sense of loss

I've been losing things lately -- people, more than things. Cancer continues to chip away at my demographic, mental illness steals relationships, and other folks just drift from us without notice or reason... But 2009 was also a year of reunions, and grand ones at that. This August I found myself back in the warmth of one of my dearest friends, in one of my dearest places, with Rob there to enjoy it. I guess the people worth worrying about and hanging on to are always there, and other friendships are meant to fade... Perhaps some of this adopted larger American family will not sever ties completely, and will let us know when we're needed.

Your Guide to Christine Wy: Germfinger

Your Guide to Christine Wy: Germfinger

Two things:

winter coats - why does no one else wash winter coats when their kids have spilled down the front, or their own has that dark ring of dirt around the collar, wrist bands, or near the zipper... I wash winter coats obsessively, concerned that people will see a smudge on my kids and accuse me of neglect.

black gunk - how does no one see the BLANK GUNK BUILD UP on their keyboards or mouses. I'm not a germophobe, but when your filth has accumulated to being sticky sludge on your every day items, like handrails or light switches... do something about it.

I wish you worked in my office. You're like the shoe-maker's elves, secretly doing the work that we wish we would do ourselves.

BTW - Would you vaccuum my dog hair for me?

baby steps (or micromanagment - you choose)

Goals for the day:
1. Mark at least 10 of my students' website analysis papers
2. Read for political ecology for one hour
3. Read for theory for one hour
(both 2 & 3 have papers that will have to be written eventually...)
4. Work on thesis for one hour. Without tears.
5. Set up a paypal account
6. Email someone in government about getting a job in Belize.

7. Contact kids' school to find out why it is okay for my son to be called Cracker, Whitehead, and Whitey, when such racialized and derogatory language should not be permitted. I guess this is bullying, right? He tries to take the high road, poor little guy, and wasn't talking about this hurtful language, but when his teacher sent him home to ask parents about the inauguration & Rob suggested that we've come so far recently in terms of moving beyond ideas of race, Finley started to cry and said that this was not his experience.

8. Walk my big dog despite the bone-chilling cold outside. When will the deep freeze come to an end?

I think that's about it.