Nervous Energy

Got a little bit done today. Although I spent part of it on the phone for an hour and a half, speaking to the IRS on the phone while at Staples. Long story. I don't see how people can stand hours at a time, working. And most only get minimum wage, if they're lucky. My legs still hurt! Ugh. I am so lucky I don't have that kind of job. Hopefully, I never will.

I'm grateful for:

being able to sit once in a while. Okay, I get to sit most of the time.

understanding.

knowledge.

an education.

a college degree.

Film Festival

Even though my script didn't get accepted by two different festivals, I'm going to check out another one nearby this weekend. I got a great deal on tickets and will be able to go to all of the events for free, including seminars, which I hope I can get some use out of. Of course, the one movie I'd like to see is at the same time as the opening ceremonies. And I so wanted to see, "Oy Vey, My Son is Gay"!

Oy, gevalt!. It's a shanza, I tell you.

Countdown

I'm leaving for Atlanta in a couple of weeks to spend my birthday with David. I'm really excited, but nervous because I have so much to do. And after promising myself that I was going to eat well, I got a veggie burger meal for dinner tonight. Grrr. I'd like to blame Fish Grill for inexplicably being closed - I was going to have a fish salad, but I can't blame them. Sigh. Well, I still have a little time. And hopefully my new workout routine will be rewarding.

Grateful for:

any work I can get.

unemployment benefits when I don't get work.

music.

Youtube.

internet access.

Good Day

I got asked to do a last minute assignment this morning, and ended up going to a high school exclusively for mentally disabled students. Now, some people might back away from this kind of offer, but I couldn't turn this down. I love my Special Eddies....and Edwinas....

I would choose so-called challenged kids over so-called normal kids any day of the week. Yeah, there's the occasional flying dirty diaper to dodge, but that's nothing compared to frustrated, vengeful, pseudo-schizo, peer-pressured tweens 24/7. The smell of better-check-his-pants is almost like a breath of fresh air. I said almost.

Seriously, these kids are the sweetest people, who don't have a vicious bone in their bodies. Most of them don't care what others think of them; they only want to hug the closest moving object. How can these guys not warm the coldest of hearts?

I do have to admit it can be a little frustrating when you try to teach something that doesn't seem to penetrate one's cranium. But, anyone who has taught the average middle to high school student knows, there's no difference! At least these kids have a valid reason as to why they aren't "getting it".

I look forward to teaching these kids again in the very near future.

What I'm grateful for:

innocence.

challenges.

humor.

German. (It just popped in my head.)

unsweetened ice tea.

Bad Acupuncture Experience

I'm not crazy about needles. I think it has to do with going through so many surgeries as a kid. I'd that needle coming and I would freak out. Hardcore. Now, I try to act like a big girl, but I just tense up. I pretend to be easygoing during acupuncture, but sometimes, it stings! Yesterday was the WORST. I go to a student clinic to save money, so even though my student is the same, the doctor can be different, depending on the day. Well, I had to schedule on Dr. Chu's day. Yes, Dr. Chu. He's a sweet, sweet man who struggles with English, but he could incapacitate a charging bull with one needle. Talk about hardcore. His method is to use only a few needles in the most sensitive areas.
My neck was bothering me a little more than usual, so he decided to try something different. He stuck a very long needle in my upper lip and I burst into tears. I can't describe the pain. And I couldn't stop crying. I think it was mostly out of embarrassment: I probably looked ridiculous, bawling with this frickin' needle sticking out of my face.
Anyway, Dr. Chu felt terrible. He held my hand and kept apologizing. He probably did it correctly, but I just can't handle that kind of pain. So, as kind as he is, I think I'm going to avoid Wednesdays at the clinic. : (

What I'm grateful for:

Acupuncture (as much as it hurts sometimes)

My computer

Comfy socks on cold nights

Bras!

Teachers

Didn't Get Chosen

So I just found out my script wasn't picked for a competition I was really excited about. It was for the Atlanta Film Festival, and I thought it would be so cool to go to Atlanta, where my boyfriend is currently working, around the same time as my birthday. Oh yeah, and get some exposure to my work. But, oh well, didn't happen.

It sucks, and I'm a little misty about it. I mean, should I keep trying, or am I being told that my writing just isn't good enough? God, writing that is getting me weepy. I think what's so upsetting is that I'm not great at one thing. I think I'm good at teaching; I can knit a little. Get by in a foreign language. But I want to be creative. I want people to think, "Wow! This is amazing". But, at the same time, I loathe rejection, and it would take a rope and fifty men to pull my head out of my shell. I poked my head out a couple of times and.....(blowing rasberries).

I'm getting too down writing this, so I better stop.

Things I'm grateful for:

My cat's affection when I'm down.

Students thanking me.

Making any money.

George Petty (no relation to Tom).

Takoyaki!!

Just Walked Five Miles...

And, boy, are my knees killing me.

I procrastinated and got to the gym with only an hour to work out. So, I made it up, by taking a detour on the way home, and walked along Melrose. Other than my knee bothering me the last couple of miles, it was a good walk. I discovered several cool vintage shops.

Of course, I just finished watching a show about hoarding. I think I'm teetering a little towards that direction. I do get emotionally attached to things, and it's hard to let go. But I've been making an effort the last couple of years, especially this past year, since I'm living at my boyfriend's, and I don't want to take over his place with my stuff. But I look forward to a time when I can have my own place and decorate it with a minimalist Japanese design in mind. : )

So, I'm grateful for:

a place to sleep.

a safe neighborhood to walk in.

the clothing I have.

the ability to keep my cat. Allergies be damned!

being able to see my dog, Blue, whenever possible.

Night, Guys.

Nice Night

Well, I had a fun evening. I actually took a nap and overslept, so when I did get up, I was so groggy, I considered not going to an opening at a photo gallery that I had gotten an invite for. But I powered through, got dolled up and went. The photographer was Ken Heyman. I wasn't sure if I had seen his work before, but I liked the photo on the postcard, so I thought there would probably be something there I would like.

So with only a half hour before the reception was going to close, I arrived and, at first, rushed through the work. However, after checking out a few photographs, I instantly fell in love with Mr. Heyman's work. I then saw, probably, his most famous photo, which is Marilyn Monroe with Arthur Miller on the day they got married. But as great as a photo that is, I really fell in love with his street photography. What I also loved about the show was the detailed descriptions he gave for most of his pieces. He wrote in a very down-to-earth tone, while offering tips to achieve similar results with one's own attempts at photographing. I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this show. Really fabulous stuff.

Because I had gotten there so late, I had almost missed speaking with Mr. Heyman, but like a bonafied stalker, I waited at the entrance of the parking garage, where he was parked, hoping to catch him before he left. I was successful and got him to sign my book! Yay!

So, I went to celebrate at Almalfi's, a restaurant David and I frequent, where I happened to bump into my neighbor. We ended up hanging out at the bar, watching baseball on the TV.

OK - things to be grateful for:

photography
hair dryers
lip gloss
cushions
blankets

(Sort of a weird list, I know.)