DAILY HOLDEN-O-METER: Holden. . .prepared for his first college classes in over two years today by purchasing a couple of school notebooks, pens, mechanical pencils and highlighters. He spent a whopping $11, hoping that he'll wake up in time tomorrow for his 9:00am class. It's Introduction to Geography from 9-11:40am and Introduction to Literature from 11:30am to 2:30pm. Yes, Holden knows the classes overlap by ten minutes (not including the time he'll need to walk between classes), but most professors are pretty forgiving when this happens. Holden doesn't really have any other choice. He had to register late for various reasons and these are the only two classes left that fit into my degree program and schedule. Yeah, they're just filler credit. Holden doesn't really need them, per se, but his credits have to add up to 124 for his undergrad degree, so he has to take something. . . . 
Well, if you have read this far, and you're on Holden's friends list (or you remembered to wish Holden a Happy Birthday recently), please step up to the plate and be one of the first three to request your free--absolutely no obligation--Gmail (Google) e-mail account. Holden has three invites to spare.
Should you be one of the first three to request this in Holden's journal. . .that should be obvious enough. . .be sure to drop him an e-mail through SG. . .because he'll be needing it to set you up.
My Current Literary Contribution:
Gustavo Adolfo Bcquer, 1836-1871(?)
(born G.A. Domnguez Bastida)
Rima XI
por Gustavo Adolfo Bcquer
Yo soy ardiente, yo soy morena,
yo soy el smbolo de la pasin,
de ansia de goces mi alma est llena.
A m me buscas?
No es a ti, no.
Mi frente es plida, mis trenzas de oro:
puedo brindarte dichas sin fin,
yo de ternura guardo un tesoro.
A m me llamas?
No, no es a ti.
Yo soy un sueo, un imposible,
vano fantasma de niebla y luz;
soy incorprea, soy intangible:
no puedo amarte.
Oh ven, ven t!
"Holden's Translation" (Please be aware that literary translation takes many years of study. Since I couldn't find a translation on the Internet, this will have to do for now):
Rhyme XI
by Gustavo Adolfo Bcquer
I am burning, I am brunette,
I am the symbol of passion,
My soul is full of anxious yearning.
Do you seek me?
No, not you.
My face is fair; by braids, of gold:
I can give you endless riches,
From my tenderness I guard a treasure.
Are you calling me?
No, not you.
I am a dream, an impossibility,
vain ghost of fog and light;
I am incorporal, I am intangible:
I cannot love you.
Oh, come, please come!
Well, if you have read this far, and you're on Holden's friends list (or you remembered to wish Holden a Happy Birthday recently), please step up to the plate and be one of the first three to request your free--absolutely no obligation--Gmail (Google) e-mail account. Holden has three invites to spare.
Should you be one of the first three to request this in Holden's journal. . .that should be obvious enough. . .be sure to drop him an e-mail through SG. . .because he'll be needing it to set you up.
My Current Literary Contribution:
Gustavo Adolfo Bcquer, 1836-1871(?)
(born G.A. Domnguez Bastida)
Rima XI
por Gustavo Adolfo Bcquer
Yo soy ardiente, yo soy morena,
yo soy el smbolo de la pasin,
de ansia de goces mi alma est llena.
A m me buscas?
No es a ti, no.
Mi frente es plida, mis trenzas de oro:
puedo brindarte dichas sin fin,
yo de ternura guardo un tesoro.
A m me llamas?
No, no es a ti.
Yo soy un sueo, un imposible,
vano fantasma de niebla y luz;
soy incorprea, soy intangible:
no puedo amarte.
Oh ven, ven t!
"Holden's Translation" (Please be aware that literary translation takes many years of study. Since I couldn't find a translation on the Internet, this will have to do for now):
Rhyme XI
by Gustavo Adolfo Bcquer
I am burning, I am brunette,
I am the symbol of passion,
My soul is full of anxious yearning.
Do you seek me?
No, not you.
My face is fair; by braids, of gold:
I can give you endless riches,
From my tenderness I guard a treasure.
Are you calling me?
No, not you.
I am a dream, an impossibility,
vain ghost of fog and light;
I am incorporal, I am intangible:
I cannot love you.
Oh, come, please come!
Hubby has been out of work since November. He started doing tech support in California for a company that was bought out by Earthlink in Dec. 2000. He got a generous severance package and an offer to work at one of Earthlink's call centers- but we didn't want to live any of those places- and we got more $ without taking one of the jobs.
So we moved back here and he got a job right away with the big local tech support co. Earthlink (arghhh, again!) bought their dial-up customers last year, hence the layoffs. He was promised a minimum bonus, after the dust settled, with higher amounts determined by the retention rate of customers but it never materialized, and was so small to begin with, it wasn't worth pursuing with legal tactics.
It's just frustrating, because in the tech field, where we are, companies are looking for employees who can write code, administer a database, and are certified in network admin. and hardware and they are only offering $8-$9/ per hour. He applied at the local drive-thru coffee place yesterday- he can make that much there, and it will be fun. It seems crazy but it's just the sign o' the times, and I know it will get better. His job search has definitely made me wise up about my job, and how lucky I am to have it.
On the upside, there are virtually no childcare costs- that's part of why when his unemployment ran out in June, we didn't think it was crucial for him to start working right away- that would have meant upwards of $800/month childcare during the Summer. Also, it is so awesome that my son got to bond with his dad, and I knew he was taken care of really well while I was working.
Although, I did put my son in a few of the afternoon summer camps where I work (a hands-on science museum). They were free, thankfully. He also did a week-long youth theatre program which was so awesome.
All in all, I think this will seem like a tiny bump in the road when we've been married for 40 years. (Even though it sure feels fucking monumental right now).
Again, thanks for the support. I am so jealous that you are back at school. Are you post-grad or working on your bachelor's?
P.S. I can't believe I missed your birthday! I was up in the woods camping on Saturday, but that's no excuse, really! I hope you had a fun one.
[Edited on Sep 10, 2004 10:22PM]