Excuses

OK so its been nearly 3 weeks since I posted, and a month since a real post, since I cheated on the last one and posted Alli's story. I blame Facebook, as it has been stealing all my creative juices as I racked up over 60 long lost friends in less than 2 weeks since I joined. And the 2 other bloggers I monitor are on FB too- right Suzie and Jenn? It's amazing how often people are on there just putting out random thoughts...wait, isn't that what I'm doing here?

Only difference is I don't have 60+ people seeing it when I write it and commenting. I haven't told too many people about this blog, it's still kind of a random assortment of thoughts and I don't know what to think about it.

Let's see, a lot has happened since I posted last...I got a promotion, and my old boss isn't speaking to me anymore. I'll be moving into her office in about two weeks when she moves down to the accounting suite. She still gets a corner office, just not quite as big as what she's in now. I'm not sure what her deal is- she must think I'm gunning for her or something, and it's not that at all- the city manager approached me about taking on a bigger role in the organization in January, and asked me to draw up a plan for breaking my area away from her department and taking on some additional responsibilities. So I did, and now I'm a director and have my own department and somehow I ended up with her secretary and I taught SL101 last night in her place. No reason for her to hold a grudge against me...no really, I am being as nice as I can be in the situation.

Fortunately I am not a glutton for punishment and I won't play petty games. So pout away, just don't pull me into it! Don't think that everyone can't see what is going on...it will be nice to have the suite tension free in a couple of weeks. We're getting new neighbors- emergency mgmt is moving over from fire admin and they will be a breath of fresh air (for a while at least).

The Shadow of Freedom

This is a story that Allison wrote for school last month:

Watching the full moon rise over the suburban wilderness, I raised my head and let out a long lonely howl. A few other neighborhood dogs howled in response, but none of them knew my pain. They were sad that their owners had to go to sleep and stop playing with them. But I wanted freedom. As I let out another cry, my owner banged his fist against the door and yelled at me. This is how my life has been going ever since my owner bought me, and I was tired of it. I knew what I had to do.

Sniffing the collar around my neck, I decided that I could gnaw my way through it and break away from the chains that held me down. I began to chew the collar, and right before I broke through it, I heard a voice behind me that sent shivers down my spine. Turning around, I saw a cat on the fence post, its scarred face and dull, matted fur clearly visible in the moonlight. The cat was different from the other house cats in the neighborhood; it didn’t have a collar around its neck. I realized with a sense of envy that it was a stray. An animal with no chain to hold it back, just the way I wanted to live. “What’s your name mutt?” the cat asked, interrupting my train of thought.

“Senka,” I replied warily, still not trusting the feline. The cat’s amber eyes rested on me and took in my muddy, black fur sticking out in different directions, until they met mine.

“Senka,” the stray repeated with a thoughtful look. “Now, why must you try to run?” In my head, I weighed my options. I could either stay to listen to the flea-bitten stray, or I could nip through the last strand of the fabric and break away to my freedom. At last, I decided that it might be worth it to stay and hear what the cat had to say.

“My owner doesn’t love me,” I explained. “I never get let off my chain.”

The edges of the cat’s mouth turned down into a frown as she heard me. “So that’s what this is about? You’re upset that you don’t have a home?!” The cat spat the out the words with anger. By now I was angry with the stray, but still, I listened. “You should be happy to have an owner!” it continued.

I closed my eyes and appeared to be deep in thought. Finally, I opened my eyes and smiled. “Okay,” I said, “I’ll stay.”

The cat appeared to be surprised by my response. “Good,” it said. “’Bout time you young ones started listening to your elders.” The cat stood up with a smile on its face- it was clearly proud of itself. “Good day to you.” Then, it left.

Grinning, I whipped my head around and snapped the collar with a quick nip. Taking in my first breath of freedom, I burst through the gate and into the street. Looking around, I was overwhelmed by the sights I saw. Hearing my owner coming, I began to run down the street. I, Senka, shadow, was free.

20 Yr Reunion Already!

Last weekend was my 20 Yr High School reunion. Had a great time. Great to see everyone. Lots of people hadn't changed, but there were many that I would never have recognized. I didn't even remember some of the names- some people cheated and studied their yearbooks before the reunion- I didn't have time so I was going off of memory only.

Unfortunately my camera got on the wrong setting for the big group shot, so I only have the ones where we split into the LCJH and MMS groups. Hopefully someone will email out good pictures from the whole group.

The Mauriceville group from LC-M Class of 88

The LC group of LC-M Class of 88

Tammie, Marcus & Thelisa at Acapulco's on Friday Night. There were about 3 times more people there than were expected- not near enough room! They kicked us out at 10:00- so much for small towns.

Tabitha & Jen at the Family Skating party.

Paula, Jen, Marcus & Jeanna at the skating rink- I did not skate!