Demoralization

You have not sufficiently experienced self-loathing

until you have sat in the Orientation session for NH Unemployment, in which they cram you like sardines into a tiny room and tell you how you better file for open jobs and disclose any AND ALL* earnings unless you want to be sent to prison for fraud - all this while sitting practically on top of the guy who smells like pee** while the lady next to you informs you she has a Master's degree and should not have to come to next week's seminar on resume writing. No joke, lady. I said the same thing and they said, "We'll see you next Wednesday" and "Yes, it's mandatory." Meanwhile the disgruntled laid off bus driver is picking a fight with the facilitator and the teacher who is going back to work at the end of the summer is complaining that this was supposed to be THE ONLY MEETING NANCY FROM NASHUA SAID I HAD TO GO TO.

Do you hate yourself enough yet? I did not see you there...so the answer is no.

*We were informed that if we made $35 mowing someone's grass, we had better report it.
**Being let go from your job is not a license to stop wiping yourself. In fact, there is NO license to stop wiping yourself, for any reason. Just in case you were wondering if you could free up that little one second of your day.

Hrumpf.

~Al

A plane! A bird! Pet Detective in a one piece!

"Jim Carrey doesn't have a jiggly belly, but that doesn't mean he should have slipped into his girlfriend Jenny McCarthy's slinky black swimsuit. Remember men - say no to Speedos!
photo by AlphaX/X17 Online - July 4, 2008"

----

I don't know...if he's gonna wear a women's suit, I think he may have picked the perfect one. Just wait, a new fashion trend (set by Jim Carrey??)...you know they've always wanted to try on those bikinis...

(Don't say I never took you anywhere.)

Nursery (of the green babies)

Only had time for one post today, and it is here. And if you like flowers, you will like it. I hope.

I will wish on a bright star for your happiness tonight.

*Goodnight.*

~Al

Wonder Woman has returned to the building.

I have not forgotten you! I have been quite busy with trying to find a new job, trying to maintain semblance of sanity, visiting friends and family, celebrating birthdays, canceling our trip (double wahhh), working on diagnosing the poor sick old dog, and cleaning puke/crap/random disasters off the rug (see poor sick old dog).

I am going to visit Laurel tomorrow for a few days and I may have time to blog then. I have a major backlog of topics to discuss with you, plus a plethora of new photos to share.

Meanwhile, I thought you might like to see our post for Kristin at Rock, Water and Light. We have finished our assignment and the photos were so fun to take. See what you think of them.

Will be back soon. (And thanks for checking back.)

Back to the Audubon Trails

We went back to the Audubon trails after Scott got home from work. I had a long day of job hunting and was just getting ready to go to the grocery store when he arrived. I was glad to be distracted and taken to somewhere lovely to wander as the sun set. I practiced my "ant's eye view" again.

I have been v interested in bugs lately - which is not at all like me - and fascinated with photographing them.

I think this little bug is a lightning bug.
And a beautiful bee - click to enlarge.

Here's a mystery bug. What great antennae!
Everything in these fields smells so sweet. It's a heavenly summer scent. I could drink it in.

The photographer...
It was easy to lose time there. Everything was interesting.
I think this is a strange insect of some sort. Anyone seen it before?
The clouds rolled in the most majestic ways tonight as the sun set.

Upside down, and right side up.
The sun sets.
So easy to feel loved, so simple to be grateful on a night like this.
Happy Tuesday to you.
~Allison

Happy, Are We?

So the world appears to be getting happier. Read this short article and see if you agree.

~Ally

Weight Watchers gone terribly, terribly wrong

This is Kristin's funny, funny post and if you are sad, mad, cranky, lonely, bored, fat, or desperate (or several of the above)...you just gotta read it! It'll make you cry with laughter. Make sure you click on all the links.

~A