Small Town Survival

So I'm supposed to be planning a 10 day unit. For high schoolers. Somewhere in my head I decided that something about modernism and poetry would be a good idea. The purpose bhind it is to give kids a better first or second experienec with poetry. There are some really cool poets and fantastic interpretations out there and so many people have such a shitty first experience with poetry that they then avoid it like the plague. So... now I've got to come up with a cool way to make it fun and exciting. Wish me luck.

In other news I was sitting in my assessment class today and I noticed that the teacher had on another tie that was school themed and I started to wonder if there was a special retailer for "school ties." Obviously I'm lacking on sleep these days.

Just a quick update.. I removed the locals and attractions pages and combined them with the state of jenn concept into one big thing called "guide." Hopefully this won't be too confusing and maybe I will stop feeling guilty for not updating the state of my life more than once a month. If you feel like you're freaking out and can't remember who people are and really miss using those pages (I doubt you ever did) let me know and maybe I'll put them back. Otherwise a I found out in my assessment class that a little stress is good for us. So deal. :)

Is it possible for lotion to go bad? I just opened an bottle that's been on my desk a few months and for some reason it smelled kinda gross. Then again, maybe it's just me...

brought you all the previous entries! A list of fantastical things you can find on my desk!

- a pile of papers to file away, mostly credit card bills (that have been paid, thank you)
- some spare change.. maybe $2 worth and some dollars.
- a cd case with photos from the farm; I'm supposed to update the website.
- a bracelelt
- some number of bobby pins and two hair ties.
- in the round knitting markers
- my watch
- a credit card
- two regular sized post it pads, two quarter normal sized ones
- a pen
- a die
- two bottles of nail polish
- my cell phone
- a glass of water
- left over wine glass (shh, don't tell)
- the monitor, a few cables and the thingie that communicates with the cordless mouse
- the mouse, mousepad and keyboard
- some sort of decorative plate.. it's purple
- a blue glass candle holder on the plate.. which has a lighter in it, not a candle.
- a cube of paper
- extra camera batter
- a third pen
- a printout of my FETE class instruction
- four movies I'm supposed to check out
- an empty cd case
- a photo taken from the top of St. Paul's in London (by yours truly)
- some lotion that smells funky
- another bottle of lotion (seems so weird, but they're both small)
- a jar with pens, pencils, scissors and sharpies in it
- computer speakers
- a tiny blue armadillo
- tiny pink ostrich (it could be a emu, but not a flamingo..)

I think that about covers it. Good thing I have a really large desk. Probably also a good thing that no one else has to use my desk.

Overview:
Up for giving someone a guided tour of the city? Or the state? Or the coast? Sure you are -- especially once you're introduced to them, and you realize how fascinating they are.

As for me: "Someone has to be the first to state the obvious. Might as well be you."

I hope you're looking forward to the next entry. I'll be stating the obvious.

So, as far as stating the obvious goes: Being sick sucks. A lot.

I could sorta feel it coming on yesterday when I was achey all day and tired. Oh, and the part where I thought I was losing my voice. I think those were all signs.

And today? Well, when I woke up I could hardly speak. MY throat felt like it was on fire and I spent a lot of time feeling too hot or too cold. I spent the morning, afternoon and early evening in bed. Trying to sleep it off. I'm drugged up and tired and a little out of it.

By now, 9 pm, or so I'm starting to feel a little better, but I'm not sure if those are the drugs speaking or if this is some quick lived little adventure in the land of germs.

I didn't have to go to work today but I also won't get paid for hours I don't work. I've watched a few movies, dreamt about basketball (it was on the tv where I was sleeping), tried to eat a few times and also tried to explain to the dog that I'm not really in a position to play tug.

So if the news is right and the flu season really is peaking then this better be all I see of it. Otherwise I'm going to be annoyed. Feel free to send get well cards and chocolate. Not that I can eat chocolate right now, but sometime soon I will be able to. Really.

• You must tell 5 people about this game.
• Mr. One is the one that you love.
• Mr. Two is one you like but can't work out.
• You care most about Erika.
• Elizabeth is the one who knows you very well.
• Ryan is your lucky star.
• Another First Kiss is the song that matches with the person in number 3 (Mr. One).
• Fair is the song for the person in 7 (Mr. Two).
• Breathe, 2AM is the song that tells you most about YOUR mind.
• and Blue Eyes is the song telling you how you feel about life
Take this quiz

I'm on my way to being healthy. I blame the orange juice. I mean, wait. I thank the orange juice, the wishes of good health, the good vibes, the bad tv, and the tissue (and not that anti-viral kleenex either). Oh, and the humidifier.

I honestly woke up several times last night and thought, "I'm cured!" Then I woke up this morning and tried to talk and realized I'm still not in control of my voice. Those of you who have heard it please believe me when I say that I'm a lot better than I sound.

In fact, I'm so much better that I will be attempting school tomorrow. I'm not contagious and I'm not one of those people who insist on going to school in order to get everyone else sick. I'm fine. And those of you who are those people. KNOCK IT OFF! YOU are the REASON that I'M SICK. PLEASE for the love of all that is healthy, STAY HOME when you are sick.

Me? a little tired of being in the house.. yeah. Tomorrow should fix that. Wish me luck.

First of all. Kay Jewelers, SHUT UP. Christmas and Valentine's day are the two times during the year where the air waves are flooded with diamond ads. I'm tired of it. I don't want one and no one I know does either. SHUT UP. Plus, I know how the advertisers are all about promoting diamonds and that's the only reason they're a big deal as it is. It's no one's tradition but the advertisers. So stop listening. And yeah, every kiss begins with K. It's a letter of the alphabet. Now stuff it.

Moving right along... title is from a They Might Be Giants song and if you can tell me which one I'll stop bitching about advertising (it's my trained field after all).

Now that the sentimental part is covered, on to the hair. Oh, and I'm here tonight because Alias is CREEPING ME OUT. Anyway, I got my hair cut today. Twice... the first time. Ugh. I will never go to that place again. She just trimmed a little off the bottom and then sorta.. played with it for awhile. Razored some off for a .. textured look (I couldn't see it) and then put in two million tons of product. Gross.

So she finished and I left and went straight to the next salon and got an appointment to get it fixed. So much for growing it out, but it's a lot better now. It's cute and fun. Or at least that's what you should tell me when you see it. So from now on I'm done worrying about my hair. Only bad things can come from it.

So NOW I want to talk about Diamonds. Well, one in particular. And in a weird instance. It's this part in the program where I admit things about myself that are probably supposed to be embarassing. I promise I am not under the influence of alcohol. I have, however, been subbing all day, barely had lunch, am getting over my cold, oh.. and I just don't care. It's funny and I'm not afraid to admit that some tiny part of my education probably went a wee bit off track. I know because of the Hope Diamond.

Let me set the scene for you. I'm in 8th grade. We're the first group to take a class trip to Washington, DC. I've been complaining for months that it's the Tour of DEATH. I've always been a tiny bit of a drama freak, 8th grade was no exception. We're doing the run around on a school tour thing. I'm not as interested as I would be were I to find myself in DC these days. We see Arlington and some battle stuff (this is how much stuck). We walk up a big hill, or check out the Ford Theatre. We see museum after museum. Eventually we get a chance to see the Hope Diamond.

Everyone is gathered around and I'm waiting with my friends to see this thing. My imagination is telling me it must be as big as a house, or maybe a basketball because it's the LARGEST in the WORLD. Of course, when I get a chance to see it I'm sorta disappointed. It's not that big, I want to say. But it's pretty and probably pretty special. I guess. That thing over there has more sparkle colors, but whatever. Hope Diamond, you're pretty cool I guess. If nothing else it sure was nice for Bob Hope and his wife to lend their really big diamond to the museum.

No, really. I'm sure that's exactly what I thought. And it wasn't until today when I was reading that article and I read that Henry Philip Hope pruchased it that it occured to me where the diamond got it's name. Now I can't say that I actively thought that Bob Hope was the owner of the Diamond all these years, but it simply occured to me today that it's something I *used* to think.

So, education finally wins out and well, I guess my imagination should be slightly proud that it could hold onto that little bit of incorrect information all these days.

And I haven't talked to a handful of you for what seems like a long time. You, my friends, rock. Happy Valentine's Day. Just so you know, I'm thinking of you.

Middle School kids are still not my friend. I discovered that it's the constant asking to go to the bathroom and wanting to get a drink. Grow up and sit down and do your work and stop trying to find reasons to leave the room. These kids had a snow/ice day yesterday and their break is friday.. I want a three day week, but instead I get to go to school to learn and then I get to deal with their constant annoying requests. You just got back from your break, what were you doing that you didn't have time to do the essential stuff. Next time, this is so not happening.

I'm sure part of the problem was the headache I could feel sneaking up on me. By lunch it was gaining control and I started to feel sick to my stomach. Never a plus when you know you're going to have a rowdy afternoon class. I did my best to make it through, but I'm pretty sure I failed and the headache won. A lot. By the time I was driving home my eyes were watering and all I really wanted was the most powerful pills in the world. Sadly, I didn't have any of those, but I managed to find some Excedrine. It worked, I managed to take the headache down without too much trouble. Although it did reappear late last night. I honestly can win the war, just each little battle.

And last, but not least, I love Scrubs. It cracks me up. It made the whole hard day worth it. And of course caused me to procrastinate my homework. Furthered by another half hour where I watched Committed. Is that the girl that used to be on Crossing Jordan? I think it is, but I never remember to look it up. Maybe I'll do that today after class.

In the end, points distributed as above. I might give the kids an extra point because one of them brought in chocolate covered strawberries for the class (for Valentine's Day) and even though I didn't have any, that was a really sweet gesture (no pun.. well maybe sorta). So, happy Day, people!

I read somewhere that you're not really supposed to share your crazy dreams with anyone but your best friend. Other people might pretend they're interested, but apparently they aren't. I'm not really concerned about it at this point. The other night I had this crazy dream.

I was interviewing for a writing position with a magazine or newspaper. The guy who was asking me questions didn't seem convinced that I was qualified for the position. It seemed to require some sort of music experience or radio or something.

"I've worked for the radio station for 4 years," I tell him. "I even hosted the local music show!" I can't get him to understand that I know music. Especially local music."

"Yeah, but when was that show?" He's not convinced.

"It was on once a week, but I had another spot. 4-7 actually, prime drive time. And! The Top 5 at 5."

"I don't think you've dealt with a lot of callers. I'm not sure you can handle this." What writing for a magazine has to do with answering phones I'll never know.

At this point I'm so frustrated that I tell him I'm leaving and I can do better on my own. Another girl that works in the office decides she's going to leave too. Before I know it other people are walking out. I'm at this huge gathering for people who are interested in working for the magazine I'm starting. I'm collecting their contact information and learning about who they are and what sort of positions they want to hold. They're handing me sheets of paper with random info on them and leaving. I'm standing in this room wondering what I got myself into.

I refuse a job for a guy who thinks I'm not qualified. Decide to start my own offbeat magazine and end up in a meeting of at least 30 people. I've never even run a magazine. What can I possibly know and how did I become the leader?

When I woke up that morning I asked myself if I was really in charge. That was just a dream, wasn't it? There aren't 30+ people somewhere waiting for me to step up and get this things started, are there?

- have a rootbeer float for breakfast.
- annoy people by sending a lot of email.
- chat online about other people.
- chase the dog around the house.
- answer emails.
- do homework (ha! yeah right)
- watch movies.
- dream about moving to a new location.
- listen to music that's a little too loud.
- browse around at the cost of apartments in different cities. (ann arbor, chicago, santa fe, etc.)
- doodle on post-its and call it art.
- spent at least 15 minutes in the sun every 2 hours.
- write lists of things to do on my day off.
- obsessivly check message boards. (three of them)
- read old journal entries.
- crack myself up.
- wonder why the hell itunes is playing christmas songs.
- talk about boys.
- redesign website.
- pretend to do more homework.
- take a walk
- talk about things you're going to do.
- talk about things you have no intentions of doing.
- ask for suggestions.

The deadline is fast approaching (Mar. 15th) but this sounds like a fascinating project:. It's all about love letters written between two people who don't share a native language. I can only imagine the range of beautifuly clumsy that exists.

I've only written a few love letters in my day. None of them have ever been sent, and a few of them I still have, sealed in their envelopes waiting for me to either send them or to become so curious as to open them myself.

On the other hand, I suppose anything could count as a love letter, and in that case I've sent a variety of notes expressing my emotions or my thoughts. While I don't have copies of those, it would be neat to see how they change over time due to age or the complexity of the relationship, the length of the relationship or even the deepness of feelings.

This project might just inspire me to take that shoe box down from the top closet shelf and see what I've been holding onto for all these years.

Due to an annoying number of spam comments... comments on this site will be open for a week only. (Unless I get lazy). So if you really had something to say and the comments are closed.. well, you are always welcome to contact me. Email is cool too: jennem AT the domain. or at scatterjoy.net. Just so you know, cause I'm not trying to keep you out. Just the spammers. Maybe if they'd get a clue and realize that I'm not in need of cialis.

Also new layout.. I thought if I celebrate the snow it'll get out and the warm weather can come in. If you've seen this website at the right time today, you might notice that it's changing about a million times. Sorry about that. Okay, no I'm not.. it's kinda fun. But I should be done now.

Or maybe I would settle for DSL. Have I mentioned that Dial Up SUCKS. I mean, normally I'm cool with it, but it's been a crappy internet night for me as far as... well people calling and leaving messages and then not trying the proper mobile phones. What is the point of having a mobile phone if people won't call it? And you don't answer it? And you leave it in the other room?

Apparently (this is my new overused word) a toilet was left running all weekend in someone's apartment in the building my mom manages. So, it overflowed.. or leaked or something and flooded three or four other places that were vacated for the weekend. And this problem of the flooding was not discovered until today. Which? The Damage must suck. A lot.

So, one of the tenants for one of the flooded places called tonight. But I was online. So no one knew he called. And he says he's going to try the mobile phone, but doesn't. Since the phone doesn't say there's a missed call or a message. Bu the guy is obviously really, REALLY mad. And can you blame him? I mean, who wants to come home to their nice FLOODED apartment. No thanks.

So... between that and some geeky computer game I'm totally considering DSL more seriously. And if I tell you I love you will you pay for it? Please?

Dear McDonalds,

You're stupid. Or, you cannot read a calendar. Take your pick. Both are fine. Seems that you're offering a deal.. it looks like this:

And, today is the 22nd. So maybe you should talk to someone about not running these sorts of things past the date. Plus I hate you anyway.

Still not lovin' it,
Jenn