It has been a very grown-up couple of days. On Thursday, Geoffrey and I decreed it tax day, not really thinking it would actually take the entire day, but yes, oh yes, it did. Very sucktacular day at that. The federal return wasn't all that hard, but the state ones were horrid because we couldn't do the standard easy forms -- had to do weird ones because we were part-time residents in each state. South Carolina and Virginia are sisters in sucky directions for filling out tax forms, good lord. But we got 'em done. Not completely sure they're right ... but hey, we did our best. And looks like we'll be getting refunds, so take THAT, Uncle Sam.
We also looked at an apartment complex we actually like. It's just a mile (at most) up the road from where we live now, in Crystal City, which isn't a city at all but actually a little area in Arlington. We're not in love with the place, but we're content with it. Not sure we'll ever be in love with a place in the near future since we had such a bad experience with the place we're in now and are terrified of repeating it. This place is right on a Metro station and in fact is atop a huge underground mall with grocery stores, banks, drugstores, restaurants, etc. No need to go outside EVER. Which is swell in winter. But it's near the bike trail we love and it's a safe area to walk around when you do want to go outside in the non-winter months. So a good deal, we think. Not as cheap as we'd like, in fact a little more expensive than what we pay now -- but utilities are included there, so we think the increase wouldn't be much after we figure that in. The apartment itself is much bigger, too. And an older building, so thicker walls so you don't hear your neighbors when they sneeze. So Monday we plan to go put down a deposit on an apartment there -- not necessarily the exact one we'll end up in, since they let you transfer your deposit around when other one bedrooms (like on other floors, etc.) come up, and probably lots will. So maybe a plan for new digs in June, yay!
Geoffrey went to that become-a-teacher seminar, heard some good stuff. Right now he's reading a study guide for the GRE, which he would have to take to get in the George Washington University program. My little study-bug. Me, I get the fantods when I glance over his shoulder at the math stuff in that book. I guess I knew all that stuff once, but damned if it even looks familiar to me now.
Lots o' protests today in DC. I got to take a break from work today to go take a look. LOTS of people, and lots of noise (chants, songs, slogans, just people-noise), but very peaceful, from what I saw. I have to say it was really exciting to be there. Agree with the folks or not (it was 95% anti-war folks, but there were some pro-Bush people, too), it is amazing to see such a large group of people, such a diverse group of people, being passionate enough about something to do something, even if it's just walk around and raise their voices. Some did more,though. Some of the signs were damn clever, more than just the standard "No Blood For Oil" that hardly even applies anymore, really. Among what I (or my co-workers) saw were:
*** Fraternity guy for peace (carried by a shaggy-haired white guy decked out in Brooks Brothers)
*** Viva La France/Viva La Dixie Chicks (more on that in a sec)
*** Bushit (OK, that's immature, but funny, COME ON!)
*** The Only Bush I Trust is My Own
*** Bombing for Peace is like Fucking for Virginity
And a pro-Bush guy with: "Give War a Chance"
Anyway, the scene was very colorful, very human (every race, age group, sex, nationality, economic status -- you name it, everyone was there all getting along and being cool), and very moving -- thousands of people exercising their freedom of speech, which you gotta respect no matter what they're saying because they're being fundamentally American in doing so. Can't do that in Iraq, buckaroo. Or France, always. Or Serbia, apparently, where the first action after their prime minister was assassinated this week was to muzzle the press. Not sure about Vanuata, will look into it.
OK, back to the Dixie Chicks thing, which is the stupidest thing I've heard since the freedom fries thing. Which, sadly, was only a few days ago. Sigh. This is from the Washington Post:
The Texas trio, whose lead singer, Natalie Maines, earlier this week criticized President Bush's plans for war in Iraq and further commented that she was ashamed of his Texas roots, is receiving harsh criticism. Fans, calling the statement "unpatriotic," are reportedly dumping the Chicks records and radio stations are not playing their music. Yesterday, Maines apologized; "I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect," she said in a statement ...
AP reported that a radio station in Kansas City was sponsoring a big trash can or something for people to throw away their Dixie Chicks CDs. Um, hi, Hitler-era Germany, anyone? Hmmm. Anyway, I don't think that a rock (or country, whatever) concert is the best place to take a political stand of any kind, but I think exercising one's freedom of speech is a leeeetle more American than banning someone's music on airwaves or sponsoring the destruction of art.
LISTENING TO: The Dixie Chicks.
Stacy - 11:44 PM
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Here I am! Betcha thought I got et by a snowdrift, but I didn't. Today, blessedly, it is NOT snowing here. (It did yesterday, though, just for the record) Spring is near, they say, but I'll believe it when I see it -- or at least when I go more than a week without seeing a snowflake.
Not much going on here. Geoffrey and I have started our search for a new place to live, but our lease here isn't up 'til June 18, and breaking it isn't much of an option, unless we want to pay rent like 4 times in one month, in essence. Looked at some apartment complexes not too far (but closer to Metro) from here, but nothing we can afford, really. Apartment complexes can be annoying because you end up paying for a bunch of shit you don't want -- like a fitness center or concierge service (like I can't buy my own movie tickets) or dry cleaning valets. BFD, sez me. Just want a place to keep my stuff and myself, thanks. There are houses for rent, some not out of our price range at all, but those are usually a little farther from Metro, kinda a drawback. Also once you find out about them, they want someone to move in right away, so nothing we see now is still going to be open in June. Ah well. Maybe something will come up later.
Work is the same as always. Getting a little tense what with war worries -- we get a lot of "pep" talks that consist of our bosses telling us things are going to be crazy and a lot will be asked of us, but giving us no information about anything specific, like hours, whether we're publishing a separate edition or just more copies of an existing edition. As for us on the war desk, like me, still no more info. Debra and I asked the managing editor about stuff, and he had not much in the way of specifics. I asked if he could make a guess as to what hours we might be working once war settles into a routine (isn't that an awful thought?), and he said our deadline might be noon, which would mean we'd have to come in for work at like 4 a.m. He goes on to explain how this is how it works at afternoon papers and he's done it and it's not so bad, etc., etc. Fine, but we find out a few days later (NOT from him) that he was kidding about all that, some sick fucking test to see whether we'd complain. Which is fine (I guess), but he never told us he was kidding, and it certainly wasn't evident from the serious tone of our little meeting. So now I always have to assume my managing editor is pulling my leg or lying or whatever, which is not good. I can take a joke, yes indeedy, but I can't really bring myself to think that was very funny. The good news is the hours probably won't be that bad, maybe a little earlier in the day than I work now, but nothing crazy.
Lots of changes for everyone else! Marcus is moving to Charleston, SC -- another friend for me to visit there, always nice. Seems like a pretty good job and a nice change of scene for our boy, so we're very happy for him. Alyssa is re-sparking the East Coast-West Coast feud by defecting back east, where it looks like she'll be getting even smarter at Georgia Tech back in the good ol' ATL (where the players play). Sara's getting ready to take the plunge into homeownership (thank you thank you THANK YOU, Sara, for doing that first so the rest of us can get your advice when we're ready to follow your footsteps, mama). Even lil' Geoffrey's going to a info session at George Washington University here tonight to learn about their teacher certification program, so times, they might be a'changin' for him, too. So shout-outs all around, eh?
I'm trying to write a short story. I'm so bad at it now! I have one in the works now. Plot's got potential but my writing just sounds so damn preachy and boring and storybooky and dumb. Making me mad. If I ever get a good one out, I might try shopping it around some of the literary mags, but nothing worthy for now. It's good I'm even writing something, though, I know, so I'm trying to be positive and learn something from every attempt. I think my problem is thinking of something to write about. Do I have to have a point or send a message? 'Cause when I try that approach it sounds preachy and just very transparent. But not sure how to form a story without a clear point/message in mind, so that way I come up with nothing. Gah. Frustrating stuff.
LISTENING TO: The new Ani CD, just bought it yesterday, haven't had a chance to give it much listen. BECK/Sea Change -- I finally bought it! And it's be-a-yoo-tee-ful. I really love it so far. A downer yes, but in a good way. Also have the new TIM EASTON/Break Your Mother's Heart on loan, but haven't popped it in the CD player yet. This second I'm listening to Chip Taylor/Carrie Rodriguez collaborations on XM. Think that's another CD I have to buy. Chip Taylor wrote "Wild Thing," but has always done and is now doing country stuff, very alt-tinged. Interesting guy.
Stacy - 3:34 PM
