My friend recently joked that my boyfriend and I are the new James Carville/Mary Matalin couple. Can liberals and conservatives really fall in love? Will there differences eventually destroy the relationship? Probably not. (of course, you all know that I'm the liberal) What does being a good liberal mean? I'm reading Al Franken's new book which is fabulous. I only wish I were as smart and knowledgable as he is. Can you be a liberal and drive a SUV? I think one problem with liberals is that we don't always practice what we preach. Our hearts are in the right place but...
The good thing about Bill is that he challenges me to defend my positions. Although he sure didn't like it when I demonstrated what a liar his hero, Bill O'LIEly, I mean O'Reilly is. Ha.

So, I found out today that my old college roommate got married. I am really happy for her because that is something that she has always really wanted. To get married, settle down, have kids. I saw the pictures and she looks really happy. But I also feel sad because I found out this information from a third party. We used to be such good friends and now I have to find out about an important event in her life from someone else. It doesn't make me mad. We don't really stay in touch anymore so it doesn't surprise me. But I hate the idea of friends drifting in and out of your life. I wish we wouldn't lose each other like that. It's really depressing. Now I'm depressed. And not even the sight of Mars outside my window can cheer me up.

So, I found out today that my old college roommate got married. I am really happy for her because that is something that she has always really wanted. To get married, settle down, have kids. I saw the pictures and she looks really happy. But I also feel sad because I found out this information from a third party. We used to be such good friends and now she can't even tell me she's getting married much less invite me to the wedding. It doesn't make me mad. We don't really stay in touch anymore so it doesn't surprise me. But I hate the idea of friend drifting in and out of your life. I wish we wouldn't lose each other like that. It's really depressing. Now I'm depressed. And not even the sight of Mars outside my window can cheer me up.

Went to my big "Welcome Fall Sunday School Teachers" meeting yesterday. It's great to see so many people getting involved in teaching. It means giving up your Sunday mornings and most of the time you don't even get to go to worship service since you are busy teaching. But it's a great experience. I like the idea of getting to help with the moral education of children. And it always impresses me to see how great these kids are. They are so polite and respectful of one another. And, for the most part, they listen to me and engage in thoughtful dialogue. And these are 1st thru 6th graders! But then, I see kids like my boyfriend's niece and I get really worried. She is a really sweet 10-yr-old 5th grader who has a bad case of follower-itis. I really worry about her. This girl is begging her mother for thong underwear because the other kids tease her about her "visible pantyline." In 5th grade?!! And she complained about not having time to shave her legs because then "the boys won't feel her legs at school" if she doesn't. In 5th grade?!! How scary is that? I'd like to be a good role model for her but I'm not sure I'm cool enough. I just hope she eventually develops a better and more confident sense of self.

It has come to my attention that I am once more delinquent in taking care of my blogspot. (thanks Dave for the kick in the pants) I really have no excuses. It's not like I go out often or exercise or volunteer or anything worthwhile like that. I go to work and then come home and get sucked in by the vortex of my couch. Or Bill calls at 5:30 demanding that we go out to eat immediately. This is why I'm twenty pounds overweight right now.

I started a diet today, however. I have to get ready for the big reunion in October. I chose the South Beach Diet. No carbs or sugar or alcohol for the next two weeks. I'm going to be really cranky. I have already decided to allow myself one alcoholic beverage when I meet friends for drinks this Thursday. And, of course, I refuse to give up my La Fogata Tuesday lunch with my friend and co-workers. But I will try to stick to the plan otherwise. It worked well for my friend, so we'll see.

I joined the Junior League of Denver yesterday. I really like the programs they are involved in. I felt it would be a good networking opportunity and I liked the idea of meeting new people and learning new skills. It felt a little bit like joining a sorority all over again. Except without the negative stuff. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Well, I better get back to work. I will try to be better about posting. It's not that I have anything particularly interesting to say. But maybe this will keep you all connected to my life in some small way.

So, I have been delinquent again. And I can't get my comment engine to work. So, if you have anything really important to comment on, you can e-mail at amalaise@hotmail.com. Please put "blogspot" in the header so I don't delete it as spam.

Anyway, I went to Caroline's funeral. It was really sad but uplifting. She planned it two weeks before her death. Caroline was very active in her church and seemed to be at peace with the fact that she was going to die. She felt very confident that she was moving on to a higher plane and would see us all again. I hope we will. She was a wonderful person.

This past weekend I was in Montana for my friend Maya's wedding. I was a bridesmaid. Fun experience but a bit strange also. Montana is so beautiful. I find mountains so spiritual. I got to reconnect with people I hadn't seen in ten years. Sort of prepared me for the upcoming class reunion. How scary is that? Ten years since high school. We've changed so much in that time yet also it seems we are pretty much the same people. It was great to see Maya so happy. She and Teddy are a great match. Yet sometimes in your happiness for others, you can't help but feel a twinge of envy. I'm just glad she found her soulmate.

Sorry I haven't written in awhile. Funny how life gets in the way.

My friend Caroline lost her battle with cancer on Saturday morning. It is just so heartbreaking. I remember working with Caroline my very first day with the library. She was a person who loved to laugh and I remember her reassuring me that I would eventually figure everything out. I was so worried that I would never understand the circulation system. Coming to work and finding Caroline there was always a lovely surprise. She moved around the different branches and you never knew when she might show up. I so enjoyed chatting and laughing with her. It seems like we lost her so quickly. There wasn't time to say goodbye. And now her baby is in the hospital and he will never know his mom. Caroline's memorial service is tomorrow night. Please send out a prayer for her family.

It almost seems as if there should be some outward manifestation of grief when someone dies. It doesn't make sense that I look out the window right now and the sun is shining and people are going about their business. Library patrons come in and pester us while we are all dealing with our grief and we can't yell at them, "Hey, give us a break! We just lost a friend!" And yet, the realization of life and renewal is also present in such things as the arrival of my boss with her six month old baby. He is so beautiful. Maybe someday someone will bring Caroline's baby to the library so that we can all meet him. I'd like that.

So, I am not even a remotely superstitious person. I don't believe in fortune-telling or astrology or any of that stuff. But I did have my palm read yesterday. I watched my friend have it done and the man was suprisingly accurate so I thought I'd see what he came up with for me. He began by saying that unlike my friend, I was born with a great deal of wisdom because I have reincarnated several times. He said I tend to be guarded with people because of bad experiences in my past lives. Huh. He said that even though I am generally very open with people, I still hold a lot back which makes me mysterious. The more people get to know me the more confused they become. He said I would probably marry with two kids but my marriage would be difficult. He said I have two career lines which means I will probably have one career in early life and then change. The second career will probably be something in public speaking or the arts. He said maybe theater. And then he said he felt I had a tendency to try and please people. That I often try too hard to please everyone and I should ease up. It was interesting. Who knows?

My co-worker Caroline delivered her baby today. 2 pounds 6 ounces. Now, Caroline can begin radiation therapy. For all you praying types, please send out a prayer for Caroline, her family and baby James.

"People of the world, relax!" If you can identify that quotation, I'm blowing you kisses across the internet. (hint: it's from a book) Anyway, that's what I feel like yelling at some of my library patrons sometimes. They seem to get so upset over the most minor things. And then, when they head up to the desk with 20 videos, 7 DVDs, and 7 CDs, I want to scream at them, "HEY, WHERE ARE THE BOOKS?!!!" This is not the best way to use your local library. Treating it like a Blockbuster. It's depressing. Grrrr...