worry more about whether or not they have learned something from class. Something that they can take with them into the future and use. And they will. This class is helpful even if it is not in an obvious way. They may never have to give a public speech again but in other ways, because of the communication and information they have been subjected to, they will perform in some way. That makes me happy.

Quick Note

Just a quick note to say that I will write a longer post today to catch everything up. A resolution for 2010? Write more!! lol

What?!?

Two months!! THAT'S how long it's been? Good grief.

I kept thinking of things to write about and thinking I'd get to do them. . .and now a new semester has started again and I'm working six days a week between the jobs. It all just seems to be going poof.

I know I've been a very bad friend when it comes to contact with people. But it is so easy to get caught up in the day to day stuff that unless someone actually calls me on the phone, I don't do anything. . .

Ok. . .YOU don't know that there was a long break there but that last sentence reminded me that I needed to call Cynthia back. See? She called. I posted on her MySpace that I would call back this weekend. And this reminded me. Normally I would call right away but I have been so tired most week nights. Don't believe me? I've been going to bed around 10pm. For me that's early. Even Michael has noticed because I go to sleep before him when he's used to dragging me to bed or making me feel guilty for being awake during what are (for me) normal night hours.

So, I've caught up with her. I called Val earlier and hope she calls me back tomorrow. I feel like there's this weird gap between us since my wedding. Like something happened to bash our friendship. Like I should be holding a clueless sign above my head that I did something to irrevocably alter things. I have no idea. And it may well be that I am just being a paranoid freak. It's not like that's something new.

As for the rest of you. . .I think of you all too. And we all say we'll catch up. AWA is coming up in two weeks so maybe I'll be able to call you all then. It's time for sleep. Hugs to all.

4th of July

We had a pretty good holiday. I hope you all did too.

Michael got into the mood for pizza for lunch. Normally we go to one of the local places for that or to one of the two Greek places listed on our mutual blog because they just simply have the best pizza. I love Greek pizza. Well, we ended up going to try Uno Chicago Grill. I'd passed by there a couple of times and heard they had good pizza. Well, they sure as heck do! The deep pan is just the best crust ever. We think it's actual pie crust because it's so flaky and yummy (like a biscuit). They were running a special where we got a free personal size so I ate a piece of the larger one and one of the smaller. Michael polished off the smaller and had one of the larger. We were both stuffed because they don't skimp on the toppings and the crust is nice and fulfilling. I can't remember the last time I felt full through the half of a second slice of pizza. The larger size is not as big in diameter as most places but because it is denser, we figure that it all works out. We reheated the leftover pizza for lunch today and it was just as delicious. The crust was not hard at all. So, if you have one near you, try it out. We plan on going back because they have a huge menu. This one may just end up pn our favorites list!

After lunch we came home and chilled before going to Jon and Heather's (they live with her mom) for a bbq. They live way up 77 from us at in the middle of nowhere. Two others joined us, Corinna, who works with Jon, and Trevor, a regular customer at the store. I know the latter from my days of working there. Before they arrived, Jon lit the grill (he just bought it on Wednesday). The flames were impressive. And showed no signs of slowing down so they (he and Michael) decided to close the lid. Well, the top vent was still open but the bottom was closed off. Michael had the bright idea after about two minutes of checking on the charcoal. Yeah, I think the flames were just waiting for such a move because they backdrafted out in such a rush that Michael's arm was singed and even Jon (who was further away) lost a few ends. Michael's response to our concern, "Do you have any idea how many times I've lit myself on fire?" He kept thinking it was cool while the rest of us were like, "Holy crap!" In hindsight, I think we should have known that would not be the end of the fire excitement.

Trevor and Corinna arrived and we all ate and chatted. Afterwards we went inside and started a game of Indiana Jones Monopoly. Jon and Heather will be quite the easy couple to buy for because they both think kitschy stuff is cool. Michael and I consider ourselves easy to buy for though that's not what we get told. Hey, you want to spend money on us? Go ahead. We will like whatever it is. But I digress. Jon started out strong and buying up stuff. Heather and I had a hard time landing on anything we could buy. In the end it was a race amongst the guys to see who could buy what. But before we got too into it we went outside to do fireworks.

Good God, Jon and Heather had bought an arsenal! Actually, they said that most of them were buy 1 get 1 so I didn't feel too bad about not putting any moolah into that pot. Michael ended up taking over the lighting from Jon (just like he did the burger flipping) because, well, Michael loooooves boom booms. I swear, I don't know how his mother survived his childhood. The more I learn the more I wonder at his intact existence. Give Michael fire and he's a happy boy. Maybe he was a pyromaniac in another life.

Anyway, all was going well until Michael tried lighting two multi-shooters off at the same time. We think one bounced into the other and they fell over. Next thing we know, we have fireworks going off in all sorts of unpredictable directions. One flew straight down the road like a roadrunner. A few shot up in the air. Another went towards the field and woods across from the house (that had a potential for disaster trailing after it). But the two "best" ones came right after each other. The first headed towards the cars but safely landed behind Jon's car. The latter dove into a bush and promptly lit the thing on fire. Jon yelled that we had a fire and Michael yelled for water. Heather headed for a bucket of water while Trevor found some kind of tarp. Michael grabbed a bottle of water and I'm not sure what Jon went for. I'd been too far back in the bed of Michael's truck to move quickly so I stayed where I was. I don't know where anything is at their house so I figured it best to stay out of the way unless more help was needed. Corinna was probably in the same thought. Michael doused it first with the bottled water but Trevor got it out with the tarp. He was the hero of the moment. They poured some water on it from Heather's bucket just to be sure. Trevor said he felt bad about silencing God by putting out the burning bush. lol

The rest of the fireworks went off without a problem. They were very pretty. We retired to the game but Corinna bowed out to go home. It was 10:30p so I didn't blame her. The rest of us stayed another hour. Just before we getting ready to leave, Heather's mom comes into the living to say that she smelled smoke and we better check for a fire. Jon thought that she was just smelling the air that had gotten into the house from him bringing in the outside furniture. I said that we had better listen to her and check on the bush. Sure enough, Trevor no sooner leaves than rushes back in to say that the thing is on fire again. Michael and I went for the bucket again. I found a pitcher while Michael grabbed the bucket. I ended up filling that thing twice just to make sure. We doused it damn good this time and I stamped out an ember that tried to escape. And no, it didn't light up again. Let me tell you, that was fun. They don't have a hose which would have helped stop it completely the first time but I guess we needed the extra adrenaline rush for the ride home.

Overall, it was a good day. We made it home just before 1am. As Jon says, "Good times."

Busy Busy

This week went fast. I got a decent bit done though so that could be why.

I finished up with the FJ class. The students wanted to go to dinner last night so we went to Miyo's on Forest Drive. They wanted to buy me dinner. Isn't that sweet? Michael was able to join us and we had a good time. They're a great group of people. I still need to turn in my grades but that won't take long.

I made up the Summer II syllabus and posted it for my class. I also emailed them and sent a list of people who are selling their book. Go me. That class starts next Tuesday.

I did get some writing done on the dissertation. Val, Andi, get up off the damn floor. Smart alecs. I essentially have the next segment of my theory chapter down. I need to look into a few things to see if I want to add anything but I think it's fine right now. 3 more to go once that's tweaked.

Michael just splurged (on credit) for a 32" LCD tv for the kitchen. See, we have been rearranging stuff. We broke down the kitchen table (because we never use it anyway since we don't have the chairs anymore -- we've been planning on replacing them for ages but keep putting it off) and the living room table and put the pieces in the spare bathroom (until the attic is no longer an oven or someone wants them). We moved the treadmill from the spare bedroom to the kitchen because Chug's crate takes up too much space for me to use it in there. Now, we do have a perfectly good older tv dinosaur but since those are quickly going the way of the dodo and way a freaking ton, Michael wanted us to get a new one. And wouldn't you know, Best Buy was having a sale on their already low priced Dynex. We looked at them on Monday for the hell of it and they were the normal price of $379. But right now they are $300. Pretty good freaking deal and the picture quality is decent. So, while I am writing this, Michael is setting it up. This means I will be able to get back on the treadmill with something entertaining to look at. I can start catching up on all of the tv shows I've been wanting to see. Yay! Seriously, I can get back into the walking routine cause it is way too freaking hot outside.

So, now the kitchen has some space. The spare bedroom is a work in progress but that's only because there's room for bookshelves. lol Seriously though, I have been tweaking it as much as possible. We'll eventually get it together. . .and then we'll just want to change it again. lol Isn't that how it goes?

Have a good 4th!

People Are. . .

You get to fill in the title as we go.

So, I got to work a very long shift yesterday for my new Hallmark job. That was fine. We had a ton to do. Believe it or not, Father's Day is huge for cards. Of course, the whole card dept. being stuck in the middle of a Walmart helps a lot. Oh, and we're not talking piddly fixtures, we have nice big wooden ones that are almost a store unto themselves. But I digress.

Anyway, the day after a holiday the plan is to take down all of the leftovers and then either put up the next holiday or something else. Since the next one is Halloween, we put up "summer-flex" until the company says it's time the holiday. Let me tell you. . .that Father's Day cards were decimated. Oh, yeah, we have about 2-3 boxes left of cards to send back but that is but a small percent. And the bargain gift bag section? Poof!! It's like a hoard of locust swarmed the place. Well, I suppose that's an apt analogy for shopping mentality.

Liz and I got there at 7:30a to get at least the card part of it looking good on that side. Btw, don't judge certain parts of a big store like Walmart. Cause if they have a section that is a "brand" name, chances are they have merchandisers who are expected to maintain it. There were a lot of vendors listed in the book so I now have a new perspective on this. Liz and I are the only two Hallmark employees for our Walmart so that could be the case for yours.

Now, I make no bones about the fact that I dislike Walmart about as much as I love Hallmark. Which is to say, a lot. I figure the two balance themselves out. The good thing is that I am not expected to do customer service though I have been a little. That suits me fine because I can ignore people and not feel guilty about it or I can help people if they need it. Mostly I just want to make everything look pretty and get paid for it. lol But helping someone find a card when they are at a loss has been rewarding already.

Which leads me to a major point: don't get upset if you go somewhere the day after a holiday and they have already removed the cards for that holiday. No one did but that was mainly because we happened to have a box of FD cards handy that I offered to let various customers throughout the day look through. I don't think it occurred to Liz to do that until I did and we made about a dozen or so people very happy. One couple even told me that I deserved a raise because I helped them find the perfect card in like two minutes (something told me to suggest a particular one because mostly I just let people paw through the box). lol And, of course, we had people looking for "sale" cards.

Ok, listen up, folks. . .since when have cards been discounted? I mean the single ones, not the boxed cards. Yeah, you can go to the Dollar store and get cheap cards that aren't too bad but that's about it. I have honestly never seen Hallmark or any other store that sells single cards sell them at a discount. Unless they were in some kind of bundled deal because they were leftovers. And I can't remember when or if I have ever seen that. So, when I get asked that question and get looked at like I'm nuts and only saying it because my name tag says I work for H., well, give me a break. Oh, and please, all card companies sell cards for a variety of prices but for the most part they are in the same general price range. The average card has gone up to between $2.49 and $4.99. I know this as a long-standing customer of greeting cards and not as a merchandiser. Mom was a card person and she definitely passed that on to me.

Second thing. . .yes, Walmart has an overall "brand" that they put forth. But that doesn't mean that every individual store has the same products. The majority of stuff, sure. However, as with any other store, there will be differences. Hell, the one I work at doesn't even look like the typical Walmart store because they just built it, like, two years ago with a "new" color scheme: creams and browns. And the layout is different (actually none of the Walnarts here are exactly the same layout as the others anyway). So, I can't help it if I want to bite my tongue when someone says something like, "Well, my Walmart has. . ." or "The other Walmart sells. . .". It makes me want to ask them why they don't just shop there. Sheesh

Oh, and for God's sake, do not EVER talk on the phone in the bathroom! If I'm on the phone and you do. . .don't tell me. I so don't want to know. It's bad enough that I would have the image of you in the stall. I realize that you can't actually hear anything but it's the thought that creeps me. I'm sorry, I have never heard a conversation in the bathroom that was life and death for that. Do you know how many students I've had tell me they've lost their phone to the toilet? Sheesh. You're just asking to drop it somewhere icky.

Anyway, I worked a lot but I enjoyed it for the most part. Liz does good work and I was pleased to keep up with her. We did a decent job and that row looked awesome at the end of the day. I know it won't stay that way but I am not letting it bother me. So, when you go and see cards out of place, there's a good chance it was because people just didn't care. I always moved them when I shopped before, now it will probably become just one more thing for Michael to pick at me about. lol

And so. . .

Let me see if I can sum up the year thus far:

Taught nine classes this past spring. Yeah, you heard me right. Doesn't matter that they were all the same course, it was very busy.

Was sick twice: once in January when that nasty bug was going around and then right after Easter. The second time lasted longer with me hacking for a month. That was because I got hit with the worst allergy year to date. March and April were soooo much fun. I hate this stupid state.

We are new parents of a bouncing baby horse. Well, not really a horse though he's big enough. 84 pounds of whipcord and muscle. His name is Chugalug (that was so not our idea) and he's a 4-year-old brindle rescued greyhound. I'll post pics later. I wanted a dog and Michael kind of did too but agreeing on one was a chore. He was going for either a greyhound or a dacshund. How's that for size difference? Me? I was fine with either though I would love another German Shepherd puppy from Char-Will Kennels up home in PA. Charlotte is still breeding them.

Anyway, Chug's been a handful to get used to. Most of them are big couch potatoes and have two modes: full speed and sleep. lol Chug turned out more energetic than we had first expected but he's a pretty good dog most of the time. He was way too interested in the cats when we brought him home and they hated him (of course). Now they all just ignore each other. He sleeps well in his crate at night and loves playing with his tennis balls in the backyard. I've never seen anything love to run as much as he does. Yes, I know that's what they're bred for but that doesn't mean they have a joy in it. He just seems to love it.

As for work, right now I am triply employed. I have a class at USC, I'm doing independent contract work (merchandising) and I just started working for Hallmark as a Retail Merchandiser at one of the Walmarts here. Why? Cause we need the money. Why else? The summer is the lean season for me and what I did save up went poof in bills already. (sigh) Also, my fall session is two classes shy of the spring and I started paying back my student loans this past March/April (don't remember exactly which one).

The Evening School created a new position in the fall that is temporary right now but may go tenure track next year. I applied because it was half the classes for better pay (though I still would have needed at least one or two more to balance it all out) but they went with someone else. Someone not as experienced as me. Very nice person but still. And why this other person? Oh, the reason I got was because they want me to finish my dissertation. Uh huh. Yeah, I told them that it was obvious they weren't math majors when saying that I needed more time to do it was off by not the position since I will still be doing 7 and not 4 or 5. And I lost two of "my" sections to the new position. I've been doing the Saturday class and the Fort Jackson ones forever. Nobody else ever wanted them so I have. I've even done the oddest hours for them too. I don't mind the Saturday one so much but I really like my FJ groups. So, to say I am peeved. . .well, yeah. I think the real reason is that they didn't want to try and find someone to cover my daytime sections (the person they gave it to has a newborn and help in the evenings).

So, yeah, so much for loyalty. But I still have classes and all. And yes, I have been given an incentive to get the damn thing written but not for the reasons they want. I was told to apply again for the position next year and that the PhD would help. uh huh So, that is why I started adding extra jobs. But it means I gotta get my rear in gear and get the diss as done as possible this summer.

(sigh) All of this means me still being a phantom of your imagination unless you call or whatnot. I'll try and be in touch via here and online but I've been slack on the emails. Just don't feel like writing much when I'm doing that with the diss, ya know? But we're usually home on Sundays so that's a good time to ring. And some of you have been slack there too. lol Oh, and I may just do Facebook and Myspace more. No promises but that stuff can eat up so much time. You know who you are who spends a lot on there.

Well, I'm typed out. Gonna let my brain chill. Many hugs.

Just a Little Something

See more at I Can Has Cheezburger?

Back Again

Ok, I know I keep teasing you all with promising to post but summer is almost here and I have time to catch up on lots of things. I think. Well, going to try to anyway. So, once I have caught up the other blog, I will post more on here. Oh, and I will be getting into doing more book reviews too.

I should just make a list of all of the things that I need to do so you could see that even when I "have time" it's a relative term.

Hugs.

So. . .

Well, the semester has been hectic as all get out. Let's all just face it that I like to stay busy. It keeps me out of trouble. My fall classes are already set up. I have one less than this semester but it's still a busy time. Which means I need to haul butt on the dissertation this summer. I have finally started it in earnest so that's good. And I have just been given an incentive to get the damn thing done asap.

See, the evening School -- excuse me, the Extended University -- has created a new speech position. It requires teaching four classes in the fall and then four in the spring. Well, this coming year it is a temporary position with no benefits. But I applied anyway. I mean, I do the work anyway so I might as well. They decided to give the position to someone else because they want me to focus on my dissertation. That means that my Saturday class is no longer "mine" because they've made it part of the new position. When I first learned that I was hurt because it was the first one I had ever taught on my own but then another part of me was relieved because it gives me free weekends. So, there is a silver lining.

I may not have gotten the position this time but there is a chance that I could get it next year. They are going to try and make it a permanent tenure track position. That would be good for me to have because that means benefits, etc. Of course, I need to get the PhD done because that will put me in a better position to get the job. No guarantee that I would be given it but there is the underlying suggestion that I would be a major front runner if I had the degree.

So, yeah, I have more incentive now. I said a carrot has been dangled in front of me. Michael said it was more like a piece of Godiva Chocolate cake. lol

This Sucks

I like reading the news on AOL while I eat lunch, dinner, whatever. Lately the news has been shocking grim for the most part. I don't think that's it's because more such things are happening but that we are hearing about them more.

Anyway, I end up finding out that one of the actors, Andy Hallett, I liked best on Angel died yesterday:



Lorne was an awesome character. And Hallett has always reminded me of the southern Kyle in both looks and temperament. I knew that Hallett had been seriously ill back when Angel was nearing its run. I didn't know it was something lasting that would kill him.

So, I am very bummed right now and had to share. And you know what? The title of this entry doesn't even begin to sum it all up.

Yeah Yeah

So sue me for being a slackard with the blog. There have been moments over the past few weeks where I've wanted to write but didn't have time. Isn't that how it always works? But we are still alive.

I can't believe that the end of March is almost upon us. I just picked up two more classes so I'm even more swamped. Currently in the office for my hours right now. Have a student doing make up quizzes. Ah, such is my life.

More to follow as soon as I can. . .

Bwah

And no, I didn't spell that wrong. Just a form of saying blah. I've been sick now for over a week. Stupid weather and being around too many different germs. Actually, it hit my chest which is why I'm having trouble getting rid of it. I rested all last weekend but went to school on Monday and Tuesday even though I sounded like a frog. I did go to the doctor's on Tuesday between classes. Gaye gave me an antibiotic to take only if I didn't get better through taking Mucinex D. Well, I haven't filled the script yet cause the sinus stuff is better. . .it's just lingering. My right ear is clogged now. (sigh) The damn cold keeps changing what it's doing to me.

I actually canceled classes on Wednesday and Thursday if that gives you an idea of how I felt. I ended up with the most horrendous sinus headache on Wednesday. Or as I said to the students online, it felt like my eyeballs wanted to melt from my skull. Plus, I could barely talk. Fortunately, the daytime Thursday people already had off as part of a deal for getting a two day assignment done in one day. But I though I would be able to go in the evening cause I was feeling a little better. Right. Only when I didn't move. I went out for the mail and the cold air hit my lungs and they wanted to jump out of my chest. Real hard to listen to stuff when you're trying not to hack up a lung. So, that one was canceled too.

Since then I have been pretty much home. I went out briefly on Friday to go to the store and yesterday Michael took me for some Mexican since he figured that I could taste. lol But today is all home stuff. Right now I'm writing this to you as a break from reading some of my dissertation work. Yes, you read that right. I got behind again because of the damn cold. But am making a point of reading something today even though my head feels swimmy. No excuse not to read. Besides, I'm simply refreshing myself on stuff I read eons ago so I figure that won't be a problem.

Ok, enough babbling. Time to get back to work. Hope all of you are feeling well. Michael opened up the windows to let some fresh air in since it's like 75 degrees outside. Maybe that will help. Hope you all get some nice weather soon too. Hugs.

Just Peachy

So, once again I have run into my dissertation profs. well, the ones I consider the two biggies anyway. I was happy to see both this time. lol Why? Cause I finally have a direction. Anyway, I found out Dr. Miller's office hours and they work with mine so that's all good. Gonna push to get him a chapter draft next week.

But running into Dr. Geckle (pronounce like the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde dude) has really pushed things into perspective. See, two of my four committee members are retired. And well, normally, they would be allowed to still teach a class every semester if they wanted to. Not anymore. Seems that the university has told all of the retirees to go bye bye. Well, you can imagine why because that is an "easy" cut to the budget. Especially if you have people drawing some kind of pension already. I honestly don't know how much retired professors get payed for a class but I doubt that it's much. Still, it is a cut.

So what does this mean? It means that I don't know if the two retirees can sign off on my diss. Yeah, yeah. All my fault for not getting it done sooner. Whatever. I know someone in the French department who I can ask and would probably be cool but I can't imagine replacing Dr. G. I mean, he is one of my most favorite teachers ever and this is his thing. My topic is just his cup o' tea. So, yea, as he said to me just a few minutes ago, light a fire under it.

(sigh) And if that turns out to be the case that I have to. There goes the promise to myself that I would be more available to you all for chats and what not. Cause if I have to do some pressure writing (which, I admit, is how I work best). . .everything else is gonna go poof but for the teaching. So, be warned. (sheesh)

Really? That long?

Well, whataya know. . .been over a month. Wow. Well, I must do better, eh? I promised a wedding overview, etc so I better deliver over on the other blog. Not tonight though. It's late and typing is not my strong point. Plus I have to get up hella early and walk in the cold. Shut up, northern friends. 20s is col dammit, by anyone's standards. Well, unless you live in the arctic and those are your summer temps. Still. . .brrrrr. Ok, I am making too many typos. . .gonna shower now. Will type this weekend. Hugs.