I'M B-A-A-A-C-K!!!

Life is really, really, really good.

When I came home today, I found the HP shipment, with my new keyboard. I took the laptop apart, popped out the old, slipped in the new, and held my breath while I put it all back together. Minus a few screws, which, I swear, were there a few days ago. I think.

Then, I fired it up. What a thrill to find that, indeed, as promised, the keyboard was the problem.

Which it is no more.

It's kind of fun. The keyboard "bounce-back" of the keys is different. More elastic, less "tired". It almost feels like a new computer.

Without the effort involved in transferring files, thank God.

The biggest problem with the old keyboard was that getting use of the top row (!@#$%^&*() symbols and the HMTL-specific symbols involved too much extra effort. Until I lost the SHIFT keys, I had no idea how much I used those keys every day.

I'll be back to posting more regularly now. Now that it's not such a ridiculous effort.

Tags = Computers and
Technology

DON'T SEE THIS MOVIE

UPDATE

I was catching up on news events, and stumbled across the original source of the post cited below. It's Debbie Schlussel, who is distantly related to the executive producer.

My apologies for failing to check that out fully.

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I just read about the plot developments in the new Jodie Foster movie, Flight Plan, on the Front Page Magazine website. I had seen the promos, and, since I am a sucker for the thriller genre, thought I might enjoy the film.

After reading the Front Page warning, I don't think so anymore. The film teases with suspicions of Middle Eastern bad guys, only to pull a last-minute, totally PC twist - hey, bigoted Neandertals, it's the true-blue Feds and their goose-stepping minions that you need to be suspicious of, not the poor, undertrodden Arabs. Don't you feel ashamed of yourself?

Well, no, actually. I feel this is a blatant attempt to show AMERIKKA how culturally insensitive they are, which, of course, Hollywood knows about, because they have studied the situation so extensively in their own homes, where the undertrodden servants nod approvingly at their enlightened utterances -

isn't ¡Que loco! actually Spanish for "I can totally relate to what you're saying, Dude!

And we can all agree with Rosita's interjection, can't we?

Tag = Entertainment

THAT'LL LEAVE A MARK

An inventor in South Africa, Sonette Ehlers, 57, has created a device that is inserted like a female condom, that embeds BARBS in the rapist's - um - hoo-haa.

Go to the MSNBC website to see the little - um- dickie-docker.

Tag = News

TAGGING

I just inserted the code that will tag my posts. Click on the title to see what tags are about. As one way to organize the ever-increasing blog community, it may prove to be helpful. Then, again, it may prove to be an incredible waste of time. I figure it's worth a few minutes on each post, at least for a while. If anyone else is using it, let me know what your experiences have been.

The way I'm handling it is to embed the code into the post template, so it automatically appears when I first write the post. I then replace the generic tag with the actual tag. If I don't want to use it, I can just delete the code block. It shouldn't be a lot of extra work.

Tags = blogging, Site news

TEMPORARILY OFF POLITICS

I just checked the Fox News site, and read that Roberts will be voted on Thursday. Barring a serious change in the circumstances currently surrounding him, he will be confirmed tomorrow.

I really can't work up a froth about it right now. I'm more involved in the weather situation. I think it's deeply meaningful and highly ironic that I moved into SC just as one of the bigger hurricane seasons in years hit the Southern Coast.

I just this evening heard from the owner of the house I've been staying at - Jacksonville, FL is swamped in water. I expressed surprise, and he said, "You need to learn to keep an eye on the news. Things change fast."

Indeed they do. When I checked Fox, I learned that another Cat 5 hurricane is headed for the Gulf. The people that evacuated better plan on staying out for a while longer. The good news is that local and regional authorities have learned from the New Orleans debacle, and are preparing for the weather in advance.

I don't think you'll have much trouble convincing people to leave this time.

I'M SO SHALLOW

Emmy Update

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Orange is the color of the day - Eva Longoria, Portia de Rossi, and Mariska Hargitay are just a few that chose vibrant hues of that color.

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I'm watching the Emmies on E! Totally mind candy, absolutely guaranteed not to improve the mind.



What that? The drag version of Johnny Cash?

OK, major catty time. Jessica Walters is being interviewed, and she's another one of the many women who lower face doesn't match the upper. That's because the face lift is most effective on the upper half of the face. It's not that bad, she doesn't look Orientalized (happens when the eyes keep getting tucked), just out of balance.

Hollywood has to find another style for older women than the strapless gown. It leaves the jiggly upper arms flapping in the breeze.



Kathy Griffin, the comedian, looks pretty good - not as quirky as she usually does.



My husband's personal favorite. It's the hair.



Eva Longoria of Desperate Housewives. I think this is a stunner, sexy without being too revealing.

SOME BREATHING ROOM

I finished my big test - am not too hopeful about passing this first time. It's really been too long since my last Chem class. So, at least I got a look at it, and have an idea about how to study for it.

It IS possible I passed, but not likely. The ETS site screwed up. I got a test with A through E answer possibilities, but only A through D answers on the bubble sheet. So, once I noticed (hey, I left home at 4:45 in the am to be there by 7:30), I tried to signal the test proctors. It took 10 minutes to get their attention, then another 15 minutes for them to call ETS about what to do. If I have to take it again, I'm not paying for it. And, they better reimburse me for my expenses. (Don't I sound tough?).

At least I have some breathing room before I have to do it again. It should give me a few months to brush up on chemical formulas, reactions, and such.

WE DODGED A BULLET

ERROR CORRECTION

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I just looked at this post after finally getting more than 4 1/2 hours sleep, and I immediately noticed my mistake.

I wrote:

I'm thinking that the Dems are saving their big guns for whoever Bush nominates for the Chief Justice job. THAT hearing will be much less restrained.

Boy, I can't believe that. I meant, of course to write

I'm thinking that the Dems are saving their big guns for whoever Bush nominates for Sandra Day O'Connor's job. THAT hearing will be much less restrained.

Admit it, you were beginning to wonder about senility, weren't you? I know I was when I finally got some sleep.

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I just checked the path of Hurrican Ophelia, and it looks as though she's heading back to sea. I would hate to start my first year in SC with a major hurricane. It would be inconvenient, since I also have the NTE (PRAXIS) on Saturday, in a city on the coast.

I've barely dipped into politics lately; my guess is that the Roberts hearing will involve a little saber rattling, but he'll get confirmed. I'm thinking that the Dems are saving their big guns for whoever Bush nominates for the Chief Justice job. THAT hearing will be much less restrained.

I don't want to be rude, but if these guys get any closer, they'll be traveling to Vermont for a ceremony.

TIME TO CATCH UP

The immediate crisis in NO seems to be resolving (no thanks to the governor, Blanchard - what is it with female Democratic "leaders" in a crisis - do they feel genetically compelled to live up to every stereotype of the bumbling, helpless woman?). Ophelia is lurking on the East Coast waters, but poses no immediate threat to us in SC. And, with the attention on NO, the media types have taken themselves to a place where they can't bother the rest of us, which suits us just FINE!

I'm only a week away from the big test, and I'm feeling oddly calm. Not a deserved calm, I must note, but I'm not all jangled with tension, so I'm OK with that.

The Roberts fight-to-the-death confirmation hasn't started, yet. When it does, no doubt I'll have something to write about it, but, for now, I'm happy to ignore the Gathering Storm (note the Winnie reference?).

I've decided to rent a small house in Hampton. That saves me from having to decide on a purchase right now, and gives me some peace and quiet. Maybe TOO quiet - it will be the first time I've ever lived for any length of time completely on my own. Hope I don't start getting eccentric - yes, I said, START!

My major goal for the next few months is to set up a budget, and beginning mapping out a plan for debt reduction. I'm using Quicken, which isn't totally my favorite program, but it's here and handy.

I took off the keyboard of my laptop today, and sprayed it liberally. It's working fine, no problems with the SHIFT key. I also checked with my son-in-law, and he said, if it happens again, get a replacement for the keyboard from HP.

This may all seem boring. In fact, it IS a little boring.

But, remembering almost four years ago, I'll take boring.

That day, I was preparing for classes to start 2 days later, when my husband came into the room. He had a strange expression, and he was tearing up.

"Planes hit the World Trade Center," he abruptly announced. I literally didn't know what to say. I remember asking him to repeat it, as I wasn't sure I heard right.

Initially, terrorism didn't even occur to me. I thought of accidents, equipment failures. When it was clear that the incident was deliberate, I started worrying. Two of my children were in the armed services. The third, a Franciscan sister, was in South Bend. I called, and was relieved to hear from the two girls within a short time. I had no phone number for my son, in the Navy in San Diego. Then I thought of the Internet.

Sure enough, my son had dashed off a short note to my Yahoo account, assuring me he was fine, but would be out of contact for a while. I sent an answer, but didn't expect to hear from him anytime soon.

At the school, the staff all gathered by the sole TV. One of the teachers was married to a helicopter pilot, just a few months short of retirement. She had taken a job, and planned to have him join her in a few months. Goodbye, retirement. Like most long-term military spouses, she was calm and making plans based on the new situation.

Others worried about friends and family in NYC. We sat around the TV most of the day. Much of the city was evacuating, as initial reports indicated that Cleveland might be at risk. We sat tight. Not only would we not have to deal with the traffic, but, located as we were some distance from the center of the city, we felt our safety was not compromised.

In fact, my husband and I left after 7 pm that night. We had no children to go home to, no family to worry about. We did, however, have each other.

We were the lucky ones.

I'M B-A-A-A-C-K!!!

I just finished a PILE of grading; it's my favorite activity, right after taking out my own appendix, without anesthesia. So, I'm feeling fine and very SASSY! Life is good when you have an evening to yourself without any responsibilities.

I've been hearing lately about the documentary on rural SC schools, "Corridor of Shame". It's supposed to be shown on TV soon, so I'm naturally anxious to see it. SC schools have a bad reputation. The state is short of qualified teachers (math, science, and special ed, the usual), there is a wide range of funding, leading to some schools having an overabundance of equipment and lavish buildings, and others with falling-down buildings, unprepared teachers, and a general lack of everything.

I'm in a good place - the district has money for its needs (we may have a few unsatisfied wants), the kids are generally polite and very sweet, and my colleagues are professional and collegial. I really like the school, and the area.

Not all teachers in the state are as lucky. The question is, will more money help? Or is the problem that the money has been badly spent? I honestly don't know, so, if some reader has more knowledge on the subject, send me the information, with references. If I find out, I'll post about it.

WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING

I'd like to say that I've been working on disaster relief, like some good-hearted bloggers, or doing other important things, but I'm not going to lie - I've been catching up on work (teaching), grading, planning, and getting ready for the upcoming test. That didn't leave a lot of time for anything, including sleep. So, last night, I decided to bag the hard work, and take an evening for myself.

It was delightful. I did nothing serious or meaningful. I watched "veg-out" TV (Law & Order re-runs and the like). I ate junk food. I hemmed a few pants (I'm 5'3").

Today, I climbed back on the horse. I diligently graded notebooks before I quit for the day. When I finally arrived home, I dived right in to the document I've been working (not too hard) on - it's required by the state for my certification. That sucker is 11 pages now, and the monster keeps growing.

Interim progress reports are due tomorrow, and I have a meeting after school, so I won't be posting until Friday.

WHAT MORE CAN BE SAID?

I'm home for the long weekend, and as usual, I'm wakeful. I checked out a small victory, who has a most insightful post on the New Orleans situation:

It's easy to sit here and second guess those people (and I am not talking about those who stayed because they though the idea of a "hurricane party" a bright one) who stayed. Maybe some of them did just refuse to leave because of some sort of bravado, but I'm guessing that's not the case with the majority. There were a lot of people without the means to go or a place to go to. What about the sick, the elderly, the handicapped? What about those with no cars? Some people had no choice but to stay. And yes, some people stayed on their own accord, and I'm going to backtrack a bit on something I wrote about earlier and say, I don't blame them.

I've been thinking about this. I live on an island. If there were a warning to get the hell out (let's say a weather related potential disaster headed this way), I don't know that I would go. Chances that I would get off the island are slim to none, anyhow. Perhaps if I lived closer to the city line I'd have a chance to get over a bridge and away from here, but it's more likely that I'd be stuck in a sea of escaping cars that moved an inch an hour. I would much rather stick it out and possibly survive, or even die in my own home, clinging to my loved ones, than drown while sitting in traffic on the Long Island Expressway, trying to get off the island. I already sat in flood waters on the LIE once, when I was about 14. We saw a coffin drift out of a hearse. I'll pass on having that experience again.

You just don't know. I don't understand the callousness of people who turn their backs on those who need help because they feel it's deserved. I don't understand the cruelty of those who are taking the looters and shooters and making them the poster children for every single refugee in the area now, as if that's what they all are.

And while we are on the subject, I don't understand those that don't understand the anger of the people down there. No, not the shooters, but those who are near rioting and yelling and cursing every one of their government officials. They have lost everything, some of them having lost people, not just possessions. They have nothing to go home to, nothing to go forward to. They are starving. Hot. Tired. Sick. They have small children, elderly parents or are sick themselves. They are frustrated and, in some cases, dying. There are tourists who are completely stranded, left to sleep on street corners. There are kids without parents, parents without their kids, people in need of medicine who are going without, people dying on the streets right in front of them, bodies pushed to the side and left there to rot in the heat. How would you react? What would you be doing? Put yourself in that place for a minute or two.

How easy it is to sit here and Monday morning quarterback a freaking hurricane, like it was some great game and now you're going over the X's and O's and figuring out who to bench the next time.

There's more - check it out.
I'm as guilty as any of making snide comments after hearing some fool talking about "riding the hurricane out". But most of the victims couldn't leave before the storm.

Below are some of the people who are being blamed for not fleeing more promptly.







Isn't that little girl just precious?



That boy's mother is missing.



Still in refugee housing, that couple are already looking for a job in the Houston area. Pray they will be successful in their search.

Folks, since I've moved to SC, I've come to accept some realities - weather can be fearsome, but every part of the world has it's special challenges. In Ohio, tornados, flooding, and massive snow are the challenge. You don't move, you invest in a shovel, emergency supplies, and, when the weather warning is issued, you load up on bread and milk.

On the southern East and South coast, you anticipate the hurricanes of the late summer and early fall. You can't possibly leave for every one. Sometimes, circumstances (illness, family situation, work, or car trouble, for example) make it impossible to evacuate.

Then, the only answer is to stock up, if you can, brace yourself, and pray.

Sometimes, like this last week, that strategy proves wrong. Most of the time, it works. Hurricanes are funny - their paths cannot always be predicted; sometimes they peter out; sometimes the levees hold.

And sometimes not.

Sadly, Katrina proved to be an exceptionally bad disaster. If you can, give to your charity of choice. Me, I'm going to send more money to Catholic Charities. Then, I'm going to go home to SC, and talk to the principal about a fund-raiser. I've already talked to students who have relatives or friends in the areas affected.

AT LEAST I SHOULD GET A GOOD SEAT ON THE PLANE

I'm sitting at home, with ice on my ankles.

I injured them earlier today, running out to go to work. I slipped on the steps in the dark, and fell.

Both ankles are sore and swollen, the left just slightly (probably a mild sprain), but the right, even with an air cast, hurting to flex even a little.

I'm trying to hang in there, as I have to catch a plane in Savannah tomorrow evening. I'm going to go, no matter what, so I'll do whatever I have to (shades of Scarlett O'Hara - I swear, this move has truly affected me).

A kind friend on the faculty has offered me crutches, and I'll try to avoid even standing tomorrow. I can use the overhead, and depend on the "kindliness of strangers" to quote Blanche DuBois.

I'm going to make this post short, as I still have to pack.