RFP's....

I took a class Monday on beginning proposal writing for grants or fundraising. First thing I learned was most of us use incorrect terminology. It is not grant writing but is proposal writing...makes sense. The class was fantastic and I really got into it and came away with my head spinning having taken in so much information.

Tuesday I was looking forward to work, all excited about my new information and ready to jump into applying what I had learned to benefit my "funds short" organization. Well, all of that positive energy took a quick nose-dive and I realized just how naive I have been....still! at 67! Ugh! Okay I've erased two entire paragraphs as Big Brother may be watching and I really need my job right now. I'll just say that I very much enjoyed the class and will get comp time for it but other than that it was a waste of my time and $125 I spent on the class. That I can gripe about as I was told it would be paid for but now looks like it will not. Although I'm going to push it and wait and see what happens. It is like walking on hot colds these days.

Oh well, surly I will find some way to use part of what I learned Monday...just being patient usually works. I believe strongly that education is never wasted so one of these days I'll be able to use it.

Oscar Night!

Barbara Walters....interviews Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, and Mickey Rourke. I enjoy Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman in all the roles I've seen; excited that Jackman is emceeing the Oscars this year. I am not impressed with Rourke; have to admit I've not seen his movie which of course indicates I should not comment. So I will not.

Work....

I am fortunate to work in a museum. I'm a secretary. We have three art gallaries as well as the building itself is unique and architecturally historical. There is a permanent collection of American Masters paintings that are magnificent. It is almost like living with them. This past Saturday, the Opera was at the museum and gave a lecture and performed. I love opera and this was marvelous! I'm looking forward to seeing Puccini's La Boheme in April.

Isn't it sad that support for the arts was stricken from the stimulus package? I was so very disappointed.

Another Two-Movie Day

Joy, Paige, and I saw "Milk" and "Doubt" today. "Milk" was very good and Sean Penn's acting was fantastic. "Doubt" affected me strongly. My major aversion to the 50's may be why I find both "Doubt" and "Revolutionary Road" so depressing and frustrating. The story line, directing, acting, are fantastic in both movies. I hope to see "The Visitor" - "Vicky Christina Barcelona" - "The Wrestler" - "Frozen River" - "In Bruges" - and "Changeling" but, these will most likely be on DVD at home after the awards. Time is running out. It has been years since I've seen so many of the nominated movies before Oscar night and I'm very anxious to see who/what wins. It has been fun seeing the movies with Joy and Paige...they are a wealth of knowledge about the movie world as well as the stories and back grounds.

World Clocks

Sorry about the clocks. I like knowing what time it is anywhere around the world but, they were getting on my nerves so I think maybe they might be getting on others nerves also. They are gone.

After Effects of the Spyware

It seems the buggers are charging my credit card. Little amounts have appeared that I did not authorize. Fortunately, I check my account regularly and saw these within the week of the transactions. After several phone calls, threats of legal process, and many explanations, the bogus charges have been removed. I will never understand why people with such intelligence choose to use their talents to no good instead of bettering our world. Ugh!

Movies

I'm having fun trying to see as many of the award nominated movies I can before the Oscars on the 24th. Joy is still ahead of me. I think "Slumdog Millionaire" is my favorite with "The Reader" second. "Revoluntionary Road" is so moving, especially for those of us who lived the 50's. Why wouldn't it be though since that era provoked the 60's movement of rebellion and change. "Benjamin Buttons" is unique and I understand why it has received the awards it has so far. Still want to see "Doubt" and "Milk" and possibly "Gran Torino." I almost forgot we saw "Frost/Nixon" and I definitely enjoyed that one. It is a great reminder of just how crooked our leaders can be. One thing surprised me...I didn't realize Diane Sawyer was a journalist during this time. Interesting.