Regular readers, if there are any, will note that I’m back after a day or two of hiatus. This was not deliberate – we think the cat, or possibly the kids, severed our connection. As a result, our IP was changed, and it took a while to get everything back on-line.
And, after all that, this is the only new post. Was it worth the wait?
U can make a difference
In today’s Gazette, Bill Brownstein’s column is devoted to examining the excesses of well-to-do pet owners. Apparently one can purchase booties for one’s dog, to protect against the cold and mess of winter.
Said booties feature “rubber souls.”
Meanwhile, in Iowa, the Democratic hopefuls are campaigning non-stop. In an article from the New York Times, Diane Cardwell reports on how the lack of sleep is affecting the various candidates.
The Gazette reprinted the article – I’m not sure which venerable journal was responsible for the questionable hyphenation.
John Kerry, it seems, “is alternately on-point or irritable, sometimes miss-peaking…”
Getting in Touch with my Inner Bitch
I heard about the Bitch Test on the radio the other day, and was reminded by mellowkitty, who, by the way, is waaaaaaay less bitchy.
Monkeying Around
Inspired by the 12 Monkeys Project, here are the jobs I’ve held, in essentially chronological order:
1. Babysitter: as Bill points out, typical girl job.
2. Retail sales clerk: low points – working at Le Chateau, where the store policy is you must make contact with the clientele at least once a minute, whether or not said clientele is “just looking.”
F*%&$ Cold
It’s -40.
Not including the wind chill.
That’s -40.
Regardless of scale.
I hear it’s only -29 C in Montreal…
Welcome
Well, after months of saying “y’know, we should really do this,” we’ve finally done it. Thanks to Moveable Type, Andrew, and Steve, my blog has a new home.
This is a week filled with movement – not only has my blog been relocated, but I am writing this very entry in my cozy new office! I’ve moved upstairs, so I’m now with the rest of the English department, and I have the office to myself.
My first day of teaching is tomorrow. In the meantime, I’ve been hauling books upstairs, washing desks and shelves, dismantling ancient PCs to make room for my laptop, and, when I have a minute or two, planning my courses.
More later!!
Attention, Mile-High clubbers!
Scrap your plans for the orgy at 30,000.
The US Transportation Security Administration, like many kindergarten teachers, has decided that inflight, we can only go to the bathroom one at a time. Yes, that’s right – the USTSA “are now requiring that passengers on flights to the U.S. are not to congregate in groups in any areas of the aircraft, especially around lavatories,” according to one airline spokesperson.
Sounds like prom night. I bet the USTSA would kick you right off the plane if they found that flask of Southern Comfort in your pocket.
Reverse Psychosis
It’s brass-monkey freezing cold outside. I have no reason to go outside. No places to be, no people to see. So why, you ask (or you would if you had read the script beforehand), am I so desperate to get out of the house?
I’m waiting for the Maytag Man, that’s why…
Happy New Year!
Well, the hollerdays, as Colin calls them, are over, and a new year just begun. We had a wonderful family-oriented Christmas, with lots of visiting and prezzies and snow(!). Now, Dr. T and the kids are back to the usual grind, and I’m enjoying one more week at home before reprising my Lennoxville routine…
‘Twas the day before the day before Christmas
The semester ended almost two weeks ago, my marks have been submitted, my shopping is done, and life is good. I’ve gone a little Martha for the holidays – the other day I painted the bathtub, baked gingerbread, made cranberry gravy, and to complete the package, did a little insider trading. It’s a good thing.
The world’s greatest mother-in-law has gone home, Colin has been to his first concert (David Bowie, who was great, and flu-free), and so far the cat has not destroyed the tree. More good things.
The season also means catching up with old friends. Yesterday was a banner day for such contacts – in the morning, while I made cranberry jelly (which (a) is not the same as the cranberry gravy and (b) turned out perfectly, thank you very much), I had a nice chat with my New Jersey connection. Later, my Haligonian buddy called to say hi and officially announce her engagement (once her divorce is final, of course). We ended the day with a very cozy evening of port and spinach dip with my former boss/current good friend. The good things continue to pile up.
We’re looking forward to a nice family Christmas chez the ‘rents, with my brother and sister and various add-ons, as well as a few more visits with the long-lost. And just to ice the cake, I don’t go back to the classroom ‘til January 12th – when I’ll be teaching a full load! My colleague has received her itinerary for her trip to Belgrade, so it looks pretty official at this point. I sincerely hope that all of you have as much to celebrate this season.
Happy Christmas, kick ass in 2004, … and… to all a good night.