Tuesday, July 26, 2005

All State, the DMV and a headache...

So, about a week ago I get a call from my insurance company that I haven't paid my premium. Rather confused I called back and said "yes I did, a week ago." I was then informed that no, I hadn't because they didn't have my check. I then replied that I would call back the next day because I had to look into this situation, and being at work on lunch just didn't make that possible at the time.

Upon reaching home I looked into the check registery and yes, I did send a check, I called my bank and all the other checks written on the same day had posted, so...I called the insurance company the next day, payed my premium by credit card (to avoid having the policy dropped, remember that, it's important later on in the story), then called my credit union and did a stop payment on the check ($10 charge).

Flash forward to TODAY (a week later), I get a call from the insurance company. My payment posted too late and my policy has been dropped. Dropped from a company that has held my insurance for over 20 years (now that's a scarey story in and of itself). I have been driving around for over a week with no car insurance and they just called me TODAY!!!!!

So, I race to Office Depot (I mean why would I have a fax at my house?), and pay $5.00 to send paperwork to the insurance company, this is after paying $2.00 to receive the fax. Just when I think all is good with the world I get a phone call, the registration I sent was expired. Now those who know me know that this type of thing doesn't happen, I don't let things expire on accident, I'm just too organized. So, now I am late for a meeting with some friends and I have no insurance and no way to fix it...the DMV is closed!

I now have to go to the DMV tomorrow and pay $16 for a new registration card, because I can't find mine anywhere! This is something I would not misplace. So something really fishy had to have been going on in my life with this thing came.

And now, I have to temp all day tomorrow (at a job I mentally finshed last week, I am tired of being the spa company phone girl), then race to the DMV to get a new registration card, then race to Office Depot in an effort to get this thing faxed before the office closes and I spend yet another day without car insurance. Because you know what will happen, Murphy's Law dictates that I will get pulled over for something, with no valid registration and no insurance. Kiss my good drive discount goodbye.

Because this situation is something I could not control I have decided to blame it all on the democrats...because I can't control them either.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

The Things People Do...

Okay, now people, I think we all need to get over ourselves and just let others be who they are. I recently read a post on another board about someone not buying furniture from a company because they sponor the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy show. And my first that was...WHAT? I think there are alot more damaging things these people could be boycotting than a company that sponsors a show that helps straight men find a bit of style, it's not a conversion show!

On the same note, I ran into to an email on the evils of Harry Potter! It's just a book people, and a pretty good book at that. JK Rowling is not trying to convert people to the "Dark Side." It's fiction. What is funny about this one, these people haven't even read the book. Okay, if you read the book and you don't like it, it's not your style, taste or whatever, fine...but don't slam what you know nothing about.

Now, something I have noticed is that the people who tend to do this the most...extreme right wing religous folk. Okay, I admit it, I have more a Republican/conservative bent (don't tell the teaching or theatre communities, I'd be laughed out), but I keep it in check. I don't fly off the handle when it comes to having an open mind about things I don't agree with. I don't even do much Emotional slamming (that is what Larry Elder and I loving call the democrats), even when I know how WRONG they are. Each to their own.

So, what is my point here...GET OVER YOURSELVES. Just because you don't agree with it, if you like the table at the place that sponsors the Queer Eye show, buy the gosh darn table, it's a table for goodness sake. It isn't a reflection of your personal beliefs. If you want to boycot something boycott ignorance, stupidity and intollerance.

Monday, July 18, 2005

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DISNEYLAND

Yesterday was the 50th birthday of the Happiest Place on Earth. I must say that I have many fond memories of Disneyland, both from visiting as a child and an adult and from working many long hours during college . Even with all the politics, complaints and headaches I can truly say that Walt's vision is still alive today and with this great celebration shinning stronger than ever.

When I arrived at the Park at 1:00 am on Sunday morning to get in line to be a part of the festivities (and there were already 3000 people in front of me) I had no idea what to expect...grumpy, tired people? Nope, everyone was in great sprits and even cheered on the employees at they arrived for their shifts. Once inside everything was the same, the guests were treated better than ever as Cast Members lined Main Street welcoming us all home. Reminding us that Walt wanted everyone to feel at home, welcome and loved at this magical place.

Sometimes in the bustle of the crowds that can gather at the Park we forget what it is all about, that Walt wanted to creat a place where dreams really do come true...and they do!

Happy Birthday Disneyland! Thank you Walt!

Saturday, July 09, 2005

Email

I love mail! Email, snail mail, even junk mail. I love sending mail and I love getting mail. Now, the only thing that bothers me about mail is that most of the people I send mail to, do not send mail back. Why is it when someone sends me a note they expect me to reply in the first 2 seconds of reading the note, but when I send a note, I should not and can not expect a reply from the receiver of said note. I consider myself a good friend, I am always here when people need me, willing to help out in any way I can...but heaven forbid I call and ask for help fsom some of these people. I understand people live busy lives, so do I, but hey! if you call and need to rant about your latest breakup, the least you could do is meet for coffee and and listen to me talk about my theatre program for a few minutes once in a while.

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

What are they thinking...

I just finished reading an article in California Educator about the No Child Left Behind legislation and the effect it is having on the Arts in our schools. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't one of California's top industries entertainment? Then why does the state insist on cutting funding, all but eliminating the arts in our schools. In my district elementary music has been taken away, schools that are underperforming on those crazy tests have had their elective programs taken away and counselors are telling students that once they take the one year required for college they can't take an arts class again because they need to focus on AP classes and things like that.

Have these people forgetten that for some of these kids the arts are the thing keeping them in school? Has all the research on the effect of the arts on student achievement in what is considered to be the "core" just passed these people by? Did they miss the part of NCLB that states that the arts ARE core? Goodness! what is a drama teacher to do?

We are creating a society of people who can take tests but can't feel with their souls.

Friday, July 01, 2005

Oh, a-camping we will go...

I don't know if anyone out there goes camping, but it is a pretty big tradition with my family (at least part of the family). We get together and go to the same campgrounds year after year. We love it. I just returned from our most recent outting and a great time was had by all. Got to love camping on the beach! The weather was fairly cooperative, sunny but windly (typical for this particular location). The kids had a wonderful time looking for rocks to paint and playing with a metal detector, of course they thought that every bottle cap and rusty tent spike was a treasure.

As much as I love camping and sitting by the campfire I spent a great deal of time wondering why we put ourselves through such an experience. Just think about it for a second, we all work work for the things we have, homes, cars, comfortable beds...why do we then go out and live in a canvas "house," sleep on the ground, and cook with limited resources, hike to the restrooms, pay to take very short showers and tend with dirt *everywhere*, not to mention the squirles, crows and bugs, and insist that is relaxing. Are we crazy people?