From the Dust bowl to the Cotton Bowl

On New Year's Day, we left the horrific Dust Bowl of Lubbock (see blog below) and headed for the Cotton Bowl 2006, which pitted Texas Tech against the University of Alabama.

The five-hour drive to Dallas took us along the backroads where we were a few distance away from the grass fire. It was a surreal sight to see the glow of the fire and smoke in the horizon. What wondrous colors in the midst of a horrible situation.

We awoke early the next morning at 6 a.m. to make it to our parking spots at the Texas Fair Grounds. Yes, we had parking permits. Not only that, we also had tickets to the 3rd row on the 40 yard line. It's good to have connections, baby. Now I know why management hate to give up their jobs. Along with that, they'd have to give up with perks.

Some of you may not know this. M's from Alabama, near Mobile. His parents went to the University of Alabama (and Auburn subsequently). We got tickets via the AJ's connections. Guess who we are rooting for

We had earlier planned to root for both teams, generally a good game. So, there we were, seated among the Tech fans (with the exception of another Alabama supporter, see 2nd picture), cheering for both teams.

I felt rather schizophrenic after a while. I gave up around the 2nd quarter. Make up your mind, Ling. Stick to one and stand by the decision.

So, after Alabama made a touch down in the first 4 minutes of the 1st quarter (a play that was disputed AFTER the game), an approximate 80-yard run, I switched allegiance.

To be fair, I was going to root for Bama. I figured blood is thicker than water and since M's mom couldn't be with us, somebody gotta be the unpopular one among the Tech fans. I'm not afraid.

And did my allegiance pay off. Bama broke the tie at 5 seconds to the end of the game by kicking a field goal, making it just inches from the bottom left of the post. Now, that's a game. 13-10.

Photo below: A few of us thought he was a chicken. M immediately figured he was a cotton ball. How brilliant. He even had the physique for it! Oops, that was rude.

Job SHITuation

Does this happen in your corner of the country where every job, be it professional degreed or blue-collar, commands the same level of commitment yet pays the same? Something just doesn't sit right here.

I have interviewed at small publications, advertising agencies, even as a non-interior design required decorator at a furniture store, and have been offered the same pathetic low pay. I'm the queen of 2nd interviews or callbacks. I told the same earnest truth of the level of expertise and dedication that I will bring to the job. They all seem impressed. But all they could "afford for the position" is an insulting $xx,xxx.

I'm too ashamed to list the figures. I would hate for word to get around to my old colleagues and be either sympathized or worse, mocked. (I love you all but I know about 'em loose lips around the beer garden.)

It appears there is no consideration for "commensurate with experience" nor a college degree nor the knowledge of various computer programs. They want the talent but they won't pay for it. Which may explain the generally appalling work ethics and quality I've witnessed around here.

I truly am giving up. I felt I'll be better off with a relatively stress-free, 9-5 vocation than pursue my passion for the same pay. Afterall, the quality of life will be better. I won't be bringing work home with me, and how to schedule my vacations around it.

Seriously, Chronicle folks, the pay there is NOT shabby at all.

News folks, don't let the daily grind get to you. You know it's just going to repeat its cycle.

Just roll with the punches and let the stress go like water off a duck's back. I've been there and I'm here. I know what I'm talking about.

An ominous start to 2006?

Ah, the infamous sandstorm of Lubbock, TX.

I finally got to witness it early New Year's Day.

I had been warned over Christmas by a former resident of Lubbock that when the dust kick up, not even the tighest window could keep out the silt. I hope I never have to experience that. I did, however, bit on some dust. I had to wash out my contacts soon. I could feel the microscopic particle(s).

What I did witness is the spectacular strength of the wind, reported at 53 mph at the National Weather Service Web site. Temperature in the highs of 75 degrees. The wooden fences that line the back yard are rocking, and if I look hard, wisps of dust are kicked around in the air. Even the rare bird or two that dared to venture was struggling against the wind.

Let's hope that the condition does not escalate through the evening. With the low humidity and gusty winds, I fear that some moronic resident would attempt to light up some fireworks. Furthermore, I wonder if this condition is similar in Dallas. Maybe the skyscrapers will tone it down some. Let's hope so, or the Cotton Bowl tomorrow will be insufferable for the players and spectators, M and I among the latter.

Note the dark blue of the shed in the neighbor's yard against the sky. Also note that picture is about one shade darker that current conditions.

White Christmas in the Southwest

Happy belated holidays

Happy holidays, everyone. This is the closest I got to a White Christmas.

The only reason I dislike Christmas

Be warned: If you like structure in blogs, stop reading. This is pure cathartic rant. Good for the soul. My soul.

Christmas, accompanied by all its commercial superficiality, will always hold a special place in my heart ... until I have to include baking and Christmas cards in the repertoire.

It's fine when I am the one making all the decision. Things are easy and dandy. But get my dear husband, M, in the picture, and things get really messy.

I don't mind making goodies to give out. But the frustration sets in when
(1) he makes the list and adds people who mean little to us. Give presents and baked goods to those who work well with you all year, that's my motto. But he has to be fair. Even to those who make life difficult for him. I know, goodwill towards men.
(2) Printing snafus. This year, we went to a really cool place for vacation and wanted to include that image for our Christmas cards. The design was ready soon after Thanksgiving. But home printing creates disalignment, which results in me waiting for him to fix the problem. It wasn't fixed until last night.

The week of Christmas. Now there is no way I can send those cards out in time!!!!! I should just send 1/2 priced Hallmark cards in future. You bastards probably throw the cards I send as soon as the new year sets in anyway, right? Never mind, I don't want to know.

I have to be fair. I can't pin all the blame on him. He's driven by ivory tower corporate to the edge. A mere 2 days before we had to leave for Christmas break, corporate had the gall to hand him a last-minute project to complete. He had no time to put out all the fires for me.

Also, those who know me well know I've no patience to spare. Every chore has to be done AT ONCE. I don't tolerate procrastination.

Anyway, I had been baking and sorting for 3 days straight. I have a guest coming tomorrow.

On Friday, we are flying to KC. Oh, I am unemployed hence there's no money coming in. I used Mark's debit card and misplaced it in the process, hence resorting to using my bank reserves for now.

You know what they say, when it rains, it pours.

May you find peace this holiday season, and goodwill to all men. Afterall, Christmas comes but once a year, there's no sense in stressing out.

A new game in town

Maybe those in the know already have gotten suckered into this game Sudoku. You may have seen an entire table at major bookstores dedicated to the method of playing the game.

For those unfamiliar with it, it looks like a crossword puzzle with numbers.

A few numbers are provided in a region of 9 squares within the puzzle. The player must fill in the blanks with well, numbers. The numbers range from 1 to 9. In the puzzle, no number can be repeated diagonally, vertically or horizontally.

Try it at http://www.sudoku.name/play-sudoku-en.php?a=online-games and you'll get the picture.

Try it and see if you enjoy it. Maybe you can offer me some tips without utilizing the tempting "solutions" key.

Be nice to us cos ...

We almost met our makers today.

We were taking a leisurely drive after lunch along the boondocks outside downtown. I, the driver, was approaching the green light. And as I neared the crossing line, two cars from the adjacent streets to my right started to cross, too. One red truck was on the right turn lane. Its driver did a rolling stop and made a sharp right. Meanwhile, another car, which had obviously been idling in the middle lane the whole time during the red light prior my approach, decided to make a run for it.

What transpired next was truly surreal.

I was driving at regular speed toward the car from the middle lane. In a spilt second, I was zig-zagging and steering as hard to the left as possible, while at the same time, keeping my eye on the side of the other car.

The nose of my car was so close to the driver's side of that car I thought I was going to pin M against it. I couldn't remember if we were silent or cussing the whole time the scene unfolded.

I thought I recall that car seemed to slow down or even pause as I was steering to the hard left.

When our cars were parallel to each other, it zoomed off. I didn't feel the contact between the vehicles.

But we pulled into a gas station.

Can you believe we, pasengers and car, escaped unscathed?

Although it would be nice if our car got hit cuz we needed a little detailing work on the back passenger door when I scratched it against a bank drive-through post.