Feast and Famine

So my chosen profession is that of a court reporter, or as some know us, a stenographer. In Texas, where I attended college, we were known as court reporters. Then I moved to Boston to work my first year as a reporter, and we were known as stenographers there. Anyhoo...[crickets].

So yesterday was a fitful day for me. I was actually caught up. You're NEVER caught up in this profession. Once you finish one job, there's always another that's been sitting on your desk for almost two weeks, staring at you like a big plate of Mexican food, ready to put you to sleep...but without the gas. And since everything in this profession is a standard two-week turnaround, your job which was regular turnaround has now turned into a rush status, thereby always keeping the level of adrenaline suitable.

Well, in my panic of being caught up, I began researching online jobs. I pondered what would happen to me if I didn't receive a job in another week, month, even a year. I had trouble sleeping last night. I felt as though I should get out of bed and get back on the computer, sending out work requests to various court reporting firms, doing everything I can to drum up business. Such is life as a self-employed person.

So now it's the lunch hour today. I felt dread in my stomach this morning, knowing I was facing a morning with no work, and then the phone began ringing. Now I've got seven jobs waiting to be done. Two of my jobs which were on hold called in, and I had five other hearings come in from another firm, two of them rushes. In one morning, I'm so swamped it'll take me days to dig out. I love it.

And That's Entertainment

Went to see Yogi Bear tonight. It was the last night the movie would be played, so we didn't want to miss out. Next up, Gulliver's Travels. Yogi Bear, although entertaining, was definately geared toward a very young crowd, as evidenced by the four rows of 4-6 year olds which filed in as the movie was starting. Cute.

But now for the good news. I'm downloading Aretha Franklin and Chaka Kahn's new CDs, both just released this week. Ooh, listening, coming up. I'll let you know how they sound.

Egypt crisis: Attacks on protesters, media believed to be part of organized effort – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

Egypt crisis: Attacks on protesters, media believed to be part of organized effort – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs: "[Update 9:45 p.m. in Cairo, 2:45 p.m. ET] Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak told ABC's Christiane Amanpour that he is fed up and wants to resign but fears the country will descend into chaos, the reporter said Thursday after an exclusive interview with Mubarak."

Uhm...will descend into chaos?

Global Warming?

I do belive in global warming, but WOW! On the other side of that, I'm sitting here in Kodiak, ALASKA, and as I look out my window, I see sunshine and no snow. I think I'll go for a walk. My dog might appreciate that. He's on steroids right now and is exhibiting signs of roid rage.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/us/03storm.html

Concert in Kodiak

So last night my date and I attended the Suzanne Vega concert in Kodiak. So nobody alerts my husband, my date was my 11-year-old son.

I was never a huge follower of Suzanne Vega, but did always like her. The place she holds in my heart is an odd one, however. When my two older kids were young, we would take a day every weekend and thoroughly clean the house, top to bottom. During the cleaning frenzy, we would always listen to one of three CDs: Cat Stevens, Simon & Garfunkle, or Suzanne Vega's first CD. Her CD was much more subdued than the other two artists, but would put you in an introspective mental space where you just silently worked, lost in your thoughts. A form of meditation almost.

The concert kept my toe tapping, and a couple of times I felt a strange urge to sweep under the seat next to me.

What It's All About

So I swear this will not be a Palin-hater blog. I do hope, however, that people in the Lower 48 don't automatically think all Alaskan women are like Sarah Palin. In fact, many of us shudder at the thought of being thought of in the same stream of consciousness as Palin.

As for me, I am nowhere near conservative. When I open my door and look out, I can't even see the edge of conservative. I do believe in freedom of choice and gay rights.

Aside from my dislike of Palin's views, I have many other interests and opinions to share, some focused, some random.

Through it all, I'll try to keep everything light. Sometimes I can get a little passionate about certain ideas, but I'll try to stay centered through it all.

Oh, and food. There will be food. I do love cooking, and my husband loves to eat. I'll try to keep it healthy, though.