Saturday, April 30, 2005
Not the Only One
We are not the only people obsessed with seeing Serenity. Firefly was a cult hit among many, as evidenced by this other cult hit.
Friday, April 29, 2005
Happiness is...
...having friends who want to watch Hitchhiker's Guide AND Serenity with you. Nice to know people who have taste and a sense of humor. :) I can't wait.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Tomorrrow
8:15 - 8:45 Meeting
8:45 - 9:00 Traffic Duty
9:00 - 3:15 The Educating of Young Minds intersperced with The Frantic Cleaning of The Room
3:15 - 4:00 cleaning, organizing, grading, recording, prepping, traveling
4:00 - 4:30 Meeting
4:30 - 6:30 The Mad Dash Home (dinner and dressing up)
6:30 - 8:00 Open House
I'm tired just thinking about it.
8:45 - 9:00 Traffic Duty
9:00 - 3:15 The Educating of Young Minds intersperced with The Frantic Cleaning of The Room
3:15 - 4:00 cleaning, organizing, grading, recording, prepping, traveling
4:00 - 4:30 Meeting
4:30 - 6:30 The Mad Dash Home (dinner and dressing up)
6:30 - 8:00 Open House
I'm tired just thinking about it.
Things I Could Do Without
three hour meetings
headaches induced by the flicker of light through the trees
constant yowling courtesy of one obnoxious, orange cat
enough junk mail to reforest a small country
headaches induced by the flicker of light through the trees
constant yowling courtesy of one obnoxious, orange cat
enough junk mail to reforest a small country
Monday, April 25, 2005
Things on my Mind: Episode Three: I can't make any more bad Star Wars jokes here.
Since we have started telling people about our new house, we have heard the same three things from darn near everyone. Our parents, our siblings, our friends and neighbors. All have the same thought process. This is odd to me, as none of the three things is a problem in my eyes.
1. You will have to watch out for coyotes.
While I am aware that there are coyotes in that area, I fail to see how they are going to present much of a problem. We will not be letting our cats outside unless we are there with them. This will be during daylight hours, inside the 6 foot high chainlink fence that surrounds the entire property. If I do happen to see a coyote, I will watch from a safe, indoor spot (possibly taking pictures) until it leaves. We won't be setting traps or poison out to get rid of them, but neither will we be leaving trash or other tempting things out to draw them near.
I lived in the middle of the woods, 20 miles away from the nearest city, for the first 18 years of my life. I have never been, and never will be, afraid of the idea of a little nature in my front yard. I am fully aware that animals are unpredictable (and sometimes dangerous), but that doesn't mean I can't share my two acres with them. When they develop opposable thumbs and start coming into my house uninvited, then I will be concerned.
2. Dust storms could be a problem.
It is pretty dry and dusty in the dessert. And we have been known to have the occasional dust devil whirling its way through the neighborhood. This will happen at the new house as well, I am sure. However, the only problem I see here is that things will get dusty. I can handle that.
3. That's a long commute.
The majority of the people in this state travel an hour (if not multiple hours) to work one way. They do this amid a sea of other cars, all travelling at the whopping speed of 3 mph. On this journey they get to stare at cars, asphalt, cars, large buildings, cars, other drivers, cars, and smog. On my 35 minute commute, I will get to see a lake, mountains, trees, hills, wild flowers, and valleys. Occasionally, I will be stuck behind someone going 60 instead of 65. This is also something I can handle, especially when it means that I will arrive at a place far away from the noise and chaos of the city each night.
I know that not everyone has the same desire for solitude that I have. Not everyone is comfortable with so much distance between them and the nearest grocery store, hospital and/or police station. That is why there are so many people in the very city I am trying to escape. But I happen to be very comfortable with the silence and independence that come from leaving city living behind. And I am lucky enough to have a husband who shares my values. I am thrilled at the thought of having a beautiful house, on a gorgeous piece of land, where I can shuck off the stresses of society on a daily basis. To me, that is the ultimate peace, and I would drive any distance and face anything nature can throw at me to have it.
1. You will have to watch out for coyotes.
While I am aware that there are coyotes in that area, I fail to see how they are going to present much of a problem. We will not be letting our cats outside unless we are there with them. This will be during daylight hours, inside the 6 foot high chainlink fence that surrounds the entire property. If I do happen to see a coyote, I will watch from a safe, indoor spot (possibly taking pictures) until it leaves. We won't be setting traps or poison out to get rid of them, but neither will we be leaving trash or other tempting things out to draw them near.
I lived in the middle of the woods, 20 miles away from the nearest city, for the first 18 years of my life. I have never been, and never will be, afraid of the idea of a little nature in my front yard. I am fully aware that animals are unpredictable (and sometimes dangerous), but that doesn't mean I can't share my two acres with them. When they develop opposable thumbs and start coming into my house uninvited, then I will be concerned.
2. Dust storms could be a problem.
It is pretty dry and dusty in the dessert. And we have been known to have the occasional dust devil whirling its way through the neighborhood. This will happen at the new house as well, I am sure. However, the only problem I see here is that things will get dusty. I can handle that.
3. That's a long commute.
The majority of the people in this state travel an hour (if not multiple hours) to work one way. They do this amid a sea of other cars, all travelling at the whopping speed of 3 mph. On this journey they get to stare at cars, asphalt, cars, large buildings, cars, other drivers, cars, and smog. On my 35 minute commute, I will get to see a lake, mountains, trees, hills, wild flowers, and valleys. Occasionally, I will be stuck behind someone going 60 instead of 65. This is also something I can handle, especially when it means that I will arrive at a place far away from the noise and chaos of the city each night.
I know that not everyone has the same desire for solitude that I have. Not everyone is comfortable with so much distance between them and the nearest grocery store, hospital and/or police station. That is why there are so many people in the very city I am trying to escape. But I happen to be very comfortable with the silence and independence that come from leaving city living behind. And I am lucky enough to have a husband who shares my values. I am thrilled at the thought of having a beautiful house, on a gorgeous piece of land, where I can shuck off the stresses of society on a daily basis. To me, that is the ultimate peace, and I would drive any distance and face anything nature can throw at me to have it.
Things on my Mind: Episode Two: Attack of the Morons
To the driver of that SUV:
I am so sorry that you had to drive that extra block to get to the actual parking lot this morning. I'm sure that there are some teachers who are sufficiently intimidated by your irate faces and rude gestures as to allow you to park in the bus loop "all the time", but I am not one of them. I hope that tomorrow morning, when I am once again using my body to block cars from going where they don't belong (because the concept of keeping students safe isn't enough), you will see me and think twice about driving around me and past the busses from which young children are disembarking. If you do choose to ignore this safety rule again, please be so kind as to use a reasonable driving speed when you storm off. It would be mighty embarrassing for you if you proved my point by running over some innocent 1st grader in your outrage.
I am so sorry that you had to drive that extra block to get to the actual parking lot this morning. I'm sure that there are some teachers who are sufficiently intimidated by your irate faces and rude gestures as to allow you to park in the bus loop "all the time", but I am not one of them. I hope that tomorrow morning, when I am once again using my body to block cars from going where they don't belong (because the concept of keeping students safe isn't enough), you will see me and think twice about driving around me and past the busses from which young children are disembarking. If you do choose to ignore this safety rule again, please be so kind as to use a reasonable driving speed when you storm off. It would be mighty embarrassing for you if you proved my point by running over some innocent 1st grader in your outrage.
Things on my Mind: Episode One: The Kindergarten Menace
I will be the first to admit that my news intake has been remarkably limited lately. On purpose. However, that doesn't stop me from having an opinion about everything, as I learned while we were having dinner at the nearby pizza joint (one of those places with multiple televisions tuned to multiple channels). The TV directly above my head was tuned to FOX "News", the channel that makes me want to cut off my own ears. To make it even more interesting, it was the right time to catch my best pal, Mr. Bill O'Reilly. As I have mentioned before, I find O'Reilly to be intensely offensive and repugnant. Rarely does he complete a sentence that fails to set my blood boiling. He is followed by HANNITY and Colmes, another program the incites me to mutter under my breath about societies downward spiral. Anyway. Where was I going with this? Oh. Right. Kindergarteners in Handcuffs.
H and C made mention of the incident where the kindergartener was arrested for acting out at school. I have only read one article on this (and unfortunately cannot find it again), but what I read made it sound as though:
a) the child has had major behavior problems before - to the extent that I suspect she may have some kind of behavioral disorder (no evidence, just a hunch).
b) the teacher responded in a rational manner that protected her other students (removing them from the room) and herself (calling in assistance), while using generally accepted methods for de-escalating a situation (calm voice, avoidance of physical contact, presentation of alternatives).
c) the parent (who is now trying to sue the school) was called and asked to pick the child up, but told the school that she was unable to do so.
and
d) the situation had greatly improved when the police officers arrived and grabbed the child, handcuffing her.
This article also stated that the officers refused to release the child to her mother until the DA informed them that they WOULD NOT be prosecuting a 5 year old.
It is my understanding from some brief research tonight that part of the problem was the calling of the wrong officers. Most schools have some kind of campus police or at least a police liason who is used to dealing with school issues. Had that individual been called, some of the drama of this situation may have been avoided. My real concern is about the teacher involved, though. I know enough about how districts operate to know that if they think it is more cost effective, they will hang this teacher out to dry. If this parent continues with her lawsuit, there is a very good chance that the district higher-ups will try to lay the blame on the classroom teacher, sacrificing her in order to protect their "image". I sincerely hope that the media coverage of this story includes praise of the teacher for keeping her cool and protecting all of her students. Regardless of the outcome, it doesn't appear that she did anything wrong.
As always, if you disagree, I would love to hear your reasons.
H and C made mention of the incident where the kindergartener was arrested for acting out at school. I have only read one article on this (and unfortunately cannot find it again), but what I read made it sound as though:
a) the child has had major behavior problems before - to the extent that I suspect she may have some kind of behavioral disorder (no evidence, just a hunch).
b) the teacher responded in a rational manner that protected her other students (removing them from the room) and herself (calling in assistance), while using generally accepted methods for de-escalating a situation (calm voice, avoidance of physical contact, presentation of alternatives).
c) the parent (who is now trying to sue the school) was called and asked to pick the child up, but told the school that she was unable to do so.
and
d) the situation had greatly improved when the police officers arrived and grabbed the child, handcuffing her.
This article also stated that the officers refused to release the child to her mother until the DA informed them that they WOULD NOT be prosecuting a 5 year old.
It is my understanding from some brief research tonight that part of the problem was the calling of the wrong officers. Most schools have some kind of campus police or at least a police liason who is used to dealing with school issues. Had that individual been called, some of the drama of this situation may have been avoided. My real concern is about the teacher involved, though. I know enough about how districts operate to know that if they think it is more cost effective, they will hang this teacher out to dry. If this parent continues with her lawsuit, there is a very good chance that the district higher-ups will try to lay the blame on the classroom teacher, sacrificing her in order to protect their "image". I sincerely hope that the media coverage of this story includes praise of the teacher for keeping her cool and protecting all of her students. Regardless of the outcome, it doesn't appear that she did anything wrong.
As always, if you disagree, I would love to hear your reasons.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Speaking of Amber...
Why the heck can't I get to your site? I miss hearing about those adorable babies of yours. Let me know what's going on!!
Deep breath
Oh. I didn't say anything earlier because I was too busy and didn't want anyone to worry, but my cousin had a brief (well, relatively) scare at her 4 month check-up. Her first biopsy showed some inflammation of the KIDNEY, but a few days of medication got it under control. Her last biopsy on Thursday was reported as "good" and she is back home. Huzzah!
PLEASE NOTE: I obviously have too much going on in my brain. When I speed read over this post the first time, I failed to notice that I had typed liver instead of kidney. The inflammation was, of course, in the new kidney. Thanks to Amber for bringing it to my attention. At least someone is paying attention!
PLEASE NOTE: I obviously have too much going on in my brain. When I speed read over this post the first time, I failed to notice that I had typed liver instead of kidney. The inflammation was, of course, in the new kidney. Thanks to Amber for bringing it to my attention. At least someone is paying attention!
Everybodies Working ON the Weekend
I woke up early yesterday morning so I could get some more cleaning done. By 10:00, everything was sparkly. We have eliminated most of the clutter (or at least moved it to the garage) and rearranged things to be most "presentable". All my fun things are missing - cds, dvds, sewing stuff, lots of books - but this is only temporary. Of course, nobody came to look yesterday, but perhaps today. It is raining and I wonder if that won't keep people inside.
We took the in-laws out to the new place to see what they thought. They aren't convinced that we really want to be so far from town, but they were very positive about the house. I'm sure they are right that driving 3 minutes to work will get tiresome after awhile, but it is totally worth it to be in a house that is so...perfect. We looked at a couple other places while we were out there. One was not at all what we wanted (poor floorplan, huge pile of rusting junk just off the property line, no garage) and one is very nice, but too pricey for us. It didn't "click" with me the way the other one did either.
Between cleaning and looking at houses I was exhausted when we got home. I ended up sleeping for a couple hours and then wandering around zombie-fashion for the rest of the evening. This morning, my shoulders are still complaining about the good, old-fashioned scrubbing we gave the floors, but the rest of me is ready to go to Home Depot. We need
1. a light fixture to replace an outdoor one that is broken,
2. a new door mat for the back door, and
3. more CLR spray for the shower door.
I may even stop at Ross for a couple fake plants to dress the place up for showing, and and new bathmat for the master bath. Funny how necessity forces me to do things I should have done long ago, but managed to convince myself I didn't need/know how to do.
We took the in-laws out to the new place to see what they thought. They aren't convinced that we really want to be so far from town, but they were very positive about the house. I'm sure they are right that driving 3 minutes to work will get tiresome after awhile, but it is totally worth it to be in a house that is so...perfect. We looked at a couple other places while we were out there. One was not at all what we wanted (poor floorplan, huge pile of rusting junk just off the property line, no garage) and one is very nice, but too pricey for us. It didn't "click" with me the way the other one did either.
Between cleaning and looking at houses I was exhausted when we got home. I ended up sleeping for a couple hours and then wandering around zombie-fashion for the rest of the evening. This morning, my shoulders are still complaining about the good, old-fashioned scrubbing we gave the floors, but the rest of me is ready to go to Home Depot. We need
1. a light fixture to replace an outdoor one that is broken,
2. a new door mat for the back door, and
3. more CLR spray for the shower door.
I may even stop at Ross for a couple fake plants to dress the place up for showing, and and new bathmat for the master bath. Funny how necessity forces me to do things I should have done long ago, but managed to convince myself I didn't need/know how to do.
Friday, April 22, 2005
News
Sorry it's been so quiet around here. Between house paperwork, school, cleaning/packing for a potential move, and trying to get some sleep, it's been kinda busy. Here's the basics:
* We made an offer slightly under what they were asking and received a counter saying they wanted what they were asking. Big surprise. Fortunately, it was a token effort. It is still one of the best deals around.
* Our house has already been shown 3 times. This would be great except that I have had NO time to get any cleaning done since we put it on the market. I am going to get cracking as soon as this post is posted.
* If this is the house for us, ours has to be in escrow in the next 17 days. So send some good house-selling mojo our way.
* I am still madly in love with the new house and property. I am going to be REALLY disappointed if this doesn't work out.
Okay. I have to hide the stuff that is sitting out and start disassembling things that we don't absolutely need out. Much easier for others to picture themselves here if they don't have to look past all our knick-knacks and such, you know? More later.
* We made an offer slightly under what they were asking and received a counter saying they wanted what they were asking. Big surprise. Fortunately, it was a token effort. It is still one of the best deals around.
* Our house has already been shown 3 times. This would be great except that I have had NO time to get any cleaning done since we put it on the market. I am going to get cracking as soon as this post is posted.
* If this is the house for us, ours has to be in escrow in the next 17 days. So send some good house-selling mojo our way.
* I am still madly in love with the new house and property. I am going to be REALLY disappointed if this doesn't work out.
Okay. I have to hide the stuff that is sitting out and start disassembling things that we don't absolutely need out. Much easier for others to picture themselves here if they don't have to look past all our knick-knacks and such, you know? More later.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
I keep my promises
I promised you pictures of the house. Here they are:
It doesn't look like much from the back. The gate is not especially attractive, but it doesn't bother me. Now that we will be out a bit from town, it isn't a bad thing to have some protection. Not to mention that every Joe Shmo who wants to sell me something (carpet cleanings, candy bars or God) will be foiled BEFORE they knock on my door. And check out that big rock!
The house may not look all that fancy from the back, but this is what it is looking out on. Maybe it is just because I spend all my time looking at fences and houses and people and cars and punks on motorscooters, but I think that is a nice looking view. I didn't think it would happen, but I have grown to like this scrubbrush and dirt look. The best part? No lawn to water or mow and no asphalt to take care of. Our driveway would just be a dirt path.
Here is more of what we would see when we look out our front door. If you follow that path, you find yourself on the top of a little hill, looking out onto the great beyond. At least that is what Mikey said. I will have to check it out on Wed. It seems like a good place for a gazebo, doesn't it? Also, all that flat land in front of the house is just BEGGING for a pool.
This is the front of the house, complete with Mikey. Not too bad. Once it is dressed up with a porch and possibly that pool, it will look pretty nice.
The first thing we noticed as we walked in was the island in the kitchen. Mikey has a thing for islands. There is tons of storage, all easily accessible, and all the appliances are new. I really like the color of the cabinets - rich, but not snooty. There is plenty of room for us to cook and entertain here. Not that we do much entertaining, but still. That little door in the background leads to the laundry room and the back door. How nice to have the laundry inside AND right next door to the master suite. The master bedroom is connected to the bathroom shown below, a walk in closet, and what they call a "retreat". This would become Mikey's office.
Here's my favorite part of the house. A bathtub big enough to actually soak in. No more cold knees! This bathroom also has the double sinks you can see in the mirror and a nice big shower with a door (shower curtains make me claustrophobic). The bathroom on the other end of the house has a single sink and a tub/shower. Both have skylights that make it very bright and sunny.
The rest of the house includes two spare bedrooms, one that would be a guest room and one that would be the kitty/game room. There is a big living room/dining room area between the two wings of the house, complete with picture windows and a fireplace. You can't really see in the kitchen picture, but there is a breakfast nook type space on the other side. There is ample closet space in every room and ceiling fans in all the important ones. A two-car garage sits just to the right of the house. Beautiful. I can't wait to see it again on Wednesday.
It doesn't look like much from the back. The gate is not especially attractive, but it doesn't bother me. Now that we will be out a bit from town, it isn't a bad thing to have some protection. Not to mention that every Joe Shmo who wants to sell me something (carpet cleanings, candy bars or God) will be foiled BEFORE they knock on my door. And check out that big rock!
The house may not look all that fancy from the back, but this is what it is looking out on. Maybe it is just because I spend all my time looking at fences and houses and people and cars and punks on motorscooters, but I think that is a nice looking view. I didn't think it would happen, but I have grown to like this scrubbrush and dirt look. The best part? No lawn to water or mow and no asphalt to take care of. Our driveway would just be a dirt path.
Here is more of what we would see when we look out our front door. If you follow that path, you find yourself on the top of a little hill, looking out onto the great beyond. At least that is what Mikey said. I will have to check it out on Wed. It seems like a good place for a gazebo, doesn't it? Also, all that flat land in front of the house is just BEGGING for a pool.
This is the front of the house, complete with Mikey. Not too bad. Once it is dressed up with a porch and possibly that pool, it will look pretty nice.
The first thing we noticed as we walked in was the island in the kitchen. Mikey has a thing for islands. There is tons of storage, all easily accessible, and all the appliances are new. I really like the color of the cabinets - rich, but not snooty. There is plenty of room for us to cook and entertain here. Not that we do much entertaining, but still. That little door in the background leads to the laundry room and the back door. How nice to have the laundry inside AND right next door to the master suite. The master bedroom is connected to the bathroom shown below, a walk in closet, and what they call a "retreat". This would become Mikey's office.
Here's my favorite part of the house. A bathtub big enough to actually soak in. No more cold knees! This bathroom also has the double sinks you can see in the mirror and a nice big shower with a door (shower curtains make me claustrophobic). The bathroom on the other end of the house has a single sink and a tub/shower. Both have skylights that make it very bright and sunny.
The rest of the house includes two spare bedrooms, one that would be a guest room and one that would be the kitty/game room. There is a big living room/dining room area between the two wings of the house, complete with picture windows and a fireplace. You can't really see in the kitchen picture, but there is a breakfast nook type space on the other side. There is ample closet space in every room and ceiling fans in all the important ones. A two-car garage sits just to the right of the house. Beautiful. I can't wait to see it again on Wednesday.
Into the Lair
It's time for a blood draw! I'm heading off to see my favorite (and only) Vampire Lady this morning. There has been way too much stress at the previous draws, so I am trying to go in with a positive attitude this morning. Life is too short to worry about the hows and how muches as long as the blood gets where it needs to be. Given the hassles, frustrations and disappointments that Amy has dealt with, this pales in comparison. I'm heading into the lair with a smile and the hope that I am somehow eleviating things for her, if only a little.
Monday, April 18, 2005
The Sign
Someone said to me recently, "You base a lot of things on 'signs'." They were right, and they didn't mean the street kind. As I said in my previous post, there was one house that really called to us. As we were leaving that house, I looked down to the ground to see this...
Truly, I don't know why I am even questioning it. I knew from that moment.
Truly, I don't know why I am even questioning it. I knew from that moment.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
What 'til you see!
Okay. The amazing house was a bust. The layout was so lame that you were conscious at all times that the house was three trailers taped together. The landscaping was a confusing jumble and the neighborhood did not have a good feeling to it.
Before you get all sad for us though...we found 2 different houses that we adored. They are both in better locations. The houses are beautiful (one was 2100 sq ft!), the land gorgeous, and the drive to school managable. Now we have to make a decision. Do we make an offer on the big one with the panoramic view that is closer to the paved road and definitely has better selling potential? Or do we go with the less expensive one that is completely fenced (and gated) for privacy, surrounded by brush and trees, and has the perfect place for a pool? The first one is the one my mind (and real estate agent) recommends. The second one is the one my soul and gut are going for. I'm going to sleep on it tonight, think about it tomorrow, and then see what I think when we go out again Wednesday evening. Feel free to send me your thoughts. I'll tell you more about both places after school tomorrow. For now, I am in need of sleep - 6 hours of house hunting and socializing with realtors give me a headache!
Before you get all sad for us though...we found 2 different houses that we adored. They are both in better locations. The houses are beautiful (one was 2100 sq ft!), the land gorgeous, and the drive to school managable. Now we have to make a decision. Do we make an offer on the big one with the panoramic view that is closer to the paved road and definitely has better selling potential? Or do we go with the less expensive one that is completely fenced (and gated) for privacy, surrounded by brush and trees, and has the perfect place for a pool? The first one is the one my mind (and real estate agent) recommends. The second one is the one my soul and gut are going for. I'm going to sleep on it tonight, think about it tomorrow, and then see what I think when we go out again Wednesday evening. Feel free to send me your thoughts. I'll tell you more about both places after school tomorrow. For now, I am in need of sleep - 6 hours of house hunting and socializing with realtors give me a headache!
Saturday, April 16, 2005
We're doing WHAT?
So, the other day, we were fooling around online and we found a house for sale in a nearby area for a rediculously low price. Just for kicks, we called an agent today and we are going to go see it tomorrow afternoon. If it looks as good in real life as it does in photos, we are thinking about spending some time moving our newly reduced collection of belongings to a brand, spanking new location.
The Specs:
~1800 sq. ft.
~1 acre
1977 manufactured home (I know, that is a fancy way to say trailer home that's lost it's wheels, but if it comes with more than a postage stamp of land, I am happy)
3 bdrms, 2 bath
patio
pool
TENNIS COURT! (Seriously, folks, it says it has a tennis court.)
And all for LESS than we could sell this place for. Not too shabby, huh? I'll let you know what the catch is tomorrow, after we've had a chance to look at it for ourselves.
The Specs:
~1800 sq. ft.
~1 acre
1977 manufactured home (I know, that is a fancy way to say trailer home that's lost it's wheels, but if it comes with more than a postage stamp of land, I am happy)
3 bdrms, 2 bath
patio
pool
TENNIS COURT! (Seriously, folks, it says it has a tennis court.)
And all for LESS than we could sell this place for. Not too shabby, huh? I'll let you know what the catch is tomorrow, after we've had a chance to look at it for ourselves.
Latest Addiction
I recently discovered the fun and frustration that is Geneforge. Now that I have a Mac, I have been without gaming options. (At least, I WAS, before I set up the old PC again.) I often stopped by Jeff's site to read the stories about his daughter, but it was only a couple weeks ago that I looked into his games. I downloaded the demo for Geneforge 2 and I have been hooked ever since. I am no good at all when it comes to playing RPG type games, but I have managed to complete many quests and even win some battles. My strategy involves compulsively saving every few seconds (dying isn't quite so frustrating when you only have to redo one thing) and spending a lot of time running back to town for healing. There are lots of places to explore and tons of quests to work on. I have been playing for days and I'm only on the demo. I am a little worried that the demo will run out and I will be suffer from withdrawal symptoms as I wait for the actual thing to arrive.
You know you're a geek when...
*you find yourself looking for the "Add Guacamole" button when you realize that your cracker is topless.
*you own 6 different computing machines, all with their own purpose.
*you have to keep your old PC set up because your favorite games don't play on the new Mac.
*you understand (and LAUGH at) Penny Arcade.
*you own 6 different computing machines, all with their own purpose.
*you have to keep your old PC set up because your favorite games don't play on the new Mac.
*you understand (and LAUGH at) Penny Arcade.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Back in the Shadows Again
That sounds dark. I'm not really in the shadows, but it was the first thing that came to mind as I tried to think of a title about returning to school. I guess you could say I am in the shadow of the building because after a week of wandering around in the Mexico sun being trapped inside all day sucks. Anyway...
I am back at work. It was so much fun to walk to the line Monday morning and see all those familiar shining faces. Even though I had barely thought about them for two weeks on a conscious level, I was 100% honest when I said a heartfelt, "I missed you guys!!!". I did miss them. For two whole weeks I didn't have anyone shadowing me to ask if they could use the bathroom 3 minutes after they return from recess. I missed that. I didn't have parents calling to ask advise on how to get their kid to do his homework. I missed that. I didn't have to listen to the pencil sharpener, talk over kids who wouldn't shut up, or restate the rules for using the playground equipment. I missed that. I didn't have to answer difficult questions or puzzle out the meaning of rambling commentaries. I think that is what I missed the most. I've had some good questions/comments lately.
"So...is it possible, after you die, to be born again as another person, but with still as yourself?"
"If you are made up of molecules and you eat something and it is made up of molecules (because everything is made of molecules), then do you have MORE molecules in you afterward?"
"Is that character mentioning gold stars so often because he doesn't have any and he wishes he did?"
And my favorite question...
"Can I tell you something about my trip/vacation/new baby brother/favorite game/etc.?"
We are currently knee deep in some of my favorite 4th grade curriculum. We're studying matter, electricity and magnets in science. For social studies, we are reading a book about the CA gold rush. This book is also tied into our writing focus - responding to literature. Our math is focusing on algebra, which I have presented as "a bunch of puzzles where you just have to find the mystery number" and the kids are really enjoying. We're at a point when every activity we do all day long is a pleasure to teach. I have to give the credit for this to my kiddos, who have so much fun learning that I have gotten very excited about presenting them with each new topic. Sure makes getting up early (after 2 weeks of NOT) more bearable. I can't wait to get deeper into the gold rush and start working on geometry!
I am back at work. It was so much fun to walk to the line Monday morning and see all those familiar shining faces. Even though I had barely thought about them for two weeks on a conscious level, I was 100% honest when I said a heartfelt, "I missed you guys!!!". I did miss them. For two whole weeks I didn't have anyone shadowing me to ask if they could use the bathroom 3 minutes after they return from recess. I missed that. I didn't have parents calling to ask advise on how to get their kid to do his homework. I missed that. I didn't have to listen to the pencil sharpener, talk over kids who wouldn't shut up, or restate the rules for using the playground equipment. I missed that. I didn't have to answer difficult questions or puzzle out the meaning of rambling commentaries. I think that is what I missed the most. I've had some good questions/comments lately.
"So...is it possible, after you die, to be born again as another person, but with still as yourself?"
"If you are made up of molecules and you eat something and it is made up of molecules (because everything is made of molecules), then do you have MORE molecules in you afterward?"
"Is that character mentioning gold stars so often because he doesn't have any and he wishes he did?"
And my favorite question...
"Can I tell you something about my trip/vacation/new baby brother/favorite game/etc.?"
We are currently knee deep in some of my favorite 4th grade curriculum. We're studying matter, electricity and magnets in science. For social studies, we are reading a book about the CA gold rush. This book is also tied into our writing focus - responding to literature. Our math is focusing on algebra, which I have presented as "a bunch of puzzles where you just have to find the mystery number" and the kids are really enjoying. We're at a point when every activity we do all day long is a pleasure to teach. I have to give the credit for this to my kiddos, who have so much fun learning that I have gotten very excited about presenting them with each new topic. Sure makes getting up early (after 2 weeks of NOT) more bearable. I can't wait to get deeper into the gold rush and start working on geometry!
Sunday, April 10, 2005
!#*#$&@#((%&@^%$@#
I lost my freakin' purse. We went to a restaurant for breakfast with the in-laws and then came home to clean out the office. I decided to go to school to get ready for tomorrow only to find that my purse, complete with wallet, driver's license, credit cards, AND room keys was missing. I called the restaurant twice and the condecending F**k that I talked to said he didn't see it. When I asked if he would take my number so he could call if he DID find it, he agreed, but didn't write down my name or a description of the purse. JERK. We're going to go back and retrace our steps to see if it isn't somewhere. Otherwise, I am in for a lot of crappy phone calls, getting cards cancelled and getting a new license. Bleh.
Update:
We drove back to the restaurant and I looked around. No purse. Mikey pointed out that it would be stupid to go all that way and not ask the people inside, so although I loathed the idea of having to be face to face with the guy I had talked to twice, I went in. As I was asking one of the waiters if they had seen it, the big guy at the counter laughed and made some snide remark about how the lady wouldn't believe him that it wasn't here. Embarrased, I explained that I just wanted to check before I drove back to TEMECULA. As we were walking out, our waitress came rushing out to hand me the purse she had found and tucked under the counter for safety. You should have seen how close I came to giving that guy the finger. Seriously, my arms flung out in a "give me a break" kind of gesture and I gave him a nasty, "talk down to me NOW" look. I thanked the waitress and walked out. I sure hope that guy realized what a jerk he was. We may not be going back there any time soon.
Update:
We drove back to the restaurant and I looked around. No purse. Mikey pointed out that it would be stupid to go all that way and not ask the people inside, so although I loathed the idea of having to be face to face with the guy I had talked to twice, I went in. As I was asking one of the waiters if they had seen it, the big guy at the counter laughed and made some snide remark about how the lady wouldn't believe him that it wasn't here. Embarrased, I explained that I just wanted to check before I drove back to TEMECULA. As we were walking out, our waitress came rushing out to hand me the purse she had found and tucked under the counter for safety. You should have seen how close I came to giving that guy the finger. Seriously, my arms flung out in a "give me a break" kind of gesture and I gave him a nasty, "talk down to me NOW" look. I thanked the waitress and walked out. I sure hope that guy realized what a jerk he was. We may not be going back there any time soon.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Quotable Quotes
As soon as we heard this one, Mikey knew it would become popular...
"Greater good? I'm your wife. I'm the greatest good you'll ever know!"
We just finished watching The Incredibles. Quite the movie. I won't go into details because I know that we are the last two on the face of Earth to see it. Darn waiting list on NetFlix. Suffice it to say, it was worth the wait.
"Greater good? I'm your wife. I'm the greatest good you'll ever know!"
We just finished watching The Incredibles. Quite the movie. I won't go into details because I know that we are the last two on the face of Earth to see it. Darn waiting list on NetFlix. Suffice it to say, it was worth the wait.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Games Gotta Go!
We spent some time going through our spare room yesterday. Lots of things for the garage sale in there! Mikey has finally decided to let go of his old gaming systems - an Atari and a Sega Genesis - that he hasn't used for years. We hooked them both up this morning and found that the Genesis works very well (we played each of the games for a few minutes) and that the Atari would probably work if we had the right connector cable. Using the Genesis cable we could see that the game was running, but we couldn't really see well enough to play anything.
Here's the Atari. The controllers cover a variety of gaming options, but are in no way guaranteed to work. The games include: Breakout, Q-Bert, Video Olympics, Street Racer, Jungle Hunt, and several others.
This is the Genesis collection. There is one controller (shown) that works reasonably well. The games include: Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2, Target Earth, Thunder Force III, Musha, Mortal Kombat, Speedball, and a few others. All games (except Eternal Champions) include case, game and manual.
Anyway - these gaming dinosaurs will soon be e-Bay material. If anyone here is interested, I might be able to put in a good word to the boss on your behalf. He wants them to go to a good home, you know. Contact me if you have questions or are actually interested in purchasing (for a nominal fee) either of these machines.
Here's the Atari. The controllers cover a variety of gaming options, but are in no way guaranteed to work. The games include: Breakout, Q-Bert, Video Olympics, Street Racer, Jungle Hunt, and several others.
This is the Genesis collection. There is one controller (shown) that works reasonably well. The games include: Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2, Target Earth, Thunder Force III, Musha, Mortal Kombat, Speedball, and a few others. All games (except Eternal Champions) include case, game and manual.
Anyway - these gaming dinosaurs will soon be e-Bay material. If anyone here is interested, I might be able to put in a good word to the boss on your behalf. He wants them to go to a good home, you know. Contact me if you have questions or are actually interested in purchasing (for a nominal fee) either of these machines.
Realization
Damn. Now that I am on the Mac, I can't play my Sims or Zoo Tycoon anymore. :(
Not that I played them more than twice a year anyway, but still...it was nice to know I could.
Not that I played them more than twice a year anyway, but still...it was nice to know I could.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
We just can't stop talking about it!
If you are interested in reading more about our trip, you can find it in Mikey's journal. So far, he has only written 2 installments, but there are several planned.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Small Victories
(This is the first in a series of stories and essays inspired by The Sun's Readers Write topics.)
A week into my first year of teaching 4th grade, I knew that Mark would pose a problem. He doodled during lessons, fought with his classmates, and shrugged his shoulders when I made him stay in at recess. I became more and more resentful of Mark's dismissive attitude toward school. I would ask for his homework each morning with a sigh and a shake of the head half started. "Damn it!" I would lament to my husband each night. "How can I teach students who don't care?" Conference time arrived and Mark's parents were "too busy" to come in to talk to me. At this point, Mark was failing every subject and completely disinterested in making any changes.
Desperate to get through to him, I agreed to make a home visit. Mark's little brother's similar failures in 3rd grade prompted his teacher to accompany. Our principal, hesitant to send us to a strange home, went with us as well.
As we walked up the sidewalk, we all commented on the shiny, new pick-up in the driveway. Inside, while I waited for my co-worker to finish her conference, I looked around the house. Aside from a big screen TV and a surround-sound stereo system, the room contained very little. No pictures on the walls, no books, the bare minimum of furniture. A younger sister ran rampant through the living room, and an older brother floated curses down the stairs. Mark and his little brother sat silently on the couch, eyes as wide as saucers. They were both stunned that anyone, much less their teachers, thought them important enough for a special home visit.
When Mark returned to school after the winter break, there was an almost imperceptible difference in him. I noticed him listening to my lessons. His homework made it to school at least once a week. Most importantly, he started making friends with his classmates. You had to look closely to notice the change, but it was there. Mark was starting to care.
As the year crawled towards summer break, Mark and I came to an agreement. I stopped sighing and shaking my head, recognizing the futility of trying to get any homework done at his house, and he began to volunteer to stay in at recess or lunch to finish important assignments. He arrived at school early some days and begged to stay late on others. His classwork, especially his writing, not only got done, it began to show a sense of ownership.
There was no great miracle on his final report card, although it was somewhat improved. He was still failing reading, writing and math, but he had managed a "C-" in both science and social studies. As we talked about it, Mark expressed both pride and frustration. He nodded seriously as I told him what to expect in 5th grade.
Next year, the little brother will join my class. I won't waste time shaking my head or sighing this time. We'll get right to work.
A week into my first year of teaching 4th grade, I knew that Mark would pose a problem. He doodled during lessons, fought with his classmates, and shrugged his shoulders when I made him stay in at recess. I became more and more resentful of Mark's dismissive attitude toward school. I would ask for his homework each morning with a sigh and a shake of the head half started. "Damn it!" I would lament to my husband each night. "How can I teach students who don't care?" Conference time arrived and Mark's parents were "too busy" to come in to talk to me. At this point, Mark was failing every subject and completely disinterested in making any changes.
Desperate to get through to him, I agreed to make a home visit. Mark's little brother's similar failures in 3rd grade prompted his teacher to accompany. Our principal, hesitant to send us to a strange home, went with us as well.
As we walked up the sidewalk, we all commented on the shiny, new pick-up in the driveway. Inside, while I waited for my co-worker to finish her conference, I looked around the house. Aside from a big screen TV and a surround-sound stereo system, the room contained very little. No pictures on the walls, no books, the bare minimum of furniture. A younger sister ran rampant through the living room, and an older brother floated curses down the stairs. Mark and his little brother sat silently on the couch, eyes as wide as saucers. They were both stunned that anyone, much less their teachers, thought them important enough for a special home visit.
When Mark returned to school after the winter break, there was an almost imperceptible difference in him. I noticed him listening to my lessons. His homework made it to school at least once a week. Most importantly, he started making friends with his classmates. You had to look closely to notice the change, but it was there. Mark was starting to care.
As the year crawled towards summer break, Mark and I came to an agreement. I stopped sighing and shaking my head, recognizing the futility of trying to get any homework done at his house, and he began to volunteer to stay in at recess or lunch to finish important assignments. He arrived at school early some days and begged to stay late on others. His classwork, especially his writing, not only got done, it began to show a sense of ownership.
There was no great miracle on his final report card, although it was somewhat improved. He was still failing reading, writing and math, but he had managed a "C-" in both science and social studies. As we talked about it, Mark expressed both pride and frustration. He nodded seriously as I told him what to expect in 5th grade.
Next year, the little brother will join my class. I won't waste time shaking my head or sighing this time. We'll get right to work.
Randomness
My brain is whirling with stuff. Rather than allow it to affect my sleep another night, it is time to empty the vessel.
* Humans are social creatures who develop intricate relationships and complex societies. Why, then, does each individual still feel the need to function in a bubble? I see every day, in my friends, my family, stories I have read, and in my own interactions, that the times when we most need others are the times that we hide most diligently from them.
* My garden not only survived my absence, it apparently thrived on it. The beans and corn are each 2 inches tall, the sunflowers are coming up, and the tomatoes and peppers are still doing their thing. I have yet to see evidence of the carrots or onions. It could be that they take longer, or it could be that I was only peeking out the window. I will look closer after I shower.
* It is possible that I will begin biking to work again. The most convincing argument against? I would have to get up earlier. I hate that even though I know how good it is for me.
* The kitties missed us. Zazzy is sitting on my lap right now. Huzzah spent several hours on Mikey's lap after our return and slept between our heads. Bonsai spent much of the night lying on my chest, purring and snuzzling my face. It is good to be so loved.
* Balance is what it's all about. More on this someday.
* I sent my brother an e-mail some days ago, after hearing some distressing rumors. I have yet to receive a reply. I am torn between wanting to do more, more, more...and being totally fed up with the addiction and selfishness that seems so prevalent in my family, in society. While the largest part of me wracks my brain for answers and solutions, a tiny exhausted part of me wants to slam the door and unplug the phone to avoid the questions in the first place.
* The least pleasant part of a vacation trip? The morning after your return. There are bags to unpack, phone calls to return, chores to be done, and all you really want is to sit and enjoy the space that is your own.
* Several months ago, I wrote something for the Readers Write section of the sun. The issue in which it would have appeared arrived while I was in Mexico. As it didn't appear there, I will share it here. My intention is to submit something for each topic from now on. Of course, if I write something for the next deadline, it won't appear for several months. In the meantime, I will write here on the topics presented there. Perhaps.
* Humans are social creatures who develop intricate relationships and complex societies. Why, then, does each individual still feel the need to function in a bubble? I see every day, in my friends, my family, stories I have read, and in my own interactions, that the times when we most need others are the times that we hide most diligently from them.
* My garden not only survived my absence, it apparently thrived on it. The beans and corn are each 2 inches tall, the sunflowers are coming up, and the tomatoes and peppers are still doing their thing. I have yet to see evidence of the carrots or onions. It could be that they take longer, or it could be that I was only peeking out the window. I will look closer after I shower.
* It is possible that I will begin biking to work again. The most convincing argument against? I would have to get up earlier. I hate that even though I know how good it is for me.
* The kitties missed us. Zazzy is sitting on my lap right now. Huzzah spent several hours on Mikey's lap after our return and slept between our heads. Bonsai spent much of the night lying on my chest, purring and snuzzling my face. It is good to be so loved.
* Balance is what it's all about. More on this someday.
* I sent my brother an e-mail some days ago, after hearing some distressing rumors. I have yet to receive a reply. I am torn between wanting to do more, more, more...and being totally fed up with the addiction and selfishness that seems so prevalent in my family, in society. While the largest part of me wracks my brain for answers and solutions, a tiny exhausted part of me wants to slam the door and unplug the phone to avoid the questions in the first place.
* The least pleasant part of a vacation trip? The morning after your return. There are bags to unpack, phone calls to return, chores to be done, and all you really want is to sit and enjoy the space that is your own.
* Several months ago, I wrote something for the Readers Write section of the sun. The issue in which it would have appeared arrived while I was in Mexico. As it didn't appear there, I will share it here. My intention is to submit something for each topic from now on. Of course, if I write something for the next deadline, it won't appear for several months. In the meantime, I will write here on the topics presented there. Perhaps.
Monday, April 04, 2005
We have returned.
Once again, I am safe in my humble abode with my adorable kitties and my own bed. We got home uneventfully (even the traffic from LA was bearable), and I am looking forward to the next week of puttering around here. I was going to promise more details about the last days of our trip...but they were lazy and boring and wonderful. We ate, we napped, we walked. It was much like the rest of the trip, but without the exciting bits inbetween. I will promise pictures to be forthcoming as soon as I can get them from the laptop. I'm sleepy from travel and ready for the comforts of a pillow that knows just how to fit under my head. Hotel pillows try, but they just don't have what it takes.
Also - I have learned that my very good friend, "D", had her baby last night and they are both healthy. Hoorah! I can't wait to meet the little guy.
Also more - Congrats to my cousin and her family. They are preparing to welcome their own bundle of joy in the upcoming months. I wish them the best of luck. My reaction, "Good thing we got rid of that kidney when we did! Apparently it was the fertile one." :) I'm glad it is being put to good use.
Also - I have learned that my very good friend, "D", had her baby last night and they are both healthy. Hoorah! I can't wait to meet the little guy.
Also more - Congrats to my cousin and her family. They are preparing to welcome their own bundle of joy in the upcoming months. I wish them the best of luck. My reaction, "Good thing we got rid of that kidney when we did! Apparently it was the fertile one." :) I'm glad it is being put to good use.
Dang
Everyone out there is talking about the Pope's death today, but while I recognize the historical significance (especially having spent the last week in a country as Catholic as Mexico), this is the death that hit me. I was really hoping to see Mitch perform one day. His observations were so...observant. :)
"An escalator can never break down, it can only become stairs. 'Escalator out of order. Sorry for the convenience' " ~Mitch Hedberg
"An escalator can never break down, it can only become stairs. 'Escalator out of order. Sorry for the convenience' " ~Mitch Hedberg
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Contrasts
I woke up this morning in tears. In one night, I dreampt first that my Daddy was lost and I couldn't find him and then that my brother had died in a car accident. I began the dream searching for my Daddy who had left money and cryptic, frightening notes all over for me to find. I was afraid of what would happen if I didn't find him, but also aware that it wasn't really my search in the first place. I couldn't find him and I felt as though I was letting him down. Later, I was heartbroken trying to come to terms with the death of my brother. I kept thinking "He'll pull out of it" and "He'll come back to us eventually" and even "It is a phase", but each time I was reminded that none of those things were true.
This afternoon, on the bus home, I found myself in a moment I would like to keep forever. The bus was rumbling around the corners of the road as the afternoon sun sparkled across the water. The gentle warmth on my face counterbalanced the breeze through the open windows perfectly. I held on to Mikey's hand and wished that it would never end. Of course, as soon as I realized how perfect the moment was, the spell was broken and life swept ever onward.
If only I could share these precious snippets of peace with those who need it so much. They need to stop running from the now, so they can see how beautiful it is, but it is hard to stand fast against the maelstrom no matter the promises made for afterward. I guess the best thing I can do is practice what I preach by enjoying the now in which I currently find myself. It is time for a cold shower to soothe my fiery feet and then it's off to find a place for dinner.
This afternoon, on the bus home, I found myself in a moment I would like to keep forever. The bus was rumbling around the corners of the road as the afternoon sun sparkled across the water. The gentle warmth on my face counterbalanced the breeze through the open windows perfectly. I held on to Mikey's hand and wished that it would never end. Of course, as soon as I realized how perfect the moment was, the spell was broken and life swept ever onward.
If only I could share these precious snippets of peace with those who need it so much. They need to stop running from the now, so they can see how beautiful it is, but it is hard to stand fast against the maelstrom no matter the promises made for afterward. I guess the best thing I can do is practice what I preach by enjoying the now in which I currently find myself. It is time for a cold shower to soothe my fiery feet and then it's off to find a place for dinner.
Beach Bums
We eventually got off our butts yesterday, if only to catch a taxi to the mall. We were told by "B" and "G" that we had to check it out. The main store was much like a SuperWalmart, with clothing, food, household staples, and books. We wandered around some before grabbing a bite at the food court. I finally managed to get some tostadas con frijoles and they were wonderful. Mikey had an itty, bitty gordita - also good.
This morning, we caught the bus to Tecolote again. I was able to relax and enjoy the ride, since I knew where we were going and when we needed to get off (not hard, it's the last stop!). We waited for a few hours to see if there would be enough people for a snorkling tour, but no one showed up. I am quite willing to pay 350 pesos a person, but I draw the line at 700 pesos a person. Instead, we wandered down the beach and snagged a few beach chairs. We spent most of the day reading and gazing at the water, while having food and drinks brought to us. Loverly.
I kept slathering myself with sunscreen all day and managed to avoid burning my face or shoulders. However, I have a bit of warmth on my lower arms and my feet are on FIRE! Oops. Forgot about them. The tricky thing is how the wind just keeps blowing non-stop at Tecolote, so you never get too hot...until it is too late!
We had to fend off 3 different people who wanted us to make reservations to go snorkling tomorrow. Even though we were interested in making the trip, I didn't want to be tied into a schedule. Maybe I won't feel like catching an early bus tomorrow! :) It is our last day, after all, and I suspect we will be spending it in a leisurely fashion.
This morning, we caught the bus to Tecolote again. I was able to relax and enjoy the ride, since I knew where we were going and when we needed to get off (not hard, it's the last stop!). We waited for a few hours to see if there would be enough people for a snorkling tour, but no one showed up. I am quite willing to pay 350 pesos a person, but I draw the line at 700 pesos a person. Instead, we wandered down the beach and snagged a few beach chairs. We spent most of the day reading and gazing at the water, while having food and drinks brought to us. Loverly.
I kept slathering myself with sunscreen all day and managed to avoid burning my face or shoulders. However, I have a bit of warmth on my lower arms and my feet are on FIRE! Oops. Forgot about them. The tricky thing is how the wind just keeps blowing non-stop at Tecolote, so you never get too hot...until it is too late!
We had to fend off 3 different people who wanted us to make reservations to go snorkling tomorrow. Even though we were interested in making the trip, I didn't want to be tied into a schedule. Maybe I won't feel like catching an early bus tomorrow! :) It is our last day, after all, and I suspect we will be spending it in a leisurely fashion.
Friday, April 01, 2005
Quiet Day
It is beautiful here and I am really enjoying myself, but I will be very happy to get back to my own bed, my own town, my own kitties, my own kitchen, and my own closet. Window shopping and walking along the bay are great fun...the first 4 days in a row! We only have a couple of days left and we will have fun with them and make many memories, but it will be good to get back on that plane and head home. Especially since there is still a week left before the school calendar resumes its march toward June.
Today we have been quite lazy. We stayed in bed, reading and web-surfing, long after we woke up, and then we went to get breakfast at a little hidey-hole place we found a few days ago. The woman recognized us and even gave us a 10% discount coupon for our next visit! :) We walked several blocks to the Archeological Museum and spent some time trying to translate the signs on each display. I was surprised at how much I was able to guess. My understanding of written Spanish is much better than that of the spoken word. And my understanding is infinitely better than my own attempts at communication! On the way back to the hotel for a potty stop, we got some Aqua de Horchata and Aqua de Limon - both quite refreshing.
We have yet to make it back out into the wilds of town. The cool of the air conditioner and the comfort of the bed were too tempting. Mikey is already napping and I am thinking of joining him soon. I guess we will pick up our adventuring tomorrow, after we have recharged our batteries.
Today we have been quite lazy. We stayed in bed, reading and web-surfing, long after we woke up, and then we went to get breakfast at a little hidey-hole place we found a few days ago. The woman recognized us and even gave us a 10% discount coupon for our next visit! :) We walked several blocks to the Archeological Museum and spent some time trying to translate the signs on each display. I was surprised at how much I was able to guess. My understanding of written Spanish is much better than that of the spoken word. And my understanding is infinitely better than my own attempts at communication! On the way back to the hotel for a potty stop, we got some Aqua de Horchata and Aqua de Limon - both quite refreshing.
We have yet to make it back out into the wilds of town. The cool of the air conditioner and the comfort of the bed were too tempting. Mikey is already napping and I am thinking of joining him soon. I guess we will pick up our adventuring tomorrow, after we have recharged our batteries.
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