It's been a long time...

Just noticed that the last time I posted here was more than three weeks ago. Quick update:

* Started teaching Contemporary Business to non-majors on Monday; and Organizational Behavior on Thursdays. Each class has about 23 students, most of whom seem to be in the 18 - 22 year range. Monday's class is a little more rambunctious than Thursday's, but reminding them of ground rules last night seemed to help. It's an interesting class, too, in that one of the students - a freshman - graduated this spring from Walter Panas High School (my alma mater); not many of the old teachers are still there, but I guess a lot of them should be retired by now. Thursday's class might just be a bit more serious in that the class is a prequisite for their business degree. One of the students is also a bartender at Justin's, which i guess had to happen. She and I established some ground rules of our own, regarding our bartender/barfly rapport: no one in the class is to know about the "relationship." Again, a good class.

* Speaking of Justin's and other bars, I have resolved to cut down my time spent there, for financial and other reasons. And I have seriously cut down on my boozing. It's no fun being a writer with the dark Irish soul without the Guinness and Jameson's, but I am making do. In fact, having cut down considerably, I am finding that one or two, or even three over three hours on Saturday tires me out. I rarely ever woke up with a hangover, but I had woken up tired. Not a good way to start the day. So, all good on the booze front. But it was not even the booze that was the issue (I rarely drink a full beer or even a full glass of wine at home), it was the socializing. Ford + Beer + People = a Party!

* Another area of detoxification includes getting rid of the caffeine. It's a tad more expensive to drink decaf than hi-test, but it is a major contributor to my feeling better over time, less cranky, less nervous when dealing with stressful things. I find without the caffeine, I am able to "roll with it" a little better. Melita is my preferred decaf of choice. Only caveat...headaches still persist...is it the decaf or is it the bifocals?

* Relationships:

getting along fine with Lisa, which is very important for Lilybet;

have a made a few new, er, "friends," and those have been very enjoyable to me; I am learning that any new relationship built on the foundation of friendship, even if it transcends that, is a good way to start. One has been going on since late March, I think...one is very new, but intriguing. No details, so I don't jinx myself. No getting ahead of myself. Let's just say I am content and like it that way.

* Lilybet is getting to be a big girl...started first grade, is very very bright. She is also playing soccer on Saturdays. I am very proud of her; SHE is the real love of my life.

* Turning the screenplay into a novel. Quite a process...you have to turn the lines into quotes, get rid of camera directions and fill in with narrative, and then flesh it out. And then go back and edit. It's a slow process.

Think that's about it. Not much else to share at this point in time.