Uncertain Times

Just a quick check-in folks! It's been hectic with the start of school and some uncertainty in terms of personnel. I do have a great story that I will relate in blog form as soon as I get my computer issues at home worked out. Suffice it to say, I'm on dial-up right now (collective gasp expected!).

There's some shaky stuff going on around Mayberry, so I'm keeping my head down and a watchful eye. Who knows what is in store?

Redneck Romance on I-30

So I was called to meet a friend after work yesterday, which entailed sitting through ridiculous traffic on Interstate 30 to get there. Now, the total mileage is only about 12 miles, but it took me a whopping 52 minutes to arrive alive. Most of the time, traffic doesn't bother me. I lived in Los Angeles, and so traffic is just a way of life. You don't measure your destination in miles, but time in the car. Anyway, the traffic was stop and go, and Texas drivers, while friendly for the most part, are also very aggressive. Plus, you add the big rigs into the equation, and you've got some major clusterfuck going on. So I was alternately hitting the gas and riding the brake when we came to a complete stop in my lane (middle of 3 total), and so I'm singing my heart out to my Culture Club Greatest Hits CD (I think we've established I'm a fan from waaayy back). Now I have been known to point and sing to other motorists simply because it feels like you should do that. I know when it happens to me, it makes me feel special, and so I like to return the favor as often as possible (read: every time I'm in the car). I'm really getting into "Church of the Poison Mind" when the motorist on my left drives even with me. Although it's not uncommon to see 1988 Ford Broncos with huge tires and a lift kit full of rednecks and confederate flag decals, I was all into my serenade and made the mistake of turning to my left. And that's when it happened. *The lovely young man in the passenger seat with his mullet, t-shirt with the sleeves cut out, "I love my Momma" tattoo, gun rack, and two teeth waved at me. Not wanting to be rude but also not wanting to encourage actual interaction with the Redneckmobile, I just turned, pointed in recognition of the friendly wave, and kept singing, turning my head back to the road ahead. Then I hear a honk. I decide my best course of action is to ignore it and keep on with my singing with the Boy. Then the honking becomes more persistent. So I make the mistake of looking left again. I'm greeted with another wave and the "V with tongue". You know what I'm talking about, don't you? Anywho, I again decided that the best course of action was to ignore, ignore, ignore. Rednecks are much like children, and so if you ignore their attention-seeking behavior, it will most often cease. Not so in this situation. There was more honking, some yelling of obscene acts he wanted to perform upon me, and revving of the engine. At this point, I must acknowledge that I hear him/them, and I swallow the little bit of vomit that has backed up in my throat and roll up my windows...all four of them. (Thank the Lord in heaven that they are dark tinted windows!) However, these were persistent rednecks, and so I tried in vain to change into another lane, but my desperate signal was ignored by my fellow motorists. Alas, for a whopping 25 minutes of my 50 minute trip, I was sexually harrassed by my redneck admirers. I had to eject the Boy and try some other kind of music because they had ruined it for me. I finally decided on the heaviest music I had in the car: Metallica. Loud, brash, and able to drown out redneck advances in any situation...that's my Metallica (plus, I'm strangely attracted to James Hetfield because he seems a little dangerous). Alas, rocking out to the "...And Justice for All" CD, I was mostly able to tune out Jethro and his Uncle Daddy. When the traffic opened up, I risked yet another speeding ticket and laid tread to the speed of about 85mph. When I finally arrived at my destination, I had an overwhelming urge to shower, but since the bar didn't have a shower, I was forced to delay that action for a few more hours. I seriously wanted to snap a picture, but I was afraid they would follow me and abduct me to parts unknown.

So that is the story of my Redneck Romance. If you are a Redneck reading this, please take offense you disgusting shitbag bastard! This is why you have to marry your "uppity" cousin with her 5 teeth and 4th grade education. Blegh.

*You might realize that I have an eye for detail. I am not making any of this shit up because even now, 24 hrs after the fact, I threw up a little in my mouth.

This Ain't Your Same Ole Mayberry

So we got a new head honcho in sweet lil Mayberry. I think I'm gonna like him, even if he doesn't give me a raise this year. I've been my first week back at work with a lot of anxiety. We had a large layoff, were told we are in financial crisis, and from the sound of things, they are starting (or already have) a shit list down in central office. So, I've been rather quiet in meetings, at our retreat, and in general not my usual self. Now don't get me wrong, I'm generally secure in my job. I am good at what I do, and I can navigate the highly political nature of education like a pro. But today my boss intimated that he might be a bit insecure...which in turn gave me a little case of the shakes. Then I start to question myself: "Self, are you SURE you aren't on the list? I mean, you just never know. The new Supe did mention at the retreat that he had heard you were looking elsewhere. WTF?" Luckily, I recover quickly, and so I'm very optimistic regarding the coming year. I just hope morale holds and people get over the shock and awe of the downsizing quickly. I can't say much more, but the title is quite an understatement. Here's hoping I can last the year by keeping my mouth shut. That is the monumental task at hand. I do keep having a recurring dream of being fired by Donald Trump though. Any thoughts on this, folks?

Anyway, blogging will still be hit and miss until my laptop gets fixed. Or at least until I feel like sitting for any extended time at my desktop here. I'm on the mend, however.

Musical Theater

So, I had to give myself over to PT, and so this morning when I was replicating all that I was taught in the session with a physical therapist, I was relieved to be able to listen to my iPod...I think. In the 45 min that I tortured myself, my iPod turned on me! These are the shuffled songs that I had as the backdrop to my workout (in order):

"Come and Get Your Love" (old version)

"No Sugar Tonight"

"U and Ur Hand"

"Give It To Me"

"Get Off"

"Buttons"

"Pour Some Sugar on Me"

"Summer Love"

"Maneater" (Nelly Furtado not Hall & Oates)

"Mr. Brownstone"

"Under Pressure"

"I Told You So"

"Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy"

"Bust a Move"

"Darling Nikki"

"It Takes Two"

"Disco Inferno" (50 Cent)

"Overprotected"

"California Love"

"Call Me When You're Sober"

Now, I'm not one that really believes that there are "signs" that are visited upon us, but does anyone else think that is a sex heavy play list? However, I'm a lil disturbed at the forwardness of my iPod. He (it's obviously a "he") seemed to be mocking my current state of disability and restrictions. And to add insult to injury, he quit right in the middle of the last song, which was "Seven", one of my favorite Prince songs. Typical man: going and quitting just as you are about to finish yourself. Plus, I think he's judging me. Stupid iPod...his name is officially Mud.