March has been a very weird month and frankly I am happy it is almost over.
Like most people I talk to, we are all tired of the cold weather. Despite even sunny days here in California, the nights and mornings are cold. It is time to open windows, take off our jackets and sweaters and work outside in the yard. I want the aroma of barbecue in the air, not chimneys, and kids playing hockey in the streets.
Equally frustrating has been income tax return/property tax preparations and for us, yearly car registrations. What makes it pissy this year is the fact that while I am paying the Feds and the State, what...sixteen of the bailout companies are not fulfilling their tax obligations! Even my poor father who is no longer with us, got slammed by Uncle Sam. I really am failing to see how this bailout business is doing the average American any good.
I am also finding myself in a somewhat of a survival mode these days. Nothing seems particularly jovial out there and I am beginning to think that I need a plan. I am not the type who falls into depression, in fact I am not sure if I have ever really been depressed in my lifetime. I am serious. I have been sad, bored, frustrated and perhaps in denial, but depressed, I don't think so. If I have been, it has been nothing but a fleeting moment, so fleeting I don't remember it. I get angry with enthusiasm which I am told wards off the depression bug! So while nothing seems good at the moment, there is no need for depression.
My survival mode has provided yet another interest to take on, namely gardening. I purchased a portable greenhouse and a pile of Burpee seeds so I can start growing what food I can in the city. I even looked into buying a couple of chickens to produce eggs, but honestly I can't deal with the mess, especially since I want cage-free chickens. I researched this and found out that chickens poop a lot, scratch that!
And, March brought Women's History Month which I completely failed to participate in this year. I had no time for advocacy. I did manage some emails and phone calls to my congressional reps regarding the "idea" circulating from the Obama administration that our wounded troops should pay for their battle injuries via private insurance. I have been reassured that this was only an idea and that it has been trashed. I hope so! Even private companies have Workers' Compensation insurance, providing medical insurance to employees injured on the job. Let's put a poor PFC in harm's way on a nothing salary and tell him/her, "by the way, if you get wounded, you better have some good health insurance!" Ludicrous, no matter what our thoughts are regarding war. The fact that this even materialized as an idea sort of inflames me, especially given the bailout issues of late.
We also had that damn time change in March. My printer broke down. I filled out forms to settle my Dad's estate until my fingers were numb. RJ has been away all month working while I have been holding down the fort fighting off bees, putting a band-aid on a kitchen sink leak, and mowing the lawn. I know, poor me, right? However, you should have seen how high the grass was...the lawn mower actually started spewing smoke, it was so overworked. Besides at my age, I freely allow myself these rants.
The dreaded flu bug also paid us a visit. It's hard to accomplish anything when every joint in your body aches, your head is throbbing and your nose is running like a faucet.
We also had to endure a month of political craziness. For instance, congress including the bonus allowance in the stimulus bill and then taking it back because the public was outraged. The public, more outraged at the people who received the bonuses than the politicians who allowed it, stalked, actually stalked, the homes of these people! This is dangerous business folks. Likewise, the congresswoman from Minnesota ranting on about some crazy revolution that we should all be preparing for...yikes! And that lovely man, Tim Geithner, wanting more power and authority than this country has ever provided any individual in history was almost to the point of being shocking. I say almost because these days shock value is becoming a rarity.
The absolute worst occurrence in March though on a personal basis was the fact that the beginning of the month offered hope of job opportunities. All the time I spent sending out resumes and cover letters though has resulted in zilch. Not one damn email or phone call for an interview! I am really starting to develop a complex!
So call it March Madness, Spring Fever or Whatever...I am ready to put March behind me and cross my fingers that some semblance of normalcy along with some warm weather lies ahead!
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