Only a couple more weeks left in the classes I'm teaching, which equates to a mountain of grading. I had the writing class write in-class obituaries on Monday; poor timing, as we were just learning of the Virginia Tech tragedy, but as obitiuaries are often seen as a thankless job to be foisted upon the lowest-ranked copy editor, I felt it necessary to impart some wisdom on the subject. Frankly, I'm glad I did — the ladies really cranked it up for this one, and I learned interesting cocktail-party tidbits about Steven Spielberg, Reba McIntyre, and Ludacris, among others. Two ladies wrote about Oprah, and the two girls who sit in the very back row each wrote about a cast member from The Golden Girls, which made me giggle. Talk about a research job — one chose Estelle Getty! I'm happy to announce that the lowest grade on this assignment was 17/20, which shows how far they've come in not many weeks.

I'm working through the picture stories that my photo class turned in and they're all decent. It's tough to grade them on a technical aspect because the laser printer in our classroom is so shoddy, so I'm giving most of the ladies the benefit of the doubt, and I'm trying to save what I think will be the best story for last, so it doesn't wreck the curve for everyone else.

In the midst of all this the weather has gone from crappy and snowy to seventy degrees and beautiful, so we took a family break today and took baby to the park, where he emulated Monstro by climbing up the slide and getting sunscreen in his eyes. Those two are definitely related, no doubt about it. We came home and plopped baby into the bathtub — I bathed him while Monstro made mochas and snacks. What a guy! Baby is sleeping it off now, and I'm taking a grading break. Oh, and I wrote a script for a puppet show we're doing at church tomorrow — it announces the pancake breakfast we're holding to celebrate “The Week of the Young Child.” It was fun trying to think of things that rhyme with Young Child (Monstro is George in this script, while I'm Gracie). My favorite was “Dung MIld,” but Monstro won't let me say “dung” in church. Spoilsport.

Need to sign off and finish my grading because Mr. and Mrs. Beck from Beck's Blog will be gracing our town with a visit tomorrow. I'd call the mayor, but she just had brain surgery (the mayor, not Beck), so I'll not bother her this time. Next time, maybe. In the meanwhile, my brilliant friend Anne just started three blogs: Anne Jennings Paris, Another Brilliant Idea, and Annie Bobannie Books. Go check 'em out posthaste. You won't be sorry.

So of course the comments at the SF Chronicle's Web site are all aflame about gun control and immigration control, vis a vis Monday's tragedy at Virginia Tech. But only one news outlet so far has reported that the gunman was on psychiatric medication and had been increasingly erratic the past number of weeks.

Psych drugs are a touchier subject than gun control and immigration combined. I was on one such drug one time in my whole life, after being victimized during a violent crime as an undergraduate. It was an anti-anxiety drug that caused an idiopathic reaction within me. To this day I'm convinced that only my camera saved my life; I could either kill myself, or take some pictures. Twisted pictures… a Barbie doll trying to off herself. A pencil in an electric pencil sharpener, spattered with stage blood and sporting a “Goodbye, Cruel World” sign.

I stopped taking the drugs that morning and found other ways to deal with the insomnia and anxiety. Audiogenic therapy worked great.

As I see it, the biggest problem with psychiatric medications is that everyone's body chemistry is different, and no matter how many people are in the FDA testing groups, they're never going to be able to test one of every person. And it only takes one person to have a bad reaction and cause a horrible tragedy.

Monstro was gone and incommunicado for four days (no, not at rehab, you jokesters), hence my lapse into mental illness this weekend, but he is home safely now, and the illness is subsiding if not gone. And the last thing I want to do today is go to work, and if the creek behind our house keeps rising the way it has been, I won't have to.

I've been reading this guy's blog somewhat obsessively for the past few days, having clicked to him from this guy's blog, and just when I was thinking of signing off from the day, Gimpel's June 1, 2005 posting made me laugh out loud for the first time all day. So thanks!

…which I can't even blog about, because (of all things) it might impinge upon my own personal safety, but if y'all could think good thoughts that the weather isn't too effing heinous Sunday night and Monday morning, I would really appreciate it, and if those of you who have my phone number could call me tonight or tomorrow I would really appreciate that, too, because I am feeling upset and apprehensive and those of you who know me, know that's when I'm at my funniest. Really. I had Kris in stitches tonight on the phone. And no, it wasn't the vodka talking.

I will be happy to coredump on Monday, when it is to be prayed that all is well.

Thanks.

I have finally found an ice cream that can knock Cold Stone Creamery's banana ice cream off of the pinnacle of the ice cream mountain.

(mmmmm…. ice cream mountain)

I am pleased to report that Ben & Jerry's “Creme Brulee” flavor is the best. ice cream. ever.

Talk amongst yourselves whilst I grab another spoon.

I went out this morning and rented an electric guitar from our local music store! It's a Fender Stratocaster, black with a white plate, totally sexy and as much fun as you can have while clothed and sober.

Steve has posted an amazing video on his blog and I think you all should go see it because it's lovely.

OK, so if I get the Nikon D80 with the wide-angle lens and the telephoto lens and the strobe and the purchase protection plan I'm going to be out around $1800 bucks. I've saved close to a grand and have major checks arriving next week from my final month of The Most Lucrative Freelance Assignment Ever. But do I really want to spend $1800 when I have a film camera that works perfectly well?

This is my dilemma. Hubby bought a new Nikon digital point and shoot (it's so cute!) last week so there IS a new camera in the house, and it cost about 10% of what I'm looking to spend on the NIkon D80, and it's quite fun.

In the meanwhile, I'm itching for an electric guitar, which would also be an investment to improve my daily Music Time with baby — and considering I already have an amp and microphone and mik stand, wouldn't cost me as much on the back end.

OR, do I channel BeckyJSacto and blow it all on shoes?

Now, used to be I was never without a trick for April Fool's, but alas, I am becoming stodgy in my old age. Nevertheless, now that I've finished reading Infinite Jest, today is the day I move on to my second book of the year: Gravity's Rainbow. And if that isn't the best way to spend April Fool's Day, I don't know what is.

Happy Palm Sunday, everyone!