As of Yet, This Is Without Title

I complain about my job and the incompetency I witness on a daily basis (like today: An accountant sent me forms that need to be filled out just in case the company gives me a bonus [Ha!  Ha!  I laugh!  They can't even muster up the compassion to match our donations to Hurricane Katrina relief] via UPS–c’mon, I could’ve picked these forms up on Monday), but at least they’re pretty generous with time off if you’re getting your work done.  Case in point:  My boss is allowing me to save my vacation days and letting me log comp hours for my trip to San Francisco; sweet, I must say.  I’ve been saying the word "sweet" a lot lately, too.  Odd.

In good news (tinged with sour language), FEMA head Michael Brown has been relieved of his duties (reg. req., NY Times link) on the Gulf coast.  Other words used?  Reassigned.  He has be recalled to Washington.  You know, another word I want to hear that uses the prefix re-?  Resigned, because Gods knows hearing the word fired would be asking for a miracle to happen.

I have my race tomorrow.  Given how I don’t feel 100% myself (I hope that I am not coming down with my typical fall cold–it’s not fall quite yet, dear body), I’m hoping that tomorrow’s race isn’t a total wash.  I will, however, continue to push through my training because I need to get to that half-marathon.

I have received a reprieve, it seems, from joining my high school friends for a "game night."  I think a "game night" typically involves couples, and I would’ve been short a partner on September 17.  However, the hostess has canceled.  I have suggested that, when we are able to get together, we get together closer to where I live because a) I’m always having to drive up to them and it’s getting very annoying and b) my car . . .

. . . Was acting up, and I have no idea if it plans on acting up again.  The transmission was faltering (this I could tell from sense and from limited experience via television) and I couldn’t shift gears properly.  A quick trip to the neighborhood mechanic proved that it was the linkage cable that needed adjusting, and he did it for free.  He told us to keep an eye on it just in case the cable needs to be replaced ($200, which still isn’t bad).  I was, admittedly, worried about this last night; worried enough that I was already looking at the Hyundai Accent as a replacement.  A car is the last thing I want–I know I can pay a car from anywhere, but I feel as if such a large lease or purchase would tie me down indefinitely to Michigan, and we don’t want that to happen for the sake of my mental health and continued existence as an relatively enjoyable person to know.  I’m breathing a sigh of relief because, even if the damn cable needs to replaced, the price is not terribly outrageous.

I would like to add, in closing, that I absolutely love Jon Stewart and his crew of smart/smart ass reporters.  Alton Brown still remains my TV boyfriend given his ability to show me the science of food, but Jon Stewart would fill those shoes should Alton go off the air (it’s the science knowledge–as evidenced by my intelligent boyfriend, I just find it irresistible).  If you’d like to see the Daily Show’s take on Hurricane Katrina, you should march yourself over to Onegoodmove and check out their latest clips from the show.

That’s it for now.  A guest (conservative doctor, naturally) on Talk of the Nation: Science Friday pissed me off today by basically going around in circles following his tail in regards to releasing emergency contraceptives for over-the-counter sales, but I’ll refrain from ranting.  Ira Flatow and his other guests, with callers aiding, basically shut him down–it was gratifying.