Month: December 2002

The US Postal Service…

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… really screwed things up, at least here in New Jersey. I guess you could say that suburban housing development did as well. They were all in it together.

A long time ago, in a state close to home, there were boro(ugh)s, villages, cities and townships. For example, Princeton borough, Village of Toms River, Trenton, and the Township of Windsor were very different types of communities. As houses were built in former farm areas, the Post Office Department (and later the US Postal Service) created ZIP codes. For each ZIP code and post office, the group assigned a name, possibly linked to the name of the surrounding area. While it helped to standardize the spelling of place names, it also changed the way we think about where we live.

I used to live in Cranbury Manor. My house was located in East Windsor Township, but since I was closer to the post office in the Village of Cranbury, my mailing address was Cranbury, NJ. Suddenly Cranbury (which was no longer just a village but also a township adjacent to East Windsor Township, but that is irrelevant to me) was everywhere.

In addition, while I live in Lawrence Township, I am forced to use Lawrenceville in my return address when I send letters. The township and the village used to be called Maidenhead. I think I prefer the current name. When someone asks you where you live, do you tell them your mailing address or where your house is actually located?

NOTE: I know of only one town without a ZIP code.

Forward

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I have a feeling I’m going to have a busy week ahead of me at work. If only I could get more pleasure out of being an administrative assistant. I don’t feel like I’m going anywhere…

Anyway, I don’t understand the way my alma mater works. When I graduated with a degree in music education, after student teaching, they really didn’t point me (or the other music ed graduates) in the direction towards certification. Maybe they just forgot. And since then, it’s been a bit of a farce trying to get it. I took the PRAXIS exam over a year ago, and got a great score. After turning down one job and being turned down for another last year, the district that was supposed to put through my certification forms for me didn’t. I requested the forms from the county a few months ago and still haven’t received anything.

Finally I spoke to someone on the phone today and hopefully there won’t be any more delays. My plan is to teach instrumental music in a high school, gain some experience, get a Master’s degree for educational administration, become a district supervisor of music somewhere, and at some point, become a principal. I think that’s where my interests are most suited… at the moment, anyway.

Rent In My Sleep

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I dreamed this morning that I was playing the character Roger in Rent on Broadway. Of course I didn’t know the lines so I was improvising. I guess this is a step up from the dreams I’ve had in the past. During college I dreamed I was on stage in a college play (without knowing any lines). In high school I dreamed I was on stage in a high school play (without knowing any lines). It’s only appropriate that I’m on Broadway now.

The dream started out on stage, with a recording of Leonard Bernstein‘s Mass playing in the background. Eventually people entered the stage and we started Rent.

Of course, this is all tied to real life. Our rent payment for the apartment is due today. Unlike the musical, I can afford it and we’re not in danger of being evicted.