haint

crack

iowa state fair 08/04

since i have nothing worth mentioning to discuss here today, my only hope is that i made some of you recoil in disgust at the sight of this 'man about town' that i shot last fall at the iowa state fair. it was amazing to me that his daughter was still walking with him. crack kills.

sleep study

its for people, not dogs, but you get the idea

i signed up today-here's the scoop, you can't have been diagnosed with any sleep related problems, they ask about medications [?], and you have to lay off the caffeine [less than 5! daily/ none after 2pm on nights you are staying] and alcohol [less than 2/day] while you are in it. initial interview 1.5 hours/ one all night session and 8 hours the next day/ 2 consecutive nights spent there 10 to 12 days later, but you are free during the day in between/ and it pays approx. $800. call phyllis @ 405.602.3073, and tell her joe sent you. not sure if that gets me any more money, but it can't hurt. mainly, i just want to share the love/ wealth. sweet dreams.

fabulous secret powers

this video gives some new insight into the two-decades of debate over what He-Man's alter-ego 'prince adam' chooses to do with his spare non-skeletor-fighting time. i bring you this courtesy of cameron, and apparently it was featured in a recent tulsa indy-film festival. so funny. by the way, i think i've decided to substitute teach, thanks to jenn's words of wisdom.

i'm tired of feeling tired all the time. i'm tired of feeling like hiding anytime my phone rings, even when it is my close friends, because i'm wiped out and i'm afraid my last ounce of emotional energy will be drained away. i found out this evening that the construction job i had been hanging my hopes upon fell through. i have already put in my 2 week notice, and have no thoughts of changing my mind. i would rather be unemployed for a bit than continue to miss out on life. there is a light at the end of the tunnel, 7 work-days away.

xoxo

vanilla sky

italian sunrise on the mediterranean[photo by joe]

exeunt

[exit sign in germany//graphic depiction of current life events]

below is the letter i will turn in on the morrow

This letter is to inform all individuals concerned of my resignation from the positions of Continuing Care Coordinator-Interim, and Therapeutic Services Case Manager; effective September 2, 2005. I have come to this decision reluctantly after several weeks of careful consideration. I greatly appreciate the privilege that HOPE provided for me to learn from the individuals with whom I have worked so closely. The formal training offered through the agency will also be an asset as I continue in my professional career.

I am more than willing to do whatever I can to facilitate my transition out of these positions, and aid in reassignment of my duties as well as training of any new staff, as appropriate.

Sincerely,

Joe Sjölin, BS
Continuing Care Coordinator- Interim
Therapeutic Services Case Manager
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

p.s. if anyone has not yet checked out the wonderful world of andy i highly recommend it. let me specifically bring your attention to 'gem sweater' which he has linked. it's a good laugh.

rain

so many pictures... must whittle them down...

i now have all the photos on the ol' computer; now trying to organize, crop, edit, weed out, etc. in order to fulfill everyone's viewing pleasure. and yes, i have officially decided to quit. i'm tired of feeling HOPEless. good luck to all my friends who are currently involved in the search for work that doesn't suck.

wish i was there

amanda enjoying the scenery rushing past in the rhine river valley, southern germany [photo by joe]

majestic

hello all. we have safely returned from our 21 day journey through 4 european countries. of course, i have many photos, and many tales to regale everyone with once i organize them in my very particular, witty, anal/ creative fashion. for now, please enjoy this majestic photo of me in the majestic swiss alps (as soon as i get it to work). much more to follow...

i returned to a very different job than the one i was doing prior to our departure. much has changed at HOPE (as expected) in the last few short weeks. more details as they develop.

we are currently in iowa, at amanda's grandparent's farm, retrieving our beloved sofie, passing out gifts, and generally forcing all the family to look at our photos and listen to our stories.

'normal' life resumes on monday.