You know how sometimes the smallest thing can make you happy? Well, my DirectTv now has XM radio stations, and they're great. They have silly names like "the blend" or "the loft" but they are absolutely suited to my taste. When one grows up in the late 70's and early 80's, James Taylor and Linda Rondstat have a lasting effect.
"The Blend is geared toward 40-somethings, "The Loft" more toward 50-somethings. This is my guess, but it's not stated anywhere. Both play music from the last 4 decades, but "The Loft" has more earlier stuff.
Anyway, it makes me smile. I don't know what all the other stations have; I'll have to spin through them to figure it out. It's nice to have music playing that's new, that's not annoying.
What an old person thing to say.
Oh, the picture below? It's the Wonder Dog, deciding, just as I sit down to write this, that it's time to play. He has an obsession with the empty toilet paper roll. He will go into the trash and pick it out if I'm not watching. He did a pretty good number on the roll in the picture before I got it away from him. When I was downloading the picture, he actually went into the bathroom and dug another one out. The guy's got a big basket of toys, and all he wants is that round of cardboard.
Weirdo dog.
So, I've not gotten done anything for school, so today will be a work day. I did get the darn soup finished; which was quite a production given my microscopic kitchen. More of an impression of a kitchen than a real one. I didn't take a picture of it because I was too embarrassed for you to see the messy state my stove and counters were in. Now it's all put into the freezer and fridge in tupperware, and that's a boring picture too.
I learned a lesson this weekend too. I'm not going out with Henrietta, my friend Cynthia's sister, again.
Let's see. I've known Cynthia's family since I was five years old. My first formal dance in high school was with Robert, Cynthia's older brother. He was a year older, Cynthia a year younger, and Henrietta, the same age as my sister, two years younger. Their mom and my dad worked at the same company for several years (until my dad got "laid off" after one particular company picnic where he got roaring drunk).
During high school, Robert and I were in the choir together, so he was more my friend than his sisters were. Cynthia was big into sports and Henrietta, well... she was big into everything. She hung out with the loadies by the oak tree in front of the school, but she was also one of the only 8 songleaders at our school (better than drill team or cheerleader for sure).
I know, I'm prefacing my story too much, but deal with it. It's my way.
Okay. So add Robert to the list of men I've dated who is now gay. That's not any surprise. Either I'm attracted to gay men who have already come out, and I'm just oblivious, or I'm attracted to a man who's conflicted. Dating me, or horror, the idea of sleeping with me, usually is enough to get them to accept their sexual identity.
Glad I have a purpose in life.
So, back to the sisters. Cynthia and I started hanging out after college with Katrina. Katrina had lived a few houses down from the sisters while we were growing up, so they had always been close. Cynthia is smart, quiet and very funny. She's one of those ladylike women who can say something scathingly sarcastic just under her breath, and unless you know her very well, you can't tell if she's kidding or not. I love her. Her sister? Not so much.
Suffice it to say that Henrietta is a fucking princess. She's always driven me nuts, but every few months I forget that and do something with her. She's funny, but she's LOUD. She doesn't want to be the center of attention at the table, no, she needs to be the center of attention at the restaurant. She's given to flinging her arms around dramatically, and pouting in what I believe she thinks is an attractive way. She's also a 39-year-old "actor" who has never had more than bit parts in commercials that air late at night.
No matter. She subscribes to the "you want to be important, you have to act important" school of thought. She thinks nothing of keeping everyone waiting, or inviting herself along when she hasn't been invited, or of sending back a half-full martini with "could you shake this with some ice please? It's not cold enough for me."
She borrows money from Cynthia and never pays it back, yet always has the most expensive and trendy clothes and make-up. She doesn't just drive an SUV, she drives a BMW SUV. I've seen her drop $900 on clothing at one store.
Yet, she is the cheapest woman I know when it comes to anyone else.
Most years, on Friday after Thanksgiving, I resolve to stay as far away from the stores as possible. And every year, Cynthia and Henrietta talk me into hanging out with them. Well, this years appeared to be going the same way.
I've gone on long enough. Stay tuned for Henrietta the Cheapskate.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Friday, November 25, 2005
The Morning After
Okay, so Wednesday night I had officially lost 10% of my body weight. I got a little key chain and they took my picture and everyone clapped for me. It feels good, even though I have so much further to go (farther to go? I know I'm an English teacher, but that one always goofs me up).
And on to Thanksgiving. My friend Katrina and I took our dogs on an early morning walk to get in a little exercise before the feasting began, and Charlie got very very dirty. I had to wash him and wash myself, and be ready to leave by ten in the morning. Almost was too, except for the dead mouse I found in the kitchen right before my mother knocked on the door. Gross.
It's beautiful where I live, but then again, there are more critters here sometimes than I would like.
Got to Sister's house in good time, and it was really nice out; almost but not quite hot. My favorite weather. She had decided to roast the turkey in her outdoor grill; made stuffing in a crockpot (who knew?) and kept the house pretty cool.
Points? weight watcher points? What the hell are those?
Nah. I logged everything I ate, and while it wasn't a low calorie day, I didn't use up every single point for the week. I still have 11.5 points of "overdraft" points left. You'll see.
Sister gave me the turkey carcass and I'm making Mulligatawny soup with it. I make it every year and it is so tasty. This is the Winter of Soup. I'll take a picture of it when I'm done.
And on to Thanksgiving. My friend Katrina and I took our dogs on an early morning walk to get in a little exercise before the feasting began, and Charlie got very very dirty. I had to wash him and wash myself, and be ready to leave by ten in the morning. Almost was too, except for the dead mouse I found in the kitchen right before my mother knocked on the door. Gross.
It's beautiful where I live, but then again, there are more critters here sometimes than I would like.
Got to Sister's house in good time, and it was really nice out; almost but not quite hot. My favorite weather. She had decided to roast the turkey in her outdoor grill; made stuffing in a crockpot (who knew?) and kept the house pretty cool.
Points? weight watcher points? What the hell are those?
Nah. I logged everything I ate, and while it wasn't a low calorie day, I didn't use up every single point for the week. I still have 11.5 points of "overdraft" points left. You'll see.
Sister gave me the turkey carcass and I'm making Mulligatawny soup with it. I make it every year and it is so tasty. This is the Winter of Soup. I'll take a picture of it when I'm done.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
A Wednesday without school
Whoo woo!
It's like a Saturday in the middle of the week. We used to get just Thursday and Friday off for Thanksgiving, but a few years ago, that changed. See, parents were taking kids out of school a day early to get on the road to where ever they are going for Thanksgiving. If we have less kids in school, we get less money. Really. Every time a parent takes a student out for a week, two week, even three week trip to Hawaii or snowboarding or to visit the Grand Canyon, the public school which he or she attends loses money. It's not as if the teachers get paid less for that day, or we use less electricity to turn on the lights and run the school, but that's the way it works.
So, the school board decided to give the students Wednesday off as well. A travel day, if you will.
Well, you can guess what's happened. Now instead of taking one extra day, lots of families decide to just take off for the week, and their students end up missing two days. That, in turn, makes it pretty darn hard to teach those two days, because so many seats are empty. We had a spelling test yesterday, because we have one every Tuesday, but... now I'm going to have to run after all those kids that missed it, and stay in at lunch or after school or something so they can make the test up.
Oh, and it was Pajama Day yesterday. It's fun, but hard to be taken seriously when one is wearing blue paisley, flannel pajamas and fluffy slippers.
I'm about to head off to the store to buy the ingredients for the three pies I'm making. I was only going to make two, but my sister insisted on another one. You know, there's only going to be 7 people there; practically half a pie each sounds right, don't you think?
Here are the three pies:
Rosemary cheddar-crusted Pear Pie (9)
Crumbleberry Pie (14)
Ginger spiced Pumpkin Pie (4)
The numbers after each one are how many weight watcher points each one is worth. I only get 26 points a day. Guess which one is my favorite, and which one I don't really care for?
Grr...
It's like a Saturday in the middle of the week. We used to get just Thursday and Friday off for Thanksgiving, but a few years ago, that changed. See, parents were taking kids out of school a day early to get on the road to where ever they are going for Thanksgiving. If we have less kids in school, we get less money. Really. Every time a parent takes a student out for a week, two week, even three week trip to Hawaii or snowboarding or to visit the Grand Canyon, the public school which he or she attends loses money. It's not as if the teachers get paid less for that day, or we use less electricity to turn on the lights and run the school, but that's the way it works.
So, the school board decided to give the students Wednesday off as well. A travel day, if you will.
Well, you can guess what's happened. Now instead of taking one extra day, lots of families decide to just take off for the week, and their students end up missing two days. That, in turn, makes it pretty darn hard to teach those two days, because so many seats are empty. We had a spelling test yesterday, because we have one every Tuesday, but... now I'm going to have to run after all those kids that missed it, and stay in at lunch or after school or something so they can make the test up.
Oh, and it was Pajama Day yesterday. It's fun, but hard to be taken seriously when one is wearing blue paisley, flannel pajamas and fluffy slippers.
I'm about to head off to the store to buy the ingredients for the three pies I'm making. I was only going to make two, but my sister insisted on another one. You know, there's only going to be 7 people there; practically half a pie each sounds right, don't you think?
Here are the three pies:
Rosemary cheddar-crusted Pear Pie (9)
Crumbleberry Pie (14)
Ginger spiced Pumpkin Pie (4)
The numbers after each one are how many weight watcher points each one is worth. I only get 26 points a day. Guess which one is my favorite, and which one I don't really care for?
Grr...
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Monday, November 21, 2005
Appearances
I have a reputation for making funny faces. My friends all have plenty of blackmail pictures of me... I guess you couldn't really call them blackmail photos, because anyone who knows me, knows I can manipulate my face; who's going to blackmail me with something everyone already knows?
Anyway, I'm a basically attractive person. I'm no amazing beauty, and men do not fall at my feet (for that matter, nor do women). On the other hand, I've never thought I was ugly, and most days, except for wanting to lose weight, I'm fairly happy with my looks.
I feel lucky that my looks have not been much of an issue one way or another. Again, my weight is another story, but that's always been something I could change. My looks aren't so fabulous that I could be a bitch and get away with it (not that I've ever wanted to) but again, they aren't so bad that people avoid me.
There's this friend of mine who has twice now, in the last couple of months, said I looked like I had Down's Syndrome. This wouldn't be so bad if he was commenting on pictures of me making a face, but both times he did it when I showed him what I thought was a pretty good photo. I'm sure he was kidding, but was he? I look at the two photos again, searching for what he was talking about. Why would he say such a specific thing? And why would he say it about what I thought was a good picture of me? I don't have the answer. Maybe it's just his way.
When I was first on line, about 10 years ago now, I filled out several personals. At that time on-line dating was new, and there were about 10 men to every woman. I was popular. For the first time in my life, I felt I was being judged on what was important to me; my intelligence, my wit, my personality. This was before everyone had a digital camera and scanner, so often the person I was speaking to had no idea what I looked like.
Those were the days. I met several men, and one in particular really fell for me. None of the men I met were jerks, although none really worked out either. It was a great big boost to my confidence. I really think men that might not have looked at me twice noticed me when my image wasn't the first thing they saw. Again, it's not that my image is so bad, but I don't turn heads.
Now though, it's not the same. I signed up with Okaycupid, and the only response I got was from a 69 year old man in Michigan who called himself "Papa Smokes."
Ew.
Have you looked at personal on line lately? The woman are all wonderful looking and fit, and the guys are wearing sunglasses and baseball hats. The 45-year-old men are looking for women "21-40" and are fully uninterested in the likes of me. Sometimes the guy is even too lazy to write any answers to the questions on the site:
"Hey, just email me and I'll tell you whatever you want to know."
Who goes to an online personal ad site and then doesn't write anything? I guess, it beats going and writing a detailed, heartfelt profile, and then getting nothing.
Or an email from Papa Smokes.
Anyway, I'm a basically attractive person. I'm no amazing beauty, and men do not fall at my feet (for that matter, nor do women). On the other hand, I've never thought I was ugly, and most days, except for wanting to lose weight, I'm fairly happy with my looks.
I feel lucky that my looks have not been much of an issue one way or another. Again, my weight is another story, but that's always been something I could change. My looks aren't so fabulous that I could be a bitch and get away with it (not that I've ever wanted to) but again, they aren't so bad that people avoid me.
There's this friend of mine who has twice now, in the last couple of months, said I looked like I had Down's Syndrome. This wouldn't be so bad if he was commenting on pictures of me making a face, but both times he did it when I showed him what I thought was a pretty good photo. I'm sure he was kidding, but was he? I look at the two photos again, searching for what he was talking about. Why would he say such a specific thing? And why would he say it about what I thought was a good picture of me? I don't have the answer. Maybe it's just his way.
When I was first on line, about 10 years ago now, I filled out several personals. At that time on-line dating was new, and there were about 10 men to every woman. I was popular. For the first time in my life, I felt I was being judged on what was important to me; my intelligence, my wit, my personality. This was before everyone had a digital camera and scanner, so often the person I was speaking to had no idea what I looked like.
Those were the days. I met several men, and one in particular really fell for me. None of the men I met were jerks, although none really worked out either. It was a great big boost to my confidence. I really think men that might not have looked at me twice noticed me when my image wasn't the first thing they saw. Again, it's not that my image is so bad, but I don't turn heads.
Now though, it's not the same. I signed up with Okaycupid, and the only response I got was from a 69 year old man in Michigan who called himself "Papa Smokes."
Ew.
Have you looked at personal on line lately? The woman are all wonderful looking and fit, and the guys are wearing sunglasses and baseball hats. The 45-year-old men are looking for women "21-40" and are fully uninterested in the likes of me. Sometimes the guy is even too lazy to write any answers to the questions on the site:
"Hey, just email me and I'll tell you whatever you want to know."
Who goes to an online personal ad site and then doesn't write anything? I guess, it beats going and writing a detailed, heartfelt profile, and then getting nothing.
Or an email from Papa Smokes.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
I've been trying to cut and paste
But to no avail.
Blogthings is a site with all these goofy quizzes. Here's one:
http://www.blogthings.com/quickanddirtyiqtest/
I scored 120. Not a total genius, but not bad.
Blogthings is a site with all these goofy quizzes. Here's one:
http://www.blogthings.com/quickanddirtyiqtest/
I scored 120. Not a total genius, but not bad.
How do People see you?
***Slow and Steady***
Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy.
They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder.
It'd really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment.
They expect you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then usually decide against it.
How Do People See You?http://www.blogthings.com/howdopeopleseeyouquiz/
Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy.
They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder.
It'd really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment.
They expect you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then usually decide against it.
How Do People See You?http://www.blogthings.com/howdopeopleseeyouquiz/
Okay, this one is lame. Couldn't be further from the truth except that I walk slowly. I'll try to paste some other ones in.
This one's better: Who were you in High School?
***Arty Kid***
Whether you were a drama freak or an emo poet, you definitely were expressive and unique.
You're probably a little less weird these days - but even more talented!
Who Were You In High School?http://www.blogthings.com/whowereyouinhighschoolquiz/
Whether you were a drama freak or an emo poet, you definitely were expressive and unique.
You're probably a little less weird these days - but even more talented!
Who Were You In High School?http://www.blogthings.com/whowereyouinhighschoolquiz/
This one's funny for me...
***Your Kissing Purity Score: 20% Pure***
For you, it's all kiss and no talk.
You're in a permanent lip lock.
Kissing Purity Testhttp://www.blogthings.com/kissingpuritytest/
For you, it's all kiss and no talk.
You're in a permanent lip lock.
Kissing Purity Testhttp://www.blogthings.com/kissingpuritytest/
how old are you really?
| You Are 32 Years Old |
 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax. |
What Age Do You Act?
Friday, November 18, 2005
Friday morning runny nose
It's been warmer than normal the last few days, and the Santa Ana winds have been blowing at night. That means my nose is red and flaky, and I need those tissues with lotion nearby at all times.
Pretty girl.
I've now lost 22.6 pounds. Almost like losing Charlie, the wonder dog. I have to start really exercising now, because I can already see some flabbiness that used to be filled out with chubbiness.
Problem is, I'm already gone from the house for hours and hours. I got home from work at 7pm last night. I had gone to pick up Charlie at four, went to the bank and straight back to school. I feel like I'm neglecting him already. When I exercise, I want it to be walking with the pooch, not leaving him so I can go work out on a machine. So, what happens is that it gets dark, I don't walk him very far, and I don't exercise very much.
Maybe a video?
So much to do just to avoid being a couch potato.
Pretty girl.
I've now lost 22.6 pounds. Almost like losing Charlie, the wonder dog. I have to start really exercising now, because I can already see some flabbiness that used to be filled out with chubbiness.
Problem is, I'm already gone from the house for hours and hours. I got home from work at 7pm last night. I had gone to pick up Charlie at four, went to the bank and straight back to school. I feel like I'm neglecting him already. When I exercise, I want it to be walking with the pooch, not leaving him so I can go work out on a machine. So, what happens is that it gets dark, I don't walk him very far, and I don't exercise very much.
Maybe a video?
So much to do just to avoid being a couch potato.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Monday, November 14, 2005
will this one work?
So, I wrote a post, and saved it, but decided not to publish it. Some things are better off not being made public.
I wrote a different post, and didn't save it, so of course, the internet ate it up. Figures.
Maybe it was Fate. You know, making me write again, so I write what I need to write, or some Kum-by-ya thing like that.
The other day, Tornwordo wrote about woman having thrown themselves at him all his life. Being one of the women in his life, I immediately made it personal. I shouldn't do that.
After deep thought and introspection, I can honestly say I wasn't one of those women. I don't throw myself at anyone. Could be the reason I'm still single.
Okay, maybe that's not 100% true. I have a faint and embarrassing memory of my early 20's, several Gin and Tonics, and the buddy of my friend's fiance. He was cute, and polite to me, and I developed a little crush as the night went on. As my blood alcohol level went up, my crush increased. This man was going to be the father of my future children.
The last thing I remember about that night (my friends who witnessed it will never let me forget), are my hands on either side of him, on the wall against which I had backed him, and his face flipping from side-to-side as I tried to kiss him..."no...uh... I have a ... uh ... girlfriend.."
Good God. Can you believe I just told you that story? Neither can I.
So, anyway, I will amend what I said above: I rarely throw myself at anyone.
What must it be like to have people throw themselves at you? I don't know the answer to that. I'm not someone against whom people fling themselves.
I'm more of an acquired taste. People tend to have an instant reaction to me; they either like me immediately and think I'm hilarious or think I'm an obnoxious boor. After that, if they stick around, they realize I'm both and neither.
Men do not grovel at my feet. They don't come courting and send me flowers. I've never been whisked away in a limo or an airplane or even a taxi to an exotic local or a fancy restaurant. It's not that I sit at home and pine away for Prince Charming, I just don't run in the circles where that kind of thing happens.
At 41, it happens even less.
The compliment I've heard most from men I've dated is that I have a "warm heart." This is usually said right before they say they "just want to be friends." or "I'm not ready for a relationship right now." or "You know I'm gay, don't you?"
The compliment I've heard most from men I've not dated is, "You're easy to talk to." I tend to fall in love with men that are great friends. If I spend a lot of time with a person because I like that person, and he happens to be a man, there's a good chance I'm going to fall for him.
At the same time, if a man is spending time with me as a friend, he's not thinking of me as a potential romance, so by the time I'm head over heels, he's decided to confide in me about his adoration of his brother-in-law's sister. I'm firmly ensconced in the "buddy" seat.
It's been like this since high school.
I wrote a different post, and didn't save it, so of course, the internet ate it up. Figures.
Maybe it was Fate. You know, making me write again, so I write what I need to write, or some Kum-by-ya thing like that.
The other day, Tornwordo wrote about woman having thrown themselves at him all his life. Being one of the women in his life, I immediately made it personal. I shouldn't do that.
After deep thought and introspection, I can honestly say I wasn't one of those women. I don't throw myself at anyone. Could be the reason I'm still single.
Okay, maybe that's not 100% true. I have a faint and embarrassing memory of my early 20's, several Gin and Tonics, and the buddy of my friend's fiance. He was cute, and polite to me, and I developed a little crush as the night went on. As my blood alcohol level went up, my crush increased. This man was going to be the father of my future children.
The last thing I remember about that night (my friends who witnessed it will never let me forget), are my hands on either side of him, on the wall against which I had backed him, and his face flipping from side-to-side as I tried to kiss him..."no...uh... I have a ... uh ... girlfriend.."
Good God. Can you believe I just told you that story? Neither can I.
So, anyway, I will amend what I said above: I rarely throw myself at anyone.
What must it be like to have people throw themselves at you? I don't know the answer to that. I'm not someone against whom people fling themselves.
I'm more of an acquired taste. People tend to have an instant reaction to me; they either like me immediately and think I'm hilarious or think I'm an obnoxious boor. After that, if they stick around, they realize I'm both and neither.
Men do not grovel at my feet. They don't come courting and send me flowers. I've never been whisked away in a limo or an airplane or even a taxi to an exotic local or a fancy restaurant. It's not that I sit at home and pine away for Prince Charming, I just don't run in the circles where that kind of thing happens.
At 41, it happens even less.
The compliment I've heard most from men I've dated is that I have a "warm heart." This is usually said right before they say they "just want to be friends." or "I'm not ready for a relationship right now." or "You know I'm gay, don't you?"
The compliment I've heard most from men I've not dated is, "You're easy to talk to." I tend to fall in love with men that are great friends. If I spend a lot of time with a person because I like that person, and he happens to be a man, there's a good chance I'm going to fall for him.
At the same time, if a man is spending time with me as a friend, he's not thinking of me as a potential romance, so by the time I'm head over heels, he's decided to confide in me about his adoration of his brother-in-law's sister. I'm firmly ensconced in the "buddy" seat.
It's been like this since high school.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
a lazy post
1) My mother once: Told me I never take care of things. I had just accidentally broken a tiny, hand blown vase she had since childhood. She had given it to me as a gift earlier in the week (for my 10th birthday).
2) Never in my life: Have I tried Crystal Meth, Ecstasy, Mushrooms, or Absinthe
3) When I was five: I was in Ms. Rosenberg’s Kindergarten class until she went on Maternity leave and Miss Christiansen took over.
4) High School was/is: Wonderful and horrific. I figured out I would never be homecoming queen or a cheerleader, but also that it wasn’t going to be the highlight of my life. I did meet all but one of my closest friends in high school.
5) I will never forget: Mrs. Green, who was the first teacher who treated me with respect, and honored my opinion. Even when I acted like a brat.
6) I once met: Maureen McCormick (Marsha from The Brady Bunch) at the Girl Scout Fashion Show when I was 11 years old. I had her autograph, but I lost it.
7) There's this person I know who: Judges everyone by his own list, but will blow up if you question or disagree with him.
8) Once, at a bar: I got thrown out for calling someone a “ Mother fucker.” Okay, I actually was screaming it like that girl at the beginning of "Pulp Fiction."
9) By noon I'm usually: in need of a bathroom break. I teach the first four classes of the day in a row.
10) Last night I: ate a brownie for dinner.
11) If I only had: a strong good relationship with a man I loved, I might have a chance at a family.
12) Next time I go to church/temple: Won’t be Christmas Eve this year. I’m going to Sherman Oaks to celebrate it with my friend and her partner.
13) Terri Schiavo: Should not have been the issue it was. Bush can cut his vacation short for a woman with fluid where her brain used to be, but not for 1000’s of people being flooded out of their homes.
14) I like: laughing with my friends, potatoes, wine, and summer break
15) When I turn my head left, I see: photos of my friends, family and dog on the wall.
16) When I turn my head right, I see: boxes of crap that have been sitting in the “computer room” for the last two years, since I moved in.
17) You know I'm lying when: I won’t look you in the eye. I don’t usually lie.
18) In grade school: I sucked my thumb until I was in sixth grade
19) If I was a character written by Shakespeare: I ‘d probably be the nurse in Romeo and Juliet. I’m a romantic at heart, but I don’t really want to die for it.
20) By this time next year I: hope to have lost 40 more pounds
21) A better name for me would be: Rebekah Copabianco. It sounds good.
22) I have a hard time understanding: White Supremacy. Why?
23) If I ever go back to school I'll: Get a Ph.D. in English Literature and teach at the university level.
24) You know I like you if: I tell you.
25) If I won an award, the first person I'd thank would be: My mother. She’s always believed in me.
26) I hope that: This god damn NCLB act fails miserably and people other than educators see how detrimental it’s been to our children’s education.
27) Take my advice: picking up dog doo is easier once a day instead of once a week.
28) My ideal breakfast is: Biscuits and sausage gravy with home fries and my friends.
29) A song I love, but do not have is: Lose Yourself by Eminem. Some of the other songs on that album bother me.
30) If you visit my hometown, I suggest: saying hello to me! I still live here. Go wine tasting, walk on the beach and eat at The Palace Café.
31) Tulips, character flaws, microchips & track stars: I have no response to this.
32) Why won't anyone: tell me I’m his one-and-only?
33) If you spend the night at my house: try not to trip over all my stuff that I don’t pick up.
34) I'd stop my wedding: if I didn’t love him, he didn’t love me, he had slept with someone the night before, if there was a gunman in the church… this is a stupid one.
35) The world could do without: Okra and hate
36) I'd rather lick the belly of a roach than: give up my wonder dog Charlie.
37) My favorite is: A sunny day, a full tank of gas, no responsibilities and all my friends.
38) Paper clips are more useful than: cigarettes. And they cost less too.
40) And by the way: I still have no clue how to actually “tag” someone (or “meme” or whatever you call it, so do this if you want to).
41) The last time I was drunk: At my friend’s “forty-tenth” birthday party. I didn’t really get too drunk though. Went straight from sober to asleep. Skipped the whole inebriated part.
42) My grandmother always: made the best grilled cheese sandwiches. She couldn’t cook anything else to save her life, but ooo… those grilled cheese sandwiches… I dream about them.
2) Never in my life: Have I tried Crystal Meth, Ecstasy, Mushrooms, or Absinthe
3) When I was five: I was in Ms. Rosenberg’s Kindergarten class until she went on Maternity leave and Miss Christiansen took over.
4) High School was/is: Wonderful and horrific. I figured out I would never be homecoming queen or a cheerleader, but also that it wasn’t going to be the highlight of my life. I did meet all but one of my closest friends in high school.
5) I will never forget: Mrs. Green, who was the first teacher who treated me with respect, and honored my opinion. Even when I acted like a brat.
6) I once met: Maureen McCormick (Marsha from The Brady Bunch) at the Girl Scout Fashion Show when I was 11 years old. I had her autograph, but I lost it.
7) There's this person I know who: Judges everyone by his own list, but will blow up if you question or disagree with him.
8) Once, at a bar: I got thrown out for calling someone a “ Mother fucker.” Okay, I actually was screaming it like that girl at the beginning of "Pulp Fiction."
9) By noon I'm usually: in need of a bathroom break. I teach the first four classes of the day in a row.
10) Last night I: ate a brownie for dinner.
11) If I only had: a strong good relationship with a man I loved, I might have a chance at a family.
12) Next time I go to church/temple: Won’t be Christmas Eve this year. I’m going to Sherman Oaks to celebrate it with my friend and her partner.
13) Terri Schiavo: Should not have been the issue it was. Bush can cut his vacation short for a woman with fluid where her brain used to be, but not for 1000’s of people being flooded out of their homes.
14) I like: laughing with my friends, potatoes, wine, and summer break
15) When I turn my head left, I see: photos of my friends, family and dog on the wall.
16) When I turn my head right, I see: boxes of crap that have been sitting in the “computer room” for the last two years, since I moved in.
17) You know I'm lying when: I won’t look you in the eye. I don’t usually lie.
18) In grade school: I sucked my thumb until I was in sixth grade
19) If I was a character written by Shakespeare: I ‘d probably be the nurse in Romeo and Juliet. I’m a romantic at heart, but I don’t really want to die for it.
20) By this time next year I: hope to have lost 40 more pounds
21) A better name for me would be: Rebekah Copabianco. It sounds good.
22) I have a hard time understanding: White Supremacy. Why?
23) If I ever go back to school I'll: Get a Ph.D. in English Literature and teach at the university level.
24) You know I like you if: I tell you.
25) If I won an award, the first person I'd thank would be: My mother. She’s always believed in me.
26) I hope that: This god damn NCLB act fails miserably and people other than educators see how detrimental it’s been to our children’s education.
27) Take my advice: picking up dog doo is easier once a day instead of once a week.
28) My ideal breakfast is: Biscuits and sausage gravy with home fries and my friends.
29) A song I love, but do not have is: Lose Yourself by Eminem. Some of the other songs on that album bother me.
30) If you visit my hometown, I suggest: saying hello to me! I still live here. Go wine tasting, walk on the beach and eat at The Palace Café.
31) Tulips, character flaws, microchips & track stars: I have no response to this.
32) Why won't anyone: tell me I’m his one-and-only?
33) If you spend the night at my house: try not to trip over all my stuff that I don’t pick up.
34) I'd stop my wedding: if I didn’t love him, he didn’t love me, he had slept with someone the night before, if there was a gunman in the church… this is a stupid one.
35) The world could do without: Okra and hate
36) I'd rather lick the belly of a roach than: give up my wonder dog Charlie.
37) My favorite is: A sunny day, a full tank of gas, no responsibilities and all my friends.
38) Paper clips are more useful than: cigarettes. And they cost less too.
40) And by the way: I still have no clue how to actually “tag” someone (or “meme” or whatever you call it, so do this if you want to).
41) The last time I was drunk: At my friend’s “forty-tenth” birthday party. I didn’t really get too drunk though. Went straight from sober to asleep. Skipped the whole inebriated part.
42) My grandmother always: made the best grilled cheese sandwiches. She couldn’t cook anything else to save her life, but ooo… those grilled cheese sandwiches… I dream about them.
Friday, November 11, 2005
See, Autumn happens here too...
The sad little persimmon tree in our backyard is doing all the fall foliage work around her. I took this picture last night. It wasn't as dark as it seems, but my camera is not the best one in the world.
I have a headache this morning; probably from the second glass of red wine I had last night. I watched the George Carlin special on HBO. I like him. He's smart and grouchy. But, he even got me a bit uncomfortable with what he was talking about (suicide, murder, nechrophelia and more). I'm not the kind of person that gets uncomfortable, but some stuff just isn't funny to me.
He did point out that we are the only species that does this crazy stuff. "Nit wits and Assholes" is how he described humans at one point. Sums it up well. He also talked about how everytime someone says we should love each other and try to get along, we kill him. Jesus, Ghandi, Martin Luther King Junior... the list went on.
Jonathan Swift said a long time ago, "We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love each other."
It's still true.
For me, it goes back to a conversation I had with my crazy aunt once when I was 15. We were outside, picking Boysenberries, and she had just explained how she was going to become a "breathatarian" (that's someone who doesn't need to eat, who gets all their nutrients from the air), and I was again thinking what a weirdo my aunt was. This was during the Reagan years, and we were once again pissing off most other nations.
"You know Becky, all you have to do is get right with yourself. All anyone has to do is get right with themselves. There would be no war, no fighting, no real trouble if we were all able to do that."
Even with its oversimplification, it rang true. I've been trying to "get right with myself" ever since.
ps: She never quite made her goal of Breathatarianism.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
It gets dark so early now
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day, so we have the day off from school. Thank goodness. Next week I have another barrage of meetings, plus I have to spend Monday out of class, "observing" with my BTSA participating teacher. Which means I have to prepare for a substitute. grr.
I took this photo tonight from my driveway at 5:05pm. I dislike this time of year. I can't seem to get as much done. All I want to do is stay inside, curl up and eat when it's dark and wet. And it's poured for a couple of days here. Charlie has to be dragged out to pee. I swear, he's held it over 24 hours once. I know I'd burst.
I hit the 20 pound mark of lost weight yesterday; Yea me! My clothes are getting loose, but I wouldn't call most of them baggy just yet. Made Taco Soup last night; here's the recipe:
Saute one chopped onion in Olive Oil cooking spray, and start opening cans. You need:
2 cans chopped tomatoes (mexican seasoned ones are best)
1 can refried beans
1 can black beans
1 can white beans
1 can (0r two cups frozen) corn. Drain.
1 can fat free chicken broth
1 package taco seasoning mix (I used HOT)
mix it all together in large pot, bring just to boil, then turn down heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour. Couldn't be easier. Smelled great when it was cooking.
1 point per cup. And it tastes good too!
(if you don't want me to put the recipes here, just say so. Actually, only one person reads this anymore, and I know he doesn't mind...)
That's about it for now. Looks like Paris in the Spring is going to happen. Buying our $581 tickets tomorrow, and probably making our reservations for an apartment rental next week.
Oh boy!
Monday, November 07, 2005
Just a couple of things
Don't get an ExxonMobil gas card.
Crest Lemon Ice flavor toothpaste? Not good.
Crest Lemon Ice flavor toothpaste? Not good.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
23/5
This was a weird tag, but seeing that it's my first one, I was happy to do it.
Here are the instructions:
1) Go into your archives.
2) Find your 23rd post.
3) Find your 5th sentence (or closest to it).
4) Post the text of your sentence in your blog along with these rules.
5) Tag five other people. (I don't think even five people read this, but if you do, Tag!")
My sentence?
"Another man, a few days later"
Okay, so it's a sentence fragment, I know. But... it's the 5th line of a poem I wrote about going to doctors last year. I'm happy with it, yet it's still not quite, you know, there yet.
I'm feeling my asthma today and have no idea where my inhaler is. It's bugging me because I usually keep it in my purse and another one in my medicine drawer. I don't get the breathing-through-a-straw horror like the commercials for curing childhood asthma show, but it's a bother nonetheless.
I'm into my second load of laundry, there is a pile of dishes in the sink, and there are papers staring at me to be graded.
And I need to go back into school today to plan the next two weeks. Argh.
Here are the instructions:
1) Go into your archives.
2) Find your 23rd post.
3) Find your 5th sentence (or closest to it).
4) Post the text of your sentence in your blog along with these rules.
5) Tag five other people. (I don't think even five people read this, but if you do, Tag!")
My sentence?
"Another man, a few days later"
Okay, so it's a sentence fragment, I know. But... it's the 5th line of a poem I wrote about going to doctors last year. I'm happy with it, yet it's still not quite, you know, there yet.
I'm feeling my asthma today and have no idea where my inhaler is. It's bugging me because I usually keep it in my purse and another one in my medicine drawer. I don't get the breathing-through-a-straw horror like the commercials for curing childhood asthma show, but it's a bother nonetheless.
I'm into my second load of laundry, there is a pile of dishes in the sink, and there are papers staring at me to be graded.
And I need to go back into school today to plan the next two weeks. Argh.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Being Busy
This last week, the last three weeks have been busy. Not busy like I got anything done, but busy with all the meetings I had to attend and paperwork I needed to fill out. It's not going to stop anytime soon, so I should deal with it, and not bore you with the details.
19.8 pounds. That's what I've lost so far. I need to lose 60 total, so I'm feeling very proud. For those of you who struggle with your weight, you know how frustrating it is to be judged so harshly just because of the girth of your body. This goes for folks trying to gain weight too. I once said, after...ah-hem... the deed, to a boyfriend, "You're too skinny." I didn't mean anything by it, but he was crushed. In retrospect, it was an awful thing to say, but I was ignorant. Just because society accepts thinness more than thickness, doesn't make trying to gain weight "easier."
Another time, at a much younger and much more slender time in my life, another boyfriend patted my thigh and said, "aren't there exercises you can do to make these smaller?" Bad enough, but again, it was said right after... um...you know...
Should have made me more sensitive, but it didn't.
People say stupid things. I do, you do. Sometimes we regret them, sometimes not. I wrote about this before; no matter what your or my intention, someone can and most likely will misinterpret what is said. We can't go around being politically correct all the time, and we can't edit our words so much that we are silent, but we do need to think.
Weight is such a weird issue for so many people. I don't have any eating disorders or food addictions, I just like to eat. That's it. Oh yeah, and I'm naturally lazy. If there's a choice between sweating and not sweating, you all know which option I'd take.
So, I've become quite fat. If I lost 45 pounds from what I weigh now, I'd still weigh what a doctor once called "centripetally obese" (go ahead, look it up, I had to). I thought I looked okay , but once I saw that write-up, I freaked.
I've always been a bigger person, and it didn't bother me. What I said before? About being lazy? It's only partly true. I used to be on the swim team in high school and was a lifeguard and a swim instructor in college. Once upon a time, I used to ride my bike 100 miles a week. I used to paddle with the SB Outrigger team... then life popped in, with its responsibilities. I didn't have the two hours a day to devote to exercise, nor did I want to anymore.
I have a friend who is, in my opinion, an exercise junkie. Maybe not, but she works out probably 3 hours a day, plus works full time. No, she doesn't have a family, but she does have a killer bod. Anyway, I can't just go for a walk on the beach with her. No, we have to go on a 5 mile uphill (preferably all the way) hike, at super-speed. It's like she's trying to prove something to me, but I never get what it is. She's in better shape than I am? I get that, but we don't have to have a race to figure that one out.
She's always trying to get me to lose weight, which basically pisses me off. Which I have told her it does. She compares it to smoking, "you know, I just care about your health. If you smoked, I would try to get you to quit."
Okay, I see her point, but there's quite a bit more going on than that. For one, I can't just quit eating, and for two, my being overweight doesn't affect anyone but me. As selfish as it sounds, the times I say the most about smoking, is when someone is doing it in front of me, and I don't like the smell.
I don't have a point today people. Just living up to my blog's title I guess.
19.8 pounds. That's what I've lost so far. I need to lose 60 total, so I'm feeling very proud. For those of you who struggle with your weight, you know how frustrating it is to be judged so harshly just because of the girth of your body. This goes for folks trying to gain weight too. I once said, after...ah-hem... the deed, to a boyfriend, "You're too skinny." I didn't mean anything by it, but he was crushed. In retrospect, it was an awful thing to say, but I was ignorant. Just because society accepts thinness more than thickness, doesn't make trying to gain weight "easier."
Another time, at a much younger and much more slender time in my life, another boyfriend patted my thigh and said, "aren't there exercises you can do to make these smaller?" Bad enough, but again, it was said right after... um...you know...
Should have made me more sensitive, but it didn't.
People say stupid things. I do, you do. Sometimes we regret them, sometimes not. I wrote about this before; no matter what your or my intention, someone can and most likely will misinterpret what is said. We can't go around being politically correct all the time, and we can't edit our words so much that we are silent, but we do need to think.
Weight is such a weird issue for so many people. I don't have any eating disorders or food addictions, I just like to eat. That's it. Oh yeah, and I'm naturally lazy. If there's a choice between sweating and not sweating, you all know which option I'd take.
So, I've become quite fat. If I lost 45 pounds from what I weigh now, I'd still weigh what a doctor once called "centripetally obese" (go ahead, look it up, I had to). I thought I looked okay , but once I saw that write-up, I freaked.
I've always been a bigger person, and it didn't bother me. What I said before? About being lazy? It's only partly true. I used to be on the swim team in high school and was a lifeguard and a swim instructor in college. Once upon a time, I used to ride my bike 100 miles a week. I used to paddle with the SB Outrigger team... then life popped in, with its responsibilities. I didn't have the two hours a day to devote to exercise, nor did I want to anymore.
I have a friend who is, in my opinion, an exercise junkie. Maybe not, but she works out probably 3 hours a day, plus works full time. No, she doesn't have a family, but she does have a killer bod. Anyway, I can't just go for a walk on the beach with her. No, we have to go on a 5 mile uphill (preferably all the way) hike, at super-speed. It's like she's trying to prove something to me, but I never get what it is. She's in better shape than I am? I get that, but we don't have to have a race to figure that one out.
She's always trying to get me to lose weight, which basically pisses me off. Which I have told her it does. She compares it to smoking, "you know, I just care about your health. If you smoked, I would try to get you to quit."
Okay, I see her point, but there's quite a bit more going on than that. For one, I can't just quit eating, and for two, my being overweight doesn't affect anyone but me. As selfish as it sounds, the times I say the most about smoking, is when someone is doing it in front of me, and I don't like the smell.
I don't have a point today people. Just living up to my blog's title I guess.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
The Day After
Dear me.
It's been a busy couple of weeks, and this one is looking to be the same. I have a meeting this morning before school, blah blah blah.
Yesterday everyone dressed up at school. Even though it's junior high, we all still get into it. Except for the few girls that had to change into their PE clothes because their hooker outfits were against dress code, the kids were all pretty cute.
Teaching was another thing. Put people in costumes, and they don't act the way they normally do. And these kids are normally junior high school students. By lunch time I was frazzled, and by three, going out for a drink with my friends later didn't sound as appealing as going to bed early after watching Law and Order on the TV. (I don't get trick or treaters where I live).
Now though, this is the real test. The candy overload. The kids come in hopped up on sugar, without enough sleep, and it's all I can do to get them not to drop the wrappers on the floor. I'm not evil, I only assigned five questions last night, but I bet most didn't even do that. Excuses will abound.
Oh, and I'm getting a cold.
Rah.
It's been a busy couple of weeks, and this one is looking to be the same. I have a meeting this morning before school, blah blah blah.
Yesterday everyone dressed up at school. Even though it's junior high, we all still get into it. Except for the few girls that had to change into their PE clothes because their hooker outfits were against dress code, the kids were all pretty cute.
Teaching was another thing. Put people in costumes, and they don't act the way they normally do. And these kids are normally junior high school students. By lunch time I was frazzled, and by three, going out for a drink with my friends later didn't sound as appealing as going to bed early after watching Law and Order on the TV. (I don't get trick or treaters where I live).
Now though, this is the real test. The candy overload. The kids come in hopped up on sugar, without enough sleep, and it's all I can do to get them not to drop the wrappers on the floor. I'm not evil, I only assigned five questions last night, but I bet most didn't even do that. Excuses will abound.
Oh, and I'm getting a cold.
Rah.
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