WEEK 9

What a week. I feel as though I've been beaten up.

janedoe@seductive.com

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, DAY 60

We have an extra day this year. And I still have all three of my jobs.

janedoe@seductive.com

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, DAY 59

I have been sneezing a lot. Which is a sign the stuff is finally coming out of my head.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, DAY 58

A change of pace. Too bad my breaks come from other people's deaths/illnesses.

janedoe@seductive.com

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, DAY 57

I got to spend most of the day inside.

LOHAN #1

Lindsay Lohan is #1 of the latest Lycos 50.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, DAY 56

The guy at Potbelly's gave me a free dream bar. And I got to cuddle the pigs after work.

janedoe@seductive.com

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, DAY 55

I got to go home an hour early.

SUNDAY PAPER

Click here for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, DAY 54

I got a lot of sleep. And am losing weight. And my beloved Pippin is not.

WEEK 8

More financially profitable than last week, although still getting over what the CDC is calling the worst flu in years. Even my vet and one of his staff are sick. I make sure I play the influenza PSA on air.

I can't say whether my Spanish has improved measurably, but it hasn't got worse.

Three years ago last week my darling Lightning died. February 17th was Aunt Margie's 84th birthday and would have been my father's also. Seven years ago last week I met one of the more important people in my life. Seven years ago on the 17th we had our first date.

I try not to care too much, even though I am listening to an old podcast even as I type.

janedoe@seductive.com

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, DAY 53


I got to baby-sit for Prager. And I didn't lose my pigs in a foreclosure.

janedoe@seductive.com

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, DAY 52

The prospect of more money AND air time. And I got to go home early.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, DAY 51

I got to see the total eclipse of the moon. Which was every bit as cool as the hype built it up to be.

janedoe@seductive.com

VALENTINE #1

Valentine is #1 of the latest Lycos 50.

janedoe@seductive.com

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, DAYS 48-50

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH: I was able to eat a whole burrito, even if the meal was interrupted by a trip to the bathroom. And I'm losing weight.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH: The prospect of more money.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH: The hicks weren't too retarded.

SUNDAY PAPER

Click here for Claridad.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, DAY 47

Martha had her babies. And my new relief person speaks English, comes to work early, doesn’t smell of booze, smoke or BO and doesn’t sexually harass me. And I’m entitled to ten dollars’ worth of gift cards I didn’t know about.

IN AND OUT


Actually, it's more like out and in. No, it's not a gay thing. I am just trying to rid my body of whatever nasty stuff it's accumulated in the last week in the Malcolm X mode -- by any means necessary --sweating, urinating, um, use your imagination. And replacing it with good stuff. Believe it or not, I just ate some fruit.

The CDC sez this is the worst flu in years.

WEEK 7

Oh, dear, this isn't turning out to be much of a gratitude journal. I am reminded of what Dianne says about how if we do not graciously surrender to the powers of the universe it will make us surrender and not so graciously.

After working 13 days without a break, and only about three hours on the 14th, I crashed. Headache, sore throat, cough, stomach cramps, muscle and joint pain, so tired I was pinned to the bed. So now I am working (barely) and in one of those "nothing will ever be good again" modes. Nothing that enough sleep, more exercise and a better diet wouldn't cure.

janedoe@seductive.com

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE..
DAYS 41-46

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH: Nobody sexually harassed me.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH: F is bring me another Starbucks gift card.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH: A beautiful lunch and a cake.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH: I am thankful for Benadryl.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH: I am thankful to be able to walk. And breathe.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH: We got paid.

janedoe@seductive.com

SUNDAY PAPER

Click here for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE..DAY 40

I have completed one-third of my aromatherapy classroom requirement.

WEEK 6

A financially profitable week. Funny how something which was supposed to make my life easier hasn’t yet. Okay, I am earning more per hour but not working any less hard, at least physically. And I am not putting in any fewer hours, what with what I spend on the phone and computer and getting to and from the studio, to say nothing of no-shows and last-minute cancellations.

An important thing I’ve learned: intelligence, talent and physical suitability aren’t enough for a job – you have to love it. I think I will do better with aromatherapy and reflexology as I will be able to use my brain and deal with a better class of people – right now a lot of the time I find myself praying for a session to end. And that’s not good.

janedoe@seductive.com

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE..DAY 39

I didn't have to stand outside too long when I lost my key card. And I got a new fob in about an hour.

janedoe@seductive.com

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH DAY 38

More than 40 days' worth of opportunity for growth and reflection. And a saviour who fasted and prayed for 40 days in the desert. And more than $25.00 in tips.

SHIT!

I had forgotten Lent was about to begin until E wished us all happy Mardi Gras. As usual I'll give up booze. It's a healthy thing to do, I'll save money and it will be less opportunityto sin. Plus, if Jesus died on the cross for us I figure I can do one little thing.

janedoe@seductive.com

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH DAY 37

A Starbucks gift card with more money on it than I thought.

janedoe@seductive.com

POKER #1

Poker is #1 of the latest Lycos 50.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH DAY 36

Trail mix.

DECISION MONDAY

I have been encountering a lot of sick freaks. About a week or two ago on Craigslist I saw an ad for reflexology. The woman is in my neighbourhood, kinda, so I e-mailed her asking whether she taught. She said no, but recommended a school practically within walking distance of me.

Reflexologists earn $45.00 per 30-minute session and I really liked what little we had of it in massage school. So I've decided to start classes either this month or next month and become a certified reflexologist. The woman on the phone said it would take anywhere from four months to two years.

The school also has aromatherapy classes, but there is no such thing as a certified aromatherapist in America. I am taking these classes not only to expand my earning potential, but also because I REALLY find both subjects interesting -- I can't stop watching the DVD's and I have to control myself to keep from asking people to let me massage their feet. With Swedish massage a lot of the time I stand there praying for the hour to be over soon. Not so with reflexology.

Not only that, but it's usually women who want these massages, and I'm less likely to run into the perverts I am now...

janedoe@seductive.com

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH DAY 35

More money and air time, although for a sad reason.

janedoe@seductive.com

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH DAY 34

Another *@#! credit card out of my life.

SUNDAY PAPER

Click here for the Detroit Free Press.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH DAY 33

A nice party and a good check.

WEEK 5

I'm sorry, I realize I haven't been much fun for the last couple months, and these entries have been horribly pedantic. Banal? I can't even think of the word. Unfortunately, physical and emotional exhaustion have kept me from writing ALL I want to. Okay, that's just an excuse.

janedoe@seductive.com

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH DAY 32

" I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose."

Woody Allen

On attitudes of gratitude: .