With STILL more ham than a butcher's window.

So, last night was the first time I hopped on Trillian in a week and a half. Last week, we had the return of Danielle, aka kilinka. She was here for 8 days, and in that time, much geeking, nerding, and just overall fun was had. Unfortunately, April had spent most of the week fighting what I had a couple of weeks ago, although a milder, more annoying version. Also, unfortunately, Danielle ended up catching MY version of the bug: fever, soreness, tiredness, achy body, cough, etc...the version that completely confines you to bed. April's version was milder. For starters, she just had a lot of congestion and sneezes and general tiredness. No fever. So, Danielle, I apologize immensely. Now you rest up, take plenty of fluids, and keep that fever in check. Never mind chatting with us while you're delirious.

However, while she was here, she did get to see Albany, the Empire State Plaza, Jay Street in Schenectady, and also Sage College. She also spent some time with Erica, Peter, and April's brother Ryan. If nothing else, I'm glad she didn't get sick WHILE she was here. She would've been confined to bed if she did. With handcuffs if needed. She wouldn't be the only girl who I've had to confine to bed with handcuffs so she wouldn't do any more harm to herself while sick...right, Mary?

So the week of half days and such is over, back to the daily grind. Although I have one more month of this before the semester ends and it's back to a normal work week (8-4, Monday to Friday), at least until the Fall semester begins. Provided I still have a job--I'm sure some of you have now heard that our Governor is going to lay off 8700 state employees, which means that there's a chance that our jobs are on the chopping block. He wants to cut 21 people from the Lottery (and when the Lottery only has a staff of around 300 or so employees--total statewide, 21 is A LOT), and 210 from the Department of Labor, where April works. Before this mess started, I didn't like our Governor. And after he gave his staff raises--46% raises, raises of tens of thousands of dollars for each person of his own staff--I lost all respect for him. How dare he demand I give up my $900 cost-of-living raise (which boils down to 50 cents an hour) when he gives his own staff raises of $20000-40000. But that's another rant. Needless to say, it's now a war of words between our union reps and the Governor, a political game of chicken. Regardless, if I get laid off, it will most likely mean that my quest for a Bachelor's degree will come to an end...it'll mean that for the third time, I'll be forced to leave college because I can't afford it.

But for now, things maintain stable. I'm still breaking even in terms of my own finances (DAMN YOU IRS AND NY FOR MAKING ME PAY A TOTAL OF $175 IN TAXES), but I'm not in hot water.

In photo news, my exhibit at AMRI will be nearing its end in a week or so...I have to call them up and arrange a day where I will come in and take my pics down, making way for the next artist to display their work. I also am in the middle of posting a bunch of pics from the recent Photo I assignments, so check them out on my deviantART.

This weekend, I take April to her birthday present. Her birthday's on the 16th, but this Saturday, I'm taking her to see Sweeney Todd (the musical, not the movie) at Proctors. Nothing like bloody death for your birthday. Sunday will be Easter, and I will consume lots of haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam. HAM IS GOOD.

So if I don't post again for a bit, enjoy your Easter, Passover, Happy Chocolate Bunny Day, or whatever. I'll be here. But for now, your moment of Zen:

Appreciate what you've got, because basically, I'm fantastic.--Holly, ship computer on Red Dwarf