April 28: Grading Exams, Mushy Brain, "Web" Dip

I have been grading Introduction to Film exams all afternoon.  I have completed one section, and I have another section to go.  My brain is a little mushy at the moment.  I needed to take a little break, so I decided to blog for a while.

My mood has improved from yesterday slightly.  Very slightly.  I have a grading headache, probably compounded somewhat by my new glasses.  I finally bit the bullet and purchased bifocals.  It's amazing how much clearer the laptop screen is.  Not to mention the fact that I haven't been playing glasses-on/glasses-off all day.  I can actually read without lifting the page to the end of my nose.

In a couple weeks, I begin my new job.  The hours are going to be like 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.  A normal schedule.  That may sound appealing to some of you, but it doesn't to me.  I like flexibility in my days, and there ain't gonna be much flexibility to go 'round from now on.

Which brings me to my Web dip question for today:

Am I going to like my new job?

And the answer from E. B. White is:

The crickets sang in the grasses.  They sang the song of summer's ending, a sad, monotonous song.  "Summer is over and gone," they sang.  "Over and gone, over and gone.  Summer is dying, dying."

Well, that answer did nothing to improve Saint Marty's state of mind.

Do you like my new glasses?

January 10: End of the Day, Car Repairs, New Glasses

...and Blitzen and all his reindeer, pullin' on the reins.

Yes, I'm still singing.  It is the end of a very long day.  My mind did start working better about mid-way through the afternoon.  I got through one stack of paperwork, almost.  It wasn't as horrendous as I thought it was going to be, but I kept reminding myself to not freak out, that I wasn't going to get everything done in one shift.  It sort of worked, but "Here Comes Santa Claus" helped, as well.

On top of returning to work, I also brought my car into the garage for an oil change and check-up.  The mechanic called me about 10 a.m. to say that my car was done, but there was a $300-plus repair that was needed.  I told the mechanic, "Thank you, but I can't afford to spend $300 dollars on my car at the moment."  It sort of left the guy speechless.  Then I called another local garage and made an appointment to bring my car in for an estimate.  I told the mechanic at the second garage, "Basically, I'm looking for an estimate substantially less than $300."  We'll see how it goes.

George Clooney has the same frames, I hear

I did pick up my new glasses.  I felt a little guilty about getting new glasses, considering our finances at the moment, but the glasses were already ordered.  I'm trying to justify the purchase by telling myself they were only $99.  That's not bad for a pair of Ralph Lauren frames.  Still have guilt.  Lots of it.

Sing with Saint Marty:  Bells are ringin'.  Children singin'.  All is merry and bright...

December 28: Book to Finish, Charts to Complete, Pies to Make

I have a few things to do today. 

First, I need to finish reading the book for my book club meeting tomorrow night.  We're reading Dave Barry's The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog.  It's a quick reading book, and I'm about half-way through it.  Generally, I'm not one for stories about animals.  I'm probably the only person I know who hasn't read Marley and Me.  Just can't get into tales about adorable animals who save people's lives and then die.  Not my cup of tea.  I didn't even like watching the Benji movies when I was a kid.  When I read a book or watch a movie, I want human drama, not trained creatures doing tricks.  Don't send me any angry messages.  I'm not Saint Francis of Assisi.

At work, I have a ton of charts to complete.  That means looking up a lot of missing reports and printing them out.  I just learned how to do this last week.  It was not a fun process.  My dearly departed coworker (no, she didn't die; she moved to another job) could complete this task in a matter of minutes.  It took me a few hours to figure out what I was doing wrong the first time.  Now, I have to go back and try again.  I sure hope it doesn't take me quite so long.

Then, tonight, I have to make a couple of egg nog pies and some crescent weenies.  If you haven't noticed, crescent weenies are a staple at potlucks/dinners I host.  The pies are something new.  I've never made one before, and I'm not really following a recipe.  I'm following the advice of another coworker who makes a lot of pies.  I think they will turn out alright.  If they don't, there will be plenty of other dishes at book club for people to fill up on.  This meeting is our holiday gathering.  Usually, the food is just a little bit better.  We usually eat well at book club, but at Christmas, we feast.

Yes, I did pick out a pair of glasses yesterday.  They are quite stylish.  I will post a picture of myself wearing them when they come in.  Think Buddy Holly and George Clooney mixed together.  That's what I'll look like.

Well, Saint Marty needs to get reading and working.  The baking comes tonight.

P.S.  Don't forget to enter the 500th Post Name My iPad Contest.

December 27: New Glasses, New Post, New Snow

In a few minutes, I'm going to be picking out a new pair of glasses.  I'm trying to get the glasses ordered before the first of the year, when my medical insurance changes and becomes decidedly shittier.  I always depend upon my friend Wonder Twin to help me pick a stylish frame.

This new post is going to be very short.  I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon, and I need to leave in a little while.  Therefore, I don't have a whole lot of time to reflect on my first day back at work.  It was long.  It was busy.  It was a little frustrating.  I didn't get half as much accomplished as I was planning.

The weather has turned foul since I left home this morning.  It's been snowing and blowing all day long.  My wife took my son outside to play this morning, and, after about a half hour, his cheeks were bright red with white spots.  My wife decided it was time to go inside.  I probably would have lasted about five minutes.

Not much more to add.  Sorry my posts were a little on the lame side today.  I'll try to do better tomorrow.  I will work on a poem.

Now, Saint Marty needs to go pick out glasses.

Hopefully, I won't look like this...