Thinking of all you guys in Pennsylvania today. I'm glad the race has stayed competitive long enough for your votes to make a difference. Here in Texas we are having serious discussions about how to handle national primaries in the future. I can't helped but feel like Florida and Michigan voters have really been treated badly too. Most of them had no choice on when their elections would happen and now their votes don't count. Hopefully we will all learn from this and find a equitable way for every state's votes to matter.
----------------
Now playing: The Beatles - Hey Jude
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Reunions
Ok, the first and best news of the whole summer is my true love and bff, Suzanne, will be here in July for the George Michael concert. We're taking Morgan with us and going to totally rock on with one of our '80 favorites.
I've most likely told the story before, but Suzanne and I shared an office for years. Both of us work better to music, so we had a small stereo system set up in the library. When we had to work all weekend, we turned it up full blast and sang/danced to our hearts content. On one fateful Sunday afternoon, we were listening to the album, Faith. When "I Want Your Sex," came on we cranked up the stereo to the max and danced. We thought we were alone in the building, but no. At the point the Director for Medical Sciences came in, we were in the middle of a raucous hip-bump singing/dancing routine. The words "Don't you think it's time you had sex with me?" were shouted just as Dr. Poole came into view.
Since that day, "I Want Your Sex," has been our song. BFF now recalls the incident as having begun at my suggestion. I recall the rather horrendous hangover that had been entirely BFF's fault and that it was this that led to the infamous moment. I think we survived the incident, jobs intact and promotions in our future for three reasons. 1) We were by far the youngest people in the building. Virtually everyone we worked for was our father's age. 2) We were the only professional women in the building and the first professional women some of these men had ever known. I think there's a good chance they might have been afraid to ask why/how we behaved. Sort of like aliens from another planet. 3) I think Dr. Poole may have simply chosen not to believe his eyes. This was NASA and I was the chief librarian. Surly the librarian wouldn't do a Hoochie Coochie dance to a very naughty song in the middle of the library? Dr. Poole always approached me like he was talking to a nun. Maybe there just wasn't room in his universe for two rowdy 20 something librarians nursing hangovers on a Sunday afternoon.
Anyway, George, Suzanne, Morgan, and I are on for July. Morgan has been suitably warned that middle age unseemliness will ensue. She assures us she is incapable of embarrassment having grown up around the two of us. If you haven't watched Eli Stone, you are missing a great series. George Michael has been in about four episodes and is as wonderful as ever. The summer tour will be his first in the U.S. in 17 years. We'll take lots of pictures.
M
ore reunion fun. My high school bff, and I got back in touch thanks to the music class reunion in June. I'm so excited. I've seen her many times since then, but haven't been in touch with most of these folks in over 30 years. Another friend posted this picture. Our reunion has a yahoo group and there's an all at war being waged to find the dumbest photos of our classmates. Linda is on the left, I'm on the right, and Cathy is in the drill team uniform kneeling. I'm going looking for my own photo albums to retaliate shortly. As friends have posted pictures, I'm continually shocked by the fact that everyone was taller than me. I don't remember being so short, but I am now so I must have been then too. It's funny what kinds of things you forget.
----------------
Now playing: George Michael - I Want Your Sex, Pt. 1 & 2
via FoxyTunes
I've most likely told the story before, but Suzanne and I shared an office for years. Both of us work better to music, so we had a small stereo system set up in the library. When we had to work all weekend, we turned it up full blast and sang/danced to our hearts content. On one fateful Sunday afternoon, we were listening to the album, Faith. When "I Want Your Sex," came on we cranked up the stereo to the max and danced. We thought we were alone in the building, but no. At the point the Director for Medical Sciences came in, we were in the middle of a raucous hip-bump singing/dancing routine. The words "Don't you think it's time you had sex with me?" were shouted just as Dr. Poole came into view.
Since that day, "I Want Your Sex," has been our song. BFF now recalls the incident as having begun at my suggestion. I recall the rather horrendous hangover that had been entirely BFF's fault and that it was this that led to the infamous moment. I think we survived the incident, jobs intact and promotions in our future for three reasons. 1) We were by far the youngest people in the building. Virtually everyone we worked for was our father's age. 2) We were the only professional women in the building and the first professional women some of these men had ever known. I think there's a good chance they might have been afraid to ask why/how we behaved. Sort of like aliens from another planet. 3) I think Dr. Poole may have simply chosen not to believe his eyes. This was NASA and I was the chief librarian. Surly the librarian wouldn't do a Hoochie Coochie dance to a very naughty song in the middle of the library? Dr. Poole always approached me like he was talking to a nun. Maybe there just wasn't room in his universe for two rowdy 20 something librarians nursing hangovers on a Sunday afternoon.
Anyway, George, Suzanne, Morgan, and I are on for July. Morgan has been suitably warned that middle age unseemliness will ensue. She assures us she is incapable of embarrassment having grown up around the two of us. If you haven't watched Eli Stone, you are missing a great series. George Michael has been in about four episodes and is as wonderful as ever. The summer tour will be his first in the U.S. in 17 years. We'll take lots of pictures.
M
ore reunion fun. My high school bff, and I got back in touch thanks to the music class reunion in June. I'm so excited. I've seen her many times since then, but haven't been in touch with most of these folks in over 30 years. Another friend posted this picture. Our reunion has a yahoo group and there's an all at war being waged to find the dumbest photos of our classmates. Linda is on the left, I'm on the right, and Cathy is in the drill team uniform kneeling. I'm going looking for my own photo albums to retaliate shortly. As friends have posted pictures, I'm continually shocked by the fact that everyone was taller than me. I don't remember being so short, but I am now so I must have been then too. It's funny what kinds of things you forget.----------------
Now playing: George Michael - I Want Your Sex, Pt. 1 & 2
via FoxyTunes
Monday, April 07, 2008
End of PT and a Musical Summer
I fired the PT on Friday. It wasn't a huge deal, since she already knew she had really put her foot in her mouth. The final decision came after I heard what the kids had to say. Bill and I agreed it will be worth it to pay an out of network co-pay rather than send a message to the kids that we would tolerate that kind of bigotry. PJ, you were so right. It comes down to a profound lack of professionalism. Billy said, "Everyone has someone they love that's gay. Doesn't she know that?" For a boy, he can be quite profound. My children are, upon occasion, quite remarkable.
I'm doing better and have loads of stuff to write about. The summer is coming and we have tons of great stuff planned. The Police will be here in concert next month and George Michael in July. In June my whole music class, about 250 people in all, are having a reunion. I haven't seen most of these folks in over 30 years. Most amazing of all is that all of our instructors/conductors/directors are still alive and coming too!
Ramona and I went to see Swan Lake yesterday. It was so beautiful. My last memory of going to the ballet with Bill involved him snickering through the whole production thinking it all very silly. Thank God for Ramona! Much more fun.
----------------
Now playing: George Michael - Faith
via FoxyTunes
I'm doing better and have loads of stuff to write about. The summer is coming and we have tons of great stuff planned. The Police will be here in concert next month and George Michael in July. In June my whole music class, about 250 people in all, are having a reunion. I haven't seen most of these folks in over 30 years. Most amazing of all is that all of our instructors/conductors/directors are still alive and coming too!
Ramona and I went to see Swan Lake yesterday. It was so beautiful. My last memory of going to the ballet with Bill involved him snickering through the whole production thinking it all very silly. Thank God for Ramona! Much more fun.
----------------
Now playing: George Michael - Faith
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Summer Misc. and Physical Therapy
Yeah! We've had some actual summer weather for the past two days. The kids are so ready to swim. The pool is kind of sad in the cold weather. We turn the pump down to save energy, so the water isn't as pretty as it is now. The dog's been in twice. I suppose that's the benefit of swimming in a fur coat. It will be great to have some exercise that doesn't pound my joints.
I have been going to physical therapy for three weeks now. I don't like the PT at all but have figured it's a short term relationship, and her work seems fine. She just hasn't been someone who appeals to me personally. The last session was the worst yet. She has asked me questions about teaching and why we home school our kids every time I see her. The kids usually come with me and do their work in the waiting room. At first I was patient with her curiosity, but after the first couple of times, it has felt sort of intrusive.
Monday she asked, not for the first time, why we home school. I didn't have anything new to tell her but tried to be polite. She said she thought the public schools were terrible and launched into a story about her neighbor, a high school teacher. It seems the woman has two lesbian students who are dating and sought out this teacher to talk with. The teacher, from what the PT says, told the students they had the same rights and should be treated the same as anyone else in the high school. She then suggested that they be careful to obey all school rules about public displays of affection as someone might use a breach of those rules to single them out.
My PT was furious at what she heard and said it confirmed her bad opinion of public schools. For awhile I thought she was wanting the high school teacher to do more to help the girls. But, no. She wanted the teacher to "report" them to the principal, their parents, etc. The PT thinks they should not be "allowed" to be lesbians. Well crap. In my head I was thinking how nice it would be to turn around and slap the woman right on the mouth. Not allowed?????????? But she has her hands on my neck right at the moment, and I was pretty sure I'd be the one injured if I tried to jump her.
I finally told her that I didn't know a single high school teacher that would ever out a student, and any that did should be fired on the spot. I said the teacher must be doing a pretty good job for these kids to seek her out to trust and confide in, and she had to honor their trust. It's sad she had to warn them about displays of affection, but probably realistic. I ended up telling the PT that she should go to the waiting room and tell my kids they were "forbidden" from being gay and see what happens. "Oh," she says, "You're one of those moms."
So I'm wondering if I should have fired the PT on the spot. She's on my insurance plan and has done a decent job restoring some range of motion in my neck. But I dislike this woman intensely now, and the thought of having her put her hands on me again creeps me out. I don't think the insurance would let me go out of network because the PT is a big fat homophobic b*&%h. I've made it clear where I stand, so hopefully she will keep her horrible mouth shut. But really, I'm thinking she must not like any women very much. She thinks her neighbor, the teacher, is some kind of pervert for not outing those kids, and she thinks the two girls should be removed from school for being lesbians. That doesn't strike me as being female friendly. It's so ironic that I insisted on a female PT. I'm afraid I used up my one opt out when I asked for a woman, plus she's the only PT in the practice anyway.
Well, I have till Friday to decide if I'm going back. I've been talking to the insurance company about arranging for a home traction device that would greatly reduce my need for PT. In the mean time, it's summer! Blue bonnets, swimming pools, and sitting in the yard with a good book. Lots to look forward to.
----------------
Now playing: Scissor Sisters - Take Your Mama
via FoxyTunes
I have been going to physical therapy for three weeks now. I don't like the PT at all but have figured it's a short term relationship, and her work seems fine. She just hasn't been someone who appeals to me personally. The last session was the worst yet. She has asked me questions about teaching and why we home school our kids every time I see her. The kids usually come with me and do their work in the waiting room. At first I was patient with her curiosity, but after the first couple of times, it has felt sort of intrusive.
Monday she asked, not for the first time, why we home school. I didn't have anything new to tell her but tried to be polite. She said she thought the public schools were terrible and launched into a story about her neighbor, a high school teacher. It seems the woman has two lesbian students who are dating and sought out this teacher to talk with. The teacher, from what the PT says, told the students they had the same rights and should be treated the same as anyone else in the high school. She then suggested that they be careful to obey all school rules about public displays of affection as someone might use a breach of those rules to single them out.
My PT was furious at what she heard and said it confirmed her bad opinion of public schools. For awhile I thought she was wanting the high school teacher to do more to help the girls. But, no. She wanted the teacher to "report" them to the principal, their parents, etc. The PT thinks they should not be "allowed" to be lesbians. Well crap. In my head I was thinking how nice it would be to turn around and slap the woman right on the mouth. Not allowed?????????? But she has her hands on my neck right at the moment, and I was pretty sure I'd be the one injured if I tried to jump her.
I finally told her that I didn't know a single high school teacher that would ever out a student, and any that did should be fired on the spot. I said the teacher must be doing a pretty good job for these kids to seek her out to trust and confide in, and she had to honor their trust. It's sad she had to warn them about displays of affection, but probably realistic. I ended up telling the PT that she should go to the waiting room and tell my kids they were "forbidden" from being gay and see what happens. "Oh," she says, "You're one of those moms."
So I'm wondering if I should have fired the PT on the spot. She's on my insurance plan and has done a decent job restoring some range of motion in my neck. But I dislike this woman intensely now, and the thought of having her put her hands on me again creeps me out. I don't think the insurance would let me go out of network because the PT is a big fat homophobic b*&%h. I've made it clear where I stand, so hopefully she will keep her horrible mouth shut. But really, I'm thinking she must not like any women very much. She thinks her neighbor, the teacher, is some kind of pervert for not outing those kids, and she thinks the two girls should be removed from school for being lesbians. That doesn't strike me as being female friendly. It's so ironic that I insisted on a female PT. I'm afraid I used up my one opt out when I asked for a woman, plus she's the only PT in the practice anyway.
Well, I have till Friday to decide if I'm going back. I've been talking to the insurance company about arranging for a home traction device that would greatly reduce my need for PT. In the mean time, it's summer! Blue bonnets, swimming pools, and sitting in the yard with a good book. Lots to look forward to.
----------------
Now playing: Scissor Sisters - Take Your Mama
via FoxyTunes
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
