I got the job and I am loving it! I am the only female in an office of five 20- and 30-somethings (and a cool boss). The job is flexible and varied and I get to still see my old chums at the school I used to teach at. So life is good. The training is very informal. Actually it's pretty much on-the-spot learning but I get to follow along one of the techs until I get the hang of it. My boss assigned me to a nice young man who has been really helpful and patient.

Eric and I are going to New York in September and I am really excited about it, but I think Eric is even more excited. He loves big city stuff. He's an extrovert. I get the 'over-stimulated' problem very easily in such hustle and bustle kinds of places. It's exhausting. Kinda like teaching. Being around crowds of people all day long. Not the best job for introverts, I guarantee it.

Let me tell you about Jackie Warner. She kicked my butt today and I feel like puking. I know I'll be feeling it tomorrow! In case you don't know her, click here. Among the many workout vids I have, there are two Jackies, and today I did the all-body 40 minute one. Eric joined me for the abs part.

The summer has been magnificent. I've done many successful jobs for some great people: organizing, alterations, website revisions and revamping, and other personal assistant work. I am applying for a new job that I am really excited about: Information Systems Technician. I am preparing my interviewing skills and brushing up on my technology skills so that I can be prepared. Wish me luck everyone!

For today's post, I was going to talk about a new computer game I got this weekend and about joining the Second Life bandwagon to see what it's about. But those things have sharply become completely inconsequential after learning that someone I knew killed himself last night by standing in front of a train. I also learned that his grown children have placed the blame on his recent girlfriend who was said to have broken up with him 4 days before. They used to all be friends. Now she isn't even invited to the funeral and none of them return her phone calls; they've cast her out like a leper. She spent at least a year with him, helping him through his depression, alcoholism, and brain damage from a near-fatal accident. She was there the most for him; and meanwhile, his kids (many of whom live out of town) were quite happy to let her do all that kind of work. And this is now how they thank her? Do they also remember, however, that he had two marriages -- which ended in more emotional pain than this recent brief relationship ever could -- that did NOT end in his suicide? They clearly did not want to deal with their father's depression, or they were in denial about it. The weekend he killed himself he had first called some of his kids in other states and asked if he could come visit for a few days. Each one had an excuse why he couldn't come. One daughter was quoted "this really isn't a good weekend for a visit." Hmm. And they still blame the girlfriend?

Today stunk. I woke up later than I'd wanted, and I was dragging all day. The kids are increasingly rambunctious. That is a silly word, isn't it? I think it better describes a kindergarten classroom. Ok, for 13-year-olds, how about obnoxious. Immature. Ill-mannered. Uncivil. Impertinent, impudent, insolent. And childish.

I am having a good time packing up my classroom, though. I take out small loads once per day in my trusty teacher cart that I've had since my first year.

This is my third week in the P90X workout thing. I have noticed that I am stronger in general. I can carry stuff for longer and my forearms don't get sore. That is nice. My back also hurts less and less when doing basic moving about and around. And that is very nice. Eric pushes himself much more than I do. Today was Plyometrics. I stopped after 1/2 hour and he did the whole hour. Then I ate nachos and had a coke. Yum!