spinning-jennie: archives « October 2003 | Main | December 2003 »

November 26, 2003

Happy Thanksgiving!
11/26/03 09:54 PM |  Comments


November 25, 2003

Sucrelicious yuletidaeum
A Baker's Field Guide to Christmas Cookies. It's like a cookbook aimed at biology geeks, with info like "lifespan," "habitat," and even "related species." And - most importantly - it tells which morsels can survive a trip in a UPS truck! You know I'm going to talk myself into needing this.

Oops. Too late.
11/25/03 10:51 PM |  Comments


Strangeness
I haven't really had enough days "off" for the reality to sink in, yet. Reality of course being that I'm voluntarily unemployed. Today I met with the district librarian so I could bring her up-to-date on projects, hand over passwords, and all that jazz. She didn't try to talk me into coming back with as much vigor as I'd expected (which was appreciated!) - said she knew it was coming to this, that I'd often warned how unsuited I really was to the stress of the age group and the peculiarities of such an aggressive faculty.

So many people have been asking "what's next?" I wish I knew! There isn't much in the way of employment in Sacramento, that's sure. I may, after the holidays, pick up some low-stress/responsibility job for a bit. Which may be easier if we move to another part of town, a decision we're pondering seriously (we love it here but the rent is getting waaayy out of hand). Since Portland seems to be off the table again for a bit. We're currently thinking about north Fair Oaks and downtown near the Capitol. The walkability of the city has always been appealing to me - not to mention the tree-lined streets. Here in south Natomas we're quite stranded on foot, with only a tiny convenience store reachable on a walk. And a handful of restaurants. And a Starbucks. Of course.

It would still take quite the stellar pairing of low rent and high amenities to get us motivated enough to do it.

I'd appreciate any ideas or info re: legitimate work-from-home concerns, in the meantime!
11/25/03 01:19 PM |  Comments


Hey, It's My New Job!
I can apply to be part of the new California administration - woot! How about the Acupuncture Board? or perhaps the Chief of Home Furnishings Bureau?
11/25/03 07:33 AM |  Comments


November 23, 2003

Cinnabonmond
Someone gave me a bag of whole almonds. I snacked on them as-is for a while, but that got boring. So yesterday, I dressed 'em up with some cinnamon and sugar. They taste and smell like the ones at the mall, only better! Terribly addictive. If you make them, you'll want to double the cinnamon, and probably the salt, too.
11/23/03 06:06 PM |  Comments


November 22, 2003

Ho Ho Hmm
I'm not sure if I want to do Secret Santa this year or not. I did last year, and my SS dropped the ball! Which is just way too taxing on the old paranoia - did they visit my site and decide I wasn't worth the trouble? And I never heard from my giftee - did I choose poorly? Aaaack!
11/22/03 03:33 PM |  Comments


November 21, 2003

Strychnine for Kitty
No more! No more! Please stop, I pray! We've all seen quite enough today.

And what would Mr. Geisel say?

[sob]
11/21/03 12:30 PM |  Comments


November 20, 2003

Did You Miss Me?
So, we were up in Portland for a few days. Things didn't go quite as hoped, but it was wonderful to see so much red and orange and yellow. A trip to Oregon is never a waste. We took in the view from Mt. Tabor, visited the Historical Society Museum, and made up for a few years of Greek food deprivation. I ditched the camera for a change, and the only picture I felt I had to take was of the bizarre weather that ushered us out of town.
11/20/03 04:15 PM |  Comments


November 14, 2003

Believe it Or Not
How could I pass up the 80's Lyrics Quiz? I got a pretty scary 100.5, and the ones I didn't get were mostly head-smackers. Loved the bonus questions, scored all three.

I know someone who'll do even better...
11/14/03 03:01 PM |  Comments


The Golden Age
I'm too keyed up to say anything instructive or amusing. Obviously. Maybe you can review my old ornament project page. You know, from when I used to do stuff, instead of just whine. Fa la la la la!
11/14/03 06:35 AM |  Comments


November 13, 2003

I Could Use a Latte
My desk and computers are cleaned, the files organized, and little explanatory notes have been left on stuff everywhere. It's the end of the trimester, so I've suddenly got zero classes on my roster... and I'm mind-numbingly bored. Which isn't making my last hours here go any faster.

This very morning, on my second-to-last day, they moved the construction trailer and porta-potty from my picture window view of the green fields behind the school. Figures.
11/13/03 11:46 AM |  Comments


November 12, 2003

Interesting Times
I built this place, from nothing but a mousy, musty room with shelves. I've touched every book dozens of times, could tell you about the color and condition and source of most. An avid reader always, I've probably read more in this past three years than the previous ten. I've learned that cataloging after OCLC is possible (and more fun?), the crucial importance of even semi-skilled volunteerism and giving (thank you!), and - at least a little - how to stand up for myself.

And there certainly never was a lack of drama, was there? Heh.

So much of myself is invested in this library, and you are among the very few who will, perhaps, fully appreciate that.
11/12/03 12:30 PM |  Comments


November 11, 2003

As a Perfect Example...
...of just how distracted and high-strung I've been these past few days. I was sitting here just now, wondering why, exactly, I'd been so shaky in the shower, and my hands were so jittery on the keys. The Sickness was abolished yesterday, after all.

It took me a good half minute to realize that, in the four hours I've been up, I'd had three cups of coffee and not a bite of breakfast. Duhr.
11/11/03 11:26 AM |  Comments


Faux Snow
I forgot all about Make-a-Flake! Kristin reminded me. I'm having fun, if not exactly creating masterpieces.
11/11/03 07:34 AM |  Comments


November 10, 2003

Hausfrau
Today is for laundry and baking cheater cookies. And watching Ellen. Which I've only chanced to catch bits of, but they've been funny and endearing bits. Seems strange to pair "talk show" and "endearing" in the same thought, no? But that's exactly how it struck me. Low-key, good-natured humor. Today Will Ferrell is on, yippee!

And then I begin to worry: will all my posts be reduced to household chores and daytime TV?
11/10/03 12:23 PM |  Comments


November 09, 2003

Not Neo... Nyquil.
Battled a little sick starting Friday night; slept through most of yesterday. It gave enough that we could go to the library and The Movie (meh) this afternoon. I won't complain too much, because the timing was at least obliging - I've got two more days off to fully recover. Then three last harried days of work, and then a semi-impromptu early Thanksgiving trip.
11/09/03 07:32 PM |  Comments


November 07, 2003

Vague? Me?
My body has shifted into overdrive. Little tolerance for food or sleep, restless fidgeting, mind racing, and a rather undesirable consciousness of my own stomach acid. Leavetaking would've been the culprit on its own, to a degree, but reckless abandon has gone and partnered with wild hope.
11/07/03 06:43 AM |  Comments


November 06, 2003

Squeeky Cheezy Yum
It's oh-so-easy to have a bit of my native state shipped right to my door. Oh, the artery-clogging goodness that is Wisconsin. My uncles used to put these out with mixed nuts and Graf's (soda, not pop), which was, of course, only appetizer to the main event.
11/06/03 04:16 PM |  Comments


November 05, 2003

3.3 Years and 1,000 Battles Later
That last straw came a bit ahead of schedule. Luckily I've already been provided with the proper exit forms courtesy The Establishment, if you'll remember (I can't seem to find that entry in my archives).

When I'm done bawling and raging (you know I wear my yokes pretty close to the heart), I'm sure this will prove to be the healthiest decision I've ever made.
11/05/03 03:17 PM |  Comments


November 04, 2003

Gobble
We're doing what we did last year for Thanksgiving - dining on the turreted third floor of historic Morrison's in Woodland (and I still have to make reservations, yipes). Victorian and homey.

What are your plans for the day?
11/04/03 08:28 AM |  Comments


November 03, 2003

For the (Guaranteed!) Cleanest Seat in the House
If you're more neurotic than I am, why not try the Underwear Boiling System? Via (appropriately, hmm?) poopscape.
11/03/03 02:07 PM |  Comments


November 02, 2003

Out and In
Did I mention that fall is finally here? Oh, I did.

Yesterday we drove north to the little town of Sutter, just outside Yuba City, where we scored two new letterboxes. One shadowed by the Sutter Buttes (billed as the "smallest mountain chain in the world," they actually gather their own tiny puffs of cloud), and the other in the Sutter Cemetery. After pondering the macabre displays among the infant graves, had some Italian at The Mall - yes, that's really its name - in Yuba City before heading back to town. Didn't take long to get bored, so we decided to catch Scary Movie downtown. The juvenile silliness was just the right thing. With temps dipping freakishly into the 30's last night, I got to wear my skinny scarf! A pleasant stroll around Old Sac, then off to bed.

Today was strictly for watching old movies and reading by the fire, and making Italian herb bread in the machine.
11/02/03 04:26 PM |  Comments


November 01, 2003

Netstar
Hey, my stalkee's in the Bee. It was really only a matter of time.
11/01/03 08:26 AM |  Comments