the e in "flickr" was given to me

As Valentines Day is coming up, along with my divorce being finalized (finally), I feel that it is important to say that Ella and I are dating. It's nothing dramatic. It's nothing to start flinging accusations about. We just like each other a lot and we have fun together. This time of year, it's nice to be able to say you have someone like that in your life.

Speaking of Valentines Day, how great is it about California and Washington?? As the great Graham Chapman (of Monty Python) said, "To love another human being of whatever sex is surely an admirable thing." :)

Even though the team I was rooting for lost the Superbowl, I thought it was a great game. It wasn't really my team, so it's okay. Good job, Eli Manning. Congratulations on your second victory.

The commercials were disappointing, except for that Clint Eastwood one. Good gravy, did you see that? I had tears.

[Private to Jessie Jo]

Hiya. We need to talk. I know that we have legal things to go over, but that's secondary to the way we're feeling, I think. Do you want to grab a cup of coffee with me or something, whenever you're available?

[/Private]


I don't have much faith in "resolutions", usually, but I'm gonna give it a shot this year.

I am currently staying over at Rusty's place. We're planning a Pittsburgh jaunt for Christmas, which should be nice. It's about time I got a hug from my mother. I don't see my parents very often now, which makes sense, but it's hard sometimes. Especially at times like this Rusty's dog Zelly is a great hugger, though. She likes to rest her chin on my leg, too.

I've never had a pet. What's wrong with me?

Before you say anything, YES I know it was stupid to suddenly plan a trip with Ella.

But there are a few good reasons, and one of them is because I think spontaneity would do me some good. If I didn't go somewhere else for Christmas, I'd keep being sad here, amidst the sad memories and the judgment from Jessie's friends, even though it was a mutual feeling in the first place. It's not like I want a divorce because I want to immediately have someone else. There is no one else. I have friends, though. Am I not allowed to have any female friends? Because that's sexism.

Sorry. I don't mean to just vent here. But I don't want you to think I am just being silly. I am going to Chicago with Ella for me. She makes me forget to be sad. Should I feel bad about that?

No one likes to see their alma mater as the national breaking news, especially if it involves a sex abuse scandal. A child abuse scandal, no less. :(

It was going on in 1998. I was THERE when it was happening! I feel sick.

I am going to see Puss In Boots, and I am ridiculously excited about it. I am a five-year-old trapped in a (dashingly attractive) man's body sometimes. But how is an animated, swashbuckling cat voiced by Antonio Banderas NOT exciting?? The only thing that could make it even more exciting is if Mandy Patinkin shows up, seeking vengeance for his father's death.

Firefox is loving these names. Let me try another one...

Javier Bardem!

Bahahaha, sad red squiggly line. Ahhh... I need more candy.

YAAAAY CARDINALS!!! Did any of you catch last night's (Thursday's) game? Holy cats! Wow! And today, they were just on FIRE.

I'm not really a follower of St. Louis, but I didn't want the Rangers to win. And, after seeing that comeback... I don't know, man. They might be my #2 team now, after my beloved Pirates, of course.

Sorry. I vowed to never overly geek out over sports on here. I have failed. v_v

Captain's Log, October 7th, 2011.

The Starship Enterprise is a lot smaller than I imagined it. And no one seems to speak Klingon. Also, all the magazines seem to date back to the Reagan Administration.

Where are we? Is this real life, or is this SPACE MADNESS?

I had to have a slight deviation from my regularly scheduled class today. When I came into the room, I was whistling "Suddenly Seymour". My bunch of kids this year is far too curious and precocious to just let that go. One of them, Chuck, raised his hand and asked me what song I was humming. So we took a field trip to YouTube via the projector and I showed them the scene from Little Shop of Horrors.

Then they were all singing it as they worked on their Jamestown drawings. Kids are amazingly cool.

I got into Pottermore, finally! I was sorted into Hufflepuff last night! :D

The only annoying thing is that Potions and Spells, the only games/"classes" we can do right now, are both so freaking hard. And time-consuming. Brewing potions takes about 80 minutes. Which means you might be out of it when you come back to finish it, or you might forget about it. I'm having a hard time imagining a kid with the attention span to handle that. I'm an adult and it's hard for me!

Yes, this is how I spend my Labor Day. Trying to learn fake magic on a website designed for children. I'll be grilling burgers later, though. And probably watching a Netflixed DVD with Jessie. Her choice, since I've been nerding up her weekend. As usual.

Three random things!

Thing 1: I gots myself a Pottermore account! Anyone else excited about it? I have no idea what it's really going to be like, but that just makes it even more exciting!!! I hope I get sorted into Hufflepuff!

Thing 2: I've gotten so obsessed with this show called Oddities on Science (formerly known as The Science Channel)... It's hard to explain, so here's a clip from it!

( Can I touch it?? )

Thing 3: My birthday is coming up in 8 days. Just putting that out there, in case anyone is interested. I plan to keep my pelvis free from fractures this year, so no water skiing for me.

What did everyone do for Fete nationale de la Belgique?

I just noticed that my calendar said that was today. Darn it. I missed an opportunity to make waffles for a reason other than because they're delicious. Barnacles!

This might be my strangest entry, ever, but I don't care because it's amusing/confusing me too much to not share.

So, I have this this pair of plaid pants (don't judge me) and I'm wearing them right now and I swear, they've got this interesting smell going on. And they always smell like this. It's hard to describe. Sort of a wood smell? But what if that's just the smell of plaid?

Wool has a smell, so why not other fabrics?

Summer break, I can TASTE you!


Goals For This Summer:

#1 - Honeymoooooon.
#2 - No broken pelvis.
#3 - Be irresponsible in non-dangerous ways.
#4 - Take LOTS of pictures.
#5 - Enjoy every minute 'cause Fall will be here faster than you want.

I have had the creepy "Creep" from The Social Network in my head all day. All day, including when answering all the questions asked in those cute little eight-year-old voices. It makes me feel kind of bad.

Student: There are lots of endangered species.
Me: (actual) That's right, Maddie. Anyone know how that can happen?
Me: (in my head) YOU'RE SO FUCKING SPECIAL. I WISH I WAS SPECIAL.


I'm so glad children aren't really capable of reading minds.

ME: You are going to have a substitute on Friday. I want you all to be very nice to him or her, okay?
JOHNNY (age 7): Why?
ME: Because I'm sure he or she will be a very nice person.
JOHNNY: No, why are you not going to be here?
ME: I'm getting married.


Not long after, the class went to recess, all chattery and smiling and excited. And I went to lunch and couldn't eat for the butterflies in my stomach.


I wasn't this nervous last time. I think that's a sign. That's definitely a sign.

Easter candy. I am convinced that it is the devil. Discuss.