June 21
Slave labor



Today was the first summer workshop I agreed to do. It was with the Ice Queen, and lets just call it slave labor.

Basically what we did was pull together reports and other documents to use as part of a course we’re all going to have to take in the fall. I don’t want to take it but I more or less have to take it because the purpose of it is to teach us how to use the new forms that are being required by the department of education in this state.

the Ice Queen is teaching it. So my five hour day was spent whiting out names on these reports.

Yes that’s correct. All I did was white out so no one will recognize who is being talked about. And they paid me $23.11 an hour to do this. I suppose I should be grateful that it was so totally mindless, but I really think that was milking the school system for a reason that was of questionable validity. There were eight of us who made that kind of money today.

This is truly a case of take the money and run.



I went shopping afterwards, because I’ve decided to spring for a real day runner. I have some very specific requirements, so this may not be easy to find. It has to zip and needs to be about 9x7. I would prefer an attractive one with some detail to the design.

I went to office supply stores first. What I want will cost between $50 and $80. As much as I might want this thing, I’m wayyy too cheap to fork over that kind of money!

The next stop was Wal-Mart. They have the same products, not as wide a choice, but they were all in the $20 range. Much more reasonable! I still didn’t buy one, as I feel as if I need to shop around a bit more, but at least I know I can find what I’m looking for.

Now if only I could have the same luck trying to find a new leather backpack. But it needs to be summery, not black. This is my quest, but I’m having no success with this either. They’re either too big or too small.

Cripes I sound like Goldilocks… I want on that’s juuuuust right!

Of course I still managed to spend money at Wal-Mart. I bought Miracle grow for the plants, a new plant that I’ve never seen before. I can’t remember the name of it right now, but it reminds me a little of thistle, it’s sort of purple and is supposed to be good to use in dried flower arrangement.

Not that I ever do dried flower arrangements.

I also stocked up on pantyhose, bought new sunglasses (because I seem to have lost mine yesterday), those neck chains for keeping glasses around your neck (maybe I won’t lose them). The deal of the day was on photo storage boxes. They were only $1.34 each. These were a good find. Not that I use them to store photos, I use them to store stamps.



I’m strangely tired tonight. I shouldn’t be, because I didn’t do anything strenuous today. It must have been having to get up early this morning. I’ll be sleeping in tomorrow.

I have no scheduled plans for tomorrow. What I’d like to do is sit and read all day. I’d like to finish this book that I’m reading. I’m really enjoying it, and want to get to the ending of it. I also have a huge stack of things that I want to read this summer and want to make a dent in it.

Notice how the idea of housekeeping isn’t entering the picture here?



Listening to: Carly Simon

Reading: Acts of Love

Weather: 78, sunny, nice breeze

Trivia:What was the first newspaper ever published?

The first known newspaper was published about 1,300 years ago in China. It was called the "Tching-Pao" (News Of The Capital). The government used it to distribute news of events and decisions. The second known newspaper was the free "Acta Diurna" (Daily Happenings), which was passed out in ancient Rome. It was mostly a record of what happened in political meetings, where lots of stirring speeches were made. The first periodical publications with dated front pages were released in Europe in the 1620s. London's Morning Post began circulating in 1772. Then came the London Times, which is still being published today. Today, more than 600 million people buy a paper every day.

Cool word: digitus

In Latin, digitus meant "finger"; it also meant "toe." We call either or both "digits" today, too. Consider also one of the many lovely woodland flowers blooming about now: the "foxglove." Its numerous blossoms are about the size of a seamstress's finger, and with just a little imagination, can look like tiny thimbles. Its name in English sounds a bit like the German for the same plant, fingerhut ["finger hat," or "thimble"]. Its scientific name, too, has "digit" – the Latin word for "finger" – in it: "digitalis." Given that an elementary counting method has always been to point to the individual fingers one after another, it, um, figures that the Arabic numerals would be called DIGITS, which of course they are. Add a "presto" for "prompt," and you get the word for a quick-fingered sleight-of-hand artist – a "prestidigitator." And should that person go into action, be sure to keep your eyes on the fingers – yes, even in this Digital Age.
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Horoscope

ARIES

You win if you remain idealistic. Those who attempt to dilute beliefs can be considered enemies. You win friends among the unorthodox, gain support. It is fine to raise your hopes and expectations for being in a place where you can indulge your higher fancies and aim for what might have seemed impossible dreams at one point. Someone or some place fires off your imagination and makes you realize there is so much more you can do to build on what you have already achieved. Your surroundings particularly will prove highly inspirational. You may be able to see a positive resolution to many matters in the near future. Even legal or contractual problems should have a satisfying outcome for you. If loved ones have misunderstood your words or actions or you've been blamed for someone else's mistakes, this too should end up being resolved. And in the end, your efforts should only serve to elevate your standing in other people's eyes. Just try to keep yourself from spending too much money today.