EMDAT

…and still more work to do.

Work is going really well, actually, but there’s just so much of it. Being an RD has an added level of responsibility and preparation, but it has its perks. For instance, I’m getting paid more. I was issued a cellular phone. And I get to talk to angry parents on the phone! (That one, not so much a perk.)

I’m expecting that once a foundation has been laid (in terms of planning and leg-work) that the workload will diminish a bit. At least that’s what I’m hoping: that all of this preparation now will pay off later. The children will arrive in approximately 60 hours. It seems like so long from now. It is not.

I hope all is well with all of you; drop me a line some time. It would probably make my day. And for those of you leaving comments–thank you! They are greatly appreciated as well.

A lot of talking about a lot of thing. Among them: “expectations and dreams,” “diversity,” “the daily schedule,” and the like.

I’ve been eating a lot of turkey and cheese, which I expect will be the case for much of the summer. In fact, for dinner, the dining hall was out of bread, so I ate what I extemporaneously deemed “an open-faced sandwich with only face.” With a bit of hummus on top, it was surprisingly very good. I got seconds. Nothing else to report really. I’m tired, but I’m sure I’ll only get tireder (I acknowledge the fact that this is not a word). Please bear with me on both counts.

So, I’m finally up here at _____. I’m omitting the actual name of my place of employment, because I noticed today during orientation that there is an “_____ Policy on Weblogs.” I’ll quote from it:

_____ employees may keep personal weblogs or similar devices that are accessible to the internet at large. We also recognize, however, that posting a blog is a public announcement, and that everything you write about the program reflects on both you as an employee and _____ as a whole . . . Therefore, if your post pertains to _____, it should reflect your professionalism as any other social interaction would during your period of employment.

Because I want the opportunity to be completely candid and forthright about how my summer is going, I will omit the program’s name in any posts so that I can freely drop my professional guard from time to time. This may turn out to be a good place to vent and relieve the stress that will inevitably build up. I hope you’re all ready for that.

That being said, all is going pretty well here. I’m set up in a fairly nice dorm (though I’m in the basement, so my cell reception is less than stellar) and orientation is going well, although is does get a bit tedious at times. I’m looking forward to getting the ball rolling.

I ate pizza two nights in a row upon my arrival, and while I’m not really complaining, I can’t keep up that pace. Also, my favorite burrito cart was not out yesterday due to the weather, so I’ve been unable to eat my favorite street-burrito ever (my only street-burrito ever, but it’s still damn good).

I know I promised photos from the recent road trip a while back, and those are on the way. I promise. But, it may take a while. It probably won’t be this week. And hopefully there will be some new photos on the way pretty soon. As soon as I do something photo-worthy.

Two things to be addressed in this post:

1) You may recall several days ago I posted about having issues with a particular umpire at one of my brother's games. Well, said umpire was in uniform again this evening, and made another absolutely boneheaded call. I informed him of this, and he was none too pleased. Let me set the stage for you.

As it were, the game was pretty close, and apparently there is a lot of animosity between the two teams. Often, I am told, there is much arguing and shouting between the fans. Let me make it very clear, however, that my ejection had nothing to do with that. It was solely and completely related to the sheer incompetence of the umpire.

With a runner on first, my brother's team's pitcher threw to first to pick off a runner who had started to steal second. My brother, playing first base, threw the ball to second, and the ball got past the shortstop who was covering the bag. The runner slid safely into second and, as the ball was rolling in the outfield, called for time out. The umpire, as the ball was rolling in the outfield, awarded him time out. The ball then proceeded to roll past the outfielder who was backing up the play, at which the runner stood and ran to third base.

The umpire initially said that the runner would have to return to second base because he called time, at which point the opposing coach argued that he could not call time while the ball was in play. He then discussed the play with the other umpire and said "My mistake, I shouldn't have called time." and allowed the runner to remain at third.

At this point, my brother's coach argued that, right or wrong, at the point of the umpire's time-out call, the play is dead and the runner cannot advance. The umpire's response to this was, "But I shouldn't have called time." My bellowed response to this enlightened statement was, "You're exactly right. You blew it, but because you called time the runner has to stay at second."

After a bit more discussion, the umpire said something to the effect of, "I shouldn't have called time so I'm deciding that he gets to stay at third." Rather enraged after dealing with this imbecile's butchering of the game three times in a row, I yelled "Well, why don't we just send him home then? Who cares what the rules say?"

Upon hearing this, the umpire shot me a dirty look and I yelled, "You're awful!" This, apparently, was the key to getting ejected. He countered with a very staccato: "You! Out!" and gave me the proverbial heave-ho.

Having been given the green light to say whatever I wanted without fear of being ejected, I then said: "It's just as well, I've had more than enough of you anyway! I've been putting up with your garbage for three games now! You're absolutely awful!" I then made my exit and watched the rest of the game from the parking lot.

In a fitting note, my brother hit a ground-rule double to drive in the go-ahead run, and his team won the game 12-10. After the game, I told the coach, "I say the things that you want to say but can't." And he replied, "I should have given you a game ball."

It would have been my first game ball since I was 14.

2) I'm leaving for Connecticut in the morning. Work starts Sunday morning. I may not post for a day or two (I know how disappointing this is to all of you). In fact, I may not have internet access at all for a couple of days. If you must reach me (I'm sure you won't need to), try my cellular telephone. Those of you privileged enough to have that information, that is.

Went out tonight with all of my good friends from high school. These, I think (I hope) are the people I will be friends with in some respect 40 years from now. All in celebration of Jess' 22nd birthday.

First to Fatty J's and then to Wings on the Water. We had a good time. I spent way too much money, enjoyed the hell out of my friends' company, and am not entirely sure of everything that happened. A real midsummer's night's dream. Now I'm going to sleep to the sounds of a thunderstorm. What else could one ask for?

As we left Wings on the Water, a bartender chased us out the door asking for money. As best I could gather, some cheap-ass guys who wanted to buy a round for the girls bought the round and then stuck us with the tab. Way to go, fellas. Anyway, the conversation went something like this:

Bartender: Hey, you guys owe me $15.
Annie: Do you want me to show you my boobs?
Bartender: Nevermind. I'll just pay for it.