August 26th, 2006 ~ Saturday

5:50 p.m.

A Whole Lot Of Nothing

On Monday, it begins.  The sea of homework will come rushing in, so I am enjoying my time right now, where I have nothing to grade, nothing to worry about.  I'm just lounging around, watching the Food Network (of course), and reading, and cleaning up a little bit, too.

I went to a really good restaurant last night: The Salt Creek Grille.  I've never had bisque before, but it's basically soup.  And let me tell you...it was the best soup I think I've ever had in my life.  It was soooo good; I wanted to take a bath in this tomato basil bisque.  I also had a so-so burger, but it came with garlic french fries...oh my goodness.  Next time I go, and there WILL be a next time, I am just ordering a huge bowl of Tomato Basil Bisque with a side of garlic french fries.  That's all I need.

In the mean time, I found some amusing things this week.  I went to Ralphs for some disposable coffee cups (of which they had none!!!), and on my way in I found a rack of pencils.  They had names on them (Andrew, Jennifer, etc.) and though I know my name will never be among the others, I still look.  I like to see what name comes closest.  So while I was perusing, I found a pencil that said on it, "I'M COOL".  In the middle of the Ralphs, I started laughing to myself.  I thought, who would buy pencils that say "I'M COOL" on it?  That would be a little sad.  And then the more I thought about it, the more it made me laugh. 

So in the end, I think you already know that I had to buy those pencils.

I now own pencils that say I'M COOL on it.  I think I will give Mr. Ghiassi one of them.  I'm not sure if he'll see the humor in them, but I can try can't I?

August 20th, 2006 ~ Saturday

9:48 p.m.

Are we there yet?

Still no car =(  I think it will be a while until I see my car again, much to my sadness.  It sounds as though it is going to take a lot of effort to get my car running again, so I am still with my rental car. 

In other news, I can't find blue tape for taping violins and violas and cellos.  I have scoured Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Fresno, and Clovis.  I've been to about 15 stores.  I've called about 15 more.  NOBODY HAS IT.  I have ordered some online from a very obscure sounding website, but aside from that....I'm at the mercy of time.  And then whenever the people at Pep Boys or Auto Zone ask me what I need the pinstriping for...they always look at me strangely as I try to explain that I pinstripe violins.

Have you ever not been accepted or welcomed or appreciated because of who you are as a person?  It always makes me extremely sad when I see, witness, or experience this.  There are people in the world who are closed minded to anything "out of the ordinary"...which is, usually, anything they haven't experienced first hand.  People get very comfortable in their own world, with their own opinions, usually surrounded by people who have the same experiences and opinions.  And they resent people who are outside of that world.  And it makes me sad.

August 11th, 2006 ~ Friday

10:09 p.m.

A Tale Of Woe

Today I drove home to Fresno to celebrate my father's 75th birthday.  I hit a little snag on the way, however, when I was driving through Bakersfield and my tire on my car exploded.  It felt like I had hit something, and then my car went wobbly and I quickly pulled over to the side of the road.  Not only had my tire blown, but it had decided to take a lot of stuff with it.  It blew with suck force that my headlights exploded outward, and wires were ripped out of my car.

And then I was stuck on the side of the road, no tire, wires hanging out, and my car wouldn't start.  And I was in Bakersfield and it was 104 degrees.

D'oh.

I called AAA (car insurance company) and they came to my rescue and I managed to get my car towed to the dealership in  Bakersfield.  My car...is sad.  It's going to take at least a week to repair.  So I had to get my car towed to Irvine and had to rent a car and drive to Fresno in the rental car.  =(  So I need to find a car to drive next week.  I need to get my car fixed.  I need to find a way out of Fresno.

It's all very sad.  And Moose and I are sitting around feeling sad for my car.  =(

August 9th, 2006 ~ Wednesday

9:47 p.m.

Honest Abe

I have ranted about this before, but this time it is not a rant.  Far from it.  But I highly believe in honesty.  I believe in being honest and genuine and being who you are and being TRUE to who you are, no matter the costs.  And there are costs.  But at the end of the day, if you can look yourself in the mirror and say, "I am who I am, no matter who is looking," I think that's quite an accomplishment.

As we grow older, we have a tendency to "fake it".  Act a certain way to be accepted by a certain group, or act a certain way because it's easier and less hassle.  Don't get me wrong, I believe in flexibility and compromising, but that doesn't really have to do with who you are at the core.  And I've never been one to change who I am (I don't think it's possible for me), even with immense pressure coming from unexpected places.  That's part of what makes me me.

Sometimes it is easier to hear a pleasant lie than the ugly truth.  Adults, especially, can oftentimes prefer a pleasant lie.  But I have always been the type of person who would rather hear the most dismal and heartbreaking truth rather than a lie.  I have a problem with walking around, ignorant to reality and what's going on, so that's me.  And I have a hard time...a near impossible time, looking at a person and telling them a pleasant lie.  The only exception if it's to protect them (especially young children).  But I always feel there's a way to cushion the truth if need be.  I just don't believe in lies, I guess.

So I hope you feel that you get the truth from me.  I hope you feel that I won't smile at you and give you a fake answer, an "adult" answer, that's really not an answer at all.  I have a problem with that.  And I have a huge problem when people do that to me or expect that from me.  I don't believe in lying.  I don't believe in happy lies.  I don't believe in being fake.  Be who you are!  You're the one who has to live with yourself.  If you're not you...nobody else will be.

August 5th, 2006 ~ Saturday

12:10 p.m.

GERMS!

Last night, I took a nap from 7:00 - 8:00.  After prying myself off the couch and moving to my bed, I slept from 8:00 last night until 10:00 this morning.

I guess I was tired.

Ever wonder how much energy I'd have if I had a proper amount of sleep EVERY night?  I do.  I usually don't notice just how tired I am until I finish teaching, though.  As soon as I finish I fall asleep.

Around 4:42 this morning, I awoke (briefly) to realize I had a sore throat and stuffy nose.  It's only been a week and a half, and I'm already sick!!  BOOO.  At least I'm not horribly sick, and it's just a cold at this point.  Still, it's ridiculous that I'm already sick.  I am going to spend today resting and relaxing to nip this in the bud.  I can't be missing in action this early in the game.  That is simply unacceptable.

So I leave you so that I may rest.  And...maybe get some ice cream.