My Best Friend, My Teacher, My Partner in Crime and My Partner in Life!
Robert & Julie
"Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life." ~Mark Twain
I am younger than my years, undyingly loyal and committed to people and ideas, even if that may not be in my best interest. I am (or have been) a mother, a daughter, a wife, a lover, a partner, a friend, an activist, an educator and a subversive. I have been told that I’m one or all of the following: Creative, talented, obsessed, compulsive, eccentric, eclectic, compassionate, a pushover, a sweetheart, gullible, brilliant, ignorant, naïve, trusting, cynical, eternally optimistic, occasionally immature or far too serious about certain things.
I am a homeowner in a modest, working class part of eastern Los Angeles and share it with a few pups and kitties. I’ve gone to school forever and earned a BA in Social Science, an MS in Counseling, various Credentials and an MA in Cultural Anthropology because I wanted to be an anthropologist more than anything. I even WAS one not so long ago, teaching courses part time at various colleges in Southern California. But alas... the blow-hards in Sacramento, with all their infinite wisdom decided Anthropology wasn't worthy of study for some reason. I then became a big fat budget cut! (sucks!) Good thing I "didn't quit my day job" as the story goes.
I've taught for 20 years, the past twelve in East L.A teaching high school kids with special needs. I was a art/woodshop teacher (the only female in the second largest district in the country! Cool!) up until this year when the blow-hards from somewhere decided with all their infinite wisdom that that class was no longer a priority. (Very uncool!) Instead, I was manipulaed into facilitating some new $34,000 vocational assessment lab. Now...somehow, it's a little harder to get up in the morning. (YOUR tax dollars hard at work, people, and something the principal can boast about to visitors...Oh yes! Puppetry is a total blast, especially when you're the puppet. yawn...) The kids mean the world to me however, and I'm committed to them no matter what. They and the many close friends I've made among my colleagues, still make it a great place to be and a cool way to make a living, so I'm not planning on going anywhere. I will make this new program into something I will enjoy, but more importantly, into something the kids can benefit from. Therein lies the tremendous challenge however. Not to worry! I've kicked ass before; I can do it again!
I love making crap and indulging in a myriad of creative endeavors. ~ The anything crafty, messy, experimental, make-it-up-as-I-go-along and/or requiring several band-aids for my injuries, kind of creative endeavors... These are coolest! My hot glue gun blisters, drill bit stab wound scars and semi-permanent Sharpie ink stains are worn with the greatest of pride. I also love to write, am continually messing around with this damn myspace page and I will embellish everything from tee shirts to table tops.
Other than that, I enjoy kickin' it with a few close friends, throwing back a few at a bar-b-que or dingy bar. I love music and like going to check out a local band at some little dive or seeing a full-blown stadium show.
(borrowed from cool Jules' page. Thanks!)
Other "vitals": Well, I've been divorced for several years, have a wonderful daughter and son-in-law and three incredible grand children, whom I don't get to see every day cuz they live in Oregon which might as well be Syberia cuz it seems like it. They are the loves of my life and the joy in my heart.
My incredible daughter, Sydney & my granddaughter Maddie
One last thing: I adore animals, especially my own,and hope to free up some time in order to volunteer at the SPCA. Please note, in my humble opinion: Anyone who harms, neglects or exploits animals, in any way, is the worst type of human being, right up there with pedophiles and some politicians. This goes the same for any abusers of children, or the elderly or disabled. (Pardon my French, but...) to those people: "go fucken pick on someone your own size you cowardly asshole and get the fuck off my page!".
With that off my chest...I'd only like to add that age has brought wisdom, but the more I know the more I realize I don't know. Learning and experience will be a lifelong endeavor because "There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self." ~Aldous Huxley
