I said I’d have my website up by January 23rd - which would be today.  Here’s the update: It’s not up yet.  But it’s okay - sometimes you have to revise your plans a bit.  What’s most important is that the site is finally well under construction after months of putting it off, and it should be finished soon…ish.  I want to have it finished before January is out.  Gotta admit, I’m excited.

As for rehashing the past, my trip to Charleston was fabulous.  It was so wonderful to see my mom and to see friends from high school that I hadn’t seen in several years.  My friend, the bride, looked gorgeous, and I’m so happy for her and her new hubby.

The best thing about our friendships is that sense of shared history.  You can turn to that friend and say, “Remember that time when … ?” and the other person knows exactly what you’re talking about because they were there, living that moment right along with you.

Life is good.

It’s great to see my mom.  This is the first I’ve seen her in about 15 months.

Her hair is purple.  It’s not supposed to be.

Truth be told, I’m exaggerating just a touch.  Her hair is not completely purple.  It has purple streaks in it - a dye experiment that had unexpected results.

She and I have long had issues with her hair.  I want her to get a cut, appropriately styled for her personality and her age.  She often talks of going for the gusto, getting that long overdue cut and style.  She’s been telling me “I’ve been looking at styles - I’m still thinking about what I want” for about 10 years now.  (more…)

“Social Tools” is going on a trip!  This morning, I’m flying home to Charleston, SC.  Charleston isn’t technically my home anymore, but I went to high school there and my mother still lives there, so it’s still home to me.

The occasion?  K, one of my friends from high school (a Magneteer) is getting married.  She and I played varsity softball together, laughed together, and commiserated about the rigors and occasional absurdity of Magnet life.   Magneteers, or folks who attended Academic Magnet High School, are a pretty tight bunch.  There were only 88 of us in our graduating class, and I could actually list everyone out by name if I had the time and inclination.  (But I have neither.  So sue me.)

The first scheduled event is K’s bachelorette party on Thursday night.  This will require a stop by an adult novelty store for the purchase of an appropriately inappropriate gift.  (What’s the name of that store on Cross County Road?  Is it still there?) (more…)

Bragging is never a becoming quality, but I’m really proud and would like to share why.  I promise to keep it brief.

After examining over 21,000 public high schools across the country, U.S. News & World Report ranked Academic Magnet High School - my high school! - as #9 in the nation.

As an alumna of AMHS, or “Magnet,” as it’s usually called in Charleston, I’m so proud to see our tradition of excellence in education continue.  Thanks to Magnet, I was more than prepared for college when I walked across the stage to get my diploma in June 2000.  (I’m sure the other 87 members of my graduating class feel the same way.)

Long story short, Academic Magnet High School is it.  I’m so proud.  Go Raptors!