I need company

So there are a couple of things I am currently, desperately, physical-pain-in-gut missing at the moment. 50% of that couple-of-things, well, I am too coy to blab on about on my blog (though you know I'd love to shout it out). The other 50% of that couple-of-things is my cat. Last night it was raining (it is taking a marked effort on my part to not focus all of my energy right now on hating this horrible, horrible prolonged winter, fyi) and after a long day at work, a longer than usual workout, and a confusing (to the brink of tears) discussion with the financial aid dept at TC, all I really wanted to do was sit on the couch, pop in my "John Adams" dvds (nerd) and not think about life. Once I accomplished this, however, I realized what I really wanted to do was sit on the couch, pop in my "John Adams" dvds and not think about life ... while cuddling with my cat. I miss her desperately. I miss having a weird little personality around to contend with. You should never underestimate the impact of a fuzzy ball of fluff and purrs on your happiness.

It also does not help the situation (warning: most selfish statement of all up ahead) that she is currently living with her sister and happy as a clam. And at the end of August, I'm going to take her to New York so she can be a lonely apartment cat again. Am I the worst mother ever? Perhaps.

Me? Sad sack.

Babraham

Best. Ever.

Warning: You Will "Awwww!!!!"

Pig in Boots: The world's only porker who is afraid of mud

Officially a student again...

That's right, I officially have a schedule for fall semester, and I couldn't be more excited. Let's just put the nerdy right out there. I'm taking:

Education & Public Policy; Political Policy Analysis in Education; Social & Political History of American Education Reform; Probability & Statistical Inference; and (hopefully) the Federal Policy Institute

I say "hopefully" on FPI because it appears to be quite legendary at TC:

Rated by TC students as “a course that changed my career,” the Federal Policy Institute examines historical and current debates over federal educational policy-making through an intensive week-long institute in Washington, DC linked with preparatory and follow-up sessions at Teachers College. While in Washington, participants will meet with leading policy makers from the legislative and executive branches of government, along with prominent representatives from key professional, advocacy, think tank, and member organizations. Upon return from Washington, students will prepare a policy analysis and present mock testimony on an educational policy topic germane to their interests.

Not only that, the course is taught by Sharon Lynn Kagan, who is Big Deal, A when it comes to Early Education Policy. I swoon.

Help Me Avoid NYC Hobo-dom

Friends, friends, friends:

I am headed to NYC for school at the end of August, and I am going to go ahead and exhaust all possible avenues to find housing. This is where you maybe come in.

Know of anyone who is looking to sub-let an apt on the Upper West Side for a year (last week of August 2008 - Early/Mid-Summer-ish-maybe 2009)??? And/or anyone who is sane and awesome and just as terrified by roommates as I am but equally terrified by NYC apartment costs and is looking for a roomie (who is, you know, also kind of awesome, will cook rad veg food, and is a serious lover of personal space)???

So, my preferences are: Upper West Side (seriously, anywhere; i'm kinda crushing on the 70s, but I'll consider anything); liveable, I like clean things; cat-friendly; within walking distance to GOOD grocery store: I am kind of a strict eater so I need a soy/organic/SEATTLE-friendly market/co-op (don't laugh, bitches); something close to the 1 line, ideally. I would love, love, love to spend under $1300 a month. God, Seattle, I miss you already.

Also, all of that said, there is still a chance I could maybe MAYBE be persuaded to do Brooklyn (Cobble Hill, Prospect Heights, Park Slope, esp.) for the right person/price/place...though most of my classes are at night, so I'm not really loving the idea of a long late night commute. But if you've got 'em, throw 'em this way.

I'm early on in my hunt, so am open to anything at this point. If you know of anything or anyone and are lovely enough to send them my way, I can guarantee you that it will be much, much, much appreciated.

Hugs and thank yous,

kt

Proud.

In our country, I have found that this cooperation happens not because we agree on everything, but because behind all the labels and false divisions and categories that define us; beyond all the petty bickering and point-scoring in Washington, Americans are a decent, generous, compassionate people, united by common challenges and common hopes. And every so often, there are moments which call on that fundamental goodness to make this country great again.

So it was for that band of patriots who declared in a Philadelphia hall the formation of a more perfect union; and for all those who gave on the fields of Gettysburg and Antietam their last full measure of devotion to save that same union.

So it was for the Greatest Generation that conquered fear itself, and liberated a continent from tyranny, and made this country home to untold opportunity and prosperity.

So it was for the workers who stood out on the picket lines; the women who shattered glass ceilings; the children who braved a Selma bridge for freedom’s cause.

So it has been for every generation that faced down the greatest challenges and the most improbable odds to leave their children a world that’s better, and kinder, and more just.

And so it must be for us.

America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.

The journey will be difficult. The road will be long. I face this challenge with profound humility, and knowledge of my own limitations. But I also face it with limitless faith in the capacity of the American people. Because if we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment – this was the time – when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals. Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

Not a bad lookin' first famliy...

I nearly cried in my wine glass tonight as the headlines streamed in on CNN at 22 Doors. I'm proud of my guy.

Now, Barack, go take a nap. It's been a long run.

I'll write more about Hillary-as-VP and/or the laughable spectacle that are sure to be McCain/Obama debates, once I collect myself.

pics from a lazy sunday at the ballard docks

no, no, no.

Oprah just used the word "sheroes."

You know, I didn't think it was possible to hate a pseudo-feminist-bullshit-word even half as much as I hate "womanity" and "herstory" and "sisterhood." I have been proven wrong.

Sheroes? Really? I'm embarrassed for my sex.