I know, I know! It's been a long time, but life has been happening. The new puppy is a sweetie, but housebreaking is a bitch--no ifs, ands, ors about it. I am not, however, going to make this blog about the puppy solely. No, indeed! I have a topic that I wish to discuss. Earlier this week, I saw Oceans 13. As I settle in to watch the glorious mugs of Clooney and Pitt, the previews begin. Out of the five or six trailers played, no less than THREE of them possessed plot lines that dealt with terrorist plots, conspiracies (with Arab-like villains), and post-apocalyptic visions. Clearly, the film industry is fixated on playing on our post-9/11 fears. This is nothing new, nor anything unexpected. But I am exhausted by it. Yes, I know the world contains people who want to cause death and mayhem. Yes, I believe there are power brokers who control the way our democracy runs. Yes, I believe the world contains evil undreamt of in my present philosophy. And those of you who know me well know that I am not exactly a Pollyanna, nor do I wish to be. But I'm ready for films about other concerns--things with scope and vision and the warmth of basic humanity unsullied by hate. I'm tired of this constant fear mongering. And yet, and yet, sadly, I will see most of these movies because they look appealing in the same way as a roller coaster appeals to the kid in all of us. I want to go on record that I am a hypocrite.

Day Eight: Bring on the chocolate martini!

I've just returned home from a girls' night with my main hos (the plural of ho) , and having a enjoyed a lovely chocolate martini, I'm wondering what your preferred beverage is.

What is the one beverage that inspires you more than any other?

For me, it is the Diet Coke. Every morning at school, I walk into my office, put away my things, and open an ice cold Diet Coke. It is crisp, it contains caffeine, and it has no calories. It is the quintessential morning eye opener. It makes me happy.

Day Seven: Chimps are insane!

This is a post in real-time. I am watching Discovery Channel--one of my favorite channels to have on when I have to multi-task. I'm watching Rogue Nature. They have just completed an hour explaining how Chimpanzees are to quote: "The most dangerous creatures out there!" Apparently, they are aggressive, prone to attack, and intent on mutilation. They have razor-sharp fingernails that they use to "strip" flesh from their victims and teeth that will take a number of fingers off at one chomp. Can I say that this was more information than I needed to know and probably more than you wanted to know. So, our question of the day:

What has been your scariest encounter with an animal?

I was once attacked my an uncle's pet chihuahua just as I was waking up. My family was visiting relatives in Illinois, and as the youngest, I had to sleep on a mattress on the floor. During the night, my uncle's chihuahua Petie decided that I was a warm roommate and went to sleep next to me. Had I known, I would have been petrified because Petie had bitten me on numerous situations. The next morning, my mother attempted to wake me. Petie became territorial, jumped up on my back and started snarling and yapping at my mother. Of course, having been in deep sleep and unaware of my bedmate, I found myself paralyzed with fear, thinking the beast was going to scalp me for sure. My aunt had to talk him off of me, and I didn't get much sleep that entire vacation. I also developed an intense dislike of diminutive dogs of Mexican heritage.

Day Six: While it is still Day Six!

Today was the unthinkable--the first Monday back after spring break. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be; it never is, but your mind makes it so while you're anticipating it. As I just posted to Socrates, I've spent two hours working with a support rep on the telephone for my anti-virus program which was not working properly in a number of ways. Actually, an hour of that was being on hold while terribly bad muzac plays. But I was most intrepid. I refused to give up (I'm stubborn like that!). I put the line on speaker and continued to refresh my research on Edward Albee and Absurdist theater. I know, how absurd! So, in honor of my absurd experience, here's today's question:

What has been your most PG-rated absurd experience to date?

I think I just told you mine. Of course, there was that one with an MCI telephone support rep who accused me of lying when I merely called to cancel service. Why do all my absurd experiences have to do with telephone support reps!!!!?

Day Five: The Last Day

Today marks the last official day of spring break. Because it was Easter, this was not a particularly restful day--Mass, then a family dinner, then the drive home, and then some laundry. And now I'm thinking about what I have to do tomorrow. It will be part planned and part winging it. I refuse to stress! It is a moment like this--filled with a quiet inevitability--that I often ask myself the question:

What one job/occupation would you not dread going back to on a Monday?

As for me, I'd have to say that it would be an editing, technical writing type of position or as a docent at a museum or historical site. There are definitely days when I would love to be doing something where I see no one all day. That's when a small, cozy cubicle seems like a wonderful option. I'm sure I wouldn't want to spend my entire working life there, but there are those days. And I'm sure you all know what I mean. And then there are those days when you feel like you're in a vacuum--like when you set up a blog and several of your close friends do not comment on the posted questions! Argh!

Day Four: For real!

I need to make this short because I'm using a really slow computer that's driving me nuts! Today, my parents and I took a short trip to Red River Gorge where we drove around and through the gorge on many small and perilous roads. Very awe inspiring! On our way home, we ran into a spring snow blizzard--seriously. All in all it was a day steeped in the freakish and inspiring acts of Mother Nature. Hence, today's question:

What was (or is) the most awe-inspiring creation of Mother Nature you've seen?

Day Three: Spring Break Hits Hump Day!

This does not make me happy. It's hump day for everyone else; but for those of us on spring break, it signals the mid-point of precious days off. (Sigh!) Much needed days, I might add. And these days provide a taste of the summer to come. I do want to go on record here that summer break is the only major perk for being a teacher, so get over your vacation envy! In consideration of the coming respite in question, here is today's topic:

What was your favorite thing to do over summer breaks when you were a kid?

I have to say that my favorite thing was the time to read whatever would fall into my hands. Living in rural Kentucky, I was lucky to have the Book Mobile--a blue and white boxy van that was a rolling library sent forth by the public library to service those of us who didn't make it into town regularly. It smelled of heat and dust and books. That smell is still as vivid to me today as it was all those years ago. Somewhere in my brain cells, I recall an author describing the smell of books as peppery. I can testify to that. I would check out nearly a dozen books which I had two weeks to devour. Since we didn't have air conditioning and the house would become suffocatingly hot, I would pack up a few books and head out to the woods where--if necessary--I could take a splash in the spring or the creek. What I lived for was when my father would have to take a trip into town, and I could go along. While he completed various errands on Main Street, I would run to the actual library and scout out other books in air-conditioned comfort. I was well known by the entire library staff which meant that books would be put aside for me from time to time. It was sort of like having a bar keep know what you drink when you walked into the establishment. Yes.....my summers were that boring! No wonder I couldn't wait to get back to school. How time reverses things!