Topic: Numbers
I've seen "44" on the clock twice since 5 PM. I know I saw it at least once at work today.

First Entry
My boss is on vacation. I am taking the opportunity to start a blog. I have little work to do besides fill this seat and make sure the phone is answered and files are filed. This job is certainly not my dream job....I almost finished a master's degree in English. I didn't complete my thesis, a book of poems, or take the comprehensive exams. I didn't finish for a host of reasons, none of them good enough for me at this point, but I don't care to go back now. I don't want to teach. I wanted to write, like so many other people. Even if I had known to pursue a specialized degree or handle my education more pro actively, the college my parents insisted I go to for my undergraduate degree, a small liberal arts college affiliated with the Wesleyan Methodist church, would have prepared me for absolutely nothing. I got nothing lasting from that place but heartache. It still hurts for reasons I do not want to go into today.

Upon realizing the thesis nor the exams required for my masters degree were going to be completed, I considered going into the beauty field, because I had some friends in the business and a job at an upscale salon. I took Cosmetology for a year or so. I was pretty psyched about it. Then I found out the woman I worked for had slept with my husband way back when and neither of them had thought it would be best to tell me. The band they were in together dissolved and she became bitter and mean. I then became bitter and mean for a while. I felt like a fool. I'd worked for her for over a year and she knew what my husband was like in bed. I don't know why Bill wasted time playing music with her anyway. He never enjoyed it. Anyway, I quit the salon without notice after a hard day of hearing her bitch, moan, and whine about the band situation and my husband. I can still get pissed when I think about it, if I let myself, but I don't. I don't think it's productive to be pissed. I acknowledge the feelings and let them pass. I am so glad that is over, but I enjoyed the beauty biz, for a while.

Now, I find I am more interested in beauty as an inward as well as outward concept, a result of good health rather than good cosmeticians. "Begin Within."

I wanted to blog for two reasons: 1) I need an outlet for writing. Every other one seems so complicated, and so solitary, and I am interested in what other people might have to say about my posts, and 2) I think some of my experiences and words could be helpful or inspiring, at least I hope so. I know the process of putting thoughts into words will be good for me.

I am Vegan (have been for 4 1/2 months now). I started out vegetarian for a few months and then went vegan. I feel so much better. In addition to the health benefits, which are many, I enjoy having a 100% cruelty-free diet. The only thing I would have done differently about the change in diet is to do it gradually. I am experiencing hair loss due to the way the body experiences significant changes. I may be the only one who can tell at this point, and it may not be bad at all. I won't go bald or anything, and it will be just as healthy as before, but it's bothersome. I also got really sick after eating a so-called veggie patty at Subway--a "sickness" that could have been food poisoning. It also felt like a gallbladder attack, according to descriptions of them, which it could have been, I'm sure. I haven't had anymore problems to suggest that, though, thankfully.

I plan to post regularly, and I look forward to reading your blogs.