Questions in my life that are of no consequence...

1.) Fifty Shades of Grey.  Everyone's reading it.  I've heard it's naughty.  I've heard it's poorly written (apparently it started out life as fan fic).  I've heard that it's one of those things that everyone should read... because everyone else is.  That's why I read Twilight.  Is it worth it?




2.)  Make up.  It's a right of passage.  For some it's a necessity.  I've been completely slacking on it for years now.  I wear some mineral foundation (brushed on lightly) and lip gloss (colored, of course).  I have a pile of make up at home, mostly lip stuff, that I don't wear.  I know that it's well beyond time to take a bag and toss out most of the make up I have.

But the issue I'm having is:  should I be wearing more make up?  Is it necessary in today's professional world?  And if so... what?  I have oily skin, so I wear the mineral powder every day to work.  I was thinking of adding a tinted moisturizer, or one of those BB creams, to the powder for special occasions.  I'm completely lost about eye make up.  I had to toss my mascara over a year ago and have yet to replace it, so I think that buying new mascara is a good place to start.

I can do theatrical make up.  But my actual face?  Forget it.

Bunheads Recap: What's Your Damage, Heather?

Fanny is still MIA, leaving Michelle in charge.  She not only teaching ballet, but tap, toddler dance, cardio pole, and many others.  She girl who previously had no responsibilities is clearly over her head.  On top of all of this, something's up with the plumbing at the studio.  Michelle then proceeds to have a hilarious conversation with herself on Fanny's voice mail.  Thankfully, she calls Truly, the voice of reason.

Almost everyone had their own drama.  Michelle is still learning how to be an authority figure.  She had to deal with Sasha, who seems to be peachy keen after being out all night and wrecking her mom's car.  Sasha is late to class, and steals from Michelle.  Michelle puts her foot down, which she hates, but which Sasha clearly needs.

Earlier in the episode, the girls help Michelle dry out the dressing room, so she takes them out.  While out, we all learn of Ginny and her dating the same guy for half of her life.  After hearing Michelle talk about living life and experiencing new things, Ginny breaks up with Josh.  Her mother doesn't take this well, and yells at Michelle (though I think Ginny's mom was more upset with losing a handy man than Ginny losing a boyfriend).

Now comes Boo.  She's still holding a torch for Charlie.  Charlie is into everyone BUT her.  That just breaks my heart.  Boo has such a good and gentle heat.  As does her mom.  When everything got too crazy, and Michelle thought that she wasn't doing any good, Boo's mom stepped in to calm her down (give her cookies) and let her know that the girls look up to her.

Now, Michelle needs to turn into a responsible adult.


Next week seems to be more Sasha....

Snooze

My alarm clock is one of those cool iPod/iPhone docking clocks.  It plays my music when the alarm goes off.

It also has a very hit-able snooze button.  Honestly, I'd hit it in my sleep and end up seriously oversleeping.

I got an iPhone a few months ago, and that got me thinking... Maybe I could set the phone as my alarm.

So I got an annoying rooster crow ring tone, (thought I might need some Eddie Izzard alarms soon) and started using that.  Now that the snooze button is on the phone itself, it requires more thought to hit.  It woke me up more so I can get up and exercise.

Besides... if I hit the button too many times, I get this in my face:

Bad pet role models

My dog... The way she acts, you'd swear that we never fed her. If you're eating something, anything, she's sitting at your feet waiting for crumbs.

Cut to this afternoon. The Spousal Equivalent is eating leftover BBQ chicken, while sitting on the sofa. The cat, who usually doesn't care what you're eating, jumps up and starts staring at the chicken. She actually went as far as to try to snatch it for. His hands!

Someone is learning bad thing from the pup!

The Opening Ceremonies

I must admit, they are my favorite part of the Olympics.  And this year didn't disappoint.  Kenneth Branaugh did his stuff.  J.K. Rowling read a passage from Peter Pan.  There were dancing nurses and a salute to children and the NHS.  Mary Poppins kicks Lord Valdemort's ass.

Even Mr. Bean got into the act.

The best part of the night, by far and away, was Daniel Craig.  And the Fricking Queen!  can you imagine the pitch?  

Danny Boyle:  And then James Bond goes to visit the Queen...

Production Flunkie:  I'll see if I can get a Queen look alike...

Danny Boyle:  No, let's see if we can get the real Queen!

(And in another part of England...)

Royal Production Flunkie (to the Queen):  And then we'd film you and Daniel Craig as James Bond... 

Royal Production Flunkie: and skydiving might be involved...


The Queen:  Let's do it!!


All in all, it made me happy!  I got all teary when Great Britain entered the stadium.  

We all might just melt today!

This morning, a cold nose poked me at 5:30, begging for a walkie.  At 5:45 this morning, it was already well above 80, and at least 1500% humidity.  Seriously, jungles aren't this humid!

See?  Look at my hot wiener dog!  Misty agrees that it's too hot!

This weekend, the Olympics start.  I've already been all teary at the Today Show coverage.  I'll never make it thought the opening ceremonies.


This weekend is blissfully free of commitments.  We need, no desperately need, to do laundry.  I also need to make a shopping list, so I'm less temped to buy junk.

Stay cool today, everyone!

And you know what? The sun rose this morning...

So after I vented my frustrations, and the Spousal Equivalent ran out to get me food... we made a plan.  How can I bust through this plateau?

1.) More exercise.  He needs it too, so we're going to exercise together after I get home.  It's nice out now, so most of our exercise most likely will involve Misty and walkies.  When the weather turns bad, we'll turn to the Wii

Misty, panting after a quick morning walkie

2.) Better tracking.  We're getting a food scale to help with this.  I'm also hiding the other snacks in the house.  I'm also going to be proactive by buying more fruit and small things of yogurt.  If I buy something like popchips, I need to portion them out and write the points value on the bag.

I was discouraged and heartbroken yesterday.  Today I need to fight.

And... to everyone that said that I'm beautiful just the way I am...  Thank you.  But I need to lose the weight for my health.  I have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  I'm already being medicated for one of them and really don't want to be medicated for all three.

Screw this, I'm done

I stormed out of my Weight Watchers meeting soon after weighing in. Why? Well, despite tracking carefully and quadrupling my exercise i didn't lose any weight this week. In fact, I seem too have been gaining and losing the same pound for two months.

It's beyond frustrating.

At this point I'm tired. I'm tired of obsessing about what I can and can't eat. I'm tired of denying myself what I want. Hell, I lost more weight when I didn't exercise.

Apparently I'm meant to be fat for my entire life.

And y'all have no idea how badly I want to sit down and eat an entire pint of Ben and Jerry's right now.

I just give up.

Bunheads Recap: Movie Truck

What we learned:

• Sasha is a bitch... but the bitchiness is her armor.  Her had is deep into that closet, and her mom only cares about herself.  But it's nice to see that she does care.  She bought Boo shoes, and even tried to get her to wash off that jerk's number.
• Boo has no self esteem.  I get that the guy is cute, but he treated her like crap. Besides, she should realize that when she doesn't try, guys will talk to her.
• Truly and Michelle are more alike than different.  They both are lost souls in a town that doesn't quite fit them.  I hope they become closer.  They need each other.
• Fanny can be brilliant.  Forcing Michelle to teach?  Brilliant!
• Michelle and Talia can really celebrate a birthday.  And when you add Truly?  it's epic.

What interests me is the previews for next week.  She'll be a great teacher and mentor... but can't hold onto being young by being their friend.

Get the tissues ready

I'm a crier.  I get all teary when I'm happy.  When I'm sad.  When I'm frustrated.  During sappy television.   I cry.  I don't know why I do it either!  The Spousal Equivalent has gotten used to it.  He hands me a tissues and gives me a hug.  My ex hated it.  He would ask me to stop.

This weekend is the Opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics.  Without fail, every time, I get all teary and sniffly during the parade of nations.

I have tissues, wine and popcorn.  I'm ready for the Olympics!

There are no answers

I woke up on Friday morning and was greeted by the news out of Colorado.  Then, predictably, the questions started.

Here's my take:

1.)  Costuming is to blame.  I've heard it over and over again... people in costumes cause this chaos.  People that wear the costumes must be mentally unstable.  I can't disagree more.  People dress up in costumes to events like this because they are fans.  HUGE fans.  Many states have laws on the books that prohibit the wearing of masks, so unless someone's got a HUGE set of wings.. it's pretty safe.  Besides...have we had a mass shooting at Comic Con?  I didn't think so.


2.) Guns are to blame.  Again... no.  This guy was methodical.  He spent time gathering guns, making explosives and making his own smoke bombs and tear gas. If he couldn't get guns, he would have found a bow and arrow or a sword, or just blew the place up.  No amount of gun control would have prevented a man with this kind of drive. (in my opinion)

3.)  The movie is to blame**.  The movie is violent.  Hell, the other 2 were violent too!  (I got 20 minutes in to the last one and had to turn it off.  too violent for me)  And what were children doing at a midnight showing???  Seriously!  I know it's not R... but it's too violent for a 6 year old!   (more on this later)

4.)  What I think the real problem is:  it's easier to buy a gun than to get mental help.  I've looked into it.  With the last few insurance plans that I've had seeing a mental health professional requires a pile of paperwork and hours on the phone getting pre-authorizations.  And even then, they prefer to medicate people rather than let them see a therapist.  And while medication does work for some, I think both need to happen for a person to work though what they need to work through.  Yes, therapy is expensive for an insurance company, and seeing any kind of doctor is prohibitively expensive if you have no insurance.

And don't get me started on the stigma surrounding it either.

 **- I was at a party this weekend and we were talking about the movie.  A friend remarked that parents will take their kids to see Batman and Spiderman because they are comic books... and comics are for kids.. so naturally the movies are for kids.

Are you kidding me????  First:  Comics are MUCH more adult than in the past.  Second:  Parents NEED to do research before taking their kids to a comic book movie.  Yes, it's PG-13, but according to the MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language

This means that it's VIOLENT.  So don't take your 6 year old, and then bitch about the violence.  It is not society's job to make the world safe for kids, it's the parent's job.  And sometimes the parent needs to say no.

Planning ahead

I got a bee in the butt this morning, and decided to make a double batch of the crock pot chicken. While that was cooking away, I planned dinner. Mexican turkey burgers.

Burgers: ground turkey, a packet of taco seasoning, shredded cheese.
Onion topping: onions, garlic and taco sauce, cooked and reduced.
Fries: potato wedges with a bit of cheese.

We'll have lunches and a dinner for a while with the chicken and the leftover onion/taco sauce.

There may be pictures... I'm hungry!!

It's good advice... but....

Ok, I get it.  I'm with the exercise and meditation, less television and not worrying about things you can't control (my prime offender).

I have issue with the other things...

I know, we need to eat organically.  The world is full of chemicals and we're all going to die from it.  I KNOW!  But... Have you seen the price differences?  There are significant differences between the organic produce and the other stuff in the market.  I also know that, if you can, you should go to farm markets.  Farmers Markets are great, but still can be rather expensive.  We tend to buy all of our veggies frozen.  It's cheaper.

Now the big thing for me: nature.  Being out in nature is great.  It's Wonderful!  It's also dirty.  There's sun (sunscreen + dirt = even dirtier).  There's bugs that sting, which causes me to itch... for weeks...

A friend reposted this article on Facebook AGES ago.  Can gardening cure Depression.  I laughed outloud.  For other people, maybe.  But what about those people that burn in a dark room?  That itch for weeks after mosquito bites?  People that would rather scrub a toilet than dig in dirt?  Spending time and money making the garden, only to stress out over killing everything because you've got such a black thumb that you kill fake plants?

That's me.  What other kids do you know who sat on a towel in the sand box so she wouldn't get dirty?  And yes, I killed every plant I've ever owned, and managed to kill the fake tree in my office.

I love the idea of getting produce from my own garden.  Love it!  (I have yet to understand the appeal of decorative plants that die and have to be replanted every year.  it seems a waste)

I honestly wonder if I could get a plant to grow...

Well, I'd need to have a yard.. or an outside of my own first....

I need wine and my puppy, stat!

Well, after last night, the puppy ins't happy with me.  A stinky puppy got a bath, then ran around rubbing herself on EVERYTHING!

And fair warning, the rest of this post talks about women stuff!

Today has been made of fail.  After years and years of being on hormonal birth control, I'm back to a natural menstrual cycle.  I haven't had cramps since college.  It sucks.  I want to curl up and cry.







I also noticed that I only have 2 bras that I wear.  Lately under wire is just annoyingly uncomfortable, so I got some flimsy wire free bras.  I have a D cup... it's not working out as well as I thought.  I did some research and found this bra.  It looks like a normal bra AND I might be useful in light exercise.  AND it's on sale right now!  I just need to find the funding....

Now... to find chocolate.  Lots of chocolate...

Bunheads Recap: Money for Nothing

It's "Paying Season" at Fanny's this week.  Apparently Fanny lives so far from reality, that she only pays bills (and not all of them) only twice a year.  We also learn that Fanny doesn't care about money, but has no problem spending it.  She also has 75 students, but only 9 of them pay.

Fanny's answer?  Have Michelle teach class.  I get that... but maybe have some more students pay?

Michelle isn't going to teach.  She doesn't teach.  I think Fanny put it best.  Teaching doesn't mean that you're washed up.  I for one think Michele would be wonderful!

In other news:  The surfer bar has a new employee:  Boo.  It also has an employee that's returned from a surf trip:  Godot.  (Did ya'll get the joke.. that the girls were waiting for Godot.  I did!)  The girls think he's cute.  Boo thinks he's nice, treats him like a co-worker, and he's nice to her.  Sasha flirts with him and is shot down. You can guess how well this went down.

The highlight:  The ballet.  Paper or Plastic.  The dancing was great.  and thank god Fanny was explaining it, or I wouldn't have gotten it.

Lazy Saturday

Both before and after my wonderful workout, I've been watching Anne of Green Gables (I'm on the Sequel right now.)

Growing up, Anne of my hero.  She was smart.  She had red hair.  She was overly dramatic.  I have red hair.  I'm overly dramatic.  And I have a few degrees on my wall that say that I'm smart.  

I did some digging, and found an article on dressing like Anne Shirley.  It was an interesting read.  I might have to look more into that later.

I actually want to visit Prince Edward Island, and see Green Gables.  Time to start saving up for that passport!

Now, onto finish my movie.  Anne just won the Rollings Reliable Baking Powder Contest!

Not giving up

I spent $8 a month for the privilege of streaming HuluPlus thought my Wii. It's worth every penny.  There are hundreds of different kinds of 10 to 20 minute fitness videos on there (many by Gaiam).   Lately I've been doing one dog walk, and one vid every day.  Since it's the weekend, I decided that I should

After I walked the dog for 10 minutes (1 Activity Point), I tried another work out, and really didn't like it.  I turned off the Wii, recorded my now 2 activity points and turned back on my movie.  Then I got mad at myself.  I not only need to lose this weight, I also need to develop stamina for the class I'm taking in the fall.  So I did this workout.  Since it was part of Gaiam's Wake up Work out series, it was 20 minutes.  Another 4 Activity Points, and I feel good.  Sweaty, but good.

While were on the subject of HuluPlus, here are the series that I like.

• We already know about Gaiam's Wake Up Work out.  It has a variety of things to try.
• I've done some workouts from The Firm.
• I have a WIDE Variety of yoga and Pilates workouts on my queue... but I'm putting them off.  They both frustrate so (though yoga blocks might help with the yoga frustration)
• I've almost exhausted the Walking videos.  I love to do these on weekday mornings.

I'm proud of myself that I didn't just pack it in.  Plus, today's Activity Points help to offset yesterday's burger....

I wish I was at Comic-Con!

I'm a Nerd.. or Geek... or whatever you wish to call it.  Why?  Oh gracious... let me count the ways!

1.) The books I read

I rarely read The Great American Novel or chick lit or whatnot.  Thanks to my father's influence, I've been reading Sci-fi/Fantasy novels since Middle School.  I've recently been reading Gail Carriger's Steampunk fantasy novels.


I've also read much of Kim Harrison and Kelley Armstrong's supernatural urban fantasy novels as well as the works of (my favorite author) Charles deLint.



2.) My Choice in Movies
One of the first movies that I remember seeing in the theater was Return of the Jedi.  Yes, in 1983.  I've seen all of the movies, and re-releases.  I've sat in the theater for Star Trek movies, the Lord of the Rings (I even went to trilogy Tuesday).  I've seen most of the comic book movies in the theater (even if I'm not a comic book person).  We've already pre-ordered the Blu-Rays of The Avengers and the Hunger Games, and you know I'll be there to see The Hobbit.


3.) My Choice in Television Shows

Again, it started with my father and Star Trek: The Next Generation.  I've seen most of the genre shows that I have and gone:  Firefly, Terra Nova, Highlander, Lost Girl, Earth: Final Conflict, Eureka, Xena, do I really need to continue?  Let's just say that I follow most SyFy shows, and watched most of those early-mid 90's shows that were in syndication.  Also, if it's vaguely fantasy-like or Sci-fi-y and on network TV, I give it a try too.  (I know, this is not an exhaustive list.  It was the ones that I could think of!)

Interestingly enough, I've only seen 1 episode of Doctor Who.  I was 6.  It traumatized me.  And I can't catch up with 30 years worth of shows now!

4.) My choice in wardrobe

How many people see a Free Bates t-shirt and decide they must own it because they love Downton Abbey?  And while you're ordering, why not thrown in a Blue Sun t-shirt for kicks?  Me.  If I had the money most of my wardrobe would be made up of t-shirts like that.

And of course I'd own comic book heels!


I wear glasses.  I rarely follow the latest fashion.  I watch a lot of documentaries and most of the stuff on my DVR deals with things way beyond normal humans.  (Warehouse 13 and Alphas come back soon!  YAY!!) Hell, I've been a role player from time to time (I'm on a hiatus)

I'm a nerd.  And I'm proud of it.

Will this never end??

Two months ago I had my tubes tied.

Last month my belly button became infected.

This month the problem area is the other incision.

Part of the problem with both things is that I'm fat. My fat tummy caused the belly button infection. As for the other incision.... It's located at the bottom of my fat roll. That's where my underwear sits. And when I sit down... Well... It's just not pretty.

Between a sweaty week, and underwear rub, the incision is now an angry purple and weepy. So today it's a regimen is hydrogen peroxide, letting it air out, and rest.

But it kills me is that all started because I'm so fat.

Well, that wasn't so bad....

The weigh in today wasn't awful. I lost a pound. Hey, every pound counts. This victory I credit to exercise.

The biggest battle in exercise. How did I win it? My iPhone. I set my morning alarm on my phone. It makes hitting the snooze hard. Misty also helps. She whines until I get up for walkies.

Another thing that helps is HuluPlus. They have tons of workouts that are between 10 minutes and an hour. Misty and I walk, when I work out.

Now, if you'll excuse me.... So You Think You Can Dance is on!

Bunheads Recap!

The time for the Joffery Auditions are here!  All seems to be going wonderfully until Fanny gets a fax!  (Cue ominous music).  She freaks out; Michelle calmly tells her that the floor needs to be fixed.

And that's the theme of last night's episode.  Fixing and breaking.

~Michelle needed to fix the stuff from her old apartment (poor girl, that was a lot of stuff..).  

~Fanny needed to fix how she spends money (spending money on flowers and food when you KNOW the floor needs fixing).  

~Sasha needed to fix her relationship with Boo (she was a bitch to Boo last week), and Boo needed to let her.  

~Boo's mom nearly broke her daughter by A.) trying to get her daughter to eat a bunch of junk, and B.) buying a sorry you didn't get in cake BEFORE the audition!

~Boo needed to fix her confidence. 

With the exception of the money issues, and Michelle's junk, most of those things got fixed.  As a bonus, we got to see more of Truly, who now seems to be less psychotic, and more emotionally fragile.  She seems to know what everyone wants and needs... but can't figure out these things in herself.

In the end, the floor gets fixed, Michelle gets curtains, Sasha gets into the program, Boo doesn't, and the girls have cake.  Not a bad night.

Sometimes religion breaks my heart

So, Benji Schwimmer came out.  He's a dancer, and not the most macho of dancers either... so no one was surprised.  But what surprised me was the torment that went on because of his being gay (self-torment and church related torment).

I read an article that discusses what happened to him before coming out, and coming to terms with his sexuality.  Actually, the article is based on a LONG taped interview.... it's linked if you care to watch.  But so much of what happened to this man I've seen over and over again:  thoughts of suicide, reparative therapy (the LDS church has their own), looking into chemical castration, or a marriage with a woman.  What really broke my heart was that the church and the faith he loved thought that he was wrong.  They apparently put a black mark in some book next to him name, and simply because he's gay he will never be allowed to work with children in the church.  Like simply being gay makes you a pedophile (I don't know how much longer this dangerous idea will exist)

But before got angry and dismissed the LDS faith all together, I remembered that 300 Mormons (non-gay ones that that) marched in the Utah gay pride parade.

We can't condemn everyone that's a member of that church by byzantine, repressive non-christ-like rules and regulations.

I've said it before:  If all Christians followed what I believe to be Jesus's most important message ("One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself," and "Judge not, and ye be not judged") the world would be a nicer place.

So I'm going to take a breath and calm down.  I'm going to strive my hardest not to judge an entire religion on the actions of a few.  I'm also going to smile, and listen to this song:

A quiet end to a lovely vacation

Today is Sunday, which usually is my least favorite day of the week.  It's the day that all of the weekend's festivities end and we prepare to go back to work.  Lunches are packed, clothes are laid out and laundry is done.

Well, actually my entire vacation consisted of laundry.  But thankfully it's all done and put away.

Yesterday, I had a bit of a meltdown.  I was done.  I was done thinking about food.

That seems odd, since I'm on Weight Watchers and all, but after the weight started trending in the wrong direction I was obsessed with eating fewer points, and exercising more (a feat in the 100 degree weather).  All I could think about what what I can't have.  I declared fuck it, and had a french bread pizza and a glass of wine.  I also planned a few days worth of meals, so I know ahead of time what I'm getting into.

Though on the exercise front, I need to do more of it so I can increase my stamina.  Why??

Because I'm taking a dance class in the fall (for you WW people, 7 Activity Points a class).  I get to take one class a semester for free.  I tried to take Modern I, because it fir into my schedule, but no.  It was very, very beginner, and I actually have experience.  I just need to get the professor to sign the form.

But that now means I need to buy things.  I have a few leotards, but what I really need are dance pants.  those I can get at Target.  I need to look through the bag stash and find a dance bag.  I also need to look into things I can throw into it to freshen up after class (it's a 2-3:30 class twice a week).

Big thing that I need is shoes.  I know, Modern Dance is performed barefoot.  And I'll try that.  But It's been years, and my calluses are gone.  That's what they make dance paws for!

The Spousal Equivalent is playing a game.  I'm off to look through my bags, then get a glass of wine.

Vacation!!

After gaining weight for another week, I took a long look at my habits. I've been eating more junk. I've been slacking on eating the fruits and vegetables. I've also been letting exercise slide. Though, much to Misty's delight we have been taking a pretty significant walkie every morning.

A help in the exercise, I'm enrolling in a dance class. I get to take a college class for free every semester. I'm taking Modern II. I have some work to do before then. A few long workouts a week will help my stamina.

So besides working out, what am I doing this weekend? Laundry. It's reached crisis proportions!

Now I'm eating a salad, listening to laundry wash and watching Downton Abbey. It's a pretty good vacation.

Happy Fourth of July!

So what did we do today?

We got up, after sleeping in, and saw Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.  I liked it!  The fight scenes were out of this world in believablity... but honestly.. if you can accept that the 16th president of the US was a vampire hunter, you can also accept he has ninja-like fighting powers.

We came home, had some lunch and started dinner.  I haven't tried the chicken yet.  I'm about to dive into it, but it smells divine!  And since I have a mostly full bottle of 100% Agave Reposado tequila, I mixed some of that with some margarita mix that the spousal equivalent bought me forever ago, and some diet sprite to make a margarita spritzer.  It isn't bad!

Now dinner, and more Firefly!  And in honor of the holiday:

Win some, lose some....

I got the bright idea that I could make a trifle with pudding and pound cake.  The idea had some merit, but the execution utterly failed.  Next time, if I use more pudding, and less cake, and crumble the cake more... it'll work.

What DID work was was this cheesecake tasting fruit dip.  I have strawberries at the ready for this masterpiece!

This week I'm trying something new.  I'm taking off the rest of the week as a mini stay-cation.  During which I'm going to make this interesting sounding dish.  I figure, if it works, I'll have a lot of shredded chicken to make into meals, if it doesn't.. there's always pizza.  I'll let you know how it turns out!

My work life just got interesting...

I'd been setting aside projects for my Friday student employee.  Unfortunately, he ended up going home for the summer.  Now I have his projects AND mine.  I'll get it all done.

I also was looking into dance classes for the fall.  I decided that since I'm old, and fat and it's been a while to see if I could sign up for Modern Dance I.  Of course, the class is full, so I may be SOL.  The instructor emailed me back, and suggested I come in for a placement evaluation and perhaps take Modern II.  The time is rather in the middle of the day, and may not fly... but who knows...