Evil Wrapped in a Fangirl Disguise

( Yesterday was at times really good and really shitty. )

I will say, though, that the drive yesterday just helped enforce the fact that I really do love living in Washington state.

Meanwhile, here's a picture of my pretty Ginny getting ready to pounce the taffy Mom and I were eating during The X-Files. She's a funny, funny cat. She drools when she's happy. A lot of drool. (Ron did this also I think.) She also nurses on the elbow of her right front leg when she's happy. It's a little weird. But I love her and I'm going to miss having a fluffy furball when I go away.

Here it is, the Fourth of July, and do you know what I'm doing to celebrate? Nada. Absolutely nothing. Maybe I'll catch some fireworks on TV, but it's more likely I'll end up watching SG-1 or Wonderfalls. Fireworks on TV don't quite have the same effect that they do in person...

Especially if you spend the evening diving away from fireworks when they try to get a little too up close and personal. There's nothing quite like commando-rolling out of the way of an errant Roman Candle.

Except when you set it all to your own music and the grand finale includes Phil Collins. 'Cause really, the Boston Pops is totally missing outon their celebration by not including good ol' Phil.

Okay, that's enough nostalgia over Independence Days past.

*

I did something today I never thought I'd do. I cleaned out the home of a crayfish. And never before have I smelled something so disgusting. It was like vomit gone bad. Phew! But now Bob the crayfish has a clean abode and fresh food and I won't have to deal with him again.

Third full day at home. Today Mom and Dad went to Wenatchee. They'll be home tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I spent the day visiting the high school. Stopped by to see Mrs. Lafser and Mrs. Neiffer. I was told some scary things about teaching and high school students. I'm starting to wonder if the students at the high school are purposefully setting themselves up for large disappointments and big smacks upside the head by the "real world." Apparently, a bunch of the juniors got the new math teacher fired because he - this would be funny if it weren't upsetting - gave them homework. This is his first year at the school, but hardly his first year teaching (or so I would assume. He's not young.). His style's a bit different than the previous math teacher. Which is to be expected. But the fact that they went and complained to their parents who then complained to the school board because he gave them too much homework? That's disturbing. And the fact that the school board (or whoever) listened? Even scarier. So now he's filing a law suit against them and will win. According to Mrs. Neiffer. I hope he does because that is just...wow.

I was also told that several seniors had failed to pass parts of their culmination project/portfolio and were given several extensions and chances to do so to ensure that they graduated with the rest of their class. The culmination board didn't want to give them second chances, but the other board over-ruled them saying, "Oh, it's not graduation yet" and "Oh, give them a second chance."

Well, y'know what people? There *are* no second chances after high school. Unless you get a really *really* understanding professor or boss or supervisor. Otherwise, no. You screw up, you take what you can get from the situation, and you continue on.

Not to mention the fact that every due date is set and presented to the students at the beginning of the year. There is no reason for them not to be able to meet anything.

Neiffer's favorite response to these students is "Are you planning on taking your mom with you when you move out?" They never get it. "So she can talk to everyone that upsets you when you don't meet their standards..." And they still don't get it. And that's really the problem, isn't it?

She warned me about going into teaching several times during our chat. "If you do go into teaching, be warned that things are changing." Apparently students across the country are becoming worse and worse. They won't do anything, and they won't listen when older students or mentors or teachers warn them that they'll regret what they don't learn now.

This is the moment where I ask, what the hell is wrong with you people? I would really like to know.

*

Anyway. I think a mouse might have just run across the floor. There was some clicking sounds and a dark shape. At first I thought maybe it was Ginny, since I just put Bebe and Ron outside, but if it had been Ginny she would have continued around the counter and, well, no sign of her. Ick. Mouse.

And I know we have mice because I can see one trap from here and there's another one near the fridge. Plus, this morning I had to take Dad's shoe outside and empty it because when he went to put it on he discovered a bunch of cat food in it. Like, a small handful. Busy little buggers. And now I can hear them making squeaky mouse noises and it's kind of freaking me out a little...

I was going to be really geeky in this post, but now I really don't feel like it. So instead I am going to make popcorn, call Mom, and watch more SG-1. Late I'll be geeky.

So. In the past two weeks there have been bats in the kitchen, toads in the hallway, and snakes in the bathroom. Tonight it is a porcupine in the pick-up.

Life is very strange.

Speaking of strange things, Neesh was being cryptic on MSN so I threatened her with writing bad slash. Not that I've ever written slash before. Or will in the near future. But, hey, it got her attention and she thought it was funny. (You did think it was funny, didn't you Neesh?) Speaking of slash. At PotC with Neesh (she shows up a lot) I told her at the beginning that Jack and Norrington would end up together. This was very strange for me to do because I don't usually come up with stuff like that. And the other day I found Jack/Norrington. And very well written too. Funny how I came up with something before I found it elsewhere. That doesn't happen often.

Life is very surprising.

In other news, I wrote a piece of fanfiction. (Will wonders never cease?) I'm pretty proud of it. At the moment I waiting for initial feedback (besides "That was really good") from Neesha, but I'm thinking I may post it tomorrow before I go to Seattle. Just three days in the Emerald City, but a welcome and cooling relief. AND Mom and I will go over in our new-to-us-car. It's nice. Green. Ford Explorer. V8. It's very fun to drive.

The world is a quiet place.

THERE WAS A BAT IN THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!

IN THE KITCHEN!!!!!!

BY MY HEAD!!!!

*shudder*

Can you tell that I don't care for bats in the house? Cause really really don't. Especially not when they can get stuck in your hair.

I had a more fun experience yesterday. Mom, Neesh, and I went and saw Legally Blond 2: Red, White, & Blond. It was cute. I haven't laughed like that for awhile. Beforehand I bought another Discworld book and Michelle Branch's new CD. Anyway, it was enjoyable. And this weekend I should be seeing Pirates of the Caribbean with Dahlia! Yea!

Besides fun stuff my head has been slowly killing me the past couple of days. I know it's not caffeine because I haven't been drinking any lately. OK, so I've had maybe a can of something caffeinated. And that's never caused anything before. And it can't be dehydration because I've been drinking tons of water. I'm thinking it's probably stress and sleep related. I just wish it would stop.

Anyhoo. The only point to this post was to share the icky bat. And it was an icky bat. Mom saved the day. She nudged it gently out the window. And then closed the window. I hope it doesn't sneak in my window.

*shudder*

Oh, I downloaded the trailer for the new Peter Pan movie with Jason Isaacs. I really really want to see it. I'm also very jealous that Neesha got to see Neil Gaiman on the History channel. Grr. AND I actually wrote a whole short story. Go me!