I sent this letter to the City’s Director of Engineering and cc’d the Mayor about the lack of communication from the Project Representative concerning the construction.
“I am writing to voice my concerns about the Dale Street/2nd Ave Construction project. I have attempted to voice my concerns to the full-time Project Representative Mr. Larson to no avail. I missed an appointment on June 20, due to no notification of not being able to get my car out. This was the second time I have been unable to get my car out due to the construction without notice. It was my understanding that hiring a full time Project Representative was for the purpose of timely communication with the affected residents. Mr. Larson has failed in this assignment. His method of handling my concerns was unprofessional. The second time I was faced with not being able to get my car out, I contacted Mr. Larson
God, it’s going to be another one of those days…
My neighbors took out our fence plucked a tree from the ground and then put the fence back up. I’m completely freaking out! What right do they have to come into my yard? They never even asked or acknowledged the fact that they were on my property or that they blatantly took our tree!
Then the kids were playing in the family room and they saw a mouse run into the kitchen! So now we have a mouse in the house! Jaycie is freaking out about it but Max seems ok with the whole idea of having a mouse. He’s trying to feed it cheese. It’s not that I am afraid of mice or anything but those cats better get it. It just yuck me out even thinking about the little creature sharing our home!
My Mom rocks! We were over there visiting today and we got to talking about Ben running for State Representative. She was just so cute when she was talking about it. She didn’t understand what a State Rep was so after we explained it she was so excited. It’s so nice that she is into it. I’m a little more nervous about the rest of the family. We are starting to get things together. Ben is getting really excited. It’s so hard to really plan anything because we are already busy every Saturday until September 13. So he is trying to plan things during the week. I just feel bad that we are already so busy but what can I do. Ugh! The summer is just going to fly by!
I had finals yesterday. They both went well so I think I should be making the Dean’s list again this trimester. The bookstore is completely ripping everyone off on the book buy back so I am not even going to bother. I paid over a $150 for all of my books and I wouldn’t even get $50 back for all of them. It’s one thing I hate about college. They just rip you when you buy books!
I had a pretty eventful weekend. We had our summer party on Saturday. I drank a little too much too fast. I’ve come to realize that I need to stay away from the phone when I’m drinking. I called a old high school friend and kind of embarrassed myself. Not that I said anything too strange but I called out of the blue at the most inappropriate time. Oh well, what can I say???
We had an exciting game of kickball. There was some blood shed and Ben’s garden got trashed. There is even an Adult Kickball Association. It’s just crazy!
Ben has decided to try his luck at running for State Representative. It’s really exciting but also a little scary. Neither of us have any campaign experience but we know a couple of great people who are helping us along the way. So the next 18 months are going to be quite busy. Because we are so new to the area Ben has to do a lot of meeting and greeting people in order to build up a support base. He is so excited and I’m looking forward to the whole experience.
Ben has to attend a trade show in Chicago for the next three days so I’m heading to my sister’s house so I don’t have to stay all alone!
I have finals this weekend. I’m so looking forward to having some time off especially with this whole campaign thing going on. Sometimes it feels like life will never slow down!
I am livid! I had an appointment this morning at 10 am for Jayice and I can’t get off my god damn street! So I had to call and cancel the appointment after I was already late and now I am stuck here when I have all these other things I need to be doing. You would think the city would at least tell us if we aren’t going to be able to get out! This is so ridiculous. I called the city engineer and had to leave a message because he wasn’t at his desk! Apparently, he is able to roam freely but I am not! Ugh!!!!!! I am so pissed!
I’ve been telling myself for the last week that I need to post something here. I’ve been a little busy but mostly just lazy. Schools wrapping up for the year and I’m anxious to be done. I have finals next weekend then I am free for 2 months. I am in need of the break but will miss being able to have intellectual conversations without the kids harassing me.
I have met a few people in the area who are quite politically active so I’m starting to get involved which is super exciting for me. I’m still so new to all of this so sometimes what they are talking about is over my head. I’m learning though and that is the most important thing.
I have an interview with the domestic violence center so I can start volunteering there. I put my application in like 2 months ago and just finally got a phone call. I blame some of it on the fact they are so busy. But I know most of it is that this town is so closed. You have to know the right people in order to get your foot in the door. Luckily, Ben and I are starting to get to know people otherwise I don’t know what I would do when it comes time for me to do my field work!
We are having our summer party this Saturday. Ben has been looking forward to in all year. It should be a lot of fun but I just don’t have any energy to clean and cook. I just don’t know where all of my energy has gone. It takes so much effort to get out of bed. I have to force myself to do anything. Even watching tv takes too much energy. I’ve just been feeling so BLAH for the last couple of weeks! Hmmm….I just don’t know what it is.
The Dixie Chicks concert was great. They did almost every song on every album which was great. The place was packed. The Chicks said that the whole entire tour was sold out but this is the most people they have seen thus far. Wow. There were a few protesters outside. Tracy wanted to yell at them all but she kept her cool. I would of just laugh to see little Tracy out there starting fights. The funny things is that her husband Tony told her to keep an eye on me and don’t let me talk politics with anyone. Funny!!! During the concert they talked a little about what they callled the “incident” and then a couple of people were booing which pissed me off. Why would they come to a concert just to boo the performers? What a waste? They showed a cool video while they sang the song Truth No. 2 with footage of the womens sufferage movement, civil rights marches, Ghandi and all these book and album burnings. It sent a pretty cool message of speaking the truth and standing up for what you believe. Some people tried to boo after the song but they launched into a really fast song which drowned them out and after that all was good. Jaycie really enjoyed it. At first, she was a little tired and wanted to go home but the more they played the better she got. I was so happy that she liked it. I lovve being able to expose her to music. Although, Tracy is the one who got her hooked on the Chicks. It was really great to see the two of them dancing and having a good time. I had to laugh at my Mom because she was asking how Tracy handled sitting for such a long period of time. And I told her we didn’t sit, we danced. She said she has never been to a concert where people stood up and danced. My Mom really needs to get out more!!!
Happy Birthday to Jodi and Kelli!!!
Tonight, we are taking Jaycie to see the Dixie Chicks. She has been up since 4:30 this morning because she is so excited!!!
Reason #882 of why I won’t shop at Wal-Mart:
From the National Organization for Women Action Center:
NOW Brings “Merchant of Shame” Campaign Into Wal-Mart Stores Nationwide
June 5, 2003
“As the shareholders of the world’s richest company gather to count their
profits, NOW will be kicking off the next phase of its campaign to bring
economic justice to the workers of Wal-Mart,” said NOW President Kim Gandy.
NOW’s Women Friendly Workforce campaign named Wal-Mart a “Merchant of
Shame” last June in response to the company’s well-documented unfair labor
practices. Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the United States and has
been charged in the largest employment discrimination lawsuit in history.
The next step in the campaign begins this summer, as NOW chapters and
activists take the “Wal-Mart ALWAYS discriminates” message directly into
local stores.
“Wal-Mart may have the lowest prices in town, but who pays for those low
prices? How does the company make a profit with such cut rates?” asks
Gandy. “The answer is women. Women hold most of the low-paying jobs in
Wal-Marts across the country and the corporation’s abuse of women employees
helped it net $8 billion last year, and allows it to continue opening
stores at the rate of
one per day!”
Just a few of the facts:
- Women employed at Wal-Mart make an average of $1.16 per hour LESS than
men, and are promoted at a much slower rate than men.
- Women sales associates make an average of $15,000 per year–at least
$1.00 per hour less than the retail industry average.
- More than three out of five Wal-Mart workers cannot afford the company’s
health insurance.
As part of the “Adopt a Wal-Mart Store” initiative, activists will
distribute flyers, notecards and buttons inside and outside of stores in an
effort to get the facts directly to customers. Activists will also request
meetings with store managers to discuss issues concerning women employees
and customers. Participating in the campaign with NOW are the United Food
and Commercial Workers and the Coalition of Labor Union Women.
“Wal-Mart workers need a voice. If the corporate big-wigs won’t listen,
then we will walk right into the stores and talk to the customers,” said
Gandy. “NOW calls on Wal-Mart to set an example of good business practices.
We want their famous smiley faces to represent happy customers and
employees.”