I really ought to update more often.  Poet Laureate Todd is making me look bad.

Mark is in Boston this week, killing time at the convention.  It would've been cool to tag along, but he barely has time for six hours of sleep a night, let alone the Freedom Trail.  I think I would enjoy it more now than in eleventh grade.  Hey, didn't a certain person snort cocaine out of somebody's pen on that trip?  Wow, that was ten years ago...

And speaking of the old digs, Mark has this family reunion thing (he's descended from the founder of Connecticut, believe it or not) next week in Hartford, so I'll get to take him to Middletown!  I haven't been back in town in two years, so it should be interesting.  Let's see...we'll hit the mall, PBHS, Hawaii Fountain, possibly Alfonso's, maybe even The Cove Clam Bar!  I bet that place is even scarier in the daytime.  Perhaps we'll skip The Cove.  But it will be nice to show him where I grew up--I've been to Buffalo twice since I was last in Orange County.

Speaking of Orange County, you can now purchase Orange County Choppers hats and T-shirts in the malls down here.  Who knew a bunch of dysfunctional loudmouths would put us on the map? 

Also, in case you haven't heard, my mother and I did the big wedding dress shopping trip.  I for one would be happy not to go through that again.  I think we're down to two dresses, though...

I'm still seeking employment, by the way.  I temped for several days a few weeks ago (money in the bank--how novel!) and had two interviews last week, but things are moving slowly.  I think people are totally scared off by my resume, but what can I do?  I just want a part-time office job, I'm not asking for much money--and I can't hide the fact that I have a Master's degree, nor would I want to!  I think if I were in a bigger city employers would be a lot more understanding of the "day job" concept... I did just send off a resume for a voice teacher job.  Maybe that will turn into something.  That's what I really want to be doing, after all...

 

First off, this is for Cathy:

Pink Lady
1 1/2 oz Gin
1 tsp Grenadine
1 tsp Light Cream
1 Egg white

Shake ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.

(from drinksmixer.com)

No wonder I thought it was totally nasty...

I went to the Kerry/Edwards rally on Saturday. I stood in the shade (behind one of the huge banners, actually) but it was still way too damn hot. It was about 95 degrees and humid, and I was there for about three hours. I'm glad I went, though--it was so cool to be surrounded by people who are just as fired up as you are. There were representatives from every demographic. I stood next to this middle-aged gay couple, in front of some college girls, and next to a stroller. I bought a button to hang from my rear-view mirror (next to this one), but it had to be subtle so Mark can drive my car without being accused of bias... So I got one with a ketchup bottle on it. I suppose the DNC can't be accused of copyright infringement on this one.

I like Edwards a lot. I think he's pretty sincere, and seems like a good person. I'm not totally keen on Kerry--he seems like just another Democrat talking head to me--but I think he'd do the trick. At the rally, neither of them said anything your average moderate-to-leftie couldn't agree with, but I guess that's typical. The main feeling I got out of the experience (other than total discomfort) was that they really have a chance at this thing. North Carolina may even be a battleground state. It would be nice for my vote to count for a change... :)

Oh, and by the way, I saw no evidence of a "musical guest". Maybe it was too hot for Hootie. Oh, but their campaign theme song is apparently "Johnny B. Goode". Corny!

Okay, so we changed the date--it's going to be on April 16. (We realized that May 7 was UNCW commencement, the one weekend all year when there really are NO hotel rooms available...) All else is the same. And we've scheduled our first Pre-Cana meeting, though it's over a month away. The tastings went fine, though we still haven't received a quote from the one guy. And I did try on my grandmother's dress--it's too small, and while I could work on losing 50 pounds between now and April, I don't want to count on it. Plus it's just not ME...

The big news here is John Edwards, of course. Mark was on the phone all day Tuesday, getting the "local reaction" (as always). Tomorrow there's a big rally at NC State that Mark has to go to. I got a ticket as well, though we can't be together (there's a special press section). I guess I'll just get there early, bring my crochet and a score, and hang out. There will be a "musical guest"--rumored to be Hootie and the Blowfish or REM. I'd love to see REM, but I guess Hootie would be okay, too. Free live music, after all.

They haven't been showing John Kerry commercials down here, by the way--it was never deemed a battle state, and our primary is so late this year as to be inconsequential (July 20!)--but I saw my first one yesterday. It was exciting! Mark keeps saying the president is going to lose, that they'll never know what hit them, and I hope he's right. Then again, Mark predicted that Gore would win in 2000. Oh, that's right, he DID... ;)

The other news is that I have a part-time temp position for a few weeks, starting Monday. And it pays well. Finally I will have more than $85 in the bank--for a few weeks, anyway...

Oh, and this is from Erik, some time ago:

20 Questions to a Better Personality

Wackiness: 44/100
Rationality: 44/100
Constructiveness: 68/100
Leadership: 44/100

You are an SECF--Sober Emotional Constructive Follower. This makes you a hippie. You are passionate about your causes and steadfast in your commitments. Once you've made up your mind, no one can convince you otherwise. Your politics are left-leaning, and your lifestyle choices decidedly temperate and chaste.

You do tremendous work when focused, but usually you operate somewhat distracted. You blow hot and cold, and while you normally endeavor on the side of goodness and truth, you have a massive mean streak which is not to be taken lightly. You don't get mad, you get even.

Please don't get even with this web site.