annoyances

It's been a very very long week and I've entered cranky mode. So, for your reading pleasure I have a list of things that are annoying me to no end! (I've also got a few things that I am totally stoked about so depending on your mood, you might want to save time and scroll to the happy list now).

In no particular order . . .

1. My fellow commuters are some of the worst drivers I have ever seen! Last night a car drove behind me for about 10 miles. It was so close to my bumper that for most of the 10 miles I could not see their headlights in my rear view mirror. Did I mention it was dark and rainy? It was. This behavior freaks me out completely! They had plenty of room and opportunity to pass but didn't. I slowed down to way below the speed limit and they got closer. Finally they pulled around me and sped off at 100 mph. I kind of hoped that I would pass them in a few miles pulled over by a state trooper but no such luck.

2. This has been a super long, super busy work week. Every single day I either had to be at work early or stay late (or both) and/or had somewhere to be after work. It's weeks like these that the hour commute each way is particularly hard to stomach.

3. I am super super irritated by X. As things progress I am feeling more and more angry with myself and I feel like the whole situation is robbing me of the joy that I found last fall. It seems that I have not completely learned my lesson and this makes me angry. In order to come to some kind of resolution someone is going to get badly hurt and this makes me feel like a jerk.

4. I am on night #50 (or more) of either crap sleep or not enough sleep. As it turns out the chemicals in paint set off a severe asthmatic reaction. I've aired out my place so it's better but I sure wish I had known this before I painted all the walls and ceilings in my new place. The paint kept me from breathing and therefore from sleeping in January and February and now I am not getting enough sleep from having too many late plans and working too much. This has to stop and I need to start taking care of myself better.

5. The library where I work is so cold that I can barely function. Within an hour of arriving at work the air conditioner kicks in and it's freezing. My hands turn purple and I can't type or write and I am huddled in my winter jacket the entire day. Did I mention the outside temperatures have only been in the high 30s?? I am seriously thinking about wearing my down jacket to work so I can be warmer inside. Brrrr >:

6. The Mayor of Boston announced this week that he will be closing 10 branches of the Boston Public Library to save money. He is quoted as saying “days of the old encyclopedia are long gone.’’ Mayor Menino, you are out of touch! No kidding the days of the old encyclopedia are long gone! I bet very few of the 26 Boston Public Library branches actually have print encyclopedias! This is an antiquated view of libraries! Public libraries, branch libraries in particular, are more of a community center, offering services and activities catered to the surrounding communities. Children learn to love reading at libraries, teens find alternate activities to hanging on street corners and adults get computer help, job help and other services. Libraries are not just about old dusty books! This week it was also announced that 12 Boston schools were listed as "underperforming." So schools are underperforming, students are not receiving quality education and you want to close branch libraries?? Am I missing something??

And a few things that are making me happy:
1. Gluten! Free! Muffins!!!! There is a gluten free bakery half way between my house and work and I finally had a chance to stop there this morning. They had gluten-free muffins in blueberry, chocolate chip and cinnamon. I splurged (and still feel guilty) and bought a cinnamon muffin and it was delicious! I can't even tell you how long it's been since I was able to eat a muffin. It's nice to be able to do things that everyone else can. I am super motivated to figure out gluten-free baking so I can make my own, equally delicious, muffins.

2. Willy Wonka has released three new chocolate bars. They look delicious and interesting and I've got to track them down! Now if only I can get Johnny Depp to take me on a tour of the chocolate factory . . . .

3. The lever in my bathtub that keeps the drain open is broken. The balancing on one foot while keeping the other one on the lever while trying to keep soap out of my eyes is getting old. One of the joys of being a homeowner is that when you have repairs you have to do them yourself. I am actually really excited about doing my own plumbing and am looking forward to both the sense of accomplishment and being able to shower while standing on two feet.

4. The weather is supposed to be awesome this weekend - 50s. Yay!!! Spring is coming!!!

5. My friend wrote a very touching piece on her blog about motherhood. What a writer! In a few short paragraphs she was able to put to words something I've been struggling to verbalize for years. My feelings on me being a mother haven't changed but it was very freeing to have that aha! moment when I realized exactly why I can't do it (if you're wondering and if you've read S's blog, the answer is in the letter she writes to her mom - the last two lines of the letter).

6. I've been really busy at work this week - lots of classes, meetings, activities, some real reference questions, etc. I love being busy at work and feeling like what I do matters.

7. There's one more week of classes until Spring Break. I'm taking the time off from work though I can't go anywhere. It will be nice to not to have to do the commute every day and I am looking forward to some much needed downtime. One of my most exciting activities for the week is I am meeting my business school advisor and picking classes! Can't wait!

8. Next week is my (hopefully) last appointment at my endocrinologist's. Keeping my fingers crossed that this week's blood tests gives a definitive "remission."

I think the balance of my life is in good standing if I have 8 things that are making me happy right now and only 6 that are annoying me :-)