Trailer For Sale Or Rent

Well, I fail at blogging, obviously.

I've been doing a heck of a lot of writing lately, all of it fanfic, but who cares? It's fun, and I don't plan on trying to make a living as a writer again. (Been there, done that, got royally sick of it.) I've met another crop of great people (having dinner with some tonight!) and I'm enjoying myself with it, so it's all good.

Castle got a full-season pickup, yay!

I did put off school until winter. Apparently I can do winter term every year if I want, as long as I get in all the required courses. Fall is notoriously busy, so while this way will take longer, at least I won't go nuts. Well, no more nuts than usual, anyway.

Example of fall busy-ness: This weekend I'm missing the family reunion to go to homecoming at Troy. Next month, we're going to New Jersey for a cousin's wedding. Then it's the holidays, and that's always crazy. I'm not likely to have many free weekends until January at this rate.

We're also planning a trip to NYC in April, and this time I'm determined to see Wicked! We're going to try to get in two shows if we can. I'll be doing a fan club event that Saturday, but we're going Friday through Monday, so we're hoping to see one show Friday night and another on Sunday.

Dragon*Con has already started adding guests for 2010! I don't think I'm ready for this yet, heh. We ended up with a room at the Hyatt because the Marriott screwed the pooch with reservations.

Time Keeps On Tickin'

I really am bad about keeping up with blogging. Another month-long dry spell. It's been just a bit busy around here, though, between work, family obligations, day-to-day life, and doing prework and planning for Dragon*Con. Just two weeks and two days left, and I'm already half squeed out!

I'm considering putting off my planned fall graduate class to winter term. My calendar this fall is pretty darn full, and it's going to be tough to squeeze in time to do decent work. I'd rather delay until January and not be so stressed. We'll see what the school says about it.

What's Going On

So, what's been going on with me:

School. I'm pulling an A in my first graduate-level class, so go me. Of course, now I'm several weeks behind on assignments, but only the midterm, final, and final paper have firm deadlines, so I'll get caught up soon.

Work. Still like my job, even when it annoys.

Family. Helping my parents plan and pack for their move in June. Also had a death in the family that hit us all really hard.

Friends. I finally gave in and signed up for Facebook, and I've reconnected with a whole bunch of old friends there. I'll be seeing one former college roommate in June and am making arrangements to see others.

So how are things with you?

Try To Be A Straight-A Student

My first assignment for my graduate class got a virtual thumbs up from the professor. He's using part of it as a discussion point for the rest of the class. This makes me feel a little better about my chances to do well in graduate school!

Unfortunately, work has been very difficult the past few weeks and doesn't appear to have any intention of improving soon. I just need to keep reminding myself of how blessed I am to have a good, stable job that I (mostly) enjoy.

A Change is Gonna Come

Image taken at Atlanta Botanical Garden by Robbie, April 2007.

Twenty years ago today, I was in Washington, DC, for the inauguration of George H.W. Bush. My college band was a national representative in the parade, or I never would have been able to go—or wanted to, really, since I wasn't much of a political maven in those days. It was the Bicentennal Inaugural, 200 years since George Washington was sworn in as our first president under the new Constitution. Think of all we've learned since 1789!

I'll be watching the Inauguration today at my desk at work, via the CNN feed provided by my employer. No matter your opinion of the policy positions held by our new president, it's impossible to deny the importance of this event. For the first time in our 220-year history, our president will not be a white man. All of us who don't fit into that mold suddenly find that glass ceiling over our heads crumbling to dust.

On a subject much less historic but still personally notable, I start graduate school today. My textbooks are waiting for me in the leasing office of my apartment complex, and I've just downloaded the syllabus from Blackboard. I'm nervous but excited, on a much smaller scale like the Obamas feel today, I imagine.

It's a chance for a new beginning for all of us, and I hope we'll embrace it.