Word Association for January 9th

Wow, it's been a few weeks since I've done a word association. I hope I still remember how to do them. :)

1. Pistol:: Gun
2. Rick:: Drive
3. Full circle:: Back to the Beginning
4. I wish:: Into the Woods
5. Frame:: Glasses
6. Adult:: Kids
7. Photography:: Pictures
8. Stew:: Rabbit
9. Cheat:: Liar
10. Brad:: Garret

And For My Second Post of the Year

Yes, I'm still alive and kicking. This week was just too busy at work to update much.

We were doing the W-2's we would normally do before Christmas. It was rather nice to not rush around and try to do them before break. Especially with the problems we had. Which meant I was actually working during work hours most of the time. :)

Frankly, there hasn't been a whole lot going on in my life this week. With students gone, it's been very quiet, in fact. Come home and hang out around here, mostly.

Wednesday was the season premier of Alias. Finally. While there is some potential there, I'm not as excited about it as I'd hoped to be. It seemed like they were trying a little too hard to recapture season 1 with some stuff that made no logical sense. But we'll just have to see what happens. I'm certainly not going to write it off yet.

And Thursday was our first night back at youth group. It felt good to be back. And Scott and Jared let me play even though I missed practice Sunday, which really boosted my ego. It was also nice that they put the songs together themselves without any adults around to make them. I was very happy about that.

And please pray for me. I had an opportunity presented before me when I got home last night. Don't want to get too much into it here and now, but please pray for wisdom for me and most of all for God's will to be done. It makes me nervous both ways.

Oh How the Time Goes By

Looks like I'm finally going to get a chance to update this thing with my Christmas/New Years news. So let's get cracking.

I spent a week with my family in Northern CA. It was crazy busy. I hardly had time to turn around or relax, which was what I really needed more then anything. And Mom and I had several moments that weren't great.

The first involved her numbering syster for packages. Normally, they don't put out presents before Christmas Eve, then we aren't allowed to see them until we actually go to open them. This year, presents were out when I got up there, but they numbered. And Mom kept going on and on about how we had to figure it out. Including at 2 in the morning when we were trying to go to bed after picking my brother and sister-in-law up from the airport. Finally, I mentioned that I don't necessarily enjoy games like this. O, she wasn't happy with me for saying that. Frankly, I was tired of her constant talking about it. When Mike did figure it out, Mom wasn't happy we figured it out because we weren't supposed to figure it out. MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!!! And, we're the only people she won't put names on before hand. I feel like I'm being treated like a little kid.

And that really didn't help with this next one. Before I said what I did about not enjoying the game, Mom told me that I couldn't buy anything on my Christmas list I did'nt get until after my birthday. Um, hello! I'm 29. You can't order me around like that any more. Based on what I got for Christmas, I'm sure I know what they got me planning for my birthday. And it wasn't something I was planning to buy between now and then. But every year, they talk about how happy they are with my Christmas list because it gives them lots of options. I come up with that by not buying things for the last few months of the year planning to do that after Christmas is I don't get them. If this is going to be the new policy, my Christmas list will suddenly shrink. Trust me.

Finally, there was the moment alone in my car when she asked me "Do any of your married friends ever try to set you up?" When I answered in the negatory, she reponsed "Why do you think that is?" You know, I always appreciated the fact that Mom never went on and on about me being single. I hope that's not going to change.

But over all, I had a great time. Enjoying seeing Mike and his wife. Spent one night with Donald and Heather, which was great. (And a much needed break, I might add.) And got to see some extended family Wednesday night before I left. Even managed a visit, finally, to the Charles Schultz Museum. Really enjoyed that, being such a fan of Peanuts.

Came back and spent New Year's Eve home alone for the most part. Which brings up another rant about my roommates, but that's for another time.

Finally, New Year's Day, got to pick up Matt from the airport and head down to his parent's house. We were supposed to finish off Babylon 5, but since he got in a week later then planned, we only had time for 5 of the 14 episodes. Spent most of the time helping him pack up his room to move cross country. So I start the year saying goodby to yet another friend. I honestly don't think I can take much more of this goodby nonesense.

And I got a new haircut yesterday. A flattop. I surprised myself by actually getting it to stand up after my shower this morning. I think I like it. Probably keep it for the foreseeable future. Although I may shop around a little. Not completely happy with how it was cut.

Today was the first day back after vacation. Naturally, it's crazy with end of calendar year stuff going on. And at some point this week, we need to run W-2's.

Happy New Year!

Let me be the first post you see dated and timed for this year.

Yes, I've made it back safely from my parents. I know I need to post about it. I promise I will. Eventually.

But for now, may God bless you in the year to come.

Catching up on Meme's While Running Out the Door

I really should be leaving right now, but here I am blogging to catch up on these things before I leave for a week. Is this a sign of addiction?

Before I start, I got a guy to come look at my heater first thing. Tripped a switch, and he showed me how to fix it in the future, so I don't have to spend money to do it. Which means my roommates will have heat if they want it while I'm gone.

Ok, this week's TV Tuesday.

1. What is your favorite Christmas special?
Either A Charlie Brown Christmas or How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

2. Do you have a Christmas special that you don't care for as much?
I've never seen Rudolph all the way through, but didn't really like what I did. Then again, I was an adult at the time. I think that makes a huge difference.

3. One recent trend is making sequels to popular or successful Christmas specials. Do you like or dislike this trend? Why?
I hadn't really noticed, except for the Peanuts specials, which I don't like because they aren't as good.

4. Is there a book, story or song just waiting to be turned into a great Christmas special?
"This Gift" by Gary Chapman that I used for my first Trixie Belden Christmas story at Zap's.

~ BONUS ~ Share some of your favorite memories of Christmas specials growing up. Also, if you have kids, what is the one Christmas special that you look forward to sharing with them either when they're old enough or each year?
When I have kids, I'll look forward to sharing my favorite two with them. Can't think of any special memories, however.

Due to technical difficulties, there doesn't appear to be a Thursday Threesome up right now. So I'm outta here! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Winding Down for the Year

Found out today that Phil's giving us all of tomorrow off, so I won't have to come in. Except I need to download statements, but that should be quick and easy. Which will mean I get to make an earlier start for my parents', which is a good thing.

But the last couple days? I got all my Christmas specials watched. Loved them, too. And got three loads of laundry done, too. So now all I need to do is wrap presents and pack. Drew will be working tonight, so I can crank up the Christmas music and enjoy.

Of course, I wouldn't mind a little company tonight. I'll be busy, but knowing there's someone around or could be someone around is nice. Which is probably why I'd be unhappy to live alone for more then a week.

Went out to lunch with my co-workers Tuesday. Macarroni Grill. Hadn't been there in years. Very good. And lots of fun. I really would like to go out to eat a little more often.

My heater has stopped working. It does nothing but blow cold air. :( I'm trying to get in touch with some from my church to see if he can fix it. Sure was nice when that was my landlord's problem and not mine. Not sure what to do if he can't. I guess Drew won't freeze to death while I'm gone. Although it's supposed to be in the 30's at night and the 60's during the day. Benjamin would be thrilled when he gets back, however. :)

I Feel a Rant Coming On

Today is seven weeks after the election. And if these comments are what we have to look forward to for the next four years, it's going to a long one for Republicans. Why? Let me show you.

Ove on Lee Goldberg's blog, he posted a story he'd found about a teacher who is being harrassed in her community for teaching murder mysteries in an English class and having her students write a murder mystery as a school assignment. While I don't agree with what's happening to her, I was insenced by this comment from his brother:

What a stunning development this recent rash of book banning stories is...could it be connected to a certain presidential election where conservatism ruled the day and crazed thumpers of certain other books had their views validated? This stuff sickens me to no end -- especially when you consider that whack job in Alabama who wants to have all books with gay characters, ideas, or themes in them removed from public libraries. Somewhere, Karl Rove slowly pets a fluffy white cat and plans his next move....

Naturally, this got a rise out of me. Of course, as far as this guy is concerned, I'm still evil because of my views even though I agree the one parent involved and the community response is over the line.

Then, I ran across this article thanks to Oh, That Liberal Media. It starts out:

Emboldened by their Election Day successes, some Christian conservatives around
the country are trying to put more Christ into Christmas this season.

Has this reporter missed the last 20 years? This is a fight we have every single December, with the ACLU sueing anyone who dares to sing "Silent Night" at a school or put a nativity scene up next to snowmen at city hall.

I've got a news flash for these people. There is a conservative backlash happening in this country. But it has nothing to do with the recent election. It's because conservative Christians are tired of being shoved aside, out of the public square, and told our opinions don't matter. See, we live in a country were every voice matters. That means we can and should be heard. That means our holidays can be celebrated just as much as everyone else's holidays. And I, for one, find it offensive that we can't dare speak the name Christmas when it's a federal holiday.

As to the teacher, I think she's being mistreated and the parent is going too far. However, there are things that aren't appropriate to be taught in schools. Are R rated movies censorship? Why can't parents object to what their kids are being taught without being called names? We protect kids from movies they might not be ready for, letting the parents decide if a kid should go see a certain movie or not. Why can't we do the same for what they are forced to read in schools?

Do me a favor. Don't accuse every conservative who dares to speak up of being emboldened by Bush's reelection. And don't even think about writing them off. We really aren't evil people. We view the world differently from you. But maybe, if we're both willing to truly listen to each other, we can not only heal the nation, but find ways to work together on important issues.

Or is that too radical a concept in this day and age?

Dead as a Doornail

Campus sure gets quiet when the students leave. And with people taking off for Christmas, this week will be quieter then Summer. Which is probably a good thing because this is a busy week for us. Since we're off from Thursday at noon until the fourth, the final payrolls need to be run before Thursday. At least this year we aren't running the W-2's until after the break. Takes one layor of complexity out of the system.

Ok, not only did I post a new Trixie Christmas story at Zap's, but I also got a cell phone this weekend. Can you believe that? Still not sure it's a good idea and still not sure that I need it. Especially for the money. I just keep looking at the money and thinking I could better spend it on something else. Well, this is a 30 day trial, so if I decide it's not worth it over break, I can always return it and not be committed to a contract. Of course, it might be my phone as well. Not as happy with that as I had hoped.

Of course, I did download a couple rings for the phone yesterday. "What Child is This?" for the next week, and then the Alias theme song for the rest of the year. Doesn't sound quite right, but it's still fun.

Let's see, finished my Christmas shopping Saturday as well. I'm very happy about that. Now, I just need to wrap presents.

And watch Christmas specials. I have yet to start, including Charlie Brown, The Grinch, both VeggieTales, and The Santa Clause. Add on to that laundry, packing, finishing my book, and working, and I'll be busy until I leave Thursday.

Speaking of reading, I finished Access Denied Friday night. Wonderful ending, and I'm certainly read for the next book already. Wish I didn't have to wait.

And I'm over half way through Snuffed Out. I don't think I'm enjoying it quite as much as I did the first in the series, but it's still good. Also, short. Started it Saturday, and I have 70 pages to go.

Saturday was also Stephen and Natalie's annual Christmas party. Lots of fun as always. We played Taboo, which I don't think I've played in a long time. And obviously, the teams were even because we wound up tied. :) And, they gave me a gift for being the most faithful attender of their parties, a mug with a penguin on it. Now I'll be able to go insane every time I drink (remember, one of my new bumper stickers is "One by one, the penguins slowly steal my sanity.") Some friends they are, actively helping me become more insane. :)

Started loosing roommates to the holidays today. Benjamin is gone and Tom leaves tomorrow. Drew won't be leaving until after I do, so it'll just be he and I for a couple nights. It'll be nice having a few less people around the place. I need some down time right now.

Word Association for December 19th

I've finished my Christmas shopping. Have you?

This week's word association.

1. Perfect Gift:: What they really want
2. Santa:: Claus
3. Lucy:: Ricky
4. Buckets:: Raining
5. Recital:: Piano
6. Stamp:: Act (Think I just finished a US Revolution history class? :)
7. Teacher:: Professor
8. Matchbox:: 20
9. Spit:: in the Wind
10. Feeling:: Happy

And My Grade Is....

An A! I got an A!!!! Finally, I got a 4.0 in a semester of college!!!!!!!!

I found out this afternoon, and I'm a tad excited. In case you missed it somehow.

I love the grades being posted on the network. You don't have to wait two weeks like when I was a full time student.

In other news, the Durons are back in town for a few days. They were at Bible study last night, which was really a Christmas party. And I had lunch with Dave and Beth this afternoon. At Baja Fresh, where Dave and I would always meet for lunch. It's great to see them again. Sounds like things are going very well for them in Idaho. Unfortunately. That means they won't be coming back here! (Have I ever claimed not to be selfish?) Seriously, I'm glad to see them so happy with this decision. Looks like God really was calling them there after all. :) (Kidding again! I'm kidding!)

Of course, spending my lunch hour with them meant I didn't get to spend it with my book. Only 45 pages to go, and it's killing me! But it was so worth it. I can finish this weekend, no problem. I'm really enjoying it, so all you Turing fans, look forward to another great adventure.

Well, I'm trying to get out of here early, and I need to fill out a timesheet and record a couple more deposits, so I'd better hit post now.