3 day work weeks..how it should be

This 3-day workweek is fabulous...it's times like these that I am thankful I don't live in the MidWest or those other "square-shaped" states. Jersey is diverse... and because of that diversity...schools close for more holidays...Or at least my school closes... Because of Rosh Hashanah, we got this Thursday and Friday off.

3 day workweeks are fabulous. Why can't work be like this all the time?

I just feel so full of energy this morning...and I am restored back to life b/c our phone is working again too. There's been this technology stormcloud hovering over my head... anything technological has just been breaking on me lately. The other day our phone just died. The funniest thing was calling the phone company and hearing the customer service rep read from a sheet of paper in a monotone voice: "Yes, ma'am, I understand your disappointment at not having a phone line. Please listen and I can assist you with testing the line and seeing if the connection is bad." She also proceeded to tell me to "make sure" everything was plugged in because maybe that was the problem. Argh.

But now this morning the phone is working again.... it wasnt really like I missed it... but I do like the feel of a "house phone" against my ear better than the feel of a cell phone.

Am SO content with this weather...no more gross 100% humidity days and air that you could "cut with a knife." What a stupid cliche.

It's September and even though it is back-to-school time, fun stuff is on the way....apple picking [last year John and I bought 50 pounds of apples...and ate them ALL...and did NOT make apple pie or anything...just regular apple-eating...that's how we roll]. Soon the leaves will be changing and it will be sweater time... I LOVE sweaters... and Halloween is just around the corner. Once again, I face the conflict of only seeing sluttified costumes online. Might be a butterfly. VERY girly costume, I know, but ever since Amy highlighted my hair...I've felt more and more like a girly-girl everyday.

Preppin' and Steppin'

Less than 12 hours until I see the "little brats" again. That's what a member of our school's construction crew referred to the students as. Can't say I completely disagree. Looked over my class lists and didn't see any kids that I am completely dreading to have in class. Do have "B." again... he is this "portly" child who is completely lazy. Which came first, the portliness or the laziness, I ask? His handwriting is horrible and there seems to be some motor issues involved, but I just want to chalk it up to obesity and laziness ;-) I also have the "exhibitionist" in class...again. I wasn't graced with his presence in 7th grade, but as an 8th grader, he is enrolled in my class. Hopefully, I won't have to send him to the nurse again in order for her to tell him to stop rubbing himself during class. If I have to send him out again this year, I think I will just flip and be like, "Get the fuck out, now."

So, I am nervous, moreso anxious, about starting back to school tomorrow. The classroom is ready and I think I made the classroom space more logical than ever. Good feng shui... maybe. I have seating charts and a few extra things to do before tomorrow but instead of doing them after in-service today, I came home and relaxed a bit. Then went to the first step class for the new session. The instructor was obsessed with making us do this one particular step pattern that was hellish. She was walking around and "monitoring," and commanding us like a drill sergeant. Sadistic people should think of careers as exercise instructors.

After step, headed to the shoestore and to Marshalls...ANYTHING to not have to think about tomorrow. It's not that I am completely dreading work. Year 6 shouldn't be too bad... it's just getting back into the whole grind. I like the unstructured element of my summers. Now it's back to waking up early, making lunch, wearing "nice" clothes, grading quizzes/responses, going to faculty meetings, calling parents...argh.

But...looking on the bright side, next week's only a 3-day week... and it's payday too!

Back to school...

I can't EVER complain about having summer vacation. I thought about this today as I drove home in 5:00 traffic. Peering in other car windows (because why should I keep my eye on the road?), I noticed tons of sad/pissed off/annoyed faces. Color is washed from people's complexions and they just sit, stone-faced, waiting for the next traffic light to change or the next car lane to move a bit faster. Working 9-5 has to SUCK...especially during summertime when there's beautiful weather.

I keep hearing people say, "The summer went so fast; I can't believe it's over." People always make statements like that---statements about how quickly time passes. Come October, people will comment, "I can't believe how the weather has changed." Come November, you'll hear "Can you believe it is already November? Before you know it, it'll be Christmas."

I feel like summer passed at just the right pace...not super fast, but certainly not at snail's rate slowness either.

So, summer wrap up. Went to Ocean City for the last week of June. Enjoyed some beach time and pigged out on every indulgence known to man. Spent July taking a summer class which, for the most part, was "painless." Went to the beach 2 more times, all day and for Sunday night movies-on-the-beach. Went to see Poison! For August, went to the beach 2 more times. Saw Lisa for the first time in a full year and things were just like they always were---good times. Went karaoking at a gay bar---rite of passage. Read a few books. Worked part-time at the library. Went to the Def Leppard concert...the last "real" tailgating extravaganza before the whole Ozzfest arrests/ two deaths debacle. If PNC gets rid of the tailgating concept altogether, I will be so pissed. In between these "big events," was more relaxation.

It was a good, relaxing summer. I wish I had gone to the beach more though. I swear, when I lived in Toms River, I never took advantage of being so close to the beach. Now that I am up in North Jersey, I miss it so much...

Feel semi-ready for next week. I can't believe it is my 6th year in the same teaching position! That makes me feel a lot more comfortable. While I am always adapting lesson plans/ideas, it's good to KNOW the material I am teaching and have past experiences with ideas on how I will teach that material. This year, I am thinking about having a class reading blog. I don't want it to be a graded activity...just an arena where students can post comments on favorite books, movie adaptations, comment on movie adaptations, songs, etc. Also might incorporate Thornton Wilder's Our Town into the Reading course. Am looking into new teen-ish books to add to my course. Am not exactly excited about starting work again...I like sitting around, reading, and sleeping in...but if I have to do something, teaching works for me.

Don't plan on sitting in benny traffic this weekend but next weekend... I think I will make a beach trek. Gotta keep up with the tan:)

Warcraft Ben

Before delving into Warcraft Ben, let me just say that E! channel is playing Pleasantville for probably the 10th time this week. I LOVE this movie....

Warcraft Ben has been a "fixture" at the library where I work for over a week---it's official. Last Monday night, during my 5-8pm shift, I noticed him. The remainder of the week he came into the library for hours on end. It was bizarre---I'd be there for a 4 hour shift and so would Warcraft Ben. Sitting at a table smack dab in the middle of the library, hovered over his computer, eyes squinted to the screen, face contorted into a look of intensity. He had greyish crazy hair---think Albert Einstein. He had greyish crazy hair, but this week he got a haircut and looks less wacky and even "handsome." He's young...I can't pinpoint the age though; I'm horrible at that. Not young as in 20s, but young as in he has grey hair but isnt 40+. Maybe mid 30s. Wow, I guess I can tell I am getting older if mid 30s if I easily classify mid 30s as young. He usually has on a dress shirt and khakis, as well as the type of blazer or jacket that a university professor would wear.

Last week, toward the end of the week, I finally got a glimpse of what he was so engrossed in. I saw a colorful moving screen, chatting at the bottom of the screen, and ... recognized it as Warcraft. Whereas I previously thought he was a weirdo, I now had some sort of perspective on him. John plays Warcraft and is on the computer ALL the time. I, in a smartass way, asked, "Can't you just play for an hour and then stop?" He went into a diatribe on how the game is played in real-world-time and just because you stop playing doesn't the game stops. I guess I can relate...kind of...despite the fact that it was released in the early 90s, I still am quite obsessed with Tetris. I play it on John's DS Lite. At this point, I've destroyed the DS Lite and as of yesterday it wasnt working. I could play Tetris on the Gamecube but for some insane reason, I quite enjoy ruining my eyesight on the 4" x 4" screen.

Back to Ben.

Saw him again today. The guy is totally nice and "normal" with the exception of the fact that he comes to the library in work clothes and is playing Warcraft all day. Can't figure it out. Skipping out from work to go to library and play Warcraft? Doesnt make sense. Playing Warcraft at library to hide addiction from girlfriend? Maybe...

Anyway, the guy fascinates me. Today someone sneezed and amidst the SILENCE of the library, Warcraft Ben said "Bless you," loudly. When he left tonight ...at closing time...with the rest of the staff...he got into a bright red Acura sporty car. Weird. I would've taken him for a Corolla or Prius type of guy.

And...his name isn't really Ben. Just my name for him. I always envision Benjamins as having curly hair... and just being calm, introverted types. So until his real name is exposed, he shall remain as Warcraft Ben.

No time, there's never any time

Quick pop-culture question. Who uttered these "famous" lines:
" No time/ There's never any time!/ I don't have time to study/ I''ll never get into Stanford/
I'll let everyone down/ I'm so confused."

An even bigger hint is here:


Damn, I love Saved by the Bell. I feel so bad for kids today. They don't have any fun, cheesy "teen" shows to watch. All that's on now is Laguna Beach, My Sweet 16, and other crap.

It's getting down to the end of summer now. One week left until we have our in-service days. 2 in-service days and then the kids come back on Thursday and Friday. Just ordered a bunch of cheesy (but only semi-cheesy) posters and bookmarks online. Am beginning to update my course outline and get other teaching materials ready.

I would never complain about not having enough time-- 2 months+ seems "sufficient." I just feel like I didn't get that much done this summer. I guess that's kind of the point of summer, relaxing and having a good time. I did work a little bit and took a summer class, so I guess that is accomplishment of some sort. I just can't believe that this time next week I will have to wake up early and get back into the whole Monday-Friday grind.

So I guess what I'm saying is that in times like these, I sometimes do "connect" with SBTB's Jessie Spano... even with the whole caffeine addiction thing. I'm not a coffee drinker so in the mornings I sometimes "rev" up with caffeine pills... A lame addiction indeed. This summer, however, I was classy and got into drinking Red Bull... I'll have to stock up for next week.

RAIN!!!!

Once again, another day filled with rain. Rainy days crack me up. People go into a frenzy. The roads are suddenly chaotic. Stores are filled with people because god forbid you stay inside and "read" on a bad-weather day. Then there's the other side of the spectrum. People who think that if rain hits their body that it will somehow turn them to ice or a stone statue. Those people stay at home ALL day, watching channel 61 weather channel, silently urging the rain to stop.

Today I read for a little bit. Am now reading Brighton Beach Memoirs. John's mom always talk about it so I decided to read it. I like it. Yes, what a thought-provoking statement. What I like best is how when I read it, I can hear each of the characters in my mind. Yes, I know that this is an element of reading---the whole imagination "thang"---but if the author writes like shit, then it is less likely you will be able to imagine scenes and characters' voices. Will have to try to some more Neil Simon plays.

Also made a trek to Kohls for some "back to school" shopping. So did the rest of NJ. The store wasnt crowded; that wasn't the problem. It was just that every piece of clothing that I liked was not available in my size.

Clothing stores, in general, annoy me. I think because more Americans are oevrweight that the stores are adjusting their sizes. For the most part, I take a medium or even sometimes a small in shirts. There is NO WAY that in reality I am a medium...but I think clothing stores are just making clothing bigger and putting smaller size #s on them.

Another thing that frustrates me is the whole misses, ladies, womens, petites, juniors, etc categories. Why are junior sizes odd numbers and "regular" sizes even numbers? I just try on whatever I like--keep it simple...kind of.

I don't know- I have this extremely dumb theory about obesity and "years ago." When I think back to when I was a kid, they didnt have tons of LARGE sizes. They didn't have teen plus-size stores such as Torrid. I recall once having to buy Husky-brand boys' jeans because they didnt have my size in girls' jeans. In short, years ago, if you were fat, you were stylistically screwed.

Now you can be a size 26W and find "trendy" clothing. I think that it's good...but also bad. My stupid theory is that because there were not tons of readily available plus-size clothing stores years ago that it somehow kept people in a certain body-frame category. I don't know if the so-called theory makes sense.

Anyway, I ended up getting a skirt for work (size 6...HELLO...i am not "really" a size 6). And I got a shirt for John. I love shopping for guys' shirts... so easy...small, med, large, XL...no intelligence required.

On an ending note, I have a strange urge to hear Danzig's "Mother." I might just finally cave in to Itunes and buy something. Usually I prefer just buying a whole album...but..not in this case.

Ink on the hand

I remember when I was a kid that if you had something written on your hand, adults would bombard you with what I now believe to be urban legend-esque types of responses. The most popular one was that if you wrote on your hand, the ink would seep into your skin and "bad things" would happen.

After having written countless reminders on my hands for years, I now deem the whole ink-seeping-into-hand-and-wreaking-havoc stories to be bullshit :)

On my left hand, I've written the word "PAPER." I have to keep reminding myself to finish my paper for my summer class. We have to email it to the professor by noon tomorrow. I'm such an idiot... I was working on the paper here and there, a little bit each day this week. Did nothing on it yesterday. Now it's Saturday and I have one lesson plan left [it's a unit plan paper/project thang]. It just seems stupid to nearly finish the assignment and then...stop. I'm the same way with other tasks. Take running, instance....um, in my case we will use the word "jogging." I'll jog like a [SLOW] maniac and then toward the end of my goal, I will completely slow down...the direct opposite of what you should do. I'm always like that with things...do tons of stuff in the beginning and then complete the task at a snail's pace. Personality quirk, I suppose.

I want to try to drive down to the beach tomorrow morning so I guess I should hurry up with this paper. At the rate of how much I am in the sun, I will look like Magda from There's Something about Mary in no time. When I saw that movie for the first time, I thought it was so funny. It loses its appeal, exponentially, upon later viewings. I hate when that happens.

Simple Joys in Life

I remember a few years back there was a published book called 14,000 Things to Be Happy About:http://www.amazon.com/14-000-Things-Happy-About/dp/0894803700/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-4427841-0086322?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185844946&sr=8-2
My friend's mom owned it and we used to make fun of the book. They had things such as (from Amazon excerpt): "pajamas at breakfast," "the feel of rug under bare feet," and "the position of your head as you bite into a taco." We thought it was hilarious that Lisa's mom had this book. She would even highlight all of the "happy things" she had experienced. It seemed kind of wishy-washy and hippieish...a "mom" kind of book.

Years later, I found the book at a garage sale or used book sale and picked up a copy. Am not sure where it is not though.

Driving to Montclair today, I had a happy moment... and there were a few more by the end of the evening. This kind of experience is a rarity when you're driving on a highway that, no matter what time it is, still seems to be congested and at full capacity.

So this is my mini-list from today---things to be happy about:

1) Driving and sticking your left hand out the driver-side window----palm facing out, feeling the strong wind as it tries to bypass you... getting a steady breeze mixed in with the vents of your car's fan function.

2) Going 70mph on route 46....somehow it happened tonight, I don't know how.

3) Driving along a highway or road and smelling fresh, bakery smells. Tonight there was the scent of baked cinnamon-raisin bread as I drove down the highway. The smell quickly disappeared and was replaced by a combination of fatty butter and old gymsock smells. Oh well, can't win 'em all.

4) Hearing a song on the radio that you do not know the name or artist of, but simply love....

5) Making friendly, warm eye contact with another driver on the road...maybe even both simultaneously smiling at one another....

Only 13,996 more ideas and I can publish 14,001 Things to Be Happy About...

Feelings on my 27th year

"It's my birthday!!!" (said in an annoying, loud, shrill like that of a 15-year-old wearing an I heart me shirt)

Today did officially suck. No birthday tragedies or anything...just a boring day. Worked at the library from 9-3, scurried to put finishing touches on a presentation/assignment for class, then went to class. Ended up that I didn't have to present tonight afterall because we ran out of time. That was kind of annoying but it's better I got the whole assignment out of the way before the weekend anyway. Will present next week. Tonight we're going to see the midnight showing of The Simpsons movie... since I've watched the show since 4th grade, I feel I owe it to myself to see the movie. I can't believe that show has been on for SO long. I literally grew up with it.

Back to birthday talk...I guess as you get older, birthdays aren't that big of a deal. I know women freak out about getting older; I don't really understand why. No one says just because you're 40, you have to get a "mom haircut" and "let yourself go."

My birthday years have kind of gone backwards actually, in terms of how I regard myself. Ages 14-19 sucked royally. I was fat, had acne, had no sense of style whatsoever, was shy and weak-ish, and had horrible hair. You can tell these years were miserable because my photo album isn't as full as it could be for those given years.

Late 19 and on have been pretty good... I lost weight by basically eating TONS of salad and fruit... and all you can eat sort of regimen... and just feel better about myself. I think I'm less reserved now and even a little bit feisty, at appropriate times. 1st year of teaching was horrible, but other than that, things are fine.

Now at 27, I can look at myself and see an attractive YOUNG woman... both physically and mentally... there's tons of things I want to improve about myself, but not too much I would change if I could.

To repeat that cliche, I've heard countless times (which someone has inevitably written to me via email or bday card): "Hope this year's the best one yet!"

Rainy day dumb DJs

Ok, so today's torrential rainfall warranted some "thematic" music on the radio...something in connection to the weather...maybe the Carpenters' "Rainy Days and Mondays;" perhaps a little bit of "It's Raining Men;" or maybe the most logical Billboard-friendly choice, Rihanna's "Umbrella." Djs are idiots. Instead, I would turn from station to station and hear the same crap...the Chris Daughtry "I'm Coming Home" song; that Pink "U and UR Hand" song [good in step aerobics class, but that's about it]; or Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry."

I kind of secretly love rainy days. If I have to work at school, rainy days suck. I get up, make myself look presentable, wear "nice work clothes," and even style my hair--- only to get to work with frizzy hair and raindrops scattered on my clothing. Working at the library during the summer is much better for rainy days... it's a good place to be. Or staying in bed and watching documentaries...or reading...good rainy day activities.

I find "umbrella trends" fascinating. 99% of the males that I saw today were either 1] being macho and walking through the rain torrents as if they didn't notice them or 2] using black, navy blue, or dark grey umbrellas. I saw one guy with an earth-toned plaid umbrella. Based on his umbrella use alone, if I was single, I'd date him.

Ladies run the gammut with the motifs and designs on their umbrellas. Most that I saw today were solid colors. I have a feeling this is an East coast phenomenon. I bet people in Florida use vividly colored umbrellas, or umbrellas with cheesy beach themes. I saw someone today who had a Winnie the Pooh umbrella. I'd bet money that she was an elementary school teacher. You just know. Someone else had this reddish/ivory umbrella that looked like a watercolor painting of a radish.

Me, I used to use a black umbrella. Last week, I turned a new leaf. My new umbrella is black [conservative] with brightly colored polka dots [wild]---a perfect twist for an NJ girl.

(Umbrellas #4, Pastel, by Robert Weinstein )
http://www.robertweinsteinart.com/

Thursday night frenzy

I'm in a frenzy tonight... last class of the week... more homework ADDED to the original syllabus... but it's the END of the week.... I've been drinking a Red Bull before class each night--just because otherwise I feel "out of it." During class, I am usually calm, but focused. When I come home from class, however, I am a spaz. Tonight I feel like going out somewhere (um, karaoke); it's like all my friends have ESP and can sense I am calling them for karaoke-endeavor-requests. I called four people and no one answered their phones :-(

So, instead it's just another evening inside...watching The Office and Scrubs. NBC's Thursday lineup is truly fantastic. Scrubs is amazing because the theme song is a mere 11 or 12 words...

We're watching Smokin' Aces tonight..."movie night." John promised that he will WATCH the movie and not play WOW. He said he might have to occasionally get up from the couch and press the space (aka "jump") key. I'm fine with that. I don't really want to see this movie all that much but Jeremy Piven and Ryan Reynolds are in it...I think I'll survive just fine.

Trembling Blue Stars...and exercise

Felt like listening to a CD...an actual, REAL CD...and not just some digital mix of songs. Actually, despite Itunes and all of the music available online, I still prefer buying CDs; there's something exciting about holding a CD in your hand and discovering the liner notes and inside cover art. Anyway, I went through my CD collection and came upon Trembling Blue Stars' album, Broken by Whispers. Don't know if I have ever listened to the CD straight through, but, damn, what a good name for a band!

Went to the gym tonight. Argh, this blog is becoming "The Exercise Files." Told myself I'd run a mile. It's not like I haven't completed that feat before but during vacation, I was LAZY as could be. I also consumed many soft "Philly-style" pretzels, funnelcakes, pizza, etc. So lately I've been getting back into the gym routine. I go after my night class--get to the gym around 9PM. I find that I exercise REALLY well at that time of day.

Anyway, I huffed, puffed, and probably mouthed a few curse words, but made it through my mile. My legs now have that jellyish feeling running through them. I think that might be a good thing.

Interesting thing about the 9PM timeslot at the gym. There's this other guy who comes in nightly, at the same time as me...or around the same time. He's in his 30s, I guess---I've never been good at the age guessing game. He intrigues me because he looks like a gentle soul: dark hair, dark eyes, calm face. He wears a tshirt tucked into his jogging shorts or sweatpants. I find that odd. I don't know... it just seems to be such a put-together ensemble for the gym. He also wears black sneakers. I've always seen black sneakers as "dorky." Anyway, the fact that we seem to follow the same time routine and even exercise routine (treadmill/elliptical) just intrigues me. I wonder if he eats dinner at 5:00 and before going to the gym pops in a few TV shows on DVD. Just wondering. He looks like he would be named something like Mel. I don't know why. Or maybe James. But a lot of people probably look like they could be named James.

Stop shaking your leg...NOW!

Flash's tail is resting on the keyboard as I type this. Lately, he's been sitting near me whenever I am at the computer. He's been affectionate ever since we got back from vacation. Lola's the direct opposite...she's been distant and kind of bitchy. We think she is going through her "teenage" cat years...Flash went through a similar, unaffectionate phase after he was a kitten.

I've taken a few grad school classes now and some people seem to never change, in regard to habits. In no ranking order, these are the 4 MOST annoying types of classmates to have in a room with you.

1] The Obsessive Highlighter ("highlighter" being used as a noun referring to "one who highlights")
The obsessive highlighters aren't super-abundant in grad school but I know they're out there. These are the people that may be reading in the assigned text before class or following along on a certain page with the professor--- they have the inclination to highlight practically the whole page... so instead of mostly white pages with some "important" pieces of the text highlighted, you instead have a whole page of pink, yellow, green, or orange. And the highlighter (marker this time) makes that irritating squeaky noise, line by line.

2] The Shaker
This is the person who, OF COURSE, is sitting next to YOU and keeps shaking their leg for the whole duration of class. I just want to throw a heavy steel plate on their leg and make them stop.

3] The Quoter
So pretentious...some ignorant ass who really knows or understands nothing, but feels inclined to quote tons of other "thinkers" and "intellectuals." Quotes are fine, substantiating ideas is fine....THE Quoter goes above and beyond...

4] The Insecure Participant
I find it so annoying when someone persistently prefaces a statement, opinion, or viewpoint with something like "I know this is a stupid question, but..." or "I'm probably wrong, but..." I don't know what's up with those people. If you truly think you're most likely wrong or that what you're about to say can be categorized as "stupid," why participate in the first place? Wait for a better moment in the discussion and participate in a non-stupid, correct way. Females tend to fill the insecure participant category more than males. What happened to girl power? Thank god The Spice Girls are reuniting for a tour...

Pedometer nerd

To show my nerd status, let me first say that I enjoy how prefixes and roots create words. For example, the "ped" means "foot" and "meter" refers to "measurement," thus leading to a device that measures footsteps. I guess it was some time last year that there was this real push to get us sedentary Americans to walk more---at least 10,000 steps a day. Pedometers were sold everywhere, real cheap too. For awhile McDonald's even sold a "fitness meal" (kind of like a Happy Meal, but for obese adults instead of the kiddies). I don't know if they still sell it. With the exception of my consumption of McDonald's surged by intoxication a few months ago, I haven't had McDonald's since I saw Super Size Me. Anyway, the fitness meals came with a free pedometer, an incentive to start making the oath to walk 10,000 steps a day and get on track to better fitness.

On a sidenote, I've heard (I think from that Super Size Me doc.) that McDonald's puts sugar in their foods, even their "healthy" foods. Don't know how healthy the fitness meals really are.

Anyway, back to the topic. Ok, on our recent vacation, I drove everyone crazy. I had my pedometer on all the time, seeing if I made the 10,000 step mark. For the most part, I did do the 10,000 steps (5 miles!) daily, just from walking on the boardwalk and walking into town to shop.

I wore my pedometer today to see how much I walk during a typical day. Had a workshop at school and was walking around the building at various times. Had a class at Montclair and was walking around campus, to the bookstore, library, and then to class. At the foodstore, I purposely parked far away so as to walk a little more. It i now 9:15, the end of my walking for the day, and I've only gone 8,717 steps (about 4 miles). I know it's not a big deal and I am obviously getting a bit obsessive, but the whole thing just makes me realize---- if during the "typical" day, I moderately walk around and do not make this 10,000 step minimum, what about people who are truly sedentary? Or what about those days when I stay inside and watched 3 movies in a row, doing nothing else all day? God, no wonder why so many Americans are overweight.

Ok, so I don't have time tonight to fix the under 10,000 step debacle but...I think from now on I am going to make a promise to myself to get in the 10,000 steps daily...the 10,000 steps will NOT include working out at the gym-- that's extra.

What a blah post--although there was some foreshadowing, being that the title of the post was "Pedometer nerd."

'Til another time...

Summer is simply coasting by,...

I can't believe that we're already 3 weeks into summer. I totally cannot complain--I went on vacation to Ocean City, spent my friend's birthday with her in A.C., and went to the beach the other day too. A lot of people don't even get to do that list of things within the whole summer. I just feel the ultimate need to make the most of my free time in the summer.

My summer class starts tonight... was hoping that the professor would have an abbreviated class schedule. We are supposed to meet Monday through Thursday from 5-7pm... according to the course syllabus we will be meeting each one of those nights until the end of the course. I HATE driving on route 46 and driving on route 46 during rush hour (um....a duration of time which begins around 3pm and ends way past 7) is miserable.

John and I have been doing South Beach Diet for almost a week. Even though we've been staying within the "phase 1 menu," I have the feeling that we will somehow defy the diet and either end up gaining weight or just staying what we are. Yesterday I had a binge---ate about 9 sugar-free fudgesicles. I guess that's not much of a binge but I don't think fudgesicle gorge sessions are part of the diet.

You know how you can buy virtually anything online? Case in point: People that play World of Warcraft can actually buy "game money" via ebay... virtual money...it's crazy. Anyway, I wish I could buy self-control online. I could be so much more productive in all facets of my life....

Old habits die hard...

"Old habits die hard"- I like that phrase...it's semi-overused so maybe it's considered a cliche...I'm not sure...but I like it!

Just got back from Ocean City..am remembering back to this past week...I'd sit out on the balcony in a beachchair, simultaneously reading a book and peoplewatching. Made a little oath to myself that when I got back here, I'd try to sit outside more and stay away from TV and the computer... and look at where I am, about 2 hours after I got home... oh well...

Read some wonderful "chick lit" on vacation...Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner [yes, we were all immature and making fun of the author's last name] and Smart Women by Judy Blume. Judy Blume hasn't written that many books for adults, but I love her "adult books." John makes fun of me... :-)

Am REALLY looking forward to this summer... I'm only 9 days into summer vacation and feel like I've accomplished a lot...of...relaxation. My summer class starts on 7/9 and I am looking forward to it...although the M/T/W/H 5-7pm schedule is ridiculous... what genius came up with that time slot? I plan on being a lunatic and leaving my apartment around 3ish everyday...will stop at Barnes and Noble and read for awhile before class... I can't deal with route 46 traffic...

On a different note, I hope that during this summer I NEVER have to hear the music melange that I heard on the beach the other day---Bruce Springsteen AND Sublime...I get the reason for Springsteen tunes--- NJ, man! And I get the reason for listening to Sublime on the beach--- very laidback and poseur-reggae...but... both honestly suck.

I wouldn't mind hearing someone sing Boyz to Men aloud though...classic clip...poor Mom...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j97V-aMjeTk

"South Jersey" Adventures...

I find it humorous how such a small state like NJ could attract native residents to vacation spots. North Jerseyans act like anything below exit 100 on the parkway is a different country. In a way, it is... the whole boardwalk "culture," an abundance of CHEAP thrift shops, signs for activities like paintballing and racecar tracks, Confederate flags AS window coverings, ...

We've been down in Ocean City for the past few days...will be here until Saturday. Our rental house is literally in walking distance to the beach. I can easily imagine myself going to the beach daiy: basking in the sun for most of the time, reading a lot, and occasionally hopping into the water for refreshment. And the abundance of awesome boardwalk food... undescribeable... John and I have already made an oath to start South Beach upon our return "up north."

Tonight I went to A.C. and gambled for the first real time. I previously had done the slot machines but they provide no amusement. You lose your money fast [and you ALWAYS lose] and there's no sense of control in the game. You press buttons, the machine determines when it will stop, and if you're lucky, you win 25 cents.

We played BlackJack tonight... Floyd was our dealer... I was a bit wary of him...there were only 3 of us at the table and he was making "small talk." It just felt weird...because I knew that, inevitably, we'd be losing money to this guy.

John lost his "gambling money" within about 10 minutes... my heart was racing as fast as it ever has. I can see how people get a rush from gambling. Even when you're losing, you keep betting more chips, thinking that somehow you'll be lucky the next round, the adrenaline increasing and increasing.

When I played, there was this old man at our table. He said he was down at the tables because he couldn't sleep and had nothing else to do. He had bloodshot eyes and looked completely out of it, but looked endearing at the same time.

Ended up losing 25 of the 100 I started out with...I didn't quite "get" the us-against-dealer concept and said "hit me" when I had 13 and the dealer was showing a 5...or something like that. It all ended up okay but apparently you're supposed to play the game like you're all in it together, against the dealer. I think that's dumb--- everyone is an individual player, right? I even mentioned capitalism to the other player, the old man... every man for himself. Luckily, I think he was humored.

So...we technically came back from A.C. as losers... but it was definitely fun... makes me have bigger interest in visiting Vegas...John and I had always wanted to go to see the shows out there, but now I think I'd have a slight interest in the gambling too...

John's cousin was laughing at my "cheapness" (I like to call it frugality...)-- no matter WHAT, I would not double down during my card deals...

Next time I go to A.C., I'd like to dress like a hip, younger version of an old lady in A.C. --- flashy colors and all, a little gold lame (accent mark above the "e") here and there...

Poetry ...at last

A co-worker and I were bitching about teaching the other day. Actually, I guess I was bitching about it and she was listening and just keeping a straight face and nodding "Uh huh, uh huh," the whole time. I was saying how I used to write all the time, mostly poetry although I did write some really short narrative pieces. It basically comes down to this: my job (and students!) have sucked the creativity out of my brain. Seriously, one of those little bastards from my first year of teaching is now walking around with my creativity in their mind... well, maybe not.

We can say, "Make time if it's important," "Make time for yourself," blah blah blah. But it doesn't happen all too often...at least not with me.

The other night, after the whole bacon/food frenzy fiasco, I fell asleep for 3+ hours. This led to me being wide AWAKE at midnight and after. I actually wrote a "pome" [I hate when people pronounce it like that]. It's kind of teen angsty, but I'm proud of myself. Still could use some editing.

My eyes used to be bright,
Wide open like a child.
Contemplative repose
mixed with excitement.
Hundreds of blue flecks
collided together
and exploded
into vivid orbs.
There was celebration in my eyes.

Now the bright blue
has been splashed with a milky gray,
disappointment casting a shadow.

I sometimes purposely
try to open my eyes wide.
If I look as if I feel wonder,
then maybe I will.

You can only try so many times,
to widen something
that has undoubtedly been closed.

I pigged out...ah, I feel good.

Work sucked today! I feel like having a drill put into my head and having all the brain matter taken out. Then, I could walk around in a catatonic state and have nothing bother me. There was a character in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest that was like that. Yeah, I want to be like him.

The students are just not "into" working. 6th and 7th graders aren't too bad but my 8th graders are lazier than ever. No matter what I try to do to make lessons "engaging" or "meaningful," they just do nothing. The only way they shut up is if I have classtime where they passively sit, and I read aloud. Yay for read alouds. But then it is literally me doing all the work...which is, I guess why they like it so much.

Seriously though, I had the biggest headache at work today. I have to keep biting my tongue to keep all my nasty, mean thoughts inside.

Got home from work today and gorged... one of those weird stress-filled eating frenzies where you have the oddest combo of foods: 2 nectarines, 1 orange, 6 pieces of bacon, almonds and miscellaneous "fruit mix," and cheese. Not the best snack, but it turned out being dinner so I guess that's ok. I fell asleep for 4 straight hours.

I just want the schoolyear to end so I can enjoy my time because, at this point, the time we have left is just pointless. 10 more days, two of them 1/2 days. In the meantime, maybe I'll research into that brain drilling phenomenon. I saw them do something like that on House last night.

Nature! Goulet....

Even off of the main highway of Route 46, nature can be found. I was incredibly lazy today. Previous plans for today were pretty "lite" to begin with: go the gym, go to the mall (looking for summer "hippieish" shirts-- paisley prints and all that jazz), and buy lightbulbs. Not too difficult. Well, I sat around all day. Watched Green Street Hooligans, which was actually pretty good--- although Elijah Wood annoys me. He has looked the same since he was in that Mel Gibson movie where Gibson goes into the future, or something like that. I find Elijah Wood to be kind of wimpy.

Anyway, at 9:00, I finally ventured out. Was taking the trash to the apartment's garbage "area" and caught a quick glimpse of a skunk. There was no way I was going near the garbage cans. Left my trash bags near the parking lot, with the intention of throwing them out when I got back from the store. That was nature sighting #1.

Nature sighting #2 was on my way to turn onto route 46. Caught a glimpse of a deer, staring straight ahead into my headlights.

Bought lightbulbs, check.

Nature sighting #3: When I got back, I went over to the trash bags that I still needed to deposit in the official trash area. A raccoon popped out from amongst the bags. Guess there was some good stuff in the bags because he had burrowed his way through the bags and garbage was all over.

It's kind of funny, actually. Tonight it is raining like crazy...and all these animals are out. I can almost imagine all of them convening in the woods: "Okay, there's bad weather all around. The humans will be staying inside all evening. It's party time for us! Go! Rummage through garbage, gather with friends, let's take back the night!"