News from the front...and the back

The weekend at home was all it should have been. The only thing missing was a visit with Mary, and a bit more time with my brother Chris. Otherwise, it was a full three days of friends, family, and a friggen load of fattening foods.

Now that I'm back, it's time for hauling my shite from here to Tricia's joint, and I can tell you that it's going to take a while. Don't get me wrong, I'm very much looking forward to the the move and finally feeling completely settled into The Cities.

But there are a few things I'm going to miss:
1) A queen size bed to sprawl out in (much to the dismay of my bedfellow) and to share (much to the mutual satisfaction of both parties).

2) Having a bedroom AND a room for work, wardrobe and miscellaneous objects.

3) The myriad hooks that the former resident of my room decided to strew about the walls of the room. Honestly, how many hooks does a person need?

4) A bookshelf FULL of DVD's and VHS tapes sporting such classics as The Blob, Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, and gagillion more movies ranging from the obsurdly obscure to the best movies of all time.

But like all things, there's also a backside...other side...of the story.

There are things I will NOT miss:
1) Mice. Enough said.

2) Seeing a roommate's ass 3 more times than I ever wanted to.

3) Using a kitchen from the 1940's that has NEVER been updated. No countertops, barely any "cupboard" space (if you can call a few shelves "cupboards"), and any food below the 5 feet mark can be fair game for the mice. Did I mention I won't miss the mice?

Naturally, there are pluses and minuses to every living space and every roommate arrangement. It will be awesome finally being able to live with one of my best friends, and it will be sad moving 12 minutes away from my boyfriend (made more difficult by his lack of a transportation device). But put into perspective, I should just be damn happy that I'M HERE in the Twin Cities, where I've wanted to be for years with people I care very much about. I miss my family and my friends randomly located througout WI, but this is the place I need to be for now.

Time to take things one lease at a time ;)

The saga has ended

My days as a summer school teacher have ended. As they should. The kids were predictable today, feigning the ambition to work for about 10 minute before falling into the familiar pattern of talking and glancing at a computer screen now and then. Out of the bunch, one student alone was finished with her paper. The others said they wanted more time to work on it, and I said they could, with 10 points off for being two days late.

Naturally, the extra time made virtually no difference at all. They just gave up and were done. Fine with me really; I had wanted the last day to be one of fun with games, movie, and some final reflections. Sadly, it wasn't too much of a blast with me having to get grades in that same day, taking each paper as it came to me, grading it, adding it into their cummulative score, and giving final grades. Class went by very quickly, and before I knew it, we were in the last ten minutes.

I handed out surveys asking the students questions regarding their feelings about the class, how it went, did they enjoy the class material, would they make any changes, etc. All VERY similar to surveys I had to fill out for nearly every professor I had at UWEC, except there were no tiny circles to fill in with No. 2 pencils. Their comments seemed honest enough, if a bit breif, but I enjoyed reading them anyway.

And then they were gone. I turned on some Pink and took down my decorations and packed up my supplies. That was it. A chapter of my life is finished. And now the chapter of unemployment begins. :P God I hope I don't have to just substitute this school year.

Oh yeah, gone home for the weekend, so I'll check ya on the flipside.

Have you seen this blogger?

Where has all my tracking gone?

So I look at my tracker that I've had for a good year and a half now, and what do I see?  No traffic since last week.  Awfully suspicious, eh?  Yeah, especially since it counts whenever I check my own site, so even if no one ever visited my site cuz they think I'm a loser, I'd still get hits.   Like anyone would who likes seeing that there may be a few people who are actually interested in their life and writing, I decided to remedy the situation.

First, I tried to figure out what was different about my old tracker.  I couldn't find any problems with it.  When I tried getting in to my account with the tracker, I found that not only did I not remember what password I used, but that every single password I could possibly think of or have ever used in the history of my online usage just didn't work.  What next?

I searched the web to find a new tracker, grabbed the first one that looked decent, and stuck it on my website.  It seemed straight forward and detailed enough, and I gave it some time to work.  I clicked on it and logged in and...sure enough, no one visited.  Hm...great. 

Now I have two worthless trackers on my website, and am no closer to figuring out how to go about changing that, other than eliminating them both and putting a new one on there.  But part of me doesn't want to let go of my long log of visitors (long in a relative sense of course).  Any ideas of how to fix things?  Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?

And now the moment...answering the questions

1.  No job.

2.  Ambigious answer to the apartment.   First we have to check it out, and then we find out whether or not it's too expensive.

3.  One student is finished, the rest actually did SOME work or at least failed to bother me today, and I read only a little before class and more afterwards--I'm convinced that maybe it's not such a great book.

4.  Weather is fabulous.  Whether or not I choose to run...yet to be decided.

5.  Not that long, though I'm getting VERY sick of these every-night-wake-up-to-use-the-facilities routine. 

And the books...I just remembered to order them.  At least they're a lot cheaper online, so that when I'm out of a job and destitute this school year, I'll at least have my books to solace me.

Anticipation, precipitation, humidification

Tomorrow I find out a number of things:

1.  Do I have a job, not have a job, or do I have to go for a follow-up interview?

2.  Do Tricia and I have a chance at the 1st floor apartment, or is it too expensive, or does the landlord have someone else in mind for the place, or is he not home to answer Tricia's call at all?

3.  How many of my students are going to have their papers finished, how many students are going to talk and sit on their asses instead of working on their papers, and how many pages of Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging will I read out of complete boredom during class tomorrow?

4.  Will the weather finally cool down so that I may go for the run I so badly need or will I again be trapped in this sweltering house where sitting is enough exercise to neccesitate a shower?

5.  How long will it take me to fall asleep after a 3 hour nap this afternoon, laying in a warm room with an industrial strength fan blowing at me, while worrying about whether my career finally has a bright point?

Anything can happen, my friends.  Anything.  But one thing is for sure:
If I get the job tomorrow, I am going to celebrate by ordering the Dark Elf new hardcover trilogy from Amazon tomorrow.  If I don't get the job tomorrow, I am going to console myself by ordering the Dark Elf new hardcover trilogy from Amazon tomorrow.  It was a tough decision, but I think I'll be alright.

It's too darn hot...
 
Living without air conditioning isn't a big deal, no problem at all really.  That is, until you try to sleep in a room of muggy, stifling air.  Even with two fans going, the only thing I can sleep in is a sheen of sweat.  Not a pretty picture I would imagine.
 
In honor of the heat, I am again posting a picture that best describes just how hot it feels in my room right now:


Seeing me in jeans and a sweatshirt in front of that huge fire...almost enough to make me pass out right now.

Now the circle is complete...YAY! 
 
Check it--the blog is all put together, thanks to a small observation made by Tricia in my html.  Yay for friends who are also fellow geeks :) 
 
On a different note, I've been meaning to blog about an occurence from my running escapades.  I think this event is best expressed in the form of a Paint drawing:

I'm the spunky-haired blonde looking puzzled at the group of runners coming up. Notice anything strange about the group of runners passing by? I laughed my ass off.

The Only Drawback
 
I can't seem to get my comments up and working again, though I've followed the YACCS directions to a "t."  Any help here?
 
Hm....figured it out.  This blog template has comments built into it.   Not bad, but I'm not sure that's what I want, plus I'd really like to be able see my old comments, especially in the archives. AND I think YACCS does a better job with them.  Jenny, I'm guessing you had issues with it with your blog as well.  Any assistance you could give?

 

In Case You Failed to Notice


  
I decided it was TIME FOR A CHANGE!  I've had the same blog template for too long now, and the monohue pattern just had to go.  Hope you don't mind the unexpected change, but for me it's VERY refreshing.  It's still blue and greenish, but I think I'll have more options to change this one around, once I get the template figured out.   
 
Sadly, the template I had will no longer be available, I think, even if I want to go back to it.  The old one was cool, since no one really had one like it anymore, and I know this template is generic, but whatever.  It's the content that matters anyway, right?   
 
PLUS!!!  As you can see, the new template and new picture uploading system by blogger let's me FINALLY POST PICTURES!!!!!  So just imagine the fun I'll be having in my posting from now on ;)  That's all for now.  Time to tweek the template for a while!

MY VERY FIRST FALL JOB INTERVIEW!!!
 
Today I was suppose to receive a call from a school district telling me whether or not I successfully made it through the telephone screening interview yesterday and would be scheduling a real life interview.  After the GRUELING @#$%&*@! telephone interview yesterday, the principal told me she would call either later that day or the next day.  I waiting long hours with the phone right by my side from last night into this afternoon.  Did I receive any call at all? NO!  How fucking rude is that? 
 
However, this afternoon, I did receive a call from a DIFFERENT school district that is actually a bit closer to where I'll be living.  The principal had recently been handed my application and wondered if I was still interested in a part time English teaching position.  I said, "YES!!!!!!" with slightly more restraint than jumping up and down and pretending to hug him over the phone. 
 
He asked if it would be alright to schedule a time for me to come to the high school and talk more about the position (aka have an interview), to which I replied "That would be great!!!!" again holding back as much as a person would who hasn't heard any other really positive feedback since she started applying for jobs in April. 
 
Long story slightly shorter, I have an interview with a northern suburban high school principal next Tuesday, and the other school district can blow it out their asses (if I get a job somewhere else that is).  YAY For hearing something positive, whether it be part time or not, I'm still happy!  Not exactly a job offer yet, but even getting to the interview stage (one that doesn't feel like a NAZI interrogation over the phone) is far better than I was just two days ago.
 
I just hope that a couple other people I know start getting some good positive feedback too!!!  I'll be hoping for you! AND a bit more for me too, cuz there's still the issue of actually being hired.  Bleah, details.

Sometimes you just can't WAIT for them to fail

Okay, I know I'm a teacher and I'm supposed to be the supportive, go-get-em tiger, that's-okay-you'll-do-better-next-time coach for my students. A good teacher means not giving up on a student and trying to make sure they do their best. But you know what? Sometimes you just gotta say "Blow it out your ass."

Let me expound. There is a certain student in my class who started out doing fairly average work and had a pleasant/neutral attitude. Then he left for a few days because he decided he didn't want to go to class. Finally, he was talked into returning and has resumed a presence in my classroom. Good, right?

Um...no. As I painstakingly explained all of the assignments he missed and gave clear and detailed instructions for the major project the other students are already pursuing, he just sat there. He was barely responsively, except to say something on the order of, "Yeah, okay. Whatever." That attitude has remained with him since that time. I wouldn't care, except that well, it looks really bad to have one student just sitting with his thumb up his ass while the other ones, even the slowly motivated ones, are finishing their research, doing make up work, and beginning to write their papers. THAT wouldn't even bother me if it weren't for the fact that he is so DANG OBSTINANT.

Other students at least TRY to pretend like their doing some work when I ask them to, or they give me some ideas of what they will be working on next, but this one? He just sits there and tells me "It's just summer school. It's not important anyway." Thanks buddy, so me spending hours and hours planning and going over shit to get this summer school unit planned was pointless, hm? Yeah, THAT sort of attitude is going to get you in my good graces.

::sigh:: Sorry about that, but a kid like that, well, just makes me WANT to fail him. In fact, I can't WAIT until he gives me half-assed work and I can write that big fat "NC" on his grade report with a big sadistic smile on my face.

Oh come on, you know I'm going to grade everyone fairly, and they'll each have their chance to pass if they get enough work accomplished. And hey, some good news. The counselor that also works with the students talked aside to me for a moment this morning and told me: THE KIDS LOVE ME. In fact, they'd love it if I worked at the ALC full time during the school year (unfortunately, simply not possible--there are no positions currently available). But still...What a nice thing to say! and a sure way to warm up this cynical heart :) AND, my bosses say I'm doing a great job too, as they knew I would from the interview.

Now, let's see if I can keep this "good teacher" rep going until the end of the summer before dropping "F" bombs on them...

Happy Fourth to all, and to all a good fireworks display!!

Just spent a day at the beach with some homies, next we're off to a barbeque and then it's on to watching fireworks somewhere. We still haven't decided whether to go to the huge ass celebration called Taste of Minnesota--I went there last year with Tricia and Karin and it was...eh, pretty good for a festival--or we might see a smaller subsidiary of the city display somewhere by St. Anthony.

Hope that wherever you go and whatever you do, it's a total blast. Even you folks in foreign places--no reason why you can't have a sweet Sunday evening in July :)

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head

Song from one of the funniest moments of Spiderman 2 (I suggest you get your ass to the theater if you haven't seen it yet). And, coincidently, it was pouring just a few minutes ago and I was out in the supremely wet weather. I'll tell you why, but you have to promise to brace yourself...and not laugh. I was RUNNING. Today I ran through a monsoon with Chris, but the first day I braved it alone.

Yep, two days ago I got fed up with always talking about going out and getting some exercise, and after Lee left to go running, I decided I would too. I couldn't just keep waiting around for there to be a good moment to grab a friend and go. I could do it just fine by me onesie.

First, I made sure I had on all the right gear: navy and tan Nike running shoes, cotton navy Aruba shorts with their motto "One Happy Island," gray sport bra covered by navy cotton tank top, and last but not least, a navy headband. Honestly, it truly was not my intention to match that pathetically well. Just so happened to be the most comfortable and sporty combination I could come up with. (At least it wasn't a nylon jumpsuit or something).

Next, I decided I would forgo the routine (and smart) concept of stretching or warming up and just took a few steps from the house and started running. Went around the block...and walked. So, I walked to the bridge and ran across it...and walked. Walked around a block, got back to the bridge and ran across it...and walked around the block to the house.

At that point, I realized that not only was I incredibly out of cardiovascular/aerobic shape, but that I had also only been out for fifteen minutes. Not enough. So I walked around the block, got the bridge, walked across it, then turned around and ran across it, and walked another block, and back to the house. I felt like I was pacing. Seriously, at no point was I further than about three small blocks from the house.

But hey, it's a start, right? I can't expect to be running circles around my athletic-assed friends after years of avoiding running unless chased, competing for shotgun, or getting out of the rain. Today was actually pretty cool, we were both soaked but it prevented us from getting hot and sweaty which is always a plus.

We'll see how long this spurt of energy lasts--I'm guessing maybe til the end of the long weekend, but I'll try. Okay okay, I hear you: I'll DO.

I'm Getting Better

A full week later, I'm still thankful when the school day ends, but things are better than they were. I had a rocky first couple days, but Thursday went well, as did today, and that gives me some hope. True, I had the students create collages Thurs and compete in an internet scavenger hunt today, but I figure, why the hell not make English class a bit enjoyable?

It's not that the lessons haven't been educational; they're just a bit alternative, which is the idea to begin with. Tomorrow they're bringing in their favorite song lyrics and perhaps a CD with their song to play in class. I briefly reviewed some poetic mumbojumbo like similies and alliteration, and asked them to pick out those usages in the song, taking it apart like they might take apart a poem. I figure we'll look at structure first, and then get into their meanings. Looking at songs seemed a good first step into a mini unit on poetry. Anything to get their attention and thinking that not all writing is boring ass shit.

I've got some sweet modern poetry to show them too, AND Chris might be coming in as a "guest speaker" to share some of his own poetry, answer questions, and perhaps tell them a bit about how he started writing. Of course they'll be writing some of their own poetry as well, which should be pretty fun, if I do it right. I have some ideas, just have to pick a couple and go with it.

Outside of teaching, which for the 12 hours a week fairly pathetically eats up my free time in trying to put together materials and plan lessons for each day, there's not a whole lot new around here. Thankfully it will get easier as the unit gets into the main phase of their writing. Easier to plan, but perhaps not easier to teach. I think I'm going to forget about getting a part time job for the next couple months and concententrate on not fucking up this job and finding a full time teaching job for the fall. It's so depressing to not get any call backs or emails. I'm going to call some places tomorrow and wake them up a bit. Not EVERY district can be that far behind that they aren't doing interviews yet. ::sigh:: Oh well. As my dad says, I'll always have a place at the Holiday Inn...or a factory. Comforting, hm?

In the car, I just can't wait, to be finished with my very first DAY

First day of summer school teaching....check
Beginning class of only 8/16 students...check
First minor setback during teaching...check

It could have been much much worse. Oh yes, much worse. As it was, I think I did pretty well, and came off fairly professional. Unfortunately, professionalism isn't exactly what's needed there. The kids aren't horrible, though they are brutally honest with themselves, their family, friends, and with me of course. I think they'll warm up to me as they go, but it may be a bit of a barrier that I grew up as, well, a good girl. And these are all students undergoing a program because they were alcoholics and flunked classes.

They're all smokers, since they cannot drink. Good idea, hm? They asked me if I smoke, drink, did drugs, etc. and I decided to be honest and say I did smoke 1 cigarette once...in a pub in Berlin after two big mugs of beer. However, I didn't like it, wouldn't do it again, and really can't stand the smell. As for drinking, I only have a couple drinks now and then (unless it's a special occassion--which I did not tell them).

Furthermore, since they're kids that were involved in all that junk, they hung out with a different sort of crowd SO they're not exactly fans of the same sort of things. I love reading, writing, never minded school, and got along with students and teachers. Instead of going out to parties, I'd hang out with friends and play games, watch fun movies, and basically, be a kid, all into fantasy and using my imagination. These are kids trying to grow up way too fast. Still, I did put up an Inuyasha poster I found at Suncoast and I plan on bringing my SW poster from home--I don't care if they think I'm a geek--I am one, and it's not like I'm going to bother hiding it.

Still, I think I can handle teaching this class. It's not like I had tons in common with the students at Altoona, nor the students in London, particularly. Besides, getting to know them today helped me make some decisions about the unit I will have them do this summer. I have many MANY options, but it looks like I'm going to have to design it to be as unconventional as possible, keep them on their toes, and keep them moving and learning. Some of them have the attention spans of a 3 year old...with a nicotine addiction.

So wish me luck, friends. I'm going to need it. That and a continuous supply of wine coolers, massages, time out with people born before 1986, and ice cream, lots of ice cream.

Bahp bah, bahp bah! This is the sound of settling

I'm almost moved in here at the house, things arranged pretty much how I want them. Granted, there's no bed in here, so it makes it a lot roomier and easier to decorate. It just looks a little empty, but I think I can solve that by bringing my TV, stereo, PS2, and a couple lamps the next time I drive home (in just over a week).

Anyway, I had a sort of "orientation" for my teaching position, and it doesn't seem too bad. I'll be teaching 16 students for 2.5 hours M-Th (and have an extra half hour just supervising the kids while they do some independent activities). Put it all together and it means I"ll have $1620 when I finish in July. ::sigh:: Not exactly what I was making over at AF, but then, only working 12h/week means I can pick up a part time job no problem...as long as I can figure just what sort of part time job I either want or am capable of doing.

Any good ideas? I'm sick of the Holiday Inn--6 years was enough--and I'd rather not waitress, nor would I really like to do customer service or telemarketing. Working at a bookstore would rock, I think, or maybe at a coffee shop. I suppose there's jobs at the mall too, and the hours there might work. Bleah...I just don't want to work minimum wage. Come to think of it, I never have. Not that I ever made a boatload of dough, just that it was either waitressing with tips, camp couselor with a decent wage, or factory work that paid great. Problem is I can't get an office type job cuz I'm busy in the mornings, so it's gotta be something in retail or restaurant pretty much, and I have no retail experience.

Sorry, just babbling on here today. I guess tonight a big group of us are all going to play volleyball--I just hope the weather holds out. And, that I don't completely suck, as I often tend to do when it comes to anything athletic aside from swimming. I'd prefer not reliving my oh so nice nickname of "Whiffer" tonight.

The Katie van is coming, and everybody's jumping, Green Bay to Minneapolis...

Listening to a bit of "get up off your ass" music as I finish packing up most of my belongings. HA, right, MOST? Probably only a fourth of what I have is going with me. The rest is staying here for another trip, or to just sit in storage until I have a house, or someone else claims my stuff.

There's so much I COULD pack, but I'm trying VERY hard to resist the temptation of filling the van to the brim. For instance, I could bring a bookshelf, and fill it with a zillion books I own. Or I could bring about 6 different lamps that are sitting around down here (I think maybe I'll just bring 4...or 3...) At least this time I don't have to lug my huge ass computer with it's desk. Oh, but I do need to grab the printer...dang, forgot about that.

Anyway, it's been was a late night, an early morning, and now there's a long day ahead of me. Thankfully, I saw pretty much everyone I wanted to see before I left town, and I had an absolute blast this week with friends and family every night. I even had a couple drinks with Joe last night, renewing and untying our "tied up" friendship. It was awkward at first, but eventually we started babbling on like old times. Probably just as well I'll be out of town though, that way he doesn't fall into any old ruts.

Oh, and I found out what position I have for this summer teaching job that I'm moving for...finally. Sadly, I'll only be getting maybe 10-12 hours a week, not exactly enough to thrive on even at $20.25/h. Still, it's an excellent opportunity and a HUGE resume booster for the fall. I'll just have to pick up a part time job for sure now, which I suppose isn't too bad either. Oh, and it also means I get to sleep in a little too ;) since class doesn't start til 9am. Sweet.

Well, time to get this party started. And I like to party, I like, I like to party...

The Ultimate Send-Off

Last night, I drank about five cups of coffee. One could say I'm addicted to caffeine OR one could say that I wasn't about to pass up on refills of Mocha Mint. Yes, my friends, after longs years of waiting, of arriving at my favored cafe and never seeing those sweet flavored words, I have finally once again tasted MOCHA MINT coffee at Caffe Espresso. And it was good.

Also very good were the tortellini with marinara and the House cheesecake that I consumed with relish that night. Joining me in my joy was Shelly, who I will miss dearly as an excellent coffee, restaurant, and bookstore companion. It was the ultimate way for Caffe Espresso and I to part ways, with no hard feelings, I assure you. I even saw a couple old high school folks whose names I cannot remember and faces I really didn't care if I saw or not, but still, it was sort of almost nice. Amazing that in all my time here in GB and the many times I went to Espresso that I didn't run into anyone I knew better. Eh, oh well.

Tonight I went to Tequilas for some authentic Mexican music, dancing, and alcoholic beverages. And it was good. My three favorite coworkers, friends you could say, met me at the bar, and we had a fun night of talking, joking, and a little dancing too. What really rocked wasn't so much the music as it was that all my drinks were ON THE HOUSE. Sweet, hm? I thought so. The bartender was cool cuz it's a new bar and grill, so they want new customers that come back again, AND the represntative for the temporary workers at AF was there and her husband was DJing for the bar. Overall, not a bad deal at all.

Top off the night with some quality time with my dad and Frank & Pat's pizza, and I'd say I'm about ready to crash right now. I still blame it on the residual effects of all the caffeine last night. Or maybe it was the two beers, sex on the beach (I so have to try that sometime), and a shot of tequila. Either way, that bed is looking mighty fine right now, so off I go. !Buenas noches!

GEEZ! What next?!

This week has been just full of surprises. First I find out I've got a new job, now I find out I've gotta move almost a week earlier than I thought. Turns out I'm off for MN on Monday, and before that I have a whole slew of appointments, packing, and fiesta-ing. I suddenly feel VERY overwhelmed and rather unprepared to move out.

Granted, this isn't like, my final "moving out" time thanks to not being able to fit everything into the van in one trip. AND, there's no way I'm packing absolutely everything, just the things I need and some things I want. Still, I have a feeling that van will be jam-packed before I get through with it.

I know I've been planning on moving out for a LONG time now, it's just that I never thought about it as an immediate sort of action, just something that will happen, eventually, in the future. But now, it's MONDAY, not some undetermined date. I think I'll be fine as far as getting things together, but there are a few things I thought I would do before I left that I don't think are going to happen:

*Sanding, painting, and fixing up the desk I bought at a rummage sale
*hanging out with Amy, Mary, and Shelly more
*patching things up with my long lost friend, Joe
*experiencing the somewhat dreaded, thought inevitable, maybe sort of nice, overall really no big deal of being in the same city as and running into old...friends
*having a fun-filled fiesta here at the house with coworkers and plenty of Corona and margaritas
*finally having my own grad party
*helping my mom and dad get rid of all their shit at a rummage sale

Getting to MN early is going to be a blast, I can assure you. However, there's something about "moving out" that has a finality to it. The next few days are the last of me really LIVING in this house that has been my home for 23 years (excluding 9 mo. out of the year). You could say it's just like I'm going to college...but it's not. This time, I'm not coming back, not for anything more than a visit. This is it.

Exiciting...scary...a huge hastle--all wrapped into one pivotal moment in my life. It's like I'm finally saying good-bye to my life as it was, and moving on; saying good-bye to my past and all it's ups and downs, being thankful for the good times and throwing a layer of dust over old memories. Sad that we say good-bye to so many things, so many people in our lives. Sometimes it's spoken, other times they just drift slowly away until they're just...gone. But you know, good-bye doesn't always mean forever. Sometimes time just needs to pass. And then, who knows?

The Time Has Come

Yes, ladies and gentlemen. The time has come at last...FOR ME TO MOVE OUT!!!! You heard it right, I'm moving on out of here in less than two weeks. Why? Well, it could be in part because I FOUND A JOB!!!!! Yeah, I'm pretty sure that has a lot to do with it.

This weekend I traveled to MN to first of all, see Jenni's ultra awesome little tyke, and second of all, to attend an interview I set up for Monday. The interview went great, a lot smoother than I expected, and later that day the interviewer said they want to offer me a position. KICK ASS!

What's the position, you ask? Oh come on, that's personal. As for the job, I will be a summer school English teacher from June 21-July 29. It's not a full time job, and doesn't mean I'll be set for a fall teaching job, but it's a hell of a start. AND, I'm finally using that handle little degree and license I have, which means finally getting paid like a professional too.

This means I have a hell of a lot to do before next weekend, including major organizing of my shit, and of course, having as much fun as possible with the few friends here in town as well. Oh, and in preparation for the move, I also FINALLY picked up a brand spankin new cell phone, whose number I will not divulge here, but I'll be sure to give you a call and let you know (those privaleged few, that is ;)

Yep, bounds of excitement here and plenty of busy-ness, so please excuse me if I haven't been really great about updating this blog lately. I'll do better--really I will! :) Aight, it's late, time for bed. Ugh, at least I can finally look forward to NO MORE FACTORY WORK!!!!!!!! Next week that is... ::sigh::

Tomorrow, in a country far far away...

JENNY LEAVES
EPISODE 2

It was a dark time for the Katie. Forces of nature and a great opportunity have sent Jenny once again across the ocean, into foreign lands. But there is hope...

Okay, not exactly like a Star Wars main title intro, but the occassion is just as epic, if not more so since it's actually taking place in real life. My friend, my very good friend Jenny, is flying out to London tomorrow to begin the next six months of her temporary British status.

On one side, I'm totally fucking jealous, chica. I'd so love to be there too, kickin it and having a great time in the UK. I miss the city, the people, the pubs, the stores, the whole shitload of historical/architectural stuff...it's a sweet place. And I know we'd be totally awesome running around London, the UK, Europe doing everything we didn't get to last time, or that we want to do again.

On another side, I know it's good that you're out on your own making some sorta scary, but really exciting, interesting, and meaningful changes in your life. It's not quite time for me to get back to the UK yet, though I'll be sure to get there again as soon as I can. Probably not this summer, which blows donkey balls, but that's how it goes. And you've gotta bet a certain Mr. H is VERY happy to be seeing you. AND, you can be sure that we're gonna go travel again sometime, maybe to someplace new and exotic like...New York. Yep, sounds so thrilling after everything else, hm? ;) Oh, I know, it'd still rock.

And so, a post to say "Bon Voyage" to mi amiga. Be safe, have plenty, and I mean PLENTY of fun, listen to the CDS, and I'll be talking to you soon. Buena suerte!

We Didn't Start the Fire

Thanks to one Flarahety twin, I had that song in my head last night even as the rain was lulling me to sleep. That would be Ryan, one of Chris's friends, one of the fantastic five who drove up to Door Co. to go camping this fine Memorial Day weekend--the rest of us being Chris, Tricia, Rachael, and I. A sweet combo of peeps for a good time if I do say so myself.

We arrived at Tricia's parents' 20 acres of property sometime around 8pm Friday and the fun began. Thankfully, the five of us fit perfectly into the camper that was already set up. AND a fire was already started in the big fire pit by her family who was sitting around enjoying some beverages and tasty treats. It made for a nice relaxing beginning to the weekend, despite the fact that it was fricken freezing even in the camper and in a two person sleeping bag WITH an extra comforter on top. Brrrr.

The next day was actually pretty nice. Tricia's bro and gf came to join the party, as did Renae and Graham, adding to the particularly festive occasion. No rain until late evening, and the sun almost peeked out for a while in the afternoon--at least enough to give me an extra blush to my cheeks...and nose. Although, I'm not entirely sure some of that rosiness didn't come from a heat source a bit closer than the sun. You see, not only is a tradition for Tricia's family to have huge bonfire/campfires every time they go camping, but they are also in the process of clearing out trees and brush from their somewhat wild property. Put those factors together, and you get one huge ass, mo fo-gigantic fire. Seriously folks, this pile was 9 feet tall and about 15-20 feet in diameter (at least). Us kids created some auxillary piles of logs and branches nearby, carrying and dragging the wood from piles and areas from all over the place.

Despite it's huge potential, I wasn't too worried about the fire that would erupt from the pile. We had cleared out the brush around the pile, and the grass around it was very damp and trampled. So when her dad started pouring on the kerosene and starting the flames, we got right in there and helped the fire along. And then...we started backing away from the fire. Then we started HURRYING away from the fire, dragging chairs with us. Some were worried, others just watched the flames while drinking a beer. What did I do?

I was pulling back chairs while watching the fire with complete amazement and horror. Her mom was asking, should we call the fire department? Should we? She was all worried, and I don't blame her. I said she REALLY should call, and this is why. The flames were 25 feet in length, and I"m not talking straight up in the air--that wouldn't have worried me. No, the flames were going sideways, thanks to the gusts of wind, and the fire was roaring. They looked like they would reach the pile of brush that was put just a little too close to the pile. AND, the fire was spreading from the base outwards, consuming the damp grass. For about two minutes, I was afraid the property was going to be set ablaze like in those nature videos about wildfires, with little animals scurrying out of the smoke.

Actually, that part really happened. After we started the fire, but shortly before it completely erupted into a mountain of flame, a baby bunny ran out from the middle of the pile like it's tail was on fire (thankfully, it wasn't on fire). But it was scared shitless. Tricia tried picking it up, but then it fell out of her hands, and scurried away.

Very thankfully, the flaming grass put itself out after creating a big blackened radius around the pile. And the fire died down surprisingly fast after that one big burst, so that the panicking only lasted a minute or so. Good thing we didn't have to call the fire dept. or I guess it would have been a $1000 fine--yuck. Perhaps next time they won't be making such a big bonfire in such a big wind.

One sad addition to the bunny story. Later that evening, we were sitting around eating and drinking and having a good time, when another bunny ran right up to us, within just a few feet of where we were sitting. This time, it was an adult bunny, and it stopped and looked at us for a few moments, as if to say, "You mother fucking bastards! You killed my babies!" and then it ran off. I felt so bad :( It stopped by once again, and I tried to communicate to it that the baby ran that way...but for some reason, she just didn't understand. Hopefully they reunited, or maybe the baby's old enough to survive on it's own. ::sigh:: The causualties of fire.

On a lighter note, the rest of the weekend was free of anymore traumatized wildlife. We went hiking at Penninsula State Park--man my legs HURT!, played Dominoes and drank tea while it was pouring outside, and built our own campfire with damp wood and just one little match--Girl Scout skills at their best! It was a quality weekend in nature with some good friends, and Tricia's very nice family.

I'd say, not a bad bit of camping, especially since the last time I went was almost 5 years ago, right before I went off to college. And as I recall, that time wasn't exactly ideal with ultra super hot weather during the day and a bad thunderstorm at night. And what the fuck's with having my fucking period both times now? I'm telling you right now: I'm going camping again this summer and NEXT time there will be tenting and there will be shagging!

Burnin down the house

I've been burning like a mo fo lately. Yes, I did have a dream that I set the basement on fire and then put out the flames with my comforter, but I'm not talking about fire. I'm referring to all the wicked CDs I've been burning using my wonderful CD-RW drive. Ah yes, the joys of being able to create and listen to CD mixes of my favorite tunes.

The best part is bringing the CDs to work so I don't have to listen to Spanish polka music, WIXX same old shit that they play over and over and over again, or my same old CDs that tend to be too alternative, punk, or mellow for the tastes of my coworkers.
Sure, I love listening to Inucubus, Death Cab for Cutie, and nameless other musical greats ranging from swing, celtic, musicals, to hard rock. Something just tells me they wouldn't be rocking along to Rent with me. Eh, their loss.

It's not that I don't enjoy listening to tons of different kinds of music; I just don't own that many CDs...I'm cheap AND I'm too chicken to download more music from the internet. Perhaps someday I'll get some more tunes, but for now I'm happy with the sweet additions to my collection from generous friends. Don't worry, I'll make it up to you ;)

Too many babies!! Too many babies!!!

There's a little joke for Jenni, Chad, and Tricia if she's paying attention ;) This was the big week--Jenni and Chad just had their bundle of joy, little Erik last Tuesday. YAY for parenthood! Man, I can't wait to see these parents in action--you guys are going to be more hilarious than Amy and Geoff. And I just know your little boy is going to one amusing kid, all the way to adulthood. Good luck you two!

As if to add more babies onto the fire...I mean...bleah, I'm sounding like Jesse. What I mean is, I've had an overload of babies in my environment today. After finding out Jenni had her baby, I then proceeded to a baby shower for the sister-in-law of one of my coworkers--pretty far removed,hm? There were plenty of women there, and even MORE KIDS! There were 2 infants, 2 kids about 1 year old, 3 three-year-olds, and a few more kids ranging up to age 15. And the worst part was, almost every single one of them was friggen adorable.

::sigh:: And then I remember that there's a reason why I don't want kids for maybe another five years--I like hanging out with them for a while, but after a couple hours, I'm ready to put them back. So, if I could like, rent a kid like I'd rent a movie, I could deal with that, but I have a feeling that wouldn't go over very well as a business. I suppose that's what babysitting is for. Too bad that now I don't get paid for it. I swear I made a MINT when I was in middle school. So....anybody need a babysitter? I'll do it for free if I can eat your food, watch movies, call my friends, and bring my boyfriend over to make out...I mean help.

Please, can I go mom?

Tonight my mom and I were talking about the trips we'd like to take when we have the time. Ever since I set foot on European soil, I knew I'd be doing much more traveling in my life. In fact, I would say my trip to Boston and then my brother's wedding in Aruba are what really gave me the travel bug. It would take weeks and weeks to see all the places and do all the things I'd love to do all over the world. Where would I go first? Such a hard decision...let's see:

*Ireland and Scotland--I'd love to hike and tour all over those countries, checking out castles (like "famous" Castle Doune--"You've got two empty halves of coconuts and you're bangin 'em together!", local pubs, the Book of Kell, the Blarney Stone, the beautiful coastline, Dublin, Edinbourgh, and some small towns inbetween). I'm pretty sure that if I do go there, my mom's going with me--no way she'd miss out on that trip.

*Germany, Switzerland, and Sweden--I've been to Germany, but I couldn't tour the "Romantic Rhine" since it was during the winter season. Rick Steves made it sound so beautiful and rich with old culture, villages, castles, hills and valleys dotting the river along the way. Switzerland has the picturesque mountain scenes, and Sweden has my old roommate Angelica that I promised I would visit. Sounds like a do-able trip, doesn't it?

*New Zealand--Tricia said her roommate Rachel might be moving there for a while, so of course she'd like to visit her. And who wouldn't? It'd be awesome to see even a portion of the great landscapes shown in Lord of the Rings, AND New Zealand has plenty of fun and exciting activities to keep a person busy. My mom said maybe New Zealand will be next on her list of places to go--sounds like an adventure. She just hopes she could talk my dad into going somewhere besides Aruba. Hey, plane tickets are just about 1,500 (give or take a couple hundred).

*Japan--Something about the huge city of Tokyo just makes me want to go there some day. And Japan has plenty of cool things like volcanoes, mountains...not sure what else, but I know there's a lot. I mean geez, with all the anime I've watched, how could I not want to check out the culture that could produce such good and messed up programming? Too bad Japan is the most expensive place to visit.

*The Mediterranean--I'm talking Greece, Italy, and maybe a couple islands around there. I'd love to see the old architecture, and lots of historical places, not to mention the nice beach lines, and maybe Vatican City too. I probably wouldn't venture too far towards the Middle East...and I'm not sure I'd plan this trip now, but maybe in a few years things will cool down a little. It'd be sweet to see Egypt, but I'm pretty sure that's a really bad idea, and I also hear that the pryamids are sort of a let down when you see them in person. Still, I think I'd be impressed. Just as long as I'm not completely stripped of my possessions or killed in the process.

Oh, I could go on and on. The Yucatan Penninsula of Mexico, another trip to England, Australia, Russia...pretty much anywhere, as long as it's fairly safe and there's a nice hostel or hotel nearby. Only question is, who's going with me?

School ends, learning begins

Here's a high five to Chris who now is certifiably a well-learned scholar, a university graduate. Now the fun begins, right Jenny? Eh, I'll bet you'll do better than I have when it comes to finding a job. Cuz you know, you'll use your sexy masculine wiles to score a good position. Man that just sounded wrong. Thank God for the weekend!

Feeling shitty and great at the same time

Dudes! I'm getting a Dell! Yep, last night I bit the $1228 and got myself a modestly kick-ass laptop. That means, I'm going from a huge ass heavy, clunky 5-year-old PC with 450 mhz processor, 12 GB hard drive, and 96 MB RAM to a brand-spankin new laptop with 3.02 Pentium 4 HT processor, 30 GB hard drive (like I need anything bigger), 512 MB RAM, and handy CD-RW/DVD. It arrives this week and I am ULTRA excited. I've been wanting a new computer for about 3 years now. I just hope that it arrives alright--not sure how much I like something so precious traveling by mail to my door while I'm away at work. Maybe I should tell my parents about it, hm?

And in other happy news, I GOT MY MN TEACHING LICENSE!!!!! ::high fives all around:: It looks like a shitty green piece of paper that they couldn't even send in a nice big envelope--instead they folded it, and it's just like, a typed out chart saying what level I can teach and shit. Goes to show that WI is just better ;) Then again, this is just a temporary 1 year license that I will have to renew after I take my Praxis II test and some lame ass human relations course (as though I haven't friggen had enough of those). Having this license FINALLY is awesome, though, cuz it means any application from now on can have my MN license file folder number on it and I can say I DO INDEED have a license, so I don't have to write the lame not that I am still in the application process.

Ah yes, good things can happen on days when I feel like crap and decide to cut out of work early.

Isn't amazing how well online translators don't work?

For those of you not semi-fluent in Spanish, you could always try translating my post with Babel Fish from Altavista, though I warn you that some words don't translate quite the way they should. The main gist of it is still there though--note: if you're not into anything remotely sappy, translating the post probably isn't the thing for you.

My weekend was nice and balanced, with some girl time via Shelly and Tricia, and family time via parents and grandparents. Didn't get around to highlighting my hair, so that will have to be a project for Shelly and I this week. As though that's top on my list :P I'll admit, I've been a slacker lately on applications. It's hard to be motivated when there's so much going on to distract me over a weekend. Right now though, I'm feeling all...tired, sort of stressed, and mostly just completely sick of thinking about career options. Just give me a job, any job, or stick me in grad school...all I really want is to live with Tricia in St. Paul, and have a kick ass time in the Twin Cities. Is that too much to ask? ::sigh::

I just gotta keep going, send out applications, check out the possibility of grad school, and focus on the fact that I can be out of here in less than 3 months. Time has never gone so fast and slow at the same time, I swear.

Solo en mis fotos estás

Es la noche, y estoy sola y cansada. Pero todavía no puedo dormir porque soy pensando de la persona que es el amor de mi vida. Él no puede entender qué escribo en la pagina, aunque él puede entender qué está en mi corazon. Yo sé que estoy tonto a poner palabras tan personal para toda la gente a leer, pero es importante para mi a decir qué está en mi mente a veces. ? Entiendes ? Gracias. No quiero decir más, solamente que voy a soñar de cosas bonitas y él.

You make me sad

So I get a promotion and a raise, right? I am now allowed to write down "production coordinator" as my current employment position. Great news all around, though it means keeping it on the down low for a while as far as family goes, since I work with my sister-in-law and I'm not sure how she'll take it yet. I'm pretty well floored, knowing that the extra cash is going to be VERY helpful this fall with all of my new expenses: rent, energy, car insurance, school loans, cell phone, cable internet, etc. However, this newfound idea of cash to come has me dreaming of new ways to "invest."

For example, I plan on getting a new laptop soon--that was my plan all along--but now, won't it be tempting to add on a coulple hundred bucks for some upgrades? And hey, you know my wardrobe could use updating too. Last but not least, here's the kicker. With an extra $1000 and more, wouldn't it be tempting to arrange a getaway to visit Jenny in bonny and beautiful home away from home London?! Soooo unbelievably tempting. Not exactly a good idea to have in my head when I'm still sending out applications and waiting for a miracle teaching job for the fall. ::sigh:: The dangers of getting a promotion.

I can't fucking wait

Reason #567 that I'm glad I'll be moving out in August:

Helping out with projects and then getting blamed when something goes wrong. :P

Cliffhangers are so cruel

New episodes of Inuyasha started tonight and will be continuing every Sat. night. YAY!!!!! But you know, as excited as I am about that, having to wait an entire week for the next new episode pretty well blows. Granted, during the week are the slightly older episodes that I'm taping which might satiate me a little. Except, you know I won't stay satisfied for long ;)

Agh, my life's like a friggen cliffhanger right now. I just want to get on with it! But nooooo, I've got to wait, just like waiting for the next new season of my favorite series. ::sigh:: I suppose I should be thankful that there IS another season coming up--the season where I FINALLY move out of this house!!!! Cuz it would really suck if I were cancelled due to lack of interest....Alright, maybe that's taking the metaphor too far.

Ding Dong Ding Dong, Wedding Bells

Not mine, of course, but this weekend my cousin Nate got married and we all ventured to the celebration. At first I was a little hesitant, thinking it wuuld end up kinda lame with my mom's ultra silly family all there, and Chris being thrown into the throng of them. But, much to my enjoyment, it turned out to be a super fun time.

During the wedding, my immediate family sat together in the back of the church since little Matthew needed to be near the door in case he got whiney. It also meant that we could be as obnoxious to each other as we wanted without disturbing the ceremony, much. I tell you, if you ever feel bored at a church event, just bring my brother Scott along, and you'll be laughing your ass off...much to the disturbance of those next to you. It's like he's completely annoying and yet totally hilarious at the same time...except for when he stuck the wedding program in the back of my dress. Then I just wanted to kick his ass.

The reception was better than expected as well. Once we finally found the place, there was plenty of good food to eat and people to talk to. It would be have been nice if the dance had started a bit sooner after the dinner--I swear it took forever for them to set up. But we got a game of darts in--naturally, Chris kicked my ass at cricket. I knew when the dance started that there was a chance the songs might totally blow, but when it started out with "In the Mood," I had a feeling I might have a good time. And Chris was an awesome sport about dancing to anything from slow dances to "Love Shack" to the "Electric Slide"--even though he had to learn how to do it. I felt so happy; I've never been with someone who was so carefree and confident about putting himself out on the dancefloor. Such a welcome change. We had tons of fun being silly and sexy at the same time.

And it was so great to see how well he socialized with my family. It takes a kick-ass kind of guy with patience of steel to actually seem enthused about chatting with my mom's gabby sisters or with my dad after he's had a few beers. Hell, I wanted to try to escape from my parents and Scott made me promise to keep Dad from sitting next to him, but Chris, he took it head on and impressed all of us. Add some fun in the hotel with a swimming pool, hot tub, pizza, MXC, and a road trip with fun conversation and singing along with Death Cab for Cutie....I'm telling you, if I don't hold on to this guy, I'm going to seriously kick my own ass.

Do you want a friggen blood sample too?

I swear to an almighty piece of crap job application system....if I have to friggen fill out another friggen page...You see, I'm working on an application, one of many, for a school district near the Twin Cities. Every district has their own unique application, and as I'm finding, some are short and sweet with 2 pages...except they want a copy of every document I can muster, others are online and fairly simple, and this one I've just been working on...that one takes the cake. And I don't mean cuz it's "cake!" I mean it's the longest fucking application I've ever encountered. Hell, it's probably longer than the contract they'd make me sign.

It started out like any application: name, school history, references. But then, they throw in things like a survey on my training in several teaching aspects, job related experiences and interests, and a FRIGGEN ESSAY SECTION! What is this, a college application?! I thought having to write an Educational Philosophy statement was something I had to do (3 different times) to get INTO the School of Ed, not something I'd have to regurgitate 2 years later in the form of some bullshit screening process.

Granted, the essay section and the added questions and surveys will probably do me more good than harm, since I do lack in teaching experience. It'll be a place for my language skills to shine...or something. But dang it, how indepth does an application have to be? Isn't there such thing as an interview or portfolio later? Are they going to pry into my personal life next? I tell you, I just can't wait to turn to page 13 to find out. Page 13...and I haven't even put down my employment history! Fucking A!

I give up for the night. I thought I could finish it, but man, for some small city, they're sure big on paper work. Looks like I'll be working on that one tomorrow too. I'd probably be better off moving on to another district--heck, I could probably finish two of them in the time it'll take to finish the second half of this one. Anyone else encounter stupid fucking applications like that? Applying for jobs is such an assholic bitch. Or a bitchy asshole. Take your pick :P

I got off on good behavior

Is it just me, or does that sound wrong? Anyway, I'm out of work early today, not actually because they like me, but because they ran out of work for me to do. So, I was out after first break, which means I lucked out in getting some extra time to get ready for the weekend. For instance, I've got a cake baking right now, the frosting is completely set to go, I can have lunch with my mom, and pick up a few things I forgot to pack, all before my doctor appointment at 1:30 today. Yay for temporary employment! Granted, I could use the $10/h, but I say, who the fuck cares? Yeah, that's what I'll tell the credit card company :P

Maybe I'll even have an hour to check out a couple stores in the mall on the way to the clinic. I'm sorely in need of GZ appropriate clothing, especially a skirt. Who knows, perhaps I'll luck out and find something perfect for tonight. If not, at least I'll have tried, instead of always relying on my pathetic supply of mix and match clothing I've picked up here and there. I'll come up with something I'm sure, but I'd rather not have to wear pants if I can help it. Somehow, I just don't feel as sexy in a pair of even silky pants, not nearly as much as I would in a swanky little skirt and thigh highs. ;)

Aight, time to get into gear. Lots to do and not that much time to do it in. Later yo!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!!! :)

(Please, Excuse the mushy address here) Hope you have a fan-skippin-tastic birthday, my love! Can't wait to see you this weekend. GZ, cake, friends...it's gonna rock. Talk to you later! :)

Thank God that's over!

The suspence that is. Tonight was my brother Chris's 30th bday party, a good time all around. That's not how I thought it was going to go last night, however. I was afraid it was going to turn into an all out bitch fest between Beth and my dad.

Yesterday, Beth informed me that she was down right pissed off that my dad was so impatient and inconsiderate. She had helped out the campaign at the house during the day, which was nice of her to do. After she got back home, she later called to ask about the folding table and chairs that we said we would bring over to the house for the party today. I was on the phone with her talking about this, and mentioned Chris coming over to pick up the stuff. But my dad was still thinking he'd have to help out, getting something down from the attic, even though he wanted to finish up some campaigning shit (when he really should have called it quits for the day). So he yelled.

Anyone who's met my dad knows how friggen loud he can be. And he was loud enough to be heard over the phone. Beth got upset that he would make such a fuss after she went out of her way to help him with the campaign. So she hung up and said she didn't need his help. I yelled at dad for yelling while I was on the phone and getting involved and messing up something I didn't need his help with to begin with. Of course, then he got mad at me for that. He left the house.

Meanwhile, I call Beth back to talk her down and make sure they have the stuff they need for the party. I talk to Chris, but he opts to hand off the phone to Beth. Great. Beth gets on and she's upset, all crying and shit. She not only is upset about the table thing, but about feeling slighted by not being mentioned on the back of my dad's campaign lit. Not only that, she's upset because she feels there is a history of being slighted, especially now that the baby is around and my parents are all just paying attention to him. First it was Chris getting the attention, now it's little Matthew. UGH.

And I had to listen to it all, and be supportive, when I was just like DEAL WITH IT!!!! My parents aren't perfect, far from it. Especially my dad, who can be a total asshole sometimes. But we all know that. Beth knew that getting into this family. It doesn't mean she has to take his shit; it just means she's gotta either put up or shut up about it. I do it all the dang time. Sometimes I talk back (rationally of course), sometimes I stay quiet, sometimes I just vent about it later. I don't let it fester inside me though, nor do I take it as a personal afront. So he's an asshole. Everyone's an asshole sometimes. Even I am, I'm certain. (alright, no comments on that one please). I can still love and care about someone even if I think he's an asshole from time to time. That's just the way love, family, and friends go.

Anyway, I mentioned the conversation with both of my parents--my dad last night and my mom this morning. My dad got all on the defensive and offensive, saying he's not going to change just cuz she's oversensitive. I agree that she is rather sensitive, but that doesn't mean he doesn't do and say things that are offensive, and that he should try and be more careful about it. He wasn't too pleased about a lecture from me, but he did behave himself today. ::whew:: My mom was much more calm about it, and did think that Beth had some points, though she of course denied that she had much part in it, and did say she was a bit too sensitive. Mom's much easier to talk about that stuff though, cuz she actually considers my advice, and talks with me about it rationally. I think I reached her just fine, and she'll be more careful about it too. ::double whew::

I know this isn't the end of it. IT NEVER IS. IT WILL NEVER END. But whatever. You know, not everyone likes their inlaws. In fact, most don't, I'll bet. I'd say most just stand them for the sake of their spouse. You have to love your parents, and I suppose to an effect you have to at least act like you love your inlaws. But you don't have to be with the more than you want. There's a reason Chris and Beth live in GB, and not in Milwaukee where her parents live. I mean geez, if she wants to avoid her own parents, finding them a pain in the ass, then how can she complain about her inlaws? Why'd they move closer to them? Very interesting...Maybe, just MAYBE, someone's overreacting. Just a suggestion.

God knows I'm out of here as soon as I can.

Want to hear something funny?

I've solved the mystery of my missing blog entry that I SWORE I had posted and published. As it turns out, I did indeed post and publish it with no problem at all. So why doesn't it show up? Answer: I posted it on the wrong blog. Somehow, I managed to click on the button for my OLD blog that was abandonded a year and a half ago. It's been so long since I looked at it that I forgot I still can post entries on it.

The bad news is, the entry kind of blows so I'm not going to bother copying, pasting, and posting it on here. It'll just have to be a mystery for you now. Just deal with it :P

Oh that's cheap

I had a blog all set to go and I swear I hit the "post & publish" button; however, there's no blog posting to be found anywhere. Not that it was anything special, but still, what a pain in the ass.

Anyway, here's the latest news bulletin:

*My sister-in-law Jennifer just got an apprenticeship with the hair stylist with whom she really wanted to get the position. She'll get paid minimum wage plus half of her tips, but the products are free and she'll be working towards her own licensure.

*Last night I babysat my adorable nephew over at Chris and Beth's house for a few hours. The kid kicks ass, but I can safely say I'm not anxious to take him home with me.

*My brother Scott asked for a promotion today, and no word yet on whether he got it or not. He thinks he probably won't since he's so young, but it was worth a shot.

*For the last week, I've been taking my dogs for a walk everday after work. It's not much, but it's a definite start to a healthier lifestyle for the mutts and me.

*Saturday I have the pleasure of partaking in a campaign literature drop for my dad--any volunteers? C'mon, there's free food!

*Tonight I get a haircut--just a trim this time. I'm a fan of my lastest punky hair look.

*On Tuesday I watched the last episode in the series of Robin: Witch Hunter. ::sniff sniff tear:: :(

*Also on Tuesday, I went out for chimichangas and martinis (a change of establishment inbetween there) with Amy, Shelly and Jennifer. It was an interesting combination of folks, and the first time I actually hung out with Jennifer without Scott being around (aside from everyday at work). I certainly had a good time, and I think the others did too. Mmmmm a Tiramisu flavored martini. Yum.

*I'm still job searching and working on appplications and resumes. God I'm slow. I better get a good job or I'll kick my own ass this fall.

That's all for now. Yeah, I know I'm not too interesting lately. But hey, next week will be all busy with my brother Chris's 30th bday party, his bday, and then my boyfriend Chris's bday and subsequent party that weekend. Not to mention, a fabulous visit to the dentist...great :P

Would you recognize me?

Today I had the pleasure of not being recognized by a couple former classmates of mine. Yay for new haircuts and a good make up day! They weren't people who were snotty or overly self-important; just a couple girls I used to know. It makes me wonder what it'd be like to run into some other people from my NDA days. Eh, the only ones I'd want to see are the ones I still keep in contact with. The rest just aren't worth my time. Although, it'd be nice to find out whatever happened to my frosh year (okay all four years) crush. My guess is that he's either an important part of a successful business, or he's passed out on his fraternity floor.

Halleluja! Halleluja! Halleluja, Halleluja, Halleeeeluja!

Praise be to whatever higher being/existence that we may or may not believe in! For I have actually accomplished something! What is it you ask? All in good time, my friends.

You see, I think I've reached the breaking point. I am at the point where I would do anything, even the unthinkable, to avoid the extremely time-consuming, annoying, and completely pivotal task of applying for fall teaching jobs. Don't get me wrong; I WANT a job, I NEED a job, and I want to know that I HAVE a job as soon as possible. However, it's taking all the motivation I don't have to go about the business of searching and applying. I mean, geez, remember my edition of KRAP devoted to a dissertation on procrastination? Even THAT writing was just to avoid school work. So you see, I will find just about any activity to take the place of job searching. Today it was finally taking our obese (well one is for sure) dogs for a walk. Tomorrow, who knows.

Take these fine examples of my latest procrastination (in order of least to greatest desperation):
*Baldur's Gate II for PS2--Not only did I spend countless hours (okay, 17:36) playing the game; I beat the game and started over again to try and kick more ass in EXTREME MODE.

*Family QT--Lately I've been hanging out with my family a lot more frequently. Whether it be going out to the bars, playing/swearing at Mario Kart, or watching a movie together, it's brought us closer together.

*Anime--I started out just watching and taping Inuyasha, but now I'm totally hooked on Robin: Witch Hunter as well, not to mention I typically tune in to Family Guy and Futurama too since they come on right before the others. I'm such a dork sometimes. (Don't even think about commenting on that one :P )

*Cleaning my room--When on earth did I convert from a staunch believer in cleaning only in life or death situations to someone who actually enjoys organizing her crap?

*Campaigning--I have no idea what could compel me to volunteer so much time helping my dad with his local political campaign. It's either the father-daughter bond ::cough:: guilt trip ::cough:: or I like the exercise...( I think we all know the answer to that one).

Perhaps now that I've blogged about it, I've gotten it all out of my system, and I can start working in ernest on my job applications. Oh crap...but wasn't blogging just another medium for procrastination. Shit.

P.S. Did you notice that I survived the Ides of March without regression this year? Yay for me!

I don't wanna be told to grow up

Apparently I'm like a kid again. Not that I claim to have matured much since then, but what I mean is, my brother Scott and his wife Jennifer sometimes seem to be like my adopted parents. Or at least Jennifer mentioned that having me around is kinda like having a kid. I wasn't quite sure how to take that comment, but I took it in stride, figuring there was no harm meant be it.

You see, Scott has been looking out for me for quite a long time, even more so in the last few years. He looks at my life and sees what I've done or not done with my young years and tries to help me do more. Let me give an example: a few years ago, Scott and Jennifer went on vacation to Orlando, Florida and invited me and my boyfriend at the time ::cough::dumbass Mike::cough:: to go along with them. I wasn't sure, since it would mean taking a week off of work, but they bought me a ticket anyway. It turned out that Mike was an idiot and thought that working for a week would be a better idea, (even though I offered to even pay for half his ticket, which wasn't even that expensive) and he wasn't willing to even think of another possibility. I'm still a little disappointed in not going and wasting that plane ticket. What a dork.

Anyways, as I was saying, so Scott tends to try to make sure I enjoy the adventures in life, like when he gave me money towards my time in Aruba and in London. And now that I'm here in town, he does little things for me to include me in activities. When he goes out on the weekend with Jennifer, there are times he invites me along, or even tonight, I went over and played video games with them. They've got me so spoiled that, like Jennifer said, it's like I'm their adopted kid. Though I'd rather think of myself as a kid sister. "Kid Sister (Kid Sister), Kid Sister (Kid Sister)...Kid Sister and me!"

Eh, just wait until they actually DO have kids. Those are going to be some spoiled but good little tykes, I tell you that. Who knows when that will be, though they are talking about it for possibly after they buy a house this summer. The world is turning and turning.

My oldest brother Christopher turns 30 this April, and coincidently, my boyfriend Chris turns 23 the day after. And me, I'm still searching for jobs in MN so I can get my ass over there as soon as possible. I wish I had more money saved up to start with, but I guess thankfully, after this Friday, I'll be able to pay off the last of my credit card bills from my European travels and such. Then I'll be at zero and ready to work up from there. Anything from that moment on will be my savings for the summer and fall. I just have to work enough and make enough to be able to get the things I want and need. But hey, I'll sacrifice a new laptop if it means getting out there sooner. May not sound like much, but it's been something I've been wanting for quite a long time. Let's just say there's a little something else I want just a bit more :)

So there's an update for you. Disjointed and not particularly well-written;however, at this point, I'm just amused that I finally got around to blogging again. There's just so many other things to do at home. ... Woah, did I just say that? Hm...maybe it IS a good thing I've got a physical coming up next month--there's gotta be something wrong with me. Seriously though, with family, an occasional friend, work, video games, internet, and the endless process of upkeeping my room and house...blogging just isn't hitting to top of my things to do. It also doesn't help that, well, I've just been doing a lot of trivial things, nothing to really "write home about." I get up, go to work, go home, eat dinner, find something to do for the evening, watch amime from 11-12, and go to bed. Exciting, hm? Yeah, exactly.

But hey, I've been tooling around with the idea of (oh stop that--you know what I mean) bring back to life a new and improved brand-spanking-new edition of KRAP. That whet your appettite? (oh come on--geez) Personally, I think it sounds like a plan.

I get so lonely baby, I get so lonely...

Alright, so I suck. I haven't updated in about two weeks, and I don't have an excuse that is in anyway valid or interesting. I've just been working, hanging with friends or family, watching my regular shows on TV, or doing some more organizing of my schtuff. You'd think that since I was working on fixing up my blog that I would have been more attentative to it...but well, no. Anyways, I'm here now, even if I don't have a whole lot to say.

Last weekend I was in MN visiting Chris, Tricia, and Jenny, and a good time was had by all :) I love going to the Cities and having fun with everyone, but every time I leave, I have this overwhelming sense of...the overwhelming difficulty of trying to move out there. I have this urgent want and need to be there this summer, as soon as possible. But it's going to be a challenge trying to find a good teaching job in the area this fall, quickly locating a decent summer job there that pays enough for me to move to MN and quit my job here in GB, AND figuring out what kind of an apartment I'll be able to get once I'm there. Unfortunately, my hoped for roomie has aspirations for England once again. Totally awesome opportunity for her and I think it's friggen great that she'd be able to do that. Just sad that we'll have to postpone the creation of our kick-ass pad complete with all of those snazzy decorating ideas.

I think I might actually have more stuff to say next time I blog. I promise I'll work harder, REALLY. But for now, time for bed. Later dudes :)

Okay, I give up

I've tried and tried and tried to get a blog that is hosted by Tripod, still using Blogger as a publisher. But apparently this time the tried and true "Guess, Test, and Revise" technique just isn't going to cut it. I guess I'll just have to wait until I either learn more about web publishing, or find someone else to help me that does. ::sigh:: Oh well. At least I can change the colors and links on THIS blog.

Lo siento, mis amigos

Hey dudes, sorry I've been MIA for so long. I've been busy doing highly important things like watching TV, hanging out with friends and family, and procrastinating in any way possible to avoid cleaning my room--in fact, that's why I'm blogging right now. Anyway, I love my blog, but it's REALLY in need of major revamping. I'm not quite sure how much it's going to involve yet, but I'm thinking a total reformatting is in order. I'll see if I can keep this same site and everything, but it might be easier to start a new one, as sad as that would be. We shall see in time. That time hopefully being in the next few days. I'll keep ya posted ;)

Sexy At Any Size

Isn't it nice to know that Fredericks of Hollywood supports men and women of all shapes and sizes? I know I'm assured by their catchy little slogan. And for all of those who might disagree, shame on you. I mean, geez, it's just a coincidence that everyone in the catalogue is thin, ripped, stacked and well-packaged.

I'm kicking out fiercely at the world around me...what went wrong?

Tonight I received an email that shocked me. It was from one of my former students, telling me that she tried committing suicide. Her reason? Because she it's almost Valentine's Day and no boys like her. And a boy that she does like just ignores her. AGGH!!

What do you say to something like that? I tried as best I could to write something inspiring for her. How do you tell a 14-year-old that she's not alone in the world? That there's much more to life than boys? That romantic love isn't the most urgent and important thing?

She's a unique and sensitive girl, and her difficulties getting along with others socially doesn't help matters. But God, how do you tell a girl that all of the hurt and pain of being a teenager will pass? How can you tell her that you understand what she is going through? That you've felt those feelings but worked through it and moved on?

I remember those days in middle school, when I had crush after crush on impossible guys who couldn't have cared less. The other girls (aside from a couple close friends) would make matters worse by picking at my faults and insecurities. It's a terrible age. My body was developing, yet it was years before I was really comfortable with my form. And there's so much pressure SO MUCH PRESSURE to be attractive, have a boyfriend, and be a part of the crowd. Those pressures have probably even grown since then, now that young people are being introduced into sexuality sooner and sooner.

But we can't blame society, we can't blame THEM. It just doesn't do any good that way. We've got to work with what we have, help the kids that need our help. Get them involved, get them understanding their potential, get them making goals in working towards those dreams they fear are unattainable. And remind them that family, friends, counselors, and teachers...they all care; they all want to help.

UGH, but does all of that sound like bullshit to a 14-year-old? Can one email from one older friend make any difference at all--make her feel even a tiny bit better? I hope so.

So don't expect to see me sleeping in my bed...

Because I'm up doing some much needed organizing in my room. I simply can't stand it any more. I'm going to clean this dang thing even if it means staying home all dang weekend. ::sigh:: And it will probably take all weekend. But I've got to start somewhere, right?

Where does this sudden burst of cleaning enthusiasm come from? 1) There's nothing worthwhile to watch on TV. 2) I'm kind of tired of my DVDs and VHS tapes right now. 3) My parents are boring and went to bed early. 4) I did'nt feel like getting out of my work clothes today to go out with Shelly or play video games over at my brother's place (he just bought BG2 for Xbox). And 5) My room is so annoyingly messy that I don't enjoy spending time in it. That was the main reason.

I mean, how am I supposed to have the ambition to sit and do some writing, blogging, or scrapbooking down here if I can't stand spending more time down here than my nocturnal activities require? It's like when I lived in EC--I just couldn't get myself to sit down and do homework if there was straightening to be done in my room. Strange, hm? Who'd have thought that I of all people could get annoyed by a messy room? My mother certainly has a hard time believing it. Hey, it's gotta get messy before it gets clean. That's just the way it is. Take my word for it.

Como se dice "I forgot how to speak Spanish coherently?"

As some of you know, I took 4 years of Spanish classes in high school (ncluding 2 years of "Honors Spanish"), earned a membership into the Spanish National Honors Society, AND took 1 year of university level Spanish classes. Well, let me tell you...that just really didn't mean jack when I was trying to actually hold a conversation with fluent Spanish-speakers.

Yeah, I was warned by my high school Spanish teacher that if you don't regularly speak the second language, you'll lose the most of it within the first year. After that, it's a slow decline. And now that it's almost 4 years since my last Spanish class, I struggle even with the most basic of nouns, verbs and conjugations. For instance, today I when asked if I was married I answered that I was only a little tired. Hey, it doesn't help that loud machines are running in the background.

But it's cool cuz some of the workers are making an effort to talk with me, showing great patience with my horrible Spanish. There are a couple workers that actually speak fluent English and they talked with me a little too. If the conversations keep going, maybe I'll actually regain some of my lost language skills. If anything, it made stuffing boxes a little more bareable AND after only 3 hours of brain-wracking, I remembered how to say "to sing."

We are living in an Imperial world, and I am an Imperial girl...

Come on, sing it with me! Okay, so this little spoof of a song has nothing to do with this blog entry, except that I was thinking of possible lyrics for such a song while today at work I was mindlessly filling boxes with exfoliating and moisturizing sea salt bath crystals packages (say that 5 times fast). I think Weird Al and I should could come up with a good one. Of course, knowing the excessive Star Wars fans out there, I'm sure that such a song already exists.

Now, on to the topic at hand..."I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it!" Yes, I'm totally psyched that I'll be driving to MN tomorrow after work. No work on Friday for me, thanks to a little "appointment" I have. Tee hee hee. But hey, I didn't even have to fib--all I said was that I need to get to an appointment in MN on Friday, which is totally true: Tricia put me in her date book :) So I have an appointment to get down on my b-day! Yay for me turning 23! Then I'lll officially be older than dirt--according to some circles.

And it looks like a night at GZ is in order for Thursday night unless something else comes up. You know what that means ;) I'm thinking short, I'm thinking black, I'm thinking zippered....in short, I'm thinking totally hot. Can't imagine it? or maybe you just would rather not imagine it :P Or maybe you would ;) What can I say, it's "Bondage Night" and though I'm not really into the whole dominatrix and porn thing, dressing up in funky, sexy, stylin' outfits and dancing the night away with great friends is my idea of fun :)

So, see you on the dance floor! Or, if "Bondage Night" at wonderful club Ground Zero isn't your thing, then you can always just wish me a happy birthday and I guess that will be alright...for now ;) Now to figure out what the heck is going to match that snazzy black skirt I bought in London....

Early to bed, early to rise...make me vomit

Tomorrow I get to start work at a packaging plant, but this time I get to FILL boxes instead of make them. Yippee. Eh, it's a job. And thankfully, it's temporary. Despite my intense dislike for getting up before 8am, I suppose getting up and being at work from 7-3 will be good for me. Especially since I haven't exactly accomplished much in the last week aside from cooking now and then. My room's still a hole, and I have plenty of projects I should be doing. At least after tomorrow I'll have an excuse ;) Wish me luck, friends!

Okay, bear with me

I'm trying to update this blog, which is much in need of an overhaul. Pink was good for a while, and I liked the various hues, but I'm sorry, enough is enough of the pink theme. Time to move on. Unfortunately, blogger has crappy templates, so I'm not going to mess with that much yet. Eventually, I'd like to see about getting my site hosted by Tripod so I can use more pictures. But first I have to figure out how to do that without losing all of my shit. So far, I've just lost the ONE PICTURE on this dang site by trying to put up a different one. ::sigh:: Eventually I'll get it figured out.

Top Ten Reasons It's Good to Be Home

10. TV and VCR--can you say "Movies!!!"
9. Driving anywhere, anytime.
8. Sleeping in.
7. Free food.
6. Sleeping in.
5. My computer :)
4. Sleeping in.
3. Puppies.
2. Family and friends to hang out with.
1. Someone to share a bed with.

Top Ten Reasons Home Is Lame

10. Phone ringing every half hour from 8am on.
9. My room's a hole that needs organizing.
8. Sitting on my ass too much when I need exercise.
7. Household chores.
6. Sub-zero temperatures.
5. My dad's campaigning.
4. Family conflicts.
3. No job and a miniscule amount of money.
2. Did I mention SUB FRIGGEN ZERO TEMPERATURES?!
1. One loooong spring.

My name is Katie and I like to fly

Okay, so the only one who will get that joke is Jenni. I hope she enjoys it ;)

As for the rest of you blokes, I'm happy and sad to say that tomorrow's the day I fly home. In fact, in about 12 hours I will be all aboard, hopefully sitting near my wonderful travel companion and enjoying a nice smooth flight. Just in case, I think I'm going to refrain from mowing down a bunch of junk food before the flight. It just didn't go over very well last time.

For certain, the streets of London will call me back someday--according to the dating rules that'll be no sooner than at least two weeks from now. My guess is that London's a smooth one, and it'll probably be next year sometime. Always playing it cool :P

Even with the bit of melancholy of leaving, I'm ultra excited about going home. After weeks of living as a foreigner, it'll be great to be among the familiar again. It may be cold, it may not be overly thrilling, but it's home and it contains the people I love. And in the end, the people are just more important than the place. Besides, there's nothing saying I can't grab a few new traveling companions on my next adventure.

Check ya on the flipside! Of the world that is ;)

42.5 hours...but who's counting?

In less than two days I'll be in Chicago.
In almost two days I'll be home.

In two days I'll be petting my dogs, hugging my parents, and calling my friends.
In two days I'll be giving my boyfriend a huge hug and kiss.
In two days I'll be kicking ass once more with my "twin."
In two days I'll be sharing exciting stories with my brothers and sisters-in-law.
In two days I'll be watching my nephew crawl across the floor to me.
In two days I'll be absorbing wonderfully pointless American television.
In two days I'll be drinking a cup of flavored, bottom-less coffee at Caffe Espresso.
In two days I'll be eating stove-top popcorn while watching a movie.
In two days I'll be staring at all of the luggage I should unpack but will not.
In two days I'll be sleeping in my own bed with my own fluffy blankets and pillow.

In two days I'll be dreaming of ways I can afford to travel back to Europe.

Absence makes the heart grow...sick of traveling

Hello all, sorry to just slip out of existence for a week there. Jenny and I have just concluded our "whirlwind" tour of France, Germany, and Austria, having just arrived at our hostel in London about 45 min ago. That might not mean much to you out there in the Central Time Zone, but I can tell you that trying to get a night bus and taxi to a dang hostel at 1:30am friggen sucks. Actually, our whole day of travel pretty much blew goats all to hell. But I'll not get into that.

Okay, maybe I will. First, of all, it was OUR fault for deciding to save a few euros by first taking a train to Frankfurt from Berlin, knowing that it cost €20 less out of the Frankfurt airport (this is via Ryanair). Now, let me tell you a little something about Ryanair: Ryanair has no concept of distance or location.

So we get our tickets for flying from Frankfurt to London Standsted, thinking "Hey, aren't we savvy travelers? We just saved ourselves money by getting a 'free' trip to Frankfurt via our last flexi-day on our Eurrail passes (that we weren't going to use anyway) and then flying out of there. Piece of cake!" Mmmm, hmm, yeah. Next time we'll do a bit more research.

You see, "Frankfurt-Hahn Airport" is where Ryanair said we'd be flying from to get to London. No problem right? Yeah, if you don't mind a 1 hour 45 min BUS ride to a place called Hahn. I'm sorry, but a place that is 100some km away from Frankfurt IS NOT FRANKFURT! STOP ADVERTISING IT AS SUCH!!!

I understand that Ryanair is a cheap little airline that uses cheap little airports that are distances away from the main city, but even London Stansted is only 45 min away and there's a nice quick train to use that is actually LESS cost than the bus ticket for Frankfurt-Hahn from the train station. Oh, that reminds me. Let me tell you a little something about cheap airports.

Jenny and I got in the line to check our bags, stuck behind a crowd of about 20 pre-adolescent boys on a "football" team with their coaches. Thankfully, they got through quickly. The same cannot be said for me. I went up the the desk, put my bags on the platform and was promptly and bitchily told that my bags were to heavy. If I wanted to check 2 bags, it would cost me an extra €66. My ticket to get ON THE DAMN PLANE only cost me €19.00. Needless to say, I was a bit frazzled. Now what?

Well, she said my smaller bags were too big to have as a carry on, which was such bullshit, since I basically took the same amount with me by the end. I DID end up discarding: a handful of dirty socks; my bottles of shampoo, soap, hairspray, hairgel, febreeze, and body spray; stupid papers I didn't really need with me; my pajama shirt; and a few other things I can't even thinkg of right now. I was ready to throw out almost anything in my frustration. I wish I had kept the soap. That might have been nice for tomorrow. Guess I'll be borrowing Jenny's. Or just be really dirty. Dang.

After this whole ordeal of spewing the contents of my suitcase on the ground and throwing out some of my replacable possessions, I managed to get the weight of the suitcase down to only 2kg over (costing me €12). At that point, I just wanted on the damn plane, no matter the friggen cost. And my carryons were fine. Whew. So we get on the plane. Ordeal over, right? Nah uh.

Another thing about small, cheap airlines...they're bumpy. It certainly didn't help that Jenny and I had plenty of junk food before we got on our flight, thinking we'd be hungry later if we didn't. Oh, I definitely wasn't hungry. All of my energy was spent concentrating on not being sick on the plane. Thankfully, I was successful, though it was comforting to know that I did have a handy Ziploc bag in my purse to use in case of "emergency evacuation."

Customs took forever, getting our bags took forever and a day, and then we got on yet another train. But we were finally heading to London--YAY! Only, the Tube doesn't run that late, so we had to take night busses. The one to King's Cross was easy to manage, but from there...all we found were seedy characters trying to sell us bus tickets or to get us into their illegal unmarked taxis. We gave up on the bus and opted to find a MARKED taxi, which took a little wait. When we saw one approaching, I was ready to do anything to hail it. I wonder if he would have been impressed by my unshaved, sneaker footed leg?

But we're here now, and friggen tired, so now it's off to bed. I just felt the need to vent all that. Besides, we're so exhausted now that we're overtired. Anyone up for a run to the 24 hour corner store?

Oh yes. It's very nice.

Like a grail-shaped beacon, it has both called us from our humble beginning and led us through perils that are far too perilious. But since our time in Paris, it has been our quest. We have walked and ridden since the snows of winter covered this land, through the kingdoms of Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna.

And it has taunted us like so many Frenchmen, "We French persons outwit you a second time, perfidious English mousedropping hoarders ... I wave my private parts at your aunties, you brightly-coloured, mealy-templed, cranberry-smelling, electric donkey-bottom biters," with inadequate imitations strewn about like so many bones.

Still, we journeyed on. We knew that... somewhere out there ... there must (intro music) Stop that! Stop that. Okay, well, I better get on with it.

Jenny and I made an important discovery: a crepe stand here in Vienna. Not just any crepe stand, but one that actually attempts to make crepes with Nuttella-esque ingredients. It's still not QUITE the same, but it's better than nothing.

I know what you're thinking: the most important thing you've seen or done in the last few days of touring around some of the oldest and grandest cities in the world was find a semi-decent crepe stand? I understand your concern, and I can answer that. Yes.