Good News, Bad News, Good News...
by Steve West on January 23, 2010

Good News: Brenda got a job.
Bad News: The pay sucks!
Good News: Potential new career track.
Bad News: Education ($$$) ultimately required.
Good News: She'll be working at our daughters' school.
Bad News: School diseases potential coming home now times three.
Good News: Bought Brenda roses as congratulatory gift.
Bad News: Met UOAS at the cash register.
All kidding aside, it's great that Brenda now returns to the ranks of the employed. She really liked her time at home, being able to accomplish tasks that she had little time for otherwise. But she feels great being able to leave the dole of the state (thanks, Maryland!). I truly wish I made enough so that she could stay at home (her expressed preference) but alas. She'll be an assistant to one of the special needs classes (not Olivia's) and feels very insecure about her qualifications. I assured her that as long as she brought the right temperament to the job, the children will be rewarded by the experience. She's hoping that she'll make observations that will benefit Olivia. I'm hoping that she doesn't get burned out by having to do what she'll do 24 hrs/day. She starts Monday. I wish her well.
Six Replies to Good News, Bad News, Good News...
Lori Lancaster | January 24, 2010
[hidden by author request]
Amy Austin | January 24, 2010
Ditto... good luck, brave woman! ;-p
Jackie Mason | January 29, 2010
[hidden by author request]
Melissa Anderson | March 3, 2010
FYI I don't know what UOAS means, but every time i see it think ROUS. You know, rodent of unusual size. I hope that's not it :)
Steve West | March 3, 2010
Closer than you imagine. It's an acronym for Ugly On A Stick, my grocery store nemesis.
Web Junkie
Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »

There Really Are Superheroes
And most of them wear capes. Oddee does a nice roundup of ten real-life superheroes - people who actually dress up in costume and prowl their respective cities with a willingness to foil criminals and their crimes. While you may question their sartorial wisdom, you gotta admire their desire to make a difference. Go »
It's The Plumber!
The punchline to the old talking parrot joke recently leaped into my mind. Lauren dropped a lipstick tube down her bathroom sink because it has nothing to cover the drain hole. That thing that goes up and down to close the sink drain isn't part of this particular sink. Go »
The Texas Chili Cook-Off
Recently, at a Bowie Baysox baseball game, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a Texas chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last minute, and I happened to be standing there at the judge’s table, asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans, probably) that the chili wouldn’t be all that spicy; and besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted and became Judge #3. Go »
Best Of Photojournalism
Perspective is everything. I look at some photographs that have been awarded a Pulitzer and understand immediately why. Others I look at and mentally shrug my shoulders. Go »
Laugh Or Cry
I have today and tomorrow scheduled off from work (unrelated to any on-the-job sarcasm). I haven't requested two days in a row off from work since last summer, I think. So I treated myself to a couple of midweek vacation days to R & R. Go »
Scott Hardie | January 23, 2010
So do I.
Kelly has done that work, if she can answer any questions for Brenda.