There are people in this world that do not know the meaning of 'private time'. Most normal people get it that there are certain times, and places, that private time should commence. The bathroom, in my opinions, is one of those places.
Case in point - I entered the small 4 stall bathroom on the third floor of the union, fully planning on emptying my bladder who had held far too much liquid for far too long. I heard someone talking - yes, talking - to what seemed like no one.
This woman was talking on her cell phone while using the bathroom. This once sacred place of number one and twos is no longer a safe place to do your business. No, now, everyone has the opportunity for the world to hear your bodily functions while getting in a good conversation with a friend. Seriously, talking on your cell phone while driving, sitting in a restaurant, and while shopping isn't enough? You really have to let it cut into your bathroom time, which, on average, takes about 3-10 minutes? What's next, phone calls during sex?
Ugh, be smart, people! Phone calls in the bathroom make me feel uncomfortable. Ew!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Well, Nevada's Screwed
Yes, I know the economy sucks pretty much everywhere in the country - just today, it was announced that three companies are cutting over 15,000 jobs. Those 15,350 people just had their livelihood shattered because of our crappy economy.
Well, as bad as it seems for the rest of America, Nevada seems to be worse. Maybe it's just because I am a resident, but things seem to be spiraling out of control - no one seems to know what will happen next. Our only source of income for the state is (stupidly) from the gaming industry; this week, it was reported that most major casinos are laying off workers, and there are reports of casinos closing their doors.
Really? I thought everyone gambled. Or, maybe that's what this state's stupid legislature/governor thought. I seriously am tired of all of the politics that are taking place.
Of course, no one's job is safe, least of all mine. The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents is voting on a 25% tuition increase - not for next summer, fall, or spring, but for this spring - next semester. This gives our students no time to plan, financially, how to pay for college during the next semester. Furthermore, it is becoming more and more difficult to get student loans because of our crappy economy.
Thankfully, a number of our students (approximately 800, according to Facebook, which seems to be the end all be all for pissed off students) are attending the Board of Regents meeting this afternoon on UNLV's campus to protest such a large spike in tuition. Good for them, I am super proud of them!! :)
But, on the other hand, this tuition hike would only get us through this fiscal year - next fiscal year is a whole other story. Then, of course, if there is no tuition hike, then how the heck are we going to pay the state the massive amount of money we now owe them? To me, the only answer to that question is to cut jobs. You would think they would cut jobs from the top, right? Well, anyone who has been here more than two years gets a 1 year advance notice that their contract will not be renewed; however, for newer people (like me), they only have to give a three month notice.
Awesome. No matter how this pans out, it's going to be bad, and we all know it. Most of us are trying to keep our head up, not trying to worry, but it's obvious that moral has plummeted. I wouldn't be surprised if a number of people are searching for other jobs so they can avoid the cut.
Me? I'm here for the ride - there is no way we can afford to move. Even if we did, Michael loves his job, and his job is pretty stable (or so we think, who fricken knows at this point). Besides, I really like UNLV, and I hope they deem me a hot commodity and keep me around.
I don't know what is going to happen, but everyone is going to feel the effects of this economy - especially in Las Vegas.
Well, as bad as it seems for the rest of America, Nevada seems to be worse. Maybe it's just because I am a resident, but things seem to be spiraling out of control - no one seems to know what will happen next. Our only source of income for the state is (stupidly) from the gaming industry; this week, it was reported that most major casinos are laying off workers, and there are reports of casinos closing their doors.
Really? I thought everyone gambled. Or, maybe that's what this state's stupid legislature/governor thought. I seriously am tired of all of the politics that are taking place.
Of course, no one's job is safe, least of all mine. The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents is voting on a 25% tuition increase - not for next summer, fall, or spring, but for this spring - next semester. This gives our students no time to plan, financially, how to pay for college during the next semester. Furthermore, it is becoming more and more difficult to get student loans because of our crappy economy.
Thankfully, a number of our students (approximately 800, according to Facebook, which seems to be the end all be all for pissed off students) are attending the Board of Regents meeting this afternoon on UNLV's campus to protest such a large spike in tuition. Good for them, I am super proud of them!! :)
But, on the other hand, this tuition hike would only get us through this fiscal year - next fiscal year is a whole other story. Then, of course, if there is no tuition hike, then how the heck are we going to pay the state the massive amount of money we now owe them? To me, the only answer to that question is to cut jobs. You would think they would cut jobs from the top, right? Well, anyone who has been here more than two years gets a 1 year advance notice that their contract will not be renewed; however, for newer people (like me), they only have to give a three month notice.
Awesome. No matter how this pans out, it's going to be bad, and we all know it. Most of us are trying to keep our head up, not trying to worry, but it's obvious that moral has plummeted. I wouldn't be surprised if a number of people are searching for other jobs so they can avoid the cut.
Me? I'm here for the ride - there is no way we can afford to move. Even if we did, Michael loves his job, and his job is pretty stable (or so we think, who fricken knows at this point). Besides, I really like UNLV, and I hope they deem me a hot commodity and keep me around.
I don't know what is going to happen, but everyone is going to feel the effects of this economy - especially in Las Vegas.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Zaccheus, wee little man?
So, Michael and I were at church a couple of weeks ago, just listening to the good 0l' preacher tell us about what we should be doing with our lives (which, it seems, always seems like it's a topic that I had been struggling with recently, so I bet God just thinks it's a hoot when I finally figure it out). I was zoning out a little bit (sorry, it happens), and suddenly heard the preacher refer to Zaccheus.
Zaccheus? Where have I heard that name?
Then it dawned on me...I started singing this little song in my head that I learned when I was a kid:
Zaccheus was a wee little man
and a wee little man was he!
He climbed up in a sycamore tree
for the Lord he wanted to see!
And as the savior passed that way
he looked up in the tree
And he said,
Zaccheus, you come down!
::dun dun dun dun dun dun::!!! (forgot the last lines)
After realizing what it was, and singing it quietly out loud (Michael was thoroughly confused), I thought about how many bible stories I learned through song. It's funny, because just the name triggered the memory - Zaccheus, he was short, he was a tax collector (when the fact that he was a tax collector was mentioned, I nodded my head like one of those annoying women on a food processor infomercials), and that he just wanted to look at the good ol' JC.
It's funny, though, how many bible stories do I NOT know because there was no song associated with it? It's amazing how children's minds suck everything up, and that music helps kids learn (ahm, school districts who are cutting music programs); it's awesome.
Makes me wanna be a Sunday School Teacher. Kind of.
So, here's to Zaccheus, and thanks to a little diddy and a weird name, I kinda know who you are. Woop.
Zaccheus is doin' his yay God thang. Wonder where he got his hat.
Monday, July 28, 2008
oops.
and by
...did I even neighborhood right? It doesn't look right to me.
I meant
...did I even spell neighborhood right? It doesn't look right to me.
Yep. Loser.
...did I even neighborhood right? It doesn't look right to me.
I meant
...did I even spell neighborhood right? It doesn't look right to me.
Yep. Loser.
It's just another day in the neighborhood...
...did I even neighborhood right? It doesn't look right to me.
Well, we have been in Vegas a little over a month now, and each day seems to fall into one of three categories:
1. the "Oh, yeah, I live in Vegas. So what?"
2. the "Oh my god, I live in Vegas - pinch me!"
3. the "Oh my god, I live in Vegas" followed by tears.
Today is #1, when yesterday was #2, and the day before was #3. Interesting how that works. I do absolutely love the shopping choices, and the Fresh and Easy grocery store blows my mind (it's awesome, go to it if you have one near you). What I don't like about the shopping choices is that a simple grocery shopping trip turns into a freaking adventure. For example, our Saturday grocery excursion consisted of going to Fresh and Easy and purchasing fresh fruit and veggies, bread, and some fantastic lunch items for Megan (woo!), Sam's to get hummus, asparagus, and milk (you really can't beat $2.50 for a gallon of milk), off to Best Buy to buy a new hard drive (yeah, not too happy about that), and then to Walmart to by things like razors (even though we are trying to wing ourselves off Walmart...but it's soooo cheap). I just wanted to take a half hour, buy groceries, and go home. But no, the gods insisted on it taking 2 1/2 hours - and without children! Lord help me when we have the joy of doing this when we have children - then it will be the whole day! I guess the positive thing is that we only drove 8 miles total for all of the stores, saving on gas. Sweet!
Speaking of gas, it finally fell below $4 - to $3.99. Woo! When we got here, it was $4.35, so we will take any kind of break we can get. If it gets much higher, I'm going to have to ride my bike, which I don't yet own, and that would be difficult.
One thing that OUTRAGES me about this city is the lack of service to those less fortunate. I volunteered for a Meals on Wheels program that UNLV hosts every week during the school year (and a few times during the summer). We went to North Las Vegas to a Salvation Army Homeless complex (where some people live there, others just use a pavilion during the day to stay out of the summer heat). The 250 meals that we took were gone in less that 2 minutes. There were all kinds of people (women, children, all ethnic groups), proving that poverty does not discriminate. On the way back to UNLV, a co-worker told me about the asshole mayor that this city has.
It's no big secret that Vegas is a tourist town, and seriously run by the mob. The mayor seems to be in someone's pocket, because he is allowed to do things that no one should be allowed to do. For example, he buses those homeless and in poverty to North Vegas - literally. His argument is to provide a good experience for tourists and those who are well off. What the f***? The bus system is not run through Henderson, Summerlin, or SW Vegas too much b/c they don't want poverty-stricken people to be at bus stops and near homes (hey, what about people who wanted to take the bus to work? like me?) And if that doesn't prove the guy is a dick, the fact that he helped pass an ordinance to make it ILLEGAL to provide money, food, or coupons to the homeless should seal the deal. During that period, UNLV still did service projects, and ran the risk of being arrested for providing food and clothing to those who have none. Thankfully, that ordinance was determined to be unconstitutional, but to have a man like this run a city is outrageous. I have now volunteered my time every Friday and every other Saturday to do service projects through UNLV - someone has to try to make a difference.
I'll get off my soap box, and get back to work. And hope that those who are 'well off' get their thumbs out of their asses and do something to help people in need.
Well, we have been in Vegas a little over a month now, and each day seems to fall into one of three categories:
1. the "Oh, yeah, I live in Vegas. So what?"
2. the "Oh my god, I live in Vegas - pinch me!"
3. the "Oh my god, I live in Vegas" followed by tears.
Today is #1, when yesterday was #2, and the day before was #3. Interesting how that works. I do absolutely love the shopping choices, and the Fresh and Easy grocery store blows my mind (it's awesome, go to it if you have one near you). What I don't like about the shopping choices is that a simple grocery shopping trip turns into a freaking adventure. For example, our Saturday grocery excursion consisted of going to Fresh and Easy and purchasing fresh fruit and veggies, bread, and some fantastic lunch items for Megan (woo!), Sam's to get hummus, asparagus, and milk (you really can't beat $2.50 for a gallon of milk), off to Best Buy to buy a new hard drive (yeah, not too happy about that), and then to Walmart to by things like razors (even though we are trying to wing ourselves off Walmart...but it's soooo cheap). I just wanted to take a half hour, buy groceries, and go home. But no, the gods insisted on it taking 2 1/2 hours - and without children! Lord help me when we have the joy of doing this when we have children - then it will be the whole day! I guess the positive thing is that we only drove 8 miles total for all of the stores, saving on gas. Sweet!
Speaking of gas, it finally fell below $4 - to $3.99. Woo! When we got here, it was $4.35, so we will take any kind of break we can get. If it gets much higher, I'm going to have to ride my bike, which I don't yet own, and that would be difficult.
One thing that OUTRAGES me about this city is the lack of service to those less fortunate. I volunteered for a Meals on Wheels program that UNLV hosts every week during the school year (and a few times during the summer). We went to North Las Vegas to a Salvation Army Homeless complex (where some people live there, others just use a pavilion during the day to stay out of the summer heat). The 250 meals that we took were gone in less that 2 minutes. There were all kinds of people (women, children, all ethnic groups), proving that poverty does not discriminate. On the way back to UNLV, a co-worker told me about the asshole mayor that this city has.
It's no big secret that Vegas is a tourist town, and seriously run by the mob. The mayor seems to be in someone's pocket, because he is allowed to do things that no one should be allowed to do. For example, he buses those homeless and in poverty to North Vegas - literally. His argument is to provide a good experience for tourists and those who are well off. What the f***? The bus system is not run through Henderson, Summerlin, or SW Vegas too much b/c they don't want poverty-stricken people to be at bus stops and near homes (hey, what about people who wanted to take the bus to work? like me?) And if that doesn't prove the guy is a dick, the fact that he helped pass an ordinance to make it ILLEGAL to provide money, food, or coupons to the homeless should seal the deal. During that period, UNLV still did service projects, and ran the risk of being arrested for providing food and clothing to those who have none. Thankfully, that ordinance was determined to be unconstitutional, but to have a man like this run a city is outrageous. I have now volunteered my time every Friday and every other Saturday to do service projects through UNLV - someone has to try to make a difference.
I'll get off my soap box, and get back to work. And hope that those who are 'well off' get their thumbs out of their asses and do something to help people in need.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
New Beginnings and a Lame Blog...yay!
Thus begins a new chapter in our lame married lives...our official blog. No children to report on, no political opinions to scream about (which, if you stop by Megan's parents house with her sister and herself there, you would most likely hear that, so, go for it), no major revelations. Just us.
Oh, us in front of the biggest freaking Barnes and Noble ever...and probably one of our favorite pictures. Good pictures come few and far between, so we take what we can get.
So, the biggest news...moving to Vegas. A wonderful opportunity, but one that scares us half to death. Way excited for new jobs and new beginnings; not so excited about leaving friends and family. There is always that 25 hour drive or 4 hour flight...bleh.
Moving day is 6 days away, and not near as packed as we should be. Awesome. Thankfully, we have wonderful people helping us load up, drive out there, being financial backers, etc. Thank God for all of the wonderful blessings we have in our life! It's nice to know that we are being looked out for.
Thus concludes our first (and lame) blog post. See, nothing funny happens in our life. We just play with technology a lot. :)
Oh, us in front of the biggest freaking Barnes and Noble ever...and probably one of our favorite pictures. Good pictures come few and far between, so we take what we can get.
So, the biggest news...moving to Vegas. A wonderful opportunity, but one that scares us half to death. Way excited for new jobs and new beginnings; not so excited about leaving friends and family. There is always that 25 hour drive or 4 hour flight...bleh.
Moving day is 6 days away, and not near as packed as we should be. Awesome. Thankfully, we have wonderful people helping us load up, drive out there, being financial backers, etc. Thank God for all of the wonderful blessings we have in our life! It's nice to know that we are being looked out for.
Thus concludes our first (and lame) blog post. See, nothing funny happens in our life. We just play with technology a lot. :)
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