Saturday, December 29, 2007

It seems there are no songs about barbecue. How sad.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- North Florida begins to look like fall in late December. The sycamore and oak leaves begin to turn red, while the various vines turn a lovely golden color. It isn't like Maine, but we take what we can get in the land of pines of palms. Also, it's quite warm up here. I wore a short-sleeved shirt yesterday until sundown, then put on a fleece sweater.

Been in the Greater Jacksonville Metropolitan Statistical Area since Thursday, and I've seen my brother, father, stepmother and her family. Last night, we went to Bono's Barbecue for dinner. Bono's is a Jacksonville-based restaurant that makes ribs, chicken and pork just how I like it: dripping in sweet sauce and falling off the bone.

Before leaving Melbourne, I had dinner at Dustin's Barbecue, a place with most locations in Volusia County. Dustin's is like Sonny's, only not as good. The portions are smaller, the price is higher, the beans are too soupy; the sweet tea and sliced pork were excellent, though. There just wasn't enough for the price tag. Melbourne just can't do barbecue. Maybe it's the red tide. Or the lagoon. Or the flame trench. Or the proliferation of space and defense contractors. Anyway, the meat's usually too dry.

Sonny's, of course, is my personal favorite of chains with many locations. It was the second-nicest restaurant in Bradford County and was started in Gainesville, so it holds a special place in my heart.

While here in Actionville, though, I'd like to visit Jenkins Quality Barbecue. It's my favorite Jax place. There's something kind of thrilling about knowing I could be shot while waiting for my half-chicken dinner with mixed sauce. (OK, there really is not.) Plus, I always get a second chicken for James, my homeless friend over by the Karpeles Museum. I'm overdue for checking on him.

OK, I need to get ready and go meet my dad. Don't know what we're doing today.

*If you know of any songs about barbecue, send them my way. Long-term readers will know my titles are usually song lyrics relating to the theme of the post.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Fiiiiiiive gooooooold riiiings, BA DUM DUM DUM

Recently, I've been thinking about an old Christmas album featuring The Muppets and John Denver. I'm not sure what brought it on, but I've really got an itch now to pick up the disc or the LP. Well, I'd love to have the LP but I wouldn't be able to listen to it.

Earlier, I found it on Amazon for less than $10. I have the chance to get a $25 online gift card and had been considering Amazon; now it's set. What was the hook that pulled me offstage like The Great Gonzo? The samples of each song. Unfortunately, it doesn't include the best part of "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

It took me back to hear just those snippets, though. I could see my childhood living room, trees from years past, could see my brother and parents decorating and all of us singing together. I miss those days more than I miss a big city. It's very likely that I'll cry the first time I listen to the album.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

I hate Murdoch and Fox News, but man, I love the cartoons on Fox

Hey there, hi there ho there Blogger neighbors. In Jacksonville (PVB, actually) and look, I can update this here bloggy. Amazing. Looks like something in the new work computer doesn't like Blogger. Grrrr.

So what's happened since the last update? Oy, hard to say now. My mom's in CT being a nurse, snowed in, and doesn't want to see snow for the rest of her life. Which, according to something she told my brother, may only be 10 more years. Excuse me? WTF? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, we're not 10-4.

Tonight I did most of the laundry and burned all the photo CDs. I could mail them tomorrow if I didn't still have so many cards to write. That's the thing about weekends: I have so much I want to accomplish, yet I want nothing more than to relax. Well, this time next week, I'll be on vacation. Yee-haw!

Speaking of vacay, I still don't have anything planned. I'm going to a concert in ORL on the 30th, but nothing else is really set. My dad said he might be in Jax, but that's not certain. I want to have some kind of post-Christmas swap your bad gift/ swap secret gifts/ white elephant ornament party. I haven't yet picked the theme (or the date), but it should be after I bring down the furniture.

For so long, I couldn't sleep at night. Now, I'm barely making it past 4 a.m. This is a good thing. This means I should go to bed NOW.

I got a lumbar rest for work and used it while driving to Jax. I think I'll get one for the car. It was quite nice.

My brother and I watched "The Simpsons Movie." It was awesome.

My brother's new monitor is gargantuan. I told him I should have such a thing at work. I think the width is equal to my television at home (25"). Crazy.

On this weekend's agenda: Get new glasses at brother's work, have photos taken with brother downtown, go shooting with Matt in the evening of pretty Jax "night lights," maybe deliver old photos to friends and family of exes -- photos that friends and family would want, meaning none of me and lots of them, write cards to be mailed with CDs and put in mail, write the rest of the cards, check mail at old mailbox, drive to Melly on Friday. Can I do it all? Probably not. Most of it would be fabulous. I should go to bed so I can get started. Heh.

I'll try to update some more while I can. Miss me when I can't update!

Monday, November 12, 2007

And another one come and another one gone, another one bites the dust

So the boy and I are off. It's OK, we really are different. And we were never more than dating, so it's not heartbreak city.

But his method was effed. It can only be topped by Masshole's '05 ender. Harry Caray said, "I knew a few days ago I just wanted to be friends, but I waited until today because I knew I'd see you at this party." In the meantime, of course, I was wracking my brain about why he wasn't calling.

Lately I've been reading a lot. And I'm trying to limit my selections so that I'm actually reading and not just accumulating library fines. On the shelf now:

The Manual

Three Black Skirts

I saw this next one in the bookstore today. The chapter titles sold me:
Do I want to date right now? I don't know ... Maybe
Insecurity kills more relationships than infidelity
You are what you hate
The right to change your mind should be revoked

Why You're Still Single

Of course, that's not the book I went in for. Neither is the astrology guide (plus CD-ROM!) but that's OK. How often can you find books on cognitive-behavioral therapy in Books A Million? I may just have to get those two from Amazon. Which means saving money.

Ah, money, how I hate thee.

I wish I could get my head on straight. I'm so much better off than I've been in the past, but it doesn't dampen the craziness I feel right now. It's to the point that any regular daily habit is being pushed to every other day. All I do at home is sleep and read a little bit. My poor cat really is being neglected. OK, not really, but she acts especially desperate.

Case in point (for general malaise, not cat): It took me a week to finally do my laundry. The night I did it, I put away the pants. A few days later, I put away the undies and sheets. The shirts are still sitting on my bed, stacked and getting covered in cat hair.

Monday, November 5, 2007

I can see all obstacles in my way

I'm having more trouble seeing lately. Been staring at the screen more since picking up pagination duties. Troubling, actually. Causing sentences to fragment.

At least today I got a giant good catch, albeit too late to do much. (It's never too late? Well, maybe.) I noticed a few conflicts between a story and a cutline I was working on after 11 p.m. This happens regularly, as any copy editor knows. My boss decided to look into one of them, and wouldn't you know, the information couldn't be verified through the property appraiser's Web site. And gosh, the reporter didn't even include the address in the story. (It's in a fact box ... but still.)

After I'd finished the story, I went to the clerk of courts Web site. Interesting. The people in the story -- they're raising money to refurbish a building and make it a community center or some such -- went to court earlier this year with two different banks about foreclosure. More research: They were in court a few years ago with another church.

I printed out the info and left copies for the Metro desk. We'll see where it goes.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Checked both your sign and mine in the back of the New York Post

The stars were spot-on over the weekend.

Saturday, October 27:

You need to open your mind or heart just a wee bit more to that new person or idea. Somehow, it's right for you, even if it might not be exactly what you had in mind. Things can change for the better.

Friday, October 26:

You are more in touch with your home than you have been in quite some time and you may want to try spending more time there, if possible. If there're any chores you've put off, now is the time to tackle them.

Monday, October 29, 2007

And so I cry somethimes when I'm lying in bed just to get it all out what's in my head

The best financial story I've read in a while

Of course; it's from the Times. It's not so much that it's about rich people and their money. It reminds me of a quote I heard a year or so ago that has stuck with me: "If rich people spent money the way poor people think they do, they wouldn't be rich." At first, I didn't know how that worked, but I understood the meaning. This article helps me get a peek. It's so good I printed it and will use it as a guide.

Plus, it reminds of what good journalism looks like.

(By the way, thanks to all for the comments and encouragement in my last money-related post. I started to feel better just reading those! And yes, I am stronger. I just needed a reminder.)

***

The weekend was lovely. Miss Holly Golightly was escorted about town by the debonair Mister Harry Caray. Few people recognized either of us, unfortunately, but we had a dashing time nonetheless. Photographs to come when madame downloads and uploads and burns and carries and all. Don't look for them for a while, in fact.

***

We're running a big series this week about a poor, blighted neighborhood. Surely it will win awards it doesn't deserve, thanks to the intense editing of the copy desk. And we'll never get any recognition. That's OK, except that those on the metro side will believe it's because of them that it's so great. Oh well. Another day in paradise.

"One of the great things about being a copy editor is freedom from the vulgar desire for public recognition."

***

The fellow behind Mr. Caray is quite nice and darling. Smart, funny, likes to cook, sing and dance. Brought soup and chocolate cake when I wasn't feeling well today. How delightful!

Today's songs include: 4 Non Blondes' "What's Going On," The Pixies' "Where is my Mind," Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up." It's been a strange day. I've had vertigo of faculties other than balance: I read things wrong, don't see stuff that's there, can't speak clearly. Weird.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

The more you suffer the more it shows you really care

Do you ever feel like you have no control over your life? Like no matter what you try, how much you plan, it will always come undone?

I don't simply mean the crazy, unexpected things in life, like a car axle breaking or a bridge collapsing. I'm talking about in the simple, macroscopic, worm's view minutiae of life.

Like when you get paid and you think, hm, I wonder if I'll have enough to pay all the bills. Because you a) don't have a budget or b) use it halfway or c) "know that some crazy shit will come up because it always does."

Or You walk into a store and think, I wonder if I'll walk out with empty hands.

Maybe lack of control isn't the right way to express it. Or maybe that's perfect: Maybe it's a lack of self control.

How do you deal with this? (Please, no "just talk yourself out of it," because that hasn't worked yet.)

Thanks.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

I'm on your side and so alive it isn't real

Sometimes it's good to review yesterday's horoscope when it turned out to be a good day. What do you know?

Your heart is going to leap at some point today, but you should make sure that you keep your wits about you as you respond to the stimulus. You can make things work to your advantage, but only by using your head.

Hm. So far, so good. Accurate. How nice.

Going to Jacksonville last week seems to have duplicative benefits. It's better than spa treatment.

Oh, Ryan. I can't get your words out of my head. Maybe -- maybe, if I don't let myself get carried away -- it will actually be worth it this time.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Maybe that was your first mistake

In a story ...

The participants could choose food or the chance to read a newspaper as a reward.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Istanbul was Constantinople, now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople

PONTE VEDRA BEACH -- Hello from (slightly outside of) Jacksonville! It's my second night here and I'd have checked many more things off my to do list had I not been sick this morning. Ah well. A great night at The Pearl is better than anything.

My baby bro and I went to our favorite bar and killed the place. I was so happy to be there; I was smiling the whole night and admiring all the new stuff on the walls. The DJ played everything I requested and gave me a whole list of music to find.

The craziest thing was that one of the bartenders -- who's been serving me beer since late 2002 -- told my brother, a friend of his, that I'm hot. Really? All of a sudden? After nearly five years? Maybe it was the smile. Maybe it was the black pants, black tank and grey heels. Whatever. He kept saying things like, "Josh, mind if I'm your brother-in-law" and asking me if I'd like to move to Oregon. It was ... interesting. The part that still blows me away is that I've "known" this guy longer than my brother has. Hell, I introduced Josh to the bar!

The only downside was that when we left, someone had broken into Josh's car. He called the insurance company and I called the cops. And I went back inside for water, whereupon the DJ told me it's a bad neighborhood. I replied, "it's coming back, it's not as bad as it used to be, oh, and I used to live around here. Don't start with me about the dangers of the neighborhood."

I crashed at my brother's house, so very happy with sore feet from dancing like crazy to beautiful indie music.

Today, instead of driving around Jax to do my 10,000 errands, I slept, puked, slept, and finally awoke to pack up dishes, crystal, and random other things to take back to Melly. Mom's going to be a travel nurse, if she can ever get the contract together. And maybe by Turkey Day I'll have the money to get all my future furniture!

Maybe, too, at Thanksgiving I'll hit the Pearl three nights instead of one. Oh, wait, maybe I have to adjust the beer intake. Or the meds. Or whatever. Must get my indie fix!!!

Monday, October 15, 2007

And with the last breath we ever take we're gonna get back to the simple life again

Well that just took some of the thrill out of it. But it's totally awesome nonetheless!

Audrey Costumes Here!

Cigarette holder for $7, and I don't have to search all over town? Get out!

You say the world has come between us

I tried on my black dresses last night. I won't wear the one I referred to in the previous post, but probably will wear the other one. It's not flattering, for some reason, but I have some ideas on how to fix that. At least it's long enough without being too long.

I'm so excited about Halloween! Mr. Social Secretary knows I have the night off and knows to keep me informed on what the plan is. While in Jax this week, I want to hit up some of the consignment and antiques stores for lovely pearls. Also, I've been viewing photos of Ms. Hepburn as Miss Golightly online for inspiration, and will print some to carry with me while shopping.

Dear Jim Thomsen, if you ever get caught up with my blog, I know you will be SHOCKED and AMAZED that I will dress for Halloween as a character portrayed by Audrey Hepburn.



Still cannot remember all those divine little posts. I need to write them down next time they come to mind.

In other news, Jr and I met for lunch today. It's the first time in -- weeks? months? -- a while that I've gotten up at 12:30. Hell, gotten up before 2:30. Old Navy is having a big sale. Must be careful not to go overboard! Only one pair of jeans! One pair of khakis!

I'm also looking forward to picking up my film, slides and diopter later this week. Hooray for my spiffy news series!

Saturday, October 13, 2007

And I said, "Well, that's the one thing we've got"

So what do you plan to be for Halloween?

I'm thinking of Holly Golightly. One thing holding me back, though, is whether I want to wear my black dress. It's nice, a little big, though. It has a small train on the back. Perfectly Holly.

But do I want to wear that to a Halloween Street Party, with lots of drunk people and spilled alcohol and dirt?

Well, I bought it in 1998. And I know I've worn it once. Maybe twice.

Maybe I shouldn't be so stuck on it getting dirty. It's not getting much wear.

Now I just need to find long black gloves, fabulous pearl and diamond costume jewelry, and, most importantly, a cigarette holder.

Or I could go with Holly from the opening sequence, with a croissaint and coffee. Or I could get this from Fred Flare and do an all-movie thing.



I truly do want to get a sleep mask, though. The sunlight coming in at 8:30 a.m. is why I have interrupted sleep, I bet.

I know I won't be leaving here with you

Another blog composed in my head and forgotten at work. So here's some other stuff.

Jr. and I hung out for a while last night. (Jr. is my handle for the new kid on the desk.) We tried to get to a downtown bar I've wanted to visit, but the bouncer wouldn't let us in at 1:29 a.m. So we walked around downtown and talked.

There were some boys at the Pita Pit and we made some brief conversation while watching the NLCS, then Jr. and I left. The boys left soon after and I really thought they'd stop and talk. One was quite cute. It's funny, the more we're together, the less I am physically attracted to him. I guess I'm successfully convincing myself that I don't date co-workers. Or I see him as my Jr/brother type. Or something. Anyway, we split at 4:15 a.m.

As for the FsansWB, well ... We shared a late pizza a few nights ago. We got to talking some and it was nice and friend-like. But he said something while we were on the phone that has pretty well sealed the deal in terms of me ever being interested again.

There's this softball team. At first, I had no desire to play, as I'm not very good at catching, throwing or hitting. Then, after watching the team for a few weeks, I thought I might like to join. It seemed like a fun way to get active. This is a co-ed team, and at least three females must be on the team, otherwise you get an out each time the third female would have bat. Well, I was informed that this particular team will never have more than three "girls" play at once, because the team is *that* competitive. In a co-ed league.

Anyone who knows me -- and granted, few of the readers do -- can imagine the look on my face when I heard this. So I think I'll stop attending games altogether. I'm well on my way, since I didn't go this week because of a bad phone call that got me all worked up, and next week, I'll be in Jacksonville. Now, it's also possible only FsWB and his roommate know about this plan. But I think the female who started the team would be upset to know this, and the female who owns the store that sponsors the team might also be surprised.

One more thing. When I missed the softball game this week, two people were concerned and asked why I wasn't there. Neither of them was the guy I got hung up on.

I've really not had much desire to call him or see him or anything. That's a good feeling. I think I'm coming to my senses.

Now if I could just cut out the screaming woman who wants to be held ....

*Edited one time for possible bad move*

Monday, October 8, 2007

Monday you could fall apart, Tuesday, Wednesday break my heart

When I'm at home, I think of lots of things to blog about. When I'm at work (and have Internet access), I forget everything.

In the last few weeks, I've taken on more responsibility at work. I'm now designing inside wire pages. This week, I'm working on state pages four of five days.

Tonight was rough. Maybe because I had the curmudgeonly fellow on my back. It's so hard to work with him. I think it's a generational difference in work style and criticism style. But in any event, I always reach a point in the night when I want to kill him. It came earlier than normal tonight.

The thing I hate about taking on new work is the slowness everything gets. I suddenly feel like I don't know what I'm doing. I change things throughout the night. I can't get things to work right. I get started later and later, and rush to finish and can't get it done without lots of help. And I don't get to edit and write headlines.

In other news, though, later this week I'll be going out on the town with a reporter friend. We both need to move on from our obsessions and find new, mature, males who are worthy of our attention. And wouldn't you know, today I saw somebody in the newsroom who is incredibly handsome. We have totally opposite schedules. I don't even know who he's under in the newsroom, whether it's opinion or watchlist or what. But he's hot. And I don't date co-workers. Hm.

And I also need not get into obsessions. Why do it? Effin A. I don't think I want a boyfriend, until I think about how nice it would be to talk to someone regularly who cares about my work day (at least enough to let me vent), cares about my dreams, holds me tight when I feel bad, loves my cat, my cat loves him, who'll make me dinner and let me spoil him, who wants to spend time with me and doesn't care how many medications I take. Who just supports me and loves me. Yeah, I want a boyfriend.

Al Green said it best: I'm so tired of being alone. And that's just it. I feel alone. Maybe if I didn't feel alone and isolated, I wouldn't feel this need for a boyfriend. But the other side is: Why fight the urge? I know I want to have a long-term relationship someday, I know I want to have kids someday; if today's the first day (of my life, thanks Bright Eyes), why not let it be (thanks Beatles). Hm, how long can I keep up the music lines?

I'm tired. I'll stop now. Any advice from my two readers?

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Thank you, Dr. Angelou

I am woman,
phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I read the poem at least three times today. It's hard to feel bad about yourself when hearing words of empowerment and strength and beauty and grace.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

With your feet in the air and your head on the ground

Damn damn damn damn.

I'm getting ahead of myself. Not supposed to like this much.

Damn.

As a cool side benefit, though, I'm pretty well hooked up with Krispy Kreme now.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Honey, it's how ya makin money boys call ya hell on high heels



It's almost time to go. So it's almost time to make a call for advice. Hoorah.

I went to a chiropractor today and got an adjustment, among other things. I don't quite feel fully better, but that's to come soon enough. I have a massage scheduled on Wednesday.

I also have dinner scheduled. It will be exciting -- my first dinner guest in Melbourne. I'm thrilled, but I have a lot of cleaning to do.

Still, though, I'm avoiding things. Well, not entirely, that's what the phone call is for. But I just don't know what to do. Can't I just put everybody in a blender, or remake a boy with clay or something?

When is the right time to call? Not in the Tomcats, three days sense, but how long is too long? I'm walking a tight rope with two right now. It's consuming me. I need to get out of my damn head.

At least I'm wearing cute shoes. Picture those in a light grey.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

You can ring my bell

I just made a big mistake. I answered the phone after midnight.

I was nice as long as I could be. I hung up on the crazy man, but not without lots of "sir, I cannot answer your question. Sir, I'm hanging up the phone now. Sir, I cannot help you and you need to call back Monday morning. Sir, I will hang up the phone."

This is why I have ignored the phone for three months. The boss gave me permission to hang up on people. I can't quite do that -- I consider it rude -- so I'll just make sure I never pick up calls after midnight. Or maybe after the lottery call at 11:20 p.m.

And the sign says long-haired freaky people need not apply

Dear Red,
Here is your horoscope for Saturday, September 15:

You need to slow down a bit and use your best judgment when confronted with new arrangements of any kind. Your instincts are strong right now, but they may be crowded out by too much information.

So very true for what's happened this weekend.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Gimme gimme

So the newsdesk just took a break to watch Britney make a fool of herself once again. I haven't laughed so hard in a while. She was obviously lip synching. She was more concerned with her hair than her dance moves, which would have suited her well in an indie dance club, but not on the VMA show. She has become a pathetic shadow of her former self.

I especially loved the audience shots of the other stars watching and so blatantly thinking "WTF is she doing?"

Boy oh, that was good for a laugh.

There's nothing like living in a bottle

Well, I haven't felt like this in a while. Dizzy, barely able to stand up feeling as though I no longer have intestines, let alone anything in them -- yep, I was a bit of a party girl last night. It was fun. But I again stayed too long. I crawled into work and luckily it's a slow Sunday.

Other good news: I went to see a therapist in town, who told me I don't need therapy. (THat was part of the reason I went, the not knowing if I should.) It was pretty cool - she said congratulations, you've graduated out of therapy. You have a good grasp of yourself.

We have a new copy editor starting tomorrow. He's moving from D.C. -- inside the District -- and is young and single and works on my schedule. No, this is not an insinuation of us getting together; I don't date coworkers. This is totally awesome because there is someone on the desk who might like to hang out with other young singles and who doesn't get off work until 12:30 a.m. I just have to be careful not to decide he's my BFF and overwhelm the kid. I can see the potential because I'm so damn excited about him working here.

Question: Which is the greatest news publication ever: The Onion or Weekly World News? Why?

Friday, August 31, 2007

Like a band of gypsies, we run down the highway

The drive from Melbourne to Jacksonville was supposed to take 2.5 hours. It took almost 5.5. Why are there constantly wrecks on I-95 that require diverting traffic? And why don't patrolmen divert travelers earlier? It took me one hour to get to Cocoa, which should only take 20 minutes.

I took U.S. 1 the whole way to Ponte Vedra. I just cut out the Jacksonville leg completely. It was ridiculous. And the one time I tried to get back on 95, I was hit with more bad traffic.

You know, sometimes it's nice to return to your roots. I drove through Mims, Aurantia, Scottsmoor, Oak Hill, Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach (home of the Pretentious Heights wedding), Port Orange, Holly Hill, Korona, Bunnell, and on and such.

Let's not even get into the number of times my car was almost hit.

And people here in the southland think public transportation is a bad idea.

But at least Byron Leftwich is no longer with the Jags. It's a good day after all!

Saturday, August 25, 2007

These little town blues are melting away




You Are New York



Cosmopolitan and sophisticated, you enjoy the newest in food, art, and culture.

You also appreciate a good amount of grit - and very little shocks you.

You're competitive, driven, and very likely to succeed.



Famous people from New York: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Tupac Shakur, Woody Allen

Ms. Nerdy becomes Ms. Popular

So the newspaper team did not make the finals of the spelling bee. It was a crushing loss for yours truly, though I was delighted to make the team. Afterward, I hung out with some reporter types and met the new photog.

I got invited to a party! It's tonight!

Yeah, I'm pretty excited. And a few nights ago, I was really hungry late at night and went to Denny's. I started talking to this guy who was a bit toasty but nothing too bad. Eh. Making friends is long overdue, no matter the state of the making. Last night, the sports folks invited me to their start-of-preps drinking getaway after work. Space Land has a bar across the street, unlike the Nation's Oldest City. Further proof it's a "real paper."

Things are finally looking up. I get insurance next Saturday, just in time because I'm about out of everything and can't stand to overpay again for medicine. Amazing how $90 a month will save me $290, at least. And I think I'll get a new pair of work glasses. And I've got to see a chiropractor and dentist. Relief!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

The sun'll come out ...

Tomorrow begins my first Melbourne-based weekend in a while. OK, so technically I was here two weeks ago, but I was carless. And broke.

I think this will be the fourth weekend I've stayed at the new home since moving 12 weeks ago. That's the bad part about being in-state; Jax is only a few hours away. The ride deflates my butt but being there renews my spirit. Yep, I'm homesick.

In addition to Actionville, I've gone to Camp Blanding/Orange Park (a real happening place), St. Petersburg and The District of Columbia. It's been nice, sure, but I'm ready to decompress. The last month has been especially tough with a four-time weekend visitor. (I'm glad for the visit, don't get me wrong; I just miss my own quiet space.)

At the same time, though, all that noise went away, mostly, on Sunday, and now my inner voice is screaming. It's been on mute for a long time. In a way, I'm glad it's screaming, because I can actually hear and understand it.

Like remembering that I really want to work at The Oxford American literary magazine and study at Ole Miss's College of Southern Studies and Culture. And live in Buenos Aires and travel throughout Europe. And rehabilitate a Craftsman- or Prairie-style house. And that literature is my first love.

And that I love museums and galleries and the like; I spent most of my alone time in St. Pete in the downtown galleries. By the way, I'm in love with that city and its Kenwood neighborhood. I'd love to live there and work at the Times, and some time live in The District and work at The Post or USA Today or whichever paper. Or maybe a book publisher.

I've taken some photos recently and they've been OK; I want to get reacquainted with my camera and do better. (Yes, I'm still shooting with film.)

And what about my heart? I don't know. I want something to last, as long as it's right for me. I'm beginning to think I'll never find that. I want a close friend to hold and comfort and be comforted by. How do I find that when I don't get out much outside of work? When I'm working as others are going out? I don't mind my work schedule, though sometimes I wish I could get a Friday or Saturday off on short notice.

I'm the alternate for a community-wide spelling bee tomorrow. Yes, I'm extremely disappointed that I'm merely the alternate. My best efforts at convincing the woman in charge to put me on the team did not work. But -- maybe I'll meet some people there. Perhaps I'll get a phone number, and not just for a potential date, but for plain old friends.

I'm so lonesome I could cry. Why can't Greysa be a person?

OK, enough of this wallowing. This was supposed to be an interesting post, not one mired in self-pity.

***

In other news, I bought my first copy of the Weekly World News today. Of course, it's the final print publication. But I thought I'd make one of my journalism professors proud. She always uses examples from WWN in her AP style quizzes.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Teacher educator prepares readies plans arranges situates

School starts in one week. Teachers returned to work today.

We ran one main story and two sidebars, with a few photos.

I had to write three main heds, two jumps, two sub heds and a few photo lead-ins, and never repeat the single point of all of those words: Teachers prepare for school.

Oh how I love small papers.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Congress shall make no law ...

Early deadline, so I'm cruising the Web.

www.newseum.org

I've just been checking out the virtual tour of the new Newseum. Oh, I'm drooling all over the keyboard. If I make it to a D.C. paper in the next few years, or whenever, I think I'll be a Newseum volunteer.

It was cool enough to walk by the building in July and see the entire text of the First Amendment carved into granite, facing Pennsylvania Avenue. I can't wait to get on the first floor and see Pulitzer Prize photos, or the second-floor Ethics Center. Just reading about the fourth-floor 9/11 gallery gave me chills. And then there's the two-level shopping area, with all sorts of newsy stuff.

I can read an analysis of newspaper front pages, and find this little gem: "Florida Today, of Melbourne, echoes financial hysterics with 'Credit worries sink Dow' and is one paper guaranteed to mention that the 'Shuttle arrives at space station today.' " (The founder of Florida Today and USA Today is also the founder of the Freedom Forum, which is part of Newseum. But I'm not that guy.)

I can see front pages from all aroudn the world. I know how to get to Newseum from every airport and which Metro lines to take. But I can't find when the @#$%*^& place opens!

That's why it's good to have a friend in The District who is as eager to visit Newseum as I. He can read the City Paper and let me know.

What's your vision of the future?

OK, so it's slow time at work. Maybe I'll update the blog with more than just "I'm not dead" fodder.

So how do I want this blog to be? I don't know. Tough to say. I don't want to go so far as to end each with an open-ended question, but I don't want it to be so narrow that no one reads. Hm. I'll figure that out as I go, I suppose.

Funny how I now don't have much to say.

I"m really worried about my eyesight. This should be blatant now, as I've shared this concern with my mother and the boy. I used to have perfect vision. Now, everything is in soft focus.

At the DMV last month, the guy behind the counter said I barely passed the visual exam and that I should have my eyes checked. I told him I have glasses but didn't think I could wear them.

Around Sept. 1, when new insurance starts, I'll be able to have a new exam done and get new lenses for one pair of glasses. I don't really want new frames, as I really love both pairs. Although new work glasses wouldn't be a bad thing if I got them tinted.

Anyway, the point is that I don't understand why my visin has become less clear so quickly. For more than 20 years, it was great. In the last five or so, it's drastically changed. That's scary.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Eureka!

Wow, I found my login info. I may start posting more. Yippee.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Hola

Hello, and welcome to my new blog.