Having contracted a cold a couple of weeks ago, I now find myself struggling to pull everything together. I haven't been cleaning my place the way I like to, mostly because I am already struggling to breathe. I've been trying to rest and not overwork myself. Yesterday, I took a break from everything - I didn't worry about homework, I chose not to obsess over making the bed perfectly, I went out to dinner with Melissa (Thanks, Melissa! The margarita was excellent!), and I watched more of The X-Files, Season 3, with Jeremy (when he returned from helping his father dismantle the old office in their house).
The goal yesterday was to enjoy life. The goal today is to complete everything for the week, including massive reading assignments, a plan for an upcoming presentation, a short paper, laundry (I can get that done before 5 PM, I think), clean, clean, clean, watch more X-Files, play music, call a few friends, go for a walk AND ride my exercise bike, and go to bed early (I am still quite sleep deprived).
I should go. The litter box won't clean itself.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
balance
Many of those nagging thoughts/insecurities/curiosities that were really taking over my life seemed to have subsided. I hope this isn't temporary. I rather like feeling like I am in control of my emotions and imagination.
My classes are going well. I especially like my Harry Potter course, although my other course seems to be something I will not hate all that much - it's theory, people...what else can I do but hate it?
School is okay. I still have to type the final draft of the German 1 exam. My English 12 students are all set. I have my grading mostly complete.
Mike V. called today. He had a voice lesson, but he still wanted to meet in Ann Arbor. I suggested we wait until things aren't so hectic (maybe the weekend - or, at least, Thursday). He also thought that was a good idea. Although Mike and I always have a blast in A2, there is simply too much going on right now. He said he should really spend some time with his girlfriend, anyway, considering she is stressed over her upcoming move to Chicago in March. And I have all kinds of homework and schoolwork. It was nice that we talked, though. I love that we are so routined.
Mondays seem to be Talk-to-Mike days. Does anyone else have this sort of thing with their friends?
My classes are going well. I especially like my Harry Potter course, although my other course seems to be something I will not hate all that much - it's theory, people...what else can I do but hate it?
School is okay. I still have to type the final draft of the German 1 exam. My English 12 students are all set. I have my grading mostly complete.
Mike V. called today. He had a voice lesson, but he still wanted to meet in Ann Arbor. I suggested we wait until things aren't so hectic (maybe the weekend - or, at least, Thursday). He also thought that was a good idea. Although Mike and I always have a blast in A2, there is simply too much going on right now. He said he should really spend some time with his girlfriend, anyway, considering she is stressed over her upcoming move to Chicago in March. And I have all kinds of homework and schoolwork. It was nice that we talked, though. I love that we are so routined.
Mondays seem to be Talk-to-Mike days. Does anyone else have this sort of thing with their friends?
Saturday, January 12, 2008
worse
It is worse to feel alone that to truly be alone. I wish Jeremy could finish his training early and come home. Everything feels empty without him.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Sunday, January 06, 2008
A different kind of Mike.
Today (er, yesterday?), Mike K. and Noelle came over for a visit. It was nice to have yet another Mike visit my place. Usually Mike A. comes over. Mike V. has been over once (we typically meet in Ann Arbor). Mike (Autumn's husband) has been here several times. There have been other Mikes, too.
Anyway...we sat and shared our stories. I was surprised that Mike hasn't really changed much. On the phone, he doesn't come across that way. In person, he seems to want to make things almost larger than life. I don't mean that he exaggerates; I mean that events that shaped him in high school have now become a major part of his world view. I suppose I had forgotten how intense his personality can be. It was a nice visit, nonetheless. Noelle was quiet. She and I can usually talk up a storm, but it seemed that she was slinking into the shadow of Mike. I didn't like seeing that. There should always be a balance. I couldn't see it. I hope everything is okay. Noelle says that things are fine, but I worry. She is my fraternity "brother" from college. We used to hang out a bit on campus back in the day. I knew her before her first marriage. I was there when things went sour, and she had to leave him behind. Mike was busy idealizing high school, and I realized that while my behaviors and certain patterns are still there, I don't think the way I used to. I guess I thought everyone changed the way I did. I didn't expect for Mike to tell me that I should go find my Dorothy costume (he told me that when he saw me wearing that costume in 1995, he started to like me). Who says that in front of their spouse!?! Or the woman's fiance!?!
When they left, Jeremy was quiet. I immediately became worried, because Jeremy is a regular Chatty Cathy. He said that he is surprised how normal I am. He has met a number of my friends, and is often surprised that I am the way I am - a little eccentric but relatively mainstream normal (at least in what I display to the world). This is not to say that my friends are freaks or anything - most of them aren't. Some, though, are a bit out there. I do have friends who: opt to cross dress, opt to be Goth, opt to wear costumes, opt to cover themselves with tattoos and piercings, opt to live "alternative lifestyles", opt to be nudists, opt to take drugs (although I usually don't spend a lot of time with those folks), opt to grow thick beards and live in the wilderness, opt to go to Star Trek conventions (and wear Spock ears and pins outside of the events), opt to live "on the road", opt to live in communes, opt to designate days at home where they are only allowed to speak in lines by certain authors and poets (I am intrigued by this!), opt to attend psychic fairs and Renaissance festivals (yes, I used to spend a lot of time with those people), opt to be political activists, and more. I also have what Jeremy would call "normal" friends - people who go to school/college, go to work a standard job, meet friends and barbecue stuff, etc. I think he was just a bit bothered that we had a convicted felon in our home today for several hours. Seeing as Jeremy's bachelor's degree is in criminal justice and political science, I can understand how his perspective on life might not be aligned with our guest's.
It wasn't uncomfortable or anything. Jeremy just didn't expect someone coming over to our home, boasting about all of the people he had beaten up over the years, how he joined a hippie community in the Florida wilderness, how he used to like me when we were teenagers. I think that last part made Jeremy the most uncomfortable. And even more so when he learned that Mike also had a thing with my sister. That was actually one reason I never dated Mike - he kissed my sister. Strange notion. Ah, anyway...I should be hitting the hay. I have three more (10-page) research papers to grade for my seniors tomorrow. I also have to complete lesson plans, typing semester exams, organizing all of my teaching stuff, and starting my grad school work for the week (I am a bit worried about the class that I thought would be the easier of the two).
I think I might ask Mike V. if he wants to get together next weekend. His grandmother passed away, and I think he could use some support. I know his girlfriend is really picking up where I left off - he had been getting his support from me when he was single. She is so good to him, and I am certain she is making sure he feels cared for.
My sleep problems are back already. I noticed a difference in sleep patterns a few days ago. Perhaps I will read a chapter or two of my Harry Potter books.
Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite! [BITE, BITE, BITE!]
Anyway...we sat and shared our stories. I was surprised that Mike hasn't really changed much. On the phone, he doesn't come across that way. In person, he seems to want to make things almost larger than life. I don't mean that he exaggerates; I mean that events that shaped him in high school have now become a major part of his world view. I suppose I had forgotten how intense his personality can be. It was a nice visit, nonetheless. Noelle was quiet. She and I can usually talk up a storm, but it seemed that she was slinking into the shadow of Mike. I didn't like seeing that. There should always be a balance. I couldn't see it. I hope everything is okay. Noelle says that things are fine, but I worry. She is my fraternity "brother" from college. We used to hang out a bit on campus back in the day. I knew her before her first marriage. I was there when things went sour, and she had to leave him behind. Mike was busy idealizing high school, and I realized that while my behaviors and certain patterns are still there, I don't think the way I used to. I guess I thought everyone changed the way I did. I didn't expect for Mike to tell me that I should go find my Dorothy costume (he told me that when he saw me wearing that costume in 1995, he started to like me). Who says that in front of their spouse!?! Or the woman's fiance!?!
When they left, Jeremy was quiet. I immediately became worried, because Jeremy is a regular Chatty Cathy. He said that he is surprised how normal I am. He has met a number of my friends, and is often surprised that I am the way I am - a little eccentric but relatively mainstream normal (at least in what I display to the world). This is not to say that my friends are freaks or anything - most of them aren't. Some, though, are a bit out there. I do have friends who: opt to cross dress, opt to be Goth, opt to wear costumes, opt to cover themselves with tattoos and piercings, opt to live "alternative lifestyles", opt to be nudists, opt to take drugs (although I usually don't spend a lot of time with those folks), opt to grow thick beards and live in the wilderness, opt to go to Star Trek conventions (and wear Spock ears and pins outside of the events), opt to live "on the road", opt to live in communes, opt to designate days at home where they are only allowed to speak in lines by certain authors and poets (I am intrigued by this!), opt to attend psychic fairs and Renaissance festivals (yes, I used to spend a lot of time with those people), opt to be political activists, and more. I also have what Jeremy would call "normal" friends - people who go to school/college, go to work a standard job, meet friends and barbecue stuff, etc. I think he was just a bit bothered that we had a convicted felon in our home today for several hours. Seeing as Jeremy's bachelor's degree is in criminal justice and political science, I can understand how his perspective on life might not be aligned with our guest's.
It wasn't uncomfortable or anything. Jeremy just didn't expect someone coming over to our home, boasting about all of the people he had beaten up over the years, how he joined a hippie community in the Florida wilderness, how he used to like me when we were teenagers. I think that last part made Jeremy the most uncomfortable. And even more so when he learned that Mike also had a thing with my sister. That was actually one reason I never dated Mike - he kissed my sister. Strange notion. Ah, anyway...I should be hitting the hay. I have three more (10-page) research papers to grade for my seniors tomorrow. I also have to complete lesson plans, typing semester exams, organizing all of my teaching stuff, and starting my grad school work for the week (I am a bit worried about the class that I thought would be the easier of the two).
I think I might ask Mike V. if he wants to get together next weekend. His grandmother passed away, and I think he could use some support. I know his girlfriend is really picking up where I left off - he had been getting his support from me when he was single. She is so good to him, and I am certain she is making sure he feels cared for.
My sleep problems are back already. I noticed a difference in sleep patterns a few days ago. Perhaps I will read a chapter or two of my Harry Potter books.
Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite! [BITE, BITE, BITE!]
Thursday, January 03, 2008
2 January 2008
2 January 2008
Today was uneventful, to say the least. I didn't really do anything special. Mostly, I tried to take care of a few maintenance items, like an oil change and washing dishes, with varying success. I received the Harry Potter series (Books 1-6, anyway) today. I jumped right in. I figure it will be better to be acquainted with the entire series before I start class next week. I am pleased so far; the books are really easy to read. I already read quickly - this just makes me feel like I am speed-reading. I don't typically speed read novels and such.
I haven't seen a listing for additional required texts for that class, as well as for my other class (I already have that book, although reading boring literary theory - philosophy - is not my favorite activity). I am just happy that I don't have the professor that was teaching the course last semester. She seemed friendly, but she was completely off her rocker.
Today was uneventful, to say the least. I didn't really do anything special. Mostly, I tried to take care of a few maintenance items, like an oil change and washing dishes, with varying success. I received the Harry Potter series (Books 1-6, anyway) today. I jumped right in. I figure it will be better to be acquainted with the entire series before I start class next week. I am pleased so far; the books are really easy to read. I already read quickly - this just makes me feel like I am speed-reading. I don't typically speed read novels and such.
I haven't seen a listing for additional required texts for that class, as well as for my other class (I already have that book, although reading boring literary theory - philosophy - is not my favorite activity). I am just happy that I don't have the professor that was teaching the course last semester. She seemed friendly, but she was completely off her rocker.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
1 January 2008
1 January 2008
My year didn't quite "kick off" the way I had planned. I slept in. I didn't go out for a jog, although I considered going outside to play in the snow. It didn't happen, though. I didn't tackle the basement, as I had hoped I would. I just left everything. Today was a day for lounging around and watching movies with Jeremy. I haven't been returning many text messages or phone calls - or emails for that matter. I've felt somewhat anti-social for a while now. I think it is just the craziness of the holidays. Usually I feel like jumping off of a bridge, but this year was a little easier. I just avoided things.
We made homemade pizza and I strummed my ukulele. Wendy finally joined MySpace. I finally have a convenient way to keep in touch with her.
In the morning, I need to call about a house I am interested in, make an appointment for an oil change at the dealership, contact two reception halls, maybe go dress shopping (with a friend, possibly), exercise, grade papers, do laundry, clean the kitchen and the living room, go to EMU to pick up my parking permit, clean my bedroom, and call a couple of friends. I also need to solve a couple of problems. I don't wish to get into those right now.
My year didn't quite "kick off" the way I had planned. I slept in. I didn't go out for a jog, although I considered going outside to play in the snow. It didn't happen, though. I didn't tackle the basement, as I had hoped I would. I just left everything. Today was a day for lounging around and watching movies with Jeremy. I haven't been returning many text messages or phone calls - or emails for that matter. I've felt somewhat anti-social for a while now. I think it is just the craziness of the holidays. Usually I feel like jumping off of a bridge, but this year was a little easier. I just avoided things.
We made homemade pizza and I strummed my ukulele. Wendy finally joined MySpace. I finally have a convenient way to keep in touch with her.
In the morning, I need to call about a house I am interested in, make an appointment for an oil change at the dealership, contact two reception halls, maybe go dress shopping (with a friend, possibly), exercise, grade papers, do laundry, clean the kitchen and the living room, go to EMU to pick up my parking permit, clean my bedroom, and call a couple of friends. I also need to solve a couple of problems. I don't wish to get into those right now.
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