strike

So, my union at school may be calling a strike; we'll know on Sunday whether or not it is going to happen. I am pulled in two directions about it: one which says that it is unfair to the foreign students who pay so much to attend classes and don't have the benefit of the union, and the other, which wants to participate in collective bargaining for the things we're entitled to and have a right to demand. Ugh.

Also, I want to finish my thesis, so 20 hours a week on the picket line is going to cut into that kind of plan... but either way, I'm on board, and will do what I have to do as one piece in the giant machine of the university.

Honestly?

Between those stupid girls in their ugly Uggs, and the Ipod phenomemon, I'm investing in orthotics and hearing aids when I have money for stocks.

"A new warning for MP-3 Player users.
Scientists in Europe say you could suffer permanent hearing loss if you listen with the volume turned up loud for five years.
There's growing concern because now you can crank up the newer MP-3 Players louder and louder- without any loss of sound quality."

dogs

We found a dog and I'm in love. He's the sweetest pooch ever, and tomorrow I have to try to find the owners who let him go without tags, and with a confusing pink leash. While I am not inclined to draw gender stereotypes based on pink or blue, most of thug life is, and so "Chester" the boy dog's pink leash and too-tight harness beg a lot of questions. We had been wanting a dog, but knew that this would be a bad year for a puppy, so this find is a godsend, except that we don't know if we get to keep him or not. *sigh*

Grad School Started

So, classes started yesterday. Of course, I missed my first one. Honestly, I thought it was at 2:30 and went for coffee with friends, only to learn it was a 1:30 start! Oops!! I'm a little overwhelmed; I have to finish my thesis (sent a copy to the second on my committee yesterday), write my SSHRC and OGS applications, teach my Tourism tutorials, and take theory and an environmental politics class with two really demanding and very clever women. Ack!

And the commute is going to kill me. It will literally kill me. I spent 5 hours getting home yesterday, only to turn around and go back tomorrow morning at 7. I take on this burden like it is my fault that I have a family and kids, and that I decided to better myself with this education, therefore I have to make all sorts of sacrifices, but I'm trying to shake that feeling that this is mine alone to bear. We'll see how it goes.

I think its high time for another girls night out. Perhaps I should tell the ladies....

Saorise had her half -birthday. Four little girls came to stay the night, and three little girls remained when it was time for real-live human beings to function in the morning. Somebody couldn't hack the pressures of sleeping away from home - it happens

Fitness

I've been working for the Ride for Roswell all summer and yesterday was the big event - the numbers I have heard suggest that more than 6,000 people turned up and more than 2 million dollars raised.  It was an amazing event to be a part of.  And now I'm inspired to get into shape.  All sorts of women around me are raising their fitness levels and I'm in - I'm on to get back into shape, and to lose the extra girth I've developed.