Category Archives: Rant

Taxi Mom

People, Rant

Final week is a hellish week, not only for my kids, but for me as well.  Take today, for example. I took the kids to school, then picked up Clare two hours later. Then I took the car for its emmisions test, then drove to school to get Andrew. He informed me that he was going to Bethesda on the bus, but I could pick him up when he called me.

So I went home and tried to get some work done, then Andrew called and said to meet him at Lilit. I drove to the gas station across from Lilit, got gas and met up with Andrew there. I took him home, only to take him to back to school for wrestling practice 45 minutes later. Then I picked him up again at 4:30.

Tomorrow is going to be much of the same, as will be the rest of the week. Friday will be my day of rest, then on Saturday I’ll get to spend the day at the Wrestling tournament. Yes, I know I said I liked wrestling, but after a week like this, I probably will want to sleep in.

I prefer my days to be calm with little driving here and there.

Volunteerism can suck

Rant, ,

Before my children were in school I don’t think I volunteered for anything. After my daughter began elementary school I started volunteering at her school, first as a helper in the classroom, then as a field trip supervisor, then as a PTA board member. I held office as recording secretary, corresponding secretary, MCCPTA rep, & vice president. I also was email list coordinator/ manager/ moderator until last year.

I’ve also volunteered with the local neighborhood and with a local film group that shows foreign films one Sunday a month during the non-summer months. I signed on to the film group simply to work on the website, but this year I was “promoted” to director of operations. I put the verb in the preceding sentence in quotes because I was more or less forced into the position because no one else wanted it. The duties involve ordering films, talking to the distributors and negotiating the film rental fees. I pretty much hate this position and I’ve let the president know I do not want to do it any longer.

She found someone else to do the position, but seems to think that my time is her time. She sets up meetings then demands I attend them, even when I have other commitments. This summer I had more important plans, but said I could attend her meeting briefly. She refused to let me leave the meeting and I missed an event my daughter was a part of.

I’ve recently begun helping out a friend with another volunteer organization, and had a meeting scheduled for this Wednesday. I told the president of the film group that I had a prior commitment, and I thought she understood. I said that it might be postponed, but I was not sure. I just got an email from her asking if I changed the meeting.

I know I am reading too much into the email, but based on the meeting last summer, I am touchy when it comes to this woman and her meetings. The meeting was postponed, and I can meet with the film group folks, but it makes me angry that I allow myself to be jerked around like this.

I think this is my last year with this group. As much as I like the idea, I don’t like the way this woman treats the volunteers.

new contact lenses

Rant,

It is a dreary day here in the DC Metro area. I had to drive to Springfield (halfway around the beltway) to go to my optometrist this morning. I always put this off – I mean what normal middle aged woman wouldn’t? Dr Adam is nice enough, but who wants to be told they are getting old and need stronger reading glasses?

Another thing about that place that bothers me. 90% of the women that work there are gorgeous. It is a real blow to one’s self-esteem to pay them a visit. For the most part they are nice enough, but there are a few who are so fakey nice that it makes me want to vomit.

I nearly did today, actually, but not because of a fakey nice person. Dr Adam fitted me with a pair of contact lenses that made me nauseous. One is way weaker than the other and this is supposed to solve the reading and distance issues. Not for me. I couldn’t see up close at all, and far away clear but looking out made me sick to my stomach. My husband has this “mono vision” and loves it. I am sick thinking about it.

Got a nice new pair of glasses though – at least I will in a couple of weeks.

Why do I continue to drive the beltway to go somewhere I feel inferior? Easy – they are on our insurance plan and it is familiar.

Yeah – this is nearly a throw away post, but my husband is taking me out to dinner and I must rush!