sex offenders
Current mood: intense

As I come downstairs this morning Darren has left a printout on the kitchen island for me to look at. It's a sex offender who lives at 20 Possum Lane; that's 5 houses down from me on the same side of the street.

http://sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov/sor/servlet/SOR?id=X000101973

My first thoughts are which house is that again? Answer: it's the older brown one.
2nd: He's 20. He probably lives with his parents and has no job listed. Definitely lives with his parents.
3rd: I should tell everybody on the street! This is a street full of children: 2 Possum Lane = 2 kids, 8 Possum Lane = 3, 10 Possum Lane (us) = 2, 12 Possum Lane = 2, 14 Possum Lane = 1 and 1 on the way, 5 Possum Lane = 2+, 24 Possum Lane = 2, 26 Possum Lane = 5, and some others farther down on the right side of the street. He is 20 years old, was convicted of 10 counts of CHILD PORN. That means that he likely had far more than 10 inidividual pictures of child pornography.
4th: What about his rights? Doesn't he have a right to live somewhere without being harrassed?
5th: Fuck his rights. I don't care. I think I'm going to make a copy and put it in everyone's mailbox on this street. He's in the PUBLIC sex offender registry with good reason. We moved to this neighborhood primarily because of our children; so we can let them play outside and know that its safe, so they can go down the street and see their friends (when old enough of course) and not worry about them and know where they are. Why should my life be altered because this fuckhead decided to get off on child porn? What about our rights to a safe neighborhood for our children to grow up in?

In fact, I'm really surprised at the intensity of my feelings regarding this situation. I really did think about his rights but it was immediately followed by everything else. I feel like an episode of Law & Order where this happened and the neighborhood was completely up in arms regarding a sex offender. Although, I'm sure that it has happened and will happen in other neighborhoods and is not strictly TV based. (Law & Order was always good for incorporating current events; although this is an older episode.)

I really don't want Matthew Cody Williamson living in my neighborhood let alone on my street. I don't care if I'm discriminating or being unfair. I want the entire street to know we have a person convicted of Child Porn living among us. I want to ostracize him and have him leave. I don't care where he goes as long as its not here. Perhaps I am being unfair but I feel like my rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have been compromised and they should not feel like that due to another individual's transgressions.

5:59 AM - 4 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

rock and roll
Current mood: chipper

A couple of weeks ago Diana taught the girls two hand gestures:  thumbs up and the peace sign.  So she made them show me when I got home that day.  I then taught them the ASL sign for game, which is two thumbs up and you knock your fists together, but that's not really relevant.  So, Darren then teaches them the rock and roll sign.   oh boy.

On friday we went out to the mall (yes, we did actually go out on black friday...) and the girls are playing in the little playground they have and we see Lexi playing with a little boy.  She looks right at him, does the little sign and says "Rock and Roll."  He just looks at her because he has NO idea what she is saying.  So, she does it again.  And he pushes her hand away because its almost in his face. 

And now last night, someone, not me, teaches them to say "party like a rockstar."  At bedtime last night, there goes Lexi again "party like a rockstar mama"  "party like a rock star daddy".  I said, I felt like we were only missing one hand gesture but I suppose as long as I don't flip anybody off when I'm driving then they won't learn that one.  I think I just usually stick with calling them an asshole which I try to do quietly because the girls are definitely in the repeating stage now.  I thought I was censoring myself the other day when I said "holy crap" and what does Ryan say right after me:  "holy crap?"

2:14 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Go Grandma
Current mood: amused

I'll probably be like this at 75 too.  Grandma and her hammer

10:29 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Lexi and the SI

    So in appropriate response to Diana's latest blog:

Lexi:  "I need to poop"

So, Darren takes her to the bathroom and puts her on the toilet.  He then hands her the Sports Illustrated with Daisuke Matsuzaka on the front (Red Sox pitcher) and then Lexi says

"GO RED SOX!"

I guess she's Daddy's girl forever!

Currently reading : Magyk (Septimus Heap, Book 1) By Angie Sage Release date: 15 March, 2005

4:06 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Thoughts from here and there
Category: Life

I keep thinking to myself when random events occur to me "I should blog that."  Do I?  Most often, no.  Here are some thoughts I've compiled over the last few days/weeks/months.

Things I like (or love as the case may be):

1) My family--the immediate one:  Darren, Ryan, Lexi, and da boyz Baxter and Willie
2) Our new house
3) Nannies!
4) Even better, Nannies that are Massage Therapists
5) Babies
6) Margaritas
7) Wine
    Been drinking alot of those lately
8) Fresh Fruit and Vegetables from Horse and Buggy Produce--that I pick up every Saturday
9) Saturday mornings with the family.  We pick up produce, then go to the library and then on to the discovery museum.  We've been known to stop for breakfast, um, once.
10) Fresh Eggs.  I get them from both the produce guy and this girl I work with who has something like 50 chickens.  I had to buy eggs at the store the other day and it just wasn't as appealing when I cracked it open.
11) That Lexi delights in Bacon.
12) Teaching my kids the porquito espagnol that I know.

Things I dislike:
1) Paper towels that have now become paper strips.  If I want a paper towel I want a paper towel the size that it should be.   And to top it off the strips don't ever tear whole.
2) Playboy bunny tattoos on nasty women. 
3) Women who try to dress like their daughters.  Grow up!
4) Any type of large construction vehicle on 53.  They need to find a different road to get into Fluvanna.  Rt 600 comes to mind.
5) People who don't do the speed limit.
6) Nursing school, busy work, being treated like a child when 90% of us in the nursing program are over 25 and 50% of those are probably over 35.  I think we can have our backpacks next to our chair when we take a goddamn test.  Especially when they are watching us like hawks anyway.  Maybe it's the teachers that need to grow up.
7) People who don't do their work and expect others to do it for them. 
8) Not having time to work out--hurt my back last night because of it.  I've always been very diligent about keeping my back strong because I know it can be hurt easily.  Sucks!
9) That my kids watch so much TV--which mind you isn't that much--but I wish I had the patience to not turn to it sometimes.  Oh well.  They are still smart.

to be continued--time to play outside

3:05 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

how to get a drink!
Current mood: eh

I found this on craigslist--it says most things all bartenders would like to say, politely.  Read on...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2007-04-22, 3:52PM PDT


Someone once pointed out to me the fact that there seems to be a micro-economy in the service industry. Restaurant workers take their tip money out to bars and clubs at night and give it to the bartenders, who promptly return it to the waiters and waitresses the next day at lunch. The cycle is almost self-sufficient and is mutually beneficial. Knowing the pain of waiting on customers, each group tips the other well and never raises a fuss. These people do not need to be educated. The rest of you do.

Many of us have stood in a noisy, crowded bar and asked, "What's a guy got to do to get a drink around here?" Well, you're about to find out. Here are some Do's and Don'ts that will keep the relationship between the bartender and bar patron running smoothly.

DON'TS
Fail to have your money ready

We're waiting on you. Everyone else is waiting on us. Therefore, by the Transitive Property of Equality, everyone is waiting on you. Rule #1: Have your shit together. Not only will following Rule #1 get you served quicker in a bar, it's a good general rule to adopt in life and is especially helpful in Central American border crossing scenarios.

Whistle

This is an absolute No-No. You whistle at dogs and pretty ladies, not people.

Wave money

Oh, you've got a dollar!! I'll be right over!! Hopefully I won't break an ankle in my fevered rush to get you your "curz lite." Well, at least you're not breaking the next rule.

Yell out the bartender's first name

There's something deeply psychologically disturbing about hearing your name called out, turning around and seeing a complete stranger. That's one of the reasons strippers use stage names. Bartender's do too. Mine is Pixie.

Say "make it strong!" or "put a lot of liquor in it"

Oh, you're one of the rare drinkers that like their drink strong! When you say this, you're assuming I make weak drinks (which is insulting) and you're assuming that I'll stiffen this one up for my new best buddy, you. This is the best way to get a weak drink.

Give the ever-expanding drink order

You want a Bud. I go get it. I come back and now you want a Margarita. Okay, no prob. I come back, and (oh yeah!) now you want a shot of Tequila, too. You really could have told us this all at once. See Rule #1.

Pull the redirect (or the bait 'n' switch)

Usually used after the money wave or the whistle, this is when the gentlemen passes his turn to the lady behind him. Yeah, um, don't do that, okay? Chances are she's not ready, and your weak attempt at chivalry just cost you your turn. See you in 30 minutes.

Try the confused, lost look

This is usually accompanied by the question "What kind of beer y'all got?" while looking at all the beers we have. You did know you were in a bar, right? You didn't just appear here, did you? Refer to Rule #1.

Order High Maintenance shooters

Example: "Lemme get an Alabama Slammer, a Red Snapper, two Kamikazes, a Buttery Nipple and a Lemon Drop." Usually followed by a small tip. People, these shooters are fine by themselves, but there are multiple steps involved with each one. Translation: Time Sink. You may get them this time, but you'll probably be waited on last the next time we see your face. Here's a clue as to whether or not you're high maintenance; if two bartenders are working and they see you, and they flip a coin and the loser comes over to take your order, pretty good chance you're high maintenance.

Assume we know you're in the band

We know, we know, you're gonna be really famous, but you're not there yet, tiger. Tell us you're in the band and which band you're in. By the way, if you are in a band and get free/reduced drink prices, feel free to tip, as most bartenders are also in bands! It's not like we don't know how it is. Oh, and our bands will smoke your band.

Assume we know you period

Unless you've followed the first "Do" rule below, we don't remember you. You are one of a thousand faces for us, and when you point at an empty glass or a beer bottle that's invariably facing away from us, your attempt at a shortcut backfires. Tell us what you want.

Apologize for sucking

Don't apologize for not tipping. Acknowledging that you suck is not the same as not sucking. Oh, and don't say "I'll get ya next time." We know all about you.

Assume soft drinks are free

Are they free at McDonald's? Are they free at Wal-Mart? Are they free anywhere? I blame M.A.D.D. for this myth.

Put pennies and nickels in the tip jar

We don't want that crap in our pockets any more than you do. We don't have anything smaller than quarters. Have you ever ordered a drink that cost $3.17?

Be "The Microbrew Aficionado"

Usually a pseudo-hippy who can't tip a quarter but can't bring himself to drink "schwag," and who has to sample some new berry-wheat-harvest-ale that he heard about at Burning Man. "Do you have the new Vernal-Equinox Special Welcome-Fest?" "Does Anyone?" Here's your Newcastle. Go.

Be "The Daddy Warbucks"

Dressed in classic day-trader wear, this loud, boisterous guy smokes cigars and orders Martinis and generally exudes an air of money. Until the tip. We hate you.

Be a "Whiney Baby"

Under no circumstances should you ever whine to a bartender when asked to see your ID. Our jobs depend on them, and when we spot a fake/expired ID, don't argue; we've seen and heard it all a million times before, and it will get you absolutely nowhere. If you "don't have one" or "forgot it," forget it; you don't belong out on the town in the first place. That's the law, plain and simple. If we don't have the law, the terrorists win. You don't want the terrorists to win, do you? Bring your ID. Remember Rule #1, from a minute ago?

DO'S
Tip

Tip heavy right off the bat, and you're the first person we aim for every time you come up to the bar. Did you get that? Go back and read it again. The word will spread to the other bartenders and you'll be treated like a prince. It will pay off in better drinks and the occasional free one.

Be patient

All you really need to do to get waited on is make eye contact. We see you, and we'll get to you before the guy right next to you waving money and whistling. Remember, this isn't insulin we're passing out here. If you really need the drink that bad, you've got a problem to address, Jack. The meek shall inherit the bar.

Be an attractive female

As in life, this goes far.

If this comes across as a little petty, remember: bartenders are a jaded lot. ..> ..>

11:00 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

it's funny how life gets in the way of myspace
Current mood: frustrated

i hadn't logged on in months so i decided tonight what the heck!  did i miss much?  no, i don't think so...not on mypace that is. 

my life is so much more insane than in was last semester.  i barely have time to take a shower...and that i only have time to do every other day (and NO, i don't smell!)  it's amazing how working only 12 more hours/week will throw a whole kink into things.  but it's not just that, i'm in class/clinical about 12 more hours/week too.  i don't even have time to study.  it's kind of funny how my student mind-set changed from the first time around.  it's a pretty good thing that i can pull a solid "B" out without doing too much studying.  first time around, i didn't really care--i had things to do, like go out to lunch, or go to outback lodge, or party with Secret (oh wait, that was when i failed out of uva.)--and still could get a B and I was okay with it.  this time, i really don't have the time to do any better than that.  but that kind of bothers me because going into nursing, i'm going to have someone's life in my hands and i feel like i don't know information about these people's health that i should know. 

eh, it's only another year...

but that's a long fuckin time with the way this semester went

right, and did i mention that nursing school suck because all the teacher's suck!

5:59 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

moving
Current mood: still worried...will anyone help?

    oh yeah and we are moving to the Lake!  yup, yuppieville, or still fluvanna redneckville?  which is it?  i think some of both. 

anybody want to help?

i think it'll be either 1st or 2nd weekend in february.

will buy keg

will buy pizza

will bribe you

jessica

7:37 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

new job
Current mood: worried even more than last semester, NO JOKE!

    i suppose i have 2 minutes to say that i got that job.  i heard from mike that "that woman said that was the best damn reference she'd ever heard!"  thanks mike!  so i'm a nursing assistant now working 3p-3a on martha jefferson's med/surg-oncology (cancer) unit.  apparently one of my jobs will be to go get the stretcher from the ground floor *ahem* the basement *ahem* you all know what's down there.  that's okay.  i will learn to cope with that last aspect of life in terms like i've never experienced before. 

wish me luck.  this semester is going to be a bitch.

7:32 PM - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

interview today
Current mood: excited

Since I'm done with my first semester of clinicals in nursing school, I'm allowed to sit for the CNA license and/or get a job as a CNA.  I figure I'll go ahead and take the exam and that way if anything should happen that I don't/can't finish school then I at least have the CNA to fall back on.  It's decent money (once I get used to not getting tipped) and I'll get benefits if I work F/T.  That's 3 12-hour shifts.  That's easy.

So my interview today...it was at MJH and I think it went well.  I go back for a second interview tomorrow and she has to check my references...Mike if your read this, be ready for a call, sneetch, maybe you too (I know I put you down but that might have been my UVa app).  Some things she said made me optimistic.  It was the way she was wording things that you just wouldn't say it like that if you knew you weren't going to hire someone.  I was a little concerned going into it because we talked about schedule first.  And since I'm not going to be making quite what I was, I know I need F/T.  But the only way that I've figured out how to make that work is from 3pm-3am.  She was pretty shocked by that request.  Seems like the right hours to me.  It's what I'm used to right now so why change it?  I think it would make it easier for her too because she needs people on the evenings.  AND from 3-11pm there is an evening shift differential and from 11pm-3am an even bigger differential.  One big downside is that I would be required to work every other weekend, as is the rest of her staff.  (The weekend has a shift differential too.)  I suppose I'll always work weekends and holidays.  'Tis the nature of the careers that I have chosen.  Eh, it'll be okay. 

I know that if I do spend the next 25 years of my life in school I can get to be a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) then I would work M-F 7-5 ish because they generally don't do surgeries on the weekends.  I've looked the hours up on UVa's website.  Obviously I'm exaggerating about the 25 years but it'll still be a fair amount of time in school:  1.5 years left at PVCC, >1 year at UVa, possibly need MSN before CRNA if VCU changes their CRNA program to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).  If they do that, I might have to change my mind.  At the very least, I have 4.5 more years to get to the Master's.  But wouldn't that be awesome to be a Doctor Nurse or a Nurse Doctor or what the hell would you call it?  I think just CRNA would work. 

I'm excited. 

8:15 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment