December 28
Accomplishments (kind of)

Listening to: Big City Rhythms – Michael Feinstein

Reading:Jewels of the Sun Nora Roberts

Weather: 28, sunny

Trivia: When was the first system of shorthand writing invented?

Shorthand writing uses condensed symbols for words and phrases, making it possible to take notes or dictation very quickly. The first such system was "Tironian annotation," invented in 63 BC by Tiro, a freed Roman slave who used it to write down the speeches of Cicero. One of Tiro's symbols is still in use today: the ampersand (&), which means "and." He also was one of the first writers to use initial letters to create acronyms, like "AD" for "Anno Domini." Various other shorthand systems have since been used. In 1588, the first phonetic system was devised by Timothe Bright. Another system by Thomas Gurney was published in 1750. Modern written shorthand uses two systems. One was invented in 1837 by Isaac Pitman, and the other was invented in 1888 by John Robert Gregg.

Cool word: vitriolic [adj. vit-ree-OL-ik]

In common use, this adjective applies to a person's manner. To be vitriolic is to be bitterly critical, with strong emotion. Example: "Phil was surprised by the intensity of Harry's vitriolic accusations." There is a more technical meaning of the word that led to its common meaning. Vitriolic substances are sulfates like copper sulfate or sulfuric acid, which is also known as oil of vitriol. Someone who is being vitriolic is being emotionally caustic, like chemically caustic sulfuric acid. Why are sulfate chemicals called vitriols? Some of them can have a glassy appearance in the crystalline form, so the Latin root vitrum (glass) was modified to name them.

  • Here are more "glassy" words:
    1. vitreous: glassy
    2. vitrify: to make into glass, usually by melting and cooling
    3. vitrescent: like glass, able to be vitrified
    4. vitrine: glass paneled cabinet for displaying small items


I got quite a bit done today. More than I’d ever expected, but not as much as I should.

I’m never happy.



I went to the stamp store today and had a swell time. I bought oodles of new stamps and supplies, none of which I needed but all of which were calling my name. I bought more than I’d planned because all the Christmas stamps were 40% off. This allowed me to get stamps from companies that I don’t usually indulge in because they are so pricey. Many of them were angels, snowmen, or flowers that I don’t think of as being really Christmassy.

For the couple of you who were expecting a card from me, don’t despair! It’ll get there eventually… it just won’t be a Christmas card!



I stopped and bought a huge sketchbook that I’d seen on the clearance table at Border’s. I’ve realized that my paper journal is suffering because I’m so focused on this online journal. So I think I’m going to print out these pages and glue them into the sketchbook where I can annotate and embellish.

Just what I need. Another daunting project.

As long as I don’t try to set myself a deadline I should be alright. I need to make this a pleasure project.



I came home and continued in the cleaning phase. Not very energetically, but sort of in a slow and steady kind of way. I’m trying to take pleasure in small steps, and if I don’t let myself get too overwhelmed I should make some headway.

It’s so stupid that I get so hung up on cleaning.



I started to feel sorry for myself in a stupid greedy kind of way today. It happened when I realized that I hadn’t gotten a single stamping supply or book for Christmas.

That is so dumb, and I know it, but it still made me feel low. I think it’s because of all the notes being sent back and forth on the email lists I belong to. The journalling community is sharing book titles and recommendations, and the stampers are all oohing and ahhing over their new stamps and papers and other supplies.

This is so horrible and greedy of me! I can’t believe I’m feeling that way. I have more than most people will ever see, and I’m totally capable of buying these things for myself, but I was still feeling bad.

I’ll get over it quickly and be totally ashamed that I even had such feelings. I got a swell new boombox, my beautiful ring, a CD and some gift certificates. I don’t need any more than that.



My cold is really making me draggy tonight. I didn’t go to rehearsal, blaming it on my cold, but in truth because my feelings are still so hurt by the director’s response to my letter. I was afraid that if I saw her I’d tell her what I thought of her lack of feelings.

I probably will do that eventually, but I know that I need to put some distance between the email and my response for fear of really being nasty. I don’t want to do that.

There’s nothing on television tonight, so I think I’ll watch "You’ve Got Mail" for the zillionth time. It’s either that or "Evita" and I can recite both from memory.

But they make me feel happy. I think I need copies of "Notting Hill" and "Runaway Bride" for my collection.

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