a symbolic gesture... As a salute to the first non-class weekday I've had in awhile, I slept in this morning until (gasp!) almost 9! Tomorrow I will rise early as usual and make my way to campus to start working on my final project for cataloging. I expect that it will take up my entire morning for at least the rest of the week. But the management budget package is well on its way to being turned in, and cataloging is all that stands between me and my summer. Hurrah for summer!

Today's Weather: hmm. looks like rain. that's all right. My potatoes need water.
  ¶ 12:21 PM (0) comments

  Today at around 11:15 a.m. I got off of the T bus and walked down Airport Road toward my home. As I looked up, I noticed a firetruck with its lights on, but no sirens. Its driver was wiping tears from his face. The truck was followed by a police car, similarly lit, and another firetruck from a different department. Following these was an ambulance draped in black cloth. All in all, the processional of these silent emergency vehicles stretched for about a mile as it progressed. A silent tribute to a former servant, now gone, I supposed. The line included ambulances, police cruisers, and at least one fire truck from every nearby station. I stood by the side of the road and watched until all of the trucks had passed. I sat down to read my Daily Tar Heel when I arrived home, and discovered that indeed, Nick Waters, Orange County's director of emergency management, had passed away after a brief battle with cancer. I'd never heard of the man before, but for a moment this morning, I stood in awe of this display of reverence and respect held by a community of public servants for one of their own.

Today's Weather: 83 and sunny. And full of pollen.
Song going through my head: more of the high-tempo, aerobic beat music we play at Curves.  ¶ 5:20 PM (0) comments

  I spent some time today at Duke Gardens. All rivalries aside, it really is a beautiful place. I took some writing that I'm working on, walked around for awhile, and finally found a nice bench with a back (my back is sore today) to sit on down by a large pond full of ducks. This weekend must be some sort of large alumni gathering there, because there were all sorts of groups of people wearing Duke Paraphernalia and eating things off of catering tables. There was also a wedding going on. I had never been there before Kristin and I went last week, when it was equally beautiful but harder to enjoy owing to the constant cold drizzle that was falling. Today was a nicer experience for me. I think I'll be visiting there regularly. I got to spend a nice afternoon sitting in the sun and just spending some quiet time after what has been a very hectic week of trying to get back on a schedule as well as getting all of the various end-of-semester projects done that I have to do.

Today's Weather: about 85 and gorgeous! And about time, too. Hurrah for spring!
Song going through my head: "If I Fall." Gotta love the Dixie Chicks.  ¶ 10:38 PM (0) comments

  What's on my mind? Today, it's geocaching. I had never heard of this before, but I stumbled onto it recently and have decided that it's going to be my newest hobby. The only problem is that I don't have a GPS system. Not to worry... my mother is coming to visit, and she's bringing my father's GPS with her. I'll take her with me to find my first treasures. I guess it reminds me a little of camp.

It's around this time of year, when the weather gets warm and the sun stays out, that I start thinking of packing all of my things and heading out to spend three months living in a tent. I can't realistically do it anymore, but I still miss it. I spent 18 summers of my life that way, and making the switch to real jobs and air conditioning is taking time. Still, I have a lot of good memories.

I've also got Easter on the brain. I went to Target the other day just to see what they've got there - it's a brand-new Super Store, with everything that one could possibly want in a Target. The amount of pastel Easter candy was really upsetting. Lots of chocolate and marshmallow in pink and purple and yellow. The thought of that much sugar was beginning to make me ill. I remember my mother putting Peeps in our easter baskets because she loved them and knew that I wouldn't eat them at all, and that she would receive them by default. I honestly think they're repulsive.

Also on my mind: ER. I've been watching it for 10 years now, and if it weren't still on, I probably wouldn't have a TV. Two seasons ago, I wished that they would just get it over with and call the series over. Now, though, I've rethought that sentiment. They've gotten most of the old cast members out of the picture and have formed a good new ensemble. I'm really looking forward to tonight's all new episode. I could keep watching for another season or two.

Today's Weather: Hot and sunny, around 70 degrees.
Song going through my head: Ani! Woo-hoo!  ¶ 9:14 PM (0) comments

  Argh... I promised myself that I was really going to try and keep this thing current. However, I did not take into account when I made this vow that the end of the semester would, in fact, approach and that all of my apre time would be utterly consumed by silly projects and tedious papers. I have to finish creating object-level metadata for my digital exhibit for INLS 244 today and tomorrow, and I anticipate that it will take up most of the two days. So what am I doing here? Procrastinating, as usual.

Today's Weather: Sunny, but cold. Freeze warning tonight.  ¶ 12:49 PM (0) comments