What to do with a 9 year old for the summer.

I'm having a hard time with Helen, or more accurately the situation. Helen is here 1/3 of the time and since her school friends are naturally back in Vermont she wants to spend all of her time with me and has trouble entertaining herself. Her numerous games, crafts, science activities, etc are out of favor and she doesn't want to do them by herself. When I try to ask her what she does with her friends she gives vague answers like playing, having fun. I know the phrase "I'm bored" seems to be in every young child's repertoire but, Oui Vey what is one to do. Camp is out of the picture for this year partly due to Helen's wishes and partly do to the budget of a dad in grad school.

If anyone has some ideas or experience with this type of thing please share.

Too Cute Guinea Pigs

YouTube - Her Code: Engendering Change in Silicon Valley

YouTube - Her Code: Engendering Change in Silicon Valley

John Hodgman at Radio & TV Correspondents' Dinner

This is absolutely hilarious.

Breath Kevin Breath

So the enormity of it all hit me on the train to BWI with Helen this afternoon. Tomorrow I begin a new job as a Drupal CMS programmer at GMU AND, I am starting Discrete Math as the first of two summer classes. I know I'm up for the first but DM has kicked my ads once already. Wish me luck.

I wish I could spend the summer reading about economics, game theory, auction theory, and organizational management theory to name a few but I think my plate already floweth over.

Breath Kevin Breath.

Claritin 24 Hour Allergy Tablets, 4 - 30 Packs for $24.48

Well if you are anything like me you are suffering miserably from allergies right now. The pollen count in the DC Metro Area is really high. I saw this special on Amazon.com and figured out how to buy 4 packs of 30 for $24.48 with free shipping.

Claritin 24 Hour Allergy Tablets, 4 - 30 Packs for $24.48

• Order 4 packs
  
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I had to give my housemates 30 days notice to leave and feel like shit.

I had to give my housemates 30 days notice and feel like shit.   They are close to a month behind on the rent and want to start paying the following months rent in weekly installments.  The mom was pleading with me to let them stay.  She has a teenage son.

I've been told that this is not my fault, but I feel so guilty and horrible.  As many of you know I have been on the other end of broke and desperate which doesn't make what I did any easier.  There is also my political and ethical beliefs about being "my brother's keeper."   I'm honestly conflicted between the part of me that knows I have to do this as a matter of survival, and the part that tells me I have failed to live up to my values.  I'm not sure why I am writing this in a public space except I have to share this with someone other than my therapist.

Anyway I hope everyone in my circle is doing well.  We are going through such tough times as a country and I know that at least some of my friends and acquaintances have lost their jobs.  The old phrase about the broke college student is true and stressful but I know I am exceptionally lucky to have some sense of security and weather this out as a student.

Its getting late and I'm bushed.  I've been exercising a lot - great for stress and that 40 something donut.

Ciao