I am a barge.

Bleh!

I have the major parts of the new gown together. Popped it over my head and looked in teh mirror- the lines and folds go exactly as I'd planned, and the fabric has a nice drape to it. The problem is that I look like a barge in it. A very w-i-d-e barge at that. It is *so* depressing!

Much more depressing- a kid drowned in the Molalla river yesterday. I saw the last name, and realized that he was Chris' son- Chris, our Volvo mechanic. I was pretty horrified about it, and I'm going to head out later today and get a sympathy card for Wanda and I to send. Wish I could do more but I can't.

Annie has pictures of her new place up on her blog, and it looks like a very nice place, even without furniture. There's even a shot of Iso curled up on her bed. I can't explain why, but the little picture of Iso made me miss Annie intensely. Boo.

So I guess I am sort of on a bummer overall. But James is here for another couple of days, and that is a very good thing. We're going down to an event in Mountain Edge tomorrow, and that should be fun. I'm hoping that Amalric and Caia and the boys are there. I'm sure that Phoenix needs some tickles. :-)

Yahoo gone wild!

Wow.
I'm getting *dozens* of duplicate copies of posts from Yahoo lists. I understand everyone has the same problem, so it's not my computer, but geez, my mailbox fills up fast!

James got in fairly late last night, and we still managed to spend a couple of hours taking (my very favorite person to talk to, natch). Today he was working on a pair of heavy canvas chausses, that he's planning to put splint armor into, and wear for leg armor. Cool idea, so far the chausses look pretty good. I've been moving fabric back and forth and muttering a lot, and this eevening after we got back from dinner, I got the rust colored wool cut out and about halfway done. A-line, with the godets in the center front and back. There was *just enough* left for sleeves. I should be able to finish it tomorrow, and then have it to wear Saturday. Heh. I really need a digital camera so I can take pictures of stuff like this.

No word from Annie- I'm assuming that she's busy moving. I may call her tomorrow, maybe Friday. Miss that little bugger!

Well, time to check the funnies and then get the Tall One up from the basement. (He's probably playing computer games- he has a new one...)

I'm nibbling on bunnies and chickies!

Alas, they're only sugar. :-(

I found a sack of Easter candy that is basically those marshmallow peanuts, only bunnies and chicks instead of peanuts. Good enough for a candy jones.

Well, the big excitement is that Annie found a place to live! She found a place and a roommate near Prospect Park inBrooklyn. Her roommate is a pianist and there's a grand piano in the living room! And he has a kitty for Iso to play with (ought to be fun, those first few days...). So life is getting better on the Annie front.

Me... me no feel so great. Maybe it's the diet, but the lithium tremor has been a lot worse the last few days, and that's disconcerting. And I'm still sleeping a lot. James should be up either later today (it's Tuesday now) or Wednesday. I vote for Tuesday, of course. :-) I just hope that I have the energy to make his trip worthwhile.

Well, I'm off for one last cruise on dKos, and then to bed. Dreaming of indictments and possibilities of more...

I'm back among the living...

Well, I got through the class yesterday- 1000 years of history in four hours. There may be a reason why I slept nearly all day today! Class went well, I think. I went through 2 litres of water while teaching though. And when I pulled off my robes, they were wet. It's Hard Work (TM).

Annie found an apartment! YAYYYYY!!! She found a place with a roommate in Brooklyn (which is where she'd wanted to be), and her new roommate is a pianist. there's a grand piano in the living room! He has a grey mackerel tabby about the sage and size of Iso, so she will have someone to play with. This is all very good. :-) And work and frelance stuff is going swimmingly for her. :-) (Mommy is very happy for her!)

James will be up in a day or two, for the rest of break. We have plans and projects and such, and maybe a trip to Powell's. I found a pattern today for an Easter outfit, so I may try to get some sewing done too.

After I get some more sleep, of course...

Oy.

I got back from Kinko's a little while ago, and now have 35 collated and stapled 6-page handouts. And I'm really wiped. Probably go to bed soon.

In the meantime, Alberto Gonzales has been caught out in a lie (big surprise). Earlier this week he insisted that he hadn't had anything to do with the attorney firings- but emails in today's document dump clearly show that he was. So, is he going to take one for the team, or hang on until the bloody end? And what will happen now with the Congressional subpoenas? Is Bush going to take it to the mat, or will he back down? Executive privilege, my eye...

Tomorrow is Ned's birthday party, and I don't think I can make it. Driving an hour and a half after teaching for four hours and a an hour and a half drive... maybe not. Wouldn't be prudent. I won't make it to Jill and Ralph's first court, either. I think food and a nap would be a good idea at that point.

Crossing my fingers that Annie gets good leads on housing- she's frustrated and anxious, and I'm anxious for her. She and Iso need their own little place in the world.

Can't stop yawning! Argh! A handful of cereal (cause I'm hungry) and I think I'm off to slumber land. Sandman is beating me over the head here...

You'd better keep her, you'll find it cheaper, than makin' whoopee

Ah, great old Hymn of the Faith, eh? :-)

Dunno why that one is stuck in my head. I''m sure that my brain cells have better things to do with their time...

Well, Edwards is still in it. That was a real breatholder for me, as it was obvious that it was bad news. But if Elizabeth still wants him to run, go for it man!

What was cool to see though is how they were interacting. Been a long time since I've seen a couple that... connected. (I'm sure there's a better word for it but I can't think of it right now.) They really are a team, and nothing of that has changed. And it seems that they believe that the country needs John. I guess the best thing to do is put your head down and go forward...

I spent a fair part of today reading over my notes for my class. Still have to get the handout put together. And make a bazillion copies- looks as though the class sold out. I hope I get a decent classroom.

Ah, a beer and a new issue of the _New Yorker_ awaits!

Today's Silly List

(snagged from Mahanoy on _Street Prophets_)

Things to Say and Do Guaranteed to Spice up Your Thesis and Dissertation Defenses

1. Begin the defense by charging a cover and checking for ID.

2. Charge a two-drink minimum.

3. Begin with "Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise for the singing of our National Anthem."

4. Follow that with a joke that starts with "Which reminds me of a story - A Black guy, a Chinese guy, and a Jew walked into a bar..."

5. Bring coffee and charge 25 cents a cup.

6. "Charge the mound" when a professor beans you with a high fast question.

7. Describe parts of your dissertation using interpretive dance.

8. Lead your committee members in a Wave.

9. Break the tension at appropriate moments with a sing-a-long.

10. Answer tough queries with "You call THAT a question? How'd you ever get to be a professor?"

11. Have bodyguards outside the room to discourage attendance of certain professors.

12. Present your defense using puppets.

13. Before you begin your presentation, sell T-shirts to recoup the cost of copying, binding, etc.

14. In addition, pass a collection basket.

15. Answer complex issues in mime.

16. Use the ocassion to hold a Tupperware party.

17. Have bikini-clad models in charge of changing your overheads.

18. At approximately the mid-point of your defense bring out maracas and shout "Everybody rumba!!"

19. Explain nonsignificant findings with "It would have worked if it weren't for those f*%ing kids."

20. Refuse to answer tough questions "in protest of our government's systematic and brutal opression of minorities."

21. Offer door prizes and conduct a raffle.

22. Ask professors to "Please phrase your question in the form of an answer."

23. Interrupt every 15 minutes with the announcement "And now, a word from our sponsor."

24. Present critical parts of your defense in iambic pentameter.

25. In your announcement, inform your committee that it will be a black tie affair.

26. Hire the Goodyear Blimp to circle the building.

27. Announce to your committee that "There will be a short quiz after my presentation."

28. Bring your pet boa.

29. Bring snacks and start a food fight.

30. Slap your committee chair with a glove and challenge him to a duel.

31. Arrange for a halftime show.

32. Bring a big foam hand that says "I'm #1."

33. Pass out souvenier matchbooks.

34. Hang a pinata over the table and hire a strolling mariachi band.

35. Make each professor remove an item of clothing for each question asked.

36. Use a Greek Chorus to highlight important points.

37. When necessary, say "I'm sorry Professor Smith, I didn't say 'SIMON SAYS any questions?'. You're out."

38. Dress in top hat and tails.

39. Hold a pre-defense pep rally, complete with cheerleaders, pep band, and a bonfire.

40. If you sense that things are not going well, threaten to detonate a small nuclear device in the room.

41. Show slides of your last vacation.

42. Put your overheads on a film strip. Designate a professor to be in charge of turning the strip when the tape recording beeps.

43. If members of the committee begin to argue among themselves announce: "OK, everybody - heads down on the desk until you show me you can behave."

44. When in trouble, begin speaking in tongues.

45. Answer every question with a question.

46. Hand out 3-D glasses.

47. Announce credits at the end. Include a "key grip" and a "best boy."

48. Make a practice of replying, "Sure, I could answer that, but then I'd have to kill you."

49. Ask a friend and conspirator to attend and ask the first question. Draw a blank-loaded gun and "shoot" him. Have him make a great scene of dying. Be sure to include fake blood. Turn to your committee and ask "Other questions?"

50. Wear clown makeup, a clown wig, clown shoes, a clown nose, and nothing else.

51. Install "APPLAUSE" and "LAUGHTER" signs.

52. Use a TelePromTer

53. Alter the clocks in the room and begin your defense 15 minutes before anyone arrives.

(Don't know which one I like best- they're all good- but the Greek Chorus could be really effective, depending on your topic...)