My Job: Assignment #5 ~ UCLA/Washington Football Game ... Barricade Babe

I arrived at work at 5:30 a.m. Saturday at the Rose Bowl. Surprisingly to me, the joint was already hoppin’ when I got there. I found out that some staffers had been there at 4:00 a.m. and others had worked through the night, standing over tents and equipment and waiting for the dawn.

Food vendors were already busy setting up for the day’s crowd. Bristol Foods, Carl’s Junior, In and Out and Salt Creek Restaurant were the banners I could see from my vantage point of manning a barrier at Lot B. I didn’t know that those places were there when I worked my first football game at the Bowl or I would have bought my lunch there.

My first job that day was to give breaks to others who were manning the gates. Alyssa was the first staffer I spelled. She had been there at 4:00 a.m. A Latina woman in her mid-forties, we hit it off well. She’s been working for CSC on and off for five years, and it was fun to hear of some of her experiences. Typically we don’t have time to chat with each other and it’s frowned upon, but at 5:30 a.m. and no spectators to watch over, we were free to chat.

It’s really something to see a venue come to life before an event. The Rose Bowl has been there since 1922 and has seen the routine unfold countless times. The weather was going to cooperate. The morning was crisp and cold and the afternoon would warm up enough to be comfortable but not too hot. Delivery trucks, law enforcement officers meeting for their briefings and the handicapped were coming through Lot B. The barricades are made of wood and the plastic triangle stands they fit in, and they were easy to move back and forth. The drivers were friendly and that was the most interaction I would have with people this day. There were plenty of joggers running up and down the street outside of the Bowl, but they were concentrating on breathing and pushing themselves to the utmost to have energy and breath to exchange pleasantries, (though I did get a couple of walkers to take my picture by the lot for the shuttle buses.)

After my break I was sent over to the large parking area designated for shuttle busses. I met another woman who is also fairly new to the crowd management game. We were to direct the UCLA students coming from campus to safety in exiting the bus (and not walk into the path of other arriving shuttles) and that was it. Ten buses. Ten chances for interaction with students. That’s all. I had heard a statistic the night before that there were 20,000 applications from high school seniors competing for 4000 spaces, and as I looked at the kids coming off the bus I wondered if they realized how fortunate they were. Of course, not all of them were freshmen; some might have been JC students who transferred into the university. I hope that they are grateful for what they have going on for them.

As I was walking back to sign out once I was done I watched some interaction between UCLA and University of Washington students. “Hey, Huskies – you guys suck.” I saw a homemade tee-shirt of one Bruin fan that read “Huck Fuskies” and while I have to admit I thought that was kind of funny, it also made me think of all that tuition money being paid by Mom and Dad. “You suck” and “Huck Fuskies” is the best they could do? I bet Stanford and Cal students are more creative than that.

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME

In fact, don't try this anywhere at any time!

Day 6 without antidepressants. Cold turkey. Not because I decided I don't need it. Not because I think its wise to go off meds without following doctors' orders.

Because I don't have the money to refill the prescriptions. Two months ago the doctor doubled the dosage because I was struggling, and of course by not working I have no medical coverage or any money to pay for the now doubled cost. And of course its a medication that doesn't fall in the discount category at Walmart's pharmacy.

My emotions are all over the map. If I start laughing at something I'll be sobbing in less than 10 seconds. Its true. I've timed myself. Physically my body feels hot at one moment; cold in another. I keep telling myself no serious decision-making until I get squared away again. I'm barely able to hold any thought in my head for very long as it is anyway.

Fortunately, between my part-time paycheck that comes today and some help from my church, I'll be able to pay half . . . at least, that will get me back on some medication. Then in 10-14 days I'll be getting a disbursement from my retirement fund that will help me for the next few months. Hopefully I'll have a full time job by the time that disbursement is spent (a real possibility in the very near future.)

Bottom line - this is the shits!

I Don't Understand

Why are people afraid of me? What kind of threat do I pose to them, that they don't want me and "my kind" to marry? If there are so many people out there who aren't offended by gays being married, then why aren't we effective at the ballot box? Why does hate rule? And why do those Christians who hate gays feel that they truly represent the Divine? And why does fear tactics have to work so damn well? And why would anyone begrudge me the legal protection that marriage brings? And why wouldn't I take the vote personally today in Maine, and in the past in California and other states? And why would anybody label me so many nasty and derogatory names because of something I had no control over, anymore than I had control of having brown hair and eyes? And I'm done calling heterosexuals "straight" - what does that make me, "crooked"? "warped"? Yes, I am well aware conservative Christians would consider me all that. (Which wouldn't be such a big deal but my world and life had always been in The land of Conservative Christendom - family, friends, work . . . .) It makes me want to move to Canada where I can be . . . where I can just, be.

It wasn't until I found out a friend was gay years ago that what had been some sort of issue "out there" finally had a face and a familiarity; and a theological upheaval began. That upheaval had to happen in order for me to face my own sexuality; to consciously acknowledge I was "one of them" after all. There's a moment in the movie of "Gray Matters" when the main character discovers her true sexuality that she cries because she knows that she'll never have the wedding she had planned; that she won't be able to walk hand in hand with her true love without being stared at; that people won't understand her deep grief when her partner passes away. I weep every time at that part in the movie, because for no other reason than a person was created that way they - we - are denied simple practices, legitimacy and respect.

I was briefly tempted to feel responsible for the negative outcome of these elections because I didn't have any money to donate, but I realize the fallacy and silliness of that. I so hate my lack of financial independence! I have had to remain silent too many times over the last 17 months and not speak out in trying to offer more accurate information to certain friends because I am at the mercy of the kindness of friends for my living situation; I need a place to live and I am afraid to risk that. The depth of ignorance in the heterosexual world, particularly the conservative Christian heterosexual world, is really appalling. Not that there are that many people of any kind of persuasion who are willing to learn enough to possibly, just POSSIBLY, change their opinion about something. There are arrogant, obnoxious and pig-headed people on both sides of the political divide who are so damn sure they are right and everybody else is wrong, that trying to share a different perspective is a total and utter waste of time, breath and energy. Maybe my role in this fight for legitimacy and respect isn't going to be out in the forefront; maybe its going to simply be putting a face and familiarity to something that's "out there" for the people in my world. Maybe I won't move to Canada after all.

I just realized what "out there" is! Its ignorance.

My Job: Assignment #4 - Wielder of the Wand

Date: Halloween, 2009.
Event: a rave
Location: the L.A. Sports Arena
Assignment: working at the entrance and waving my wand over the crowd.

Okay, so it was nothing magical; I had one of those metal detector doodads that we checked people with before they were patted down, and then allowed in.

What I knew about raves at that point was nearly nothing. I knew that, at least originally, they were held in rural areas with lots of drugs. I didn’t know they had gone more mainstream in big venues with lots of drugs. I was a bit nervous to work this job, because I had heard about the drugs, drinking, rowdiness and potential for riots to break out (the last a comment from another event staffer.)

I did my usual get-lost-trying-to-find-the-parking-area-for-the-workers, but I did it the day before so I would be able to find my way when I needed to the worst. (I am nothing if not consistent.) I had plenty of time to spare to sign in and then stand around ‘til the cows came home. I was supposed to work checking IDs for the vendors selling beer, which I realized later would have put me within the Sports Arena. Eventually, we were directed to take seats in the peristyle of the Coliseum; the guard card holders in one group, the non-guard card holders in another group. We non-guard folks can only do a few things until we qualify for the guard card (a 40 hour online class and test; I’m peppering the company daily with emails and phone calls to get set up so I can get started.) As it turned out, I ended up at the entrance gate, which I was really thankful for (more on that later.) I really liked my supervisor; she is practical, to the point, gave great directions and very helpful.

We staffers got all set up and as I looked out on the crowd, I realized that nearly all of them were teenagers and young adults (though it would draw quite a range of ages across the board.) I thought, “I love this group! These are my people!” (Or as my friend refers to that age group, my “species”.) I relaxed a lot after that and began to look forward to the job. The lines were set up like at Disneyland, with barriers for the people to zigzag through. I didn’t know it until much later, but that maze stretched at least 150–200 yards to the west of us. As it came close to allow the first wave of folks in, one boy called out to us that his girlfriend was about to faint as he tried to hold her up. At first nobody did anything except figure that she was already wasted, and then I went and found one of the supervisors. By the time he got there another supervisor was there. Mine went off to get water but I didn’t know how long it would take, so I gave her my water. She told me she hadn’t eaten all day, so I gave her a bag of pretzels I had in my pocket. Her color and strength improved immediately, which made me upset with myself for thinking what everyone else had thought. Throughout the night I’d keep hollering to the folks coming in to go all the way down to the end (we were stretched out probably 25 yards or so with a lot of staffers to check them in.) At one point, I saw that my supervisor was nearby but not looking at me, and she gave a little nod of approval. What can I say – once a teacher, always a teacher what with the bossing people around and all. There was quite an array costumes, but I’m thinking I wouldn’t be surprised to find that if I worked another rave, the girls would still be pretty much dressed like they were Saturday night. Scantily, in the vernacular of my day. Skanky, in the vernacular of today.

Really now – what ARE the chances of being in a crowd of 70,000+, that three former students would walk up to me at my post? “Oh my GOD!!! It’s MISS FLOYD!!! I can’t believe this!!!” Happily they were glad to see me, and of course I remembered their names much later. Overall, it was hilarious. I swear that 65,000 of those 70,000 came through our entrance. I’ve never seen so much humanity in such a small space before. I was sweating bullets in no time, and wishing I had kept a few of those pretzels for myself.

My second break was for a meal, and the food was in the Sports Arena. This was when I realized just how thankful I was that my job was outside. It was so loud inside that my internal organs were vibrating. There was an outdoor stage about 100-150 yards to the south of us, and they were plenty loud from that distance. Every so often these plumes of flames would shoot up and we could feel the heat from that distance. I can’t imagine what the heat was like within that area. They played techno music (I guessed that to a much younger staffer and was right) and I can now say I’ve had enough of techno music for a lifetime.

When I got back from “lunch” (the break started at 10:45 p.m.) the routine had changed. I lost my magic wand and went to modified pat down. I didn’t realize it until later but during my break there had been some trouble, with a lot of shoving that pushed down the perimeter barriers. It was imperative to get those kids in as quickly as possible. Finally, by midnight, the mass of humanity had passed through, though there was a steady stream of people continuing to come in until around 1:00 a.m.

One side benefit of this particular assignment was that there was a vast amount of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters on the ground from when people were trying to empty their pockets before their pat downs. I picked up close to $2:00 in change. At first I left the pennies because a million years ago when I was in 7th grade, my big brother emphatically and eternally burned it in my consciousness to NEVER PICK UP A PENNY because that’s how the older kids found out who the newbies were. I thought maybe I shouldn’t pick up the coins but when I saw my supervisor looking for loot, I happily joined in.

Near the end of my shift (some would be there until 5:00 a.m.) I saw a man pacing on the other side of the barrier. I asked him if I could help and he told me that his son had text him to come and pick him up, but now his son wasn’t responding to any texts or calls and Mr. Dad was starting to get worried. I got a supervisor who then got a police officer. After the policeman left I walked back to Mr. Dad and asked if he was going to be able to go in. Unfortunately, he wasn’t because as the officer said, “I’ve heard every excuse in the book from people trying to get in free.” I took the dad’s name and number, and told him that as soon as I was off I’d find the first aid station and see if his son was there and I’d call him. There wasn’t a first aid station; the EMTs were taken directly to the people who were sick. I called Mr. Dad and got his voice mail, so I walked back to the entrance to see if he was there – maybe it was his phone that was the problem and the son couldn’t get hold of him. Mr. Dad was gone and I was hoping that all had gone well. As I was walking to my car, I got a call from Mrs. Mom who was at the other entrance, so I told her what I found out about the first aid and wished her the best. I still had the number yesterday so I called and left a message, wondering what had happened and that I hoped all was well and they had my prayers. Mrs. Mom called me this morning to let me know that the son’s phone couldn’t get reception inside the grounds and he had called because he was cold. Mr. and Mrs. Parents were there for five hours, and then decided to go home and try to call through their computer. On the way home, they got a speeding ticket (of course!) and by the time they rolled in, Son was already home. I was glad for the happy ending.

My Job: Assignment #3 - U2 Concert

This was really more than a concert, or a show - it was a happening; a moment.

What is it with me and finding places and getting times mixed up? I was going to scout out where the off-site parking was going to be for all the workers at the U2 concert on Saturday, but spent the time with my friend Kimberly who was in from North Carolina. I said to myself, “Self – no prob! We’ll just leave that much earlier to find the location.” I was glad I did because of course I wandered around Pasadena like a lost soul trying to find the friggin’ parking place. Fortunately, I did find it and got to work with time to spare. PLENTY of time as it turned out. I had been told my call time was 2:00 but either it was changed to 3:00 or I got the info wrong. Anyway, I was there an hour and a half early. Fortunately, I was able to get an official, navy blue with yellow lettering CSC EVENT STAFF baseball cap. Oh, how I wish I had had it last week, but that’s another story to be told (soon). I finally got to sign in and was told I’d be at the VIP location. How cool was that?

So we hurried up and then waited. And waited. And waited some more. Finally a supervisor came out and called us to gather around. As it turned out, nearly half the staffers didn’t have the A-Z list (which helps us direct people to various places like first aid, etc.) and that caused even more waiting. Another thing that none of us had were maps of the stadium, which was, as time would prove, sorely needed. As we were standing around, the lady who was my supervisor at the UCLA game saw me and motioned me over to work with her. That would take me out of the VIP area, but I was secretly glad, because there will be plenty of times to work the VIP section at other events, but my hearing loss is forever! I did see one celeb – Pierce Bronson (James Bond) and his wife/girlfriend/whoever. They were looking for the “Round Room” that the la-te-dahs got a special pass to and wouldn’t you know it? Directions on the A-Z list were as clear as mud. She was getting a little pissy about it but he directed her away and they went searching for their party.

I was stationed at one of the tunnels outside, which made the volume perfect for these old ears. On one of my breaks I went up the tunnel just to see the sights, and it was beautiful. 92000+ fans inside. All that colorful humanity; and a good many of them stoned, from what I heard. "There's a bunch of middle-aged people smoking and sharing their pot" was one comment I heard. It kind of cracked me up (like the pope is kind of Catholic.) The stage was huge, and looked like the restaurant-in-the-sky at LAX - in fact, it was patterned after that. Huge screens showed Bono and the rest of them as the stage turned 360 degrees - thus the name for the concert: U2 and the 360. Or something like that. As I got closer to the action the music rose proportionately. In other words, - too loud for this chick! I definitely would have had to wear ear plugs, and I'm glad I was stationed where I was. That was the largest crowd in Rose Bowl history, and it got kind of dicey for awhile. (There were CSC staffers from Fresno, San Francisco and Arizona, among other places that were bussed in to help.) For the most part the people were friendly and nice. I’d wish them a good time, don’t cause too much trouble, have fun, don’t get to rowdy, etc. People responded as good-naturedly as the chitchat was intended. The dicey part was trying to get people in before the concert started. There were still hundreds, if not thousands, of people trying to make their way in when the Black Eyed Peas opened the show at 7:00. From the entrance where I was the walkway went down into a tunnel and then to stairs that took them up to their seats. The tunnel was narrower than the walkway, so people were just jammed in there. Not a good time for those with claustrophobia. The fire marshal was so pissed off (because all the tunnels were the same way) as he came up to me and my partner. "When the crowd gets backed up this far, you have to stop letting people in. It’s a fire hazard . . . " rant, rant rant. Fine, sir, but we didn't realize the situation because NOBODY BOTHERED TO TELL US ANYTHING AND GIVE US ANY DAMN DIRECTIONS!!!! Unless we’ve worked there before or attended something at the Rose Bowl, we don’t know the lay of the land, so to speak. Anyway, we had to stop people from going in until the backlog cleared, which pissed off those people. Some had arrived early and had gone to the bathroom and now couldn't get to their seats . . . we got an earful. I walked up the path a bit as one lady bent my ear at how unfair it all was. One guy looked over to me and said, "We know it’s not your fault" and I told him I appreciated that, and if nothing else, I could at least listen to anybody who wanted to vent. My supervisor was at our location when we had to stop people from going in the first time and one guy came charging over, saying how the tunnel at Gate 24 was packed with "at least 500 people" and "we all paid for our tickets and we can't get in for the whole show" and "we paid fucking good money" . . . My supervisor started yelling back, which of course didn't help matters . . . We were supposed to let only those with tickets for Tunnel 27 come in. They were walking by really fast and I couldn't keep up with it and by the second time we had to stop the patrons from going in and listening to more murmuring, I thought "Screw this!" and just let people go in when we were finally able to let them pass. So that was the unpleasant part of the evening. The show was delayed an hour in order to get everybody in and situated. I was going to say "seated", but when I went to peek at the set-up everybody was standing and singing along. I recognized some of their music. Okay, not really. Maybe two numbers. Maybe. But doubtful. I'm such a dweeb!

The concert was in full swing when I finally went on my lunch break. As I was walking around to find a place to eat there were a whole lot of people still outside the stadium, talking and visiting. Holy crap! People paid at least $100 to see this and they’re outside talking with friends whom they see all the time? I wanted to yell, “Get in there and put that ticket money to good use!” Wisely, I refrained. But if I’m putting that much cash out for a ticket I ain’t leavin’ ‘til the fat lady sings!

Things slowed down considerably once U2 began. Next to my station was the ramp that led to the field. About halfway through the show I noticed that there was a long line of fellow staffers at the edges of the entrance. They were there to hold the crowds back as the vehicles (limos of the stretch variety, Escalades, etc.) that were going to carry the performers back to their hotel backed down into the tunnel leading on to the field. When the yellow caution tape was lifted by the staffers, then people either had to wait until the coast was clear or walk back around. Oh yeah, that settled well with the entitled, but fortunately there weren’t that many. The rest of the realists took it in good humor. It was fun to get responses to the questions I asked after U2 was done, especially from the older fans who have probably attended many other of U2’s shows. “Did you have fun?” “Was it good?” “Was it worth the price of the ticket?” All responses were very positive and people left happy. I don’t know how happy they were to sit in traffic trying to get out, but that’s all part of the experience, I suppose.

My Job: Assignment #2 - UCLA/Cal Game

One of the appeals of this job for me is the chance to get to work sporting events. My second assignment was to work the UCLA – Cal football game at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, 10/17/09. I started my assignment at the Rose Bowl early. Not knowing exactly how to get there, I drove over on Friday night to become familiar with the area. I’m glad I did, because of course I had left the information of exactly where to go at home, and I couldn’t find what I thought I remembered was the lot we were to drive through on the way to our parking location. After driving around the facility several times, I knew that I definitely would have to leave early so I could find my way and still have time to spare before I signed in. Once I got home and reread the directions, I realized I had found the correct lot after all. Nonetheless, I still left early the next day (but without the snacks I had bought the night before . . . one day I’m going to have myself together, but don’t start taking any bets as to when that will be.)

We had had cold and rainy weather early in the week, but by Saturday the temperatures were back up. WAY up – 97 degrees up. The weather was pretty clear for Southern California – very little smog. The hills surrounding the stadium were really pretty and perfect for a “fall” sports day. We had been told at orientation that baseball caps would be available at the site so I was pretty disappointed when the people in charge said there weren’t any. I was really going to need one, as it turned out. I also hadn’t thought about sunscreen. Another mistake.

I was assigned to crosswalk duty. The location was about a half-mile from the stadium. The street is very wide, with a large island that separates the four lanes. There was some shade from the trees on the island and a few rocks to sit on. There were some trees on the south side of the road; the north side was a huge open field where the tailgate parties were set up and going strong. There were four of us staffers, and two supervisors. The first one was to get us situated until the second one arrived. Besides myself, there was Lady E, an older African-American woman who is feisty and fun; a skinny white guy named K who looked to be in his late 20s or so; and a very young looking Latino named Mister E. He is 19, and I kidded him, saying I thought that staffers had to have graduated from high school to work. We got our directions from Supe #1. One important thing I learned that day was that it would be good to take the initiative when necessary. We understood that we were to stay at the crosswalk, but there was no way to funnel the people to us. They’d jaywalk at any point when they saw a break in the traffic. Supe #2 arrived, saw the jaywalkers, looked at us and asked why we were just standing there. Come to find out, we needed to walk up and down the street to wherever the fans were ready to cross and hold up or oh-so-official stop signs and actually direct things. I felt like an idiot. I was mad at the lack of directions but even madder with me for not using my good common sense and adapting to what as needed.

The best part of this job is that you can make it as fun as you want it to be. I had a lot of fun talking with the fans as they streamed by, telling them to have a good time, greeting the little kids, and just smoozing. I do well at smoozing, though I think most of my friends would be surprised to see me in action. I like to surprise people.

We had been driven to our location but we were going to have to walk back to the stadium for lunch. In the 97 degree weather. With the sun beating down on us every step of the way. Man, it was HOT that day! Supe #2 gave us an extra 10 minutes for lunch because of the walk, which was nice. We can get meal tickets for a hot dog and drink but it will be deducted from our paycheck. I decided I’d spend the big bucks and get something I really wanted to eat. There are all kinds of food vendors that surround the stadium – sushi, BBQ, Wings, Mexican, teriyaki chicken and such. I had the BBQ wings and fries and a coke, and ate it as Lady E and I walked around looking for a friend of hers who is a vendor and for whom she worked for in years past. She made him give us two bottles of water and by that time it was time to trek back to the crosswalk so the guys could go have their lunch break.

There was an Igloo full of water for us by Supe #1 who was stationed about 200 yards or so from us. When I went to get some water I thought she said “There have been complaints but I want you to know that you’re doing a great job.” I thanked her, went to get my water and then asked her who was complaining. I had misunderstood her and she told me again I was “doing great.” That was really good to hear. Apparently she had been watching us from her spot all day, so it was good to know that I made some good impressions with the boss ladies.

UCLA wasn’t doing so well in the game, and that along with the heat had a lot of people leaving early. After the game I’d offer my condolences to the Bruin fans, saying things like “there’s next year”. One guy grumbled good-naturedly, “Yeah, its ALWAYS next year.” The Bruin band’s busses were nearby and I told several of them that at least THEY were still good, which they appreciated. We broke down some of the barriers and then waited to get permission to leave. And waited. And waited some more. By that time, some staffers from other nearby posts were gathered at her car and we all weren’t going to fit, so I started walking back. I realized I was starting to limp but before I could figure out why, another golf cart of staffers were driving by so I hopped on and got a ride back to our headquarters.

Now this is probably going to be TMI, but that limp was from the fact that because of my oh so sexy polyester pants, and the heat and all the walking, a huge 1” by 1” welt had developed on my inner thigh. Holy crap, did that hurt! Thank the good Lord that He created Aloe Vera – that took care of the problem in two days. Boy was I fried, literally, by the time I got home! Next time, I’m wearing basketball shorts under the trousers and plenty of sunscreen.

Fun Friday

A friend of mine scored two free tickets to the Dodger game this afternoon and I got to go! The Dodgers scored two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to tie and then go-ahead. All fans were given those cool little towels and it was wild when the Dodgers FINALLY got on track. One of the most fun things was how complete strangers, yes - including yours truly - gave each other high fives when good things started happening. It was so much fun - such a blast!!!

This week was homecoming week for my goddaughter at the school I used to teach at, and its been a different theme for dress up day every day - a nice break from uniforms. The football game is tomorrow night and I'll drop by after getting off work at the Rose Bowl (UCLA/Cal game) as event staffer. The high school has a great spread set out for alumni and I'll have a chance to see former students. And oh yeah. We're playing our arch-rival. Fun to be had for all!

Feeling . . .

. . .

To set this up, I have been taking and/or picking up my goddaughter from school the past few days, and I realized that the last group of kids I had as at teacher are in her class. Megan is a junior and I had some of them when they were in my freshman world history class two years ago. This is the last group of students who know who I am. I taught at VCS for 28 years and I was known at least by name to the underclassmen, because I might have had their older brothers or sisters (or PARENTS!!!). Many had told me that they were glad to be juniors because they would finally have me.

That's not the case anymore. I haven't seen that many juniors or seniors when I've gone to pick Megan up, and I'm just another adult out in the parking lot to pick up a kid. Its weird! And disconcerting! How could I have worked so long in one place and within a two year span not be known around there anymore? It feels like when I was away at college and came home - it was home, but it was different. I guess if I had a full time job (like I had a college/friends/dorm/classes to go back to), it might not feel so unsettling. I know I AM remembered by those kids whom I had in classes (two-thirds of my FB friends are former students who looked me up), and that is comforting, but I guess I didn't expect to NOT be known by students at my old school. Definitely a time of change and new beginnings.

But all this has made me feel . . . unsettled; discombobulated; disconcerted and invisible.

Job - Assignment #1 (Part 2)

As it came time for Jason to make his way to the platform, still unbeknowst to the crowd, it was fun watching the teenage girls who had front row box seats just above the promenade. They saw that some stage crew guys were setting up the mikes and stuff on the platform. They were in the perfect spot for close up pictures. They were beside themselves with joy.

In typical Southern California fashion, many members of the audience had gotten up to leave after what they thought was the end of the concert, (what with the lights going off and all after one song) and made a beeline for the exits. Can you imagine how pissed off they must have been when they're walking to their cars and hear this roar from the crowd and music starting up again? The security guards got Jason and his friends over to the platform and people started going nuts.Those who had already left their seats and were on the promenade were as giddy as the teenage girls up in the box seats. Thankfully, people were, NOT pushing and shoving. Cameras started clicking and it was like being in a lightening storm. We staffers aren't supposed to take pictures, so I asked one of the girls in front of me to take a picture for me with my camera phone. (Unfortunately she didn't take a good picture, but it was worth a try.) Jason sang three songs, and one of them was a fan favorite, because everybody started singing along. What a rush that must be, to have thousands of people singing along with you on a song you wrote? The security guys and us staffers tried to get people to move back or alongside the wall and keep a path opened, but there were just too many people. The supervisors figured out how to get the band back to the main stage another way, so we didn't have to try to stop the tide of people from going back to their seats and just enjoyed the music with them. Jason and friends got back to the main stage and ended the show with a few more numbers and then it was truly over.

There were only minor annoyances with the patrons. I ended up moving the same couple along as they stopped for pictures two different times throughout the evening. Then there were the two blond princesses, about 20 years old or so, and pretty much hammered. I moved them along once on the promenade. A while later they were standing on the stairs leading to the next level of box seats (where the teenage girls were), and one of the staffers asked them to move. Nothing. So I go over and tell them fire regulations cannot allow standing on the stairs. Nothing. Another staffer goes over. Nothing. Our S.L. was walking toward us, looked at the girls, looked at us, and we shrugged and told her what had happened. She walked over to them and said something. They moved. They walked up the stairs a ways and stood in an aisle. One of the twinkies looked at me and mouthed "bullshit" three or four times. I don't know if she could read my lips, but I said "just doing my job" and read "bullshit" again. As the staffer to my left said, "They don't know it, but they're not always going to have their looks and then let's see what happens to their sense of entitlement then." They'll probably always have that entitlement thing going 'til the day they die, but that's their problem, not mine.

I stayed at my post until the sound crew had everything packed up, then I went and signed out. Instead of waiting for the shuttle which meant I could sit but would be stuck in traffic, I decided to walk back to the garage. One of the guys I met at orientation walked with me and another woman and all three of us had a chance to visit and share stories. The lady I walked back with has been doing this a bit longer than me, and I got some good tips about how to proceed with getting my guard's license (a requirement.) And, come to find out, the reason I couldn't find the shuttle was because I was at the wrong parking structure, which meant my parking voucher wasn't any good and I got to pay the $18.00 parking fee. Yeah. It does help to stay calm when you're rushing somewhere so that you can remember ALL the details.

This Saturday - the Rose Bowl for the UCLA-Cal game.

Job - Assignment #1 (Part 1)

Last night was my first night at work. You've seen those people at sporting events and concerts that wear the windbreakers with "Event Staff" on the back? I'm now one of them. The event was a Jason Mraz concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

First of all, I had left early to get to the parking structure (away from the venue) and catch the shuttle and still be there in plenty of time to check in. On the way I remembered I needed to stop for some cash. Crap! That absorbed my cushion of time I had allotted and made getting to the Bowl at the time I wanted to really close. I finally found the parking structure, but no shuttle, so I ended up taking a taxi, which ate up some of the money I had just gotten out of an ATM but hadn't expected to spend on a taxi. I got to the location on time, though, and pulled an old army trick - hurry up and wait. The process of signing in seemed pretty chaotic - I don't know if that is the norm or the fact that the crew was going to be down one supervisor was what threw a wrench in the works. I signed in, using my own pen which was blue and was walking away when I heard a very irate "Hey, come back!" The woman was highly irritated with me. "I said to sign in black, and gave you my pen and you still used blue ink" as she whited out the offending signature. So I signed in with the sacred black ink, got my windbreaker and headed off to the patio where everybody was hanging out, waiting for directions.

I chatted a bit with a couple of other employees, trying to be friendly and such, and the supervisors eventually showed up to start dividing us into our working crews. We all had been given a wrist band of various colors, and all of us blue wrist-banders were in charge of keeping the walkways clear; keep people walking and no stopping for picture taking, etc. These promenades are quite broad and separate the different levels of the Hollywood Bowl. My supervisor asked how many of us had a small flashlight with us - out of the 2 or 3 dozen of us, I was one of a very few (we're to have small flashlights and carry pen and paper with us). Oh my goodness, the excuses that filled the air! I felt I was back in teaching asking how many had done their homework or had brought their textbooks with them to class. We got a sternly brief lecture that the flashlight was part of our uniform and off she led us to the first promenade. We got to the center of the Bowl, right next to the sound board, and the Supervisor Lady asked, "Who has their flashlight?" I was the first to respond so she placed me at the sound board and told me to keep people away from the huge equipment carts/locker on wheels, whatever those things are called. (Their about 5 feet long, 4 or 5 feet deep and all the sound stuff goes in them.) So, there's the stage, then the first of the box seats, then the promenade and the sound board. The Floydster scores!!! After awhile the S.L. came back to give me further instructions and get my name and number. (The windbreakers have numbers on the front. I told her the number and she said that was her address, so maybe that will help her remember me somewhere down the line.)

There were several opening acts, none of the names which I got (I tried and ran them by my god-daughter what I thought the names of the groups or individuals were. She asked me if I was sure I had the names right and kept giggling at my feeble efforts, so I won't bother to post any of the near-misses. She's a Jason Mraz fan and was shocked that I had never heard of him. I reminded her of that and so why would I know the warm-up acts?) I guess about thirty minutes after the S.L. made her rounds, another supervisor came by to tell me of what was going to go on during the concert. About 3 yards away from the sound board was a very small stage - a platform, actually, and Jason and some of his band (we were on a first name basis by the end of the show - heh heh) were going to come down, escorted by the security guys, to sing three songs from that platform. He told me it was going to get crazy, and just to keep people from leaning on the boxes/mobile lockers as they rushed down to take pictures. Fortunately, there were plenty of event staffers who were sent down through the performance to form a line between the boxes and the masses; it wasn't me against the cast of thousands.

The Hollywood Bowl crowd is pretty mellow, or maybe it was because Jason Mraz draws that kind of crowd. He appeals to all ages: I saw young teens to grandparents. It was really cool. Back in my day his music was called folk music; I don't know what it is today if its a different label. As the folks came in I'd greet them with a "have fun", "enjoy the show", etc., and nearly everybody responded.One guy walked by wearing an Angel baseball cap and we had a moment of "happy fandom" about how happy we were that they had swept the Red Sox. He would pass by a few times and we'd exchange pleasantries about our favorite team. A couple of kids gave me high fives when I asked for one and offered my hand. One couple stopped as the man looked at all the different lights and levers and such. Soon I asked them to keep on walking but said, "Go in slow motion so you can see all the stuff. Just as long as your moving." He looked over at me with surprise and started laughing and offered me a high five - it was a hoot!

The S.L. came by with another staffer to spell me for a dinner break. Due to the exorbitant prices of food and the unexpected taxi fare, I hadn't taken enough money with me, so I thought I'd get a snack and drink and that would tide me over. I got a small popcorn for a large enough price ($2.75) and was in line to buy water when I spilled the popcorn - every kernel quickly on the ground. Great. Fortunately, there were soft pretzels for sale and I got one of those and was able to stave off starvation.

(Part 2 tomorrow)

I've got a job!!!!

I got a job September 24th with a security firm that provides security at sporting events ( UCLA, USC, racing, etc.), concerts (Hollywood Bowl is one venue), award shows, Rose Parade, etc. The guy called it a permanent part-time job because the hours vary, but as long as they are happy with us we can work for as long as we want. The really busy season is coming up - November through January. Its a good job for a supplemental income, working between jobs, etc. I have to take a 40 hour class to get a guard card, but its online and I can get through it at my own speed, so I might be able to shave off some of those hours. Its $250 but the company takes it out of a couple of paychecks, so I don't have to pay out of pocket. So be looking for me with my blue polyester slacks, white shirt and yellow windbreaker that has "SECURITY" on the back and carrying a walkie-talkie in a couple of weeks when your watching some football on TV!

My first 3 assignments: 10/10 - Hollywood Bowl for Jason Mraz concert; 10/17 - Rose Bowl for UCLA vs. Cal; 10/25 - Rose Bowl again for U2 concert.

Oh yeah - this job is going to be A LOT of fun!

In honor of Thing 1

I was over at Carolyn . . . Online and am copying the contents and posting it here. Read on and you'll understand.

Kevin of Always Home and Uncool has done an amazing thing. He has asked many of his fellow bloggers to all publish the following post today as part of his effort to raise awareness in the blogosphere of juvenile myositis, a rare autoimmune disease his daughter was diagnosed with on this day seven years ago. The day also happens to be his wife's birthday. And when you read what he wrote you will know perhaps a bit more than you did a minute ago about a tricky disease, and you'll think to yourself, "What a wonderful birthday present for his wife."

So read on. Today the internet is dedicated to Thing 1.


*********************************


Our pediatrician admitted it early on.

The rash on our 2-year-old daughter's cheeks, joints and legs was something he'd never seen before.

The next doctor wouldn't admit to not knowing.

He rattled off the names of several skins conditions -- none of them seemingly worth his time or bedside manner -- then quickly prescribed antibiotics and showed us the door.

The third doctor admitted she didn't know much.

The biopsy of the chunk of skin she had removed from our daughter's knee showed signs of an "allergic reaction" even though we had ruled out every allergy source -- obvious and otherwise -- that we could.

The fourth doctor had barely closed the door behind her when, looking at the limp blonde cherub in my lap, she admitted she had seen this before. At least one too many times before.

She brought in a gaggle of med students. She pointed out each of the physical symptoms in our daughter:

The rash across her face and temples resembling the silhouette of a butterfly.

The purple-brown spots and smears, called heliotrope, on her eyelids.

The reddish alligator-like skin, known as Gottron papules, covering the knuckles of her hands.

The onset of crippling muscle weakness in her legs and upper body.

She then had an assistant bring in a handful of pages photocopied from an old medical textbook. She handed them to my wife, whose birthday it happened to be that day.

This was her gift -- a diagnosis for her little girl.

That was seven years ago -- Oct. 2, 2002 -- the day our daughter was found to have juvenile dermatomyositis, one of a family of rare autoimmune diseases that can have debilitating and even fatal consequences when not treated quickly and effectively.

Our daughter's first year with the disease consisted of surgical procedures, intravenous infusions, staph infections, pulmonary treatments and worry. Her muscles were too weak for her to walk or swallow solid food for several months. When not in the hospital, she sat on our living room couch, propped up by pillows so she wouldn't tip over, as medicine or nourishment dripped from a bag into her body.

Our daughter, Thing 1, Megan, now age 9, remembers little of that today when she dances or sings or plays soccer. All that remain with her are scars, six to be exact, and the array of pills she takes twice a day to help keep the disease at bay.

What would have happened if it took us more than two months and four doctors before we lucked into someone who could piece all the symptoms together? I don't know.

I do know that the fourth doctor, the one who brought in others to see our daughter's condition so they could easily recognize it if they ever had the misfortune to be presented with it again, was a step toward making sure other parents also never have to find out.

That, too, is my purpose today.

It is also my birthday gift to my wife, My Love, Rhonda, for all you have done these past seven years to make others aware of juvenile myositis diseases and help find a cure for them once and for all.

To read more about children and families affected by juvenile myositis diseases, visit Cure JM Foundation at www.curejm.org.

To make a tax-deductible donation toward JM research, go to www.firstgiving.com/rhondaandkevinmckeever or www.curejm.com/team/donations.htm.

When I go to do something . . .

On my last post I wrote about falling out of bed while dreaming of baseball glory at Dodger Stadium. Here are some pictures of my ankle.

2 days after the fall

6 days after the fall

I do like giving anything I do my best effort!

Unbelievable!

Here's something that happened last night that I haven't done in a million years. I was dreaming that I was hit by a baseball while at Dodger Stadium and I jumped onto the field to chase the ball down and the next thing I know, I am awake and realizing that I have just fallen out of bed. Fallen.out.of.the.stupid.bed. What tha . . .? How lame is that? I can't figure out what I banged my right ankle on, but its swollen, as is my right forearm. I'll post pictures to show my bruises once I figure out how to download my pictures from my phone to my computer. (I've done it before with my old phone and have used the same method of emailing myself from my phone, but for some reason, its not working with my new phone.) Sheez!

Everybody sing . . .

. . .

O happy day (O happy day) O happy day (O happy day!)
When the Floydster got (when the Floydster got)
When the Floydster got (when the Floydster got)
When the Floydster got (when the Floydster got)
A job, hey hey! (O happy day! O happy day!)

Yes, sports fans, its true - I finally have a job. Its a part-time job but its permanent. I'm going to be a security guard with a company that provides security for sporting events (USC, UCLA, other colleges in all sports, thus making the Colosseum and the Rose Bowl places I'll be working); concerts (Hollywood Bowl is one venue); the Rose Parade; award shows, etc. Its part-time because its obviously not an 8-5 kind of job, but its permanent because they'll always need security guards. I have to get a guard's card, but until I do I'll be taking tickets, checking passes, etc. Once I get the guard's card, I'll be able to check bags and backpacks and deal with rowdy types. The process of getting the card is rather long - 40 hours, but its online, so I can shave some of those hours off since I read pretty fast. Plus, the company will take the fee for the class out of my paycheck over time, so I won't have to pay out of pocket. I'll have to buy some blue polyester pants and a white shirt, but I have the black shoes and will be provided with the cool windbreaker that says "Security" on the back. I don't know if I'll be carrying a walkie-talkie or get to have one of those cool ear pieces. The pay is $8 an hour until I get my card, then it will be $10 an hour, and I guess I can get raises as well. I go to a 3 hour orientation this coming Tuesday and will find out about stuff like raises, if we get benefits, etc. Its going to be fun and I'm guessing will provide some great blog fodder as well. The busy season is about to start - November though January. At last I'll be working again! It will be a good job 'til I can get a full-time permanent job, and I can still do this once I do get the permanent job for a supplemental income. Hooray!!!!!

Eight years ago today

I'll never forget 9/11/01, and I doubt anyone else will who was alive and old enough to remember.

I remember how incredibly beautiful it was that day. I don't remember if we had the Santa Ana winds that blow away all the smog and gunk in the air, but it was as clear outside as if we had. The colors were almost hurtful-on-the-eyes-bright - the sky a crisp blue and the clouds cotton-ball white. It was a day that made you glad to be alive and thankful for such beauty. I got into the car to go pick up my riders and head to school - a mom who worked at VCS and her two daughters. On the short, 3 minute drive I heard on the news about a plane that had crashed into one of the Twin Towers. Usually I'd honk outside their house to let them know I was there, but instead I rushed in and had them turn on the TV. We watched the news and I can't remember if the second plane crashed while we watched it together or if that happened on the way to school or after we were there. Whenever it was we knew of the second crash, we also realized we were under attack. Our day and lives changed forever.

The beauty of the day lost its luster and sparkle, I noticed as I walked around between periods and at lunch time. There was no teaching of history that day - we were in the middle of making it. I doubt that any "book learning" went on as all TVs in the classrooms (at least at the H.S. level) were on. I thought it was worse than even Pearl Harbor, because while the Japanese did bomb the hospital, it was a military hospital. The Twin Towers and the people in it were all civilians. The sick feeling in my gut was strongest because I knew life as we knew it was over - no more easy access to boarding airplanes, to name just one change that came about. I don't remember if attendance was down a lot that day or not because of parents keeping kids at home.We Christian teachers had an interesting time battling our human desire for vengeance and our duty to follow Christ, which led to hot debates of exactly what would Jesus do? The more open the teacher was as he/she struggled with the dichotomy the more respected they became by their students - it was good for kids to see grown ups wrestle with the morality of it all. I remember concerns voiced about would L.A. be attacked next? If so, when? Rumors flew around from classroom to classroom faster than normal, only to be dispelled later.

American flags blossomed all over the land within the next 48 hours. Civilians would yell out to the police and fireman stopped at red lights, thanking them for what they did. I was one of them. Our lives have changed. We've become accustomed to so many things we never dreamed would ever have to take place. For many, particularly the young, innocence may have been lost forever. For others, skepticism has become more ingrained. Maybe if we had gone to war in Afghanistan alone, then going to war would have been more understandable. But to fight in Iraq because of reports of weapons of destruction that never were found - not only skepticism came in but for many, cynicism toward our government entered as well. Fear has been prevalent. Anyone who doesn't think like us is branded unpatriotic and probably a closet Muslim. Anyone who doesn't think like us is a threat and should be silenced, quickly. There's no such thing as reasonable discourse, it seems.

The question of how does a democracy react and respond when sucker punched is maybe still being worked out. Do we treat military prisoners like our enemy does, and if so, do we stop it or let it continue? Revenge is understandable, but is it the best course of action? Are we, or are we not, a country based on the principles of love? If so, what does that mean - that we become pansies? When is it right to fight, and when is it right to stop? How many more young military men and women are going to die before these questions are answered?

It seems that the reverberations of 9/11/01 still are rumbling.

Is courtesy and respect too far gone?

In regards to the Senator from South Carolina during Obama's speech last night ~

I would tell my students on the first day of school about respect and authority. I told them that I knew I had to earn their respect, and until that was accomplished, I expected them to show common courtesy to me and others during the process. If you can’t respect the PERSON in authority, then respect the POSITION of authority.

I really appreciated Obama's words at Ted Kennedy's funeral. He said how Kennedy had the ability to not take or become personal in his disagreements with political opponents - that they could disagree and still, if not be friends, definitely have respect for each other.

This is what saddens me the most. The VENOM that spews from the dyed-in-the-wool of BOTH parties. Its nothing new. Political parties in the early days of our history make today look like people holding polite conversation at a cocktail party. But the fact is, today there seems to be more intolerance and lack of respect for other's opinions. Not just the politicians, but among us ordinary, everyday folks as well. Or is it the old adage that the squeaky wheel gets the attention? Are there more moderate folks out there who don't have the access to the microphones and such? Or are the dyed-in-the-wool types naturally more vocal than moderates? Is it really THAT difficult to take the time to see the good ideas of BOTH sides? Is it naivete to think that the motives of our political opponents COULD actually be well-intended and not a power grab, or Satanic? That people of the opposite party CAN actually be patriotic as well as us? That a person can be a Democrat and a Christian or a Republican and a Christian all at the same time? That God is not a Republican, or a Democrat? That He is actually above politics? If politics was the complete answer to the worlds' problems, then why didn't Jesus become a member of one of the political parties of His day?

My answer to that is because politics involves power and power corrupts. Except the power of love. And that is what Jesus brought us when He came to earth. That true love is the perfect answer to what ails us. And if we would treat each other as we want to be treated, we'd all be better off.

And I guess that my last paragraph will convince many that I am, indeed, naive.

One Month Later

Starting where I left off and then some:

• I went to Micah Owen's funeral - just a sad, sad day. He was buried on his 26th birthday and the 5 month anniversary of his wedding. Just so tragic.
• I moved about three weeks ago to another friend's home. I'm staying with my friend Gayle and Lane and goddaughter Megan. My hang-up clothes are in the trunk of my car; my suitcase is my bureau, and two shoe boxes are my sock and underwear drawers. But I'm not homeless, and I am very grateful for that.
• Long distance relationships are hard! I met up with a friend of very long ago on FB and we had an intense two weeks of emails and phone calls and I thought maybe this could be a romance-in-the-making but now not so sure. We're at a really awkward place right now. Like I said - long distance relationships are HARD! At least one good bit of knowledge has come. Just a week before we reconnected I had figured that my sexual organs had died and gone to organ heaven since I had no feelings down south at all. Glad to know that they aren't dead - just have been in a long, long, long, long, long winter!
• l finally was able to pay off my cellphone bill and got a new phone! WAY cool - lots of fun. I'm living on my retirement money now as I still look for work.
• I've been out of work for 15 months now. Being out of work really, really, r.e.a.l.l.y. R.E.A.L.L.Y. sucks.
  

Sad, sad news

I found out yesterday that a former student, Micah Owen, died that morning. He was in his mid-to-late 20s, maybe early 30s, recently married (to another former student, in March). Micah was rear-ended on Wednesday, still in a lot of pain on Thursday, so his Heather took him to Urgent Care. He was given pain pills and sent home. Yesterday morning Heather couldn't wake him up. There might have been an undiagnosed head injury which would have made those pain pills lethal.

On his FB page his last entry was how he felt bad, was pretty crabby but "my wife will be home from work soon" and he knew he'd feel better when he saw her. Now there are a dozen or so (and more being added) of tributes to him.

Micah was one of my favorites ~ an ever-ready smile and a very kindhearted soul. He was one of six kids - 5 boys and a girl, who came last and needless to say, the apple of all her family's eye. I had the joy of having all of them in my class as they passed through; and some of their spouses who also attended VCS.

I know there are no words to say; I know that life isn't fair; I know that too many people die too early; it seems so useless to rant and rave against the injustice of it all. I know I'll see him again some day in heaven; I know he's in a better place; and I know that if anybody came at me if I were a Heather and my loved one had just died, and started trying to comfort me with those words just typed, I'd want to just strangle them. Platitudes, that's all they are right now; words spoken to make the speaker feel better and less uncomfortable in the face of such tragedy and grief.

Maddie dies at 17 (19?) months for reasons the doctors don't know; Susan Nelson dies from cancer, leaving 4 kids and a loving husband; Micah dies from a possible medical oversight and leaves the people of his personal world reeling. God just had to have Maddie home so He could show His power of how He heals broken-hearted parents? God just had to have Susan home so He can show His power to lead her children on how to cope with losing a mom at too early an age? God just had to have Micah so He can display his power on how to bring a just newlywed wife and loving family through the fires of hell and grief?

No. None of that. If that is God, then I'm becoming an atheist. He can and will do all of the clean up work because when evil entered the world it broke it, and God chooses to do all of the above rather than having chosen to walk away when His perfect creation was marred. I thank you, God, that you chose to stay.

But it all. just.sucks.

On the road again . . .

I'm settling in at my friend Gayle's house. The Gaults were in need of the room so they could take in one of their son's friends who needs a place to live for his senior year. It was time to move on anyway.
My plan is to try to find a place where I can trade room and board for housekeeping, chauffeuring, etc. for elderly folks- live in caretaker I guess the title would be. Then I'll be looking to find some kind of work somewhere. Its really important that I can have Max with me. If not, there's plenty of people, I'm sure, who would take him, but I can't imagine having to give him up.
I'm dipping into my retirement funds until I can find a job. I know there's a penalty attached but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
I will say that in the midst of this, I have found a woman of interest, so that's a very nice balance to the gypsy lifestyle I'm apparently headed for! This has definitely kept my spirits up!

40 years ago today . . .

I was a 20 year old junior-to-be at Abilene Christian University (then just a mere college) home for the summer. I was working t.h.e. most brutal job I have ever had - a nurses' aide in a convalescent hospital. While the work was physically strenuous, the emotional part was even harder. I could get use to the physical aspect. But there was so little, if any, hope where I was. At least in a regular hospital you knew some people were going to get up and walk away, headed for home. Not so much for where I worked. The war in Vietnam continued to grind on; there were protests and grumblings for all sorts of reasons. I didn't laugh much that summer.

But July 20, 1969 was an amazing day to be a witness to. We watched, transfixed, as Neil Armstrong made his way from the lunar module and became the first man to walk on the surface of the moon. By today's standards the television feed was inadequate I suppose; but back then, it was magical. How to put to words the feelings of that day? People all over the world stopped - the world actually came to a stop! - to watch this unprecedented event. The possibility for danger were countless; from the disengagement of the lunar module from the spacecraft; to the landing of it on the surface of the moon; to getting the LM off the surface and reuniting with the spacecraft; to their safe trip back . . . so many variables and ways that so much could go wrong. But nothing did go wrong. It was all perfection. We were awestruck. It made you want to laugh and weep for joy. I don't remember how many days the moon mission lasted - for some reason I'm thinking it was three. In those three days soldiers and civilians continued to be killed in Vietnam.Unrest in the inner cities continued. Injustices continued. Starvation did not cease. BUT - all mankind did witness first hand what good could be accomplished. And it was exciting to know that someday, we'd have the privilege to tell our kids and grand kids and future students, "I know exactly where I was and what I was doing on July 20, 1969."

And the reason I started this by telling of where I worked. One of the few laughs I had that summer was the next day at the convalescent hospital as I was helping a patient to the bathroom, I asked her if she had seen the astronaut walking on the moon the night before. "No Honey," she replied, "I couldn't get out of bed and to the window to watch him."

Words

Have you ever had anyone talk to you and it seemed as if you were in a sound-proof room and couldn't underststand a single word they said?

After I gave my order at Taco Bell this evening the cashier said something.

VVVVVAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!

The words flew by me so fast that I couldn't make out any of it. Unobtrusively checking my hair and eyebrows to see if they had been singed by the heat generated from the speed of her comment, I asked again. "Uhhhh, what did you say?"

ZZZZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!

The words didn't fly by me quite as fast, but still too speedy to understand. We stared at each other. I asked one more time.

"Sorry, but what did you say?"

Her eyebrows shot up like they do before an eye roll, but she refrained. With admirable restraint, and voice devoid of patronage, she simply said, "Is that all?"

Is that all.

Is.that.all.

*sigh*

Visiting my family

Several weeks ago, I was able to visit my family in Texas and Arkansas. I went to surprise my brother at his retirement party and be at the birth of a great-niece.

The surprise party went off without a hitch, as did the arrival of Braelynn Grace Ochesky. She's great-niece #4, but the first one where I got to be there. I have posted pictures of her big sister Camden, and Camden is doing a great job being a big sister.

Braelynn Grace - first day out

Mom and daughter #2

A proud big sister

Camden's words - "She's beautiful"

Braelynn's a hit with Big Sis


So alert on Day One


Braelynn and me

So adorable!

Will I donate to pay for MJ's funeral?

HELL NO!!! We have a city that's near bankruptcy, laying off teachers because they can't pay them; a city government that has dipped into the fund set aside for extraordinary circumstances too many times for less than extraordinary reasons so when they really need it its not there. And they expect the taxpayers to pay for a celebrity's funeral?

Needless to say, I've never been a fan of Michael Jackson. It always seems ludicrous to me when any elementary age kid is singing love ballads. I mean, really. It made much more sense to me that he sang the sound track for a movie about a rodent named Ben. I also understand the city of L.A. had to do what they had to do to insure safety and order for their citizens. Nor do I begrudge the police officers the overtime they earned. The memorial could have been a huge disaster if some crazies had let loose. I get that. But to have so much, nearly around the clock coverage of his death is absurd. It must be galling to families of soldiers who died for their country to see this big hoopla for a freak. I know, I know, Michael Jackson is a sad figure; apparently knocked around by his dad; no childhood to speak of; trying to recapture that childhood ("I'm not like Peter Pan; I am Peter Pan"), on and on and on. He definitely gave loads of money to charities, and that's admirable. He gave new meaning to music - yippee. People flying in from all over the world to just be in the general vicinity of Staples Center at the time of his memorial? I'm just not getting this at.all.

I just can't feel any sympathy for him.The bottom line is, I can't get past the pedophile shit. I know he got off with a no guilty verdict - so did OJ. Celebs are lucky that way. His family has the money to pay for what amounted to police protection, etc. Let them cough it up.

Big interview tomorrow

I have so much to get caught up with, but right now my mind, heart and nerves are centered on tomorrow morning at 11:00 when I have an interview for a teaching job in NYC. Or upstate New York. Or New Jersey. I'm meeting with recruiters from a charter school called "Uncommon Schools" (they have schools in those places with a goal to open 30 more throughout the country, I presume, by 2012.) They are a highly structured school that pick their students from under served urban areas. I love this whole idea. The really appealing thing to me is that these will be kids who want to be there; I can't imagine discipline being a major issue. The school also seems to have a great respect for teachers - and more than just lip-service. There is a training period that goes for three weeks in August, with a half-day once a week for continued training. I think the school and I will be such a good fit.

So, for any of you out there who are believers in prayer or sending of good thoughts, I'd really appreciate those for me tomorrow. I'll keep you posted!

FINALLY!!!

At long last my computer is fixed!!! I hated being away from Blogland for so long. I'm going to catch up on my reading of my various blogs and then I'm going to start posting - there's a lot to talk/write about.

The fastest weekend of my life ~ Part 2

We were late getting to bed on Saturday night/early Sunday morning. We wanted to have a chance to visit with our host family but they were very thoughtful, knowing that we had to be up in just a few hours. A short few hours, as it seemed that we had just gone to sleep and it was time to get back up. All of us wore our go-to-meeting clothes and tennis shoes to church that morning because we were going to practice at the Astrodome during Sunday School. That was just wonderful - to get all hot and sweaty in our go-to-meeting clothes so we could be even more uncomfortable during church service. I'm pretty sure we put on street shoes for the service, and we, as a choir, sang a hymn or two for the church. Abilene Christian College/University is a Church of Christ affiliated school, and the C of C does not have instrumental music in its services. Most of us had grown up in the C of C and had learned to sing parts, so our band made a really good choir as well. After impressing the masses we sat through the rest of the service, and the only way I could stay awake was to watch the people around me trying to. It was pretty comical ~ even the band director was battling the "nods." Once the service was over and we had changed in the much more feasible and comfortable bathrooms in the church, we headed back to the Astrodome.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were in town for a game that I doubt very much meant anything in the standings of the NFL. Both teams were still some of the doormats of the league back in that day. I can't remember anything about our halftime show, other than it was pretty cool to be in a very public and well known venue. I was happy that I had experienced marching the the Rose Parade my senior year of high school and now adding a halftime show in the Astrodome. What I most remember was that we had changed from our uniforms to our civvies after the game and several of us girls were heading out to the buses for the trip home. There were about half a dozen very inebriated and jubilant Steeler fans (their team had won) near the exit who started whistling and that sort of thing. Immediately some of our guys who were behind us called us back inside the tunnel that led from the field to the parking lot. A couple of them sent the others to find if there were any more girls coming out of the bathrooms and another couple or so to find some more guys. A short time later after more of us were rounded up, the guys encircled us and we all walked out to the bus together, a convoy of Big Purple members protecting their womenfolk. I felt so protected and appreciated and a bit surprised, maybe - the instinct to escort and protect us was the most natural action for the guys. I only understand now why I was surprised - and I mean, right this moment - I've just had an "aha!" after all these years. Anyway, it was a sweet and a bit scary moment all at the same time.

We returned to Abilene that night, driving from Houston to home in about eight hours and arriving there about midnight. In a matter of thirty six hours we had gone from Abilene to San Antonio to Houston and back to Abilene. Unfortunately I don't have an atlas handy that would tell me the miles between the cities, but it was a lot. A lot of travel that included two halftime shows performed in less than twenty-four hours. I couldn't, and still can't, believe that I had experience life in a time warp.

The fastest weekend of my life ~ Part 1

There are times when days fly by so fast you wonder if they really took place and just exactly where were you during that time. Its almost like watching a movie that's going at warp speed.

I was in the Abilene Christian College (now University) Big Purple Marching Band when I was in college. I think it was my sophomore or junior year when we were going to San Antonio for an away football game on a Saturday night and then to Houston to march at the Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans) game the next day.

We left Abilene in three Greyhound buses around 6:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. For Californians, the distance from Abilene to San Antonio is about the same as from L.A. to Sacramento. Its a stretch of road, in other words. We stopped somewhere between the two cities for lunch and maybe even did a sightseeing stop, I can't remember. We arrived in San Antonio and stopped for dinner at a cafeteria. I was in the middle bus so got into the cafeteria with time to actually sit and enjoy my meal. Not so for some of the band kids who followed. They had to hurry and literally gobbled down their food. Now in Texas, you get Texas size servings, and I remember one guy saying that he cut his country-fried steak into four pieces (each piece a normal size serving for a person) and literally ate those pieces in four Texas sized gulps. Then two of the three buses were used as dressing rooms - one for boys, another for girls - so we could change into our band uniforms. Picture the width of a Greyhound bus. Picture close to 100 girls or guys trying to change clothes. We wore leggings like the Marine Corp or Navy wears over the trouser legs and they were not easy to put on and lace up. It takes some time - and room - to get all hitched up, which we had neither of. Imagine the bedlam - girls trying to scoot by others who were changing in order to either find a spot to do their striptease or to get out of the bus to let some other girl in. Finally everybody was dressed for the game and we rode to the football stadium in very smelly buses, already hot and uncomfortable and irritable.

In a home game earlier that year, we had put on a halftime show for the ages (which I'll tell another time.) Man of La Mancha was making its run on Broadway and the song "The Impossible Dream" was very popular. Our team was on its 7 yard line with less than five minutes left in the game. We started to play, very softly, the beginning of the song ~ To dream the impossible dream/to fight the unbeatable foe/to bear with unbearable sorrow/to run, where the brave dare not go . . . and the football team started moving the ball down the field. We played the next stanza a little louder.To right the unrightable wrong/to love pure and chaste from afar/to try when your arms are to weary/to reach the unreachable star . . . and the team kept moving down the field! We hit the most dramatic part of the song. The french horns had a descant for the next verse, and as the band played the horn players stood up, took their hands out of the mouth of the horn and blasted the anthem-like descant that followed our tune: This is my quest (french horns blast away with their two notes)/to follow that star (french horns again)/no matter how hopeless (french horns)/no matter how far . . . the football team is now at our 40 yard line! To fight for the right/without question or pause (descant)/that my heart will lie peaceful and calm(descant) /when I'm laid to my rest . . . and the football team is at the opponent's 35 yard line! We drop the volume down again. And the world will be better for this/that one man, scorned and covered with scars/still strove with his last ounce of courage/to reach the unreachable star . . . and our team scored the winning touchdown during that last stanza! It was thrilling!!!

After the game we loaded up the buses again and drove for about another hour or so to get to Houston. We were housed by a local Church of Christ, and by the time we got unloaded, assigned to our hosts' and finally got home, it was probably 1:00 a.m. But the weekend adventure was only half over.

NEXT TIME: The finish of the story.

Finding the hardest way to do things

Most people chip a tooth eating something, or knocking a glass or plate against their mouth. Not me. No siree. I went all out when I chipped my front tooth at the ripe old age of 6 or 7.

I was riding my bicycle in the late afternoon of a really pretty spring day. I had gone up from the street to the sidewalk when my front tire hit a pebble and did a quick 45 degree to the left. I was thrown from the bike and didn't have time to put my arms out to break my fall - my face did, however. I had started to scream so my mouth was wide open and my teeth exposed. I don't remember the sound of my brother's bloodcurdling scream, but it was loud enough that a young mother in a nearby house nearly dropped her nursing baby. I had the breath knocked out of me, but once I recovered I got up holding my mouth. Crying, I started walking back to my house when my mom came running out. My brother's scream and his running into the house yelling that I had gotten hurt kicked her adrenalin in and she met me in the middle of the street. She took my hand away from my mouth and went pale - my mouth looked like hamburger, the blood was flowing, and a front tooth was hanging by its nerve. Mom yelled to my other brother who had followed her out to get a washrag and she walked me back into the house. She called the family dentist and was told to bring me in right away. The dentist was able to push the tooth back into place, though the nerve was dead. I would have a couple of temporary caps until a permanent one was finally placed on it. I remember throwing up once we got home; nerves and swallowing a lot of blood will do that to you. My hamburger mouth and hanging tooth was the center of attention and so we all missed another injury - my nose was slightly broken as well. With all the blood and torn flesh, it wasn't a hard thing to overlook.

Things that drive me nuts

I've been listening to the radio a lot as I travel hither and yon looking for work, and there's something that just drives me nuts. Its the commercials that constantly repeat the phone number about two dozen times in as fast a clip as they can muster.

"The telephone number to call for this sensational pencil eraser is 1-818-363-4888; 1-818-363-4888; that's 1-818-363-4888; one more time, 1-818-363-4888."

My left eye is twitching by the end of the second one and I'm just sure its going to be over after the 99th time. Finally, I reach to turn off the radio just as it finishes. By then I'm ready to scream [okay, I am screaming] and drive my car off a cliff.

OH! And what about the reading of a disclaimer at the end of the commercial? Again, how can anyone talk that fast? The voice is very deep and a monotone and very.very.serious.

ThisofferdoesnotextendtofamilymemebersofthepencilerasercompanyortotheirpetsorBFFs.OfferisnotvalidifthedateofpurchaseissmudgedorthesalesreceiptcrumpledinanywaysizeorformGood luckingettingthisfreeofferbeforethebeginningofthenewmileniumifyouarestilllisteningtothisyoumusthaveadreadfullyboringlifeandornolifeatallyoupoorsapbutIdon'treallycarebecauseI'vegotajobandyoudon't,sucker!


AAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!

She's here!

Early Friday evening on April 22 Dad arrived home.

"Well, boys - you have a little sister. Her name is Anne Elizabeth, and she arrived at 3:00 this afternoon. Mom's feeling fine and misses you both."

"What did Ruth say when she realized she had a baby girl?" Moggy asked.

Dad smiled really big. "She told me she said, over and over again, 'I have a little girl; I have a little girl!'"

The little boys didn't really understand what it meant to have a sister. The four and a half year old barely remembered when his little brother was brought home when the big brother was two. The two year old wasn't sure what all the excitement was about, but Moggy and Daddy were smiling and really happy, so he was excited too.

None of them knew that two more baby girls would be added to the family in the next 5 years, making it 5 kids in 10 years. None of them knew that daughter #1 would love history and would one day teach about things that happened in her birth year of 1949. Things like:

• NATO would be established.
• The Soviet Union would test its first atomic bomb.
• The country of China would become communist.
• Years of prosperity that would mark the 1950s and '60s and beyond would start that year.
• Gasoline would cost 17 cents.
• The average cost of a new house would be $7,450.
• The average yearly salary would be $2,950.
• The minimum hourly wage would be 70 cents an hour.
• The first Polaroid camera would be sold for $89.95.
• 45 rpms records would be introduced.
• The movie "Twelve O'Clock High" would be released.
• The musical "South Pacific" would debut on Broadway.
• George Orwell's book 1984 would be published.

None of this was known, of course, at the time; all that was known on that Friday evening, April 22, 1949 was that Anne Elizabeth Floyd had been added to the family and that she would be home from the hospital with Mom in four days.

It's coming, part 2

Late on the evening of Thursday, April 21, the boys were awaken by the hustle and bustle of their parents getting ready to go to the hospital. It was time for Mommy's tummy to become small again. Moggy (the boys' grandmother, nicknamed that by the oldest boy and called that for the rest of her 86 years of life) had already arrived from Wisconsin and was there to take care of them while Mom was off at the hospital. While Mom had stayed in the hospital 12 days when the oldest boy was born, she would stay just fur days with this one - so much change in a nearly 4 and a half year span! Moggy made wonderful, homemade mac and cheese and melt-in-the-mouth homemade cinnamon rolls, so the boys knew they were going to have a chance to be spoiled a little. Daddy was going to stay overnight at the hospital with Mom and would return as soon as he could to tell them if they had a baby sister or brother.

It's coming . . . .

Spring had finally come and the cold winter was finished. The two little boys no longer put the mom through the ardous task of putting on snow boots, snow suits and mittens. The ground was damp but nature was blooming and baseball, bicycle riding, playing Indians and cowboys and all sort of boyhood games were revving up again. The Easter bunny had made his way to their home and left all the pretty eggs, both chocolate and regular ones. Something else was about to happen but they weren't quite sure exactly what "Mommy's going to bring a baby brother or sister home soon" really meant.

I saw this at MAW's blog and decided to copy her. Thanks for the idea, Mary!

A - Age: 60 in two weeks.
B - Bed size: Double. Its plenty of room for me and Max who hogs the whole thing.
C - Chore(s) you hate: Housecleaning.
D - Dog’s name: Max.
E - Essential start-your-day item: Cereal.
F - Favorite color: Blue and red.
G - Gold or Silver: Gold, definitely.
H - Height: 5'9". I will not tell you my weight - at least, not the true answer.
I - Instruments you play: Clarinet and my voice.
J - Job title: Presently unemployed, but a teacher when I'm working.
K - Kid(s): None of my own.
L - Living arrangements: Living with Teri Gault and her family at the present.
M- Mom’s name: Ruth.
N - Nicknames: Zeke - my earliest, dubbed that by my dad. The Floydster.
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: Hysterectomy a really long time ago.
P - Pet Peeve: People who drive with their brights on; people who don't use their turn signal.
Q - Quote from a movie: From "Renaissance Man" - "All I know is that there is always a consequence for every decision [or action]."
R- Right- or left-handed: Right
S - Siblings: Two older brothers, two younger sisters.
T - Time you wake up: 9:00 a.m. (One small plus of being unemployed.)
U- Underwear: Yes.
V - Vegetable you dislike: Boiled okra
W - Ways you run late: Too much time on Facebook.
X - X-rays you’ve had: Dozens.
Y - Yummy food you make: Brownies.
Z - Zoo favorite: Nothing, really.

ho-hum

Really not much to report. I'm still jobless. All my leads for jobs of teaching ESL in South Korea end up in the same place - nowhere. I've had a temporary job or two that keeps me occupied for a couple of weeks but then its back to square one. This week I'm going to look at other places in the world again, and also look into teaching adult education here.

I've been pretty discouraged and depressed the past few weeks. I got really good advice from my pastor, though. She said "Just remember this - its temporary. And each day when you wake up, realize that this is one less day of your unemployment." I'm hanging on to that right now.

The Swindle kids

My brother Steve has two daughters. The following pictures are of daughter Mary Elizabeth's kids ~ Cade, Meg and Addy.

LilHog - Cade's first year

Cade - 2007

Hog fan for life! (2008)

Angelic

Meg - 2007

Killer Smile!

Too bad she's camera shy!

Meg's model pose

Addy at three months - doesn't she look mischevious?

Pretty darn cute!

She looks like a mellow kind of kid

Proud Big Brother

Sisters hangin' out

Cade's a GREAT big brother!

Meg's loving being a big sis!

Double smack!

Christmas cheer

Too bad their not photogenic, huh?

ADORABLE!

Camden in the summer time (2008)

I filched pictures off of my niece and nephew-in-law's Facebook pages. Ladies and gentlemen: I am proud to present ~~ the Ocheskey family!

Jay and Ally

Now I ask you, how can their kids be anything but adorable?

Family fun

Jay's Sweethearts

The real deal!!

(I think Jay was glad to be behind the camera!)

Stylin'!

Sssshhhh!

Camden wanted the fireworks to be quiet

They love to share!

Open to the world

What in the world?

This is one of my all time favorites. I bust up laughing everytime I see it!

I soooooo long to see you all! Know that you all are loved deeply here from California!

P.S. ~ I sure hope I spelled your last name correctly!

P.P.S. ~ Should "summer time" be one word?

AND FINALLY: For the next post ~ the Swindle kids!

Emma's first birthday

My great-niece, Emma Claire Floyd, celebrated her first birthday today. The party is tomorrow. It's going to be one of the greatest events in Mayflower, Arkansas history. Its so huge that it's being held in the elementary school's cafeteria (one advantage of living in a small town!)

I'm one!

ATTACK!!

mmm mmm good!

Everybody join in!

Yeeee haw!!




Sniffing sugar?

Happy birthday, Emma! I long to meet you face-to-face!

A little of this, a little of that

1. Do you like blue cheese? Yuck! Gross! Disgusting! (I guess that answered that question)

2. Have you ever smoked? Not really. Just experimented when I was younger, stealing cigarettes from my mom's pack and going behind the garage. Once when I was 12 or 13, a friend and I stole a pack from our moms and walked around several blocks, walking down the middle of residential streets, smoking one cigarette right after another and looking cool (our take on it) or really stupid and ridiculous (anybody else who might have seen these two little "bad-asses".) I was so sick later that night - dizzy as could be. It also ruined the taste of food, so that bad-ass moment pretty much cured me.

3. Do you own a gun? No, but I'd like to shoot one, just to see what its like. I get the urge to do that after watching too many detective shows.

4. What flavour Kool Aid was your favorite? Grape

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not really.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I only have an urge for them when I'm at Dodger Stadium and can have a Dodger Dog.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Its a toss up between "Its a Wonderful Life", "The Muppets Christmas Story" and the movie where Ralphie wants a Red Rider BB gun.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water.

9. Can you do push-ups? Yeah, right!

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? It was my mom's wedding diamond that I had reset in a beautiful gold setting and that was stolen at school.

11. Favorite hobby? Right now its Facebook - I could spend all day there! Scary!

12. Do you have A.D.D.? No. Though after reading #11's answer . . .

13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I quit too soon sometimes, like when I'm trying to learn a musical instrument or a foreign language.

14. Middle name? Elizabeth

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I'm spending way too much time on blogs and Facebook; I'm really hungry; I need to go take my meds and supplements.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper.

17. Current worry? Finding a job and repaying loans and bills.

18. Currently hate right now? Finding out that a former colleague is a pedophile.

19. Favorite place to be? In the company of family & friends.

20. How did you bring in the New Year? Quietly.

21. Where would you like to go? Greece; Italy; Hawaii; and Seoul, South Korea to work. And before I go to Seoul I want to go back to Texas/Arkansas to see family.

22. Name three people who will complete this I won't bother e-mailing it on and annoying friends and family.

23.Do you own slippers? Yes. Marley has chewed the heels of one but they still work.

24. What shirt are you wearing right now? Yellowstone T-shirt.

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No idea,. I never have but don't think I'd care for it.

26. Can you whistle? Yes. I'm quite talented. I can whistle softly while doing something AND put my fingers in and let out a loud and shrill blast. Students don't care to be called to attention that way. heh heh heh

27. Favorite color? Today it's teal blue.

28. Red or white wine? Neither, thanks.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't. I'm in and out asap.

30. Favorite Girl's name? Just one?

31. Favorite Boy's name? Again I say, just one?

32. What's in your pocket right now? Lint.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? The repartee between friends at lunch yesterday.

34. Worst injury you ever had? Falling off my bike when I was 6 and landing on my face. Broke my nose and chipped my two front teeth.

35. Do you love where you live? I like it; I loved living in Chicago for four months.

36. How many TVs do you have in your house? When I had my own place, I had two. Living with my friends, there are three.

37. Who is your loudest friend? We all can get revved up at times but I can't think of anybody who's continously loud.

38. Do you have any pets? My sweet dog, Max.

39. Does someone have a crush on you? I'm sure there isn't anybody. But when I did my student teaching a million years ago, one of the 8th grade boys in my class did. It was so obvious that the other kids would look over at him as he looked at me with adoring eyes and smirk and giggle, but Spencer didn't care. He was a cutie.

40. Your favorite book(s): Little Women; Little Men; Jo's Boys; Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series; the Mitford series; The Wall - a pictorial book about the Vietnam Memorial; I cry like a baby every time I look at it; Letters Home - a collection of letters from American soldiers writing home from Vietnam; I cry like a baby every time I reread it; Freedom Writers' Diaries to name a few.

41. Favorite Sports Team(s): Angels; Cubs; any team my former students, nephews and nephew-in-laws are coaching or played for.

Another roadblock

So - the latest news about getting a job in Korea is that the agency I signed up with wrote and told me that I should pursue a job independently because its "quite difficult to place people in jobs over the age of 45." I called my former student Damon and he reassured me that it is not as dire as the agency proclaimed. Damon told me that the agencies want to make as much money as possible and while it might take a little more time to place an older applicant the agencies don't want to even bother with us from the geritol set (not Damon's words - mine) because it could slow them up a bit. He advised that I stay away from agencies because he heard too many stories from unhappy teachers who were not placed in the best school for them and a lot of the agencies were fly-by-night. He emailed 6 of his friends in S.K. to tell them of me and the situation and is recruiting them to help.

So here's the bottom-line: Screw the agency! I'll find my own damn job!!

Some firsts in my life

1. Who was your FIRST prom date?
A: Didn't go.

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?
A: Yes, occasionally.

3. What was your 1st alcoholic drink?
A: A beer.

4. What was your FIRST job?
A: Nurses' aide in a convalescent hospital. Hard labor but harder on the emotions. At least in a hospital patients get up and go home.

5. What was your FIRST car?
A: Toyota something or other.

6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today?
A: No texting 'til I can get my bill paid.

7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning?
A: Max. And yes, he is a four-legged person.

8 Who was your FIRST grade teacher?
A: Too long ago to remember . . . no, that's not true, I can remember my 3rd grade teacher. Just don't remember.

9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane?
A: Stockton, Ca. to stay with my Aunt Bunny for a week. I was 12 or so.

10. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk?
A: Jill Copeland and no - have lost track of her.

11. Where was your FIRST sleepover?
A: Joanie Burkey's, I think.

12. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today?
A: Teri, the lady who saved me from being homeless in Chicago in the winter time.

13. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time?
A: I think it was Jeanne and Jim Bateman's.

14. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning?
A: Went to the bathroom.

15. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to?
A: The Smothers Brothers. Vikki Carr was their warm up and I became a fan of hers.

16. FIRST tattoo?
A: On my left ankle.

17. First piercing?
A: Ears.

18. First foreign country you've been to?
A: Mexico. (Contrary to popular opinion, Arkansas is not a foreign country; my dad's family is there and we'd visit once in awhile.)

19. FIRST movie you remember seeing in the theater?
A:" Exodus" or "West Side Story" at the drive-in.

20. When was your FIRST detention?
A: Moi? Never. I made up for it when I ran detentions and Saturday School at VCS for two or three years. Karma's a bitch. (Teach me for being smug!) :)

21. What was the first (only) state you lived in?
A: New York.

22. Who was your FIRST roommate?
A: Either my sister Carolyn or Nancy. I was the only one who had a room to herself and I'd get lonely and switch with one of the girls. The swap never lasted too long - no more than a couple of weeks, probably.

23. If you had one wish, what would it be?
A: That I could take in and absorb the love and respect that sooooo many people have for me (being on FB and meeting up with so many former students brought this to mind.)

24. What is something you would learn if you had the chance?
A: I really would like to be able to play guitar or piano and/or speak foreign languages fluently (but am too lazy to put the time in. If I can't do it right away, forget it.

Bittersweet memories . . . well, actually, bitter memories . . .

One reason I like Facebook so much is that it gives me ideas for posts. Here's one I filled out about my senior year in high school.


IN YOUR SENIOR YEAR DID YOU...

1. Did you date someone from your school? No

2. Did you marry someone from your high school? Nope

3. Did you car pool to school? Senior year? No - took public transportation or the Mom taxi.

4. What kind of car did you have? None - but I really wanted my grandmother's 2 door Ford of the 1905s vintage that was blue and white and had a gigantic steering wheel about the size of a pan used to make an extra large pizza - big by even the standards of 1967.

5. What kind of car do you have now? Hyundai Accent

6. Its Saturday night[then]...usually FB games. Oh wait ~ football games were played on Friday nights. So I was home on Saturday nights watching TV with the folks or babysitting. The big excitement for my parents was to try to guess if the fire engine on "Adam 12" would turn right or left.

7. Its Saturday night[now] ...home with Max

8. What kind of job did you have in high school? Babysitting

9. What kind of job do you do now? My job now is trying to find work - I've been unemployed since June, '08.

10. Were you a party animal? Yeah, right! And the pope is a woman! (See #6 for further proof)

11. Were you considered a flirt? No - much too shy

12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Yes - band. We marched in the Rose Parade my senior yr.

13. Were you a nerd? No - I was just one in the cast of thousands.

14. Did you get suspended or expelled? No. The only time I ditched was to go across the street for lunch w/o permission and 'bout had a stroke, I was so nervous.

15. Can you sing the fight song? No, but I could play it on the clarinet.

16. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)? Mr. MacLaughlin.

17. Where did you sit during lunch? Outside the band hall until I had enough of the "chosen few" by the start of my senior year, so I wandered about until midway through the spring semester when I found some friends from elementary school and hung out with them.

18. What was your school's full name? Granada Hills High School

19. When did you graduate? 1967

20. What was your school mascot? Highlander

21. If you could go back and do it again, would you? HELL NO! My senior year S.U.C.K.E.D.!!

22. Did you have fun at Prom? I didn't go and felt like such a loser. I was not a happy camper that year.

23. Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with? N/A

24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion? Maybe

25. Do you still talk to people from school? Occasionally

26. School Colors? - Kelly green, black and white.

27. Anyone famous come out of your school? The guy who created a famous doll (before the beanie babies and the squished face ones) was in my class; John Elway (several years after me)

Another update on Korea

Well, I won't be working at the school that hired me after all. The May opening closed when the woman who was leaving decided to stay. Their next opening is July, and the director thought it best for me to look for another place.

I read this news last night and immediately went to a website that places teachers in S.K. and applied. I'm waiting for an interview and for all my paperwork to be sent back to me from school #1. Hopefully I won't have too hard a time getting placed since I do have the paperwork done this time.

I''m a bit discouraged but mostly more determined than ever to get to Korea. I'm going to have my adventure, damn it! :)

Decision made

I decided to take the job that starts in May. I like the idea of the known quality of the place I'm going to work is a good school (a former student has worked there and loved it.) Plus, I like the idea that I'm not having to rush to get so much done before I go and will have time to say goodbye to more people than if I were leaving at the end of this month. Also, I realized while in therapy there are some things emotionally I'd like to be more firmly centered in before I head half a world away and not near my network of help and friends. I'm very happy for this delay, to tell the truth.

A hitch in the plans

I have a decision to make. Because it was going to be close to the deadline of getting my documents to Korea in time for the March 2nd start date, the coordinator hired someone already in Korea for the place I was to take. I had written him that I understood if he had to hire someone but I thought he'd let me know if he did that. So, the decision is ~ wait until May when his next opening is available; or sign up with an agency and let them find me a place. There's no fee - the schools pay the agency. I know that people can go at any time and I won't have to wait 'til May. The upside of waiting is that I know about this school through a former student who worked there, so I know that its a good place. The downside is that many more months of not working, unless I can find a job that will tide me over 'til I leave.

More decision-making time. I'm not discouraged, or even frustrated. Just a bit bemused.

BTW: I was completely making fun of myself about the sagging boobs in my last post. I wasn't taking myself seriously a.t. a.l.l.!

Stolen from blog buddy - thanks for the idea!

Jen over at Preteens, Toddlers and Newborns, Oh My! did this after getting tagged from a friend, so I said to myself, "Self? Why not? Jen's my hero and if she can steal, so can I!" Thanks, Jen!

Make a list of things you can see without getting up: The dresser drawers, two chairs, two coat racks that are being stored in this room; the bed, a table next to the bed that has a bunch of books yet to be read, magazines.

What were you like when you were five? Cherbic, of course.

What are you wearing now? Blue sweat pants and a pumpkin colored thermal long sleeve shirt.

What story/book/novel have you read over and over again in your life? Little Women, Little Men, Jo's Boys. I still cry when Beth dies, when Dan comes back to the Baers and when he tells Jo that he's in love with the unattainable Bess.

What’s the last thing you read/are currently reading? I'm close to finishing Tom Brohaw's Boom!

Do you nap a lot? Not unless I'm sick.

Who was the last person you hugged? My friend Teri in wishing her Happy Birthday.

What’s your current fandom/obsession/addiction? Facebook; the computer game Free Cell.

What was the last thing you ate today? Tri-tip from Rattlers.

What websites do you always visit when you go online? Yahoo! mail; Facebook, then all my blogging buddies.

What was the last thing you bought? Two 6 packs of 8 oz. Coke and Dr. Pepper; A 6 pack of Vanilla Creme soda; a Janet Evanovich story Plum between the Numbers Novel - Plum Lucky; a dog collar for Max, along with a hoodie sweatshirt for him. He looks adorable!

What are you listening to now? Two big dogs crying in a bedroom because they're being kept from Teri's birthday party.

What movie are (or were!) you most excited to show your kids? N/A

If you could have any super power, what would it be? To fly.

What is your favorite weather, and why? Clear skies, high 80's, light breeze. Why? That sounds like springtime/summertime weather.

What time do you usually get up? When I was teaching, it was 5:45. Now that I'm unemployed, 9:00.

What is your most challenging goal right now? Getting out of debt.

Say something to the person who tagged you: Jen, I'm so glad were blogging buddies and I hope I'll get to meet you and your family face to face some day.

If you could have a house–totally paid for, fully furnished–anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? No idea. I see pictures of white sands and clear blue water in different parts of the world - Greece, the Caribbean; it would be somewhere like that.

Favorite vacation spot? Its been so long since I actually went anywhere for a vacation that I don't really know the answer to this.

What is your favorite children’s book? N/A

Name one thing you just can’t resist no matter how bad it is for you: Brownies. Jen, we have The Habit here in Santa Clarita as well!

If you could meet anyone famous - I'll take Jen's answer ~ The President and First Lady Obama

If you could go back in time to any part of your life, what would you revisit? Last night and eating an In and Out #2 animal style too late in the evening. I haven't been right since! Even left Teri's birthday party because I'm feeling sort of puny.

Did you know?

I was reading my friend's Chris' blog about Eddie Haskell and it made me think of these things.

• I actually had "Eddie Haskell"'s son in my 11th grade U.S. History class about a decade or so ago.

AND

• I also had Paul Walker "Varsity Blues" (I think that was the name of the movie); "Fast and Furious" I and II, "8 Degrees", etc. when he was a high school junior taking U.S. History.

AND!

• I found out this week that one of the "Real Housewives of Orange County" is yet another former student. Her name is Gretchen.

How 'bout that?

A giant disappointment ~ A huge bit of good news

I try to live a positive life, but there's no mistaking that there's something that has proven to be a huge disappointment. You might think its because I'm single or have missed out on having children. No. Not even close. As I approach 60, I'm sad to say that . . . my boobs sag. I really thought I might not have this harsh reality of growing older because I was never very big up there, so there wouldn't be that much to sag. *sigh* I was wrong. Gravity has done its cruel job. Several years from now if I become depressed and try to shoot myself in the heart, I'll blow my kneecap off.

But on a happier note ~ my passport arrived today and I was able to send off all the documents and papers to Korea this afternoon. The packet will arrive there on Monday (Tuesday in Korea) and it will take under 2 weeks to get the stuff done and approved. I'll be flying out sometime later this month to start a new adventure. And the ABSOLUTE BEST NEWS OF ALL - Max will be going with me! I was given incorrect information about the quarantine laws to get him back into the U.S., so I'll be training him to bow and bark Korean.

Getting closer

I am getting closer to completing all the paperwork for my work visa to Seoul. I've been so under the pressure to get it done that I haven't had time to feel excited about it all. That is starting to happen, as well as the . . . I don't know how to describe it. It's not really negative, but sobering. Yeah, that's the word. Sobering. The soberness (if there's such a word) of realizing that I am closer to actually moving half a world away to a completely different culture, language, and . . . life. I'd worry about myself if I hadn't reached this soberness (if there's such a word.) I think to do so is to see and face the reality of taking such a big dive into this ocean of adventure.

Pros:

• Learning: a new culture: customs, language, food, and I would say fashion but anyone who knows me knows that is n.o.t. what I would care about.
• Because of a free apartment, low cost of utilities, no car maintenance, etc., I'll be able to go a long way in getting out of debt in one year.
• Opportunities to travel through Asia during the weeks we have off.
• If needed, medical help is second to none, according to the former student who has taught there. Korean medical care compares, if not surpasses, the U.S.
• The respect accorded teachers, older folks and Americans. I'm three for three - you can't beat that!
• Learning to teach something out of my discipline.
• A new adventure.
• Having Facebook and email in order to stay in touch with home.

Cons:

• So far away from home.
• Leaving a wonderful church.
• Learning to teach something out of my discipline.
• Knowing that it will be difficult to develop deep friendships; Koreans are a very reserved people. As my former student said, "I know a lot of Koreans, but I don't really know them." I'm not looking for soulmates for that matter, but I'm hoping to have a chance for good friendships.
• Spending the holiday season there.
• Missing the chance to watch my high school friends participate in their sports.

The great unknown:

• Max. I don't know yet if I'm taking him, but I'll know tomorrow.

From one end of the spectrum to the other

I had lunch with a friend last week, a sweet lady who gives God the credit for everything. And I mean everything. From finding a perfect parking spot; telling her and her husband when to leave one church to attend another; to what to eat for lunch. That's one end of the spectrum. The other end is the teachings of my pastor, Neil. Why are we waiting for the Second Coming - we are the Second Coming, because the God in me is what draws the God in others to me and we meet and carry out God's work of bringing hope and justice and peace to our world. In Neil's understanding the Bible is a good guidebook to go by; to my conservative roots, the Bible is the only book to follow. To my conservative roots, there is only one Truth; to Neil and many of my friends (and therapists, Christian one included) there are many truths. What I have experienced in life is my reality, my truth. It may not be anybody else's because they haven't experienced what I have, nor have I experienced their lives the way they have. So we all have is several truths; hundreds of thousands of millions of truths.


I'm not sure exactly where I am in all of this. Earlier in my life I was more to the side of my conservative friend. I never went as far as praying for a good parking spot. What with poverty, genocide, hatred, racism and all sorts of other injustices, I just figured God had more on His mind than finding me a good spot. (Now my guardian angel, maybe . . . ) :) After all, we were taught to give God all the glory because who else could orchestrate so perfectly the things that bring us such blessings? The weakness of this end of the spectrum is we don't have to think for ourselves. We can conveniently give God all the praise or all the blame. My part of the equation here is to just choose God and His way of doing things and if things turn out, all the better. And if not - then my faith level must be too low and I have to pray harder, work more diligently, tap dance a little faster to please Him; thereby making it nearly impossible to see God as anything but a demanding Bad Guy just waiting to drill me with a lightening bolt for not figuring out what it is He wants me to do. Loving Father? Yeah, right.


As I've been writing I'm realizing that the teachings of my pastor wouldn't really be the other end of the spectrum. It just feels that way because it so far from what I've ever been taught how to view spirituality (more accurately, how to view religion.) I understand the idea of individual truths - I get it. But does that mean in spite of how we experience truth, there is just one spiritual Truth? The scripture fundamentalists quote is "Jesus said, 'I am the Truth, the Way and the Life'". So the thinking winds back to, is the Bible infallible? I think so - but the interpretations of the Bible aren't. After all, the human writers saw and understood things through their screens that had been developed from their experiences.

*sigh* Thinking for oneself is hard work. The black and white in my personality keeps kicking in at times like these - what if I'm wrong? What if I don't get it right and can't figure God out? How dumb is that statement? As if I or anyone can put God in a box! I have to go back to what I wrote back in a few posts ago: I believe in the grace of God that understands the imperfection of human decision and will (or something like that.) How much credit do I give myself for choosing to reach out to God? How much of my will and effort helps bring about the changes in my life?

These are some of the things I've been pondering these past couple of weeks.

Busy getting ready for Seoul

Last week I got a contract to teach ESL in Seoul, Korea. Now I'm scrambling to get the paperwork done so I can leave the end of February, but I don't think I'm going to get it all done in time. I don't know if that means I won't be able to start there until their next session starts (and I don't know when that will be) or if I can show up as soon as I can get there and just jump in.

Things needed:

• A copy of my passport. Coming any day now. Check.
• Diploma(s) from colleges and universities from whence I earned my BA and Masters. Oops. Both are buried in boxes with all my other stuff in storage in Chicago. Pay total of $60 to get both duplicated, but it will take 4-10 weeks for them to arrive. Find out from my Korean contact that a letter of verification of having received a diploma will suffice, and I only need it from one school. *sigh* Went to university nearest to me and got the letter yesterday. Check.
• Three passport pictures. They come in twos. But I need three. *sigh* So go back to get another couple of pictures made. Neither time (the first time was when I got my passport) are the pictures any good. I think its an art on the part of the photographers to take the ugliest passport and/or driver's license pictures. Check.
• Transcripts in sealed envelopes that must remain so in order to be official. Gave the wrong name for the street to the furthest school but figured, no problem - I only need one and the one from the nearest university arrived first. The second transcript found me anyway. Thank you Lord. Check.
• Letter from a law enforcement agency that verifies I don't have a criminal record. As I explained in an earlier post, I got suckered into an Internet scam that placed me in the middle of it. No warrants, fortunately, for my arrest, so they believed me when I walked in and reported it. (Evidently most criminals don't do that, so I was glad to know I'm cleared of any wrong doing. ) Check.
• Send the Criminal clearance verification and the verification of having earned a diploma to an agency for them to be notarized. $200 per document. *sigh* Sending them off tomorrow. Check.

Once I get the documents back from the @@!&&%%%***agency, I send everything as speedily as possible to Korea so my Korean contact can get all the stuff done on his end. That will take a couple of weeks. When its done, Mr. Kwon will call me and give me a number, which I'll take to the Korean Embassy here in L.A. and they'll add the work visa to my passport. Then I'll be off on another adventure.

This is why I don't think I'm going to make the earliest deadline.

The other thing I need to find out is how feasible it will be to take Max with me, and if not, to find him a home until I return. I should be able to take him. Its getting him back into the U.S. that might be the deal-breaker. I've heard its a mandatory 8 W.E.E.K. quarantine. I don't know if that's for American dogs coming back in or if I was trying to bring a Korean puppy back. I can't imagine not having Max with me. That's too sad a prospect to contemplate.

(And I thought I didn't have much to say on this post. Silly me!)

A red-letter day ~ January 20, 2009

What a great day! I had planned to watch the swearing in of Barack Obama and listen to his speech and then run some errands. No errands were run this day. I stayed glued to the TV. Watching the faces of the "ordinary" citizens, where tears coursing down was a common sight was so touching - and it wasn't only black people crying. To realize that these "ordinary" citizens - of which I am one - helped to put this man in office makes me proud to be an American.

We are so used to seeing this transfer of power every four or eight years that we forget what one commentator pointed out - that many in the world watches this transfer in awe because it is really not that common of an occurrence; at least, not for as long as we have done it. Our system of government, for all its problems, is really remarkable. Think about it. Our Founding Fathers, who lived in an agricultural, scattered population and bickered every bit as much as our politicians today, had the wisdom and foresight to prepare a Constitution that has had to be changed only 27 TIMES in over 200 years. When you think of how much we've changed as a country - economically, culturally, and so on - its really an incredible thing.

I am filled with hope again. I notice that young people of all races were involved in the election process and giddy with joy today. I listen to a friend who was adamantly opposed to Obama during the campaign now say, "I think he's going to be okay. I think he's going to be able to do a good job."

Hope is such a wonderful feeling.

* NMB *

One more day and then its *No More Bush.* I think the man is sincere and wanting to do the right thing, but he was just way in over his head. Not being able to admit an error really did Mr. Bush in, I think. If we can't admit when we're wrong then we can't learn from our mistakes.

Tomorrow I'm going to go watch the inauguration with friends who are also Obama fans. Its going to be a glorious day!!

I've got Seoul

Well, I'm going to do it - I'm applying for an ESL teaching job in South Korea! School starts at the beginning of March, so the next few weeks will be a whirlwind, I'm sure. I cried when I emailed my family - I won't have a chance to go back and see them before I leave. Like I told them - don't do something stupid like become seriously ill or dead so when I return in a year they'll still be healthy and happy.

Its just too good of an opportunity to pass up, so I won't.

Thank the good Lord for the internet and the ability for instant communication!

Is there ever a time to lie?

In the last few days two friends for whom I have the highest respect asked me why I didn't lie at the job interview. They're not advocates of lying for the sake of lying, but that I needed a job, the only consideration for a school should be can I teach, can I maintain discipline, can I make learning a postive experience and not what my sexuality is. One friend asked me, "Its not in you to consider lying, is it?"

Well, not in the big things like job interviews. I guess this is situational ethics. I've lied before - its not like I'm some kind of saint. I don't take things to the other extreme - like what happened years ago when I saw some students at a fast food resturant near school and one was smoking. It was pretty funny - I sat across from them and was chit-chatting when I noticed smoke starting to curl up from below the table. I just laughed and advised them to do that some place farther from school. I guess it can be considered a lie for not reporting it; just as I didn't report some pills a student had at school. I made her give them to me and I flushed them down the toilet with her watching. I told her she had to tell her mother that night and I wanted a phone call the next day from her mom saying they had that little talk. If I didn't hear from mom, I was calling her tomorrow to tell the story. So, in effect, that can be considered a lie because I didn't take it to my authorities. And I've told lies like how much I like a person's new hair color even though I think its hideous ~ that kind of thing. I'm sure I've told bigger ones that, as well. I also believe in the grace of God that understands the imperfection of human will and decision.

What's your take on this?

An unexpected talk

The teaching interview ended pretty much as I had expected. I interviewed at a Christian school where former colleagues and students now work, so I have a history already with them. When I read one question on the application I knew it was going to be the deal-breaker. It asked if I had previously or presently participated in the "homosexual lifestyle." Though I'm not in a relationship, I wasn't going to lie. When we sat down I told my friend, the principal, "I think I found a question that is going to be a deal-breaker" and went on to explain how in the last three years I've come to realize my orientation. He was, he said, very appreciative that I would have come to tell him face to face instead of sending an email. "While this is a deal-breaker as far as working here, because we are very specific about our stance on this issue, it is not a deal-breaker in our friendship," which is nice to know. The school can ask the question because it's a private school.

I wasn't ready to go back home, so I drove over to my old school - not really knowing why except that I wasn't ready to go back. While I was at my old school I "just happened" to meet up with a former student who is just back from a year of teaching ESL in South Korea. I had gotten an email earlier this week from some agency promoting international teaching at their academies, and their first timers must teach in South Korea, Thailand or China. Asian kids learn English in school, but the parents are so competitive that many pay extra to have their kids go to these academies for more instruction. According to Damon, Korea is the best place. He has taught here in the U.S. and the difference teaching in an Asian country is very favorable. The lesson plans are all prepared - all the teacher has to do is present the information. There are no papers to take home and grade -there are two Korean aides per teacher for that. There are no discipline problems. He had one girl, 13 years or so, give him some sass on her way out one day. Compared to what Damon has experienced, it was really mild so he didn't address it. A Korean aide overheard the exchange, however. When Damon returned to work the next day, his administrator pulled him aside and said, "I heard what so and so said to you, and she won't be coming back here anymore." Damon said S. Korea is a shame-based culture, and to get into trouble is to bring shame to the whole family. The academies provide airfare, a free apartment and a salary of $2400 a month. All the teacher has to pay for is utilities ($1 a month for gas, $3 for electricity.) Damon said he budgeted for himself $500 a month for play money, (travel, etc.) He never ever spent that much. He was able to pay off most (if not all) his student loans. You can save a bundle as well as get out of debt. Another thing he said that Americans especially are like rock stars. Korea is grateful for our help in getting the Japanese out during WWII, and the Communists during the Korean War. So many Koreans (particularly outside of Seoul) have never seen Westerners that they come and surround you, wanting to shake your hand and practice their English. Damon said it was "pretty cool" at first but it got old rather quickly. Apparently I can get this job as quickly as I can get a passport and other information together. As Damon described it, "they're looking for native English speakers with a BA and a heartbeat." I might be able to get more $$ since I have a masters and 34 years of experience.

As he talked I found my heart getting excited. The two drawbacks is I'd leave Max here and being gone for a full year. Its been a long time since I've seen my family, but they're only a relatively short airplane ride away if there's an emergency. This would be half a world away. I'd like to celebrate a milestone BD (#60) with friends in April and have a chance to go see siblings and their children and grand nieces and nephews. But then on the other hand, if I'm going to do this I want to get going on it and not wait around.

Needless to say, I'm going to be in some serious prayer about this!

A quiet beginning to 2009

Its been a quiet start to 2009. I'm still waiting to receive the money I had in the bank account that was closed (read my last entry) and there's not much I can do without a little cash flow. I might have a part time teaching job at another Christian school - I'll find out tomorrow.

Due to the events of my last entry, I haven't had much motivation to keep working at setting up an online business. I thought I had investigated this company well but what if I fell for another scam? If it is, at least I'll be out only $50. Time will tell if I've been a sucker again or not.

Thus the quiet week and a half of the new year. Its times like this I wish I had kids - then I'd have a ready supply of blog material!

A sucky ending to 2008

In December I learned a valuable lesson about Internet scams. I've ended up being victimized by one that makes me feel foolish, as in "I should have known better" and "pay heed to that small, still voice inside that tries to warn you off" of something. My friend Teri is much kinder ~ "you're a trustworthy person so you expect others are as well", which just makes me feel naive. Well, not having ever worked in the business world, I am pretty green (nothing to do with conservation) . . . Anyway, here's the story.

I received an email that said the sender had read my resume and felt I was just the person for her business because I had a good heart for kids, etc. The organization allegedly helps orphans and abused kids. A perfect fit, I thought. That's an organization I'd love to work for. They emailed a contract and I signed and faxed it back - sounded and looked pretty official to me. (Of course, the contract isn't worth the paper its printed on, but I digress.) The scam is this: a donor sends a check to me which I deposit into my account. Within three days I'm to withdraw the cash (keeping 10% of the amount for my services) and send a money gram to the "orphanage" or person in charge. I thought it seemed a little strange - why didn't the donor just send the check to the person or orphanage? My friend Teri pointed out that the IRS would think that the sum of money in my account was mine, that it looks like income earned. I emailed the "manager" asking about that but got a vague answer that just didn't convince me, but I carried out the instructions anyway. (Lesson learned - pay attention to those uneasy twinges.) Of course, the $3900 check was fraudulent and my bank has closed my account. They are going to send me a cashiers check for the personal funds that I had in the account but I won't be able to have an account with them for 5 years. You can't blame them. Here I am, opening an account in November and the first large check I deposit is bogus. So, my money was locked up throughout the Christmas season which put a crimp in my plans. It isn't a huge amount of money and I hadn't planned anything extravagant, but still . . . . My friends left for Europe for a family vacation and I've been house-and-dog sitting. Fortunately, they left some cash for me before they left and its been enough for groceries, dog food, etc. The whole experience put a crimp into my spirit a little bit, so the Christmas holiday has been a very quiet one for me.

Oh well - live and learn. Fortunately, I am a fast learner. 2009 beckons and I need to get up from this knockdown and charge on ahead.

Who'd of thunk it? - and - I suck as a prognosticator

At this very moment, its warmer in Chicago, Illinois than in Canyon Country, California!! Can we say, "global warming"? I don't know if that's true but everything seems to be blamed on that, so why not?

Growing up, my mom started the "Floyd Fearless Forecast" where each of us tried to predict the results of the bowl games. Of course, there weren't very many: just the Rose, Cotton, Sugar and Orange. Maybe one more. Not anywhere near the 34 bowl games of today. Three years ago I started it up again. I tried to get the siblings' picks but I didn't do well at that and so have done it the last two by myself. I'm not competing against anybody, just me. And I'm so damn pissed because I am sucking at it this year! So far, I'm 1-6 for the first 7 games and looks like I'll soon be 1-7. I mean, c'mon - who ever thought Norte Dame could annihilate a high school team, much less Hawaii?

The fact I'm so worked up over something that nobody knows I'm doing or would give a rat's ass if they did is a bit disturbing. I have always hated how competitive I am. I don't like playing board games, especially when I was younger, because I never learned a good way to vent the frustration when I was losing, especially when my brother(s) started the trash talk. My usual response was angry tears, and thus "you're such a baby" came next. When I did join in a game, I determined I was going to play for the fun of it and not care how I did. (Not very effective.) There wasn't girls sports back in the '60s - Title 9 wasn't going to be of any benefit to me during my high school and college days. I always felt it wasn't acceptable to be athletic, and I'd hold back from playing all out at church picnic softball or volleyball games because I didn't want to be thought of as not feminine (my definition of femininity at that time as being dresses and lace and fluff.)

I'm glad that the view of athletic women has changed, but that still doesn't help me deal with my competitiveness - even if its only me against myself.

Somebody deserves a bonus for this!

This is one of the most clever and hilarious bit of advertising I have ever seen!

http://bewareofthedoghouse.com/VideoPage.aspx

Too, too funny

Here is a very funny clip of Robin Williams on Obama's election. Its hilarious!!

http://politicalirony.com/2008/11/30/robin-williams-on-obamas-election/

Christmas, 1954

One of the Floyd kids' happiest Christmas memories is from 1954. We lived in Torrance, California, having moved there from the state of Washington. Times were extremely hard financially for my parents - it was going to be a bleak Christmas, in their eyes. We were having Christmas dinner at a friend's home so that expense was eliminated. Dad had $35, I think, for Mom to spend on Christmas - tree included. Even back in that day $35 didn't go very far for Christmas. My brothers, one sister and myself got one gift each, and Nancy, our 5 month old baby sister, got a few baby toys. Oldest brother Dave got a football; brother Steve and I got matching Roy Rogers and Dale Evans pistol sets (those were innocent days, weren't they?); and sister Carolyn got a doll, I think. There were a few things in our stockings and we had, honest to goodness, a real Charlie Brown Christmas tree. The deal is, we were so young that we thought the Christmas tree was beautiful and our presents were THE BEST E.V.E.R. (We weren't old enough to be at "who has the most presents" stage.) That Christmas was one where the true spirit of the day prevailed.

Things I wished I had learned in adolescence

I started thinking about this today because yesterday I worked at my friend's company party. Just two hundred of their closest friends and associates who work for them showed up at their beautiful home for the festivities. Teri and Greg flew the folks in (they have an online business and most of their employers live in other states), put them up in a nice hotel, and threw a party for them. It was interesting to watch people interact as I went about my business. There were the backslappers and hail and hearty ones. There were teenagers (kids of the employees) looking bored and just too, too cool to be there, barely stifling their supposed resentment to having to be there. Once they spotted other teens there things started to look up and then it was the casual nod of the head in acknowledging each other's presence. Lots of little kids, some who stared at each other for a few seconds and then became BFF. There was a petting zoo; pony rides; face painting; arts and crafts; jumper thingies like they have at Chucky Cheese, McDonalds, etc. Two shows - one of reptiles (I HATE snakes and I had to drive the mule [an industrial strength golf cart that can cart stuff around] loaded with their snakes and lizards to the show tent) and a Russian rock-n-roll band called Limpopo, or something like that. Carolers came in (they were the only ones I missed seeing) and Santa showed up with presents for all. It was a great party. Anywho, after all this people-watching, (which reminds me - a former student whom I had back in 1984 is one of Teri's employees, I found out), it got me to thinking about the following. (I didn't digress too awfully much.)

One thing I wish I had learned in those long ago days of adolescence is the art of "hanging out". I always watched my students with utter fascination as they cooled their heels, sat around and talked. Back a million years ago when I was high school age the big thing was to "cruise" Van Nuys Blvd. If you are much younger than moi (born much later after the Baby Boomers) you may not know what "cruising" is (unless you watched the movie "American Graffiti"). Cruising is to drive up and down a major street or thorough way, seeing and being seen. Go several blocks, turn around and slowly drive back. I hated cruising - I thought it was boring and a huge waste of time. One time, nine of us piled into a camper after a football game. 6 of the kids were couples, and pretty soon started making out. That left me, another girl and a guy. He looked around and said how boring it was and invited either of us to a make out session. The other girl was willing, so they started in. Leaving me the only one there just watching everybody else. I should have started taking notes - after all, if they're going to be making out in such a public way, then I guess they wouldn't care if anyone gawked. But I was embarassed I just kept looking out the window, wishing I was anywhere but there. I never saw the point of it, and wanted to do anything else either reading or watching TV. I lacked the ability to engage in the next thing I wished I had learned.

That would be I wish I had learned the art of small talk. I still am not good with this. I couldn't/can't think of questions that can get a person beyond a "yes" or "no" answer. Some folks just have a gift for gab and getting others to relax and open up. Definitely not one of my giftings.

Rainbow girl

I got this idea from MAW over at Unmitigated and found out what my rainbow would look like. I ran through it once and didn't agree with the first analysis, so I did it again and changed maybe three answers - maybe. This is more like who I am, though I don't know if I really am "a proud person." (Maybe I am and don't want to admit it.) The rest of it works, though.

Your rainbow is strongly shaded yellow and indigo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is says about you: You are a proud person. You appreciate optimism. Friends count on you for being honest and insightful. You're good at getting people to like you.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

Another interesting place to go and "find out" your personality is 41q.com. It asks 41 questions and presto! Your personality is revealed.

I love laughing

I love to laugh.

I love to make people laugh.

I love to watch people laugh, especially my sister Carolyn, who laughs with her whole body - its like she gets all she can out of the motion. People begin to relax and enjoy where they're at when they laugh. We get all comfy and let our guards down a little. We become more open and less judgmental.

I love to listen to people laugh. One of the sweetest of all sweet sounds? Children laughing.

I'm not funny if I've rehearsed or practiced something funny to say. My humor is more in response to things said or done and I come back with something witty in way of comment. I loved it when as a teacher, I made the students laugh through some off-the-cuff comment or an aside to a story I was telling them about some historical figure or event. (Example: in explaining the dating practices of Puritans, young people were often bundled in bed together, sometimes with a board that fit in notches in the head and footboards, to keep them apart. "This gives a whole new meaning to 'man overboard'", I would say.)

Wht keeps us from laughter? Stress, for one. I have laughed more these past four weeks since I've been back in California than the 16 weeks I lived in Chicago. Not being able to find work was hard on my roommates and me. As times got tougher we all isolated ourselves - the boys had each other and I had Max. It got to where we would go days without barely saying hello. We didn't mean to put each other at arm's length - we just didn't know that our knee-jerk reaction to stress was the same tactic. We'd check in with each other to make sure we hadn't pissed the other off - just making sure - but it was a lonely time. I don't fault anyone or place blame anywhere - it's just what it was. Stress can definitely rob us of our laughter.

Another reason, and I can only speak for myself on this one, is that I can take myself wwwwaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy too seriously. This is particularly true when I was teaching. I'd get over-tired, stressed about something, insecurities bubbling up from that foul pool of toxic waste deep down inside my psyche, and my oh my - sense of humor gone out the window. I felt like an adolescent all over again. "What was that look for, you little punk?" "What do you mean by that comment, Bucko?" "Hey asshole, you haven't lived long enough to know anything about anything. I don't care to hear what your parents think about anything!", I'd want to scream. Thank GOODNESS that there aren't those bubbles over our heads that reveal our thoughts to the world! I'd have been in deep doo-doo every day! I certainly wouldn't have been offered contracts over the 28 years I was at that school! Fortunately, those feelings weren't visible, but they did wear me down. If ever I needed to laugh it was then, but I don't know how to get back to laughing when I'm in the middle of crap. If I caught myself early enough, I could nudge myself back toward laughter by watching a comedy. But once I'm locked into MISS SERIOUS, I become humorless.

What do you do to get back to joyful laughter?

An award, an award!!!!

Chris, over at csquaredplus3 named me a recipient of this award - my first ever in the Land of Blog! Hopefully I've followed the directions correctly so my recipients will get the info. So - here are the instructions and my confession of my five fabulous addictions. Thank you,Chris!!

MY 5 FABULOUS ADDICTIONS

1. The computer game Free Cell. Absolutely, completely, utterly addicted to it. I started from game #000 to where I am right now - 13,247 ~ this has taken several years. Scary, huh?


2. Janet Evanovich's series of Stephanie Plum stories. I've read each one, except the newest one, #14. I'm not so addicted that I can't wait for them to come out in paperback and thereby save money when I buy them, however.


3. Blog-reading. I can't skip a day without reading or I feel bereaved. I get impatient when some don't write for a long time, as if I did any better on entering blogs on a regular basis.


4. I'm addicted to high school sports. I've attended football games this year even though I'm no longer teaching ~ going to a former student's game (who is now the head coach at a school out here); followed the teams of my coaching nephews in different states through local newspapers online; and plan to drop in on my former school to watch basketball, softball and baseball games. What can I say? I'm an all-time fan for life.


5. I'm addicted to babies. I can't pass one on the street without making a goof of myself by cooing at it or waving or doing something silly. Never having had any of my own, I think the deprivation level is quite high. I love having "baby fixes" when I can play with them, etc. etc. etc.
   

MY 4 FABULOUS BLOGSITES (some of my favs have already won!)

1. My niece Ally at "O Yeah!" Want to see an adorable great-niece? Want to see a gorgeous niece and nephew? Head on over there. (Nephew-by-marriage) is one of those coaching nephews I mentioned earlier. [allyjayocheskey.blogspot.com)


2. Miss Picket. I'm for anyone who can stir up suburbanites. [postpicket.blogspot.com]


3. carolyn_on_line. I love the honesty and forthrightness. [carolynonline.blogspot.com]


4. Jen at Preteens, toddlers, and newborns oh my! The title of her blog captured me immediately and I've been a faithful fan ever since. A hilarious woman! [preteenstoddlersandnewbornsohmy.blogspot.com)

What I like about all of the blogsites I drop in on, including the ones above, is the utter honesty and authenticity of all these fine people. Life is too short to be dragged down by shallow people, and these real and virtual friends are anything but that.

Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then “add image” it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as well. To add it to your sidebar, add the “picture” widget. Also, don’t forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It seemed a bit hokey to write out a "what I'm grateful/thankful for", but then its always good to be reminded of all that we have. So, here goes (in no special order.)

• I'm thankful for Jesus and that I have been connected to Him for all my life. The world is hard enough at times with Him there to lean on . . . I don't know how people can go through life without Him or some strong spiritual connection to feed their spirit.
• I'm thankful for parents who stayed together for over 40 years and the stability that that provided.
• I'm thankful that my parents taught me and my siblings the importance of taking responsibility for our choices and actions. I still hate it when I've made a poor choice and don't have anyone else to blame but me, but this has served me well in my life.
• I'm thankful for family and all that being a sibling to Dave, Steve, Carolyn and Nancy have taught me.
• I'm thankful for the "forever" friends who, no matter how long we might have been out of touch - years, even - we can pick up right where we left off.
• I'm thankful for the friends who have taken me in after my adventure to Chicago went sour.
• I'm thankful for the adventure to Chicago and the friends I made there and hope to return to someday.
• I'm thankful for the wonderful therapists the Lord has sent my way over the years that have helped guide me to understanding and acceptance of myself so my life can be richer than I ever thought I could possibly enjoy.
• I'm thankful for my dog Max, and all that he has shown me about what unconditional love is.
• I'm thankful that I am a teacher, and while I may not practice that calling in the classroom right now (or maybe ever), I'll be discovering other ways to carry out my passion.
• I'm thankful for the power of the written word, and need to do more of it.

10 honest things about me

Jennie, over at "Preteens, Toddlers and Newborns, Oh My!" invited us to post the topic above. So, I'm game and up for the challenge.

1. Pet peeves of driving: people who don't use their turn signals and those who drive with their brights on.
2. I'm a potty mouth, especially when I drive. If I'm really in a cranky mood, my language is scandalous. Mostly its sarcastic and rude. There's something about being encapsulated in a steel, chrome and (probably) plastic cocoon that leaves all inhibitions outside, especially if I'm driving by myself which is most often the case. There is a reason I don't have any Christian insignias on my car.
3. I'm not above lying, either. When I was in junior high I was walking home from school and met up with two girls walking toward me. One of them said something rude and we got into an argument, which was/is very unlike me. I guess that was the time I was exercising my little swearing, rude and vulgar wings. In the midst of it I realized that the other girl really looked familiar. Turns out she and her family were brand new to our church. My sister Carolyn became good friends with Nola Sanders. Nola told Carolyn about the faceoff and that's where the lying came in. I denied it up one side and down the other, then avoided Nola for weeks, trying to stay out of sight. That experience set me on the path of better language and I've only become a potty mouth in the last eight or so years, probably. Everybody has to have a vice or two.
4. I like classic rock-n-roll and country-western music.
5. I had wanted to be a boy almost all my life, but especially in my childhood. Boys got to play organized sports (this was long before Title IX); wear baseball caps; be the window monitors in grade school and use the long poles to reach the tall upper windows to open them up. Why couldn't girls do that? I always wanted that job. Guys could go around shirtless in hot weather, stay out longer at night when in high school yada yada yada. I wouldn't enjoy or appreciate being a woman until much, much later in life.
6. I don't like my weight and how I look but I don't have any inclination or drive to change it. So I've made a pledge to myself not to bitch and moan about it since I'm not going to do anything about it - at least for now. That would be like people crabbing about politicians and the government but don't vote.
7. I hate whining.
8. I hate when people don't take responsibility for their choices and actions.
9. I hate snakes. I can't go into the snake house at zoos without starting to feel woozy and nauseous.
10. I would have loved to have had me for a teacher.

Truer words were . . . .

As a Christian, the passage of Proposition 8 offends me. Marriage, as far as the law is concerned, protects the spouses and children; that's its purpose. That's what marriage is. Simple. And because a small minority of people are wired to love the same gender (God created all things and said "it is good") they are now denied what had been granted to them. "But its the courts that made that decision." Yes. That's true. It was the courts that also prompted the integration of schools in the South. If state legislatures are the sole resource to bring justice to certain groups, how long would it have been for southern legislatures to allow black and white kids to go to school together? Would there still be segregation there? I don't know. That Christians can feel that this is a godly decision is beyond belief. Jesus sacrifice is for everybody; God loves everybody. We could argue 'til the cows come home about the scriptures that supposedly denounce homosexuality. I will say this: the word "homosexuality" (1) never existed in the days of Christ; (2) does not appear in the Bible until the 1970s; (until then the translation was something like "unnatural"; and yes, it would be unnatural for straight folks to be with gay folks and vice-versa) and (3) there's not one reference in the Bible that Jesus every uttered that word. I'm not a big fan of Keith Olbermann - I think he's overly dramatic and arrogant, but he conveys my thoughts so well that I'm adding a link to hear his take on the passage of this travesty. The link will be hard to see because for some reason it posts in white, but its there. (Its my first time to do this, so cut me some slack, people! Thank you!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnHyy8gkNEE

Floydster Enterprises

Well, its happening - I'm in the process of starting my own business. Never, NEVER, NEVER in a million years would I have ever thought I'd even entertain the possibility of starting my own business. Then I realized that once again I was letting fear dominate my choice-making capabilities. Having sworn off fear as a guide to my decision-making process, I immediately got busy putting the plan into action. I've researched reputable/legitimate work-at-home companies, through the help and guidance of a website that has done just that - find out who the legit companies and scammers are. They actually enrolled in the programs, losing money with the scammers and making money with the legit companies. I picked one of their top five choices of companies to go with. My "employer" (I don't know the technical names for the following information) is "My Data Team"; they have taken me step-by-step through the process of obtaining an Employer Tax Number (ETN); gaining access to the companies with the lists of websites (I call them the "warehouses"); and have started the job of choosing what websites I want to promote. (BTW: It cost me all of $50 to join My Data Team - they were running a special at the time; otherwise it would have been $100.) "Promotion" means I send a link of that company with my name attached to search engines. If someone picks that link an email will be sent to my new business email address (established just for this purpose.) I will then send them a form letter that will give them a direct link to the website they want to go to. If the customer buys the product, I'll get, at a minimum, 50% of the sale. Typically the percentage is anywhere from 65-75%. Sometimes I'll get paid just for the customer having used the link. So this is data entry, bottom line. There are 5 methods of getting the information out into cyberspace, and I started two days ago on Method One. In the "warehouses" are different categories ("Business to Business"; "Fun and Entertainment"; "Computer and Something" - around a dozen at the most) with many subcategories. Some subcategories have pages of websites hoping to be picked; one subcategory is 85 pages long. And this is just one warehouse! I haven't even looked at the other one other than to sign up with them. And I'm only on Method One! That's not to say I'll use all 5 methods, but still. Once I've gone through both warehouses using as many methods as I choose to do, I can then look at the traditional data entry of designing memos, entering statistics, etc. Now I can see why My Data Team says it will be anywhere from 4-6 weeks to see a steady income flowing in.

In addition to that, I am also working with an international, non-profit organization to help abandoned and abused kids. I'll deliver donations from sponsors to such groups, and get 10% of the donation; after three such deliveries in a month, my amount goes to 15%. The move interrupted my first delivery but I'll be making one as soon as I can get a car, which hopefully will be next week.

I still have to register my business name (the title of this post) with the city and notify the proper powers-that-be that I'm developing a home business.

None of this is hard, just time-consuming. Gratefully I don't have to worry about rent or food since my friends who flew me back to California have opened their home to me. Its really been good because I've been able to help around the house with cleaning and laundry and such as my friend Teri has been extremely busy with her business. Its interesting that shortly after Teri had prayed to God for reinforcements, she got my email that I sent out in October telling of how I was going to have to move because I still hadn't found a job, etc. Talk about Divine Providence!

Thank you all out there in The Land of Blog who have been praying and sending good thoughts my way - they are paying off! Its wonderful "having to" set my own hours, no grading of papers, no lesson plans to develop, no teenage angst to endure or help with . . .

I'm trying to get a widget of one of the warehouses to adorn the column space, but I haven't figured out how to do that yet. Those of you that have such things, I'd appreciate any help you can give me. I had set up a link that showed up on my blogsite list but it didn't take me to the website, so I'm trying to figure out how its done.

I'm really starting to get the hang of going on new adventures!!!

Around the Kitchen Table

Seven people around a kitchen table. Every night. The food is in the middle of the table along with the glasses of milk, tea or coffee. Mom at one end, Dad at the other; the two brothers on one side, the three girls on the other. Dad always served up the meal; at least the meat. If it was chicken for dinner, then Mom was always served first and she always got a breast. (Dad was from a family of 12 and his mom always got what was left over - wings and backs - and never complained. Dad made sure that wasn't the case in his family.) Potatoes and lima beans (the only vegtables we kids would eat) were passed around the table, along with the bread ~ either biscuits or warm-and-serve rolls. Or a loaf of white bread.

The biggest meal was Sunday after church. Fortunately for us, Dad took up barbecuing, and we had BBQ steak every Sunday afternoon and BBQ hamburgers on Saturday. No one could cook as good of BBQ hamburgers as Dad. They were never dried out and always juicy. He had the knack.

On some nights the conversation was bright and lively; kids telling about their day at school, Mom telling about her day at work. Dad rarely told stories ~ I guess he appointed himself the designated listener. Not that we didn't try to get him to talk about his work, but he always said we would be bored. We didn't think so because he worked for the security department of Thrifty Drug Stores. Writing that just made me wonder if he was bored with his job but wouldn't change because he had a family to take care of. I don't think so - he got to go on visits to small towns around L.A. and check out how the stores were doing. Twice a month he'd be gone for a couple of days and it got him out from behind a desk. And one or maybe two weekends of the month he would be on call, meaning if there were any robberies or break-ins at stores he had to get up and go investigate it. How could he think we'd be bored by that? But that was part of his generation of WWII veterans - he never would tell us anything about that either. Even the fact that I became a history teacher and begged him for stories to incorporate in my teaching, he remained mute, stopping all questions with "its something you never should have to see or hear about." We kids liked it when he was out of town because then we got to have pizza from Casa de Pizza, a little restaurant close by. We always called it Mike's pizza because the owner's name was Mike. One time Dad got home a night earlier than planned and he was a little bit sad that we weren't all excited to see him. It just so happened that we were going to have pizza for dinner and his unexpected arrival cancelled that plan, much to our dismay. Our halfhearted "Oh, hi, Dad" fell pretty short of sounding happy that he was back. Mom had to explain to him and we felt pretty bad once we realized how we had placed pizza above bloodline. Fortunately it all got straightened out. We might even have had pizza after all, I can't remember. (Dad had ulcers so he couldn't eat pizza or really spicy food.)

Back to the kitchen table: some nights the conversation was lively and other nights there was nothing but silence. Seven people serving themselves, five eating and leaving the table as quickly as possible. Mom or Dad would try to get something going, sometimes, or sometimes not. I guess sometimes we just didn't have anything to say, or sometimes it was because the tension between parents or a parent and a kid were too much to fight through. I guess that it wasn't anything much different that happens with all families.

Settling In

I'm back and settling in. All my stuff arrived that I had shipped here, including my laptop and I can again be running around in Blogland. I've missed being here. I've gotten all caught up with my favs and feel connected. Isn't that wild - that though most of us have never met in person we are still very real to one another? That's waaayyy cool!

My gracious friends have provided me with a home, part-time work in their business and soon a car, which is a must if you live in southern California. I'm humbled by their generosity and will be forever grateful. I have plans to start my own online business - I'll share that process in the days ahead. I was ready for the challenge of a Chicago winter, but maybe God is saving me from myself. HA!

I'm delighted with our new president-elect; saddened that Prop.8 failed. Progress in some areas, steps back in others. That pretty much sums up life, I suppose.

Some heart-warming moments

I've had three "aahhhhhh" moments in the last few days.

• Moment #1 ~ A few days ago I was making arrangements to rent a storage place. I was chit-chatting with the guy helping me and as I was filling out some forms, he commented, "Nice pen." Well, okay - it isn't anything fancy. Its somewhere between a Bic and a Cross. As he looked at my printing as I handed him the papers he said, "You're a teacher." "How'd you know that?" "You smile way too much to be in the corporate world."
• Moment #2 ~ I got an email from my sister Carolyn. She had a chance to have dinner with her BFF from high school, who is still in touch with Carolyn's high school boyfriend. BFF told Carolyn that the guy is a committed Christian and family man. He said that he wanted to have what he saw in our family all those years ago. BFF also named her youngest son after my dad. (I think its kind of weird to be naming a kid "dad" but everybody has . . . sorry, I couldn't resist.)
• Moment #3 ~ As I was walking down a street today there came toward me a dozen 2 and 3 year old kids walking hand in hand with each other with a teacher ahead of them and one behind them. The one behind them started a chant: T: "Everywhere we go"; Kids, with enthusiasm: "Everywhere we go"; T: "People want to know"; K, with gusto: "People want to know"; T: "Who we are" K, with those darling little voices: "Who we are", and so on. They were soooooo dang cute!!!!

Packing up - update

The move will be on Wednesday, not Tuesday . . . not too bad of a delay. So I'll be hanging around in Blogland for another day.

Packing up

I'm sad today.

I'm packing up my computer tonight, so I won't be online for a few days. I'll miss checking in on everybody in blog land. The movers come tomorrow to move my stuff to a storage unit, and then I'll fly out to California Wednesday ~ at least, that's the plan. Things could change, of course, just like my plans for staying here. Hopefully, this will go as I want. If I have to leave, then let's get on with it.

See you as soon as I can get up and running in California.

Back to California

Well, the roof has fallen in on my dream of living in Chicago, for a little while at least. I thought I had qualified for unemployment benefits but found out yesterday that I don't, and I'm still without a job of any kind. A friend is flying me and Max back to California and has offered me their home to stay at until I can get up and running again. But you know what? I'm really happy with several of the feelings I'm having.

• For one, I don't feel like a failure and that I made a big mistake. This is HUGE, people! There was no way to know that the economy was going to go south so fast and that all of us (The Boys and I) would have such a hard time finding work. The Boys had always been able to find work within a month of searching; it took them much longer this time. As for me - I never did find anything (as mentioned earlier.)
• I'm so happy I took a risk, instead of wondering for the rest of my life how things could have been different if I hadn't played it safe.
• I don't feel like this is the end of a chapter, but an unexpected detour that will lead me to an unplanned and unknown place. The Lord only knows where or what that will look like, but its still an adventure.
• I'm so grateful I have a place to land, and that so many friends have reached out to me during this time. I am no longer an invisible person.

I don't know when I'll be back. I'll have to come back at some point to get my stuff. I hope to come back and stay, but if not, then whatever is ahead is going to be good. Because I took a risk, and I can take another risk and another and another when I have to.

I am no longer invisible.

Catching up on football

All my teams (except my flag football team) won this weekend. Chaos ~ we're getting better, but its not showing that in the win column (o-5). But we do improve every game, and its fun. I really like my teammates. The Mayflower Eagles are 6-1; 4-0. The Everman Bulldogs are 7-0; 4-0. The Saugus Centurions are 3-3; 1-0. The Kerman Lions are 5-1; 2-0, and the Village Christian Crusaders are 3-4; 1-0. It was an especially sweet victory for Mayflower, Everman and VCS because either for the rivalry between the schools or the importance of the game for league standings.

Its been a tumultuous couple of weeks, and little relief in sight until I get relocated in the room I found to rent (I have to move by 10/31). But I do have a room and won't be homeless during the cold Chicago winter (not that that would have happened; I would have returned to California before that could come to pass) and I start a part-time job tomorrow. When things settle down here I'll write more about it.

All good teachers shamelessly steal good ideas from other teachers. Being the teacher that I am, I saw this idea at Deanaland and decided to do it.

20 years ago (1988)

I was in my 8th year of teaching at Village Christian Schools, 15th year overall. Three years earlier I had literally run myself into the ground, finding it difficult to recover from asthmatic bronchitis because I had no reserve strength left. In 1988 I was still recovering, slowly replenishing my reserve strength. Gas prices were: regular ~ 77.9 cents a gallon; unleaded ~ 79.9 cents a gallon; super unleaded~ 98.9 cents a gallon. Songs from that year that VCS students liked best: "Could Have Been"; "Pump Up the Volume"; "Hungry Eyes". Their favorite movies were "Dirty Dancing"; "Fatal Attraction"; and "Three Men and a Baby". Their three top TV shows were "Growing Pains"; "21 Jumpstreet" and "Cheers". The girls had big hair back in the day. (All of these facts and figures provided by the 1988 yearbook. Also in that book was a picture of the cheerleaders at their summer camp at USC, and they were standing with Marcus Allen and OJ Simpson. Yeewwww!) Two of the junior students I had that year would be dead less than a year later - one through a traffic accident and one by suicide. One of the "bad ass" kids I had would turn things around, return to VCS a few years later to help coach football, and now is a successful public school coach and history teacher (ahem, I taught him U.S.history) in a large school in the Santa Clarita valley in southern California. We are still in touch.

10 Years ago (1998)

I was in my 18th year at VCS and 25th year of teaching overall. The girls hair had calmed down considerably. Clinton was impeached; the Euro was adopted; a first class stamp cost 32 cents; the Unabomber was sentenced for his crimes; and Matthew Shepard was murdered in a hate crime that would bring the prejudice against gays into the spotlight. Some movies that came out that year were "Titanic"; "Saving Private Ryan"; "Primary Colors"; "American History X" and "Shakespeare in Love". Some new music groups - N Sync and Backstreet Boys. On a personal level, my progress in therapy was on the fast track because I had finally chosen to forgive those who had wounded me (about a five year process) and I finally understood why God tells us to forgive ~ so that we can be free. Learning to forgive has been the greatest lesson I have ever learned. Oh yeah - three teachers on staff were former students of mine back in the mid and late '80s.

5 years ago (2003)

I was in my 23rd year at VCS, 29th year of teaching overall. The U.S. was looking for Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan; the space shuttle Columbia exploded; the Homeland Security Act was passed; cell phones now had cameras; Martha Stewart faced charges of illegal stock trading, and SpongeBob Square Pants made his debut. Movies of that year: "Catch Me If You Can"; "Chicago"; and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". New TV shows: "American Idol"; "CSI Investigation" and "CSI Miami."The Angels won the World Series. The VCS football, softball and boys volleyball all won CIF division titles - three in one school year! We hadn't won any in the previous 54 years - then BAM! Three! Once again four of my teaching colleagues in high school were former students, with probably twice that many former students teaching in the middle and elementary schools. And a shocking first for me - my first 2nd generation student. I had a student's dad back in the early 1980s; now, round two had begun. Personally, I was starting to come to realize I needed to come to grips with a part of myself I had cut off from my consciousness for a very long time.

1 year ago (2007)

I was in my 27th year at VCS and 33rd year of teaching overall. In the real world, the country commemorated the 5th anniversary of 9/11; Nancy Pelosi became the first woman to be named Speaker of the House; Oprah opened her Academy for Girls; and Pluto was declared to no longer be a planet. Movies of that year: "Pursuit of Happyness"; "Pirates of the Caribbean II"; "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Dreamgirls". New TV shows: "Deal or No Deal"; "Ugly Betty"; "Project Runway". The Cardinals won the World Series and the Colts won the Super Bowl. In our little fishbowl world at VCS, I found it more difficult to deal with teenage angst and drama - my tolerance for it was dissipating. Was I starting to tire of teaching after so many years? Again, four of my colleagues were former students and I had four second generation students. Personally, I had found peace with myself in every regard.

AGONY!!!!

How can it be that the two teams with the best regular season records are already out of the MLB playoffs? I can't stand it. I haven't been able to read the stories during the Cub/Dodger series or the Angels/Red Sox; I can't listen to talk radio or watch the news when the sports segment comes on. I couldn't write about it 'til now. I've only been in Chicago 4 months and I'm dyin' here with the rest of the Cub fans. Its just as my good friend and softball coach Mike says - the teams with the most talent don't always win. Sports culture is so different in Chicago than in L.A. At some point when the Dodgers lose, there will be some groaning, renting of cloth and gnashing of teeth, but it won't be widespread and life will go on pretty quickly. Its so different with Cub fans. I never got into Wrigley Field (bleacher seats at $34? Please!) but I spent a couple of games in the streets around Wrigley. It was like a festival, every game day. You had the hawkers with their wares on the sidewalks around the park. You had the scalpers across the streets, looking for buyers and buyers looking for the scalpers. People were everywhere; the Cub fans all decked out in their caps and jerseys and t-shirts. There were some brave St. Louis fans with their team shirts on and you'd hear some occasional good natured heckling (true Cub fans hate St. Louis.) The noise was upbeat and excitement was everywhere. I'd walk along and then stand on the outside of the bars, watching through open windows the game on the TVs that enveloped the inside of the establishments. What was happening in the stadium was about a second or two ahead of what was seen on the TV, so that you'd hear the roar of the crowd in Wrigley and like an echo, the roar of the crowd in the bars and restaurants surrounding the stadium. It was so fun, and for the season to end so abruptly is.just.wrong. Its not helping the the White Sox are still hanging on. If they go farther in the playoffs will be like adding salt to the wound. The Bears are doing pretty well (but for how long seems to be the general sentiment) but I think the team that is the strongest are the Blackhawks (hockey for you uninitiated.)

And then life smacks ya right upside the head

I know my woes are nothing compared to others, like Overflowing Brain whose 16 day-and-counting hellacious, excruciating headache continues; a loving mom who has to watch the painful interplay between the idiot, clueless ex-husband and her oldest daughter; Kimberly mourning the loss of her dad; Fat Cyclist dealing with his wife's cancer. But maybe if I write it out then it will not stay playing in my head on an endless loop and I can move on.

I moved to Chicago from California in June with two friends. They're from here and were ready to return home, inviting me to consider coming with them. I was ready for a change and so we came. We found a beautiful apartment with incredible rent (compared to California prices), confident we could find jobs quickly. I figured I could sell my condo and live off that until I found a job. That would have probably happened if we had done this three years ago. For example, my condo that I bought at $127,000 in 2001 was worth $250,000 then. I hadn't planned on moving two years ago, (I hadn't even met Jystiinn and Brian) so I borrowed to do much-needed remodeling. By June of this year, I couldn't sell it for what its worth because people just can't afford it. Bottom line - I'm losing to foreclosure because I wasn't able to keep up the payments over this summer. I'm still without a job, and the guys/roommates (AKA "Anne's boys") had a hard time landing jobs but eventually did. But this apartment, even with its wonderful rent, is too much for us so we're going to have to move out by the end of this month. I'm going to have to find a room to rent for a few months while the boys will be staying with a friend of theirs. We'll save up for a deposit and first month's rent and then share another apartment again. They'll have to be out by February 'cause their friend is moving then. I'm working on tutorials for Excel, Microsoft and Power Point so that I can hopefully do well on tests that can get me an office job (never did find a teaching job; subbing requires certification as well and private schools weren't hiring, either. I know. I tried. Maybe not hard enough?) I've signed up for unemployment insurance but that doesn't kick in until November, and I don't know yet how much I'll be receiving.

The challenge right now for me is not to blame myself for something that does not require blame. Thank God for Jystiinn who told me that truth. This situation just is what it is. We didn't know that the economy was going to start going down the crapper. We're going to get through this together. I'm not alone.

So for those of you who are praying people, or are proficient at sending good thoughts, I need them. I need a job right away (I'm interviewing at a supermarket and a McDonald's this coming Monday and Tuesday while still trying to get an office job); I need a place that will allow a dog; and I don't want to lose out on being able to sing with the community chorus I just joined. I'll be really sad if I can't keep that commitment. And thanks for sending those prayers and good thoughts.

Time travel

I found the website yearbookyourself.com and ended up composing pictures of myself throughout the decades.

1952

It's a little tricky getting the proportions - I don't really have that long a chin, as you'll see in the next picture. Ah, the pearls!

1966

Somewhere between these two pictures is my real chin!

1974

So that's how I would have looked with long hair! I kind of like it!

1986

Hair in the eyes always bugs me, so I doubt that I would have sported this look, but I like the tight perm!

1996

I have to say, I like this look!

2000

A combination of long hair and in the eyes! It almost works!

The excrement dance

I still haven't found a job, so that allows leisurely walks with Max. As I watch Max do the "dance" I have to ask myself for the umpteenth time, why? Why this ritual dance?

First, the pee dance. If the plan is to hit the ground, Max does this stagger thing. "Do I want to hit it from this angle? Naw. How about this angle? Nope. Forget it, I'll go over to this bit of turf." He goes over to it, sniffs. "Hmmm. Let me try the half hike with the left leg. No, that's not fancy enough. How about the right leg, start the pee and jump to my left leg midstream. What - what's that smell over there?" Walk over to the new smell. Investigate it thoroughly. He can no longer hold it in, so he does a simple, boring leg lift. Sheezzz!!

The poop dance. This is simpler, fortunately. He hasn't come up with many variations of it. Find just the right spot (which can take a century or two), and then circle it. One time around. Two times. Three times. Reverse. One, two - aarrrggghhhhh! Me: "Max, dump already!" I startle him, breaking his concentration. He has to start the dance all over again.

Oh Lord, I need to get back to work yesterday!!!

High Noon at Lincoln Park

On our morning walk, Max, the "intrepid hunter", saw the squirrel before I did. The squirrel was standing on its hind feet, as still as a statue. Max, with slow careful step, approached the squirrel. Step, pause. Step, pause. Step, pause - ever the stalker. I looked at the statue squirrel, and could see its little heart beating in its chest. No eye contact between them, yet. Step, pause. Then the squirrel, realizing that Max wasn't just going to go away, turned its head and looked Max in the eyes. Step - freeze in his tracks at eye contact. Suddenly, the squirrel took two quick hops, jumped on the nearest tree and scampered up into the branches. Max, so not the hunter despite his bravado barking at them, just watched the squirrel escape to the safety of the sky. Going up to the tree, he peed on it, then trotted off on search of more forbidden chicken bones.

Frank Stevens(son?)

On our walk this morning, Max and I met up with "The Snack Lady", and Max knows her well. Whenever he sees her his tail starts going into overdrive and he gives her those "Disney" eyes. His reaction is typical of all the dogs in the city because she's a very generous distributor of snacks. This interplay reminded me of an older man at the church I grew up in - Frank Stevens (or Stevenson, I can't remember.) You always knew where he was because he filled his pockets with Chicklett (ms) gum that would jingle in his pockets when he walked. It wasn't just the kids who flocked to him after church, and if some adult didn't pass by within reach, he'd go around and find them to give away some gum. I remember him being pretty short, because I was about eye level with him when I was in the upper elementary grades. He was just the nicest guy (and not just because he gave away gum.) He was one of the "pillars" of the church; I doubt that there were any who didn't like him.

Sports update for the weekend of 9/19-21.

FLAG FOOTBALL: Chaos ~ we lost our first game, 20-12. We did score two touchdowns, which is two more than the team scored throughout the whole season the last time they played. We did a respectable job and were competitive. I overheard a conversation with our team manager and a lady from a different team that followed our game. She was really surprised at how well we did - "you guys really look good!" I doubt that we're going to strike fear into the hearts of opposing teams, but we'll be able to give them a good game. Our shirts are cool looking, anyway, and we have a team sponsor (thank you Hamburger Mary!) so we saved some money on entry fees. Its a softball gray t-shirt with burgundy sleeves, the team name on the front and our nicknames or last names on the back.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Kerman, Mayflower, and Saugus all won. VCS lost. Everman had a bye.

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: VCS girls won the tournament they were in. They've been ranked 1st in their division since preseason, and haven't lost any matches except in the finals of the tournament they were in last weekend.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: No real game of interest for me this week, other than Vanderbilt (perennial losers) won again for the 3rd time and are ranked in the Top 25 of one of the polls for the first time in about forever! Go Commodores! (I love underdogs!)

PRO FOOTBALL: The Bears lost after a really stupid play by a Chicago defender. Instead of it being 4th down and Tampa Bay needing to punt, this bozo's late hit (I think it was) led to an automatic first down. TB scored to tie the game and put it into overtime and then went on to win. Dallas was impressive, anyway. (sorry Carolyn!)

PRO BASEBALL: The Cubs clinched their division this weekend which made for some excitement around here. I was running errands and passed through Wrigleyville in the early innings. I would have stayed but didn't want to be carrying my purse through the crowds. I was going to run home, drop off my packages and go back but was too tired by the time I got home to go back. I'll plan on being in the neighborhood after they win the divisonal, national and world series. The Rays clinched a playoff spot. I'm really happy for them because of their manager, Joe Maddon, was the bench coach for the Angels and I really like his philosophy of team first. I think he deserves to be Manager of the Year.

An inspirational poem

I haven't read a lot of poetry in my lifetime until I found out poems don't have to rhyme, be about trees, graveyards, or unrequited love. About two years ago I joined a therapy-through-poetry group, where the emphasis was on the process of writing rather than the product. We would be given a "starter" poem to read, and from any word or phrase that caught our attention start writing and see where we'd end up.

The "starter" poem we read this past November and that has had a tremendous influence on me is Living Life Wide Open, by Dawna Markova. The first line grabbed me and has become one of my mantras for life. It helped me realize, and then articulate, the fact that I had lived a life based on fear - the fear of being wrong; the fear of making a mistake. I soon came to the conscious decision that I would never again be ruled by fear. Since the moment I proclaimed that, my life has opened up tremendously. I was especially glad to end my commencement speech to the graduating class of 2008 by reading it.

Living Life Wide Open

by

Dawna Markova

I will not die an unlived life.

I will not live in fear

of falling or catching fire.

I choose to inhabit my days,

to allow my living to open me,

to make me less afraid,

more accessible; to loosen my heart until it

becomes a wing,

a torch, a promise.

I choose to risk my significance,

to live so that which came to me as seed

goes to the next as blossom,

and that which came to me as blossom,

goes on as fruit.

Saturday rituals

While Max and I were on our walk, we came upon an American Saturday morning tradition ~ AYSO soccer. The length and breath of Lincoln Park was awash in soccer games. At the point of entry into the park that Max and I took, the teams playing were 4 & 5 year old girls. They were so darn cute! The shorts reached down to the top of their knees, and their socks came up almost to the same spot, so it looked like they were wearing onesies. Lime green is apparently the color of choice for uniforms, and the more florescent, the better. Defense is a concept that the girls will care about when they're older. Right now, its chase the ball and kick it! So there were two swarming packs of little girls chasing the ball with the florescent green teams looking like lightening bugs on crack. As Max and I walked through the park, we saw signs posted everywhere. "Alert! You are entering the kids zone." It went on to list the rules ~ having fun, not winning is the most important object; only coaches coach, not parents; only words of encouragement are to be said; no angry shouting; no swearing, etc. It ended with "If you can abide by these rules, welcome to the kids zone; if not, do not enter." Alright, AYSO!


After leaving the park I came home to an email that had the following picture. The positiveness at the park may be the reason the impact of the picture was so great on me.

A football field in Galveston after Ike

This was a reminder that not all people are enjoying their usual Saturday rituals.

Introducing my newest great niece . . .

. . . Miss Emma Claire Floyd! Here's a few of my favorite pictures.

Guess what I just discovered!

Miss Holly Wood!

Too cool for words

A gas bubble?

Uh - what's this stuff again?

Give me something to chew and its all good

I love my mom!!

Emma's first football season

A very happy baby!

What a beautiful family!!

Football update (late)

I meant to do this early this week, so this will be abbreviated. Here are the results of the different football games of interest.

FLAG FOOTBALL: Our first game was rained out. Go Chaos!

HIGH SCHOOL: All my high school teams won. VCS - my former school, coached by former student Jeff Cortez (Go Crusaders!); Mayflower - nephew Chad is an assistant (Go Eagles!); Everman - nephew Jay is an assistant (Go Bulldogs!); Kerman - friend and former VCS coach Marty Martin is head coach (Go Lions!); and Saugus - former student Jason Bornn is head coach (Go Centurions!)

COLLEGE: USC is awesome!!!!

PROS: Green Bay, the Colts, the Cowboys. Sweet! (The second week was pretty sloppy by all teams, though - a lot of dumb penalties.)

Virtual football game attendance

It's Saturday night, and my old school is playing their first football game of the season. For the first time in 28 years I'm not even in the vicinity of being able to go and watch. This.is.so.weird! It's 9:15 in Chicago, so it's 7:15 there; game time was probably 7:00. While I was walking Max earlier tonight I was thinking of what was happening in California - the team would be coming out on the field, starting stretching exercises and warm up drills. For any freshmen who were playing varsity, their hearts were probably up in their throats. For seniors, some of them may have been thinking something along the lines of "this is the first game of my last season." Coaches would be pacing; cheerleaders probably taking pictures of each other (nice girls, but clueless most of the time of what's going on on the field); water boys, picked from the elementary ranks, would be bustling around getting everything ready.

At this moment, they've played through the first quarter. Nerves have settled down for the older boys; cheerleaders may have led some appropriate cheers that match the action on the field. Senor Brache, head of the Spanish department, is calling out the information provided by his spotters after each play, adding some color commentary occasionally for good plays made by either side. Senor Brache is not a homer. In the middle of the bleachers are the football, drill team and cheerleader parents, the drill team and maybe the band of about 20+ members that has a vast repertoire of 6 - (maybe) count them - 6 - songs. The same 6 songs for the last 5 years if not more. (No comment, though tempted.) Moving from the middle of the stands outward are more parents,friends, and students who are interested in the game.

At the furthest ends of the bleachers are the students who are there to see and be seen. They are vaguely aware that a football game is being played. They'll travel in packs when they're not sitting, making their way purposefully to the snack bar and/or bathrooms and back to their seats. Most of them make the trek on a regular basis, providing a constant stream of humanity walking in the narrow passageway between the bleachers and the fence that separates the track and field. Maybe they'll pay attention to the action on the field when the rest of the fans start cheering. Most of socialites will have their cellphones glued to their ears, chattering away, probably with someone in the group who had decided to stay seated when the convoy started their trek. Or, they might be speaking to somebody in the convoy who's either directly ahead or behind them. Oh! and most, if not all of the convoy, will be chewing gum. Not discreetly. Very obviously. Very noisily.

Others at the end of the bleachers are middle school and elementary age kids playing around, along with some alumni who have come back. Many of the alumni will be kids who just a year ago were sworn enemies of the school, kids you figured would never come near anything related to the school once they were gone. This happens every year. Bitch and moan all the time they were in school, first to return. I've never understood it.

Now at 7:39 Pacific time, the first half is winding down and half time about to start. The VCS cheerleaders are at the edge of the track, ready to run across the field in one line. holding hands, to go and greet the cheerleaders from the other school. Our girls will sit and watch the visiting team's cheerleaders do their thing in front of their fans. Then both cheer squads will hold hands and run back across the field to watch our drill team. The drill team will get out on the field with first game jitters intensified when the person in charge of starting the music doesn't turn it on right away. And it being the first game, the wrong song will probably be cued up and the girls have to hold their pose until that snafu gets straightened out. Finally they'll get it going, and do a really great job. VCS drill team rocks! Then our cheerleaders will do their equally electrifying, death-defying routines, throwing the smallest ones up and around and building pyramids and causing the weak hearted, like me, to hide their eyes because its just too scary to watch. My heart is in my throat just thinking about it.

I can't wait to look up the results in the L.A. papers and or MaxPrep tomorrow.

Max + water = :(

My Max just does not like water in any way, shape, or form. When it's raining out, he is not a happy camper when its time for him to go outside to take care of business. I have told him many times since we've moved here, "Buddy, you're going to be in for a long and unhappy winter, because it rains here in Chicago on a regular basis. And SNOW! How are you going to do with snow, Max?" We've never lived in snow, so its going to be interesting for both of us.

Presidental race, pt. 3 - upon further reflection

While Gov. Palin's speech was full of zingers at Obama, there really wasn't any discussion about issues, now was there? Everybody knows of all the years McCain was a POW, and I guess she had to discuss what she's done as a relatively unknown politician. For all her talk about being an outsider, it appears she'll fit right in at D.C. with all barbs at Barrack. That's why I think her speech was not written by her. One question that I had immediately upon hearing one part of the speech was, how does she know that the war in Iraq is close to being over? It would be wonderful if she's right, but Bush still is in charge. I wonder if anybody believed her when she made that comment.

On a completely different subject ~

For some reason I'm excited for NFL football. I have rarely followed it until the playoffs, but not this time. Maybe it's because I now live in a city that actually has a team!

Presdential race, pt. 2

I have to admit I liked Sarah Palin's speech. She had some pretty good zingers at Obama and emphasized experience over inspired oratory. The thing that I find so annoying of all politicians no matter what party, is (1) oversimplifying complex problems, and (2) taking statements of the opponents and twist and turn them to fit their agenda. I know its always been that way and always will, but still. Its so imperative that we all can read between the lines and think for ourselves.

My only question I have about Governor Palin is that surely she knew the scrutiny that would come her way would reveal her pregnant teenage daughter. I hope that the kids truly want to marry and won't be pressured into it for the sake of appearances. I really respect Obama/Liden for their stance that kids should and would be off-limits.

A different kind of day

It was a very odd feeling today. For the first time in 29 years, I was not standing in front of 6 different classes and welcoming them to my history class. I know that this move to Chicago definitely had God's fingerprints all over it, and that in just the right time I'll have a job. Of course, to me, that would have been several weeks ago, or even before I moved, but God's timing certainly isn't ours. I've been looking at different government jobs. I've found a government website and am going to take their "what kind of government job fits your personality" quiz. I thought of looking into being a Brinks guard, but the whole point of selling my car was so that I wouldn't have to drive in inclement weather. I would have to become proficient in using a handgun which would be pretty cool. I've also signed up as a mystery shopper and my first job is this Saturday. I'm going to have to go to a movie (oh, the suffering) to check out their pre-movie ads.

Presidential race, Pt. 1

I'm figuring I'll be writing about the upcoming election more than once, thus the title.

What you have to understand is that I am not a political person. Politicians annoy me. Politics bore me. So the fact that I even watched any of the convention was pretty amazing. In fact, I watched far more of the convention than I did the Olympics, sports fan that I am. There have been times I didn't even vote in presidential, state or city elections - and me, a history teacher! So to sit and watch a carefully scripted convention was really quite out of the ordinary for me.

I was so impressed with Barrack Obama's speech last night. Once more I felt hopeful for our country. As cynical as I am over politicians, I still am impressed with him. (Actually, its more accurate to say I'm impressed in spite of myself.) One of my former students (whom I had in government last spring and who graduated in June) text me during the speech. "I'm watching the speech and I just knew you were too". She was excited because one, she could understand Obama and wasn't feeling embarrassed as she does when she listens to Bush (her and me both.) Secondly, she was excited because, as she said, "I'm going to get to vote in an election that is going to be historical." Her excitement boosted my hope as I realized that her generation has become excited and involved in the process once again. When Obama was speaking I was reminded of FDR, who was willing to try anything to get the economy up and running again. His attitude was "we'll try this and if it doesn't work, we'll try something else." That's what came across to me as Obama talked.

Then, McCain's choice for VP announce this morning stunned me. He just upped the ante with his choice of Governor Palin. Hopefully he isn't just "putting a pair of ovaries" on the ballot to garner womens' vote (to quote one of the blogsites I read today.) If its all for show, then maybe McCain thinks women are stoopid and won't see through it all (but that's my cynicism speaking, isn't it?)

My student was correct last night, more than she knew at the time ~ this is truly going to be an historical election because we're either going to have a black man as president for the first time or a woman able to step in as president, if needed, for the first time. What an interesting and exciting time these next 70+ days are going to be!

More favorite pictures of Camden

Here are more adorable pictures of great-niece Camden

This was taken last August (2007) when Aly, Camden and friend Melissa came to California to see me. She's grown so much in a year. This child really makes my heart smile!

This was also last August at my house. Camden really loved those fudgecicles!

This was her first Christmas - she looks like a little Buddha Santa!

This picture was from this summer, taken by her grandmother Cheryl. Cheryl rocks as a photographer!

Summer, 2008. "I claim this land for the queen of . . . ."

Another summer '08 picture. I can't tell who looks happier - Camden or Mommy Aly. Its a wonderful picture. Aly, keep this picture close so when Camden's hits adolescence and does the separation thing with plenty of the requiste eye-rolling, you can remember that she truly does love you.

Scheming

Typically I don't give much thought to my birthday. My birthday has been a hard time for various and sundry reasons. Its not until April, so why am I thinking about it now? Because I have a plan on how I'm going to treat myself to the big 6*0. I'm going to buy myself a scooter. See below.






This is the Genuine Scooter European Buddy. It comes in three colors, but I couldn't get the other two on here; I'm not quite sure how I managed to get this one posted, so I'm leaving well enough alone. There is also a two toned blue and a burgundy/cream, which is the one I'll probably get. These scooters come in two motor sizes: one allows you to go as fast as 30 mph and the bigger motor can get up to 65 mph. I want to get the bigger engine, though I don't plan to go as fast as possible, necessarily. I just want something to putt about town on or some nice quiet country road. It gets 100 mpg and holds 4 gallons. How cool is that? I'll wear a helmet, definitely - a person doesn't have to be going very fast to be badly hurt in an accident. I'll have from now 'til the spring to save up the money, so I'm excited. If I have to turn 60, I'm going to do it in style!!!

My needs

I was reading another blog that gave me the idea to go to Google, write in my name and the word "needs", and go from there. Here are some of the results.

• Anne needs child support help. Well obviously Google isn't too good at this since I don't have kids, never have and never will. This started off quite disappointingly (I think I just made up a new word.)
• Anne needs our homeschool. If they're offering a teaching job, I'm interested! Or it might be a judgement call on my intelligence. This little game isn't going well AT ALL!
• Anne needs to be convinced. This was from no other than Barrack Obama himself!! He doesn't have to worry - he definitely has my vote and support!
• Anne needs a jobby job. Whatever that is! The explanation is on the YouTube segment, but I can't get sound from my computer, no matter how many wires I change. Not a great time to be a computer idiot!
• The elephant Anne needs to retire. I beg your pardon ~ I have lost A LOT of weight this summer, thank you very much! Sheez!
• Princess Anne needs walking stick. At long last someone has verified my royal-hood. . . . oh . . . the for-real Princess Anne in England who was hurt by her horse . . . . *sigh*

Stuff

Its Saturday. Its mundane. But I'm going to write about my mundane Saturday anyway.

The Bone Collector

I avoid taking Max to the cute little corner park twenty yards west of us to do his business because there are all kinds of delectable (Max's opinion), disgustingly gross (Mom's opinion) treats for the intrepid hunters of the four legged persuasion - chicken bones, birdy bones, animal poop, etc. etc. I try not to take him there because then I must become super-vigilant and try to see the "treats" before Max does and beat him to it so I can toss it away or yank him away from the bones or whatever attracts him. I look like one of those people at the beach or in parks looking for coins, but instead of having a metal detector I have the bone collector on a leash. If I'm not diligent and am in my usual lost-in-the-clouds-of-my-deep- thoughts, then Max has a great old time chowing down. The park is his forbidden paradise.

Today, we visited the park because I was lost-in-the-clouds-of-my-deep-thoughts before I realized the little scamp had led us right into the park. The little sneak! I am happy to say that I won the battle of the finding of the bones: Mom - 1; Dog - Ze-zippedy doodah-ro. Here's a picture of Max after the contest:

Air Show

This is the weekend for the annual air show here in Chicago. There I was on Thursday, reading blogs and minding my own business when I heard a plane go overhead - and apparently, very close. It made me aware that come to think of it, I don't hear planes flying overhead very often, and not that loud or that fast. Then I heard it again - faster, louder, and apparently ready to land on top of our apartment building. The third time it happened I exclaimed out loud to no one in particular, "What the hell!?" just as my roommate Jystiinn, came rushing in going, "What the heck?" (he's better at keeping his tongue than me, so when he does swear, its with good cause and all the more effective.) Then he remembered about the air show. So all weekend, the quietness has been broken periodically with fighter jets coming over doing their thing, and its still unnerving. I wonder if I would have had this reaction if 9/11 hadn't happened . . . I doubt it.

Movies, books, TV shows

I think I'll share some of the books, movies and TV shows I've been reading/watching this summer.

BOOKS

I'm presently reading Game of Shadows, the book about BALCO and all those top athletes who were using steroids. What strikes me is the utter lack of having a moral compass that would at least pester the consciences of the users. The utter contempt and arrogance of Barry Bonds and others that would keep them lying of not using the stuff is mind-boggling. How utterly stupid these people must think everybody else is! At least Marion Jones came out of her self delusion a few weeks back and admitted that she'd lied to the grand jury. The kicker is, those athletes called before the grand jury were promised that they would not be prosecuted for using because the goal was to get to the dealers. I have gained respect for some users, like Jason Giambi for having the smarts to admit to his using. It hasn't stopped him - he's continued to move on with his life. The book is very well written - it reads like a mystery/suspense novel. Its pretty depressing, though - it has left me wondering if Michael Phelps, other Olympic studs and other athletes in process of setting records are going to test positive or have somehow dodged the bullet during a drug test.

I've read two John Grisham books; one a novel and the other a true story. The novel was Playing for Pizza, which was a nice escape book. The true story is called The Innocent Man, about a mentally ill man who was accused, tried and convicted for a murder he never committed. Again, the arrogance and stubbornness that humans can become is unfathomable. The police and prosecutor had more than ample evidence that they were wrong but refused to see it because they were so sure that they had the right man. The refusal to consider that they could possibly be wrong is beyond belief. That man spent 25+ years in prison, maybe even more before the true killer was discovered. I had a hard time reading that book and had to put it aside for a few days because it was so aggravating to see the utter inhumanity of those officials in charge. The biggest lesson I learned - don't do anything in Ada, Oklahoma that could get you in trouble with the law. I'm getting set to read another Grisham book called A Painted House.

As a way of getting familiar with my new home of Chicago I read Wrigleyworld by Kevin Kaduk. He's a native Chicagoan and sportswriter who quit a job he had in Kansas City in the spring of 2005 so he could attend as many Cub games as he was able. I learned a lot about being a Cub fan; the most important one being that its practically impossible to get a ticket to go to a game as they are sold out during a three day span in February. Since I'm cheap and won't pay scalpers, I guess the closest I'll be able to get in one of the many bars that surround Wrigley and watch the game on TV while enjoying some hot wings and cola. The book became boring to me because since I don't party or drink and a good portion of the book was about doing just that after games, the story became monotonous.

MOVIES

As I mentioned above, I am cheap so I can't even remember the last movie I saw at a theater. I don't even know if Chicago tickets for movies are cheaper than in L.A. I will splurge a whoppin' $4.99 for cable movies occasionally, justifying the expense as watching to see if I want to purchase it later on. I watched "Vantage Point" today - boy, that's an awesome movie! That's definitely one I want to get for my personal collection. I'm going to watch a few more, such as "National Treasure II" and "27 Dresses."

TV SHOWS

Two shows that I schedule around are on Monday night ~ "Closer" and "Saving Grace". Now that the writers' strike is over and a new season is about to start, the other shows I'll schedule around will be "NCIS", "Cold Case", "Without a Trace", and probably a few more I can't think of right now. I'll be diligent to try to watch "Supernanny", "Little People, Big World" and "Extreme Makeover".

This next admission is one I really thought I'd never make. I was so done with all the talk about "America's Team" and have cheered lustily against the Cowboys for years. Having been in L.A. for so long and not having a pro team to cheer for, pro football wasn't that big of a deal. Moving to Chicago I've wondered if I'll get excited about the Bears or not. Like the Cubs, the ticket prices are way out of my range (cheap seats for the bleachers at Wrigley and the nosebleed sections of Soldier Field are $34!). Then I watched both episodes of "Hard Knocks" today from On Demand. The Cowboys of this day seem to be different from the Cowboys of Switzer and Johnson. I even found myself starting to like T.O! He's proof that people can grow up ~ Gary Sheffield, look and learn! I really like Wade Phillips - he seems like a really good man. So - I might just become a Cowboy fan, after all. At least I won't cheer against them like in years past.

Puptown, Chicago

There's an enclosed area for dogs in the park about four blocks from the house. It's really cool. They have a sprinkler running for water dogs and a little water fountain in the shape of a doggie bowl that has running water. Max figured out how to use it last night. I've taken Max there the last three nights to get him socialized better with dogs and give him some exercise. The first night he stayed pretty close to me, but did get involved with a chase that bigger dogs were having. He stayed to the side, barking orders but no one paid him much attention. Last night he played more and today he was having a ball. A little Shi Su named Olivia kept jumping on him, trying to get him to chase her. The problem is, he likes to be chased more than be the chaser. They wrestled a lot and ran around a lot and did three laps around a planter - it was hilarious. As you can see from one of the pictures, dogs of all sizes play at the park. The Great Dane is huge! Max could easily walk under him without coming anywhere near his body.

Max isn't sure of Olivia's intentions

Stand off

Beautiful Chicago

Today was a gorgeous day. The two skyline pictures were taken from the steps of Field Museum of Natural History. All the pictures were taken with my phone camera! Let's hear it for LG phones!

Chicago skyline

Chicago skyline

Grant Park (I think)

Along Michigan Ave.

I'm starting to get the hang of traveling about on public transportation and places are starting to look familiar. That gives me a ridiculous amount of a sense of achievement.

California cool -vs- Chicago thunderstorm

California cool lost. Rapidly. Thoroughly. I've lived in states that had thunderstorms before, but it was a llllooooonnnnnnngggggggg time ago. Its going to take some getting used to. Conversation with roommate after a newsbreak tornado warning came on the TV. Jystiinn came to my room to reassure me.

J: Chicago doesn't have tornadoes. I can think of only once, when I was a kid. Usually the storms hit south of here.
Me: Good to know. Thanks for the reassurance.

ONE MINUTE LATER - EXACTLY ONE MINUTE LATER.

J (again coming to my door, in as calm a voice as he could, for my sake): Get your shoes on. Grab your dog. We're going downstairs (to our landlord's basement apartment.)
Me (exhaling to calm myself as another clap of thunder rattles the windows): Sure. No problem.

BTW: Did Jystiinn or Brian wait for me to get my shoes on and grab Max? NNNNOOOOOOOOO.
They were down in the basement long before I left the apartment. (Not that I'm bitter or anything. I know that if there had been danger, they would have waited for me . . . . I know it, I know it. Seriously, I know it.)

Jystiinn kept saying (while in the safety of the basement) how bizarre it was that a tornado was overhead. "You're experiencing a rare occurrence." Yippee. Glad to be in on a history-making moment. Still, all in all I prefer thunderstorms/tornadoes over earthquakes. The majority of the time you have warning for a tornado. Its just that the thunderstorms are so dang LOUD! Max was a trooper - he didn't even flinch when the kettle-drums-and-cannon-ball-sound effects exploded overhead. It would be a lot more fun in those moments to have someone to hold on to. Max is a little too small for me to put a death grip on him. Like I said, it's going to take some getting used to.