It seems I will do almost anything to avoid my math homework … including writing a depressingly grim diary update. Yesterday’s headline story was Santa Cruz faces more bad news on budget front. And today’s … Budget woes expand in Santa Cruz. Although budget shortfalls and related work-worries never completely disappeared, they shifted from “Will the Center close?” to “Will we lose another position?” Guess what? Here we go again, right back where we started two and a half years ago, with a 4 million dollar budget gap. And that means the Community Center could close, along with a host of other P&R facilities, fire stations, etc. Only this time, we’ve already asked the voters (twice!) to approve new taxes or keep legally-challenged fees in order to save public services. Will they do it a third time? With gas prices nearing $3 a gallon, rampant layoffs, spiraling health care and housing costs? With everyone feeling the pinch?
So far, I feel numb. I can hardly take in that we’re here again. My role is different this time. And I personally have less to lose (at least economically-speaking, having already given up more than half of my income.) But if I lose my job, maybe that ten-year-plan of moving to Oregon moves up a notch.
But for now, back to my math … where every problem has a solution. That’s a good thing.
!Que lastima! Es horrible!!!!! What is going on with the budget that it just seems to stay the same or just get worse?
Oregon? Were you on a ten-year-plan to more there? I don’t think we talk enough, y’know?
Math isn’t any better the second time around, eh? Has my booked helped or was it too elementary?
Thinking about you!
Wow! I didn’t expect that kind of news! I am
thinking of you and hope everything comes out
okay. Just take it one day at at time and be
glad Steve has job. Love you both
Riverfront in Oregon … purchased with the proceeds from selling here … that’s been the dream. 10 years, maybe 15, depending on jobs. Work in Oregon is at least as sketchy as here so just up and going doesn’t make sense as long as we have jobs here. But if we don’t (and I dreamed Steve lost his last night), we’ll have to sell and go somewhere. Steve follows Transit jobs in Oregon and a few months ago there was one posted with Lane County (Eugene, OR) that looked interesting. It’s filled now but I think we’ll be watching a little more closely now.
As for math “the second time around”, it is better in some ways. I still procrastinate but my head-space is different than when I was a kid. School isn’t about getting a grade this time around, it’s about learning every thing I can. Means I have to study more, and put more time into my projects. Passing classes is easy… actually mastering everything is far more of a challenge. Haven’t used your book much because my class has it’s own. Do you want me to send it back now, or with mom and dad in a couple of months?
Send it back with Mom and Dad in a couple of months. No need for it now. Save the buck!! Ahhh, sounds like a plan. I didn’t know about the OR thing…how far from Santa Cruz is the area in Oregon that you think b/c I am thinking that in 10 years or so there will be grandbabies maybe and you won’t want to go too far!
Math must have finally won out b/c no updates to the web this week!!! Maybe Dad or Steve can take pictures of the snow in MI on APRIL 23rd! What is up with that?
Yes … math. And Photoshop. And HTML and CSS. Much homework to do. At least it is raining and so easier to stay inside and work. Snow pictures, huh? That sounds like a good idea. Dad? Steve? Are you out there?