Thank You For Being A Friend

A couple of nights ago I finally sat down and watched Sex and The City2:

and then afterwards I watched

and then finished the evening with a couple of episodes of The Golden Girls:

I didn't set out to watch all these shows in a row like that and it didn't dawn on me until the Golden Girls came on but what was interesting to me was that each of these shows had the same dynamics in them: Four very different women, each with their own quirks and strengths and weaknesses, four very different backgrounds, and one very loyal and forgiving friendship.

And I thought "Wow....that would truly be great to have." That all of them are friends and they always have each other's back. No matter what. And even though there are squabbles and the occasional "She did WHAT?!?!", they always end up forgiving each other and boosting each other up, and they're always there for one another. How can it get any better than that?

Now admittedly, I do have my friends like that, or at least I like to think I do. Vanessa and Janie and Teresa and Vickie are the four that come to mind. (I know that makes 5 of us instead of the 4, but you get the picture. And except that Vanessa and Janie are the only ones who know each other.) We all come from different backgrounds and have different personalities, and I am really glad they are my friends. But we don't live in the same place and can't hang out on a regular basis and that is what I miss. It isn't anyone's fault of course, life just happens.

But oh to have that kind of friendships where I could just call everyone and we could meet at Starbucks and hash out my (or whoever's) problems. Maybe realistically though, it is unrealistic. I can't say that I know of anyone who has that kind of group, and when people work and have families, it doesn't seem quite possible, even though on these shows these women have all that. Then again it is TV. (But it would be nice in real life.)

Still, I would like to tell each of my friends, You each make my world a better place. Thank You for being my friend.

A Little Bit Of A Rant - College Person Vs. Non-College Person

This morning I was reading  The Federal Worker page in the newspaper and there were emails from workers about the pay freeze extension for us.  What caught my attention was one person's comment: 

"I do understand the public's frustration that federal employees with no more than a high school education earned more than their private sector peers (that statistic even frustrates me); however, by freezing pay across the board, we are giving those employees with very little education reasons to stay in service and those with high education levels reaasons to leave."

So I take this to mean that just because I didn't go to college, if I am doing the exact same work as someone who did go to college that I should get paid LESS than him?   Just because he went to college that automatically makes him so much smarter than me and worth more than me and he should get paid more than me?  Why???   And that because apparently I'm too stupid I couldn't find another job in the private sector  if I wanted so thats why I stay in Federal service. I really really resent that.   Because even though I didn't go to college,  I am NOT a stupid person and actually know quite a lot of things.

I know a few college people who can't spell worth crap and their grammar sucks big time when they write stuff.   And their common sense.....what common sense?   And they don't appear all that smart either.   I can watch Jeopardy and answer some of those obscure questions that might make you wonder how I knew that....much less WHY do I know that.   (Which is something I ask Hector because he is really good at Jeopardy and knows a lot of those obscure things.)

 Yes I chose not to go to college because, well, I didn't want to.   Once I graduated high school I was done with school.   But it didn't mean I was done with learning.   I have always  read a lot,  paid attention to things around me,  read the paper, watch tv shows that teach things.   I may not have sat in a classroom and taken poetry/painting/clay appreciation,  but I still figure I'm a pretty rounded person who has different interests and point of views.   I may not be able to hold a conversation about physics,   but I'm sure we could find a common subject to discuss intellectually.

My point being is I may not be college-educated, but I AM smart.   And I know obviously there are many, many  college-educated people who are much more intelligent than me.   However,  if we are doing the exact same job, then we should be paid the exact same thing.

This subject just really pisses me off  (can you tell?).     And you can bet I have more to say on the subject, but I'll let it go.   For now.

Functioning Depression

I know it's been a while since I have blogged and it isn't because I haven't thought about it.  I've just felt like I have been in this rut and my mind wanted to blog but I couldn't get my fingers to do it, or vice versa.   So recently after thinking about it and the way I have been feeling for the past few months, it occured to me that I am in a bit of a depression.   Not a major one but one that is enough to stop me from doing what I want to do and enjoy doing.   I've been depressed before to know the symptoms but it took me a while to get to realize what this is: Functioning Depression (well, this is what I call it anyway).

Even now it is a little difficult to write this, to sort out what I want to say.   But a week ago I decided that enough was enough and I was going to start blogging again beginning Feb 1, the onset of a brand new month.   I'm tired of feeling depressed and I don't want to be depressed.   That being said, I'm going to work on it without having to resort to meds, though I could probably use some therapy (though, who couldn't once in a while?)  Of course depression isn't something you can just make yourself get over just like that, but I think I can at least try to take steps to get to the point where I am feeling better and more like myself and more like doing the things I like to do.  And if not, then there is always Prozac. :-)