A Conversation with Elizabeth
1998
139 K Surprise

From:          Elizabeth  
To:            LMixson@PEC.com
Sent:          Monday, April 27, 1998 11:17 AM
Subject:       139 K Surprise
 
When I opened my mail and saw a 139K message [size], at first I thought "what did he write" then before opening it I surmised it might be an attachment.  Our messages usually run 1-3k.  So strange, I was thinking just this morning that I wished I had a scanner on my machine so I could send you stuff, and do other work as well, but I don't.  What a surprise.  I was just getting up to get a disk and learn how to view the picture when I scrolled down and there it was.  I didn't have to "do" anything.  I printed it out on my color printer.  It does look like you.  I could certainly recognize you after all these years.  Thank you for sending it to me.  It sort of gives me a "visual" hook to the present, as I keep "seeing" you as you were in 1975.  A true update.  I don't think your painted jeans would fit you anymore, as you were so very, very slim "back then."  You are certainly not "heavy" but you just look stockier, as most men do when they get middle aged, or in that vicinity.
 
As I told you, I took Friday off "to study."  I studied all day, from five in the morning, except at about four or so I took a break and took a long bath to relax.  Then I drove in and staked "my seat" out and studied a little bit more in the library.  The test was a horror. I think I was in a state of mild shock afterwards.  Afterwards there was a school party at a local hangout, but my friend who went came home at
10:30 p.m. and I talked to her then, asking her why she was home so early.  She said everyone "was totally wigged out" and left early.  My admiration for anyone who gets through law school just soared. 
 
Thursday night, I received a call from the same above friend, and she asked if I had gotten my mail.  I hadn't because I use a p.o. box.  So, she told me the "bad news."  The law school is jacking up tuition, significantly, AND, the bad part is it's effective for Summer, which is due next week.  We were both enraged that we would have a tuition increase for the summer, in mid-year, no other schools do that, and that there would be such a short notice.  I was really having to squeeze to go to school full time this summer anyway.  Now I have to come up with an extra 300+ dollars. 
 
It does sound as if you and Julie have an activity oriented relationship, although you have indicated at times that you "plan" together and talk, so it sounds "balanced." I remember that you always wanted me to "sit" and just "be with you," especially after dinner, etc. while I was always wanting to putter around, clearing away dishes, etc.  I wonder if that was avoiding intimacy, or indicated discomfort on my part. 
 
I truly enjoyed the unstructured weekend, i.e. without school hanging over me.  However, I've learned to try and "structure" or plan in how to use my time for fun, otherwise it dribbles away.  I planned out some t.v. watching, so I watched Merlin last night, although regrettably I had to tape X-files.  Also, I went to two one dollar movies at the discount theatre--L.A. Confidential and Twilight.  The latter, though full of big stars, really wasn't that good.  A lot of people say L.A. Confidential should have won for best picture, so I wanted to see it.  Also, Saturday I finally got my impatiens plants potted, which they were probably grateful for, as when I took them out of the trays they were extremely root bound.  I went to the library as well and packed up on some leisure type books.  Have you heard about feng shei (I can't spell it).  It's a way to design your living area to promote harmony and health.  I got some books on that.  I also got a book on the "history of the information age," mainly about the discovery of the first transistor at Bell Labs.  However, it was rather boring, and I just scanned through it a little.  I got a book on "Elder Design" which is designing a house for disability.  I wanted to see if there were any ideas I could pick up. 


I did get one idea I want to check out.  Apparently you can buy bicycle pedals without the "bike" for exercising. You can also use them on your arms.  When I went to rehab for my knee, stationary bicycling was suggested, but, on the other hand, exercise specialists say that doesn't do anything for "building bone."  Plus, I find inside biking dorky and boring.  However, I need to keep my knee flexible, so I'm going to check into the pedals.
 
I picked up May Wired.  Thanks again for letting me know about it.  I
look forward to getting it.   

139 K Surprise indeed, you have to understand that at this time dialup modem Internet service was slow so a 139 KB file would have taken several minutes to download although Elizabeth had wired Internet service at work which would have been much faster.

RE: 139 K Surprise