Snowing and Other Things

It snowed last night and there were about four inches of snow on the ground this morning. My next door neighbor helped clear our common driveway with a snow blower, but I have just learned that he has had it with the politics in our town and is planning to move. I feel rather depressed because he is an excellent neighbor. Years ago, I had the neighbors from hell. Crude and rude barbarians who did not care about anyone. They would leave at 7:00 a.m. and blow their horn so as to wake everyone up. They parked trucks and vans in front of their house, three cars in the driveway, and two others in front of our houses. No one could invite guests because all the parking spots were always taken. We all detested them. Fortunately, they moved to the Sunshine state.

Classes have started at the university and I have already met most of my students. They seem very eager to learn so I know this will be a good semester. As usual, there are tensions in my department and lots of bureaucratic work that needs to be completed. Sometimes I feel very anxious at night because I have not accomplished enough. I am also obsessing over articles I need to publish.

I hope the day is sunny tomorrow since being outside on sunny days makes me feel better and there is an important meeting I need to attend.

Saturday and Sunday

I have not had a chance to post my thoughts to this blog. I have been working on my syllabi and it takes time to find all the articles I plan to assign this term. I want students to be able to collect real data and do more than just regurgitate facts they can learn from a book.

I am looking forward to seeing a very dear friend with whom I remain in touch despite the fact that she left this area back in 1993 or '94. I don't quite recall. She has a beautiful and talented daughter. It is so good to see people one loves. Carmencita is someone I can count on.

We will probably meet in Montclair for brunch. I can't wait to see her family.

Overtaxed and Stressed Out!

My neighbors and I will be attending tonight's Town Council meeting. They are voting on a sewer tax. This means that in addition to our water bill, we will now have to pay for a sewer tax. This is an outrage when most of the folks around here are underemployed or unemployed. Several of my neighbors have been looking for work for the past nine months. Why are we being taxed to death? Most of the town workers live in fancy suburbs and expect us to pay for their salary increases, pension and health benefits. How outrageous since this is a working-class/middle-class town that has no business hiring expensive "experts" or managers. While many of us have been forced to take unpaid furlough days by the Governor, salary increases and other benefits were promised to town workers. I find this whole system of exorbitant tax increases on owners of single-family homes or small businesses beyond ludicrous. Why should we pay for people who are not invested in our town? Why do politicians make promises at the expense of the little people?

We would not be in this mess if our congressional representatives and senators had the courage to significantly trim back the Defense Budget. Trillions of dollars are being squandered in evil ventures and the little people are forced to pay for two ideological wars that a large percentage of Americans do not support or condone. Do we feel safe from the wrath of fanatics or deranged individuals? Of course not! Enough is enough!

Busy, Very Busy

I forgot to post yesterday because I was exhausted. I have had to write letters of recommendation for several students all day. Yesterday, though, I had to meet with Shunfa in order to save and edit my video clips. I will need to edit them carefully next week. I also spent a lot of time tidying up my office yesterday. I need to throw out tons of catalogs and manuals. I have so much junk in that office.

Today I almost fainted when I received a bill for over $1400 for ridiculous medical charges by a pain management clinic. I called BC/BS and requested all the bills submitted, the amounts they paid, etc. I am getting really tired of being ripped off by medical establishments. Now I understand what happens with people who have no medical insurance and go without. It is really despicable that ordinary folks are suffering because of the economic meltdown brought about by speculators and other types of vultures. Only a tiny minority of the American public is benefiting from the stimulus package -- mainly Wall Street and banks. Some democracy! Like everyone else, I am sick of this!

It snowed most of the day, but I am glad there is little accumulation. I dread driving in the snow, but I will have to do so tomorrow because I have to mail several letters and a package.

Back to work and looking forward to a better day tomorrow.

I Miss Caprica

I have just finished watching Caprica. Loved it! Now I know why they canceled it. It foretells of things to come (the Cylons). Not only is it a statement about religious fanaticism taken to its logical conclusion, but also a warning about what can happen when the "homeland security apparatus" is in the hands of deranged individuals.

Perhaps in the next 50 years we will have some rudimentary form of Cylons. I just hope they are not used by the Military-Industrial complex here or anywhere, especially by beasts with technology whose dream is to wipe out humanity. Whoever is ultimately responsible for "operationalizing" the Cylon concept in the future must prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. Humanity must endure!

At the Dentist

My mouth is so sore. I was supposed to be fitted for a crown today, but as my dentist was drilling, I felt pain several times. Now I have to go back to the root canal specialist to make sure he took care of the entire nerve. That was such a laborious process, I hate to have to go through it again.

I have decided to try Dr. Oz's green smoothie. It tastes so good! I love that mixture of parsley, green apples, cucumbers, spinach, celery, and lime/lemon juice. If I could only stop eating bread and chips. I have to stop eating carbs or I will never lose weight.

This morning I wanted to walk around the park three times, but it was too cold. After my dentist's appointment, I mailed a package to one of my friends in Lima. I hope she gets the contents.

Dreadful day!

I did not go outside at all because am trying to finish a new course description. This is taking so long! It was cloudy all day, so I decided to use the treadmill and exercise in my basement. Boring!

When I need a break, I usually post to Facebook or troll YouTube for awesome music videos. It was fun listening to Jean's YouTube video link to an interpretation of Handel's Messiah. I totally misunderstood the metaphors being used, but now that he has had a chance to explain them to me, they make sense.

I'm waiting for my son to Skype me. I want to hear little Peter's voice. I don't think they have the time to chat anymore, especially since there is a three-hour difference between our time zones. I wish I lived near them so that I could help out, but everything that matters to me is on the East Coast.

I can't wait to watch Caprica this coming Tuesday.

First Day of 2011

It's 7:23 p.m. and I am still working on my new course. For some reason, I feel very tired, but I will continue to work until I finish this project.

I have several resolutions for 2011: save money, stop eating junk, call my sister more often and send money every two months, become more efficient managing my research projects, chat via SKYPE with my grandchild every Sunday, and attend my low-impact aerobics class at the Y on a regular basis.

Got to get ready to go out to eat.