Welcome to my journal!!

Summer 1997

August 31, 1997 - Opening day of the NFL Season... Labor Day Sunday ... Princess Diana - dead at age 36 ... the world mourns ...

Aug 25, 1997 - Well, school officially started today at UNO, although I did not have a class. My first class is tomorrow. I guess I can consider myself officially a grad student ...

Tonight, at Zephyr Field ... aka the Shrine of Airline ...the Z's will make New Orleans baseball history!!! They drew half a million fans this season, their first in the new ball park. A great place to go, with a pool and a spa in left field!!! Comfortable seats throughout!!! Great entertainment!!! And a ballgame to boot!!!

The Z's are in the play-offs this year, too!!

Can't believe baseball is almost over for another season, and football has already begun!!

Sad story from around here ... the bodies of two young boys who drowned were found today ... one who dived off a barge in the Mississippi River, and the other an autistic boy who wandered off and drowned in a canal. My heart goes out to the families of these boys.

We are back to the heat of summer, but hopefully it won't be quite as hot as it has been. I've really enjoyed our early morning taste of fall ... too bad it can't last.


Aug 24, 1997 - I felt it!!! That first cool nip that reminds us that Fall is on the way!!! It doesn't usually get here this early. It's usually mid-September before we get any relief. BUT ... yesterday morning, when I went outside, it was actually NICE, with a slight breeze, some cloud cover ... and so on. Oh, don't get me wrong -- by the end of the day, it was still too hot, but nevertheless, it was a sign. That is what those of us who live in sub-tropical climates look for this time of year. ANY SIGN of the end of the heat!!!

Maybe I should close out my summer journal ...
NAAAAH!! It's not over yet. Classes dont' start until Tuesday ... Summer movies are still out ... Can't even think of trying on sweaters and jackets ...AND it's not Labor Day yet!!! Maybe next week.

Aug 23, 1997 - One week since the GRE!! Took it and passed it!! The computer based test is actually easier than the paper tesr in many ways. You do not waste time scribbling your answers in little holes and "Erasing completely" when you make a mistake. I was a little annoyed having to take a tutorial on "how to use the mouse", but I guess for those who have not used computers much, it could be reassuring.

The room was extra cold, though. While it was over 90degrees F, I was rubbing my hands together in the computer lab - wishing I had thought to bring a jacket.

Well, school is about to start ...

Let's give a cheer for ... Old U-N-O ...

I wonder if I should close out my summer journal and start working on the Fall .... Naaaa ... it's too hot. I'll keep summer going for a while.

Next week I start classes as a GRAD student!!!

Let's give a cheer for ... Old U-N-O ...

Wow!!! I guess I'll have to "kick it up a notch!!!" "BAM!!"

Saw Contact this week. It was quite good. I know I'm late seeing this one, but other things have gotten in the way. Besides, I like to wait to see the big ones when the crowds die down ... well, sometimes.

I think I am going to make Thursday night movie night for the fall semester ... a break from school, etc. Working full-time and going to school makes it hard to fit in any real entertainment. My boyfriend and I tend to see each other on Saturday night only during school. This will give us a little more time together.

Long entry ... I'll close for now. Hope to be back soon!!

Aug 7, 1997 - It's only been a week since I last posted, but oh ... what a week!!

On the first, I called to schedule the GRE, but there were no openings in September. I did not want to wait until October or later, so I asked about August. Lo and behold ... there was an opening on Aug 9th!!! This weekend!!! I took it, hoping that I could reschedule it - hoping there would be a cancellation this week. For Sept.

I went into seclusion over the weekend to prepare - mainly for the math portion. I comleted the math review, but I did not get much chance to go over the other parts of the test.

Monday - I called to see if I could reschedule the test, and sure enough, they had another cancellation on the 16th, so I got a reprieve. And a good thing, too. I've had a terribly hard week at work, and I am VERY tired. I would not be up to taking this test this week anyway.

I NEED ANOTHER VACATION!!!

July 30, 1997 - I am currently preparing to take to GRE. AAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!! It is now offered primarily by comper-based testing. I want to take it soon before the paper tests are discontinued. I am not sure I like the "adaptive" part of the test. I don't fully understand how that works yet, but I'm skeptical ...

Right now, I am working through a math review. It's been quite a while since I've had math. I'm glad this review goes back to the very beginning - the number line. I'm concerned, though, about "reducing radicals". Factoring is a skill that takes practice, and I am definitely out of practice. And the review only gives a few problems of each type.

A cousin of mine found me via e-mail, and we are sharing stories of our families. It is a nice feeling to hear from someone from my past.

July 29, 1997 - This month is the anniversary of the invention of the Snow Wizard, the machine that gives New Orleans snow balls their unique finely shaved ice texture. The difference between a snow ball and a snow cone is the way the ice is shaved. In New Orleans (and a few other places) the ice is as fine as snow, so you don't have to chew it or bite it. It just melts in your mouth.

Today, the announcement was made that we will lose yet another department store on Canal Street. Krauss', which has been a fixture on Canal Street since the early years of this century, will close in 60 days. The building will go up for sale. I hope that whoever buys it will choose to work with the building rather than tear it down.

July 27, 1997 - One of the shocks I've had to deal with this past week is the imminent loss of our local drug store - K & B or Katz & Bestoff for old-timers. They've sold out to a larger chain from PA. This makes me really mad. Why does everything local have to be gobbled up by outsiders? Everything small and unique has to die to make room for the big guys that can pay the big advertising dollars. Before long, there will be very little difference between Minnesota and rural Georgia!! between Chicago and San Antonio!! Except for climate of course.

And that is just it. We have no store that cater to local needs and interests any more. Everything has to be the same. It does not matter if it is 99 degrees outside. In July, it is time to bring out the coats and sweaters in the stores. It is back - to - school time, after all, and heaven forbid that a child should start back to school without a new fall wardrobe, even if he won't be able to wear it for two or three months. This time of year around here, shopping becomes very difficult. If you need something for a particular event, your choice is to search through the picked over sale racks, or wear something too heavy. When will they learn that in a semi-tropical climate, summer and spring clothes are worn year round? Short sleeves and light-weight fabrics can be worn throughout the year. Around here, someone may just need a swim suit just about any time during the year.

We all have our local favorites and our local pet peeves. These are just a few of mine.

So for us, our grandchildren will not know K & B purple, K & B ice cream - cream cheese ice cream. Soon there will no longer be a K & B "between here and there".

July 26, 1997 - Well, I'm back from vacation, I got rid of guests, I served my day of jury duty ... I've had quite a couple of weeks. Sorry I was unable to update my journal, but I was quite busy.

I'm going to a house warming tomorrow, though I don't know why anyone would want to warm a house this time of year. It's too hot already. Anyway, that promises to be fun with live Jazz Music, New Orleans BBQ and lots of friends. I'm looking forward to it.

I saw George of the Jungle tonight. It was actually better than I expected. I thought it would be really bad, but it had some genuine humor in it. Like to cartoon, the narrator, too, was a character. And George wasn't quite as stupid as he was in the cartoon. If you can look at it as a live action cartoon, you can enjoy it. I did.

July 14, 1997 - BASTILLE DAY - And ... the day before I leave ... Oh, the yellow rose of Texas ... lala la la la la laaaaaaaaaa..... Le Bon Temps, Ya'll !!!!

July 13, 1997 - Sunday - weekend finale - but it's time for vacation. I leave for San Antonio on Tuesday. Yes, I'm going to work tomorrow. A one-day work week. I don't think I've ever had one of those ...

When I get back ... I have jury duty. (Actually, I'm on stand-by for the 23rd. If I go, it should be for only one day, unless I get on a jury.) I don't think I would be a very good juror. I'm not terribly decisive, and I would take the task quite seriously. No matter what, I think I would always wonder if I made the right decision. I don't mind going, but I hope I do not actually get called.

I took the Praxis II, NTE (or two parts of it). It was an ordeal. The test wasn't terribly hard, but it started early, and went on for a long time. I took the General Knowledge and Communication Skills part. I'll take the Professional Knowledge and the specialty area on another day. I thought it would be best to split it in half, but now I almost wish I had taken the Professional Knowledge portion. I would be done with it ...

I am now preparing to take the GRE in August or September. I may decide to get it overwith if I can still get in for August, but I may have to wait until September. I'll schedule it when I get back from vacation.

Well, I'll close for a while. I'll probably not be able to update my journal for a week, but I hope to come back with wonderful stories to tell. See ya then!!

July 10, 1997 - Thursday - Okay, Okay ... I've been bad. I admit it. I shouldn't start an on-line journal and let it sit for a whole week. I know ... BUT I WAS BUSY!!!

What a week it has been!! I've seen The Tempest, Men in Black, the New Orleans Zephyrs AAA Baseball Team (complete with patriotic 4th of July fireworks), AND a modern play called The Girlhood of Shakespeare's Heroines. Quite a mix!!! No time for things such as journals and such.

By the way ... all of it was good.

Oh, and how could I forget ... What a wonderful job the folks at NASA JPL have done with Sojourner and the Carl Sagan Memorial station!! Richard, Cathy, Chris and everyone else involved ... CONGRATS!!! Keep up the good work!!

July 3, 1997 - Thursday - IT'S TOO DARNED HOT!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSZZZZZZZZZZZZZLLLLLLLLLLLLL!
AAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKK!

Rain, Rain, Come Again!!!! Anytime Now!!!! Could use a cold shower. Maybe now's the time to start the hockey season ... I used to go ice skating in the summer ... It was cooler!! (In the rink!!) Think COOL thoughts!!! Have a safe and happy Fourth!!!!

July 2, 1997 - Wednesday - What a weekend we have in store!!! Tomorrow night, I'm going to see the Tempest ... Friday night, I'm going to see the Zephyrs ... (Stormy Weather ahead??) ... ooooooooooo ... We may go to True Brew Cafe this weekend, too.

I'll be extra glad when vacation gets here. I don't know ... Maybe we'll do some line dancing ... Try something we've never done before. ANYTHING as long as it does not involve printing!!!!

June 30, 1997 - Monday - Well, the torch has been passed. Hong Kong is now under Chinese rule. What a remarkable event!! I wonder how the Chinese are going to manage two such different economies ... societies ... It will be interesting to watch. I wish them all the best.

I had to work late today, but I'm not sorry. While I was there, I missed a sudden rain shower - one of those that pop-up on a hot summer afternoon. The rain had stopped by the time I left, and all that remained was a nearly perfect double rainbow. I would have missed that had I left on time.

June 28, 1997 - Saturday ... the weekend is finally here. I wonder if it is going to rain to day, like every other day this week. I should stay in and work on my math skills for the GRE, but I'm probably not going to. I'll study next week. Now, I need to do something just because I want to. That's what the weekend is for - right? That and catching up on chores and such. I'll do that tomorrow. Today, I want to relax and play.

June 26, 1997 - Tough day at work. I'm looking forward to a vacation to San Antonio in a few weeks. I'm not sure what all we're going to do there. I guess that'll be half the fun ... deciding where to eat ... what to do ... No major responsibilities for a few days ... Wonderful.