The Vicious Hillbilly

2008-11-19T05:33:00.000-08:00

My dad passed away on Nov 5. He had a hard time these last couple years. I'm sure he's in a much better place (where ever that may be). Seems he wanted to go. I'll be a little sad for a while.

This might be my last post for a while. I'm working on a new blog. This one has been a journey from one place to another. Seems fairly appropriate to end with this. When you lose a parent, no matter how old you are, you, or at least I, realized that you are now responsible. That imaginary "cushion" is gone. yikes. Those of you that have lost a parent know what I mean. Time also has a new meaning for me.

Be on the lookout for the new blog.

Vicious

Sheesh it's been over a month...

2008-09-21T08:41:00.001-07:00

since I last posted. Well, my excuse is, I was getting back into the work zone... It is almost mid-semester and it has flown by. The semester is going well. As you saw from my last post, I thought I was going to have all of this time to write, etc. but it hasn't turned out that way. I did get my book review drafted. I will polish and send off this week, but I haven't touched the book. I've been writing proposals for grants, stipends, etc. and preparing for Beckett (plays I'll direct this spring). I brought a stack of papers to grade this weekend, but haven't touched them. Sigh...

I feel exhausted, really. I took this weekend to sleep, but I didn't do much of that either. I did get the shed cleaned out for the Big Lebowski party on Nov 1. If I start now, maybe I'll have the backyard looking decent for the screening and party. I am going to hang a sheet and project the movie onto it outside. It's a dress up party. Come on over and have a Caucasian with us!

meanwhile back at FMU...

2008-08-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the faculty helped the Freshmen move in. It was really kind of fun. And the president cooked us hot dogs (sigh). Sort of took me back to my first year when my parents brought me to Cottey. In the afternoon, I walked by this dorm room and this boy had all his stuff unpacked, his bed made and was sitting in his room by himself. I just wanted to hug him. Almost made me cry. That first week is a bitch.

And then they all turn into little bastards....

I'm teaching 3, three, III classes this semester and one of them only has 3, three, III people in it!!!! Of course, I also have an article, a book review and a book to finish this semester. Still it is less stress than "hell."

Pilgrimage West ... Chapter 5 & 6

2008-08-15T06:04:00.001-07:00

I fell a little behind on my posts (and everything else) as I tried to work too much in at the last minute, of course. Week before last, I went to Fayetteville, Arkansas to visit my friend Pam and her folks. We had a great time. She and her dad play guitar and we all had a big jamboree one night. Her mom fed me fried okra from the garden. It was great fun! I love that part of Arkansas and they are fabulous hillbillies!
On the MO homefront, Grandpa is doing very well and should be out soon. I helped him put a deposit down on a VERY nice assisted living place in Branson and I hope they get in there soon. Dad is not so well. I think he's decided that he's going to die and that is that. It's his path to walk....sigh.... My nieces and nephews will be in college before I get to see them (well, not really but it seems like it). I'll go back again at Christmas.
On my way to an overnight stay in Gallatin, I was driving up 65 in Nashvegas, the traffic had slowed for a wreck. I was sort of silently cussing that when my phone rang and a person on the other end started yelling about how I was "weaving all over the road, I oughta pull you over..." My friend, former student, and Nashvegas undercover cop, Morgan, was right behind me from working that wreck. Isn't that synchronicity???? Weird.
So here we are back in South Cackylacky. The house is great. The flora and fauna have exploded (my elephant ears are HUGE). The cat is fat. We have some "getting ready for school" to do. Jacob and I help the Freshmen move in on Sat. then on to Sophomore year and work for me on Monday! Yikes! I can't believe it's time again.
I have a GREAT schedule this fall. Good thing as I have lots of writing to finish. So, at the end of this pilgrimage, what did I learn? - Family is family with their own paths to walk and who am I to tell them how or what to do. Friends can be saviors from the trying to fix family. Do what you want to if you have the chance because the chance might only come round once. People are generally good (that was sort of a reminder instead of a revelation). Home is where you make it (although, I still have trouble with this one).
Ready....ok, teacher mode, on....More posts about the little bastard students later! :-)

ps: I now realize that I have misspelled pilgrimage throughout this entire summer. Thank the gods and goddesses for spellcheck (on word).

Pilgrimadge West ... Chapter 4 - spiritual quest

2008-07-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

When I was a very little girl, we used to go visit my Granny (great grandmother) in Tahlequah, OK every summer. Boy, I've got some stories about her... Anyway, all I ever saw of Tahlequah was the reservation and the poverty. I just returned yesterday from a gorgeous part of Tahlequah called Sparrowhawk Mountain sort of overlooking the Illinois River. I went to visit my friend, Roberta. She grew up on a tent show and we met at the Toby conference in Iowa that I go to every year and really connected. She's REALLY into "woowoo." I am not even close to her league, but she's the real deal. And interestingly as far as woowoo goes, she's a lawyer. She lives on that mountain near an esotaric seminary called Sancta Sophia (they have a website). It was intriguing and I was very drawn to that teaching, most especially to her teaching. I learned how to dowse, devine, whatever you want to call it--very strange and wonderful at the same time, as well as got some new woowoo cards to work with. My friend, Pam came to visit and we swam topless in the Roberta's pool...weeeeee!!!!!! I'll probably head to Arkansas next week at some point to see Pam and her folks. Roberta and I ate, drank, shot the shit, and really worked on my intuitive side. I think I may have come back a different, but clearer person. We'll see how long it lasts. One of my challenges is discipline. I get all motivated to meditate every day, etc., but it wears off.
On the way back to Forsyth, I went to visit my Grandpa, who is home now. He is doing very well and back almost to his smart alecky self (wonder where I get it???)

Pilgrimadge West ... Chapter 3

2008-07-23T08:34:00.000-07:00

I think God, Spirit, the Mystery, whatever you want to call it lives in the turquoise waters of Alley Spring. I was on my way to the Current River when I came upon a huge line of traffic stopped in the middle of Hwy 60. I waited for about 10 minutes. I looked at a map and realized that I could go around it (the long way). It was a fortuitous detour because I saw some of the most beautiful country. The detour took me right by Alley Spring and its working mill. Just gorgeous. I'll post pictures soon. I was on my way to spend a great 4 days with my friend, Liz in Fremont, MO on her chicken and organic vegetable farm. She has built a berm and lives there with her 2 kids, 11 cats, 1 dog, gazillion chickens and rabbits, and other various wildlife. We met 4 years or so ago in the middle of the Current River. We're sort of kindred spirits. She raises moving pen chickens, very cool. It was a new moon in Cancer and we did all that "homey" stuff like cooking, canning green beans, picking blackberries, it was great fun! I met her friend, Jan, a painter and the three of us had a great time. Liz and I floated 2 sections of the Current River: Weymeyer to Van Buren, and Van Buren to Big Spring. Really beautiful. The spoonbill fish were at Weymeyer or close to it and they were gorgeous just swimming really slowly around. I swear some were as long as my boat. Since the Current is so clear, you can see everything at the bottom. I think that experience was to show me what one of my earlier life choices could have been like. I'm a little envious, I gotta say. It was very restorative and I appreciate her friendship and the time there.

Pilgrimadge West ... Chapter 2

2008-06-26T10:11:00.000-07:00

Well, I got here on Saturday night. I stopped and ate a tuna sandwich in Van Buren and stuck my feet in the river. It was beautiful. Gas ranged from 3.99 in NC to 3.63 in Springfield, MO. The river in my hometown is almost the highest I've ever seen it and very muddy. I don't know if kayaking will be safe or not on the creeks. I plan to head to Van Buren to kayak the Current and hang with my friend, Liz, after the 4th. Maybe I'll get out on the creek before I go.

My Grandpa is much better, thank all the gods and goddesses! He is back to being ornery. He'll stay in the nursing home until the infection is gone though.

I am sitting at the pool at my Grandma's trying to work on the book I'm writing. It's too hot to sit and write.

Did I ever mention the "prodigal child" to any of you? A psychologist friend of mine told me that the prodigal child is a child that is sort of encouraged/urged/forced by the family to go away and become "something," then when they return home, they should fix everything. Interesting.... I would say that prodigal child probably pisses everyone off when s/he tries to do that even though that is what the family thought they wanted in the first place. Sigh....

My pilgrimadge west... chapter 1b

2008-06-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

Had a great day with Sue, Claire and Pam. Who knew there was such a place as Ellendale's. Fabulous!!!

My pilgrimadge west....chapter 1a

2008-06-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

Well, what can you say about good friends?! First, you don't really fully appreciate people until you are away from them. Thanks to all who came out for sushi, what a great time! I was SO glad to see everyone! Do those people at Koto know what business I bring them once a year?????

So here's how the universe works. After sushi, Pam, Morgan, Jerry and I went to a little club called the Family Wash. The front man for the band was a guy I used to know when I was 15 - Soup Granda of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. He's from sw MO. Weird, huh?

And let me just say this to those that know who they are: People have to be responsible for themselves. We can't fix anyone or be responsible for any adult but ourselves... We just have to decide if we want to continue to have a relationship with people that we don't agree with....ohmmmm....the master has spoken...

The next day Ginny and I went to Vol State to view "the portrait" and the auditorium. The auditorium had been destroyed by a tornado when I was there. It is looking very good (as long as you like blue). Lots of weaknesses have been fixed. Hope the work that goes on that stage suits it. What can I say about the portrait of Hitl...Dubyah? VSCC's illustrious president has had a GIANT portrait of himself, not the president that the building is named after, mind you, but himself, hung (no pun here, maybe he's compensating for something, usually men that want to surround themselves with "big" things are...) in the great hall of the admin building to the rumored price tag of $8000. He's missing an arm and looks like a fricking dork. Further, it looks like someone tried to claw it out of its frame...oh my kingdom for a Sharpie...

I am so proud of Sue and her work! Wowee... The Frist shebang was fabulous, as well as the before and after parties... For those not in Nashville, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts is a fabulous museum and my friend, Sue Mulcahy, is featured in a counterpoint exhibit to the "Color Field" exhibit. She is one of four artists from the Southeast that work in black and white. Interestingly, one of the artists is from USC upstate. I introduced myself last night - she knows Donna Goodman (SC folk). There is nothing on the web about the b&w exhibit yet because last night was a preview, but there my be in the future. And, of course, Sue's work was my favorite!

So today I'm off to Nashvegas to spend some time with Sue and Pam... Who knows what we'll get into...well, you will if you read my next post in a few days...

My pilgrimadge west... preface

2008-06-15T07:26:00.000-07:00

It's raining today. First time in a month (thank the goddess!). Housesitters are lined up. The cat is acting very strange. I guess he knows something is up. He will barely let me touch him. He is going to stay here with the housesitters. First time I haven't taken him with me in the summer. He gets carsick so I have to drug him, bites any vet that boards him, and throws litter around any person's house that we stay with. I give up.

I'll be starting out Tuesday morning... My grandfather (who really raised me) is ill and so I'll be heading out on the big trek west to MO. I was planning to go anyway, but my trip will be a little different now. It's complicated, but I sort of dread parts of it (more juicy stories about that later). I plan to take many side trips once I stay in MO for a while. Who knows, I may be coming to your door...

I'm bringing: the boat, my backpack, a tent, my guitar, ipod (although I think I'm going to get one of those iTouch things and I just got Jakob Dylan's new album - woweee), computer with book chapters that need to be finished (sigh), a million books to read, and my savings account to pay for gas :-).

I am looking very forward to my first stop, Gallatin/Nashvegas TN. I will be happy to see all my old friends there... Sushi at Koto's, art at the Frist, and who knows what else! Stay tuned for each new chapter...

Swamp Paddling

2008-05-31T09:26:00.000-07:00

See the pictures to the side? Jacob and I paddled in Sparkleberry Swamp. Wowee, what a weird and wonderful world. Gorgeous! When they say black water, they are not kidding. I felt like I was in a Pirates of the Caribbean movie. There was even a shack we happened upon. We went with a paddling group. I would never go alone as I would have gotten lost in the first 10 minutes. It really all looks the same in places - cypress and more cypress. But the water lilies were beautiful. I did get to see an alligator, but it was dead. Probably safer. I hope to do more of this. It ain't a running TN, MO or Ark river, but it was very cool!

2008-05-21T06:41:00.000-07:00

From the men's room at the Science Fiction Museum, Seattle.

Gas prices and my bike

2008-05-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

So I bought a used bike from a local shop. Great deal, not pretty, but the best bike I've ever owned. It's a women's Giant. I've ridden to work (18 miles roundtrip) this week three days in a row. I'm proud of me! And it's a great ride (it's flat here in SC). But Florence, SC is not what you would call "bike-friendly." First, I have to ride on the shoulder of a very busy road (the ONLY road to the beach) because there are no bike lanes in Florence. It's OK because there is a very wide shoulder (most of the way). However, the shoulders are in various stages of disrepair. So today, as I gently swerved to miss a crack in the pavement-- I'm not kidding, I swerved maybe a foot on a five foot shoulder-- a woman in a mini van with a couple of kids just fell on her horn. Sigh. Nice role model...oh yeah, and her mini van had one of those "fish" on it. Jesus loves me too! From my house to the big beach road, I have to drive through a kind of dicey part of town. I'd never go through there after dark. I was asking a male bike rider about that part of town and told him that I was a little uncomfortable. He sort of admonished (maybe it was just his British accent) me and said, "They are just poor...,not bad." I said, "And how many times have you been called: honey, honeybaby, sweetheart, sweetthing, wooo-hoooo mama...??? It happens to me almost every day." You would think with these ungodly gas prices, things would change. So every time I'm flipped off by a person that obviously is compensating for something by driving one of those gigantic obscenities, I think, maybe they just paid $150 for a tank of gas and are taking it out on us poor peddlers.... "Stupid is as stupid does..."

As much as I HATE those #*@$%# plastic bags...

2008-04-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

This is what doing art is about. That moment/thing/happening between the artist and the spectator--that joy in doing/seeing the work. The bear inflates as the subway passes under.

Funny - thanks Tiger....

2008-03-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

Some more woo woo....

2008-03-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

Woweee...check out this video:
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229

Ahhhh SETC...

2008-03-09T11:28:00.001-07:00

I'm sitting in the airport waiting to fly home from Chattanooga and SETC. I have been gone since Tuesday. It snowed while we were there. I saw lots of old friends, went to a sh*tload of meetings, presented papers, panels, drank, ate, slept...no wait, I didn't do much of that.

My colleagues and I were talking about, as K put it, "I would have hocked something to make it to SETC!" Our students went for the first time and only because the school paid for the van and drove them there. Hard to believe. I wonder if young students aren't so used to being handed everything that they don't know how to think about solving their own problems (employment, education, etc.). I just remember piling into a car with four to five people I didn't know or even like very much to get to SETC, then pile into bed with at least 3 other people (if you were lucky enough to get the bed and not the floor or tub) to sleep for a couple of minutes so you could get up to audition, attend workshops, and meet people. I was very self-directed and remember thinking at the time, that I wasn't self-directed enough. No child left behind....

Thank all the gods and goddesses that it's our spring break this coming week. I'm sleeping Monday, then doing taxes and travel claims on Tuesday and Wednesday, then riding the train to DC with Jacob and our friend to show Jacob "our nation's capital." Looking forward to that, although I can't really think about it right now.

My life on the weekend....

2008-02-25T08:06:00.000-08:00

Even more vaginas....

2008-02-25T07:52:00.000-08:00

So we made $4000 for the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse and 6 of us are off to New Orleans in April to Eve Ensler's VDay to the 10th celebration. Fabulous! We're off to New Orleans because the president liked it so much he gave us money to go. I gotta say, it's been a really long time since I've been onstage and experienced a crowd like that. Everyone had such fun and the air was just buzzing. I was smug for a week. Take that...Dubyah (those in TN will know what I mean).

Oh and...yeah....I told you so....Dubyah!

tee hee

Oh and...yeah...on a whole different subject...to the dean... regarding one of my former colleagues...I really did tell you so....backed the way wrong horse didn't you? pthttttttt....

not that I'm bitter....

Vaginas....

2008-01-31T10:05:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am doing The Vagina Monologues for the first time ever at FMU, but the fifth time for me. I cast half faculty, half students. The experience so far has been wonderful! In fact, today at lunch, the president asked me how the play was going. I said, "very well." He said, "let me know how I can help you." Sigh... He has been very supportive. The FMU Foundation found us a sponsor even. Morgan/Stanley gave us money to hold a fancy ticketed reception in order to make more money for the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse. Pinch me....

Link to the student newspaper article:http://media.www.patriotnewsonline.com/media/storage/paper1198/news/2008/01/08/News/Students.Faculty.To.Perform.Acclaimed.Play-3146869.shtml

Happy Holidays!!!!

2007-12-10T08:30:00.001-08:00

Well, it's 80 degrees here in South CackyLacky. Can you believe it? Still no rain, so no paddling. We're heading to MO this weekend for the holidays. I hope to see some Tennesseans on my way. Had a GREAT first semester. I'm so happy to be here. (I just posted grades and am glad it's over, can you tell?)

Jacob has had his share of holiday orchestra concerts. Then last weekend we went to a music party. He played fiddle until midnight, then got bored. I lasted until 2am. Fun fun.

Hope you all have a great holiday season. Hope to see most of you. More blogging next semester.

Some woo woo...

2007-10-25T04:50:00.000-07:00

This really resonated with me this morning. My additions are in ().

If a (wo)man thinks that his (her) happiness is due to external causes and his (her) possessions, it is reasonable to conclude that his (her) happiness must increase with the increase of possessions and diminish in proportion to their diminution. Therefore, if (s/)he is devoid of possessions, his (her) happiness should be nil. What is the real experience of (wo)man? Does it conform to this view? No. -- Sri Ramana Maharshi

reception at the presidents house

2007-10-05T04:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the AAUP (American Assoc of Univ Professors) was invited to a reception at the president's house. The AAUP is sort of a policing organization to support university professors and make sure they are treated fairly and allowed academic freedom by their administrations. The house is an old plantation home, absolutely gorgeous. Just goes to show you that he (Fred, the pres) knows where his "bread is buttered" so to speak. Last year, he won the highest award given by the AAUP. This is such a weird and wonderful place, one where the administration respects the faculty.

I have also been asked to sing at the annual Pee Dee Fiction and Poetry Festival: http://alpha1.fmarion.edu/~pdfiction I am singing and doing a presentation about Appalachian folk music. Jacob is going to play fiddle with me. I am playing after Sharon McCrumb's keynote (mystery writer who sets many of her novels in Appalachia). Cool huh? I'll remember you little people....

RAIN RAIN YiPPEEEEE

2007-10-04T10:25:00.001-07:00

Finally some rain! It is humid as all of hell, but who cares. My little grass seedlings are up and about 3 1/2 inches high. I hope by tomorrow I'm knee deep in new grass! I am so tired of/opposed to watering. Not enough rain forcast to fill up the rivers. I may be finished paddling before I even got started here in SC. Spring will come...

I made friends with some boys at an antique store. Have a cool new wool rug from India and a really funky shelf at much reduced prices. You know me and certain types of boys... It's why I'm single probably... See picture of the rug and den.

As I was out working in my sandbox...

2007-10-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

I mean yard, guess what I found under my neighbors' air condition unit? (Now that I'm a city gal, it is right next to my car). Three kittens! After a week and my asking my classes, I'm down to two. The shelter isn't taking any cats right now. The mother came with my house, I just didn't know she was pregnant. The previous owner left her for me as a present, evidently. The mother is feral. I have got to catch her and get her spayed. I won't even launch into what I think of people that dump animals. Because schmucks like me find them and have to help them... And of course, Jacob wants to keep one...

Lord God will it ever rain?

2007-09-23T07:21:00.000-07:00

Today is reseed the backyard day. Yesterday Jacob mowed (with my $25 lawn mower - what a deal) the 3 blades of grass that are alive, I raked where the dog (previous owner's) had dug out a hole under the gate, and spent $220 at Lowe's buying a shovel (it is a great shovel)...along with a weed eater, hose, plants, grass seed, etc. So in a few weeks, we hope we'll see lovely little grass shoots. Note the before pictures.

School is still great. People are lovely, just a little wilted.

The conclusion I've come to...

2007-09-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

I hate to teach Speech Com. No offense to my beloved ex-colleagues. I think it's my personal weakness. I am so non linear and it seems all speech comm depts. want some kind of linear measurement of how well they are doing. Maybe I should say, adminstrators want some sort of linear measurement device for a non linear art. I can't even follow the instructions for this particular request to evaluate my students beyond how I evaluate them already?

Theatre is my bag. I'm enjoying it here.

First day of school!

2007-08-20T18:37:00.000-07:00

The bus was 25 minutes late to get him and he didn't get home until 4:45 (yes, I panicked and called the school). But his first comment was, "It was fun and I met some cool people." Thank God. He had one homework assignment and decided that he was going to "relax" tonight because "I need it." sigh. I guess he does after all that last minute reading he had to do because he put it off.

My day: new syllabi and a faculty cookout. Tomorrow: a faculty breakfast, dept meeting, faculty luncheon and finishing my first lecture in Theatre History. They feed us well.

It's 95 degrees out there right now and it's 9:30pm. Hope some of you are getting rain and a break.

Oooweeee...

2007-08-19T11:45:00.001-07:00

it's hot! And I have been working my buns off (I hope literally). See the new pictures of the front porch. Maybe when it cools to the 90s, we can go out and enjoy it!

Jacob's school starts tomorrow. He's going to ride the bus and everything. My school started (orientation, etc) this past Friday. Everyone is SO happy. I think I am so happy.

Short post. I have to go to Lowe's (I should own a wing of that building by now).

Tuesday tunes...

2007-08-14T17:23:00.000-07:00

I just returned from "Tuesday Tunes;" a group of faculty gets together and plays music. Wowee, what a deal. And what's more, we are encouraged to get together and fraternize. And everyone seems to be smiling. Don't let "the devil, Dubyah" read my blog, but couldn't he take some lessons? Remember when the other "Dubyah" won his second term and there was that website where people from the US could apologize? And then this other website from Canada sprang up that told us it's OK, we could come visit? Well, I'm your Canadian website. When it gets too crazy, come visit!

A lovely day on the Little Pee Dee River

2007-08-12T09:07:00.000-07:00

We paddled SC for the first time. The rivers are certainly different here. Sandy, black bottoms and lots of fauna. See the pics. The cypress was really beautiful in its own way and the turtle actually "posed" for us. CM from Augusta, Jacob and I had a fine time. The weather even gave us a break. It rained the night before so it was overcast and the humidity was down a little. I don't know, I kind of miss rocks and running water. I'm not going to judge after only one trip though.

Why? Why? Why?

2007-08-09T18:10:00.001-07:00

Please tell me, does EVERYTHING for a 14 year old have to involve an argument?!!! I know everyone says that teenagers have similar traits, but I just thought it was those "other kids," not mine...he won't be that way. I guess the hormone, "smartass," just kicks in...or maybe it's the 115 degree heat?

Crushed ice...

2007-08-02T18:13:00.001-07:00

it's a beautiful thing. I love crushed ice... in water, in cokes, in scotch... Especially when it's in the door right next to the cold water... I love crushed ice.

I just finished cooking...

2007-08-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

on my new GAS STOVE!!!! Weeeee! Yes folks, yesterday there were dozens of men here randomly hooking things up (not me, unfortunately). So as of 4pm, we have a water heater, fridge that has running water and ice in the door, a working gas stove, and gas logs (of course we won't be needing those for a while). I can't wait for all the bills! The living room is clean, but couchless (we'll be taking care of that soon). The kitchen is clean. Our bedrooms are clean and mine is actually unpacked. So my next room to clean and get together is the dining room. I have to paint and clean. I'll try to post pictures tomorrow! It's just like a real house!

The lawn...

2007-07-29T06:58:00.000-07:00

What the hellfire do you do with sand? Not that I'm ready to do anything, but... My backyard is a travesty (thank you Big Lebowski). I do have a gorgeous hydrangia in the back. Redoing the backyard will come this fall after the boxes are unpacked.

This house in South Carolina...

2007-07-27T05:34:00.000-07:00

Some of my more avid readers know that this house was absolutely FILTHY. I don't claim to be Dr. Clean, but I have never seen anyone live like these people did. So, five theatre students, two colleagues and I cleaned for four and one half hours. Then, to clean even further, and because I had to change things, we painted for 4 days. Now, I'll unpack for 6 months. You'll get pictures, I promise. I'm posting one of the house before the screened in porch addition.

Furniture's here...

2007-07-27T05:18:00.001-07:00

If you ever have to move, lookup UPack.com. That was the most painless move I have ever had. (I can't say as much for the unpacking part). And inexpensive. Moving help and all, it cost $1400. I budgeted for $4000. Wowee, I can buy a leather couch. Only a couple of pieces got damaged and that's because I didn't wrap them well enough.

The refridgerator and stove are coming today. How did they do it way back? My old fridge is outside in the shed-- inconvenient to say the least.

I'm not going to be redundant so for the next couple of weeks the posts will say:
unpacking

"Moving" (get it?) right along...

2007-07-23T14:53:00.000-07:00

I am typing this post on the internet IN MY HOME! (Wow this city livin is great). The satellite man is on my roof. The contractor was only 1 1/2 hours late. 2 friends are coming to help paint tonight. And I found a Big Lots. What more could a girl want?! I will post pictures very soon.

Off to South Carolina...

2007-07-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

I bought a fabulous house in South Carolina! I am loving my colleagues and my dept chair. I have spent the last week vacillating between bursting into tears and laughing like a maniac. sigh. I leave at 9am tomorrow to start the "new life."

So let's talk about the move experience. The house closing in TN was "interesting." The wife beater showed up 40 minutes late with his dogs - to the lawyer's office. He asked the lawyer to let him bring his dogs in and the lawyer said, "no." The lawyer also had to be in Nashville by 4:30, so I didn't get much explained to me. At one point the lawyer came into the room where I was "hiding" and asked, "Are those people insane?" I just smiled. He said, "I can't make them understand anything." The wife beatee was very concerned about the tray of flowers she had purchased and wanted to plant them the next day. I told my realtor to gently explain to her that she could plant anything she wanted, but she can't come in the house and complain to me about the husband. He told her I was very busy and had to pack. She called the next day and left me a message that said, "I'll just let the new flowers die. I don't want to bother you." Sheesh. Get me a gun.

The house closing in SC went very well. It took eight of us four and one half hours to clean the new house (the people were filthy) - five theatre students, two colleagues and me. Great to meet the new students. I think it is good that they met me before they have to take my classes (reading and writing...a lot). So yesterday, I... no let me back up... Two weeks ago I made a reservation with Adam Bumbalough (mover). They were supposed to be at my house at 4pm yesterday. They never showed up. By the way, his cell phone is 615-474-3519. You are welcomed to call and say whatever strikes you, although he probably won't bother picking up because he evidently has no cahones (sp). I left a very "colorful" message on his phone at 7pm. He didn't pick up for me then either. I am so fortunate to have four friends that were there for "supplemental" help. The five of us loaded the truck in three hours.

So far the whole experience has been fairly uneventful. I guess if the movers are the "event" I can live with that. I have a good contractor (I think. Is that an oxymoron?) and he is starting to build a screened in porch, lay a new floor in the kitchen and get the house ready to have a gas stove, gas logs and gas water heater. WEEEEEEE. I have always wanted to have gas...I mean... Really, I have always wanted to have a gas stove.

When I arrive tomorrow evening, the demon cat and I will be sleeping on a cot for a week. My furniture comes in July 25 or 26th. I'm glad because I need to paint (over the filth). The house is a 1935 bungalow across the street from a gorgeous park. It has over 1800 square feet, all hardwood floors, three bedrooms, two baths, a den, and a small (weeeeee) fenced in back yard, which I plan to landscape so that all I have to do is pinch off three blades of grass and the yard is mown! I think Jacob and I will love it. I ain't never done no city livin afore. I get trash pickup, recycling, and fast internet!!! woo-hoo!

So stay tuned. Since I have fast internet now, I will keep you all apprised of my situation. No, don't hold your breath...

PS: if you're nice to me you can have 1 complimentary beach time share...

I released my job to the universe...

2007-06-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

And I got a new one! So to catch you up: I am the new theatre historian at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC. I sold my house in 5 days (to the weirdo neighbor across the street). His money will spend like anyone else's. I am looking at houses and rentals on June 26th. So, I am going to try to chronicle my journy of transformation from a sad and sarcastic person to a happy one.

The "resignation": My dean said (and I'm not kidding here), "Oh we'll miss you can I help you pack?" Very funny. For those who read my resignation letter, I am VERY proud of that!

Finding a moving company: There are 2 great websites to look at when undertaking the "move." They are - movingscam.com and movingboxes.com. I plan to use ABF moving co. They said two weeks was enough notice and if it was shorter, they would work with me.

About my neighbor - he beats his wife and she calls periodically to terrify me that they may not come through. You see, they made an offer in 5 days with money down (in April), but we don't close until June 29.I may seem calloused, but she won't leave him and I hear the same story every time she calls. A year ago I told her that I would be happy to take her to a shelter, her mother's, whereever, if she left him. If she didn't, she couldn't talk to me any more about him. Now that they are intending to buy the house, the calls have started again. This last time I told her that there must be something she likes about being abused (like the attention) because she won't do anything about her situation. May sound harsh, but someone had to say that to me before I got angry enough to leave. So we'll see what happens June 29th!

A journal to keep my moving thoughts. Stay tuned for more!

Wonderful people in the world..

2007-04-17T12:43:00.001-07:00

Please visit this link: www.bookcrossing.com

Fabulous idea!

My new favorite quote

2007-02-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

Well behaved women rarely make history.

I release my job to the universe 2...

2007-01-24T07:38:00.000-08:00

Let me just point out that online classes are for the birds in most cases, especially in the arts in my opinion. I teach a very bad theatre one because my college thinks they are THE thing. And let's get them up on the server before we even look to see if they are competent and correct.

I just answered these two questions from students:
1. what is MLA style?
2. where do I find the assignments?

1 answer: If you don't know what MLA style is, you shouldn't be in this class.
2 answer: On the assignments page.

Good God! This was right after a phone call from a student who doesn't know how to: write and send an email OR post a discussion message.

Do you know you can get a degree without EVER having been to a face to face class? AND your transcript is exactly the same as a student's that has been to class with humans and listened to a human teacher? I don't think that is right for the student or their potential employer. I am going to write my state rep and ask him to file a bill mandating that all online classes be reflected as online on a student's transcript in this state.

I release my current job into the universe...

2007-01-23T13:35:00.000-08:00

And attract a new job that is perfect for me. One with colleagues that are educated and competent and fun and easy to get along with. One with fewer teaching hours so I can start my book. One with a better salary in an area with a lower cost of living. One with a little more liberal culture. One where I can have as good friends as I have here. One with good schools for my really smart kid. One in an area with lots of creative (music, theatre) opportunities. One with access to GORGEOUS rivers.

Help me come up with some positive (and humorous, if you like) intentions to get me the hell out of here... Thanks.

Welcome to the Vicious Blog

2006-11-17T10:43:00.000-08:00

I am experimenting with this blogging thing. Stay tuned for more exciting news about the Vicious Hillbilly and her vicious coconspiritors.