You know, I had really wanted to take some web development classes starting this fall. BIPC's Human Resources had approved it, too. But I didn't find what I was looking for: The choices either were too narrow ("Introduction to the internet" or "Introduction to FrontPage"), or too lofty ("Introduction to C++ Programming").

I have a feeling I overlooked a resource -- and it is true I didn't contact every single local college -- but with everyone bubbling around me about their children returning to school, I've missed the start of this semester.

Tomorrow I leave for vacation; a week in Maine. With the fambly. But when I get back, I'm going to look for something additional to do this fall. Something fun.

Maybe I'll get a second job. Halfway between home and BIPC, there's a semi-snooty shopping center. I hate malls, but this one no longer gets a lot of people judging from the parking lots. It seems to cater to Dayton's expansive luxury class (sarcastic laughter). (Well... put it this way, all the stores are filled.)

There's an organic foods grocery. There's a couple of art galleries. There's an independent bookstore. Can you tell I just discovered this place? The bookstore was especially a pleasant surprise... (Their script reading class starts -- eeks! -- tonight with a reading of "Was" -- a gay-themed book!)

I picked up Clinton's biography for my dad's birthday. Fireworks will follow if he opens it in front of my brother-in-law (evil laughter). Maybe I'll report back on that in a couple of weeks.

But for a second job, I'll start with them. It would be low-key enough so I can be all chitty-chatty with customers about books and who knows? Maybe I'll meet some interesting folks. The very dark flip side, though, is that, surrounded by books, I'll kiss my entire paycheck and a good bit beside buh bye.

So....Maybe I should start with the organic food store. Me, who could burn water, hah!

Oh well. Something to sleep on a Happy Labor Day...
Off to the script reading class!

Early in the year, when I had a roommate, I had a panic over what he'd think if he saw the lack of my worldly possessions. So, I rushed out and bought a sleeky 13" color RCA TeeVee. It cost $89 On Sale and it's a little thing compared to what all my friends have. Size really doesn't matter...

Last night, I took in a bit of the Republican National Convention. Oh those crazy gals Jenna and Barb. When my brand new Dick Tracy picta-phone burst into a Symphony, I hit the remote's plastic 'mute' button.

Hah! I had never really used it before. There was Schwarzenegger, pleased as punch at the podium. On the screen engulfing him, a scorching red had the rare reprieve of pixellating white -- part of a giant virtual flag.

Schwarzenegger stood still, squinting and glinting. Then, like a scene-take had been signaled, he began moving. He leaned back from the podium, brushed a broad expanse with his hand and began a silent speech.

To my surprise a second later, text began scrolling across and down the screen like some kind of weird poetry. Always a little behind and frazzing out if the person spoke to fast: My fellow immigrants, my fellow americans...

AMERICA IS THE ONLY PLACE
WHERE[][][][]IA[][][]
[][][]EMOCRAC[][][][]
[][][]IT IS.
WHEN I ARRIVED IN AMERICA
WITHOUT A PENNY IN MY POCKET
[][][]UTR[][][][][]
NO ENGLISH
[] RANSLATED IN GERMAN[][][]
[][] DEMOCRATIC WERE SPEAKING LIKE SOCIALIST
[][][][][]SOCIALIST[][]

Schwarzenegger paused, but the text continued.

[][][][][] I HEARD NIXON ---
I HEARD NIXON
[][][][][]AI[][][]SINESS[][][]FREE ENTER PRIZE
[][][][][][][][][]
WHO IS THIS NIXON?
AND MY FRIEND HE SAYS
HE IS A REPUBLICAN
AND I SAY THEN
I AM A REPUBLICAN TO!
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )

It was fascinating to watch.

>>>USA!
>>>USA!
>>>USA!
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )

My call ended and I pushed the plastic button again. With sound, it wasn't nearly as interesting...