What a week.

Wow. On this day last week, about 30 people, the majority of whom I've worked with every day for the past 5 years were shown the door. While not completely unexpected, it was sudden and jarring. Then, those of us ho hadn't been laid-off went through about 5 days of stress while we waited to find out if we'd still have jobs. All in all, it's not a week I'd care to repeat.

But on the bright side, I ordered my books, switched a class, and am ready to be a student again in two weeks. I saw awesome meteors during the Perseid meteor shower with my son and my guy. My mom will be here in a week for extended girl time, and when it's over I don't have to pack up and move into her basement. things aren't perfect, but they're getting better.

Finally!

Good news: Got my award letter, and I'm finally registered for 2 classes starting late this month. Online Associate of Liberal Arts degree, here I come. It'll likely take me 3 years or more studying part-time while I continue to work, but it's better than the alternative. I'm excited, and it's the first step on a long path that ends with me having a more enjoyable career and a better salary.

Not-so-good news: Don't get to keep leftover grant money from the government. That's a downer. I could have used it, since I'm close to 3 grand down thanks to an ex who did not make paying child support or loans and bills from the marriage a priority. It's amazing to me that I can survive and support my son on what is very literally less than half of his monthly salary, while he is so broke that he can barely make ends meet. Of course, I have been strict and responsible with my money because my son and I's comfort and stability depend on it. He apparently attempted to plug the void in his life by throwing money at it, and is now in dire financial straits. I'm not going to comment on his reasons, though I'm sure he had many. Whatever they were, they don't excuse irresponsibility with money that leads to nonpayment of child support.

Phew! I got a little more in-depth there than I intended to. Strong feelings there, which I don't address too much here.

Bad news: Today, I don't have any! (Knock on wood.) I really could use a positive turn in my life now, because things have been extremely difficult these past few months. I've cried and freaked out and I am only still here and stable thanks to a select handful of good friends and one fantastic guy who I may just finally start to write about here. He deserves mentions.

Wait; I got preoccupied and forgot to start the 100 pushups challenge! That's bad-ish news, right? I'll have to wait until next week to begin. I have my heart set on this being a M-W-F thing.

Oops.

So the whole month went by and I didn't post. Sorry, I've been busy! Trying to register for school (pain in the ass, not going as well as I'd hoped), balancing work and home and everything else that goes with it has been a bit much. I can't wait for things to become slightly more manageable. I feel like I've been saying that for the last year and a half, and I probably have. Someday it's gonna happen!

I'm starting the 100 Pushups Challenge. Mainly to see if I can do it. I think I can. I think the most difficult aspect will be not giving up midway.

My birthday was pretty excellent, which you will already know if we're friends on Facebook or Twitter. Enjoy this slideshow of images from the evening that someone else took: Circus of the Damned Slideshow

I've been watching True Blood Season 1. Vampires make such good tv. (Still slowly working my way through Buffy with my guy. We're up to Season 3.) I don't get Showtime, so aside from going to a friend's house to watch the first two episodes, I hadn't seen the show. I love it so far. I saw pictures of Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer with baby penguins at Sea World or some nonsense. He was wearing a Mr. Messy shirt. What a darling man he is. I've still got the last two episodes to watch, so don't spoil anything for me.

My mom will be here with me for two weeks soon. I'm excited, I will have tons of girl time, she can teach me some recipes, we can go to Valleyfair, I can have a date night!! These are all good things. I can't wait.

I think I covered everything recent here, give or take... I'll be back later if I think of anything more.

June Wrap-up

I saw Transformers: RotF. It was rad. I can't understand the outpouring of hate. It isn't going to win any awards, and some of the jokes/characters/plot was questionable, I'll grant you. But it's a summer blockbuster, for crap's sake. Lower your damn expectations, assholes. Optimus Prime rules hard.

The wedding is over, finally. It was lovely, and I was very glad to be part of it. But thankfully it is now something I can cross off my list as finished, and the various needs associated with it as well. I'm sure the happy couple feel the same way. I'll post a picture or two here when I come across them. Just not the one Luke took, as I purposely made an unattractive face and as a result look terrible in.

Michael Jackson died. Some other people too. Huh.

I was able to go out a while back (A free evening! Amazing!), and saw some good bands (Angels On Acid, Soulless Affection), perused the wares of the fetish vendors on hand. Someone, I won't name names, bought me a collar and a Wartenberg Wheel! I still haven't had a chance to experience it firsthand, but I'm looking forward to it. I picked up a small pair of clamps myself, and I like them just as much as I thought I would.

Tonight is Music in Plymouth, which I went to last year with Rueben and enjoyed. This year I'm taking my two favorite boys in the whole world along with a picnic dinner. I'm really looking forward to it. I like to be entertained for free. Plus, fireworks!!

Today is a sad day.

I put VHS, my betta, in a baggie and stuck him in the freezer. He was still alive, but I couldn't stand to see him lay there limp at the bottom of the tank. This way he will go to sleep and that will be less awful than dying a slow, drawn out death. He couldn't have lived much longer anyway, he wasn't eating anymore. I am sad. I wish I would have been able to get him healthy again.