Good to Know

A few months ago, Linens n' Things shut down, and closed their store here. It was sad, but also kind of exciting to think about getting an awesome deal. I had my eye on a new ironing board, since mine is only flat with a Psalter Hymnal under one of the legs (the gray version). Apparently, I was so intent on getting this ironing board, I asked my mom to stop to look it while I was doped up after being put out for some dental work.

But I went in there a few times at the beginning the clearance, and was confused. First, it was rather misleading. Their sign said "up to 40% off," and of course, most everything was only 10% off at first. And I noticed something...I was looking at something in the gadgets section, a melon baller I think, and the price tag was on there, and had been blacked out. There was a new sticker near the bottom, with a price higher than what was blacked out on the tag. And I began to wonder if they'd marked up the prices...

And I waited, and waited, and of course by the time it was decently marked off, the ironing board was gone.

There's another store here going out of business, Sportsmen's Warehouse, which I have actually never been in. Until tonight--I can't resist a sale. But it was the same deal...10% off, and there were new price tags. All the signs in the store matched the ones that were in Linens n' Things...

And it all made sense after I listened to Scenes from a Recession from This American Life. That's what liquidation companies do, and it works. People buy the marked up stuff, and think they're getting an awesome deal. When LNT was going out of business, I saw tons of people buying the 10% and 20% off stuff. And I'm sure it's not illegal, maybe not even immoral, but I think it's pretty crappy.

TV

I'm watching TV again. Yes, I know, it's not Easter yet. It's still lent. But, giving up TV definitely became more about seeing if I could do it than it was about lent. And yes, I could do it. I haven't watch television for over a month...

And I still like TV very much. Granted I also like silence very much, but I like silence before I gave up TV too. It's all about balance, right?

I heard David Plotz, editor of Slate, on the radio again today, discussing his new book, The Good Book. I've heard bits and pieces of this piece before, but heard a larger chunk of it today. And it's good. I guess he had a blog on Slate.com, about reading through the Bible. I found it really interesting, because he contrasts the Sunday School Bible, with what he coins "The Messy Bible." What I found interesting about it is that he says the Messy Bible is full of doubters, sinners, and otherwise messed up people, along with beauty and war, etc, and he found this surprising.

If you have a chance, you should listen...he has interesting things to say, and is also quite a good speaker. I'll definitely be picking up the book when either 1) the library gets a copy or 2) the price for the Kindle edition comes down a bit.

In other news, I'm studying for a test, and I'm a bit pissed about it. Only because I'm reading through my notes, having not really understood a whole lot from this section, because the teacher didn't teach it. Reading the PPT slides out loud is not teaching. And I'm dreading getting a test back tomorrow from another class. That teacher is really good, but I'm afraid I just didn't spend enough time with the material. It could be the B- dream coming true.

What's Going On

Well, I'm still 30. And it's starting to sound okay. I've discovered that most of those things where you check your age go from either 24 or 29-35. So at least I don't have to change brackets yet.

School is still going pretty well. I have a rough draft of a paper due on Wed., and right now it's being peer reviewed, which is the stupidest thing in the world. It's funny, because as a student I see how ridiculous it is to assume that if 2 students read each others' papers, they will both come away with useful criticism. That's not usually the case. But, as a teacher, I really like it because I think it gives my students other feedback on their writing, and a chance to see other styles, etc.

But right now I'm a student and think it sucks. Especially when you're the oldest person in class and have to find a "peer review partner."

We're right around midterms, and in the next few weeks I should be in the clear with getting the grades I want. Not that I'll stop studying, because I find this stuff really interesting, but I'll maybe worry a little less about it, and about getting into the graduate program. One of my professors suggested to me on Facebook that I list cake decorating as a skill, so we'll see if that helps.

I've been thinking lately that maybe developmental disabilities will be my area of expertise. Of course, that changes every time we start a new unit and talk about something new. But autism has been an interest of mine for a while, and is just really fascinating.

I'm also doing some observations this week which should illuminate things a bit further. Tomorrow morning I'm going to an elementary school, next week a hospital and school for children, and hopefully after that one of the local hospitals. I'm really excited to see what SLP looks like in those different settings.

Unfortunately I don't have anything as interesting as the larynx to share tonight. We're mostly talking about articulators, particularly muscles of the face and tongue. Today we also talked about the soft palate, and the hangy ball in the back of your throat (the uvula). When we started talking about it I turned to the guy next to me and asked him if he watched Full House. He said no, but that he was aware of what it was...guess we're of a different generation. I had to explain to him that if you listened to Full House, you'd know that that is where you keep your courage. Come on people, you know what I'm talking about.

I'm 30!

30, with cats. And weird arm positions due to cleavage issues and trying to distract the cats.

Procrastinating

I should be writing a research paper right now. It's an interesting topic, and I like to write, but getting started is always the hardest for me. It just requires so much....immersion. So instead, here are pictures I meant to post but couldn't because of a dead camera battery and an awol battery charger. Oh, and the cake I made for my nephew's b-day party tonight (another reason to get the paper done).

Bob, sans clothing

Bob, all dressed.

Bird taggie blanket for my goddaughter

Elephants taggie blanket for my goddaughter

Old gift card holder

New gift card holder!

New gift card holder, again!

You can see the birthday cake I made for me and Donna, along with my goddaughter and the taggie, over at Donna's blog.

Here are 2 things I would like people to stop bitching about:

1) The AIG bonuses

So here's why I think you should stop bitching about this. If the bonuses were in the executives' contracts, they should be paid. But, you say, this is taxpayer money. Yes, which we, through our government, GAVE to AIG. Apparently there were not any "no big bonus" stipulations with the money, which seems a little asinine, but there it is. So if these people were promised bonuses in their contracts, and the gov't gave them money to use with no strings attached, then we're really getting what we asked for. Maybe next time there will be a little more thought put into what kinds of demands go with the money....but for now, quit bitching about it!

2) The new Facebook layout

Seriously people, you adjusted the last time they changed the format, didn't you? Do you miss anything from that? Do you even rememeber the old format? Give it a week, and you won't even miss it. All your stuff is still there, you can do everything you used to do. And now everyone is taking a poll about how much they hate the new layout? Change happens, people. Get used to it, and quit bitching.

I'm home. Here are the highlights: sunshine, goddaughter, friends, coffee, a kick-ass 30th birthday party, and getting carded on the plane.

Lowlights: waking up at 6 AM this morning with a 2 hour time change. I learned nothing at school today.

And this makes me laugh.

The Perfect Seat

I just checked in for my flight tomorrow to SJC, and I would like to tell you that I got the perfect seats. The perfect seat, apart from the ones in front of the blue curtain, is the farthest back exit row, aisle, on the left side of the plane.

Let me explain. First, the aisle is awesome because you can get up and move about the cabin at your leisure, without having to bother anyone or crawl over anyone. You can go to the restroom when you please, and if you're traveling with others you're free to get up and go visit them without stepping on anyone's toes or tapping them on the shoulder while they're sleeping.

And the exit row? Well, there are so many reasons to love the exit row. First, it's one of the few "premium" seats that Northwest does not charge me for. That's cool. Also, you get WAY more room for your legs, which is great on a 4 hour flight. Now, why the farthest back exit row? This only pertains to larger planes, but if there is more than one exit row, the one in front will NOT recline, so that it couldn't block the exit in an emergency. The not reclining bit is one reason not to sit there. And it's also incentive to sit in the row behind that--no one will be reclining into your space, but you can still recline your seat (into the regular row behind you).

As to why I like the left side....couldn't tell you. Just weird, I guess. :)

Updates

***I'm annoyed. Again. I wrote this post earlier today, but didn't post it because I realized I hadn't yet downloaded the photos I wanted, because my camera battery was dead. Tonight I realized that I can't find the battery charger...I think I may have left it in Turks and Caicos over Christmas. No idea where it is....so here is the post, sans pictures)***

I'm sitting at the car place right now, and I have to say I'm a little pissed. I was here last week because my car wasn't wanting to start. I could still make it, but only with coaxing, and only if I used it at least once a day. So I was afraid if I let it sit at the airport when I'm in CA, I'd come home to a completely dead car.

Well, after all was said and done, it was $180 for a new battery. (Gulp) And then the check engine light came on. Oh, how I despise thee, check engine light. So I'm back today (grateful to have the free time at least), and the air intake sensor needs to be replaced for $250. Argh! I like oil changes--it makes me feel responsible, but these stupid things make me crazy. And my car seems to have a lot of them.

So I'm pissed, but I'm going to try to talk about other things. Like craftiness. This weekend I was crafty. I made a few presents for my goddaughter, which I will post after I give them to her. I don't know that she, at 5 months or so, reads blogs...but just in case I'll wait until after I get home from CA. Which I'm incredibly excited about!

One thing I did make was this:

(It's a fabric envelope--a white/green/purple print, pictured at the very left of this photo. It has a small green button on it, a little darker than the green of the fabric, and a velcro closure.)


It's a fabric envelope, which I'm using for gift cards in my purse. My dad gives us gift cards each Christmas as our gift, and thus far there hasn't been a good way to keep them handy.

Here is my former gift card holder:

(Picture a crumpled, worn out ziploc bag with a big rip down one side)

You can see that either it gets holes in the corners, or it's hanging wide open, and either way the gift cards still end up all over and you end up standing in line in front of 10 angry people, wading your way through receipts and purse lint to find them.


Also, I am still not watching TV, and it's just become, well, kind of boring...Alas, I will continue. It really can't be hurting me.

Stuff on my Cat Submission

Curly Hair!

My sister-in-law cut and colored my hair for me tonight, and made it curly for me! I don't think my hair has been curly (or wavy, whatever you'd like to label it) since I had a spiral perm in 6th grade. I kind of like it!

Post-Painting

I was going to wait to take pictures until the furniture was put back, but I want to let the paint dry totally before I do that. So here is the weekend project.

Before...

After.

After again. (I think this is a better representation of the color than the above)

And now I have to decide if I should paint the entryway pink wallpaper too...It may have been easier to do it all at once, but the entryway has another wall (unseen in this picture, but to the right) that is very tall and would require the high ladder. The high ladder requires two people to haul it in from the garage and maneuver it through the doorways.

So, any opinions? Keep or paint over the pink entryway?

The Dreaded B Minus

I had a dream the other night that I got a B- on a test. And then I passed out, because I was devastated.

So far I haven't recieved a B- on anything, but I found out today that it really wouldn't be overreacting to pass out if I do. You see, I found out today that 120 people applied to get into about 15-20 slots in the MA program I am planning to apply to. 120 people....15 or 20 slots. I suck at math, but I know those are not super odds.

I don't really have a backup plan or school here, people, so this is scary news. I met with my advisor today to discuss which classes I'll take next semester, and asked her what I could do to improve my odds, and she said just getting good grades. And that my GPA from undergrad. and grad. school the first time will help, but sheesh...And I thought taking the GRE again was just a formality. Apparently not so.

Thankfully I have been applying myself thus far, and this is a good kick in the pants to keep doing so. Yikes.

On a lighter note, here are the classes I'll take next semester: Phonetics, Language Development, Introduction to Audiology, Clinical Methods for Communication Disorders, and American Sign Language I. Should be fun!