I've won my first Oscar!

My presumptuous headline aside (really...should we assume that I will win another? The answer is yes), I was honored with an Academy Award this evening!

It came via the lovely Sherry Lansing's acceptance speech for the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. In her speech she shared her Oscar with teachers, who are, "the ones who truly never give up on kids."

I'm paraphrasing. I wish I could find the text of her speech. If I can find it in the following few days, I'll post her exact words.

Until, then, thanks so much, Sherry. I accept! Sorry I didn't dress up. My loungy-jammies will certainly land me on the fug list. I promise to do better next time. I was caught unawares!

It's 2.5 hours before..

...the 79th Annual Academy Awards, and the red carpet is already happening. People are already arriving, in their finery, walking ever so slowly, with bright red smirks on their faces, while flashbulbs illuminate their perfect porcelain skin.

Well, some skin is orangey-Mystic-tan, but still smooth and glowing.

They arrive this early to take the red carpet slowly, I guess. To get the most exposure possible.

Yeah, I'm watching. This is where I get my fashion tips. *guffaws and spews root beer*

Shorts

Some people look stunning and lovely and even more fabulous than anyone thought they could, with little or no hair:






Some don't:

What you don't know.

I wonder how many posts I've started with that headline. I know it's at least one other.

What you don't know about public schools is probably a lot, if you don't work for one, or if you aren't closely connected otherwise. Teaching is a hard job, but one of the best things about teaching for me is that I have made a TON of friends. Schools aren't one room on the prairie, and as such, there are lots of opportunities to meet people and make friends.

The shitty part of all of it comes about this time of year, when the staff of a school sits down and looks at the budget. Of course, the budget is never increased, only decreased. This means that, most every year, "we" have to decide the cuts.

And that's what you don't know. People who work in schools make friends in a foxhole--it's a hard job, no matter what you are doing, and if you work there, you automatically share a special connection with everyone else there. We talk about our time in schools like military folk do: long-term teachers are invariably called "veterans."

So it's that time of year, and the cuts are in. And, of course, one of my best friends has had her job cut. Rather, her job is one of three that has been "redistributed," so she has to decide whether or not to interview for the two remaining positions.

For those who don't know, let me clue you in: THIS SUCKS.

It sucks for her, because she doesn't know if she wants to interview. If not, it means she has lost her job. If she does, she would be interviewing for a different job which she doesn't like. More than likely, I'm betting she chooses not to interview, which means I will have one less friend at work next year.

WHICH SUCKS!

We need as many allies as we can get, down here in this foxhole.

Finally.

I am looking out my front window, and see clouds, yes, but no snow. NO SNOW.

I would breathe a sigh of relief if I didn't think it would jinx the whole thing.

I can't see Pike's Peak today, but I can see the Sleeping Dragon. The foothills have snow on them, but the big mountains look black. I'm sure there is some snow up there, but they are just too far away. Even in this neighborhood, we've got a mountain view. Unreal.

The Olde Crone came off vacation this week, and the response was good. I had a sale to celebrate my return to the land of consumerism, and it is paying off. I've had about 5 orders in one week, which is a very good thing. I've sold a few books this week, as well, so that's a good thing, too. I love selling books. I only wrote it once!

Speaking of which, I should probably get started on my next one. Well, I've got two going right now. Jeez. Gotta focus my efforts.

At least it's not snowing. Depression doesn't help my writing, as I am not writing poetry.