Thursday was the last day we read essays. I was feeling my cold a little more too, so I went in early instead of playing racquetball. I read 3 packs in less than 3 hours! I was really smoking. Then Becky and I went to lunch at the Sultan. I scored 3 more packs and it was 4:15. I asked how long they thought we would work on Friday...and they said this was it...so I read one more pack...7 packs in 8 hours...wow! And they invited me back starting March 4. Friday I got my first paycheck, $721, and I'll get about the same again in 2 weeks. I got a printout showing my validity is acceptable (above 60%), but it has been steadily decreasing and I keep thinking I'm doing pretty well!

Friday I enjoyed the pleasure of not having to score essays! We played 2 games of racquetball. The second was even close (14-16). Then I did some volunteer bookkeeping at ALPS, went to Kroger and home in time for lunch. The day was too short for the number of things I had planned...cooking... gardening...schoolwork!

That night, we saw Cabaret at Town & Gown (volunteer ushering). It was much better than I expected. The singing and dancing was quite competent, although of course, no Liza Minelli. The girls were a little too young and sweet, mostly not brazen and tawdry enough. Amy Miller was quite good as Frau Schneider, the landlady. Most of the people did pretty good imitations of a German accent--I was pretty impressed! And man, does that show have great songs! There was a 7-piece orchestra above and behind the stage...and it was nearly sold out.

Yesterday, we had a workshop at UUFA. There was a good turnout. Everyone was polite and dedicated, there was just enough food, and the donations almost added up to what we paid. Ray was so helpful. He drove me there at 8 am, carried stuff in, then went to give platelets. He ran some errands, then picked up the sandwiches for me and brought them to the Fellowship. He ate with us, then hung around working on something in another room and was there to do the dishes when we were done! We chatted some with Paul and Tonya in the afternoon, out on the porch, it was so sunny and pleasant.