Sign on the dotted line

I just received the contract for my article. I thought I'd be receiving this 20 page document to sign when in fact it was just a simple letter stating the obvious. I'm supposed to be receiving payment within two months after the manuscript deadline. YEAH because I can really use the $$! I think someone needs to pinch me because I still can't believe this is really happening! I just have to remind myself that I am a new writer, who is just getting started and who still has a lot to learn about writing! Though, never in a million years would I have thought that a magazine would want to publish my article! I'm practicing my autograph just in case anyone wants one!

On Wednesday, I spent my entire lunch with a nice, "older" gentleman. No, it wasn't my crush, but it was with a tutor at my school, who patiently helped me with my annoying and neverending Math homework. I really and truly wanted to attend the Chamber of Commerce luncheon where "Mr. Cutie" (or "QT") was going to be recognized at as one of the new BOD (Board of Directors), but it just didn't happen. I'm hopeful that there will be another opportunity to run into him soon.

Speaking of opportunities, I guess I spoke too soon! I just read in my local newspaper that there's going to be a benefit concert at "Mr. Cutie's" POB (place of business) next weekend! A former alum of my high school, who has made a name for himself in the folk music world, will be performing. He's trying to raise $$ for the purchase of solar panels, a battery and inverter that he'll be delivering to a village in West Africa next month. Ultimately, he'd like to set up a non-profit music school there. Coincidentally, I saw this musician and former resident just before Xmas, at Longs. I looked up and found myself making eye contact with this former h.s. alum, from afar. He saw me and probably thought, "She looks familiar." Did I mention that his father is my doctor? Yes, it's a small world! Anyway, I wish I would've said something to him, but I didn't. Maybe he could've introduced me to "Mr. Cutie"! My strategic plan is to call up my friend, who was this musician's classmate, and see if she wants to go with me. If she can't go, I think I can try coaxing my other friend. ;) The event is FREE!

A good friend of mine sent me the following e-mail. Too funny!

HUMOR FOR LEXOPHILES (LOVERS OF WORDS):

I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

Police were called to a day care where a 3-yr-old was resisting a rest.

Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.

The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.

The butcher backed up into the meat grinder & got a little behind in his
work.

To write with a broken pencil is pointless.

When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate.

The short fortune teller, who escaped from prison, was a small medium at large.

A thief, who stole a calendar got, 12 months.

A thief fell & broke his leg in wet cement. He became a hardened criminal.

When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A.

The dead batteries were given out free of charge.

A dentist & a manicurist fought tooth and nail.

A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.

A will is a dead giveaway.

Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

A backward poet writes inverse.

In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count that votes.

A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.

If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.

Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft & I'll show you A-flat miner.

The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.

A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France, resulted in Linoleum Blownapart.

You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.

A calendar's days are numbered.

A lot of money is tainted: 'taint yours, and 'taint mine.

A boiled egg is hard to beat.

He had a photographic memory, which was never developed.

Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.

When you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.

When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.

Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.

Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.

Acupuncture: a jab well done.

Math: friend or foe?

School started again and so far I'm feeling overwhelmed with my math class. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I've never been great in math and I know I never will be. They say that everyone has strengths and weaknesses and my strength is English. It's like I have this mental block when it comes to math. I just had to dish out $$ to buy a graphing calculator, which I absolutely won't have any use for after I complete all my Math courses (I have one more left after this one). My instructor briefly went over on how to use this calculator for our homework assignments, but I didn't have mine with me at the time. I can pretty much work any sort of gadget, but I'm oblivious when it comes to this calculator. The manual that came with it isn't any help either. On the bright side, my three other classes are a breeze: a Pilates class (which I've taken before), a four week Counseling class, and Political Science, which seems rather interesting. Again, I just want to PASS my math class with a credit, which I opted to take instead of a grade since this course isn't transferable. I have to take this math course in order to advance to the next one, which is transferable.

In other news, Julie the editor sent me an e-mail to confirm that they'll be including my article in the May issue. She said that the contract is in the mail. I still can't believe that my article is getting published! I just hope that the person I profiled in this article is very happy with what I've written. :) I've already got some ideas for my next two articles, which I'd like to write when I have more time. I know, I know. I have to make time! One of those ideas includes my next subject (see below)!

And lastly, I found out that my town is having a luncheon to induct the new Board of Directors for the CofC. It turns out that "Mr. Cutie" is one of those newly elected directors and he's going to be there! However, you have to pay to go to this luncheon and I was told that the tickets are sold out, but that I could get on the waiting list. I figure it may be worth it to attend so I know what's happening in my community. Besides, maybe this will finally be the opportunity that I get to talk to "Mr. Cutie"! ;) Then again, I might "chicken out" at the last minute and not attend the luncheon at all. :(

Good news!

I recently e-mailed the Editor of the publication {the same one where I had applied to in Nov.} that I had submitted my profile story to and asked her if she had read the story. This was her reply:

"Yes and it's a great start! I gave it to the Managing Editor and we'll get back to you when we can. Right now things are crazy, but yes, I'm going to put it in the May issue. So it may be a little while before we get back to you again, but I'm happy with what you sent. Great job!"

I am SO ecstatic! If I understood and read the e-mail correctly, I'm getting my FIRST article published! :) I have to go out and celebrate! :)

So I went to go pay for my schooling, parking, and books today. I was told that I owed $36, so as I went to pay for it, the clerk told me that my scholarship was taking care of it. I told her that I still hadn't received my parking permit, which I so desperately need. The clerk said that they mailed it to me today. Why does the school wait until the last minute to do this? I don't think I should have to pay any additional money when I've already paid for it! She told me that if I didn't receive the permit by the first day of class, which is this Monday, then I'll need to go to the Campus Police and let them know my situation. Ughhhhh!! The things I have to deal with in order to get a good education.

Speaking of education, I just found out my grades & am very pleased with myself. I received a "C" in Food & Nutrition, a "B" in Philosophy, and (drumroll, please) an "A" in Journalism (Magazine Writing)! This also deserves a celebration! ;)

I went by "Mr. Cutie's" POB this afternoon, but I didn't see him around, so I didn't bother going in. :( I could have used some hot cocoa, but I know there's going to be another opportunity to go in & say hello, SOON! :)

Storm Watch: A bad start to the New Year

Around this time every year, my area experiences terrible weather. Today has been no exception! It has rained all night and all day, and I've seen trees down and many areas closed due to the flooding. We're due for a series of 3 major storms with hurricane force winds, which aren't typical around here. One storm has already passed and we're expecting two more this weekend. Thank God my neighborhood has been spared from any flooding.

I went in to work for a few hours today and as I listened to my co-workers' radios and/or their Internet radio connection [I have yet to get a phone or computer of my very own, after having been at my job for 1 1/2 years!], I was thinking, "Gosh, God must really be mad at us for something we did or didn't do!" When I was younger, I used to be a "worry wart" and all rainstorms and thunderstorms would have scared the living daylights out of me. Now that I'm older, it doesn't scare me as much.

I do pray that nothing really bad happens to my loved ones, myself, or my community.