Saturday, June 30, 2007

Tomorrow it's Vegas Baby, Vegas!

I'm joining the crowd and leaving tomorrow for the next few days. Torn and I are going to Vegas. We'll stay downtown (Free!), gamble, drink, eat, repeat. Maybe we'll go to a show. we've been going to Vegas for at least 15 years, and in all that time we've seen one show. Mama Mia, last year, after I won the big pot. This year it's Torn's turn to win, I feel it.

Today we celebrated Mumsy's 71st birthday. Brother, Sister-in-law, Sister and Niece all drove up for her lunch. It was nice. Mom's favorite place is the Beachside Cafe. Not mine, but it's right on the beach, and she likes that. From one of my relatives she got, a framed picture of her granddaughter, and then, another framed picture of her granddaughter, and then...let's see... a third framed picture of her granddaughter. Don't worry, that's not all she got. She also got from this same relative, a photo album of aforesaid granddaughter.

Heh.

However, it seemed Mom was pleased with it all, and the baby is a pretty darn cute baby. I'm no longer allowed to post pictures of her here, but take my word for it.

It's damn hot right now, about 95 outside, 84 degrees inside. I could tell it was going to be warm this morning, so took the Wonder Dog for a long walk when I first got up. Knew I was going to be out for a while, and wanted to tire him out a bit.

However, when I got home a while ago, he was acting weird. Underneath the dining table and not jumping around like he usually does when I return. He always seems so relieved to see me...
"Hey, it's that girl! She came back again."

Not today. Nope.
I puttered around a bit in my bedroom, got a drink of water, then walked in here, the computer room.

Yes, it appears Charles, my perfect little angel, had gotten into some mischief whilst I was gone.

Those big gray tupperware tubs? and the two smaller bins of CD's? They had been stacked on top of each other. I've been ripping all my CD's to my computer, and so the boxes are out.

Now, I don't think he was looking for music ("You Ain't Nothing But a Hound Dog," " Puppy Love," "Who Let the Dogs Out?"), but you never know. Truly, he is a climber, and I think he thought he could get to the window that's above the blue fabric on the top left of the picture.

I actually freaked out a bit, thinking he must've hurt himself, but no, he seems to be just fine. Contrite, but just fine.

The more I think about it, the more I see not having children does have its advantages.

ps: What are other Canine song titles?

Friday, June 29, 2007

Tea doesn't do it

Two cups, even with sugar and cream, doesn't help a hangover very much.
Book club went swimmingly last night, although it really should be the book/food/wine club. We drink A LOT when we get together. There were six women, and we went through...six bottles of wine (I just went and checked). Oh, and when we started this, we said, "Let's not get crazy. Just appetizers." However, each of us loves to cook, so it seems we keep upping the ante with our food. If we can, we try to make the food match the book we've just read.

So, I went Italian last night, with the "Love" section of Eat, Pray, Love, the book we all read.

And I must tell you, I did a fine job.

First, an Antipasto plate - feta-stuffed peppercinis, olives, hard-cured provolone, Asagio, and buffalo mozzerella cheeses. Salami and Pepperoni.

Then the salad - Arugula, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, crumbled gorgonzola with balsamic vinegarette.

Main course? Pasta Alla Checca - raw tomatoes, garlic, basil and olive oil with cooked spaghetti. One of my favorite summer dishes. Here's one recipe for it (although I used four cloves of garlic, not one). Parmesan isn't called for, but goes great with it.

Dessert was my proudest moment. I made Zabliogne with Raspberries and Blackberries. Have you not heard of it? I don't know why it's not more common. Here's the recipe:

5 large egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup dry or sweet Marsala wine
5 1/4 cups raspberries, blackberries, blueberries or quartered strawberries.

Combine the egg yolks, sugar, and Marsala in a bowl. Whip together, using a hand-held balloon whisk, until thoroughly blended. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water and heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture is thick, foamy and has reached 165 degrees F.
Cool slightly and serve immediately or transfer the zabaglione to a container. Cover with plastic wrap placed directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Zabaglione may be served warm or at room temperature. Serving Size: 1/2 cup zabaglione with 2/3 cup berries.

Oh my goodness it was tasty.
I think I must have gained back the 2.5 pounds I lost last week (yeah, I'm still going to Weight Watchers).

I did get my house clean. Well, most of it. My bedroom looks like a bomb went off in there, but I just closed the door. No need to go totally crazy with this tidiness business.

Because of it's rare state of cleanliness, I took a photo of the huge, former-kitchen-turned-bathroom to finally share with you all.

So much counter space! That window is actually level with the driveway outside, so I have to remember to close my windows on Wednesdays when the landlady's gardener comes. Why? Because they use one of those god damn ridiculous leaf-blowers, which blows grit and dirt directly into my bathroom. So gross.

I also took a picture of the closet. I think it used to be a pantry at one time, but can't tell. Who puts a closet in the bathroom? I fight mildew constantly, and so far have won.


My shoe problem on display for the whole world to see. Up top? There is a whole other layer of shoes behind the stacks of three in the front. I actually had more, but sold about 10 pairs at the garage sale a few weeks ago.

I don't have to host for another 6 months; yahoo! It's fun, but man, I was cleaning forever.

Sloth is a much more comfortable state for me :)

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Thirteen Thursday # 15

Of all the senses, my olfactory one is the winner. Unless one is a "nose" for a perfume house or a bloodhound, I'm not so sure what benefits come from having a great sense of smell. Although, I have read that scent memory is one of the strongest.

Thirteen Scents:

1. Chanel # 5. I know, I know, one of the most recognizable scents ever, right? My Nana used to wear this, and as she got older, she wore more and more of it. When she died, all her items that had been in storage still smelled of it. You'd think every time I sniffed it at the fragrance counter, I'd smile. Nope. I hate that scent. Overpowering, invasive, and selfish. Hmm... kinda like my Nana.

2. Eucalyptus. There are hundreds of these trees (native to Australia) in Goleta, the town I grew up in. Even so, I didn't really notice them until I went to UCSB for college. They lined the walkways and bike paths there. Every day I would ride my bike to campus, and smell the lemony, green of the trees, and see my world in front of me. Every time I go back for a concert or whatever, the scent surprises me again.

3. Turkey roasting in the oven. Back in the day, Mom would get up at 4 or 5 in the morning to get the bird in the oven. I would wake up to the most tantalizing smell, and have to wait hours before actually getting to Thanksgiving dinner. The relatives would come over, my Nana would bring her fabulous, homemade roasted nuts, but still, nothing would compare to the crackling skin and juicy white meat on my plate when we finally sat down.

4. Bleach. We used this to clean the latrines when I worked at Pilgrim Pines, a summer camp (and where I met Torn) in the San Bernardino mountains. My mother didn't trust me with the wash at home (she said I'd break the machine), so I'd never used bleach before. And didn't realize it would wreck the best pair of 501's I owned. I rarely use it now, but even the scented stuff has that unmistakable odor underneath.

5. Cigarettes and Herbal Essence shampoo. Both my parents smoked like chimneys when I was growing up. They still do. Mom was the one that got physically close to me though, hugging me, sitting on my bed, reading me bedtime stories, kissing me goodnight. Those two scents, mingled together, will always make me think of her; even though she doesn't use the same shampoo anymore.

6. Sawdust. My father was always making something. The garage was his special place. He had his desk out there too, and what seemed to me, thousands of paperback novels on shelves he made. Most of them were boring to me; all war and westerns. After he left my mother, I don't think anyone used any of the tools in there again.

7. Japanese incense. I can't be more specific about what it was. I know every time I went to a temple, I'd smell it there, but it was also somehow tied up with the humid nights during the summer. The humidity there was insane, something I'd never before nor since have experienced. I don't know if it magnified everything, but whenever I catch a whiff of that particular scent, I think of heavy, thick heat, and loose clothes, and a slower time in my life.

8. Mr. Sketch scented marker, in Licorice. I don't think they called it huffing back then, and really, it was just a pen, but I couldn't stop myself. Mrs. Hurst's class, 1975, I'd never seen such a thing before! Debbie Swanson and I would fight for the black pen, just for the chance to sniff it. What little weirdos we were.

9. Red. This is 80's all the way, but I still love it. I'd go to Zelo's or PCDC (Pacific Coast Dance Company), all decked out in black with big hair and big earrings, and this perfume. It's by Giorgio of Beverly Hills, and is too strong. Way too strong. But still. It was my secret weapon. Men were always asking me what I was wearing. Oh man, those were the days. I know, most of you would have a hard time imagining it, but I certainly enjoyed my twenties.

10. Strong coffee. I hated coffee growing up, didn't like coffee candy or ice cream, or even the smell of it. I think I was 25 before I started drinking it. But, Dad always had a cup every morning, in his thick, Marine mug. It had the dates of his service on it, and when I was sick, he'd let me drink tea out of it. He always put milk in it, and that scent, mixed with his Dry Look hairspray (he had a comb over of magnificent proportions), started most of my days.

11. Diesel exhaust. When I was in high school, I sang in the Acapella choir. Every year we would go "on tour," which meant taking a week off from school, driving up or down the coast of California in two rented buses, and sleeping on high school gym floors. I remember waiting to get on board, our bags already stowed, and the sounds the bus made as it idled. Later, I traveled to big cities in the states and beyond. Always that same smell. Diesel exhaust means I'm in a new place, full of adventure, somewhere other than my little town.

12. Sweet peas. Our back fence was always covered with these. My mother's favorite flower, and one of mine. Delicate flowers, but in a big bunch on the dining room table, or sometimes even on the bureau in my room? Wow. I don't think there's ever been a synthetic reproduction of this flower's scent that's even come close. Sadly, every attempt I've made to grow these myself has been a failure.

13. Fermenting grapes/wine. This isn't the same as wine from a bottle. And it's not the same as that icky alcoholic smell that comes from under the mat when you sit at the bar. No, this is from working at the winery, and many wine tastings. It's a raw, earthy scent. Something humans have been inhaling ever since wine began. I loved walking through the cool barrel room, surrounded by the French and American Oak; the varietals written by hand on the side of each. It's all possibility at that point; nothing's a sure thing. Kinda like meeting someone new, having shared that first kiss, but the future is unknown. God, I love wine.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Yesterday

I was up early, cleaning my house, getting all into those boxes o' crap that have been sitting in my computer room since I moved her almost four years ago. Or is it five? God, I'm getting old.

Anyway, the reason for my mad cleaning is that my book club is coming over on Thursday night. Last time it was my turn to host, we went to a wine bar in town and I paid. Remember my CHAOS problem? Well, I was not able to tidy up in time, but it was expensive, so yeah, it's at my place.

I'm going to barbecue, and wanted to replace the crappy, $4.99 plastic chairs I've had for several years.They're stained and rickety.




You would think that buying patio chairs, at this time of year, wouldn't be so hard. But no. Not so easy. Oh, easy I suppose if you are willing to spend 50 bucks apiece on the chairs, but I wasn't. There had to be something in the middle.

I found them at Target a couple of weeks ago. Mesh, sturdy, and $19.99 each. I could do that. But, of course, I was with a friend, and Target is 35 miles away, and there was no room in the car for the chairs.

So the search here continued. Everywhere, the chairs were either out of stock, or the same type of chair was crazy expensive. Finally, on Monday, at Home Depot, there they were. Four of 'em, stacked together, beige and comfortable looking.

With no price tag.

Have any of you tried to get help at Home Depot? Then you can guess what happened next.

No price on any of the chairs, nor a barcode, nor a sign anywhere near them indicating the price. I picked up the four chairs and walked over to customer service. There I waited in line for ten minutes while a customer was being helped. There were three to four employees behind the counter at all times, but only one was helping customers. As I was fourth in line, I decided to just go to the checkout stand and hope they could figure out the price there.

There was only one cashier open, plus two self-checkout lines. There were at least four people in each line.

The cashier however was having trouble with his register, and it wouldn’t work properly. A second employee came over to help him, but I spent another 10 minutes in line waiting for him to get his register working. Of course, opening a new register didn't occur to anyone.

I get to the cashier finally, and he couldn’t help me and sent me to one of the employees manning the self-checkout station. That employee couldn’t help me and a third was asked to help me. This third employee and I walked back over to the patio display area and confirmed that yes, there was no sign anywhere indicating a price. Then walked back over with me to the register to try and find it listed on the computer. It wasn’t there.

This took another ten minutes. Up to this point, all the clerks were trying to be helpful, and were polite to me, but had no idea what to do. No manager was called. I was being all sugary and sweet, but inside was wondering what the hell was going on. One of the guys paged someone (three times!) from the gardening section, but no one responded.

I was then sent back to customer service, who had no idea what to do, and who finally found someone from the garden department to help me.

This cool cat, named Ken, and I once again (my third time) went back to the patio furniture area to confirm that once again, no, there was no price anywhere for these items. I guess this is because my word and the other clerk's word weren't good enough. He said finally, “Well, we would have to call a manager to figure out what to do.”

And I'm thinking, "You think?"

Yet he didn't call a manager. He told me to go home, see if I could find the chair online, print out a picture and bring it back with a SKU number (I live about 15 miles away, no biggie, but come on). I did ask him at that point if Home Depot had a computer on which that information could be looked up. Ken said, “Yeah, we could look it up,” but again, didn’t.

I was so pissed, but didn't let on. At that point, 45 minutes of my life was gone, and I didn't want to waste any more time with this dork.

After thinking about it yesterday though, I called and asked to speak to the manager. Within five minutes, he had sold me the next chair up (a $45 chair mind you!) for $20 each. Totally cool and charming. Apologetic for my wasted time the day before.

Picked up the chairs, was on my way home, going up the hill to my house, when a bunch of Quail ran across the street right in front of my car. Thankfully, they just made it past me.

Except for one straggler. I saw it only a second before a cloud of feathers went up in the air. Couldn't even feel that I hit it, but looked back and...

All I can say is I'm sure it was instantaneous. Oh the guilt.

I just hope it wasn't one of those babies I saved a couple weeks ago.


Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Dance class, part II

Well, I wiffled and waffled all weekend. Should I go again? Make a fool of myself? It's good to put myself in the position of student instead of teacher once in while, right?

So Doreen called me yesterday afternoon (she happened to be at the last class; she works with me at school), and got me to commit to going.

I am so glad I did.

This time, I only had one beer beforehand, and we went over the dance (I think it was the Samba, but damned if I know) we learned last week. Nothing new, just review. Which meant I was a teensy bit better than last week. Not that that's saying too much, a comatose monkey could probably do better than I did last week, but still.

And here's the fun part.

I danced with a cute man! A cute, red-headed man (my weakness)! A cute, red-headed man who looked directly at me and smiled at me for most of an hour!

Oh the thrill of it all.

His name was unusual; I'll just call him Mark. He started the class last week too (some people take this class over and over before going on to the next one), but was more confident than I was.

As you all know, it's been quite a while since I've been near an attractive man... sorry, an attractive, hetero man; I didn't quite know what to do with myself. I talk and laugh a lot when I'm nervous, which I did, because I was. Then I blush, which is sweet in a 16-year-old, but not so much in a 42-year-old. Then I start "glowing." You know, horses sweat, men perspire, women glow? Yep, I was glowing alright.

My friends, he was sweet, and charming, and did I say cute? I did? He was. Tall, slender, toned but not pumped-out arms, freckles, and those light amber eyes that only redheads seem to have.

And he would look right at me and smile.


Now, I know we were dancing, and that was the cause for being so close to each other... but I sure didn't feel like this dancing with too-much-cologne man last week.

I told him I wouldn't be in class next week, and he seemed... could it be... curious as to if I was coming back after that. I said I was going to Vegas, but would be back the week after...

Girls and boys, rebekah has a crush.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Sigh... here we go again

So, my dad? He's one for forwarding the ridiculous e-mails to me. He's a gung-ho, my-country-wrong-or-right (although our country is NEVER wrong) kind of guy.

A few years ago, he sent me a hateful email about Muslims, I replied, and he stopped talking to me for two years. We didn't start talking again until I contacted him.

It's been stilted since then, but we've rebuilt a wary relationship; I called him and sent a card on Father's day... you know.

Anyway, today, he sent this email to both my sister and me:

Fwd: Fw: Will you give this to my Ddy? PLEASE READ - I found this on Beergre...>Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:49:20 EDT

I thought this might be of interest.
Love ya both,
Pop

Will You Give this to My Daddy?
Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos. As they began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.

When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red-blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal.

Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said "hi."
The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her.

The young soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter Courtney missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.

When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military-l ooking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you." He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying "your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon."

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event.

As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a te ar rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American.

RED FRIDAYS

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.

We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the on every Friday a sea of red much like a> homecoming football game in the bleachers.

If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever; certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is...We need your support and your prayers.

Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear something red every Friday.


IF YOU AGREE -- PLEASE SEND THIS ON.


And here's my response:

Hi Dad,

I'm guessing your surgery went well.

I support our troops; always have. It's our government and the choices which were made that put our young men and women in harm's way every day that I don't support.

It's our government's lack of support for these men and women when they come home (see http://www.medpagetoday.com/Psychiatry/AnxietyStress/tb/5239), and give them less than adequate care for their injuries.

I believe the majority of Americans do support our troops, just not this ridiculous war that continues to kill both our soldiers and innocent civilians in Iraq. I've heard that people say that if you don't support the war, you don't support the troops. I don't agree.

I love this country, and want it to be the best it can be. Right now it isn't. Just because we are the strongest, doesn't mean we get to do whatever we want. Well, unless we want to be a bully. That's how a bully gets his way. Not with respect and admiration, but with fear.

That's not who I am, or what this country is supposed to stand for.

Hope everything is going well for you out there in the land of heat.
Love,

Becky

I probably should have just deleted the whole thing, but man, it drives me nuts that he keeps sending me this shit.

How the hell do I share half my DNA with this man?

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Happy Birthday

Today is my best friend Carol's Birthday. She's not one for a big celebration, but she does always do one thing.

See, several years ago, she was a young thing, living right on The Strand in Manhattan Beach. Okay, one block back, sharing what was called "The House of Sand" with two other girls. The place was, uh... quirky is probably the nicest word. Tiny and unfinished (the closet door actually opened to a storage space of... you guessed it, sand), fleas infested the place for the six years they lived there, even though they never had a pet. But, it was right next to the beach. I would visit all the time, and we would spend hours just lazing away on the weekends.

I digress.

Carol played sports in high school, and was very good. She ran track and seemed to always be moving. In college, she rowed for the school team, and continued to be one of the most fit people I knew.

Meaning, she could eat anything she wanted. And she did. Remember when Muffins were THE thing? I mean the ones as big as your head? Oh, she was all over those. She would eat the Chocolate chocolate-chip ones almost every morning.

Those of us with reason tried to tell her, "That's not breakfast Carol, that's dessert," but she'd have none of it. She had a sweet tooth that put even mine to shame. We'd just laugh at her, have our oatmeal or egg-white omelet, and shake our heads.

Now, Carol is almost 6 feet tall; she needs to eat. "Petite" has never described her. However, after the real world set in, and working long hours replaced running and rowing and biking? She realized what the rest of us had already known; one can't eat cake for breakfast every day and not pay the consequences.

Today, Carol is 43 years old. She and her partner had a beautiful baby boy last year, they own a home, they're responsible adults. Carol eats well, rarely has candy or sugar in the house, only has a beer once or twice a week now.

However, on her birthday, every year, Carol goes to Jake's Cafe in Santa Monica for breakfast. And every year, she orders the same thing: a slice of the seven-layer, chocolate blackout cake.

Usually, I go with her, but I've got a christening to go to. And then the reception afterwards. I've never even heard of a "reception" for a christening, but whatever. The service starts at 10 am, which means I better get a move on, since I need to leave in the next half-hour.

I'd really rather eat cake.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Beginning Latin Ballroom Dance



I don't think I'm going back next week.

Yesterday, as I was cleaning out my classroom, trying to figure out how to shove nine months worth of files into the two inches of space left in my cabinet, Tricia came by. Said she was going to a dance class, and I should come. It was for beginners, and was just an hour on Monday nights; from 8:30 - 9:30.

My dancing has been compared to Elaine's on Seinfield. I have crap coordination and my rhythm is... well... let's just say I can sometimes get off beat. I can carry a tune fine; just don't make me dance.

Yet, off I went. Of course, this was after a G and T and a pint with some other friends beforehand for fortification. Maybe not the best idea.

So, the teacher? I think she was about 80 years old. Very cute, with a faint Irish accent. We did the... Samba? Tango? Hell, I don't know. It started with a fox trot (I was reasonably successful with that) then moved to some turns and a "Cuban walk" and then some other kinds of turns and me turning red and stepping on my partner.

Who, for most of the night was a kind, but far-too-much-cologne-wearing older man, who seems a little frustrated he got stuck with me.

I started peeking at my watch 15 minutes in. I even thought about just checking out early, hoping no one would notice. Of course I shamed myself into staying the whole hour. Who can't last an hour of embarrassment?

Dancing is beautiful to watch. I just don't think it's the thing for me.

Besides. Even if I was the most fabulous dancer there, who do I have to dance with anyway?

I'm sticking to drinking cocktails. Now there's something I know how to do.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Last day today

With the kidlets anyway. I still have to go in on Monday, clean up my room, finish grades, check out and all. But I'm done.

And exhausted.

Went out after promotion/graduation with my teacher friends, had a couple of beers, came home, read a book (An Idiot Girl's Christmas), and fell asleep.

Good way to start the summer, I'd say.

And I'm off to Silverlake tomorrow.

Whoo hoo!

Monday, June 11, 2007

Holy Moses

I've been sleeping around 5 hours a night the last few nights, and still am not getting everything done.

It's like finals week at college; a week from now I'll be totally finished and have only myself to think of. Right now I am crazed. Crazed I tell you.

A little shit of a kid gave me a blood blister today on my right index finger (you know, the one I type with?) I'll tell you the story later.

Everyone, including myself, is a total stressed-out bitch right now at school (uh-huh, even the guys), and I've not come out at lunch for days because I've been trying to help those kids who are madly trying to pass at the last minute.

And of course I started my period today.

Don't even get me started on the behavior of certain boys in my second period class. Let's just say I pulled 6 pen refills out of the ceiling last Friday. Yeah, future rocket scientists. Right.

And of course, I spent most of yesterday in lovely Chatsworth.

To end on a positive note? I'm LOVING The Time Traveler's Wife.

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Thirteen Thursday # 14

(As promised) Thirteen things I would like to change about myself.

1) Resentment. That great memory I talked about last week? It works on bad stuff too. I hold grudges far too long. If I’ve been wronged, or feel I’ve been wronged, I never forget it. It sits and festers. I know, I know, the whole poisoning myself and hoping the rat will die. I want to change, just don’t know how.

2) Worry that people don’t like me. A friend of mine calls this my “Nerd Complex.” I sometimes feel that everyone just tolerates me. Could be why I don’t directly confront the folks I should, and thing # 1 happens.

3) My big fat aspirin ass. The secretary at work used that expression once, and it describes mine well. Round and flat. It looks like it might have been a nice one in theory, then got smashed flat somehow before it was finished being formed.

4) Procrastination. I will do anything to get out of grading papers. Anything. Every time I actually sit down and do it, it’s not so bad, but still, I avoid grading like I avoid snakes and cockroaches. I read somewhere this week that the only reason they have to pay teachers is the grading.

5) My dateless status. But you all know that already.

6) The extra weight. Still going to Weight Watchers, still plugging along. Weight is such a loaded issue; there’s the whole “quit whining” crowd with, “Eat less, move more,” and then there’s the whole “love your body the way it is” crowd with, “You have to love your body the way it is first.” Neither one is enough. I wonder sometimes, why is there more sympathy for the addiction of smokers than there is for overeaters?

7) I’d like to not to have to wear glasses. Looking into Lasik, but it’s so darn expensive.

8) The inability to save much money. Again, I’m working on it, and I’ve been slowly paying off bills, but still have very little savings. The idea that one is supposed to have at least six months in reserve is just out of sight for me at the moment.

9) My lack of housekeeping skills. I live alone, so any mess is mine, all mine. I say I suffer from C.H.A.O.S., or Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome, because of it. There are just far too many more interesting things than cleaning my home.

10) I’d like to have more of a social life. Ever since I turned 40, it feels like I don’t have a gang to hang with anymore. Even my younger friends are all coupled-up, and what would you rather do? Go out with your bitter single friend, or home to your significant other? Most of the friends my age have children, and a big night for them is eating pizza and renting a movie. Which is fine, but I do that by myself all the time anyway.

11) My lack of organizational skills. Actually, I do have them, just look at my closets or my drawers. It’s just that if something doesn’t have a place to be put, or isn’t put there right away, it’s a lost cause. My students will even remark on the fact that I lose things. I’m going to become like my grandmother, wandering the house for her glasses, when all the while they’re on top of her head.

12) Materialism. I have gotten better about this, but I still like buying shiny new things. However, something I’ve noticed this year, since I’m making more money? I’m less tempted to spend. How does that make sense?

13) Okay, don’t laugh. I’d like to exchange my stubby, nail-polish repelling fingertips for long, tapered ones. I had those fake acrylic nails for 10 years, if you can believe it. I’m not going to do that again, but… I have two friends, Carol and Cynthia, with lovely hands, and beautiful nails, just naturally. My stumpy hands go along with my stumpy feet. Yes, they are strong, capable hands (cue Jewel’s song about same), but gosh, it’d be nice if they were elegant.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Rats

Got up this morning to take out the trash, and what do you know? Three little baby quail running around again.

And one that didn't make it.

I put the three back into the bush again, and now am trying to figure out how to make a step for them. They are so small, I think it would need to be a ramp somehow.

And I'm worried about touching them too much.

Monday, June 04, 2007

Saving the Quail

I got home from work today, and was lugging in a bunch of groceries, when I saw what seemed to be a HUGE fat lizard run by my foot. Nope. It was a baby quail. When I went to look, turned out there were five baby quail. Mama quail was always close by.






So, of course, I ran to get my camera. I wanted to get a shot of these cute little guys.






Then, the worry. See the big Juniper bush on the left in the first picture? That's where the quails live. I know, since it's right below my bedroom window, and they do make a racket.



Anyway, I wasn't positive that's where they belonged, but I could see them trying to jump up on the steps; they were too small and couldn't make it. So then, I put on my pink "for the cure" gardening gloves, and tried to pick them up to put them back through the hole in the Juniper bush.



No go. The first one I picked up, jumped right out of my hand. I was close to the ground, so it wasn't hurt, but still.



So then, I waited until one of my neighbors got home. Waited and watched.



Mama decided to sit and keep them warm, since the sun was going down.

Finally, my male neighbor got home, and I called him over. I was all worried now, because I was sure a cat or a hawk or an owl or a coyote or a Grizzly bear was going to eat the babies before the night was through. My neighbor also pointed out that it would get too cold tonight for them on the cement, out in the open as well.

What to do?

Well, thank goodness for neighbor guys who don't wiffle-waffle. Between the two of us, we rounded the five little ones up, got them back into the Juniper thicket, and all was well.

Today was a good day.

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Perhaps I'm just too silly

So, the lovely picture below? You know, with the messed up hair and the goofy visor? I had just won not only one, but two prizes at our annual school golf "Open."

I've worked there for 10 years, and I've played golf 10 times. If you could call it playing golf. I truly suck at the hand-eye coordination stuff.

However, I do make an effort to win the best outfit award. And, yes, I won for that again this year. On the left of the picture is my prize; purple golf balls which will roll around in my car until the tournament next year.

In addition to the fabulous K-mart head wear, I have on brown/green/white plaid Bermuda shorts and green tennis shoes. Oh yeah, I got it down this year. I'm going to be hard pressed to top it.

The surprise was that my partner and I won the tournament itself. I didn't realize it until I heard his and my name. Of course, he's the best golfer in school, and since we played the best ball... you see I really had nothing to do with it except to hit balls in the water and scare birds with my crazy hits.





Two weeks people, two weeks! That's what I have left before the freedom of summer vacation.

Of course, in the meantime there's a certain person's birthday I have to attend, and a cradle I have to get down from my mother's attic and get into my car to bring with me for the birthday , and oh yeah, the presents for unnamed person's birthday from my mother because she can't take all that on the train, which she is taking down next Friday (and of course I'll be driving her to the station, and taking her home after the birthday party on Sunday), and then two weeks later a christening I am attending for the same unnamed person's baby which is fine but there's going to be a party afterward, and I'll have to pick up my mother to take her home from that shin-dig, because, like I've said, she doesn't drive on the freeway, at night or any distances over 10 miles.


However, I should count my blessings I suppose, since both times I am only going for a few hours, instead of overnight, due to Charlie's attractiveness to Gargantua (unnamed person's dog) as a snack rather than a playmate.

So, let's just say I am impatiently waiting for July first, and leave it at that.

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Bachelor # 1

Okay, so the following is an exchange I had this week with someone on the dating site I just joined.


5/28/07 1:57 pm
From:
Forever07
Love UR profile!
The above image was inside the email.


Glenn



5/28/07 1:58 pm
From:
Forever07
Did you get my last email?


And this image is enclosed.

Glenn

5/28/07 6:47 pm
From:
Weebekaloo
Re: Did you get my last email?

Why yes I did. How sweet.

Weebekaloo

6/1/07 4:19 am

From:
Forever07
Re: Re: Did you get my last email?

T.G.I.F.

Hi,

Are we ever going to connect?

Glenn

6/1/07 7:13 am
From:
Weebekaloo
Re: Re: Did you get my last email?

Good Morning

Hi again,

First, what the heck do you do that you are up at 4:00 in the morning? Wow.

Tell me about yourself. Why the incredibly short e-notes? I'm not one to chat on line forever, but I would love to have a little more conversation with you.

What's an adventure you've had lately? What fun things are you doing this weekend? Lastly, you say you are a catch in your profile; why?

(I'm good with the questions, no?)

Rebekah

6/1/07 7:43 am
From:
Forever07
Re: Good Morning

Hi,

I hit the gym at 5:00, and then i get ready for work and I do this about 3 times a week.

I work for a local company here and we are a Department of Defense contractor, and I work in Operations.

I love hike, go tot he beach, dinner, dancing and I hae fun whatever I do.

Now, I'm not going to keep sending endless emails.if you in-to meeting fine or talking on the phone, cool!

We both live in the same town and it's all about chmeistry.

So, you are either in or out..

Bye!

6/2/07 7:12 am

From:

Weebekaloo

Re:Re: Good Morning

Okay then,

I'm out.

Good luck!

Rebekah