A Conversation with Elizabeth
1999
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From:          Elizabeth 
To:            LMixson@PEC.com
Sent:          Monday, January 4, 1999 12:22 PM
Subject:       Back
 
Not much new to talk about.  I had another long weekend, but worked Dec. 31st.
 
Mostly that day I cleaned my desk. I went to bed early on New Year's Eve. (what a way to celebrate, but it was wet and cold.  I did leave a little early and went by the lake to watch the geese land again.
 
There were some kids and their parents out there though and they ruined it a little bit.  It was so peaceful and quiet and the sun was just setting, but one little girl who was running around had the most piercing scream. Then she finally fell down and screamed her head off.  Her parents were to blame though as the terrace is not made for kids.  I really love watching the geese and wonder when they will migrate. 
 
Mainly over the weekend I worked on the disorganization in my apartment.  I can't believe how bad it got and has been, and I've tried to think of what has contributed to that so I can cure and prevent the situation in the future.  Basically in later years, except for the last year or so, I have always been somewhat organized.  Moving several times in a short span contributed in a main way; never fully unpacking from time to time, but then rooting through boxes trying to find things, and dragging things out, but not putting them away. Also, gaining some weight and having tons of clothes I can't wear, but am still keeping. Also, living with other people which I did for about a year contributed, as I didn't really live my own life while doing that, and graduate school contributed, with masses of papers, many of which I kept for reference in my work, and my law papers are now multiplying like anything. Sunday I gathered up all my cassette tapes and started organizing them.  It was sort of fun playing them and finding out what I had recorded--none of which I labelled--I think because a lot of it I never planned to keep, but then never got around to listening to either.  Some of it was neat--like I recorded NPR when I was at home and the Gulf War started and was first announced.  On some there were old telephone messages from years back (some painful memories), as I used to just throw a cassette into my answering machine and then later change it out with a new tape. 
 
Some were calls about job interviews, etc. I found a neat album I had recorded by Joan Baez, but I don't know which album it is! What is weird is hearing the old news casts as well, at the end of programs.  I found a wonderful recording of Scheherezade, which then inspired me to find my own album and play it.  Such organizing tasks are very time consuming, because its not just organizing, but using, enjoying the materials for the first time.  I think some people (maybe most) would just chuck it all out and start all over, but I feel compelled to work my way through the materials--like my videos because there are a lot of gems buried in the material, like the six hour show on Cecil Rhodes, which I hadn't labelled. I finally watched all of it and it was so good. (Actually I did label a lot of things with slips of paper, but in moving stuff got shoved around and mixed up).  There are a couple of movies coming up I would like to see, one of them A Civil Action.  I read the book, which was very lawyerly, but quite good. Thin Red Line is supposed to be good, but I don't think I want another war movie.  Last night I watched X-files and The Practice, my usual routine, but I may have to start time shifting The Practice because I now have a Monday night class (MORE UNLABELLED VIDEO TAPES PROBABLY).  One thing I have to make a point of doing is leaving for work early which I did today.  I have quit taking the shuttle, but may do so one day a week to keep in the lottery.  The shuttle is a pain in some ways--its always too hot and there are always sick people on the bus, and the driver plays this horrible gospel revival music. If I leave for work NO LATER THAN 7:30, I have a smooth drive with little backed up traffic, and I actually get to work 10 to 15 minutes early--TOO EARLY, BUT IF I leave even as late as 7:35 or 7:40, only five minutes difference, forget it--long waits at lights, pushing it to even make it to work, and I will run late to just after 8:00, and risk not getting a parking spot close by.  I guess what it is--its a 15 min or less ride to work, but only if I leave at 7:30.  If I leave later than that it becomes a 25-30 minute ride. BUT, it takes concerted effort to be in my car pulling out at 7:30, esp. if I have to de-ice windows. 
 
(One thing I would love to have is a garage.  I never understood the fascination with two car garages--but that was living in Florida.)  I remember my first winter in Alabama when I went out to get in my car and the door locks were frozen and the door was frozen shut.  Oh well. 
 
How's life with you? I start school tonight, that's the biggie.  What was the thing about your piano?  I didn't quite follow why Julie indicated for you to "go ahead and get it."  On the one hand I thought, that's a good sign for Larry, that maybe that indicates she was coming back, and that going ahead to spend the money was "okay." But then I thought, did she want you to have something to "keep yourself company" because she wasn't coming back.  Did you get anything else for Christmas interesting?  What kind of piano is it--I thought you were getting a "real" piano, but was the one you wanted an "electronic one."  Did you weather hold out decent?  Have you had to, or chosen to tell your family about Julie moving out?  Well, back to work, etc.  Elizabeth

New Year