An All Too Familiar Spot

So here I am again, wondering what happened. It's long nights again and a lot of What If?

I can't help but wonder why love is so elusive for some, but not for others. Some seem to fall right into it and it never stops. They just settle into a relationship and that's it--they go off into their little sunset.

Then there are some of us who think we're heading off into our sunset and get slapped again.

I'm trying my best not to sound bitter/frustrated/disgusted here. Maybe it'll be easier after a decent night's sleep. Whenever I'm able to get that...

Here we go again...

J

The Travel Bug

I'm ready for a trip. I'm getting a bit restless. The routine's getting to me; I need a little variation. But plane tickets are so expensive! It's ridiculous. For Mr. Man and I to fly to Phoenix (right next door to Austin), it's over $500! We could drive somewhere, but I'm not fond of Dallas and he doesn't want to go to Houston. I've got the travel bug and see no way of relieving it. There are several places I'd like to go. I want to head to San Diego and see my people there. Lord knows I want to see New York again soon. And I've been wanting to get back to New Orleans for years now. Oh well... I may just have to wait a few more months...

On a lighter note, I've began a new short story. Yes, yes, I should finish one of the several I'm already working on, but they'll still be there. I don't want to say much about this one because I'm just getting it out of my head (which means I'm laying down a crappy first draft), but it has promise. It just may work for the collection. More to come...

I need to get out of Austin!!

J

I'd Like to Teach, But I can't Afford To

I have to wonder... If schools are in such need of teachers, why is it so hard to become one?

I'm looking through teacher certification programs, and either they have rigid start times (which is understandable) or are expensive as hell (not so understandable). I found one program that costs $4,000! I never thought I'd be saying, "I'd like to teach, but I can't afford to." My best bet still seems to be the certification program with the Dallas district. The big problem there is that that would involve moving to Dallas. When I was single and had only myself to consider, that wouldn't be a problem (other than logistics). As things currently stand... I've looked into getting certified here in Austin. Seems I've missed the deadline and would have to wait till early next fall to get the process started.

I don't want to wait that long.

I want to teach.

Besides writing, it's the only thing I know would satisfy me. As much as I enjoy the company I work for, this is by no means a career move. It's a paycheck. Until I get into writing (well, getting paid for writing) or teaching, nothing's going to be a career move.

Is a little career fulfillment too much to ask for??

J

Feeling My Age Tonight (Oh, and Beat the Hell Out of OU)

It's Friday afternoon and of course the last couple of hours in the work day are dragging. But the weekend is almost here. The big OU game is tomorrow and I get some chance to rest. I swear, the weeks just get more and more hectic. Between work, trying to keep the house somewhat clean, and cooking, my days are eaten up. Well, I can't really complain about cooking because we all know I love working in the kitchen. I could do without all the cleaning, but I do tend to be on the domestic side of things, so it doesn't bother me as much as it may others.

Work continues to go well. It was a busy week, but everyone here's great. I've really warmed up to this place, and that usually takes some time for me. The employees actually consider this a team. It's not just a word management uses to try to inflate morale. I'm liking it here. Not crazy about the benefits packages available, but I found some cheaper, better ones online that I can buy for myself, so no worries.

So, tonight I'm going to my old high school's football game against our big rival. I'm looking forward to it, but NOT looking forward to feeling old. It should be fun. We're going with my sister and some of our friends. It'll be strange, though. I haven't been to a high school game in years, which is probably a good thing, considering I'm twelve years out of high school. Then it's off to my sister's for the usual Friday night beerfest. I can drown any lingering feelings of age-induced awkwardness with plenty of Tecate. Promises to be an interesting night.

Then THE game tomorrow. Hook 'em! Beat the hell out of OU!

Love to all (even if you are a sooner fan... heheh).

J