![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
Oh well, I guess I shouldn't complain too much. I have my husband, my kids (somewhat - their teenagers) and my sisters. Family is what is important.
I'll wait to see who calls next week...
- Location:At home
- Mood:
cranky - Music:Willy Wonka - original
So, where are we now???? AIG is continuing to give BIG RETENTION BONUSES or whatever euphamism they want to call it to lackluster and ineffectual managers, while still crying the blues. The Banks are buying failing banks with the money they were supposed to use to assist STRUGGLING HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE FACING FORECLOSURE and now they want to CHANGE THE CONDITIONS OF THEIR LOAN. You know, if they re unhappy about the terms of the bailout, THEN GIVE THE MONEY BACK AND SHUT THE HELL UP.
There are people living in tents in their friends backyards, people who are losing their jobs (just in time for Christmas) and people who are being evicted from their homes! Their stories are all over the blogs and in the newspapers. And yet, the CEOS, CFOS, COOS, AND WHATEVER OF above named companies are crying the blues, WHILE THEY ARE GETTING THEIR MILLION DOLLAR PAYCHECKS, STOCK OPTIONS AND TAX WRITE OFFS.
What are we waiting for AMERICA??? When are we going to have OUR REVOLUTION? What is it going to take to make our government realize we are tired of this WELFARE FOR THE RICH? Instead of that money going to those UNGRATEFUL CORPORATE ENTITIES, it should be coming to us, Mr. and Ms. Everywhere. We know what to do with it. We will pay our debts and perhaps... even start up some companies, invest in businesses and the economy is booming! We could even invent energy efficient cars, solar homes and STIMULATE THE ECONOMY!
This is very simplistic but, you know, simple may be a good thing. So, I'm ready to march on WASHINGTON to let them know that I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!
- Location:At home
- Mood: aggravated
- Music:TV
Today I almost called him by my ex-husband's name. I've done this several times over the course of our marriage and I know it upsets Edip. It upsets me! I also forget to make him a snack when he comes home late. Edip always fixes me dinner and has never called me by his ex-wife'sname. I feel like crap right now... We've or I should say, he's talked tonight. I just hope that I can fix this thing in my head... I'm getting tired of it.
- Location:At home
- Mood: annoyed
My husband has become a Mac convert. The Gateway laptop he was working with downloaded a virus. It destroyed his hard drive and made the wireless connection unusable. This is the fifth time he’s had this problem so he decided that the Mac is the way to go. I’m happy about it. I gave him my MacBook and purchased a used MacBook Pro for myself. Discovered there is a program called Parallels that will create a virtual PC desktop environment to allow one to use PC based programs. I plan to use it with some of the programming applications such as SketchyPhysics and ODE that only use PC computers.
On a political note, I will be so happy when all of the pre-election hoopla is finished. I feel so helpless when I listen to the progressive news programs because, besides vote and blog, there is not too much I can do. I know that it’s probably enough in this day and age but I wish I could do more.
I go back to work tomorrow for a wanda-workday. I plan to get things ready in the classroom because I know there won’t be enough time on Friday. I have meetings all day. The morning will be taken up with a useless computer teacher meeting and the afternoon will be focused on a guest speaker who will talk about how we should work with difficult students in the classroom. I can’t help but be cynical about this because some of these kids need more help than we can give them. We are not equipped to deal with their problems, we can’t give them the one-to-one attention they need because class sizes are too large and yet we are expected to somehow uplift them to become functional classroom citizens. Yeah, right…
- Location:At home
- Mood:
awake - Music:NovaM Radio
- the park
- the mall
- to get her nails done
- the store to get cookies
- to the beauty store to get hair products
She called her dad to come get her to go to the park because I WAS WORKING... I went to lunch and when I returned she was back. I reminded her to finish her laundry since she has a habit of keeping the washer and dryer hostage. "Okay Mom, can we go..."
I finally took us to the nail salon after 4pm, her to get her nails done and me to get a pedicure. Afterwards, it was off to soccer practice for her and Taiko for me. I left practice early to pick her up only to be told that her coach was driving her home. When she got home it was, "Mom, could you please warm up my dinner while I wash up from practice?" I warmed up her dinner and reminded her of her laundry. Finally, I told her bed time was 10:30. Her: "But you said 11:00 last night!" I reminded her that I/we were getting up early today because I have to go to work.
So we went to bed at 10:30. At 11:00, she's crying and yelling my name... she heard a noise in the house and was scared. So we went through the house to check all the doors, to make sure they were locked. All this time she's saying: "I hate this house. It's too quiet... I heard noises.... it's too dark... can I have a night light... where's Mr. Edip (her stepfather)" I finally made her go back to bed, resting beside her. After a while, she fell back to sleep and I went back to my room. When Edip got home, about a half hour later, she came bounding out of her room with a shoe. It seems she heard noises and was going to defend herself with the shoe. He reassured her and told her to go back to bed.
This morning we both were tired. I told her that it was the same way with me for the first week and she will get used to the house by that time. That's when she said she wanted to stay for three weeks. I think I'll be hallucinating from sleep exhaustion if she keeps this up....
- Location:The INTERN Room
- Mood:
tired - Music:960 Quake Radio
I call on Saturday - the technician had me go through and check all the connections - and said we would be on by 8pm. Five pm rolls around and there's no connection. So I call again and is told that the offices are closed and I would be called on Monday morning.
I didn't wait for them to call me, I called them this morning. I'm told that they were having difficulty with 324-2990 - which is not my phone number. I let them know that they had the wrong number and got the infamous 'Oh'. So, now they have my correct phone number and I'm told phone service will be on this afternoon - all they have to do is "flip the switch". Yeah, right - I called home this afternoon and it's still not on. More phone calls... This is so stupid... here we are, living in Silicon Valley, and I can't get my DSL moved from one house in Union City to another house in Union City, less than 3 miles apart.
- Location:Intern Room
- Mood: annoyed
- Music:960 Quake Radio
I arranged for the DirectTV system to be moved to my new home on July 19th. THe person was scheduled to come between the hours of 1-4. So, I went to the new home and waited. One o'clock came around and I called DTV to see what the status of the installation was. I was told that the installer would be there in about 1 1/2 hours AND the installer would call me to let me know how soon he'd be there. Three o'clock rolled around and I called again to see when the person would show up and was told that he'd be there between 4 & 5. The guy shows up at 4:15, drunk, dressed in street clothes and flip flops. He tells me that he was called because there was no installation scheduled for my home. Yeah, right... So, here's how things progressed:
1. He's not dressed to go under the house so he asks me if he can change clothes in my garage.
2. He doesn't have all of his equipment and asks to borrow a flashlight, cable cutter and hammer.
3. He constantly complains about having to do his job...
4. Finally, he gets done and leaves. Meanwhile, he has left my equipment covered with dirt and left it on the couch, left the door to the crawlspace open and cables all over the floor and didn't leave a completed work order with his name. I wasn't around when he left.
5. I call DirectTV to complain and they refer me to the local offices - which are closed.
6. I get a call from the local office on Sunday - they call my old home and I don't get the message until after 4pm. I call them immediately and the operator hangs up on me. I call back and get the 'offices are closed' message.
I am going to ask for some kind of compensation and to have the installation checked because I don't know if this guy did the installation correctly.
So, I've been in contact with the local office and am still waiting to lodge my complaint. I'm hoping the installation of my DSL line and phone tomorrow will be less stressful.
- Location:Intern Room
- Mood:
busy - Music:960 Quake Radio
We talked and smoothed things out over breakfast Sunday. The issue for Edip is a culture clash. He was overwhelmed at the amount of 'stuff' I had, some of which was very old. He was concerned at the consumer mentality that is rampant in Returned the truck and on the way home, in my car, my Aunt Eunice called to wish us well and give us encouragement. After she hung up, I burst into tears. Edip had me pull over because driving became difficult. He drove us home where I cried for about 20 minutes. My daughter, Lele, came over and put together her room. Her 'boyfriend' came over too and helped her out. Cynthia came back with her husband, Eric. They cleared out the old house of our clothes, boxed up the rest of the kitchen, hall closets, bathrooms and other stuff. My friends Venice and Mike came over later in the day and began to move items we are disposing of to the street. Grumpy Jon, another good friend, came by and assisted with the installing of appliances and general handyman stuff. Throughout the day, the universe kept telling me that this was good move and a positive new beginning.
Last night was a better night - still didn't sleep well due to insecure kitty. But it was nice that night number two ended on a wonderful note. Edip thanked me for a good day - lots of hugs, and a feeling of satisfaction.
- Location:Intern Room
- Mood:
calm - Music:960 Quake Radio
I collect Tarot cards just for fun. Two of my sisters can actually use them for divination, which I can respect. I just purchased an interesting deck called the 'Contact' tarot deck. It's based on extraterrestrial contact. The creators of the deck are a researcher in extraterrestrial studies and a woman who claims to be an abductee. I opened it yesterday and had to laugh at the icons they used for the deck. There are the typical group of aliens, either the 'Grays' with the odd skin and big eyes or the Nordic wonders. The rest of the iconic symbols were different kinds of space ships, crop circles and finally the planets - those in our solar system. The instruction book is quite detailed. I keep wondering what will people think of next to make money off of the fringe elements of society. I'm surprised that there wasn't an endorsement by Roswell, New Mexico. There are so many ways peoples fears and beliefs are exploited. I fear, in these horrendous economic times, that people will be taken advantage of in horrific ways. Reports of foreclosure assistance scams are running rampant. I am amazed and disgusted how predators just appear out of no where when hard economic times or any unbalance in society comes about. These kinds of actions are inexcusable when we should be looking for ways to help each other. This characteristic has existed throughout all societies and will probably continue into the future. The big question is how do we change this way of thinking or do we even try?
Back to Tarot... Tarot has a rich history and has been used in many societies as a form of entertainment and seeking the truth. Nancy Regan was known to consult and astrologer and Tarot reader. Who knows how many world events have been swayed by the use of Tarot cards and other forms of divination. Makes one wonder.
Here are a couple of links that you may find interesting:
Crystalinks.com
Wikipedia Tarot History
Have fun!
- Location:Intern Room
- Mood: calm
- Music:Thom Hartman
San Jose Taiko, for those of you who are not familiar with them, is one of three West Coast professional Taiko groups here in the United States. The others are San Francisco Taiko and Taiko Project. They perform all over the United States and the world. I had the opportunity to attend their workshop last year and was 1) overjoyed to see that I was not the only over-50 year old in attendance and 2) impressed at the down-to-earth attitude and friendliness of the teachers/performers. I learned a lot and improved my style and technique quite a bit. I do have to say that it was exhausting. We practiced long hours and learned a full song in one day. It was definitely worth the time and money.
Two years ago I went to the Grass Valley Taiko Camp, which is held in the Sierra Foothills. Had a wonderful and there were a lot of workshops to choose from. The instructors were professional Taiko players: Kenny Endo, Shinichi Tanaka, Tiffany of Sacramento Taiko Don. The days were very interesting with the focus on either learning or perfecting your Taiko participation as a performer.
I worried a few years ago that I would not have the ability to play music or perform again. I used to play the viola but have lost dexterity and fine motor control in my left hand. I also have problems vocally because my left vocal cord is partially paralyzed. Don't know how or why, it just is. Taiko allows me to express myself musically and creatively! My group is called Wadaiko Newark. Most of the general and the performing group members are my age or older. There are a couple of 30+ members and we have children's and teen groups. I feel fortunate to participate in this venue. It gives me a lot of joy!
- Location:The INTERN Room
- Mood: happy
- Music:Thom Hartman
I called my bank in November to let them know that I would be losing my second job as a UOPHX instructor in January. I asked if they could help me restructure my mortgage to accommodate this loss of income. They said 'they couldn't help me because I was current with my mortgage'. Over the next few months I began the process of trying to find a way to get some help. I called different mortgage companies and tried to get a restructured mortgage. By this time, the crisis began to be VISIBLE as more and more people found themselves in the same situation as I was in. Then, I called around April and asked my bank again if I could get some assistance and was again told that they couldn't help me because I was not in foreclosure. I had to stop paying my mortgage in order for them to begin to assist me. So I stopped paying my mortgage. I called them again and was told that my home was worth less than my mortgage so they couldn't help me and that my home was now in foreclosure.
Now we are moving to a house in Union City, as I want my children to go to the same schools. I'm going back to renter's status and I'm really unhappy about it. BUT, my landlords are really nice, they didn't do a credit check and have been very responsive to any requests I've made. They allowed me to keep my two cats. This is a far cry from what I've heard/read about other people's experiences.
My husband is very supportive and has taken over the move. I've been ineffectual in this move. He's told me he is making a 'cute oriental (Turkish) home for me and I will like it very much. I'm putting my trust in him because, right now I'm having a real difficult time with this.
- Location:Intern Room
- Mood: calm
- Music:Thom Hartman
My second shocker is that my son went into his sister's bedroom looking for fingernail polish to put on his Rubrik's cube. He found some Trojan packets in her bedroom, one of which was open. So he called me because he didn't know what to do because his dad wasn't home. I didn't get upset because I am at work. I told Richard to tell his father and that I wouldn't let Lele know that he had found them. I am really hoping that she was just curious as to what a condom looked like. If she's having sex, at least she's being smart. I am thoroughly wierded out about this whole situation. I don't want my daughter having sex at 15 years of age.
Damn, life is so blasted difficult right now!!!!!!
- Location:The INTERN Room
- Mood: aggravated
- Music:960 Quake Radio
I brought some antihistamine today and will use it. I hope I don't get really tired. Even those products that claim to not make one tired make me 'slow'. I'm also doing the breathing steam thing to keep my sinus' moist thing. They are so irritated that the steam makes them hurt. This is ridiculous, but I know I am not alone. I hear radio hosts that sound like I do, the checker at Safeway sounds like I do and some folks at work sound like I do. I look forward to when the fires are out and the air clears up again. I worry about the long term effect this will have on my body down the line. I am relatively good health because I choose to not smoke and to stay away from smoke filled environments. But I have no choice about this and it gives me cause to be concerned.
- Location:Intern Room
- Mood: allergic
- Music:960 Quake Radio
It will be worse when school starts. I have to get up at 5:30. Right now, I get up at six. Of course, this whole getting up early experience could be readily solved by moving to Antioch. But I don't want to move until I get the 'you're permanent' letter. I guess I should be more mellow and perhaps it's the heat that's making me cranky.
Oh well, cranky is as cranky does. I need some chocolate.
- Location:Intern Room
- Mood: tired
- Music:960 Quake Radio
Ya know, I couldn't tell if she was happy or liked her experiences over the weekend. She had that 'I'm bored' look on her face and would smile every once in a while. She also gave us 'spontaneous cuddles' like putting her head on our shoulders or a hug. There was also the spontaneous statement, which was part of conversation and yet, not. My sisters and I teased her all weekend just to get a smile on her face. I guess I was hoping she would be more animated. She did laugh a lot during the movie. My sisters assured me that Lele enjoyed herself and when I asked her, she said she did. I anticipate she'll tell her friends all about it. I guess this is along the lines of my asking my son what he did at TechCamp and he said 'nothing'. Oh well.... I guess it's the age and I shouldn't be so wierded out about it.
- Location:The INTERN Room
- Mood: amused
- Music:Thom Hartman
My group played four songs: Uji, Kuroshio, Matsuri, Hara Matsuri and Hireyu San Dan Gaeshi. By the time we were done, I was actually flushed! After we put the drums and equipment back into the van, some of us went to Red Robin for lunch. I admire the different items on the menu but, my goodness, it was expensive! It was 17 dollars just for my dish. I had a brie hamburger, a mango margarita and lots of water! After lunch I went home and tried to sleep for a bit. I wound up talking to a friend I hadn't heard from from about a year. After that I just dozed on and off for about three hours. I guess I was more tired that I thought. I feel a bit better now and will probably go to bed a little early - unless I see something that I like on television - a bit of mind candy.
Tomorrow, I will be more on the ball with the books. I have to have them ready to take to my friend's home. Her husband owns several bookstores and he said he would buy them from me. My taiko group will be playing for a private party tomorrow afternoon. After that, I'll travel to the Lands of the South, bringing exotic drinks to share with my fellow SF Convention buddies. We call ourselves the Polynesian Pirates of Space.
Happy Holiday!!!!
- Location:At home
- Mood: tired
- Music:Ghost Hunters!
He was worried that he was going to be the only African-American camper there. Well, much to his surprise, the camp director is an African-American woman (gasp, kind of like Mom). There were several camp counselors and a few campers checking in were African-American. So, his 'fears' were allayed immediately.
Richard wanted his sister, Lele, to help take his bags up to his dorm room, not me. When he came back down, he asked me what he should do next. At that point, I decided to let him figure out how to work in his new 'community', told him to ask the camp director and said good bye. He did and, as I was leaving, saw that she had him 'in tow'. It was difficult to let go.
I've not heard from him and wonder how he is doing. I am resisting the temptation to go and find out, after all, Stanford is just down the street!
- Location:Intern Room
- Mood:
curious - Music:960 Quake Radio
I also have to check to see if my son can still attend the middle school he's been at for two years. It would be better for him because his father and I know the staff there on a professional level and they look out for him. I also have to make sure their records are up to date at the district. I have to make sure MY records are up to date at my district.
The plan is to move after 6 months, when the dust settles from my short sale and my credit score gets back to normal. I got a call over the weekend from Brighton Station, in Brentwood, which 5 minutes away from Antioch, where I work. They've reduced the prices of their homes from 700k to 419k. When I met with them over the course of 6 months to discuss buying a home. They kept losing agents, the prices of the home went up and down, and I couldn't use my VA benefit because the homes were too expensive. I anticipate that their home prices will fall again in 6 months and that's when I'll buy AND I'll be able to get a VA home loan. Good thing I didn't buy 7 months ago, the value of my home would have fallen almost 50%.
I'm glad I did this in GoogleDocs, BTW. LiveJournal was down and didn't post my entry.
- Location:The INTERN Room
- Mood: amused
- Music:960 Quake Radio
Now, I have new stressors but I am not so wierded out by them. I'm short selling my home and moving into a rental. My worry about school is creating a comprehensive curriculum for a new class and my commute costs to Antioch - which isn't that much really.
I was worrying about selling my home and all that but, I finally put things into perspective. Yes, I'm moving. BUT, I'm moving to a home closer to my daughter's school and where my son lives with his dad. My landlord is allowing me to bring my pets and is extremely accommodating. This is contrary to the horror stories I've been hearing about people being forced from their homes and having to give up their pets. My landlord even has inquired about buying my house, which would make it easy for me to straighten out my short sale and clear up my credit sooner. The rental has a huge back yard which is a nice oasis for me and my family. My landlord is picking up the tab for the gardner!!!!
My husband is taking steps to create his own company. This is wonderful! This time, last year, he was just realizing how much his boss was ripping him off and contacting his union.
I have to 'count my blessings' and my good fortune. I am also grateful that I have changed my karma and can celebrate the three kinds of treasure: treasure of the body (health), treasure of the storehouse (money, food, shelter) and treasures of the heart.
- Location:At home
- Mood:
contemplative - Music:News
