So I hear that it's pretty darn hot out there. I'll find out first hand in about an hour and fifteen, but for now, I'm enjoying the main perk to my job- Air Conditioning. So bad for the environment and yet so good for my peace of mind. Yesterday, I couldn't stand being home. My mother, God love her, is very, very English and once the temp. crosses 80 degrees and the humidity hits above 40, all I hear is her bitching about the weather, which makes me crazy and then I have no choice but to be miserable with her and complain about the heat, or leave and drive off in my nice, new airconditioned car. Needless to say, I chose option B. I called my dear friend, Dina, or in E-peeps-ease, Dimartiste, told her I was picking her up and we were going Somewhere, ANYWHERE! We wound up at Delaware Park, in "our" spot on the wall by the water, just past the casino. It was so lovely, we talked, went over the astrology chart that she did for me and left eventually around 9:30. I was in the perfect position to watch the sky change colours as the sun set. Truly remarkable. I was also feeling very bohemian in my blue tank top and not-quite-matching broomstick skirt, but it was too damn hot to really care. Apparently more of the same might be required for today.

I hate, detest, loathe, abhore, dislike in the extreme Rude People!!! Have we gone so far away from decorum and manners that we are expected to react as if it is the norm? ARGH!!! I just had to share that.

I am absolutely convinced that student loans are evil and the NYSHESC is the devil incarnate. I hate them and I am solemnly vowing that I WILL NOT PUT MY CHILDREN THROUGH WHAT I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH! Is that strong enough of a resolve? Also, I must look for grants for grad. school because I really don't want to take on another $25,000.00 in debt, bringing the grand total up to about $50,000.00. Just that number scares the hell out of me. But it's all supposed to be worth it, right? Forgive my skepticism.

Not a big, "OW!", just a little "Ow." Okay, after my marathon spray primer-ing/ spray painting session yesterday evening, now my right forearm is killing me! Yesterday, I had trigger finger going on. My finger didn't want to bend, even to curl around the spoon so I could eat my Rocky Road ice cream! Today, my forearm feels like it's one of Popeye's! Decidedly not cool. Especially as I have to do the same thing all over again except worse because it's my dresser. *Groan!* I am such a freak.

Have you ever found that there tends to be a particular name that doesn't seem to mesh with you? A strange question I know and I'm trying to think how to phrase this better. I generally seem to have competitive issues with girls who are named "Jen". It could just be coincidence, especially considering that "Jennifer" was the most popular girls name in the late 70's/early 80's and is therefore very prolific, but I don't happen to believe in coincidences and laugh if you will but I most definitely believe that one's name helps to define who one will be. I just have issues with girls named "Jen". It all started with a girl that I was very good friends with a very long time ago. We had been friends from the time we were 8 until we were 17- then it all blew up! Our friendship had always been contentious, always competing over one thing or another. It didn't become a problem until boys, naturally, entered the picture. Then, it seemed like whomever I had a crush on, she made a play for him. Not so much the other way around because I don't believe in dating my friends' exes. I'm not really into sloppy seconds. Anyway, we came to loggerheads our Senior Year over something NOT boy related, but putting my honour into question. At the time, it seemed valid and just, now- ten years later- it just seems rather stupid so I shall not go into details over what it was. That was "Jen" number 1. "Jen" number was a shadow, someone I never actually met but she was the on again/ off again girlfriend of my first love. My first love- an alcoholic/ drug addict- boy, do I know how to pick them! She was a spectre, looming in the background, affecting whatever the hell it was that we had. No matter. He's in Vegas now doing only God knows what and he has a son and a daughter. "Jen" number 3 I did actually meet and she hated me, probably with good reason as she was, at the time, the Boy's girlfriend. She was dark and slim, the absolute opposite of me, but she prevented me from going to see him in Boston and for that I cannot forgive. Yes, I was in love with him then, and am still in love with him, but, as far as he's concerned at least, we are just friends. Plus, I have a very sneaking suspicion that she's broken his heart, which he won't tell me, but I'll get it out of him somehow. Now, someone else I like very much has a "Jen" in his life. Not sure how I feel about this, but it seems very odd. What is it about me and girls named Jen?