The Rant Page

I was made consciously aware of the difference between a secret and a surprise just now. The left half of my brain and the right had a conversation that went something like this:
Lefty: "What do you mean we can't tell them? That makes it a SECRET, and you know how we abhor secrets."
Righty: "We will not tell them, thank you, and you can deal."
Lefty: "But I feel so diiiirty."
Righty: "Ah, true, but when they find out, it's going to be awesome. Trust me."
Lefty: "... so, we don't have to keep it a secret forever?"
Righty: *rolls the left eye* "No, jackass. They'll find out in 3 days. That's the difference between a secret and a surprise."

We had the annual end-of-the-year music assembly today (chorus and jazz band performed). As a special surprise (why do they always involve me getting embarrassed?), they called me up in front of the school to receive my Outstanding Employee plaque. Woo-hoo.

For a crappy, rainy day, I'm in a great mood.

I finished Catching Fire yesterday. It was better than the first one.

My boss is in meetings this morning, and has a 1/2 personal day starting at 11. We're also missing a few kids. Easy, easy day.

This week is going slowly. So much so that I woke up thinking it was Thursday, and was disheartened to find it was only Wednesday. I broke the cracker off of my nylon 9' whip yesterday. I was going to replace it anyway, but I guess this just proves that it was overdue.

I've decided to get back into whip (I've already started, this is just my intention to continue practice). I caught myself a few times when I took it out last week, and again today, but much less so. I've gotten past the fear of being hit, so I can focus on my form (which, ironically, decreases the amount I get hit dramatically). My target work is still really decent, even though I'm dreadfully out of practice. This summer, I'd like to pick up a fire whip and learn how to use it. I've seen some really amazing sets in YouTube, and I keep saying to myself either, "I can do that" or "that's a lot like poi, and I know people that can teach me". I would like to pick up some poi this summer and learn at least the basics, but not for poi sake. For whip sake. If that makes sense. There are some similar movements when you're using fire whips.

I'm The Boss (read:Lone Sentry) tomorrow. My actual boss is at High Meadow with Liz and our 8th graders. Bob is out on a personal day, and Randi is out for surgery. I'll have 3 kids, assuming they all come to school. I intend to read. A lot. I'm finishing up Catching Fire, the sequel to The Hunger Games (it's not released yet. Our media specialist, Casey, has lent me her copy that she got at the book expo. It's signed.) Then it's off to finish The Speed of Dark, and then maybe some Robin Hobb.

Stuff is good.

I've been burning my candle on both ends for so long that last night, they finally met in the middle.
I fell asleep, in my work clothes (I had already taken my shoes off, thank heavens). I woke up to my alarm this morning, having slept for 8 straight hours for the first time since I can remember.

I have no class tonight or tomorrow. The only thing I have left to do before my semester will be finished is my Econ take-home (which is mostly done, and not due until Sunday). Tonight after work I am off to the gym for much needed hour on the bike and a couple of laps around the pool with Gill.
Wow. I feel like I just woke up from a coma. Have I been that much of a zombie for the past 4 months? Have I at least been making coherent sentences?

So, apparently I was supposed to go in for blood/ultrasound on FRIDAY. I called yesterday to schedule my appointment for today (based on where I am in my cycle), and was informed of my mistake. Meh. I suck. Hopefully it won't mess things up too badly. I'm also going to be late to work (I'm actually going to work!) today, due to my appointments.

In better news, I woke up this morning feeling a million times better than I have in days. I'm not healthy, mind you, but I'm definitely on the mend. Thank god, because I have a free weekend coming up, and I wouldn't miss it for the world.

I hope my friends in LJ-Land are having a healthy, happy day.

I'm home for a few minutes before heading off to a workshop in Bloomfield (which I had completely forgotten about until I arrived at work this morning. Good thing it doesn't start until 1). I slept fitfully, not really sure what I dreamed about, but I woke up gasping for air and jumping to my feet a few times, absolutely disoriented. It's been a long time since I had a night like that, and it sucks. A lot.

I have no class tomorrow, and was going to take Gill to Old Sturbridge Village again. I know sentry_for_you had expressed an interest in going. I'll drive if anyone else feels like joining us for the day.

Changeling continues to rock the Casbah. I feel sometimes like I, Kelly, forgot myself for a few years (when I was married and miserable, and then divorced and not-quite so miserable). It took people like poizen37, smacking me in the brainpan with the glamour skillet, before I realized how much of a banal, stuffy bitch I had become. The past few years, with all of their ups and downs, have been stellar-- the past few months, doubly so. I'm glad to have rejoined NeverNeverLand.

Right. Off to Banality Central.

-I had a good day at work. My kids were angels, and we're all finally to the point where they treat us like people rather than Authority Figures(tm). We're on our bridge-building unit, where they have to make a bridge capable of holding half a kilogram out of nothing but straws, paperclips, and the worst quality glue ever manufactured. I love this unit.
-Today was our week 11 weigh in for our Biggest Loser Team. I was the weekly winner, with a loss of 3 lbs this week. My total is somewhere around 14 lbs. since we started.
-We walked after school, despite the rain.
-When I got home, I did a phone interview for Saint Joseph College about being a veteran.
-I'm thinking about playing L5R after I drop Gill off on Friday.
-Now it's time to start my economics homework... and try to decipher why Zdeb sent me a "Have a good day" text this morning...

Meh.

My Dad came over to help install the dishwasher today. Apparently he ate something bad, and now is on his way home to deal with his food poisoning. I was begging him to leave for like an hour (while he paced around the house, sweating and darting off to the bathroom), but he's a stubborn old mule.

He said he'll come back over the weekend to finish. Pity. We're almost done. All we have to do is glue, solder, and splice a few wires. Everything is measured, cut, and pre-fitted. So close, yet so far.

The program that is starting this year at the middle school sounds intriguing (P.A.S.S.). I certainly wish they had something like this when I was in school. It's romper room-ish, but you earn points to eventually buy your way back into mainstream class. It's not for kids with educational needs. It's for kids with attitude adjustment needs-- the ones who fight, and screw off, and blow off their homework. It's for the ones who are so bored/disenchanted/annoyed with the system, that they give the big middle finger to The Man. For some reason, they were begging to get me on board for this position. I couldn't begin to tell you why. I guess my disguise as a clever adult has worked too well. I hate to break it to them that I WAS one of these kids.

So, yeah. The next few weeks will be busy, with enrolling G in school, prepping for Pennsic, and work. Off to go spend some Quality Time(tm).

OK, so I was being a sourpuss. So sue me.

I don't have to check my head often. I just occasionally look at some of the things I've done and smack myself in the forehead in disbelief. I'm better now, I swear. I'm currently having a hard time understanding men, but my ego is intact and my moral stance unscathed.

In the interest of sharing part of my day with you, ( here's a little anecdote... )