Lollipops and Roses

Haul Out The Holly!!

2005-11-28T23:25:00.000-05:00

I used one of my 10,000 comp time days to get the inside of my house decorated for the holidays. Now everything is clean, and decorated, inside and out. The only thing left to do is put the village under the tree. Now when I say village, I mean VILLAGE. When I was little, my dad always had at least two trains running under the tree and a setup that had to have had at least 2 zip codes! Since my sis and I both bought houses this year, he has passed the trains and other stuff onto us. I now have an 8' x 8' platform in my basement, complete with a full picket fence my grandpa made out of carved popsicle sticks!! I can't wait till my dad comes down this weekend to hook up the tracks, trains and transformers. I may be an independent gal, but there are still some things I firmly believe you need a Y chromosome to do! Hopefully, I can put some pics up soon!

Weekend Update

2005-11-21T19:47:00.000-05:00

I love coming home right after school on a Monday and not having to stay for Power Hour, the after school program I teach. I was originally teaching it 4 days a week, Monday thru Thursday, but as it turns out, there was another teacher in the building who had wanted to sign up to teach, but didn't get a chance. Needless to say....I was happy to let her take half of my days!!!
I found out on Friday that I will be getting, in essence, a new position next year at school. Our school counselor is leaving for maternity leave, and has already made it known that she will want less responsibility when she returns, so the position of special ed coordinator is mine if I want it, complete with substantial pay raise. (before I sound to full of myself, I'm certain it was offered to a colleague of mine before me, but I know she couldn't be bothered, so yay me!!) It won't take effect until September, but it's so nice to know that I won't have to check the couch cushions to find extra change!!! I am now a total believer in fate!!!!
Getting on to the weekend, it was busy as usual. I was at a conference in Baltimore Thursday and Friday of last week, and came home to find my parents had randomly come down for a visit...so of course, I had to entertain them. It wasn's all bad though, as I got lots of help putting up the Christmas decorations on my house. My driveway looks like the entrance to Candy Land, but it is VERY cute!!! I haven't turned on the lights yet, not until after Thanksgiving, but when I do, I'll definitely post some pictures! On Saturday, Chrissy and I headed into the city to see Dave's last concert with Spruce Street singers. For more on that, go visit his site! From there it was on to TOC and then over to Chrissy's house for Lorenzo's pizza (only the best pizza on EARTH!) and a good two hours of hard core girl talk. By the time I threw myself into bed around 3am, , I was totally wiped out. Sunday was the usual church and football watching...and clearing a space to put the Christmas tree. I am FINALLY getting into the holiday season!
I'm sure this week will be just as busy, especially with Thanksgiving, but I have a big night planned on Friday and I just found out that Cat is coming into Philly, so I'll get to hang out with her. Two more school days to go.....

And......exhale

2005-11-15T21:32:00.000-05:00

Today, I told the pastor of the church I work at that I will not be renewing my contract come the end of June, 2006. Now, this may seem like a long time in advance, but trust me, it will take them a LONG time (at least, I think it will) to find someone suitable for the position. The problem with the hiring is going to find someone with the ability to keep the choir where it is (which is pretty decent) and be able to move it further ahead. There are many qualified people out there I'm sure, but the issue will be finding someone who will do it for the money the church is offering. I take a bit of a lesser salary, and I'm ok with that because this is not my life's line of work, I don't have a degree in this area. It's cool....but not all people will feel that way.

To some who will read this, it may seem like a very sudden move, but it's something I've been kicking around for awhile. There are several reasons why I chose to leave, but the main one is I just don't enjoy what I'm doing anymore, and when that happens, it's time to move on. For a long time, well over a year in fact, I have been very frustrated with my job, and I feel like I've been doing it half assed. That's not really my style of doing things, and it bothered me. A bigger factor though, is that over the 6 years I've been there, a lot of the choir members have become friends of mine, and when that happens, lines get redrawn. Somewhere in the process, I lost the respect they had for me as a director....not their respect as a person, but as their director. I have been questioned, and commented to/on and many petty issues have arisen, and I am just so very over it ALL. You have to have a certain amount of authority to do this job, and I don't enjoy mine being called into question. Not to be dramatic, but that's just the way it is. There are certain jobs you can only go so far in, and this is the end of the line for this one. It wasn't an easy decision to make, and it will certainly be strange the first Sunday morning I wake up and don't have to go to church. I'll probably never NOT think about the St. Anne Novena on July 26th each year. I'm sure I will keep many of the friendships I've made at St. Anne's, especially Cathy and Chriss..my gals!!...and for that I really am thankful for the time I was there!

Spending a little time south of the Mason-Dixon

2005-11-14T21:55:00.000-05:00

I'll be heading to Baltimore for a conference on Autism and Asperger's syndrome this Thursday and Friday. (yawn) A little something tells me that I may just be forced to come home early on Thursday and enjoy my day off on Friday, but we shall see, we shall see!! I'll be staying with my aunt Cheryl for 2-3 days, and she's a hoot, so I may be persuaded to stay and do some shopping! Since next week is Thanksgiving, so WRONG since its 70 goddamn degrees outside, that will make 3 weeks in a row with no school on Friday. That's my kind of schedule!!!

Go DALLAS!!!

2005-11-14T21:53:00.000-05:00

Yes, that's right..a "philly girl" rooting for the city's archenemy...the DALLAS COWBOYS!!! Why, you may ask?? Because if they win, my brother in law has to paint my garage!!!!

How Ridiculously PERFECT

2005-11-14T21:50:00.000-05:00

I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way, to never let it get that far

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake, a smile, a laugh
Every day of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I watched you die
I heard you cry
Every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry
In the middle of the night
For the same damn thing

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I tried my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid

Because of you
Because of you

Because what quiz HAVEN'T I stolen?!

2005-10-31T21:49:00.000-05:00

You are a
Social Liberal
(65% permissive)

and an...
Economic Liberal
(25% permissive)

You are best described as a:

Democrat

Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid
Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Like Father, Like Son

2005-10-26T01:08:00.000-04:00

I just finished watching a late-nite rerun of the Golden Girls on Lifetime, and it happened to be an episode where the president comes to visit the gals at their house. In the episode, the president is bushy, sr. A good amount of time in the show is taken up by Dorothy planning her verbal attack on the president, with complaints such as discrimination, a poor economy and LACK OF FUNDING FOR EDUCATION. I'm not sure of the original run date of this episode, but isn't it funny that somewhere between 13-16 years later, we have the same problems? And the same gene pool in the big white house on Pennsylvania Avenue. Hmm...

"This damn prozac is turning me into a caring human being....and they said there'd be no harmful side effects!!"

2005-10-18T07:21:00.000-04:00

I am 27% Asshole/Bitch.

I may think I am an asshole or a bitch, but the truth is I am a good person at heart. Yeah sure, I can have a mean streak in me, but most of the people I meet like me.

Take the
Asshole/Bitch Test
@ FualiDotCom

The Power of No

2005-10-06T20:35:00.000-04:00

Somehow, even though I had two fabulous days off from school this week, I feel like I have been running nonstop all week. I managed to have more to do in my days off than I would have if I was working. I had about 5 different things to do with 12 different people, and ended up totally exhausted. None of this would happen if I could just say no!! I always want to have plans, and always want to have something to do...but then halfway through it I wish I was sitting at home watching TV with my dog!! And, in true me fashion, I have gotten roped into going to Atlantic City this weekend. I wonder if it would be rude to get a hotel room and just sleep...?

The Other Side

2005-10-01T11:59:00.000-04:00

After having spent the evening at TOC, a friend and I decided to stop for a bite to eat on the way home. We spied the Tiffany diner on Rt. 1 and pulled in. After getting a table and being ignored for the better part of 15 minutes (while friend was on the phone with daughter #1), we decided to go over to daughter #2's house for steamed clams and barbeque....at 10pm no less. Now, when I bbq, it means just that..I barbecue. Not the case. When we got to D #2's house (the word mansion does not adequatly describe it...think estate..in Huntingdon Valley)there were no less than 3 house staff cooking and bbq'ing and generally waiting around to see who needed a drink RIGHT THAT SECOND. Oh my! We sat in the living room and made small talk for a bit before her husband, her rich, MUCH OLDER husband, headed off to bed. Once he had gone, I apparantly missed the cue that it was now girl talk time. We sat around the kitchen table, eating, drinking and being waited on, and suddenly the talk turns to the unacceptable fact that I am single. Apparantly these gals have made husband-hunting into an art. D #2 seriously suggested that I come to some function that her husband's firm was having today, because "there are lots of loaded guys there who want to have kids while they're young enough to show them off." ?!?!?!?!?!?!!??!?!?!?!?!? Indeed. Then she gave my favorite quote of the evening: "You just point out the ones you could handle, and we'll tell them to pass the W-2s forward. That's how you make the real decision anyway!!"

OH. MY. GOD.

And the scary part is, she was TOTALLY serious.

The post wherein all traces of feminism go straight to the bad place

2005-09-26T23:06:00.000-04:00

I should never use power tools. Never. It is for this reason and this reason alone that I will probably someday get married...so I can have an on call, 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year handyman....for free!!! Last night, without having consumed alchohol or other judgement impairing substances, I thought it a good idea to attempt hanging some window treatments in my guest room. A fairly simple task, one might think...but no, my friends, no indeed to those of us who find ourselves lacking the all important "y" chromosome. It all began with the simple task of drilling a teeny tiny hole to put in this cute little plastic thingy called a wall anchor. Well...apparantly my strategy of eyeballing the plastic thingy to determine the correct size drill bit was somewhat flawed, as the resulting hole in my wall looked more like the gaping vagina of a 57 year old hooker than a hole sized for a wall anchor. Since the oversized hole was rather useless, I found myself having to spackle it and try again. [Note: in a pinch, toothpaste will TOTALLY work as spackle. Just Kidding.] Far more success on the second attempt, and I proceeded to screw all three brackets into the wall, put my pretty lace curtain on the rod, and hang them up. I was just stepping back to admire my handiwork when I noticed one unfortunate thing. The left side of the curtain rod was about 35 degrees DOWNHILL from the right side. DAMN THE CROOKED WALLS IN THIS HOUSE!!! I say this because, of course, there is no possible way that the crookedness of the curtain rod is at all my fault. Nope the blame definitely lies with the crooked walls. And do we think I attempted to fix it?? Hell no!! So those of you who will be at the housewarming/b-day bash in a few weeks, if you are in possession of a functioning y-chromosome, I've got a drill and some window treatments with your name on it!!!!

Wow!!

2005-09-26T00:34:00.000-04:00

I had the opportunity to see the Young Americans perform at Dave's school last night. To say that the performance the put on was amazing would be a huge understatement. They covered many types of music, from classical to rock to rap. I don't think there was more than 15 seconds of downtime at any point in the show. In addition to putting on their own performance, they also held 3 days of workshops for the students at the school. To see how much they taught those kids in just three days was astounding. To see the fun the kids had and how EXCITED they were about performing was even better. There aren't enough groups like this that come around and show kids that perfoming arts can be fun, and cool and exciting....not boring and dumb like way too many kids think. I teach in a whole different world than where these kids live, and as I was sitting in the audience plotting how I could get this group to my school the logistics of it were overwhelming. Not only would I have to make the same daunting number of coordinated food/housing arrangements as Dave and his colleagues did (although, thankfully not on three days notice!)but I would have to find sponsors in the community who would be willing to make monetary donations to cover the cost of the workshops for the kids at our school. $37 doesn't sound like a lot of money, but so many of the families in our school just don't have it. I don't think that's a good enough reason to say, nope, can't do it here. I think my students deserve to see something like that, they get exposed to so little beyond the playground and a basketball net. I am going right to my administration and finding out how I can go about trying to get this awesome, amazing group to our school. It may not happen this year, or even next year, but hopefully it will before too long!

Spam

2005-09-22T18:19:00.000-04:00

I too have been irritated by stupid spam comments (why bother, I think 5 people read this!!) so I have turned on the lovely spam filter!

Finally...As Promised Sooooooo Long Ago!

2005-09-22T18:17:00.000-04:00

I finally found the time..and unpacked the computer/camera hookups...to post some pictures of the house on the blog. It has been so much work getting it all done, but barring anything weird, I will be moving in this weekend!! Finally!

2005-09-22T18:12:00.000-04:00

living room furniture

2005-09-22T18:11:00.001-04:00

new hallway carpet

2005-09-22T18:11:00.000-04:00

new dining room light that looks REALLY crooked in this picture..it's not!

2005-09-22T18:10:00.000-04:00

A very shadowy attempt at a side shot of the couch

2005-09-22T18:08:00.000-04:00

New kitchen floor (morrocan slate) installed by yours truly...wainscoting on wall and trim installed by my dad!

2005-09-22T18:07:00.000-04:00

Close-up of the new kitchen floor

2005-09-22T18:06:00.000-04:00

Sentenced to hard time..

How to Make Me Laugh

2005-09-13T20:16:00.000-04:00

Look at your student, who has just asked if he can have some of your lunch, and say .."Have you lost your mind? Did it run away? Class, let's take a 5 minute break and search the room for Timmy's brain, it MUST be here somewhere!!" ....then turn your head and roll your eyes so far back into your head you will need a bakhoe to dig them out!!

In Memory Of.....

2005-09-11T21:48:00.000-04:00

Where Were You
By: Alan Jackson

Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
that September day?
Out in the yard with your wife and children;
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Rising against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children
that lost their dear loved ones?
Did you pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
and sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer?
And look at yourself for what really matters?

I'm just a singer of simple songs;
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference
in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning
That September day?
Teaching a class full of innocent children;
Driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
in a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her?
Did you dust off that bible at home?

Did you open your eyes hope it never happened;
And close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages;
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow;
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers?
Stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?

I'm just a singer of simple songs;
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference
in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love.

I'm just a singer of simple songs;
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference
in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love.
And the greatest is Love.
And the greatest is Love.

Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
that September day?

©2001 EMI Music / Tri-Angels Music (ASCAP)

They Told Me, But I Didn't Believe Them...

2005-09-05T22:58:00.000-04:00

..apparently buying a house, unless its brand-new construction, involves a whole lotta work!! But after two and a half weeks, pretty much everything looks the way I want it to. My dad must have spent about 14 days total working on things that I couldn't even begin to tackle, and probably saved me thousands of dollars in contractor fees. Yay Dad! Anyway, here's a quick rundown of what's been changed over the past few weeks, and what exactly it is that's been keeping me from drinking myself silly as usual on Friday nights at TOC!

1. Repainted ENTIRE house. Including doors and trim. The woman I bought it from had the worst decarating sense of anyone I have ever come into contact with. I mean, come on, wall paper borders?? French country blue ANYTHING?? pink closets?? gray bedroom? I DON'T THINK SO!!! My new color scheme is very neutral downstairs (taupe, chocolate brown, sage green, etc..) and very pastelly and relaxing upstairs (lavendar, very pale green, and pale yellow)

2. Removed half wall in living/dining area that truly served no purpose. Relocated wall outlets to the floor. Totally a Dad project.

3. Changed outlet covers and put in new light fixtures throughout first floor, including a ceiling fan that would make the Trading Spaces crew cringe in horror!

4. Last but not least.....the kitchen. This is the one room in my house which is getting a total renovation. I put down new flooring (and did a damn good job I must say, my Morrocan Slate looks FABULOUS!!!, painted the walls, added wainscot, a chair rail and 1/4 round floor trim, and have ordered new cabinets and a new sink/disposal/dishwasher.

Almost everything is complete, I am only waiting for the carpet to be installed 2 weekends from now, the alarm man to come and hook things up, and the cabinets to be installed. I will post pictures tomorrow, unless I am wiped out by the ouslaught of ankle-biting germ-mongers......Yes, that's right...first day of school with students tomorrow. Off to bed..Have a GREAT week!!!

2005-08-31T13:46:00.000-04:00

After paying $3.01 per gallon for REGULAR GAS ....this sign can't be far off!!!

If you have any cash left after filing up your gas tank.....

2005-08-31T13:42:00.000-04:00

...head on over to Dave's Blog and sponsor him for this years' AIDSWALK Philly. We have been doing this walk together for the past 5 years and since he was smart enough to get the internet contributions up and running before I did, I'll just send y'all over there! It's a great cause to support!

2005-08-28T21:46:00.000-04:00

Found above the ceiling tiles in the basement of my house while investigating the source of a leak in the AC system...glad to know the previous owners were gettin' it on in the basement! Mental note to remove carpet and disinfect walls...

The Calm Between the Storms

2005-08-28T21:24:00.000-04:00

Wow, it's been over a month since I last posted anything on my blog!! Anyone out there still reading?! I guess I should catch you all up on where I've been. In the past month, I have spent two weeks in Italy, a few days in Vegas, and more hours than I care to count painting, laying floor, tiling, ripping up carpets, and deweedifying the garden outside my new house. It has been a total whirlwind, and I can't believe that in 3 short days I'll be back in school. This summer went SO FAST!!!

It is completely surreal to think that I am officially a homeowner. That's something for adults, which I think I have officially become. I love the house I bought. It is in a cute little neighborhood with fantastic neighbors, and it is the perfect size for me! I won't be moving in until the end of September because there are still some changes I want to make, and I have to get new carpets in, but the time will go so fast. Before I forget, I have to thank Jeff and Dave for sacrificing some of their afternoons this past week to help me paint. Thanks boys!! Nothing like having a little manly help to make projects go a little faster ;)

I will be heading down to school tomorrow to meet the unfortunate person who took my friend's job at my school (long story). There will be much plotting, bitching, wailing, grinding of teeth, etc between myself and my co-worker who shall remain nameless. We have already decided to not like this new person on principal, but we'll see...

I think that's all for now, and tomorrow I will hopefully have some pics of the house to put online. I took some before and after pictures to show the remodeling I have done!

Overwhelmed

2005-07-24T01:48:00.000-04:00

Having just finished my first year of teaching, I was looking forward to a relaxing summer with not much to do but travel and sit by the pool. Somehow, things didn't exactly work out that way. I began looking for a house in mid-May, only I was doing so half-heartedly, not really expecting to find anything and not really caring one way or another whether I did or not. A few weeks ago, I found a house I absolutely love, and made a bid on it, which was accepted. Now, this would not be much of a problem, except that I am trying to schedule all sorts of financial, appraising, legal, and renovation appointments and estimates while being at my church job twice a day (or begging someone to play for me), tutoring twice a week, getting my passport fixed, renew a drivers license and a million other things. I have exactly 5 days to make sure all my shit is in order before I leave for Italy, thereby rendering myself pretty much out of contact to realtors, lawyers and mortgage people for 14 days. I arrive back on a Friday night, and then leave for Vegas on Monday morning. (I'm not in any way expecting sympathy for all the fabulous traveling I get to do!) I get back from Vegas exactly 15 hours before I close on the house, so if everything isn't in order by 5pm this Thursday, I don't even want to THINK about the myriad of things that can go wrong!!! I don't think I have EVER been so nervous and freaked out!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-07-21T21:12:00.000-04:00

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who have a split personality - cold as ice on the outside but hot as fire in the heart.

In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.

You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.

Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage as something that will confine you. You are afraid of marriage.

In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

2005-07-18T10:06:00.000-04:00

When your brunch tab looks like this.....well, you just might have a problem!! (or a hell of a good time!)

35 Days to go...and quickly running out of finger nails!!!

2005-07-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

As many of you may already know, I am currently in what I believe is technically known as the "escrow" process of purchasing a home. By that I mean that I have gotten pre-approved for a mortgage, found a house, made a bid, had it accepted, had a home inspection and wrote out a several checks for "earnest money" deposits...basically money you give the realty company so they know you're not shitting around! Over the past 10 days, I have bitten my finger nails dow to gross little stumps. I am not a naturally nervous or anxious person, so this is a new thing for me. I spend most of my waking hours freaking out that something, somewhere will go wrong. There is OH SO MUCH that cann go wrong in this process. The home inspection can turn up a problem, the mortgage company can appraise the house for less than I bid (unlikely), some pencil-pushing geek can decide I don't make enough money (although I don't think ..fingers crossed....that once you get preapproved they take it back!) there can be issues with the title search.....oh my, I need a Xanax just to type this!!!! Anyway, there are 35 days from now until closing, and until then I will continue to be freaking out in my own subtle little way and looking for people who will let me borrow their finger nails until mine return from hiding!!!!!!!!!

I'm Baaaaaaaack....again!

2005-07-07T23:25:00.000-04:00

Yes yes, I know I made, and broke, my vow to blog more regularly, but I've been busy house hunting and haven't had anytime, so I hope you all forgive me for being a bit of a bore!! Anyway, I will have more info on the house thing in a few days (fingers crossed, please!!) but for now, here's a little email funny that I'm sure you've all heard, but since it tickles me, I shall post it anyway!! Happy Friday!! To any of you out there who have home buying experience, I would love any advice you may have to offer!!!

Pope John Paul II gets to heaven. St. Peter says, "Frankly, you're
lucky to be here."

John Paul says, "Why? What did I do wrong on Earth?"

St. Peter says, "God was very angry with your stance on women becoming
priests."

John Paul says, "He's mad about THAT?"

St. Peter says, "She's furious."

Silly Me, I thought it was Land of the Free, Not Land of the Wealthy!!!

2005-06-23T12:35:00.000-04:00

Supreme Court Rules Cities May Seize Homes
By HOPE YEN, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - A divided Supreme Court ruled Thursday that local governments may seize people's homes and businesses against their will for private development in a decision anxiously awaited in communities where economic growth often is at war with individual property rights.

The 5-4 ruling represented a defeat for some Connecticut residents whose homes are slated for destruction to make room for an office complex. They argued that cities have no right to take their land except for projects with a clear public use, such as roads or schools, or to revitalize blighted areas.

As a result, cities now have wide power to bulldoze residences for projects such as shopping malls and hotel complexes in order to generate tax revenue.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who has been a key swing vote on many cases before the court, issued a stinging dissent. She argued that cities should not have unlimited authority to uproot families, even if they are provided compensation, simply to accommodate wealthy developers.

Connecticut residents involved in the lawsuit expressed dismay and pledged to keep fighting.

"It's a little shocking to believe you can lose your home in this country," said resident Bill Von Winkle, who said he would refuse to leave his home, even if bulldozers showed up. "I won't be going anywhere. Not my house. This is definitely not the last word."

Scott Bullock, an attorney for the Institute for Justice representing the families, added: "A narrow majority of the court simply got the law wrong today and our Constitution and country will suffer as a result."

Writing for the court, Justice John Paul Stevens said local officials, not federal judges, know best in deciding whether a development project will benefit the community. States are within their rights to pass additional laws restricting condemnations if residents are overly burdened, he said.

"The city has carefully formulated an economic development that it believes will provide appreciable benefits to the community, including - but by no means limited to - new jobs and increased tax revenue," Stevens wrote in an opinion joined by Justice Anthony Kennedy, David H. Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen G. Breyer.

"It is not for the courts to oversee the choice of the boundary line nor to sit in review on the size of a particular project area," he said.

At issue was the scope of the Fifth Amendment, which allows governments to take private property through eminent domain if the land is for "public use."

Susette Kelo and several other homeowners in a working-class neighborhood in New London, Conn., filed suit after city officials announced plans to raze their homes for a riverfront hotel, health club and offices.

New London officials countered that the private development plans served a public purpose of boosting economic growth that outweighed the homeowners' property rights, even if the area wasn't blighted.

"We're pleased," attorney Edward O'Connell, who represents New London Development Corporation, said in response to the ruling.

The lower courts had been divided on the issue, with many allowing a taking only if it eliminates blight.

"Any property may now be taken for the benefit of another private party, but the fallout from this decision will not be random," O'Connor wrote. "The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms."

She was joined in her opinion by Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, as well as Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.

Nationwide, more than 10,000 properties were threatened or condemned in recent years, according to the Institute for Justice, a Washington public interest law firm representing the New London homeowners.

New London, a town of less than 26,000, once was a center of the whaling industry and later became a manufacturing hub. More recently the city has suffered the kind of economic woes afflicting urban areas across the country, with losses of residents and jobs.

The New London neighborhood that will be swept away includes Victorian-era houses and small businesses that in some instances have been owned by several generations of families. Among the New London residents in the case is a couple in their 80s who have lived in the same home for more than 50 years.

City officials envision a commercial development that would attract tourists to the Thames riverfront, complementing an adjoining Pfizer Corp. research center and a proposed Coast Guard museum.

New London was backed in its appeal by the National League of Cities, which argued that a city's eminent domain power was critical to spurring urban renewal with development projects such Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Kansas City's Kansas Speedway.

Under the ruling, residents still will be entitled to "just compensation" for their homes as provided under the Fifth Amendment. However, Kelo and the other homeowners had refused to move at any price, calling it an unjustified taking of their property.

The case was one of six resolved by justices on Thursday. Still pending at the high court are cases dealing with the constitutionality of government Ten Commandments displays and the liability of Internet file-sharing services for clients' illegal swapping of copyrighted songs and movies. The Supreme Court next meets on Monday.

The case is Kelo et al v. City of New London, 04-108.
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

With Sincere Apologies..

2005-06-18T23:49:00.000-04:00

Dear Gods of TiVo,

I am deeply and profoundly sorry for my prior lack of faith and belief in all the wondrous things you do. I realize now that I had not yet come to know the comfort of always having something to watch, the joy of seeing that little red light as you record yet another show chosen especially for me. I now realize the awesome power of the season pass, and the time-changing power of being able to pause and rewind LIVE TV!! What did I do before this beauteous box came into my life? Others told me of there conversion, and I merely mocked and scorned them. I see now that I was wrong to doubt your powers!
Sincerely,
A Reformed VCR User

One down, 30-some to go!

2005-06-18T23:33:00.000-04:00

As of 12:30 this past Thursday, I am officially done with my first year of teaching. Considering all the horror stories I had heard about teaching in Philadelphia, I could not have asked for a better year. I was lucky to work with WONDERFUL (and by that I mean sassy, irreverant and fabulous!)people, have great kids, and not get into too many tangles with parents or administrators. I knew when I was still in college that I wanted to teach, and I knew that I loved working with kids, but I never realized that I couldn't imagine doing anything else. Yes, there are certainly times when I feel like if I have to teach the same concept again, or answer another whiny question, or wipe another nose I will lose my mind, but those times are quickly forgotten. I am so lucky to be one of those people who doesn't consider what I do for a living to be WORK. I found out this week that I will be able to return to my same school next year, with a hefty raise come October, and I have 10 weeks of vacation to get a tan and do some major travelling. I am one happy gal right now! I will also be starting my Master's degree in the fall. I took two courses this past year, which is the most you can do without being matriculated, and I have decided to get my masters degree in Special Education, Advanced Practice. I had toyed with the idea of going for Educational Administration, but I'm not sure that is the career path I want to take. If I decide down the road I want to get into administration, then there's always a Ph.D. !!!

In other fun and exciting news, thanks to Kathleen, my blog is now the #1 result on blogger for "Knock-kneed pygmie polar bears"!! I've always wanted to be #1!!

I probably won't have a chance to blog much this week (big surprise!). I am off to Wilkes-Barre to hook up the TiVo we got my dad for Father's Day and visit for a few days, and then to the beach I go with the girls from school for some gambling, drinking and sunning. I LOVE SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bensalem: Home of Knock-kneed Pygmie Polar Bears and Witches

2005-06-12T21:55:00.000-04:00

Sometimes kids really do say the funniest things. Kathleen and Chrissy and their respective offspring came up to hang out at the pool this afternoon. Like any good girls, we had to make a run to Target for supplies before settling in to get the first sunburn of the season. On the way back, we spotted something small, white and dead lying by the side of the road. Kathleen's daughters immediatly identified it as a polar bear, because they are SO VERY INDIGENOUS to the lower bucks county area! Kathleen said because it was so small (you know, Possum-sized) it must one of the rare Knock-Kneed Pygmie Polar Bears. Anyway, after assuring them that polar bears do not in fact live here, the older of the two said, "no, Bensalem is where the witches live". Clearly she had confuse it with Salem, but it was funny nonetheless. Anyway, once we got out of Target and through wild kingdom, we had a blast sitting by the pool for hours. There is no better entertainment than people watching through sunglasses and making mildly critical comments. Also funny was the girl whose boob kept falling out of her suit. 4 more days left until I can to that EVERY DAY!!!!

Birthday Weekend

2005-06-02T19:51:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, I turned 24 years old (eventually I'll get around to changing that on the sidebar!) To celebrate, I went to Atlantic city with some friends. There was mucho drinking, gambling and talk of interesting things. I can't wait for Vegas! If only we could get Chrissy to go....

#1 quote of the weekend: "My vagina does NOT feel like a cold, dead turkey!!"

#2 quote: "If I had a penis, I'd jump up and down in front of the mirror to see if it would look as funny as I think it would"

Here are a few pics of the trip...enjoy!

2005-06-02T19:50:00.001-04:00

My favorite picture EVER!!

2005-06-02T19:50:00.000-04:00

Fernando checking out Jeff's ....?

2005-06-02T19:49:00.000-04:00

Mr. & Mrs. Sokol

2005-06-02T19:48:00.000-04:00

The girls..

Thinking...

2005-05-26T22:59:00.000-04:00

Number of days I have had my doggie: 3

Number of times I have been told "don't kill this one!": 5

I HATE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

Cats and Dogs

2005-05-26T22:50:00.000-04:00

Excerpts from a Dog's Daily Diary:

7:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

10:30 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!

12:30 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

1:00 PM - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!

4:00 PM - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

7:00 PM - OH BOY! PLAYING BALL! MY FAVORITE!

9:30 PM - OH BOY! SLEEPING ON MASTER'S BED! MY FAVORITE!

Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary:

DAY 183 OF MY CAPTIVITY

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal.
Pricks.

The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild
satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture.

Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.

Today my attempt to kill my captors, by weaving around their feet while
they were walking, almost succeeded; must try this at the top of the
stairs next time.

In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile bastards, I again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair.

Note to self: I think I'll try crapping under their bed, too. Wonder
how long it'll take them to find it?

Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, to make them
aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was. Damn! Not working according to plan.

There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in
solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell
the food. More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "ellergeez." Must learn what the Hell this is and how to use it to my advantage.

I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The
dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is
obviously a bloody half-wit.

The bird, on the other hand, appears to have become an informant, and
speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move.

Due to his current placement in the metal room, his safety is preserved. But I can wait; it's only a matter of time...little bastard.

Meet Bo!

2005-05-24T07:12:00.000-04:00

I got a doggie!!! He is a 5-yr old purebread beagle from the lovely SPCA in the heart of the North Philly ghetto. Bo wants to say "what up, dog?" to all his homies still in da 'hood!

2005-05-24T07:11:00.000-04:00

How could you not take him home?

2005-05-24T07:10:00.000-04:00

Too. Damn. Cute!!!

FYI

2005-05-16T22:22:00.000-04:00

In a pinch, International Delights French Vanilla coffee creamer will TOTALLY substitute for milk when you have a scrambled egg craving butfind yourself without actual milk.

My Favorite Quote EVER!!

2005-05-14T21:32:00.000-04:00

"I'm going to count to nothing and then I'm going to kill you!!"
-Kathleen to her offspring

Wondering....

2005-05-11T23:33:00.000-04:00

I just watched the series finale of Sex and the City for the first time (on TBS, unfortunately) and realized that Big actually has a name. Am I the only one this never occurred to??!!??

Things That Make Me Smile!

2005-05-11T15:29:00.000-04:00

1. Rob and Amber NOT winning the Amazing Race

2. One of my 5th graders muttering "What an asshole." towards the retreating back of the principal who will take over my school next year. I agreed, so I didn't say anything to him ;)

3. Hot Pockets..who are now offering a "Chicken Quesadilla" brand that ONLY HAS CHICKEN AND CHEESE!!!!!!!!!!! You all must know how excited that makes me!!

Have a fabulous day!

I Hope It Helps

2005-05-09T18:27:00.000-04:00

Everyone who reads this blog knows that I have many gay friends…in fact it’s usually a joke that every guy I date ‘turns’ gay (or becomes a priest!). Because people know this about me, I’ve had several people ask me how I reacted when someone I was close to told me they were gay. During lunch today, one of the girls I teach with asked me if I wanted to go for a walk to Rita’s since it was so nice out. While we were walking, she told me that one of her closest friends, someone she had also known since she was young, had come out to her over the weekend. She wanted to know my reaction, because she was having trouble dealing with her own…on more than one occasion she has said how much she would love to have a gay best friend, yet when she found out about her friend, she couldn’t figure out why she was upset.

I don’t think there is one clear way someone reacts to that news. There are a lot of factors involved. How close you are to the person, how long you’ve known them, what your feelings are for them, whether or not you had an inkling such news was coming, etc.etc. All in all, it’s not the easiest thing to go through. There are many resources available for people who are contemplating coming out to their loved ones, yet not all that many for people who are hearing this news for the first time. I am not by any means belittling the difficulty anyone faces when they choose to come out to someone, a difficulty I can’t know first hand, but there is another side to the story…I started out writing this so that my friend could read it, and maybe she would know that different reactions are to be expected, but as I continued, I realized that I had never actually admitted my own reactions to myself, or to the people who had told me such an important thing about themselves.

The first time anyone came out to me, I was 17 years old and a senior in high school. He was my best friend, although I admittedly had more interest in him than that. For a period of several weeks, we had been going back and forth with conversations in which he would say that he had to talk to me, had to tell me something important. At that point in time we lived 2 hours apart, so talking in person wasn’t really a viable option. Although he made an effort to tell me in person, it just wasn’t going to happen, so he finally told me over the phone one night. He began by saying that he had something to tell me. I remember hearing his voice shake, and wondering what he was so worried about. I told him whatever it was, he could tell me, and he said that he had been seeing someone. I know I said something like, “okay, well, you have to do what’s right for you”, thinking that he had been afraid to tell me that because he knew I had a crush on him. That wasn’t it. Two seconds later he said “his name is Chris”. It took me about 15 seconds to register and process what he had actually said. I didn’t say anything until I heard him say “are you still there?” I realized I should say something before he thought I had hung up on him. To this day, I have no idea what I said, only that it was something along the lines of he was my friend and I loved him no matter what. Shortly after that, we got off the phone.

I didn’t sleep at all that night. I remember sitting at the kitchen table wondering how I could not have had any clue. I know I spent several hours crying, because of what he was going to have to face, and truth be told because I knew I would never have the kind of relationship I wanted with him. Then I started thinking about how I used to talk around him, and I thought about all the times I had said things like fag, queer, ‘that’s so gay’, etc around him, and I began to wonder if every time I said something like that I hurt him, or made him feel like he couldn’t tell me about himself.

Dealing with the news wasn’t something that I did only that night. Coming to accept that this was who he was, and not a phase, took a long time. I’m not speaking about a few weeks or a month. I don’t think I really accepted it until a few years later, when I was in college myself and he was in a serious relationship. It took seeing him in a relationship with a man on a day to day basis to slam it into my brain that this is who he is, and it wasn’t going to change or go away.

That was 6 years ago. He and I are still good friends, although over the years the nature of our friendship has changed. I don’t think people realize the effect it has on people to hear that news. Reactions and emotions are a very personal thing, and you can’t put expectations or time limits on them. Everyone processes things in their own way and at their own pace. In my personal experience, my reaction to it has always varied depending on the relationship I had with the person who was telling me. It was never the same from one person to another. I wrote this out mainly for my friend, but if there is anyone out there who happens upon it, maybe it can help.

If you want me to make fun of you, do these things on a date..

2005-05-08T21:13:00.000-04:00

1. Tell me how much money you make
2. High-five me
3. Repeatedly pat me on the back as though you were trying to burp me
4. Insult my friends ..all of them
5. Say "wow, this is the most physical exertion I've ever had on a date" in reference to playing Hyperbowl at Jillian's..I bet it is you hobbit,I bet it is!
6. Tell me how much money you make
7. DOUBLE high-five me
8. Begin more than one sentence with the phrase "I enjoy..."
9. Remind me, yet again, that money is no object.
10. Don't realize that when your date goes to the restroom twice in 30 minutes, and 4 of her friends show up 15 minutes later, IT'S NOT A GOOD SIGN FOR YOU!!!! Also, when your date says they have to get home (at 9:30) it's usually a sign you're being ditched so they can go out with their friends and make fun of you!!

And my PERSONAL FAVORITE...Insist on driving me home, AND walking me to the door as though it was gonna get you anywhere!! The only place it will get you is back to your car whilst my gals and I hurry to get inside so we can laugh at you!!

All of that, of course, was quickly remedied by a view shots and drinks!! Who knew people like that actually existed? I wonder which bridge it is that he lives under?

Still Haven't Found What I'm Lookin' For

2005-05-08T08:15:00.000-04:00

I first heard this song by U2 when my 8th grade social studies teacher played it during a class. If I'm remembering correctly, it was a class on the civil rights movement, and he had a banner that circled the room with some of the lyrics "I believe in kingdom come, there all the colors will bleed into one." It has stayed with me since then, and the words so often describe how I feel about my life.

Still Haven't Found What I'm Lookin For

I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you

I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you

But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for

I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing fingertips
It burned like fire
This burning desire

I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone

But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for

I believe in the kingdom come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
Well yes I’m still running

You broke the bonds and you
Loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believed it

But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for...

Pardon My Impatience

2005-05-05T22:30:00.000-04:00

I will freely admit that I am FAR from the most patient person in the world. Usually when I decided I want something, I have to have it that day, or more likely that minute or that second. I am not down with waiting! The only time I have any semblance of patience is with my students, and that is only because I know that they aren't moving slowly just to piss me off, but rather because they are incapable of progressing/moving/DOING at a faster pace. My patience was tried several times today..and each time I found myself just inches from total frustration. Maybe this is something I need to work on...or perhaps people should just hurry up!! Let me provide you with some examples:

#1. The gas station attendant at 6:57am: Yes, I have someone pump my gas for me. Now that I have admitted to that, there is no reason I should have to wait in my car for 3 minutes waiting for aforementioned attendant to come and pump some gas!! There were no other customers. He was reading something I couldn't make out, probably Hustler or the like....at least until the unmistakeable sound of my horn blaring at him roused him from his coma.

#2. The grocery store, during my lunch break, approximately 12:20pm : for a VERY similar account, I'll just refer you to an incident in Dave's blog. (May 2nd post) SAME THING HERE!!

#3. And finally, my personal favorite, I went to donate blood today, and while they were doing my 'history' the dim-witted worker (a nurse,not a non-paid volunteer) kept asking me to spell my name, address, etc...while my license was sitting right in front of her!!! Just copy it!! And if that wasn't bad enough, she totally utilized the 'hunt and peck' method of typing, thereby adding at least 5-10 minutes to my torture.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Where Did The Dixie Come From?

2005-05-03T22:33:00.000-04:00

Your Linguistic Profile:

45% General American English

35% Yankee

20% Dixie

0% Midwestern

0% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Still Laughing...

2005-05-03T22:13:00.000-04:00

A brief recounting of a conversation I had today with a visibly troubled 5th grade student of mine, who I shall call Consuela:

Me: " What's the problem, Consuela?"

Consuela: "Did you get your period yet Miss Furman?"

Me (trying to control laughter): "Why Consuela, did you?"

Consuela: "Yes. I wish that shit would just go away."

I'm A Bad Blogger!!

2005-05-01T22:04:00.000-04:00

I recently realized that my blogging had fallen waaaayyyyyyyy off...and for some reason seemed to occur only on Tuesdays! Anyway, I've decided to try to blog more regularly since I have oh so much to say that I'm sure you are just DYING to hear! First up, this weekend!

Chrissy's wedding was this weekend, and except for her PITA mother and the 9 people under 4 feet tall who felt the need to spill things all over my dress, things went very well. Chrissy looked great, courtesy of a dress by Mattel (the dress was on loan from the barbie collection, this pun on loan from Garland!)hair by G and makeup by me! The weather sucked, so we couldn't get outdoor pics, but other than that we had a good time. Got blitzed at the reception too, which is the true mark of any good wedding!

This afternoon I went down to Equality Forum (formerly known as Pridefest) with D&G. LEt me see how I should describe the afternoon......it sucked!!! Some idiot in the planning department decided to take Gay Day out of the Gayborhood!! Why would you do that? Even though there were a lot of people at the new location (Old City), the event as a whole was very subdued. It was not nearly as loud, fun boisterous and overall fabulous as it always has been. We decided that was due, in part, to there being NO BARS for people to wander in and out of, drink in hand. There was ONE stand selling $6.00 drinks that looked like cranberry juice but claimed to have vodka in them. However, as D pointed out, you'd have to buy 4 drinks at a time, bedcause by the time you drank one and got through the line to get another, you'd be sober again! Grr..

'Tis all for now...next up, pictures from the bachelorette party!! (late, I know)

The Day I Peed With A Cockroach and Threw A Cookie At the T.V.

2005-04-19T22:04:00.000-04:00

First things first. one of the hazards of teaching in a Philadelphia public school (although this is the first time I have encountered it) is that there is the occasional roach/mouse/etc seen trolling about the premsis. Today, I encountered my first roach-in-the-potty experience. Let me clarify. He wasn't exactly IN the potty, but merely out for a pleasure cruise on the grounds. My first reaction was a loudly squealed EW!!...but the I though, hell, I'm bigger than he is and I HAVE TO PEE...so I went about my business with an audience of one. This just goes to show how my tolerence for creepy crawly things has grown over the past 6 years.

Now, on to the cookie. Although I knew, and was totally prepared for the announcement of Cardinal Ratzinger as the next Pope, I was still angry when I heard the actual announcement, hence the throwing of my cookie at the T.V. My co-workers think I'm a tad loopy. This is the first time in my lifetime there has been a papal election, and while I am not an overly religious person, I thought I would have some sort of emotion or reaction to this event. The only thing I felt was anger. Anger at a process that is so very out of date. Anger that the religion I was raised in would yet again be taking two steps backwards, if not more. Anger that the leader of one of the world's leading faiths will be using his pulpit..a very WIDELY HEARD pulpit...to continue the repression of women, the bans on scientific advancements, the bans on birth control, married priests, continue preaching intolerance towards so many groups. Well, I may work for the catholic church, but the day they reinstitute women having to cover their heads is the day I give up that paycheck! Just how far backwards will this man take us???

Skank or Skankette Jr.

2005-04-12T20:52:00.000-04:00

Britney Spears pregnant...as if there wasn't enough screwed up kids in the world. I'm sure she and her role-model husband will be SPECTACULAR parents. Yeah, spectacular...that's it...

I Present for Your Consideration...

2005-04-05T21:00:00.000-04:00

3 reasons why I believe American Idol's Anthony Federov is gay:

1. He wears white pants, and is not a health professional

2. He was sporting a Tiffany dog-tag necklace

and the final, undeniable proof..............

3. He sang a Julie Andrews song!! What straight man belts out Climb Every Mountain???

I so have no title at this hour of the night

2005-04-01T03:36:00.000-05:00

Some topics for the evening:

1. Terri Shiavo: Rest in peace. I hope her parents do not continue this legal battle over her husbands right to choose her final resting state, it has gone on long enough with enough right wing BS to last me a life time.

2. Math Night: seriously. oy. way more kids than I expected, still didn't want to be there, but I am over it. Dinner afterwards..good. funny. would totally relive it.

3. Night out with Dave: yay! good times! thank god for comp time~

i am so not coherent. more tomorrow.

In the Words of Someone in the Same Boat...

2005-03-27T23:25:00.000-05:00

Yes, triduum, easter and all that goes along with it is finally over. The past week has been totally exhausting for me, to the the extent that after church today I opted to go home and SLEEP for 5 hours instead of going for a fab dinner at Kathleen's!! The sleep, of course, came after having to call 24 hr maintenance because I lost my keys at church and couldn't get into my apartment. As I've said before though, my complex has a great maintenance staff and they were here in less than 15 minutes. But back to easter and church..

As I've said many times recently, I have been less than thrilled with my church job in the past few months. Dave has summed up his feelings (and essentially mine although he didn't know it!) in his post today, so I'll let you wander over there and read all about it rather than plagiarizing! It's not that they sounded bad, I was actually pleased with the majority of the music. It's the "little things" that have been irritating me. 8 people (out of 15) showing up for rehearsal the week before holy week. Choir members who think they are experts and simply MUST comment about every decision and direction I give. People who refuse to get their faces out of the music and watch me. In general, an I don't really give a damn, I'm here to sing the way I want to and if she doesn't like it than too bad, after all, it's JUST A CHURCH CHOIR! sort of attitude. (Calm down evil alto, you are one of the few who actually MAKE AN EFFORT!!!! ;) Long story short, as Dave so eloquently put, it's a good thing I like the paycheck, because other factors are not conducive to my return next year!!!!!

Here We Go Again!

2005-03-24T09:59:00.000-05:00

For all you non-church goers out there (I don't know of anyone who reads this blog that doesn't go for one reason -$$- or another ..but we must cater to people who may just happen by!) today begins the the Easter Triduum..Holy Thursday in particular. Now, I am not a particularly religious person, nor do agree with all, or let's be honest most, of what the church teaches, but tonights' mass is my absolute favorite of the entire year. It is, in my opinion, the most ceremonious of all the services of the year, and I am ALL ABOUT ceremony. It's so nice to be able to pick good music, have it sung properly, and if the pastor is in a generous mood have some nice trumpets playing along. I am looking forward to seeing if the 10 weeks of practice (sooooo not enough) will pay off. I remember being thrilled with last years' performances, hopefully that will happen again this year. My favorite part of tonight though, actually occurs after mass. When I first came to St. Anne's, I was introduced to the long standing tradition of "church hopping" , something I had never done before, but have come to absolutely enjoy. A group of about 10 of us visits 4 or 5 churches and sings (a capella of course) very traditional, choral music. There is very little that can compare to the asthetics of hearing voices singing and echoing in an otherwise silent church. This year, the man who generally leads the group is out of the country and he asked me to take over for the year. I'm really excited to get the chance to do this....if only I knew how to work a pitch pipe...or owned one for that matter!! (That's where Jeff comes in!! Because he is so fabulous, he is loaning me one of his, and even throwing in a free lesson!) Anyway, long story short, I am really looking forward to tonight, especially because Cat is driving in from cow country to be there. Now, if only we could make the Aramingo Diner before midnight so I can get me some chicken fingers!!!!

P.S. stay tuned tomorrow for this years' version of The Real Intercessions: Prayers for a better society! (Dave and Garland, if your reading this, contributions are welcome!!!)

Times Have Changed....But Do I Want to Rewind the Clock??

2005-03-22T21:56:00.000-05:00

As a generalization, I am a very nostalgic person. I am not so much a creature of habit as I am one of tradition. I like things to stay the same from year to year...not everyday things, but special thing like holidays and vacations. Every once in a while, I get very nostalgic. I like to think back to good times I've had in the past, and look forward to the same things happening again in the coming year. But this past year has brought about many changes. In past years, it was always a given that major holidays such as Christmas and Easter would be spent with the entire family at my Uncle Rick's house. Lots of things have happened recently that made holiday traditions change. Between grandparents passing away, my own graduation and move into "adult world" (not the dirty video store!!) my sister's wedding and her upcoming move into her own home.....holidays just aren't the same anymore. I find myself going home for holidays less often, instead opting to stay down here and celebrate with my sister, and our parents if they can make it down. Things seem to have lost that special feeling they used to have when, yes, I would complain about going home etc., but it was still something to look forward to. It takes much more effort now to get excited about holidays.

I think this latest nostalgia kick was set off not by the upcoming holidays, but rather, of all things, by a PBS special. I was flipping through channels a few days ago and came across a special called "Those Wildwood Days". I have gone to wildwood with Dave every summer for the past 6 or 7 years, and I look forward to it every year. I love going, not just because I love the beach and because it's fun and relaxing, but because it was always a good time (and something of a standing joke) to know that when we left for the beach, Madonna's "Immaculate Collection" would be in the cd player, the sunroof would be open, and in about an hour and a half we would be in Wawa buying powdered donuts, sandwiches, WHOLE milk, peanut butter and hamburger buns, Herr's rippled chips and of course the latest edition of Cosmo. It was nice to have a few days, or a week, planned out....where you knew that you had to be up early to go bike riding on the boardwalk, then for breakfast at the Crusader, lay on the beach, sit by the pool, nap, shower, and head out for dinner and some rides on the piers. I used to love going for walks on the beach at night, where I could just walk at my own pace, and stare down the path the moon made on the water, and wonder where I would be at that time the following summer. It's not something I ever talked about doing, but I did it every year on the last night of our stay. It was very emotional for me last year to stand in the same spot I had for 6 years (at the edge of the water directly in front of the Waikiki motel) and think about how I had come from standing there as a recent high school graduate, to standing there as a college grad ready to start my own independent life.

There have been many changes in my life over the course of the past year. I have grown away from some friends that I have had for many years. I have also been fortunate to become much closer to my female friends, especially Cathy and Chrissy, without whom I think my sanity may have disappeared!! Transitions are always very difficult for me. I know that some people don't understand this, that people don't understand why I am affected by change, people who think you just accept things and move on. It doesn't always work that way.

As I was thinking ahead to the coming summer, I have so much to look forward to. I will be going to Italy for two weeks in July and August. When I come back I will head off to vegas with some friends for a few days of totally irreverant fun. In between, I will have plenty to do with planning for the next school year, sitting by the pool, rehearsing for the Novena, etc etc.......but some part of me will miss that 10 minutes of introspection at the edge of the Jersey shore...and some of me will miss that part of my life that is over...that unspoken but understood trip to the beach. The one that has been replaced by things more grown up. It makes me sad to think of those things coming to an end.

Yes, I'm Still Alive

2005-03-20T19:26:00.000-05:00

I realized today that I haven't posted in about a week and a half, and that's just unacceptable!! In my defense, I was really sick, and probably would have had to schedule a nap in between typing paragraphs just to stay awake! I had a VERY boring week of sitting home on the couch....and I don't care what ANYONE says....it doesn't matter if you have cable, satellite, regular t.v. whatever, there is NOTHING on T.V. Nothing. Not. A. Damn. Thing.

This week will be a busy one. I had been advised by my doctor to stay home until after spring break, but I woul die, absolutely die, of boredom so I am going to go in this week. It's only 3 half days, parent conferences (90% of them won't show up anyway) and then I have Thurs-Tues off. Well, not really off since I have already set up my cot at church for Holy Week, but at least I can sleep late. I would type more, but there is a special on "Wildwood Days" on WHYY, and I must go watch it!!!

Thinking...

2005-03-09T17:46:00.000-05:00

I will not forget about the student I put in time out

I will not forget about the student I put in time out

I will not forget about the student I put in time out....

"DOINK!!"

2005-03-08T22:34:00.000-05:00

That's the sound effect I and some equally evil-minded teachers decided a falling child makes when they hit the pavement. Let me explain....

Since the weather-people here in Philly had another slam-dunk prediction about the snow not sticking to/freezing on roadways and sidewalks, my school's maintenance staff didn't think to salt our school yard (although they could have looked out the window and seen the obvious!) This may not seem like a big problem, but our yard is somewhat bowl-shaped...it dips in and collects water, thereby making a giant skating rink once the temperature falls below 32 degrees and there is any hint of moisture. Come dismissal time, there is only so much one teacher with two hands can to to restrain 20+ students as the make the mad dash for mom or dad. Kids..ice...running...leads to lots of falling! Add some evil teachers who spend more time laughing than trying to help, and the result is DOINK! In a time span of about 3 minutes, we witnessed 22 such casualties, yet only assisted 2. Does this make us bad people???

Yeah, the author of this letter....I want to be her when I grow up!!!!

2005-03-03T22:05:00.000-05:00

As some of you may know, I took the opportunity this past Tuesday to send a letter to the CEO of my school district, expressing my displeasure with his decision to keep schools open despite the absolutely foul weather conditions. Today, I received an email in response, which I in turn forwarded to an equally irate pal of mine, who asks to remain anonymous. She in turn, took the crap that he wrote, and changed it to what he REALLY wanted to say. And now, without further delay, for your reading pleasure.....

Dear District Colleague aka Pains in my Ass,

Please accept my apologies for the very late notice that was given when the District decided to close early last week due to the snow,but I was home drunk with some hooker friends of mine and I lost all track of time. By the time I woke up there was a half a footof snow outside...go figure!While there were a variety of factors involved like too much gin,too many plates of nachos and total disregard for all you hard working teachers,I take almost part responsibility for the event and want to assure you thatI will do pretty much nothing to make sure this problem does not recur.

Closing schools due to inclement weather is one of the trickiest decisions I have to make, in part because neither option available to me is without risk. If schools do not open at all or have to close early, thousands of students will happily play in the snow with their parents who are more than happy to miss a day's work to be with their kids. If schools are open, thousands of students are crabby, disgruntled, snotty and cold because they have to commute in bad weather on unplowed or icy roads and they were disappointed that I would be an such an asshole and send them to school in this much snow. They were wrong, boy!Last Thursday and again this Monday, I was drunk. The District was asked by the City to close schools early because of reports that commuting conditions were worsening and they could not find me anywhere because I was snowed in at aTitty bar in Camden. In an effort to make sure that the majority of students were safely home before road conditions became too dangerous, the District decided to close early. Actually - on a lighter note you should have seenhow pissed the parents were! It was awesome.

However, the short notice given last week was not conducive to an orderly and safe dismissal. In fact I heard that the little shits acted like a pack of wild dogs. I am grateful to the hundreds of principals, teachers and other school-based staff who put aside their personal needs and remained with students long after the early dismissal to ensure that students were picked up and safely on their way home. Of course the two hour long ritual of burning me in effigy seemed to keep their attention. They are a tribute to their profession and I was informed that it was a very good likeness of me. I would have loved to be there, however, again, I was home drunk.

The District will continue to implement our standard policy of giving at least two minutes notice when schools have to close early.And, as an added service to our parents and employees, we have established a Snow Hotline (1-800-BIT-EMEE). Careful how you dial though,there is a similar number out there that I frequently call and you just don't want parents calling that number if you catch my drift!Parents and employees can use the new hotline, as well as the District's website, to check on school and office closures as weather conditions change or just to send me a kind greeting or naked jpeg. I know you join me in looking forward to warmer weather!

Sincerely,
Your Half-Blitzed CEO

Franklin Commons Maintenance Staff Rocks!!!!

2005-02-28T23:27:00.000-05:00

Yup, that's right, I live in an apartment complex with a FABULOUS maintenance staff. Since 6pm, I have seen my parking lot plowed no less than once an hour, and the walkways are totally clear of snow and salted. AND...not only have they been clearing the lot, they bring the plows right up to the backs of the cars, remove the snow, and put it elsewhere so that our cars can just be backed right out. What wonderful men! This may not seem like such a big deal, but I have friends whose apartments staff are less than vigilant in their snow removal, and it can be a giant pain in the ass!!

Weekend Update (a title I never tire of using)

2005-02-28T19:39:00.000-05:00

I will skip the ever-obvious commentary on the idiocy of the weatherpeople in the greater Philadelphia region, but just for the record, if I screwed up my job, no matter how tough a certain issue was to "call", as frequently as they do, I would be out of a job!!!!

Had a rather interesting weekend. We decided Friday night was girls night, and abandoned the usual trip to Tavern in favor of some good 'ol gambling in Atlantic City. While we were down there, we decided we had to see the Borgata outfits that were causing all the weight gain fuss. Finding the Borgata however was extremely difficult. It seems that the road leading to it, once you emerge from the tunnel, was built in approximately 6-7 concentric circles, and only after driving through all of them can you exit to the hotel. (Which, by the way, has a parking garage built like a damn ski slope. Quite possibly the stupidest engineering I have ever seen!) The outfits are something of a cross between a bathing suit and a female figure skater's outfit. NOT something you want to see a chub in. For the record, I am totally okay with their weight gain policy.

Saturday night, I reluctantly went to a happy hour hosted by my roomate's employer at a bar called Whiskey Tango in Northeast Philly. It was actually way better that I thought it would be, except for the REALLY excessive smoke. Say it with me people, SMOKE EATERS!!! Free food and dollar drinks for 4 hours..can't really beat that. By the time 10pm had rolled around, my eyes were burning, and I had a hankering for some show tunes, so down to tavern I went and met up with Jeff and his boyfriend, quite possibly one of the cutest couples ever!

I had absolutely no plans for Sunday, other than some laundry and some heavy duty dusting, so when Jeff called to see if I wanted to come over to watch the oscars, off I went to Cherry Hill. I'm usually not a huge fan of the awards shows, but I have to hand it to Jeff, when you start putting drink bets on the outcome of who picked the most winners, it gets interesting! (If you're wondering, Jeff lost...badly!! But we love him anyway!) And now, for my totally random piece of information about the evening, just because I told him I would post it......(drumroll please).......
Jeff's uncle once gave Jeff's grandparents pot brownies...and everyone just sat back and watched the results. Pure genius.

I think I have run out of words. G'night!

Dear NBC10....

2005-02-24T23:23:00.000-05:00

Congratulations on putting forth a fine day of newscasting to enlighten the entirety of the Delaware Valley, and the Philadelphia metro area in particular. If one was to combine the total hours of news-oriented programming you offered the public today, it would be 7 hours. Of that 7 hours, approximately 6 hr 50 minutes was devoted to the in depth coverage of the MAJOR SNOW STORM AFFECTING OUR AREA. Without regard to your own safety and well-being, you fearlessly sent reporters into howling 10mph winds and falling snow which accumulated nearly 4 inches in the hardest hit locations. This of course does not even mention the massive drifts caused by this crippling system, which in many areas buried even the tallest blades of grass. Your anchors and meteorologists alike worked tirelessly to find news ways of saying the same thing over and over again! What wonderful creativity you have! And lest we not forget the impeccable John Ogden, without whose brilliant traffic reports seasoned commuters in the 5 county area might never be aware that inclement weather does, in fact, breed slow driving and fender benders. Bravo to him on his investigative skills! And now, as the end of your final newscast of the day approaches, I can only find myself trembling with anticipation over the coming 4 days, which will only hold countless reports of the impending storm for monday. Will the blessing you bestow upon us, your loyal viewers, never cease?
In Grateful Appreciation,
One of the Dumbasses who Actually Watched It All

Damn the Administration: UPDATE

2005-02-24T15:31:00.000-05:00

Ok, so the weather didn't get bad until this afternoon, so maybe there really wasn't a need to cancel school. HOWEVER!!! There was also no need to dismiss at 2:00pm (regular time is 3:09) thereby necessitating the calling of 1,200 parents in a 20 minute time span because they didn't TELL us we were dismissing at 2pm until 1:42 pm. Idiotmoroncretins!!!! Dear goddess of snow, please let us have off tomorrow!

Damn the Administration!!

2005-02-24T07:21:00.000-05:00

Call me crazy, but a forecast of 4-8 inches of the white stuff generally indicates a snow day to me. .....but I guess that's why I'm a lowly teacher and not an administrator. Oh yeah, I forgot..it's very easy to take kids off a bus, and turn around and put them right back on because of an early dismissal when you're sitting in a cushy office downtown WITH NO KIDS!!!! Meanwhile, I will spend the next 5-8 hours (Depending on whether they actually decide to let us go home early or not) dealing with children hanging out windows looking for snow!!!! Can't wait to drive home with the idiots who have apparantly never seen a flake. Goddamn morons. Must go fetch snow-crazed little ankle-biters........

Weight Watchers Update

2005-02-15T00:32:00.000-05:00

minus 4.7 pounds and counting...

Thinking...

2005-02-15T00:30:00.000-05:00

I just spent Valentines Day evening with my remote and Lean Cusine. I REALLY need to get a life!! ;)

I SO Disagree!!

2005-02-12T23:57:00.001-05:00

You Are 31 Years Old

31

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.
13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.
20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.
30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!
40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

2005-02-12T10:58:00.000-05:00

Cat (and her sex toys) need to come to tavern more often!!

2005-02-12T10:57:00.000-05:00

Someone must REALLY like piano bars!!..or at least the piano player ;)

If My Life Were A Sitcom...

2005-02-08T18:38:00.000-05:00

The characters would be so well portrayed by:

1. Mom: Beverly (from Roseanne)
2. Dad: Heathcliff Huxtable (minus the tan ;)
3. Donna: Carol (from Growing Pains)
4. Cathy: Lynette (Desperate Housewives)
5. Chrissy: Carrie (from Sex and the City)
6. Dave: Jack (Will & Grace...duh)
7. Garland: Will (see above...these two analogies would work out much better if Will and Jack were a couple, but oh well!)
8. Kathleen: Samantha (Sex and the City)
9. Maria: Chrissy (Three's Company)

Who would star in your sitcom?

Wondering...

2005-02-05T23:41:00.000-05:00

As I was going through old phone messages to delete those that were unnecessary, I came across Garland's message about being "dooced", the one in which he asks that all "eyes, ears and"........AHEM....."throats" be kept open . What exactly is it that he wants us to do in the name of finding employment? ;)

Things That Piss Me Off, Vol. II

2005-02-05T15:20:00.000-05:00

When my parents call and inform me that they are heading for the turnpike and will be here in approximately 2 hours. No notice!! Because, of course, I have no plans...grr

Random Thoughts I Thought Today..

2005-02-03T22:03:00.000-05:00

1. Valentine's Day conversation hearts should come in "adult varieties"...use your imaginations!

2. If Dave and Garland ever adopted a child and hyphenated his/her last name, there would be one bitched-up kindergarten teacher out there somewhere.

3. Cases of beer should be WAY more clearly marked to avoid the embarrassment of:
a. showing up with pony bottles and looking cheap
b. showing up with 22 oz bottles and looking like a big alki

4. I have no excuse for still drivig my xmas tree around in the back of my car

Yes, It HAS Been A Long Time!!

2005-02-01T23:34:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I have the urge to post 4 or 5 posts in a span of 2 hours, and other times, like this past week or so, I barely have the time/material to come up with one decent post. It has been a busy few days! My curriculum at school runs on a six-week cycle, the sixth week being a review week. During each sixth week, I make a valiant effort to take my students on a field trip or community outing. Last one was to the Franklin Institute...I felt the trip itself was poorly planned on the side of the Institutes' "Tour Guides", as they pretty much wanted to let the kids run wherever. Needless to say I put a stop to that!! The kids did have a good time, but I didn't feel that they got much out of it. I know, I'm a mean and boring teacher..down with fun!! Anyway, I am in the midst of planning the next trip which will be an outing to the Philadelphia Zoo THE WEEK BEFORE SPRING BREAK!!! You may all commence asking me what the HELL I am thinking!! For anyone who has never planned a mass-scale field trip (90+ kids) let me tell you something: it is no walk in the park! Busses and lunches and tickets and chaperones and walkies and oh the list goes on...but you get my drift.

In other news from the week, I have finally broken down and decided to join Weight Watchers. I have been going to a gym for a little over a year now, and while I do see differences in inches, what I WANT to see is a difference in pounds. Now, I am certainly not one of those people who obsess over their weight, but hey, I could stand to lose a few, so here goes nuthin! If I have any success, perhaps I'll keep a weekly update on pounds lost when I weigh in each week....because you all care oh so much, right?! I have however, decided to follow their plan and go for the weigh in, but I will NOT attend their meetings, because if tonights was any indication, they will just be 63 minutes of my life that I will NEVER get back. Cathy, you were COMPLETELY correct about that!! Also on the weight loss front, I will be giving up fast food and soda for lent. Yes, you read that correctly. I don't know how I will survive!!!! Here's my poll for the day: Does Wawa count as fast food?

I could actually type some more, but my eyelids are involuntarily closing, a sure sign that it is past my bedtime! More tomorrow! Have a great day!

At What Point Has the Government Crossed the Line?

2005-01-24T19:29:00.000-05:00

I would say right about here. The story about this woman has been widely reported in the Philadelphia area because she has local roots. To sum it up, her heart stopped beating for a period of time 15 years ago due to an eating disorder, thereby causing severe brain damage. Now Jeb Bush is suing her husband to prevent him from removing the feeding tube that is keeping her alive. Her parents accuse him of wanting to 'inherit her estate and be free to marry another woman'. The husband states that his wife would not have wanted to have been kept alive under these circumstances, but she left no advance directive (how many 26yr olds do?). So now, this woman's husband, who presumably knows her better than anyone else, is tied up in legal battles to do what he thinks she would want. What's your opinion?

But, but, but.......WHY?!?!?

2005-01-24T14:29:00.000-05:00

Paige Davis Says 'Goodbye' to TLC's Trading Spaces

Ways to Pluck My Nerves, Vol. I

2005-01-24T13:45:00.000-05:00

Don't answer your phone OR return phone calls for THREE DAYS!!!

Observations From the Padded Cell...

2005-01-23T23:57:00.000-05:00

1. Kathleen is insane!
2. Kathleen's family/friends are insane
3. I love insanity!!!

Obviously, I spent some time at Evil Alto #1's house today watching the Eagles kick some Falcon ass! I'm sure somewhere between the 4th Mike's Lemonade and the end of the game, I promised her I wouldn't post some of the things I'm about to, but, well.....OOPS!! After wisely sending her daughters and their friends upstairs so they didn't disturb the game watchers, (they were only allowed on the main floor to get a piece of Gertrude Hawk candy whenever the Eagles scored a TD, and it wasn't just handed over, they had to sing the fight song to get their prize..now that's my kind of mom!) we were treated to Bill's, Kathleen's hubby, rendition of the game in a north philly bar. It went a little something like this:

(Bill makes prediction about a play)
(play actually occurs)

THAT'S WHAT THE BRUTHA' SAID!!! WHA'D THE BRUTHA' SAY?? YEAH, THAT'S WHAT A BRUTHA SAID!!!!

Followed shortly by "Hook a brutha' up" (code language for the 15yr old neighbor to haul ass into the kitchen and get Bill a beer. I need me a neighbor like that!!)

It's been a long time since I heard that much screaming, or had random people fall on me to celebrate a touchdown, but GOOD DRUNKEN FUN is what football is all about. And it's a damn good thing the right set of birds won this game, because if they hadn't, Kathleen tells me there would have been NO PROCEDURING tonight!! Good Lord, the horror.....

And we get to do it all over again in two weeks!!! GO EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Two Most Beautiful Things I Ever Did See!!

2005-01-23T20:38:00.000-05:00

Emergency Information: All School District of Philadelphia Schools will be CLOSED on Monday, January 24, 2005.

AND....

The Jinx Is Dead: Eagles Going To Super Bowl!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-01-23T09:22:00.000-05:00

Snow, yes....but is it enough to get me out of school tomorrow?? THAT is the important question!

2005-01-23T09:20:00.000-05:00

I liked this picture so much I mad it the wallpaper on my computer!

2005-01-23T09:19:00.000-05:00

Whiteout!

2005-01-23T09:17:00.000-05:00

Lovely...but Boring!!

2005-01-22T14:00:00.000-05:00

I do love a good snowstorm, but man, being stuck inside for awhile gets reallly boring!! Especially when your cable has been out for the past 4 hours. Don't these people know that there is a snowstorm out there and that it is their job to keep me entertained??? BAD COMCAST!!! Now normally when I'm bored, I would just call Cathy or Dave, but I think I'll pass on that since I don't want to interrupt any snow playing time with the kids or any, ahem, rabbit activities .... Maybe I'll use this boring time to clean my apartment which so desperatly needs it!!! Thank God for dial-up internet! (There's a sentence I never thought I'd say!!!)

Enjoy all this pretty snow!

Comments Are All F&^%$D Up!!

2005-01-20T01:42:00.000-05:00

For some unknown, unexplained reason, there are two spots to comment on my blog entries. I think they both work, the one on the left is Blogger Comments, which appeared out of nowhere about 15 minutes ago. The one on the right is the usual Comment This that I have been using. I don't know how to get rid of/convert to blogger comments without losing all the comments from previous posts. Suggestions?? My, this has been a prolific night. I'm off to bed!

In Honor of the 'Inauguration'..

2005-01-20T01:24:00.000-05:00

Sung to the tune of "My Favorite Things" ..

The Bushes We Know
Gov'nors and Pres'dents with I.Q.s of plankton
Killing Iraqis with bombing and sanctions
Daughters behaving like booze-guzzling hos

These are a few of the Bushes we know!

Cov'ring for rich corporations that blow it
Stealing elections, not caring who knows it
Felons in rehab with coke on their nose..

These are a few of the Bushes we know!

When I dwell on my shortcomings
And it makes me sad,
I simply remember the Bushes we know
And then I don't feel so bad!

She Sounds So Different Than My Imagination Said She Did!!

2005-01-19T23:31:00.000-05:00

For all you loyal Dooce fans out there, you should be aware that Heather Armstrong was recently interviewed on NPR about being fired from her job because of her blog. There is an actual audio link to the interview, and OH MY GOD, she sounds nothing like I imagined!!!!! That's my little stalkerism for the day! (I'm harmless, I promise!)

Snow, Glorious Snow!!!

2005-01-19T16:00:00.000-05:00

I love snow!!!! Even though it took me over an hour to get home today due to accidents and stupid drivers, I still love it!! It's so pretty and so much fun! And they are promising more for this weekend, sounds like it might even be a good-sized storm..so hope for snow, turn your pj's inside out before you go to bed, and maybe we'll get some more of the white stuff. Off to watch the 4pm NBC10 weather tease!

Things That PISS ME OFF!!

2005-01-18T22:20:00.000-05:00

"Drug addicts may adopt children, homosexuals may not."

What is WRONG with these people?????