So busy!!

Yeah, it has been awhile. Stupid life getting in the way.

School has commenced. In the two weeks of classes (during which time I should have had six classes) I have attended all of three. Labor Day took care of one, and another course I have yet to begin. The teacher has been out of town at conferences for the past two weeks and has yet to hold class. It has been an interesting start to the semester!

I have come to the conclusion that work is going to be a real challenge this year. With all of the transition politics, new expectations, and a redefined list of duties for my position it is very confusing, tiring, and difficult. I am doing more than I did last year, playing a much more vital role in the programs I oversee. I have no problem doing this but feel in some ways I have been left without the proper support to ensure the programs are a success. It seems more like a sink or swim on my own deal. The real problem is not that I am executing the programs that fall under the scope of my position, but rather that I am executing someone else's vision of the programs in my realm. It is a struggle.

I have begun attending the gym quite regularly, both because I would like to lead a healthier life and because I have to do something with my work stress and anger. I have been constantly sore for the last several weeks and am a bit frustrated by a lack of physical changes. I know those will come in time if I keep up my schedule and eat healthier, but in the era of instant gratification I would like to see results faster. That being said, I am growing to appreciate my strength if not my appearance. As I have become fond of saying, "It may be a bit flabby, but it's strong!" My legs, especially, are amazing. I'm pretty much have the strength of a newborn bird in my arms, but boy howdy can I push the weight with my legs! I broke 200 pounds this week on the thigh abduction/ adduction machines and was able to run for 2.5 miles straight today. Go me with my gym self!

On the home front, things are going well with the new roommate. Having never lived with males other than my immediate family I was a bit hesitant to take on a male roommate but now find myself regretting not having done so earlier! There is no drama, the place is cleaner than it was with the old roommate, and there is no crazy significant other or drug dealer. Ryan came around at the right time and was the perfect fit.

The new neighbors in the apartment upstairs are also much better than the girls from last year. We have a Justin, Sarah, and Joe living upstairs and have started to get to know them. We're planning a grill-out this weekend with them and anyone from the front building that would like to join. Last night Justin and Joe came a'knockin at our door with the proposition to share our wireless. We have a great, well-established connection with a pretty strong router while they were running into difficulty after difficulty in getting any service. They have been able to see our signal which is, of course, protected and knew it would work in their apartment. We agreed to give it a try and gave them the password. It works very well, so now there will be six of us paying for wireless access, meaning smaller bills all around. Yayy!

I have to say, Joe is a total cutie. I had not met him before last night, but wow! He and I share a wall. Maybe we'll become friends and have a knocking code.

I'm a dork.

For the record, I think that idea is silly.

On the political front, the less I say, the better. My opinions seem to be a bit too straightforward for some. I will leave it at "God help us all if McCain/Palin actually figure out how to rig yet another election for the Republicans and steal the White House."

I will try to post more regularly.

Go Broncos!

~g