If I Wasn't There I Wouldn't Believe It Either

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 14:03:00 +0000

Ed Gein was the real 'Boogie Man'. As a child I was told he would 'get me' for various reasons. How fucked up is that? Always questioned our lamp shades... May explain my interest in serial killers

what's going on

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 02:21:00 +0000

One step forward, two steps back Getting a handle on the reasoning and timing

Amy Winehouse-RIP

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 19:45:00 +0000

I was not a fan, but I completely understand

Be free

Vel' d'Hiv'

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 13:45:00 +0000

A moment of remembrance for those lost in the Vel' d'Hiv' 69 years ago today.

47th post

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 03:31:00 +0000

irony...?? 46 posts...before this
came back to visit my blog tonight, not sure why
rarely blog
but 46 posts on the last night of my 46 years here
so cheers to post 47, me and being a day closer to....50? 48? who knows what

what is it all about, 46 years gone and I still am not sure

It never rains in Southern California

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 03:17:00 +0000

says...????

Hell, I have seen more water in the past three months, and no less in the desert
Rain and snow tonight

Last rains brought 3 feet of standing water, in the yard, and subsequently the house; a month of construction, and headache, and money, yes, that grows on trees!

South America, get ready...
how bad can a flooded hut be? cost?

Didn't realize

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:31:00 +0000

I am still up.
WTF, may as well broadcast my life...
Still middle aged....
grayer
broker

huh...

not sure I would/can believe this, and I was there...

where to begin?! again?!

The WaWas are flying North

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:26:00 +0000

So tonight I am gathering firewood, as a cold front sneaks in to So Cal
As I am out, I hear a faint, familiar sound; the honking of Canadian Geese!
I tilt my head, listen and watch
A huge flock is headed North, maybe a stop in Vegas? for a mani/pedi?
And then another flock....
The WaWas return for the Northern spring/summer

Nobody told me

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 01:45:00 +0000

there'd be days like these..

Having your heart ripped out

I must have missed the memo

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:07:00 +0000

So yesterday I am subbing in a class. As a substitute, you know the kids are going to try anything.

At the end of the day, I take the class out for PE. We're all ready for relay races, I make them do crazy stuff, and a student comes up saying she couldn't do this....

Uh huh, I told her, too bad, you will do it.

Again, she tells me I can not do this-sure, I say....

She then lifts her pants leg, and calmly says I CAN NOT do this-as I stare at her artificial leg.

Thanks for leaving me a note about that!

A New Life Experience-A Pink Slip

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:36:00 +0000

Yesterday I was Pink-Slipped along with 136 other certificated employees in my school district. This is the way of education in California-budget cuts lead to employee cuts.

I am not upset about my position, it is ridiculous. I work in a temporary position, which will end in April. I knew this when I was hired. I work 14 hours a week...woohoo, it is almost enough to pay my electric bill.

What really irritates me is the resources; human and otherwise used to print up and deliver 137 Pink Slips. 8 for people who knew their positions were temporary.

So far, none of the district office personnel have taken cuts or lost jobs...
Instead, class sizes are increased, teachers are decreased.

Is it any wonder why the Sate of Education in California is the lowest in the nation?! This is just the beginning...

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What-Me Normal?

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:56:00 +0000

OK, this is digging back into the recesses of my college daze....
I went to a small state school in the barren plains of a Dakota. Not much to do there, except drink.

I was in a very male dominated field, so I was a minority in my classes.

One of my classmates was incredibly good looking, and he knew it, but a nice distraction from lectures.

I never had the guts to approach him in class, just ogle from a distance.

As college life would have it, I was at a party one night, and so was my gorgeous classmate, "Bill".
After a bit of time passed, and quite a few drinks were consumed, I decided to talk with Bill.

We chatted for a bit, I may have drooled, and I know my friends were green with envy!

The next day we had an exam in our mutual class, (yes, I was on double secret probation and eventually kicked out). So after the exam, I hung in the hall, waiting to talk to Bill, on the auspices of the content and difficulty of our test.

As he came out, I asked what he thought of the test. We chit-chatted for a few moments, and I had noticed him staring really hard at me! Gads, I was thrilled-this was it! He was interested in me, me, me!!

Bill then cocked his head and said to me, "You're normal!" I, of course, have no idea what he is talking about, I question him. He repeats again, "You're Normal!"

Huh??

Bill then explains how sorry he had felt for me the night before, and that was why he had and was talking to me now.

It seems in my drunken stupor, my lips had been malfunctioning and were misshappen as I spoke. Bill thought I had Cerebral Palsy...thus the 'normal' comment.

I skulked away, hoping to never see him again....it was soon after that I was asked to leave that particular university...I never did see Bill again...Thank doG!

Toga Parties-Be Thankful if You Missed the Fad

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:35:00 +0000

I was re-watching Animal House this weekend, and was reminded of my fist three semesters of college...
I was also reminded of the worst date in history-I know, I was there.

Years ago, Toga Parties were all the rage.

I had met a guy named Larry, a dumb jock, but good-looking. Mimbos aren't usually my choice, but, why not try it?

There was a Toga Party, so I invited Larry. He had a broken leg, so I drove, first mistake?!

We get to the party and Larry props his casted leg on the keg and proceeds to get drunk, snarling at all that come near him-the life of any party!

I decided this was going nowhere, so I took Mimbo home. As I was driving, we hit a red light. Larry chose this moment to maul me. As I was trying to fight him off, I noticed the light was green-I did not take into account that I was looking sideways.

I figure if I ease off the brake, Larry will lay off...so I ease off the brake and BAM!! I hit the car in front of me, that was stopped at the still red light. As Larry was not belted in and was at an odd position, his head hit the windshield and drove his front tooth through his lip.

I now have a crumedgeon in a cast with blood covering his face, and a cracked windshield.

I figure the best solution is to quickly get the Mimbo home.

I take the freeway, and figure this can't get any worse.....wrong...

The flashing lights appear in my rearview. Never having been pulled over, I was a bit wigged out. Mimbo drunkenly says let him talk, he'll take care of it.

I thank doG had not been drinking. (I had a rule, no driving and drinking).

I stop, and greet the officers in my Toga. They ask if I have been drinking, while Mimbo is yelling at them.

I say no, I am trying to get him home to bed.

I need to get my license, which is in my trunk.

A side note, my girlfriend who was well-endowed, left her clothes, including her 38 DDD bra in my trunk.

I pull out my purse, and did notice the bra snagged on the strap. The rather ample bra flies out and lands at the policemen's feet.

Geez, they are trying to hold it together.

I am now standing on the edge of the freeway, bathed in the squad cars lights, in a Toga...

I bend down to pick up the bra. With my purse in one hand, and the bra in the other, I stand up, and, off falls my Toga.

I of course am standing in front of John Law, naked as a jay bird.

They were literally rolling with laughter...I got off with a fix-it ticket for a broken headlight.

I never saw Larry again.

I never attended another Toga Party.

I am sure those officers still tell the story today at the station house,

TheraBreath Mouthwash

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:19:00 +0000

Having cut alcohol out of my diet, I was in need of a mouthwash-one that is alcohol free.

No easy task...

TheraBreath is alcohol free, and palatable!

A bit pricey, but worth it.

Vitamins and Hot Tamales

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:31:00 +0000

One of the main goals of rehab was to change our brain chemistry. Vitamins were a huge part, you were given a custom vitamin regimen, depending on your drug of choice.

My regimen consists of a dozen different vitamins. As I can not swallow pills well, I have to do one vitamin at a time, spread out over a few hours. I usually have a few left over when I leave the house, so I put them in my pocket to take through the day.

While you detox from alcohol, it seems your body craves sugar. I have never been one with a sweet tooth, but in rehab, I 'found' Hot Tamales to be a crutch, you know those red hot candies. I usually can be found with a few in my pocket.

So, I am in a classroom of 32 kindergartners one day, and am munching on my Hot Tamales. I pop one in my mouth, and bite down. OMG!! The most noxious taste explodes into my mouth.

Instead of a Hot Tamale, I had popped a Fish Oil Pill.

Think of the scene in Big, where Tom Hanks ate caviar....

I have no way of leaving the room, much less am I able to yell expletives. I try scrapping my tongue with a Kleenex, now my tongue has fuzzy anchovy oil on it....

Lots of water, a plugged nose, and time, and the taste dissapated.

I now make sure I carefully examine each Hot Tamale before popping. I also put vitamins in one pocket, Hot Tamales in another.

Old Hot Dogs Never Die

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:52:00 +0000

They just keep turning and turning on that machine.

I have been going to the movies frequently lately, for distraction. Maybe that is what got me thinking...

Years ago I worked at a movie theater, (scarred me so badly, I did not go into one for over 15 years...)

Those hot dogs, they just turn on those rollers, hour after hour.

And at closing time, we would remove them, put them in the fridge, just to pull them out and put on the rollers the next day.

I am pretty sure if I went back to that theater, those same dogs from long ago would still be turning.

Who eats a hot dog at the movies anyhow? They are for baseball games and 4th of July picnics. Popcorn and Junior Mints are movie fare.

The Gym Saga

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Before rehab I had never set foot inside a gym, never really had the need or desire.

Part of rehab was to attune body and mind. We had a gym at the facility, open 24/7, as well as a personal trainer.

So began my experience working out. I had decided ahead of checking in, I would not bring tennis shoes, so I would not have to work out. I had to work out barefooted....

So, I recently started going to one of the local gyms, geez, what an experience!

Day one, I am on a machine and cut my eyes over to the chicklet next to me. Perfectly coiffed hair, completely made up, with her wonder bra pushing her boobs out as far as is legal, wearing her knock-off Gucci sunglasses. Yes, indoors.
I didn't get that memo.

Day two, I am on my machine, all alone in the gym. In comes a young stud muffin. There are at least 5 treadmills, he choses the one directly in front of me. I had to bite my tongue as to not make comments or purr, as a cougar might. There he stands, stretching on the tread mill, bending over, flexing...

What is this? I go to the gym in my grubbies and work out.

I sure have missed alot...I guess it is good to get out more.

Lucinda Bassett won't leave me alone!!

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:45:00 +0000

Especially at the gym! She is on my ipod, and won't get off!

A friend downloaded a slew of her Stress and Anxiety teachings and relaxation onto my computer, no worries.

My ipod downloaded everything onto itself, so I am working out, rocking out to Kings of Leon, when-poof!
They are gone and Lucinda Basset is telling me to not be depressed anymore. She interupts all my music!

My goal for the day is to get her off my ipod!!!

Movie Madness- Are You Serious?!

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:24:00 +0000

Yesterday I was in a funk; felt crappy, restless, tired. I was contemplating getting and drinking a bottle of wine-yeah that thinking happens once in awhile-just be aware.

I figure I should get out of the house and do something. I decided to go see a movie. (I am not a huge movie-goer-I can not sit still that long, nor do I like large groups of people).

I get my ticket and my bag of outrageously priced popcorn. I find my theater and am nicely surprised that no one is in there but me! I get all comfy, feet up, munching popcorn while watching my flick.

About 10 minutes into the film, a couple comes in-not sure the relationship; 40 ish man and woman.

They sit right in front of me! 300 seats, my feet on THAT one, and they sit there!

I, of course say, "Seriously? You have the whole theater to sit in!"

They get up and move-right behind me!!

Before they even sit down, they are chatting...they never shut up! A running dialouge throughout the movie, laughing at serious parts.

I tuned them out, figuring they were mentally deranged. And in the mood I was in, I figure best to keep my mouth shut, and I was into the movie.

The last few minutes, the finale, their cell phone goes off. Instead of answering or silencing, it just keeps on ringing....

Really? There are people this insensitive/rude out there?

I missed all this during my reclusiveness?? Hmmm....

But I didn't have that wine, or any other alcohol, just a stomach ache from that bad, expensive popcorn.

Ozzy Osbourne

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:40:00 +0000

A working blokes success story.

I ran into him a few years ago on Black Friday, at the local mall, stumbling around the parking lot. I was with my sister, who at the time was not traumatically brain injured, (not that you would know it from her behavior).

So she starts yelling "Ozzy!" I had to elbow her to shut her up, as I am sure he did not want a riot.

He flashed us a big smile and a peace sign-cool.

He was on a radio interview last week promoting his new book. When I could understand him, I gleaned a pearl. I shall paraphrase:

I am not a Born-Again sober person, I just don't drink anymore.

Amen Ozzy!!

Why I drank...

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:08:00 +0000

Let me count the whys...

One major reason was the fact my mind has always been unquiet. Some people call it self-talk, I call it mind racing.

I have always had a voice, myself, talking inside my head, it was always noisy.

Drinking quieted it.

I asked my then husband a few years ago if he had that voice in his head. He considered me crazy and had no idea what I was talking about.

I called my parents, questioning my sanity.

My father had no idea what I was talking about, again suggesting insanity.

My mother did know what I was talking about, maybe she too was crazy?

In Rehab, that was an underlying commonality with the clients, racing thoughts. We all knew about them, and took our drug of choice to quiet them.

About two weeks into the program, I noticed my head was quiet, silent in fact. Oddest thing!

I still get the racing thoughts, my mind can be noisy, but I can control it sans alcohol now.

not

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:24:00 +0000

wanting to blog

pissed off

at certain people, may include the world...

stay tuned, you never know who or what may show up!?

The Joy of Cooking

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:19:00 +0000

Just finished watching Julie and Julia, of course, must blog!

Love Amy Adams!

I do have The Joy of Cooking in my cupboard, my mother gave me her copy. I am not sure I have ever cooked one recipe from it. I remember it being small type, and I really don't like food.

Maybe this is where we shall begin, with childhood memories/experiences that have led me here...where I am today.

Food..a necessary evil. On my daily list of things to do, I do have listed-EAT

I am not anorexic or bulimic-puking and I do not agree.

I just really do not like food, it is a chore to eat.

Directors Guild of America

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:53:00 +0000

Saturday night named Louie Psihoyos the best documentary director of 2009 for "The Cove"

Look back in posts...viewer discretion

images still burned in mind's eye

but...the dolphin slaughter

Good on you Louie!!

The State of California and it's Educational System

noreply@blogger.com (Karma Knoblauch) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:03:00 +0000

We all know it sucks, but it is beginning to suck just a bit more.

This year in most districts, Kindergarten went from half a day to a full day, and from a limit of 20 students to 32+ in a classroom.

In a certain district, the substitute teacher rate pay was just dropped, no warning, mid-year, 'due to the state of the economy and budget cuts'.

Substitute teachers walk in to a class on any given day, not knowing what to expect. Are there lesson plans, or do they have to punt for 7 hours? What hell will the students try?

They glean little respect from the staff, or students, hell, they're 'just a substitute'.

So now instead of $120 a day, pay has been cut to $100 a day.

This includes long-term substitutes, those hired for a week to even a year, with all responsibilities of a full-time teacher, but with no benefits.

It is difficult to find decent substitutes to begin with, but with a pay cut?

Good luck California.

The exodus has just begun. Not since the Great Depression has the number of people trying to cross the border been so low...and it's not because of the Border Patrol.

The Land of Milk and Honey has dried up.