"Where Thrills Are Cheap And Love Divine"

Today I finally completed the horrendous experience that has been my midpoint portfolio course. Honestly, of all the stuff I've had going on this semester (two other classes, working full-time, trying to find a new place to live, getting engaged, and worrying about whether or not I'd have enough money do the things which need be done), this damn one credit hour course has been the most stressful thing going.

The professor was condescending, didn't recognize graduate-level writing (in part because I was writing like I would for a history paper; education papers, apparently, are more direct and less verbose. In other words, more boring), and apparently thought I was inept and incompetent. I hate being condescended to, and my meeting with her today was a half hour of her being condescending and downright rude and insulting (both to me and to my content discipline). The fact that she would insult me to my face while making it sound like a joke fucking pissed me off. I was stressed out about this damn thing all day long, worried over it and uncertain of whether or not I'd even be done with it today (thank God, I am). I was so stressed in the hour leading up to it and the three hours following it that I couldn't see straight. My whole body was tense, I shut down mentally and almost physically, and actually looked noticeably frustrated and upset.

Anyway, it's over and done with now; Michelle was able to calm me down and help me feel better this evening (a sure sign that she's really the one I'm supposed to be with. When I'm in a bad mood, people usually only aggravate the mood, but she made me feel better. There's not many as can do that). Tomorrow's Friday, today was payday, and everything's really coming up Millhouse aside from this whole debacle.

This weekend is Michelle's office Christmas party. Apparently we're attending. Should be interesting. Sunday is Tenacious D at the Patriot Center. To say that I'm looking forward to this show is to grossly understate the case. The D are about as good as you can get, honestly.

~chuck

Song of the Moment: Kings of Leon, "Holly Roller Novocaine"

"Hey Little Bird, Fly Away Home"

So, like most of the hip kids this week, I did the giving of thanks thing. Went over to Michelle's place and had Thanksgiving dinner with her family. It's strange, but I think her father genuinely likes me. They're apparently getting me Christmas presents and everything.

Michelle and I signed the lease for our apartment on Saturday. Looks like the place should be great to live in, actually, and we're looking forward to getting moved in on the 15th.

Speaking of moving in, we helped Lauren move yesterday. Took us like seven hours, but we got all of her stuff moved from one location to the other. I'm achy and tired today, but that's alright. We got her all moved, and she'll be helping us when the time comes (insert maniacal laughter here).

Michelle and I used this money I got from Borders (holiday reward money or something like that) to pick up a few things this weekend. I got a couple of graphic novels I'd been wanting (the latest volume of Trigun Maximum and a Batman collection about the death of Jason Todd, Robin #2) and we also picked up the new Tom Waits collection, Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers, and Bastards. The Tom Waits collection is freakin' fantastic, as were the two comic books.

Played a heckuva mess of Final Fantasy XII this weekend. I'm finally starting to get the hang of it, though the Clan Mission Hunts are still kicking my ass most every time (good thing they're only side quests). Fact is, I think I may be going to play some more after I finish typing this.

Oh, who am I kidding? Of course I'll be playing some more after I type this.

Why the hell am I still typing?

~chuck

Song of the Moment: Tom Waits, "2:19"

"Must Accumulate"

Michelle called me this afternoon before I left school. Apparently we got the apartment we applied for, which is fantastic. Even better, though, is the news that our security deposit will be the entirely-manageable sum of $250. Since we were expecting upwards of an entire month's rent ($1295) for the security deposit, this is great. Also, our rent in December will be pro rated, which means we're only paying a portion of it (likely half, since we'll only be there for half of the month). So that's turned out very groovy.

Spent a good part of the late afternoon/early evening napping, as has been my bad habit this week. Dunno what it is; probably just really stressed about stuff (like that thrice-cursed Midpoint Portfolio that's still hanging over my head. But the rant for that is best heard, not seen in type, as the typed words lose some of their venom and vitriol in the translation).

At some point in the next couple of days, I'm going to do a write up on Dylan's trio of Evangelical Christian albums...y'know, those three that no one in their right mind but an obsessive Dylanophile would pick up? Should be an interesting read, I think.

~chuck

Song of the Moment: Son Volt, "Strands"

"Monthlong Vacations In The Stratosphere"

Two classes down, one left. Unfortunately, it's the one that has been the thorn in my side all semester: Midpoint Portfolio. I really dislike this class and the professor. She's pompous and condescending and treated the class like a bunch of five year olds. Instead of explaining everything in a straightforward fashion, she tried to make things more complicated by over-explaining them. She basically fills me with rage. Much rage.

The Oriental Store (the convenience store next to school where we usually go to get sodas and snacks) accidentally overcharged me $160 for something on Friday, overdrawing my checking account and pissing me off considerably last night. I'm going to go talk with them tomorrow and see if I can't get it fixed.

Went and checked out an example apartment yesterday that Michelle and I both quite liked. The complex looks really nice, the apartments were recently renovated, and the cost is great. We went ahead and filled out applications for the apartment and reserved a two-level townhouse-style apartment. We should know in a week or two if we get in, but I don't think we'll have any trouble.

Spent Friday night hanging out with Michelle's friends Sara Ryan and Suzanne. We chatted about music, work, and the stupidity of people. It was rather fun, and I got to show off my knowledge of Robert Johnson. That's always entertaining.

Last night, Michelle and I (well, mostly Michelle) cooked dinner. We had roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and biscuits. All very tasty. There's plenty of chicken left, so I think we're going to try to turn it into curry and/or chicken soup. I know how to make the former, Michelle is apparently an expert at the latter. Should be groovy.

~chuck

Song of the Moment: Bruce Springsteen, "Lost in the Flood"

"A Place Where We Used To Live"

So my roommates bought a house today. Well, the offer they put in on a house was accepted today, I should say. Which means they'll be moving by the end of next month. Which means I've got like three or four weeks to find a new place of my own. I went and looked at an apartment complex this evening after work. Michelle and I are going to go take a look at an actual apartment in the complex on Saturday. If it looks good, we'll give it a shot. If not, we've got a list of other possible choices to go through. We'll find something.

Finished up the first of the three education classes I'm taking this semester on Tuesday night. The second one ends tomorrow night, and the third one comes to a crashing halt next Tuesday. I can honestly say I'll be glad to see the back of these classes. They've been nothing but a huge pain in the ass.

I'm a tired monkey. So very tired. But there are many things to be done between now and bed. Off I go.

~chuck

Song of the Moment: Cake, "Shadow Stabbing"

"No Alarms And No Surprises"

Made it through another week. Even though we only had students for three days this week, it still seemed like a full week (hell, seemed like more than a full week, really). Seems all the students were a little wound up because of the four-day weekend, while all the teachers were a little worn out because of the two days of in service and entirely too much happening at once. On the plus side, my boss let us leave at 3.00 today instead of 4.00 (but still gave us credit for being there until 4.00), so that was nice.

Tomorrow, Michelle and I are probably going down to Harrisonburg to visit Cristabel. Haven't seen her since I helped her move back over the summer, so it'll be good to chat and visit and such.

I've been working on putting all of my CDs on the 250 GB external hard drive. I'm probably over halfway through, but it's taking awhile. Turns out I have a hell of a lot of Dylan. Like enough Dylan to fill Michelle's 4 GB iPod Nano if we wanted to. That's a lot of nasally folk and blues rock, that is.

~chuck

Song of the Moment: Bob Dylan, "Talkin' Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues"

"The Girl That I've Been Seeking For"

So I got to meet Michelle's parents Sunday afternoon. The meeting and meal went well. Her mom apparently adores me and her father tolerates me (which is apparently all you can ask of the man). I was (I think) fairly charming, didn't say anything that'll come back to haunt me, and basically proved my intentions are good and all that. Very groovy.

Past couple of days have been hellish. I was awake until 4.00 this morning working on a case study for my class tonight, and I have to do revisions to my midpoint portfolio after we get out of class and post those electronically before I go to bed.

So yeah, Chuck is a tired monkey...cricket...thing.

Picked up a 250 gigabyte external harddrive for $100 yesterday at Staples. It now holds all of my iTunes stuff. During the next week or two, I'm going to put the rest of my CDs on it. There should be more than enough room.

Michelle and I probably don't get to keep the apartment I've been living in for the past year and a bit. It's really too expensive for just the two of us, and getting a roommate in time would be a huge hassle. So we're looking at a couple of other options this week, including a rental house that Wendy emailed me a link to and an apartment complex that looked to have some decent apartments and a discount for educators (hurray!). Hopefully we'll find something relatively soon.

Oh, and anyone who owes me large sums of money, now would be the time to pay those back if you can. Movin' is expensive stuff.

~chuck

Song of the Moment: The Byrds, "Mr. Tambourine Man"

"I Gave My Golden Thing A Gold Wedding Ring"

I have Michelle's engagement ring sitting here in front of me. The thing is absolutely gorgeous. Hartoon's, the jewelry store in Shawnee that mom had the ring made at, did a fantastic job. We've used them for jewelry stuff for years (mom's on a first-name basis with the woman who owns the place), and they set her diamond for this particular ring and got it shipped out here faster than I'd have thought possible (mom was only in Shawnee like a week and a half ago. And I've already got the ring. That's fast service, that is).

Anyway, when Michelle comes over in a little bit, I'm going to give her the ring. Dunno how or where yet, though. I know there'll be the whole going down on one knee and professing undying love bit, but beyond that it's all up in the air. I should find someplace nice to do it, though she really just wants the ring and doesn't care about the ceremonial aspects of all this. Admittedly, I'm not usually one for ceremonies and formalities, but some things you just have to do, y'know?

~chuck

Song of the Moment: The Byrds, "Eight Miles High"

"One That Won't Make Me Nervous"

Michelle is asleep in my bed, as she has been for the past two or so hours. She apparently didn't sleep well last night (though she rarely gets a full night's sleep. I dunno how she functions on the little rest she gets), but she's having no trouble here.

Her ring arrived in the mail today, but I wasn't here to receive it. I'll go down to the Post Office in the morning and pick it up. Then I have to get my heater fixed. Dunno where I'm going to get that done, but I'm sure there's someplace around here that could do it.

Been playing more Final Fantasy XII this evening. Getting decent at it. Granted, I've died a few times more than I'd care to mention, but what can you do, right?

Anyway, busy weekend ahead of me. Need to do grades, Portfolio revisions, and my Case Study. No rest for the wicked.

~chuck

Song of the Moment: Soul Coughing, "Blue-Eyed Devil"

"Don't Fall Through The Stars"

A few points of interest:

First, Midpoint Portfolio still fills me with rage. We spent three and a half hours Tuesday night being condescended to. I'm not used to be talked at like I'm 5. I'm used to condescending to other people.

I have three major things due Tuesday: grades, Midpoint Portfolio revisions, and a case study for Reading and Language Development. None of them can be moved from this date. I am most frustrated with this and will likely kill someone because of it.

One of my coworkers went as me for Halloween. He had everything down right: the beard, the hair, the clothes, the way I walk around with my hands constantly in my pockets. I'll load a picture of it for y'all to see soon.

My fiancee is still the coolest person on earth. When her iPod died today, she went back to Best Buy to get it fixed/replaced. She opted for replacing it with one of the newer-generation iPods, but got the 4-gig model (the size she had before) rather than the upgraded 8-gig one. As a result, Best Buy gave her a $50 gift card in addition to her iPod. She used it to get me Final Fantasy XII.

Yes, that's right: my fiancee bought me a videogame.

It's okay, though. It's not like I've got a dozen different things on my plate right now. I don't need sleep. I have time to play, honest.

~chuck

Song of the Moment: Mike Doughty, "Gray Ghost"