Dedication

When I have to be on time, I'm on time. When it isn't going to make or break anything, I'm typically five to ten minutes late. It's how I roll.

My department's library falls into that second category. I'm the 9 am opener, which usually means we open at 9:05 or 9:10. No one has ever been waiting at the door for me.

Due to a new construction project on my route, I reached the door today at 9:15. Again, the hallway was empty.

The sign on the door, however, had a handwritten note just for me. "You're late . . . again," it read.

Yes. I've been on time only twice since I started three weeks ago and I have no excuse for such tardiness except for ass dragging. And maybe I deserved a little wake up call. But for some reason, I'm feeling rather nonplussed by the whole thing. I don't really plan to get up or leave any earlier on Friday. In fact, if anything, the note has me feeling a little punchy. And I realize -- I'm quickly becoming that employee who really can't be bothered to do her job. You know the one.

Peeing in the Men's Room

The Indigo Girls at the zoo has become a favorite landmark of summer. Brandi Carlile as an opening act brought things up a notch this year. And a woman wearing this t-shirt made it an especially perfect night.

"This was more stressful than an eBay auction!"

Although it's a few days overdue, I want to thank Bryan for his dedication to the blog. When I neared the 25,000th visitor mark, he assured me that he would be that 25,000th visitor regardless of the steps he'd have to take. He considered hiring someone to do the site monitoring, but decided that would be playing dirty. In the end, having done all of the hard work on his own, Bryan accomplished his lofty goal. This picture is his proof.

Congrats, Bryan. Congrats.

Abundance

Earlier this spring I lost some sleep over how I'd make money during the summer months. I applied for numerous jobs, and through a bit of luck, ended up with three positions -- teacher, tutor, and librarian. The past couple of weeks have proven that three summer jobs combined with one summer class and an overwhelming desire for summer fun is just too much. So after further agonizing, I quit my tutoring job and regained three hours of sweet freedom during my week.

Not ten minutes after sending that message, I received a call from my adviser offering participation in a newly funded and important research project for twenty more summer hours per week -- not to mention full participation for the next year and a half. Please understand. Such opportunities are rare. And my adviser is, well, amazing. Really. A maze ing. I'd be an idiot to pass this up.

So now I'm losing sleep again. I shouldn't complain about having so many opportunities. I'm lucky. I know. But, Dear Universe, is better timing too much to ask for?

There's Life Out There

I had the whole family here a few weeks ago for this year's Annual Spring Clean Up. The yard has never been so lovely. And I've never been more content than to simply sit and watch the grass grow.