Toil and Trouble
We are off to Round Top and the Winedale Shakespeare Festival with my parents. This marks the 3rd year we have gone. Last year we had to leave in the middle of the Festival because my grandfather had gone into the hospital. In fact, while my mother spoke to him, he passed out. We actually called 911 from Round Top and they took him to the hospital. It's rather a miracle he survived that. Anyway, we drove 16 hours straight to see him. This year will be different. It will be a very pleasant weekend, but Sunday would be his birthday. That might be kinda hard. Still, I"m not sure that I will feel sadder on Sunday than I do on any other day. I'm not really so tied to dates, rather I am sad in unexpected times and places.
Anyway, I am glad it will be a family weekend. We could use some fun time together.
I will not be working for the Princeton Review this fall. They totally flaked on me. I'm not terribly disappointed, though. I was worried how I would handle a second job even if it was only a few hours a week. It will be hard enough getting used to my first year of teaching. I will spend most of my days at school this week getting ready for the start of school. I can't believe it's finally here.... my endless days are actually at an end.
Now I must kick Eric's booty so we leave on time. I hate Breezy time.

Paralysis
I need to be at school now, but I have this weird paralysis that will not actually let me start making calls and doing what I need to do. It's ridiculous. It's also probably related to the fact that I feel like poo.
The latest depressing youth lit book was Katherine Patterson's Bridge to Terabithia which was a three kleenex book. But at least this one had hope and some joy unlike say Of Mice and Men or Old Man and the Sea which have been extremely emotionally draining. Anyway, I think I will start off with that for my 6th graders.
Pete and I went to Shiner yesterday to tour the brewery. It was very exciting to see all of those lovely beer bottles go flying off the line. A thing of beauty.  They even gave free samples. Now I   just need to go to the Ben and Jerry's factory and happiness will be complete.

Days of Wine and Roses
It's been a day of strange and sad news. I am feeling bad for some friends, they both got some news they did not want. Very sad. It's been one of those why do bad things happen to good people sort of days. Still, I think sometimes getting bad news is better than waiting for bad news. At least when you get the bad news you can create an attack plan to help solve the proble, The waiting is just evil. My heart goes out to both of them.
I did a lot of organizing for my classroom today--went through books and posters, putting my name on everything. I will go up either tomorrow or Wednesday. I cannot believe it is so close. I can't wait. I'm scared out of my mind. I want it to start.
I also got a call from the Princeton Review people, I will probably do my training this week and next so I will begin my class in the middle of August.  I will teach about 3 hours a week at $17 an hour.  It's a nice little supplement.  It basically means we can go out to a nice meal every week without too much effort on my part. I will hopefully pick up more classes next summer so I don't have another summer of discontent. I am excited about the SAT class, I think it will be pretty fun. Plus the training will get me out of the house and put a little money in our checking account.  Baby wants a new bike and laptop.  Gotta love analogies!
Clem climbed the ficus tree today and brought it crashing down on my head while I was trying to work. It was one of her better momments. She then bit me as I pulled her body out of the wreckage, the ingrate! I tried to have words with her, but she's so frickin' cute.
Jen takes the bar tomorrow through Thursday. She will kick the test's sorry butt. In fact, the test will beg her for mercy, but she will show none! If you don't know, I have the smartest sister. She will make the bar wish it had never crossed her path. Good luck.

This Land
Check this out. Pretty funny, I don't care who you are.

In unrelated news, I am still not registered to drive my car. For those of you keeping track, this was indeed my third visit to the tax collector's office. They are still not satifsfied that the car went to my grandfather after the death of my grandmother in 2000. Despite the fact that his name was on the title and I provided copies of the will and other documents. I did finally get someone halfway competent. This time I have to get a bunch more documents, but at least I can send them in instead of going to the office yet a fourth time. This is hopefully a step in the right direction. This was the first visit where I did not leave in tears. That's positive, right?

Bad Virgins
I am extremely bad at picking out virgins on the cupid test  You'd think I'd do better, but alas. If you are on that site, my nick is fawndance. Dare to compare. It's still addicitive.  I got this email from this guy on it.  He sounded so lonely! I wrote him back and told him that I was married, but that I appreciated  the compliments.  Cuteness.
Pete and I did a little over 10 miles today--there is nothing better than cruising down a hill, with the wind pushing you on the way down. Of course coming up is another problem.  I huffed and panted my way through it, but  I did it. It's really terribly freeing. I will try to train to be able to do 25 miles. I'm still a long way from being Lance.
Ken has done it yet again--36 days in a row, over a million dollars. I've said it before, but he is such a badass! My hero.  I'm sighing like a school girl.
I also babysat today and watched far too many hours of Dora the Explorer the show is only slightly less annoying than Blues Clues which we also watched several episodes of. Sigh. When I have kids, I will take Pete's advice and throw away the tv. You never know when Barney might make his been comeback and screw all of us over. It's only a matter of time. Still, it was nice to hang out with a very lovely 20 month old.
Tomorrow I will finish my battle with the tax collectors office. I have brought together every official document I can think of. I will win this war. Oh yes, it is a war!

Bathtub Fun
Clem has a new trick. She enjoys playing in the bathtub, chasing her tail. Maybe I should try to chase my own tail. It sounds like a good way to spend the day. Besides, it's cool in there. We are officially in the dog days of summer, and I find it hard to lift my head.  Interestingly, Toby and I are getting along very well these days. He's too hot to be evil. Perhaps my discomfort it worth it.
I am thinking about a friend today who really needs a new job. He is interviewing right now,  so here's hoping he gets what he deserves.
My job today is to dig through the trash to find a shoe box so I can return my sneaks to Wal-Mart from whence they came. There's a reason shoes only cost $15. I just like saying sneaks, it makes me happy.
I have nothing interesting to say.

Circus of the Absurd
The people at the  Tax Assessor's office made me cry today. After the debacle earlier in the week, I returned with my grandmother's death certificate in hand. This time I only had to wait 25 minutes in line to see someone. When I finally talked to a woman, she told me that the death certificate was not good enough because I had not proven that all of the belongings they owned jointly in their life together became his after her death in 2000.  I didn't even know what to say. I was told I have to get my mother to fill out and notorize a form with my grandfather's signature saying that she left the car to him when she died. The kicker is, both names are on the stupid title. Anyway, the whole thing got me upset and I started getting teary. I said "He's dead, what do you want from him?" which got things started on the wrong foot. She stopped talking to me, and I walked out crying. I felt like they wanted me to dig them both up and have them talk. I loved them and the stupid tax assessors were treating me like a frickin' criminal. Not acceptable. Anyway, I will have to get all of these forms sent up to my parents, and they have to send back a billion more documents, including the will. I know now why Jesus had so much trouble with tax collectors.
I want to poop on them all.
I also thought I lost Clem. I guess she was hiding when I left to run my errands, and I looked all over. I was convinced that she had bitten some power cable and was lying, smoking in a pile somewhere. Thankfully my little snooch is fine.
On a smiley note--Eric brought home flowers yesterday. Life can't be bad if your baby brings you flowers.

My Hero
Ken has done it again. I just want to give him smooches! There was a moment when I thought all was lost,  as another player briefly took the lead. Then from the nether reaches of his butt, he pulled out not one but two tripple crown winners from the 1970s that both began with the letter s, thus securing yet another win.  He has been the bright spot of the summer. All hail Ken Jennings!  Happiness is Jeopardy. I remember in college everyone in Norton dorm would gather at 7pm to watch it together. We would scream answers and cat calls at the opponents. I will never forget with Eartha Kitt was on--I have never seen such a truly dumb celebrity. Of course that was before the days of Paris Hilton.
Her very existence makes me cringe.  She is everything that is wrong with this country. If you read her interviews, she is quite possibly the nastiest, most spoiled, stupidest, self-centered frickin' barbie ever. And that's saying a lot given the state of Hollywood.
I just finished Old Man and the Sea. It was heartbreaking in its own way.  I just can't imagine that 13 year olds will be able to understand the despair of Santiago.  They don't really know what it is to put everything into one final endevor and then to have the shining moment of thier lives lost, as it were, at sea. I wish I hadn't read it in Junior High but had picked it up in college. This stuff is wasted on the young who don't want to hear about the disappearance of dreams. I need some cheerful teen lit--any ideas?
Tonight E. and I will celebrate our 3 month anniversary, even though it isn't until Saturday. Saturday we are going to San Antonio to see Skunkweed.  "She wispered these words as she nibbled my ear, I'll take ya to bed if you buy me a beer." Those are the cleanest lyrics I could come up with. Quality craftsmanship.
Purr, purrrrrrr, purrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Ding DING!
I spent the evening watching 3 consecutive episodes of Law and Order a mix of original and SVU. I love that frickin' show. Is there a better noise on tv? I just want to give them all kisses and put them in my pocket.
I don't think we are going to be able to go to Phoenix next month. Things are not looking possible--any tickets we can afford are at times we cannot make flights due to my schedule. sigh. I had been looking forward to it so much. I will try to have to reschedule with my cousin.
I'm listening to Eminem. Is that wrong? I want to feed him pudding until he stops feeling sorry for himself. Surely that is wrong.
Clem got her shots today--here's a hint: Never travel with a cat. Her wailing started as I put the car in gear and did not stop for the entire trip. Once the car was put back in park, she resumed her role as angel kitty. She didn't even mind the shots, but moving was an affront to her very being. I really should howl in displeasure more often. It's so much more effective than being passive aggressive. I could make Allen Ginsburg proud.

For those who care, Ken won again today!!!!!! He is full of lovely muppety goodness. I think he should live in the guest room and share his million plus in winnings.

Movie Stank
I saw the most horrendous movie the other day. It was not only completely without good points, it was also offensive. Without further suspense, it was The Order with Heath Ledger. What a steaming bag o' poo. Do not see this moive. The most disturbing part of the whole thing is that Eric and I watched the entire thing. Within 10 minutes I told him it was horrid, yet we stuck it out to the end. How sad is that? It was almost as if we didnt' believe how bad it was, certainly it was going to get better. . . yet its craptastic ending really rounded out the suckiness of the film.
enough.
We also went to see Anchorman over the weekend. It was silly and ridiculous, but parts were really quite funny. Steve Carel really stole the show. I thought I was going to die when he started talking about women and bears. It's worth the price just for that part. I might have snorted a little.

I read A Separate Peace today, continuing my depressing teen lit marathon. I really am not sure I can teach it, the book is so painful the read at points. I'll have to think of something else. Of course tomorrow's book is The Old Man and the Sea, another cheery, pick me upper. I mean, I teaching English, not tragedy. Maybe I'm just feeling dark at the momment.
Clementine continues to lick herself as I write. I wish I could be that easily amused.

Popping Wheelies
I had made up my mind to rant about the ridiculousness of the tax office, but then something nice happened. I went down to the office to register Rusty, and it was a giant CF. After waiting over 30 minutes to be seen, they told me that they could not transfer the title since it did not have my dead grandmother's signature. My grandmother has been dead for over 4 years. In leiu of that, they will accept her death certificate. Doesn't everyone carry that around with them?
They also told me that I had ot have the car inspected first, which I did not know. Tha's when the something good happened. I drove it to this little drive through lube place, and I could see all of the mechanics laughing at the car and staring at me through the window. At least that's wht I thought. When they came inside, they asked about the car, and said how sorry they were to hear about my grandfather. Then, as I was leaving, the lead guy gave me a carnation. It made my day. The government can bite me, there are still a lot of sweet people here. If you are in Austin check out Express Lube on 1825 just past the HEB. They rock the proverbial casbah.
Tonight I must hit the gym. I need to get my butt in gear before the school year.

Close Enough for Government Work
My goal today is to transfer Rusty's title to my name. This means hittig several government offices in one day. I am trying to procrastinate. The Tax Assessor's office is the last place in the world that I want to be right now.
I did nothing this weekend but sit on my butt. It was really ridiculous. I did discover that I can never go to Baby A's again--damn them and their everclear margaritas. We also finally got patio furniture which I am more excited about than I really should be. The back yard makes me tremendously happy--probably because I planted everything back there.
Just finished reading Shane in an effort to reread young adult classics. It was definately more powerful than I remembered. There is somehting wrong with me spending my days crying over kids books.

My Hero
Ken has done it again, for the 27th straight day. I bow before him, a great Jeopardy master. He is a bright spot in days of darkness. Melodramatic, perhaps. But I just get so excited. I want to put him in my pocket and take him home. I'm sure Eric would never notice. . .
I read Of Mice and Men again today in preparation to teach it this fall. It made me cry. Not pretty sniffles but huge, body racking sobs. What a truly sad little book. Beautiful in its own way, but mostly heartbreakingly sad. I will definately have to follow it with a more hopeful book. Steinbeck just likes to kick you when you're down. Again, and again and again.
Tonight I attempt another bike ride and hope I won't end up bloody and bruised. One can dream.

Addicted to Love
Ok, perhaps it's not love, but I am completely addicted to www.okcupid.com You must check out this site. Snoobie and I spent hours playing around on it. It's kinda like a cooler version of emode Anyway, see what you think. It said I was a bridesmaid, which is ironic since I just got married. Whatever.
This weekend was really fantastic. I got to watch freaky movies, light things on fire, drink yummy beer, eat pie, climb big rocks, make fun of The Spirit of Texas, and see Simon and Garfunkle. Everything was extrememly relaxed and chill. I also had more good conversation this weekend than I have in a long time. It felt so wonderful to really talk to people about things I care about. I will make an effort to turn conversation to intersting issues more often. I also need to get off my butt and read and write more. I am feeling vaguely inspired.
Clem did very well with having all of the people here--she remains my snuggle butt.
I will return to the gym today to make up for my weekend of extreme badness. If I can walk tomorrow it will be a miracle.

Life, Liberty and the Rest
J and I went swimming this morning which was amazingly relaxing. I need to spend more time in the water. I like being able to say "It's going swimmingly" when someone asks me how I am.
Tonight I will see if my Spidey Sense does indeed tingle. I don't really like going to movies on opening weekend, but it's P's birthday. I'm not a big comic movie fan--in fact I usually rail against them. But I have a soft spot for Sam Rami. Bruce Campbell has a cameo in the movie, and that's enough for me.
Bubba-Hotep was a work of genius. Check out the short story by Joe Lansdale. So good. I love anything about Elvis.
This weekend is my assult against normality. Everyone needs a good party every now and again. I must shake this feeling of boredom with my life. Nothing says snap out of it like the Amityville Horror.