I enjoy watching CSI. Actually I enjoy watching all of the CSI spin offs too. There is something about watching all of the technology that is helping to solve crimes, and prevent them. I always hope that as people watch these programs and realize that, although the stories are fictional, they will understand that it is getting harder and harder to get away with anything so it is not worth breaking the law. I enjoy keeping up with the interactions of the characters. It is a mature interaction between adults who are caring, sensitive and real. I credit the writers for not falling into the “hop in bed” and “inane relationships” found on other, similar, programs. I have seen with my students that, when we attack a problem with CSI techniques, they are interested and use their creativity to solve a problem, whether it me math or language arts or social studies. Finally, CSI does not glorify crime. It shows the horror and how one criminal act can affect many people.

When the shopping itch takes hold, the stores I use to scratch it are not the glamorous ones with shiny tile and bright lights. No, I hasten to the thrift stores, the secondhand Rose types, the ones that might be scary if you pull up to them alone after the sun has gone down. I love rifling through the treasures that someone had trouble parting with, the strange odds and ends that used to reside in someone else’s kitchen, living room, garage, and bedroom. Will I find something truly valuable, discarded like so much rubbish amongst the unwanted text books and outgrown play clothes? Will I find that “thing I’ve been looking for all my life,” hidden amongst the fake flowers or ancient Christmas décor? There are certain thrift stores I avoid – the mark-ups they put on someone else’s tax write-offs are laughable. It’s the realistic thrift stores that will always get my repeat business.

Lately, my days have been going by slowly. Most of the time, until school starts, I feel as if I have no purpose at all except to, obviously, take care of my daughter. I guess this is because I’m so used to being in school and now that I took off for maternity reasons, things are boring. Although, I must say, the time I do go out and hang with my friends have been very fun. Even when an old friend came to visit and we had a late night Wal-Mart run out of nowhere, I can’t help but say that I missed the old days of care free fun. Now that I’m back on the dating scene again, it isn’t as horrible as I thought it would be. I never thought I’d find such a nice guy so quickly after breaking up with my child’s father, but I guess all things are possible. I guess in the past week, I’ve seen that I better enjoy the time I have spending with my daughter because I will be back in school soon and who knows how busy I’ll be. Also, I’m glad I have such good friends who can help me out whenever needed and know how to have a good time even in these hard economic times.