AMGEN Stage 3
Today was Stage 3 of the AMGEN Tour of California. It started in Auburn and ended in Modesto. Last year I went up on top of the Performing and Media Arts Center and took photos from that high vantage point. This year, I wanted to try to get street level shots so I went across college to catch the riders as they rounded the corner onto Coldwell. It went ok, but I’m not entirely happy with the photos. I’ll try to post some tomorrow.
Led my last Officers Meeting tonight. At this point, I’m looking forward to ending my term as Grand Knight. Bill will be taking over July 1st so the next Officers Meeting is his to lead. I just have one more Council meeting to lead then it’s on to trustee land.
If the weather cooperates, I’ll be taking photos of Eloisa tomorrow night for her graduation from Stanislaus State.
Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow.
Back to life, back to reality
Goodness! I had already shut down the living room and was brushing my teeth when I realized I hadn’t posted yet today. I need to focus!
Today was my first day back at work. I’d love to say it sucked, but it didn’t. It was just a normal day at work. Yeah, it was hard at times, but that’s often true. I’m just happy that I got to deal with all the things that were awaiting my attention from the time I was gone. So now it’s back to the regular grind. I have several projects to keep my occupied. That’s a good thing.
I’m way behind on my Survivor. I watched a couple of hours tonight and I still have the finale to go. Perhaps tomorrow. Or Wednesday. Or Thursday.
The Politics of Personal Destruction
The college president, Dr. Loewenstein, resigned today. It came after a week of personal attacks on song lyrics he’d written over the years. Really, the attacks were because some people don’t like him/his decisions. Once again, the college will be leaderless in a very difficult time. And once again, some faculty are behaving very badly in reaction to his resignation; lining up to celebrate. In more ways than one, they have what every unemployed teacher has: no class. Thank goodness there are other examples of faculty reacting in a much more mature way. They’re not all bad.
Getting strong now
Karen treated us all to lunch today in the office because it was Administrative Professionals Day. She brought in pizza, salad, chicken, and fries from BJ’s Brewhouse. It was pretty tasty. Thanks Karen!
At lunch, Sandy and I walked 3 miles, and Vee and I did another 2 during the afternoon wellness break. After work , I did my 5K training (Week 4, Day 1). It went like this: 5 minutes of warm up, 3 minutes of jogging, 90 seconds of walking, 5 minutes of jogging, 3 minutes of walking, 3 minutes of jogging, 90 seconds of walking, 5 minutes of jogging, and a 5 minute cool down. I also did a couple of extra laps before and after. So all told, I did 8.5 miles today. Yee haw! The best part is that even though I’d had a difficult time with my jogging on Sunday, today was a breeze! Nice! It was really very encouraging!
Another incidental item about today, I sported my bowler hat all day. Quite dashing if I do say so!
Psych!
Ok, so yesterday I was told that I would soon be out of a job. I made a conscious decision to try to handle the whole situation with grace (in contrast to some of my colleagues). Then, this morning, Rosanne came to tell me that a mistake had been made and actually, I was safe. Crimeny!
I am glad of course, but as I told Rosanne, I wasn’t super bummed out yesterday, so I wasn’t going to be overjoyed today. It’s unfortunate that this all happened. I feel sorry for the person who will get bumped instead of me.
This bumping rights thing is evil.
Surprise!
Today I was informed that another employee at the district had decided that they deserved/needed my job more than I do. I am being bumped out of the position I’ve held for the past 7 years or so. I think these bumping rights are a pretty vile and evil thing. I told Rosanne, our union poobah, that I hadn’t heard a single good argument in support of this right to bump, but that I could think of numerous arguments against. I’ll enumerate them tomorrow. For now, it is late and I must go to bed. Suffice to say that come July 1, I will not have a job.
All weekend in a post
Above all I wish to state that my suffering has begun. It is officially too warm for me. Rule of thumb: If you have to run the A/C to be comfortable, it’s too warm.
Here’s a recap of the past several days.
Thursday I went up to Stockton for the Chrism Mass. Music was ok, I got a couple of decent photos, and dinner was excellent!
Friday I got off work at noon then went for my walk/jog/run. When I finished that, I came home and fell asleep for a couple of hours. In the evening I went to the fish fry at the parish. I think it was even more successful than the one we did earlier this season.
Saturday I went out in the afternoon to the Modesto Earth Day celebration at Graceada Park. Sadly, it was pretty boring. Oh well. After that I went to Mass where I served as Commentator. This being Passion Sunday, the Gospel was quite long. I took the part of the narrator in the reader’s theatre style proclamation. Still later in the evening, I stayed up much too late watching TV. Merlin and Walking Dead.
Today, Sunday, I got up earlyish to go down to the church and open the gates to Central Catholic and post signs indicating that there was overflow parking available. I was quite proud of myself for getting it all done. But when I went back this evening to lock up, someone had already closed the main gate. So for all I know, people went looking for parking only to find a locked gate. Annoying.
After opening up, I went to MJC to do my walk/jog/run on the track. I actually felt quite good after this session! I can tell that the workout is getting a little easier. That’s encouraging! Another nap (geez I’m getting old) and this evening I went out to the Clarion for the belly dancing thing. I took a few photos but I haven’t processed them yet. We’ll see if they’re any good.
Ok. There you go. Now you’re up to date.
Still MORE photos
On Friday, staff from Admissions & Records (well, all of Matriculation really) threw a surprise party for Judy who’s been at the college for 25 years.
Here’s Judy just after entering the room.
And here are all the folks that were there at the beginning of the party.
Finally, here’s a shot of me with Monique. I feel like a fricking giant.
Some photos
I’ve been a bit behind on my photo taking and posting.
Here are a few recent shots.
Fr. Ramon on the First Sunday of Lent
Mary at work
Michelle and her 10,000 watt smile
Bam ba Lam, cool in the shade
Rose & the Bag Man
Woah, we’re halfway there
Today was a pretty good day. I knocked out the minutes from yesterday’s meeting in no time. Surprised myself with that. I was able to obtain some pedometers from the District Benefits Office. Score! I went with Vangie to Central Catholic to get some keys to open gates for the next two weekends. I did a crazy fast couple of laps around the campus with Vee during the afternoon wellness break. And after work, I started week 2 of my 5K training. All good. Following that, I came home to quickly take a shower, cook some dinner, then rush back out to the parish for the Penance Service which. took. for. ever. I was tasked with being an usher so I was on my feet for over two more hours. I’m tired.
