that gum you like will come back into style

Somebody’s been watching Twin Peaks.

We used to watch the entire series around our birthdays. We did that a couple of years in a row, then went to every other year. Now it’s been 3 or 4 years since we last saw it, so we’re watching again. And I’m happy to say I’m enjoying it just as much as I always have. I was a little afraid it would pale in comparison to Lost – but it hasn’t. There would have been no Lost if not for Twin Peaks. Luckily I have it all on (very very old) VHS tapes that I recorded from Bravo at least 10 years ago, because somebody has the whole first season checked out at our Cool Oddball Video Store and won’t turn it back in. You can rent it for $1.50 for the whole 24 or whatever episodes so I’m sure they’re just keeping it and paying late fees till they’re done. And weirdly Netflix only has the second season – just released on DVD – and not the first. Even weirder, nobody has the pilot – it’s not been released on DVD. Lucky for us I recorded it.

Anyhow, that’s been fun.

Another fun thing — I had an interview today. For a job I wasn’t too sure I’d even be all that interested in, but I think I am. It’s working with graduation audits for students and is a lateral move, but at the interview I discovered that the person I’d be working directly with is getting a position upgrade and then retiring in the spring. So if I did take this job, I’d be in the running to apply for her upgraded job. The position I interviewed for is a woman who is retiring after 35 years there. I am a little afraid I’d find it boring, but after being constantly stressed out and overwhelmed in this job, boring doesn’t sound bad. And they don’t sound bored. And the fact that it could very well lead to a higher position is an excellent reason to take it. I’m trying not to get my hopes all up about it, but K and I both do a lot of the same things these women do, and we both have lots of contact with them, so they know me. Oddly enough I’d only met them in person once, years ago, but I talk to them and email them often. I got the distinct impression that they will vote for me. So, we’ll see. They are moving fast on this – I only got called about it yesterday and they hope to decide by Friday. Retiring Woman will be there a month to train the new person. TOTALLY unlike this office, where people leave and aren’t replaced for months and so are never properly trained.

Speaking of which this is J’s last day. When I told Insane Boss I had an interview today, I thought she would faint. She is very very stressed out. For once, I don’t really care. I do care about K, who appeared to go into shock when I told her. I’m really sorry for her… but, I can’t just stay here because I’m sorry for people. Actually, K should have applied for this job herself. She does the exact same thing they do, so they’d probably hire her on the spot.

I just think I really really really need a change. I’m sick of everything about my job, and for two years it’s done nothing but get worse. Insane Boss was trying to charm me by telling me how much she values me blah blah blah, but I don’t ever feel even remotely valued. I wanted to say "well, get me a raise, a position upgrade, and a place to sit that’s not Grand Central Station, then! And don’t chase off my perfectly good coworker because you have a personality conflict with people who don’t treat you like royalty, and then want me to take part of that job back until you hire someone else to heap with abuse! " Of course I didn’t. Just wanted to. I’m trying to remain completely professional and diplomatic.

Wow, if I got this job I wouldn’t be getting calls like the one I just answered. Telling me they graduated from our school counseling program in 1968 and telling me the professors they had and speculating on how they probably aren’t here now. And wanting to get their license now since they never applied for it THIRTY NINE YEARS AGO.  I have gotten a LOT of these calls lately. Please, please, PLEASE — if you graduate from a teaching program, please apply for your damned license the minute you finish. Don’t wait 40 years and then call me to see if I’ll send your paperwork in. Like everyone on earth is doing this week. You have to meet whatever requirements the state has in place when you apply, and dude, there have been one or two changes in our program in the last 40 years.

See? I’m even completely sick of licensing, and I used to like that part of my job.

I need to go back to Charleston and don’t know exactly when that will happen either. I talked to the car guy today – we also need a new clutch and a new radiator. Which is a lot cheaper to get if you do it while the engine is already being replaced. I do believe him, since the car has 130 thousand miles and lately I’ve smelled weird things – like heat – once in awhile. A sign of radiator problems. OH, and someone broke the window while it was on their lot. So I have to file ANOTHER insurance claim. Apparently they will pay that too but I have to file it. AAGGGGGHHH. He thinks it will be ready by Monday. I sure hope so.

On that note, I’ll post … more Charleston pictures!! I only have 10,850. I also have a whole bunch of pictures from the horse show last weekend. No time for that now!

Fun with sepia.

Well, fun with sepia and graves.

The Riviera at night.

Philip Glass all decked out in a window. Philip Glass was EVERYWHERE. I didn’t realize who it was until the day we left. I think he gave a performance for Spoleto. His poster was everywhere you looked, but this was really amusing.

Fun purple wall with palm.

Baker B gazing up at what appears to be Space Ghost’s shadow. I have no idea what was causing that.

One of my favorite walls. Full of strange doors and windows.