Ah, That New Car Smell

If you look closely, I'm not smiling--but that's just because I was worrying about whether the camera was working! In fact, driving this baby is loads of fun. It's a brand new 2009 Subaru Impreza, five-speed, no fancy technology, and the prettiest shade of blue ever. (I did have the dealership install a remote starter for me, but it had to be done by an independent shop, so I have to go see them to show me how to use it. Because in zero-degree North Country weather, I want that baby warmed up, thankyouverymuch!)

Now, to find my Whitman sticker for the back window...

Wedding Stuff Continued

Okay, so now that I have the beautiful car purchased (and making progress learning how to back into my parking spot...sigh...), back to the other fun stuff: wedding! Plans! Dreams! Oh, and realities--usually of the budget sort. 

1. The NY State Senate continues to behave in an especially boorish fashion, so no progress on getting the gay marriage bill passed. So, we're still up in the air on the actual nuptials location. 

2. The rings arrived! We're wearing them--why not? I've never worn so much bling in my life, and you all know how I am with shiny objects. (I warn students that my strict rules on talking/texting/whatevering during class have more to do with my own distractibility than anything else.) Pretty pretty pretty. (I tried unsuccessfully to take a photo, so you'll just have to wait 'til you see me in person.)

3. During a break from working on an online syllabus this afternoon, I stopped in to Macy's and tried on a couple of dresses, just to get an idea of necklines and such, and to feed my daydreaming. So far, I've settled on inexpensive, v-neck or halter, empire waist, and full skirt for happy dancing. And that's enough on that for a while--I mean, it's a year away. Face it: I love avoiding my work, and this feeds my avoidance. 

4. I bought a copy of Martha Stewart Weddings, and I'm not allowed to buy any more wedding magazines. They say the same thing over and over again. And the featured weddings in Martha are, of course, fabulous *and* crafty. I am not crafting a paper bouquet. I don't think I'll even have a bouquet, for that matter. Nor am I rubber stamping and calligraphing place cards. Ain't happening.

Summertime

So, I enjoyed lots of lazing about and reading last week (Lisa Scotteline's Daddy's Girl and Geraldine Brooks's People of the Book), it's time to get to work. Well, not today exactly. But tomorrow. Which means laying out my projects and scheduling my time. A new summer, a new leaf, some new strategies and old successful strategies for working independently. 

Vacating

Did I mention I'm having a great summer? (Yeah, yeah, the work's hanging over my head these days, but still...) C. and I went up to the Thousand Islands for a few days last week, and did a boat tour on the St. Lawrence. And loafed. And ate good food. Very nice.

And this past weekend we went to see the Doobie Brothers and Chicago at Bethel Woods, the concert venue on the old Woodstock site. Excellent concert--except, perhaps, for the pouring rain during the second half, but Chicago's worth it, right? (We were just under the roof, so some protection, but still a pretty wet experience.) 

And we stayed at a beautiful B&B near Barryville, NY, which I highly recommend. Well, so do tons of other people, so it's not like I'm giving you fabulous inside information, but we definitely want to go back. Maybe in the fall, when the leaves turn. The view was amazing, even from the room. Lying on the bed. And I saw lots of birds--a blue bunting, a scarlet tananger, hawks, and (I think) an eagle. 

So, time to get my ass in gear. Today: reading about strategies for managing the teaching load this fall...