Well, just a quick post before I leave for the weekend. Have what I need out, but now need to pack it before I hit the road. Seems my laundry got started much later then I intended last night because Carol called. It was absolutely wonderful talking to her. We hadn't really talked since I was in SR for Grpop's service. Just meant my laundry wasn't done until almost 11, and since I was needing that stuff to pack....

Then at 3:45 I was awakened by someone's car alarm. And it just kept going and going.... They probably didn't even know it because I was sleeping with my window open to cool the apartment down without electricity (saves me lots of money.) But it was after four before I got back to sleep.

One last thing to leave you with. The soundtrack for Jonah, a Veggie Tales Movie is now available. I bought it last night and am enjoying it. Although I'm curious how a certain songs fit in. Hope the movie lives up to my expectations. Anyway, the "Closing Credits" song is worth the price of admission alone. "Here's the song that plays under the closing credits. These are the credits, so this is where it goes. It has nothing to do with the movie you just saw, so we'll just say Hey!" Or something like that. I was laughing out loud listening to it coming home from buying it last night.

Enjoy a nice long weekend, everyone.

Now what do I do?

So, there is some discussion between the board and those who actually spend every day on campus if they need to hire Marcus or not. Naturally, that means they haven't hired him yet. Which means I have no one moving in in the near future. And since I told TJ he could move in if Marcus didn't work out.... TJ of course doesn't need a place until the end of September. I really can't persue anything else because of what I told TJ. So here I still wait. I just wish they'd make up their minds already!!!!

Plus this has been the week for message board fights. There was one over at Jix and then I "started" one on CMCentral. Unfortunately that second one all I did was make people mad at me when I thought I had a valid point of view that I expressed rationally and calmly. Now I'm frustrated.

And the good news/bad news situation about my weekend. The good news - I'm going to spend Friday night at Donald's. The bad news? It'll be on the way to my parents for the rest of the weekend.

I really could use a nothing happening weekend right about now. But my parents are really, really, really pushing me to come up before they turn Grpop's estate over for the estate sale. (I never did blog about that, but I was pretty livid a couple weeks back.) Is it possible to be mad at someone for trying to help you? Basically, they originally planned to turn things over by the 15th, and asked me four times in a week if I'd be able to come up before then, even though I told them four times in a week that there was no way I could because of the audit. Then you wonder why it is I didn't want to move an hour and a half away. I'd spend every weekend in Santa Rosa. Now, they want me to come up and see if there's anything I really want to take. That's wonderful. But I don't see why we couldn't do it over the phone. Some of the stuff Mom was talking about was nice, but there's no way I'm going to take it because I have no room for it. And it's not like I haven't been up there this year. This will make trip number 4. All told, I'll be in Santa Rosa six times this year. Yet they've been asking me since I left Memorial Day if they'd see me before we met in Yosemite. Yes, there's the part of me that's honored because of them wanting to see me. And it was more my uncle and aunt. But I can't drop everything and come when they tell me to. They used to understand that.

I do realize part of the problem is emotional. This has been a hard year on them, and going through the house hasn't helped. That's going to make it hard, too. Things get turned over Tuesday. Fortunately, I'll be out of there Monday morning to fight the Labor Day traffic because there's no way I'd want to be there the last day in the house.

Ok, I promise, rant over. Guess you didn't get to miss hearing it after all.

Good morning Thursday Threesome readers. This week's is brought to you by the candy counter and The Back Porch.

Onesome. Double. If you could have a clone of yourself, what thing would you most want that clone to do so you don't have to?
That's easy. I'd have him work and clean the apartment so I could spend all my time reading and watching TV without feeling guilty.

Twosome. Bubble. Anyone you know live life in a bubble? Who? And do you wish they'd snap back to reality?
I think to a certain extent, I do. And when the bubble pops, it's not very pleasant at all. I've known others like that, and most of the time it's refreshing. Only occasionally do I find it upsetting.

Threesome. Bubblegum. Willy Wonka talks about chewing gum to be a nasty habit. What's your worst habit? Do you wish you could give it up?
Putting off things I know I should do for things I want to do. And I'd love to give it up. Also, the inability to make decisions easily.

Definately be back with more news later.

There are advantages to being a well-known customer. I walked into the Disney Store last night to pre-order Monsters, Inc. and Beauty and the Beast, and an employee who recognized me as a regular movie buyer warned me to buy them somewhere else. Seems Disney is testing selling the movies without lithographs, and they picked their top 5 stores to try this in, mine being one of those top 5. So, if I wait and do this when I'm at my parent's this weekend, I'll pay the same amount for the same DVD's plus get the lithographs. Is this making any sense to anyone else? Naturally, I'm waiting.

But things didn't go as planned last night. I got home, sat down and turned on the TV, and stayed there. Didn't do laundry, didn't read. But it was what I needed.

Phil's out of the hospital, but won't be in the rest of the week. Guess I didn't blog about that yesterday. They decided he had a mild stroke and had him in the hospital over the weekend for tests. Scariest part is, he's younger then my parents. Of course, they are in better shape.

And, now, I've got some articles to link to from Breakpoint. This one discusses how we are already misteaching the events of September 11th to students. Makes me want to become a history teacher. I just can't believe it. And this one is closely related. And be sure to read the linked article. At least some students recognize what's happened. Frankly, these articles are making me stop and think about my own thinking.

And then the final one on a different subject. With everything else going on in my life right now, this really convicted me. The great philosopher Calvin strikes again. "Everyone has a price." (What, did you think I meant someone other then Calvin and Hobbes?)

Hopefully, the Deacan board will finally decide something about Marcus when they meet tonight. Having most my eggs in one basket for a roommate is not my idea of fun.

I went ahead and got up for ultimate Saturday morning. Actually had fun, although we only had half the field due to some stupid young soccer players. I was so sorry to see they were being lead down the wrong path considering ultimate is the only true sport.

I'd heard a rumor about Trixie Belden books available at a used bookstore in Long Beach. Only supposed to be an hour away, so I thought I'd give it a try. An hour later, I was only half way there because of traffic. So I took a couple different freeways and headed up to Crime Time. Linda had already started her going out of business sale, so I bought some of the stuff I hadn't planned to getting until Sept. 21st. And I made a list of the books I'd like to read before she closes so I know if I should buy any more in the series. There are only 13 titles on the list. I really need to get busy!

Sunday, I just stayed around the apartment. Dozed while watching TV and reading. Very nice to relax like that.

Jeff popped into the office this morning looking for my help. Seems his car died yesterday, and he needed a ride to meet the tow truck. So my lunch time changed from reading to driving. And I stopped for Carl's Jr. while we were out. I really need to stop ordering more then the burgers. That's the only part I really enjoy.

Tonight, laundry, Who Killed Whats-Her-Name?, and Dog Eat Dog. Except for the laundry, sounds perfect. :)

So, where did we leave off in the grand drama? Ah yes, Wednesday. The inmates made things up as we went along for Bible Study Wednesday night. And things seemed to go well. Played whiffle ball longer then we should have, but that was fine. Talked to the other Seth for awhile afterwards. This Seth just graduated from high school, is going to COC (local community college. College of the Canyons), and has joined jr. high staff as well. So right now, all the jr. high staff attends the church year round. Anyway, good to get to know him a little better.

But I've got to share this story about Wednesday night. We're playing whiffle ball on the front lawn. A man I don't recognize pulls up, stops, and walks over to me. "Do you know you're on school property?" (BTW, have I mentioned that we run a Christian school on the church grounds during the year?) I look at him like he's crazy. While I'm trying to come up with the best response, one of the other staff (Think it was Matt, but could have been his wife Kylene) says, "Yes, but it's youth group from the church." He then decides that we're ok, "Even though they're very picky about the grass." I don't know if he meant to be this way, but he came across as totally rude. Couldn't believe it. If I'd had my wits about me, I would have responded with, "No, we're on church property," in the same tone of voice. Not the most Christian attitude, so probably best I didn't think of it in time. And, while the grass is looking nice right now, trust me, it often doesn't. But we didn't let him spoil our fun.

Yesterday I ran into several student friends after work. Matt and Jeremiah are looking forward to coming over for another season of Enterprise on Wednesday nights. Possibly a little Bablyon 5 thrown in as well. Tim (my barber for the last 10 months) in engaged and living in my complex again. Very nice to see them.

Went home to an empty apartment. :( Watched TV until I fell asleep on the couch. Then I went upstairs, where I couldn't fall asleep for 30 minutes. Make any sense? Not to me either.

Tonight, I've got some errends I have to run and then I'm off to Career group Bible Studay at Placerita Baptist.

Have a good weekend.

Guess what. It's time for the Thursday Threesome, brought you this week by Office Depot and The Back Porch.

Onesome. Small. Is it a small world? In how many miles of space do you live your life?
Well, my commute to work is about 2 miles. (And I love it!!!!) My church is on the other side of town, say 10-15 miles away. That's the majority of my driving. I do go to Passadena to Crime Time books (not for too much longer, I'm afraid.), which is about 30 miles away. And my parents are about 360 miles away. That's the farthest I go on a regular basis at all.

Twosome. Spiral. Ever felt as if you were on a downward spiral? How did you pull out of it?
How about this summer? In case you didn't notice, reread most of my July entries. What did I do? Finally made my self start working hard at my job.

Threesome. Notebook. Notebooks and pens and crayons and glue...when you think about school supplies, what do you most remember?
Binder paper in the back of binders just waiting for me to scribble all over.

I survived! I'm back from Ventura (the beach) redder, but in one piece. Didn't apply the sun screen yesterday, and I'm paying for it in the one place that wasn't covered up.

Yes, that's right. It was that cold. The sun only partially broke through the clouds both days. All I did was stick my feet in the water, but the cold didn't stop the kids. Most of them got in both days at the beach, and seemed to have a great time. Monday afternoon, I just sat in my wonderful folding chair ($5.88 at Wal-Mart last year ago and worth every penny) and read One for the Money. Yes, that's right, I'm finally starting the Stephanie Plumb series. And I read half the book on the trip. :) Finished it yesterday morning. No, it's not on the must read before Linda closes list, but I finally found it in a library, so I snagged it and read it. I enjoyed it, and am looking forward to Two for the Dough.

Marcus (potential new roommate) finally met with a committee from church Monday night. But that still didn't solve anything!!! Now we have to wait for the deacon meeting Tuesday night for them to officially decide to hire him and what the terms will be. But since this is his only iron in the fire right now, he's pretty set to take it. So I'm holding on for one more week to see if I have a roommate or not.

Speaking of which, Jeff starts moving out today. (Sniff.)

My computer got upgraded while I was gone. I now have Windows XP. (Which I think means I don't need an FTP program to start posting on my web page, right? Misty?) But now I'm having to figure everything out again. Like the programs I use to send payroll tax information. Oy, what a headache!

Need to hit the road. Youth group is, once again, being run by the inmates. At least this time we know about it in advance. I've got a master key to church. (Hee, hee.) So we'll at least have access to a room. The Durons are still at the beach, this time with the Senior high beach retreat.

Survived the tourney today. But am I ever going to be sore tomorrow. We won the first and third games, but lost the second and fourth. Puts us clearly in 6th for the season. Had my usual end of season frustrations. Played the best I've played the entire time. I NEED to find a place to play ultimate during the year other then Master's.

I also wanted to let all you wanna be Alias fans out there know that tomorrow night (the 18th) on ABC will be a good episode to start. It recaps all the major storylines of the first season to that point in the show. So, you've heard me rave about it. Now tune in and see that it's as good as I say it is.

Well, I got more sleep last night, but I'm still tired. And the weather has cooled down. Unseasonably cool for August. Which will be nice tomorrow in Pomona for playing ultimate. But not nice Sunday through Tuesday at Ventura on the jr. high beach retreat.

New students show up for WOW (Week of Welcome) tomorrow. Where did the summer go? Can't believe another school year is starting already.

Well, you have my schedule for the next few days. I may or may not stop by tomorrow when I get back from the tourney, but we'll just have to see. Right now, however, I need to go buy some boxes of juice to freeze in my ice chest. Then go home and have Jeff give me a Mohawk before tomorrow as well. I need to do something after I shaved Navy into my head for last year's team. Somehow, I just don't think Baby Blue will work as well. :) (And I'm not mentioning that the first two years, I did nothing.)