Downs and Ups

My last quarter of my graduate educational adventure started this week. When seeing people after four plus weeks of absence the obvious question is, "How was your break?" I have been saying, "Ups and downs . . ." and then I kick them in the nuts. "Like that." I'll say as I gloat over their quivering body.

Not really. Some of that retelling was fabricated.

So I have been very busy of late. "doing what, my spermicidely challenged friend?" you might ask. "Making babies is hard work" I'll respond with a wink. And then you'll kick me in the nuts and gloat over my quivering body, "Well, I hope you're open to adoption from now on, my punorible friend."

"I am." I squeak from the ground.

I have a lesson plan, four paintings and at least one illustration to complete by Monday. I believe in starting the quarter off with a kick. To the nuts. I hope to get out several application packages to colleges by Monday as well. Most schools have deadlines that are either this week or next. If the gods smile on me I'll get one of those jobs. But then Marigold and I will have the dilemma of having a baby just around the time of moving to a strange new place. That just ain't right. So who knows what will happen. As the wise and tragic Michael Hutchence once penned, "Sometimes you Kick. Sometimes you get kicked." And we are kicking like a full-term fetus in a pregnant lady surrounded by angry mules.