I was going to leave the laptop on all night, with an away message counting down the days, but I don't want to jinx myself. I'm so close and I feel like I'm racing the train, running the gap (?) shooting the needle (?)
did I make those last two up, are they actual phrases?
Is it terrible that it makes me think of spencer's sister asking, "water under the bridge.....is that, that's the right phrase right?"
Yes.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Motherholme
Some updates on my virtual presence, my digital existence, my eSelf, or keeping up with the times, my iSelf.
I just joined GoodReads, which is kinda like librarything, but it looks to be completely free. Feel free to friend me. Initially K. from my suite in Walton day's asked me to join, she's looking for suggestions for books to read. I asked my sister and J. to join, because I know they read a lot. (I asked N. to join, but I don't think she's interested, it has however sparked some interesting conversations about R.L. Stein, the Hardy Boys, Matthew Christopher, and the "girl" versions, like Babysitters Club, Sweet Valley High, and so on)
I added over 200 books to goodreads... and that was in the initial two brainstorm mass additions to the site. I'm actually glad, because I had tried keeping track of the books I've read using a word document in the past, and I never kept it updated, maybe now I can catalog (I wanted to add a ue to the end of that) everything I've read. It's not to boast or really to network with anyone, but for personal interest. I'm curious what my eyes have looked at over the years.
I also tried to find World War Robot, after seeing that it was a web comic in this issue of Wired. I found a link to the site, but no web comic. I can buy a rather large and detailed toy of Bertie the robot, but, other than that, I get some glimpses of interesting art. I added Ashely Wood's blog to my reader, and tried subscribing to the info list. We'll see where that goes.
I just joined GoodReads, which is kinda like librarything, but it looks to be completely free. Feel free to friend me. Initially K. from my suite in Walton day's asked me to join, she's looking for suggestions for books to read. I asked my sister and J. to join, because I know they read a lot. (I asked N. to join, but I don't think she's interested, it has however sparked some interesting conversations about R.L. Stein, the Hardy Boys, Matthew Christopher, and the "girl" versions, like Babysitters Club, Sweet Valley High, and so on)
I added over 200 books to goodreads... and that was in the initial two brainstorm mass additions to the site. I'm actually glad, because I had tried keeping track of the books I've read using a word document in the past, and I never kept it updated, maybe now I can catalog (I wanted to add a ue to the end of that) everything I've read. It's not to boast or really to network with anyone, but for personal interest. I'm curious what my eyes have looked at over the years.
I also tried to find World War Robot, after seeing that it was a web comic in this issue of Wired. I found a link to the site, but no web comic. I can buy a rather large and detailed toy of Bertie the robot, but, other than that, I get some glimpses of interesting art. I added Ashely Wood's blog to my reader, and tried subscribing to the info list. We'll see where that goes.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Paula
Between yesterday and today, me and N. watched the second season of Dexter online. We had to use links from alluc, as it hasn't been released on DVD or put on Instant Watch via NetFlix. I really enjoyed it, and it's really interesting to see how the books and show are diverging. Quality was pretty good too, just on the small side.
Had it been on NetFlix the quality would have been awesome. It's a little bit of a blur, since we watched so much in such a short time, but it's definitely worth checking out. I tried to get my parents into it, but they just weren't as into it as I am. Generational thing maybe, who knows.
Had it been on NetFlix the quality would have been awesome. It's a little bit of a blur, since we watched so much in such a short time, but it's definitely worth checking out. I tried to get my parents into it, but they just weren't as into it as I am. Generational thing maybe, who knows.
Myo
10 days until I'm finished... graduation doesn't count because that is, literally, a walk in the park.
N. and I visited the National Arboretum this weekend, and we plan on visiting again soon. It was absolutely gorgeous, the weather was fantastic and I took some great pictures. Such as:
In other news, I'll post again in a second.
N. and I visited the National Arboretum this weekend, and we plan on visiting again soon. It was absolutely gorgeous, the weather was fantastic and I took some great pictures. Such as:
In other news, I'll post again in a second.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Cat's Claws
I just finished reading Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It really caused me to put some serious thought into a lot of things brought up in the book, and with some related subjects.
Tolkien has a great quote (I believe at the beginning of the Silmarillion) about the relationship between father's and son's, and this story I really think touched on that subject quite a bit. I'll try to avoid giving anything away if you haven't read it, but I'd enjoy discussing it once you have (whoever you are).
The semester is approaching the end very quickly, and I have a lot to do. I'm both excited to be done, to start a new job, and stressed and a little sad/nostalgic/contemplative over where the time has gone. It took awhile but I really can think upon the entirety of my college experience and enjoy it. It happened right, it's not happening, and I can say I learned a lot. A professor said once how undergraduate education teaches you how to learn, but post graduate education teaches how much you haven't learned, and how much more there is out there (I've got to butchering that, it sounded so much better at the time).
I've definitely experienced that. There's a thousand directions I could go from here, and I'd love to go in every one.
Also I have to comment about something that happened. I made guacamole two days ago, and after getting chips, I turned around and the pyrex bowl of guacamole flew out of my hand, shattering on the floor. the glass exploded everywhere quite violently, but the delicious green mass stuck where it landed. This event now tops the Worst Things That Have Ever Happened To Me, List. This list has public and private entries on it, and, as of this consideration, that is now number 1.
1. Dropping bowl of Guacamole 4/22/08
2. Diagnosis of Osteochondritis dissecans (both knees) ~4th grade
3. Leaping onto the Tarzan Swing at Bethel Mill Park, only to find it was chained to the ground below the mulch ~Childhood
Those are the absolute top three, until someone reminds me of something else horrible that happened to me. Such as the time I got my dad's jeep stuck in the woods. ANYWAY.
Further comment of Number 2.
from MayoClinic:
That's what happened, all of it. In my right knee (initially the worse of the two) it stayed in place and other than occasional pain, there were no to few symptoms (excruciating pain). In my left a fragment loosened (separated) and again, excruciating pain. After waiting from the 4th grade and then into my freshman year of highschool, I didn't do anything other than avoid sports. But come freshman year I started to mature so my doctor was like, okay, time for surgery and then a couple weeks later I had my knee scoped and drilled. The new unnatural holes allowed blood to flow in (and out) of my knee*, to promote healing.
Then my junior year it was time for surgery again, and bone screws (they are absorbed by your bones) were used to secure the fragment in my knee. Tada! Now I'm okay and allowed to do whatever. The first time I was hopping within a week, and the second I was in a chair for a week, and then crutches for 8 weeks. PT both times, and both times I had to relearn how to walk. Relearning how to run was probably the worst experience. Suddenly realizing that I didn't know how to run was probably one of the strangest things that ever happened to me. I can't explain it.
And that's enough of that.
*Those holes, or channels in my knee, the blood still flows in and out. Sometimes after waking when I stand up I can feel the blood rush into my knee. And If I put my feet up for awhile, same thing. I also have the stereotypical old man knee, that causes pain when the weather changes suddenly.
Tolkien has a great quote (I believe at the beginning of the Silmarillion) about the relationship between father's and son's, and this story I really think touched on that subject quite a bit. I'll try to avoid giving anything away if you haven't read it, but I'd enjoy discussing it once you have (whoever you are).
The semester is approaching the end very quickly, and I have a lot to do. I'm both excited to be done, to start a new job, and stressed and a little sad/nostalgic/contemplative over where the time has gone. It took awhile but I really can think upon the entirety of my college experience and enjoy it. It happened right, it's not happening, and I can say I learned a lot. A professor said once how undergraduate education teaches you how to learn, but post graduate education teaches how much you haven't learned, and how much more there is out there (I've got to butchering that, it sounded so much better at the time).
I've definitely experienced that. There's a thousand directions I could go from here, and I'd love to go in every one.
Also I have to comment about something that happened. I made guacamole two days ago, and after getting chips, I turned around and the pyrex bowl of guacamole flew out of my hand, shattering on the floor. the glass exploded everywhere quite violently, but the delicious green mass stuck where it landed. This event now tops the Worst Things That Have Ever Happened To Me, List. This list has public and private entries on it, and, as of this consideration, that is now number 1.
1. Dropping bowl of Guacamole 4/22/08
2. Diagnosis of Osteochondritis dissecans (both knees) ~4th grade
3. Leaping onto the Tarzan Swing at Bethel Mill Park, only to find it was chained to the ground below the mulch ~Childhood
Those are the absolute top three, until someone reminds me of something else horrible that happened to me. Such as the time I got my dad's jeep stuck in the woods. ANYWAY.
Further comment of Number 2.
from MayoClinic:
When blood supply to the area at the end of your bone is cut off, a condition known as osteochondritis dissecans may develop. The affected bone and its covering of cartilage may stay in place and cause no symptoms. Or, a fragment may gradually loosen, separate and cause pain.
That's what happened, all of it. In my right knee (initially the worse of the two) it stayed in place and other than occasional pain, there were no to few symptoms (excruciating pain). In my left a fragment loosened (separated) and again, excruciating pain. After waiting from the 4th grade and then into my freshman year of highschool, I didn't do anything other than avoid sports. But come freshman year I started to mature so my doctor was like, okay, time for surgery and then a couple weeks later I had my knee scoped and drilled. The new unnatural holes allowed blood to flow in (and out) of my knee*, to promote healing.
Then my junior year it was time for surgery again, and bone screws (they are absorbed by your bones) were used to secure the fragment in my knee. Tada! Now I'm okay and allowed to do whatever. The first time I was hopping within a week, and the second I was in a chair for a week, and then crutches for 8 weeks. PT both times, and both times I had to relearn how to walk. Relearning how to run was probably the worst experience. Suddenly realizing that I didn't know how to run was probably one of the strangest things that ever happened to me. I can't explain it.
And that's enough of that.
*Those holes, or channels in my knee, the blood still flows in and out. Sometimes after waking when I stand up I can feel the blood rush into my knee. And If I put my feet up for awhile, same thing. I also have the stereotypical old man knee, that causes pain when the weather changes suddenly.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Inigo
I was finding it a pain to have to jump back and forth between gmail logins to post to my own blog, so I added myself as a contributor. Maybe I should come up with a classy new name to call myself? or actually pretend that I'm myself contributing to my own blog? What?
Anyway, I came across this while being addicted to google reader on the wired blog, GeekDad (it's what I aspire to be someday) and I thought it was hilarious. N. didn't think it was so funny, but, anyway, maybe you will
This guy makes his own action figures, but in a different style, for example this is the Star Wars figures, but as if they were Steam Punk.
anyway, here's his site,
and here's GeekDad
Anyway, I came across this while being addicted to google reader on the wired blog, GeekDad (it's what I aspire to be someday) and I thought it was hilarious. N. didn't think it was so funny, but, anyway, maybe you will
This guy makes his own action figures, but in a different style, for example this is the Star Wars figures, but as if they were Steam Punk.
anyway, here's his site,
and here's GeekDad
Sheldon
Due to the Pope visiting, I have the rest of the week off. Not a bad deal.
In other news, I want these shoes:
Which can be found at this link. They're 'green' shoes, go check them out, I don't want to have to explain everything. I also watched Charlie the Unicorn 2 today, over at Newgrounds. Something else I want is a LoveSac, which I'll probably actually buy in May, because the salesman told me they are having a Dad's n Grad's sale. They're kinda like bean bags, but with cut up pieces of memory foam instead. Also they're a little expensive, I almost bought one around Christmas last year when they had a really serious sale, but I chickened out, while it's as big as a couch, and meant to be one, I don't know, can you really be an adult with a giant foam bean bag in your place? Anyway, they're at lovesac.com if you're looking.
In other news, I want these shoes:
Which can be found at this link. They're 'green' shoes, go check them out, I don't want to have to explain everything. I also watched Charlie the Unicorn 2 today, over at Newgrounds. Something else I want is a LoveSac, which I'll probably actually buy in May, because the salesman told me they are having a Dad's n Grad's sale. They're kinda like bean bags, but with cut up pieces of memory foam instead. Also they're a little expensive, I almost bought one around Christmas last year when they had a really serious sale, but I chickened out, while it's as big as a couch, and meant to be one, I don't know, can you really be an adult with a giant foam bean bag in your place? Anyway, they're at lovesac.com if you're looking.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Nigel
I'm absolutely exhausted from this weekend, and working on homework. I need to finish my modern controls take home exam, as it's proving not difficult, but unexplained properly.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Justine
Also to note, my unplayed playlist has been reduced to 38 songs, or 2.7 hours. I might be able to finish that up tonight, it consists of some Rage against the machine, red hot chili peppers, and radiohead. Again, that's not to say I haven't heard the song, just that when I revamped my ipod, I hadn't listed to it again.
Kazamir
Power blogging!
N. and C.'s go to White Castle, or Birthday Bash '08
Haven't posted so I'll post a few. What else is new? Epic trip this weekend, N.'s birthday was this weekend, Saturday, and her friends usually throw a big birthday bash, because her, L. and P.'s birthdays are all around the same time, hence instead of a series of birthday parties, one big party.
Simple.
I agreed to go because she wanted me to (it's a really work centric weekend for me, two assignments and a take home exam. Also, really loud bars and lots of drinking, aren't really me anymore. After last New Year's Eve, and the New Year's Eve before, I've truly learned my lesson, and I'm not keen to make that mistake again.)
So, Friday I picked her up from West Fall's Church metro, which isn't far from her work stop, and we headed to Tyson's. She found a birthday shirt, went home, checked out BSG and crashed.
Saturday morning we got up early to leave (9ish to leave by 10ish) left by like 10:30am, immediately it starts pouring rain out. Nicki's battery is dead again, and she's parked in the "a$$cr@ck" parking spot, and someone is parked in the non-stop, so it's pretty tight, and I start pushing her car awkwardly in the rain so that we can get it in the middle of the parking lot, and I can jump it with my car.
randomly the people parked next to her come out, and offer to lend us a jump. Perfect.
We're rushing to get it done and the jumper cables are really short, so it's hard. In the rush either I, or the other guy mix our cables. Almost immediately the jumper cables start to smoke, and I realize what's going on, I rip the clamp off the battery (because I'm pretty sure more dangerous shit than melted plastic can happen) and the clamp comes clear of the cables all together in my hand. F%*^! So I tell the guy we'll figure it out because he doesn't have cables and there's nothing else we can do.
Drive to rite aid, get new cables, grab a bagel from the Einstein's (where we see the guy getting bagels) and head back, successful jump, time to go. Leave Md, stop in at home in NJ for a few hours (2hours 15 min approx travel time) I worked on my take home test, and then we left around 6:30pm for P.'s. Leave there to go to L.'s, then get a ride to the Path station, and ride into NYC. Head over to Proof.
Typical super loud, slightly gross bar, but the $30. open bar from 10:30pm to 1:30am isn't bad (until I order a rum and coke, and it's like rubbing alcohol) I wasn't have the best time ever, but I was fun. N. really enjoyed seeing her friends. 2am rolls around however and it's like time to go. That's around the time bars close in DC so that's like normal, except nobody wants to leave, except they tell us they are. So we wait, and wait, and deal with the drunks, and wait, and it's late, and wait, and we're tired, and wait. This is a three person bday party, and one of them wants to go, that means it's time. We're dependent on P. for a ride from L.'s house, so we can't really leave without her, much as we'd like to. Eventually we get them out of the bar, except P.'s drunk and doesn't want to leave, it's 3ish Am. We hail a cab, they don't get in. Cab leaves, I hail a cab (My first). I get N. and L. in the first. I hail a second (My second, ever) and I get in to babysit C. and P. because I know if I don't, they won't come back with us. We get to Path, and then wait until 4:45am for a train. It was ass cold, and I was the only one remotely dressed for it.
Finally get to L.'s house, sleep on a couch. Leave this morning, stop at white castle (i'll post pictures later) drive all the way back here.
Maybe I didn't capture the length of this journey, or it's crap factor. But it was intense. According to google maps, street to street it was 550 miles in two days, with sleep from 5am to 10am, and no showers.
And I still haven't even gotten to finish my take home test and homework for this week. Let's see if it's appreciated.
N. and C.'s go to White Castle, or Birthday Bash '08
Haven't posted so I'll post a few. What else is new? Epic trip this weekend, N.'s birthday was this weekend, Saturday, and her friends usually throw a big birthday bash, because her, L. and P.'s birthdays are all around the same time, hence instead of a series of birthday parties, one big party.
Simple.
I agreed to go because she wanted me to (it's a really work centric weekend for me, two assignments and a take home exam. Also, really loud bars and lots of drinking, aren't really me anymore. After last New Year's Eve, and the New Year's Eve before, I've truly learned my lesson, and I'm not keen to make that mistake again.)
So, Friday I picked her up from West Fall's Church metro, which isn't far from her work stop, and we headed to Tyson's. She found a birthday shirt, went home, checked out BSG and crashed.
Saturday morning we got up early to leave (9ish to leave by 10ish) left by like 10:30am, immediately it starts pouring rain out. Nicki's battery is dead again, and she's parked in the "a$$cr@ck" parking spot, and someone is parked in the non-stop, so it's pretty tight, and I start pushing her car awkwardly in the rain so that we can get it in the middle of the parking lot, and I can jump it with my car.
randomly the people parked next to her come out, and offer to lend us a jump. Perfect.
We're rushing to get it done and the jumper cables are really short, so it's hard. In the rush either I, or the other guy mix our cables. Almost immediately the jumper cables start to smoke, and I realize what's going on, I rip the clamp off the battery (because I'm pretty sure more dangerous shit than melted plastic can happen) and the clamp comes clear of the cables all together in my hand. F%*^! So I tell the guy we'll figure it out because he doesn't have cables and there's nothing else we can do.
Drive to rite aid, get new cables, grab a bagel from the Einstein's (where we see the guy getting bagels) and head back, successful jump, time to go. Leave Md, stop in at home in NJ for a few hours (2hours 15 min approx travel time) I worked on my take home test, and then we left around 6:30pm for P.'s. Leave there to go to L.'s, then get a ride to the Path station, and ride into NYC. Head over to Proof.
Typical super loud, slightly gross bar, but the $30. open bar from 10:30pm to 1:30am isn't bad (until I order a rum and coke, and it's like rubbing alcohol) I wasn't have the best time ever, but I was fun. N. really enjoyed seeing her friends. 2am rolls around however and it's like time to go. That's around the time bars close in DC so that's like normal, except nobody wants to leave, except they tell us they are. So we wait, and wait, and deal with the drunks, and wait, and it's late, and wait, and we're tired, and wait. This is a three person bday party, and one of them wants to go, that means it's time. We're dependent on P. for a ride from L.'s house, so we can't really leave without her, much as we'd like to. Eventually we get them out of the bar, except P.'s drunk and doesn't want to leave, it's 3ish Am. We hail a cab, they don't get in. Cab leaves, I hail a cab (My first). I get N. and L. in the first. I hail a second (My second, ever) and I get in to babysit C. and P. because I know if I don't, they won't come back with us. We get to Path, and then wait until 4:45am for a train. It was ass cold, and I was the only one remotely dressed for it.
Finally get to L.'s house, sleep on a couch. Leave this morning, stop at white castle (i'll post pictures later) drive all the way back here.
Maybe I didn't capture the length of this journey, or it's crap factor. But it was intense. According to google maps, street to street it was 550 miles in two days, with sleep from 5am to 10am, and no showers.
And I still haven't even gotten to finish my take home test and homework for this week. Let's see if it's appreciated.
Gore
I haven't updated in a few days, or a week and a half. Whatever.
Also I hate the word 'whatever' because it's dismissive, and often used inappropriately, because really, saying whatever is like asking for whatever, do you really want to get punched in the face? Whatever. SMACK!
So what else? Campus is getting all spruced up for the Papal Visit, that should make it pretty obvious where I attend school, because I don't think he's visiting any other universities, it's not like any other's are under is control. It's pretty cool that he's coming, the last time a pope visited was in like the seventies or something. Also though, I'm a pretty dumb person because I signed up for tickets to go see him, but never picked them up, so I can't go and visit. I = Dumb.
If I manage to grab some pictures of campus I'll post them.
Also I hate the word 'whatever' because it's dismissive, and often used inappropriately, because really, saying whatever is like asking for whatever, do you really want to get punched in the face? Whatever. SMACK!
So what else? Campus is getting all spruced up for the Papal Visit, that should make it pretty obvious where I attend school, because I don't think he's visiting any other universities, it's not like any other's are under is control. It's pretty cool that he's coming, the last time a pope visited was in like the seventies or something. Also though, I'm a pretty dumb person because I signed up for tickets to go see him, but never picked them up, so I can't go and visit. I = Dumb.
If I manage to grab some pictures of campus I'll post them.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
CST
I forgot to mention, while I'm not sure if I'll catch it tomorrow night, I'm excited for the 4th and final season of Battlestar Galactica. Tomorrow is the first new episode.
Also to clarify, I didn't watch until the first three seasons were already out, I had seen the original as re-runs on the sci fi channel it was... dated. But my sister told me I had to watch it, and it was really good. Also the guy from the Soup likes it, so, that justifies it being not that nerdy/geeky to watch it.
Also, the actress [tricia helfer] (I had somebody give me a hard time once, and told me that male/female, they are all actors now) who plays Caprica6 has posed nude for Playboy. I found that a bit surprising when I reading an interview today, not exactly sure why, but I was. (surprised)
here's the wired interview.
If you haven't checked it out yet, I suggest at least watching the mini-series, if it's not for you, it's not for you, but if it is, it's worth it.
Also to clarify, I didn't watch until the first three seasons were already out, I had seen the original as re-runs on the sci fi channel it was... dated. But my sister told me I had to watch it, and it was really good. Also the guy from the Soup likes it, so, that justifies it being not that nerdy/geeky to watch it.
Also, the actress [tricia helfer] (I had somebody give me a hard time once, and told me that male/female, they are all actors now) who plays Caprica6 has posed nude for Playboy. I found that a bit surprising when I reading an interview today, not exactly sure why, but I was. (surprised)
here's the wired interview.
If you haven't checked it out yet, I suggest at least watching the mini-series, if it's not for you, it's not for you, but if it is, it's worth it.
Bradley
I'm working on my vibrations homework. It's a beast. I know that it is not as hard as it seems, but the way the problems are worded, it feels like running into a wall. I have to finish by Monday night though, so hopefully get through it.
"The Darjeeling Limited" came yesterday via NetFlix (I really enjoy NetFlix by the way) and so we'll check it out tonight, see if it was any good. I think N. came up with a good description of Wes Anderson's movies, that they're pretty to look at, interesting, but kind of goofy. (I probably mis represented part of that, but anyway) In my opinion, I think they have great scenes, but aren't necessarily any good. I agree with her they're pretty to look at, and I think we agree that they aren't always any good but yeah.
Like anything else, we'll find out.
Here's a picture I took the other day in my office sanctum sanctorum (kidding)
"The Darjeeling Limited" came yesterday via NetFlix (I really enjoy NetFlix by the way) and so we'll check it out tonight, see if it was any good. I think N. came up with a good description of Wes Anderson's movies, that they're pretty to look at, interesting, but kind of goofy. (I probably mis represented part of that, but anyway) In my opinion, I think they have great scenes, but aren't necessarily any good. I agree with her they're pretty to look at, and I think we agree that they aren't always any good but yeah.
Like anything else, we'll find out.
Here's a picture I took the other day in my office sanctum sanctorum (kidding)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Rejuvenation
I'm grading a huge stack of papers. Absolutely massive. I finished the first stack, which was old homeworks, now for the new stuff.
Also I ate a lot of these:
Centurian
Keep your eye on the prize.
It's only about 6 weeks until graduation, and I'm losing focus. Rather keep my head in the here and now, I'm looking ahead to what I'll be able to do with my free time. This really isn't a minor point, as this marks the point in my life where I'll have a break from being in school. I don't know how my oldest sister does it, she's five years older than me and still going strong.
I know I'll get sucked into doing Ph.D. work however, she's setting a precedent, the benchmark, (are we competing?) and the temptation to be called doctor is too strong.
But really, what a lame complaint that is, to be able and willing to further your education. Brings me to something we (N. and I) were discussing last night. It's about your frame of reference. My complain maybe the hard work of a continuing education, but that's because I've had different (arguably better) opportunities and circumstances. Someone born in a different country, in a different situation has a different frame of reference, and therefore, different day to day complaints.
We were specifically talking about the teaching profession. (My parents were both teachers, so I have a pretty good understanding) They have off in the summers, all the major holidays, spring breaks, winter breaks and so on. And they get paid a full salary for the year (however it may be less than some other job) and as tough as the work may be it doesn't compare to the stresses of some other professions; for example blue collar shift work, or manual labor like landscaping or construction.
But once a person becomes settling in that teaching lifestyle, they get accustomed to their own realm of daily complaints, which, in our opinion, their complaints pale in comparison. Is their life really so hard?
Is my life really so hard I have time to think about it?
It's only about 6 weeks until graduation, and I'm losing focus. Rather keep my head in the here and now, I'm looking ahead to what I'll be able to do with my free time. This really isn't a minor point, as this marks the point in my life where I'll have a break from being in school. I don't know how my oldest sister does it, she's five years older than me and still going strong.
I know I'll get sucked into doing Ph.D. work however, she's setting a precedent, the benchmark, (are we competing?) and the temptation to be called doctor is too strong.
But really, what a lame complaint that is, to be able and willing to further your education. Brings me to something we (N. and I) were discussing last night. It's about your frame of reference. My complain maybe the hard work of a continuing education, but that's because I've had different (arguably better) opportunities and circumstances. Someone born in a different country, in a different situation has a different frame of reference, and therefore, different day to day complaints.
We were specifically talking about the teaching profession. (My parents were both teachers, so I have a pretty good understanding) They have off in the summers, all the major holidays, spring breaks, winter breaks and so on. And they get paid a full salary for the year (however it may be less than some other job) and as tough as the work may be it doesn't compare to the stresses of some other professions; for example blue collar shift work, or manual labor like landscaping or construction.
But once a person becomes settling in that teaching lifestyle, they get accustomed to their own realm of daily complaints, which, in our opinion, their complaints pale in comparison. Is their life really so hard?
Is my life really so hard I have time to think about it?
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Second Chance
So with the notes/comments out of the way.
I'm still waiting on my new work to get back to me about my clearance (and whether I have it). Once that goes through I can get a start date, and then post graduation I'll be ready to roll. I'm excited for the new work, I really think it is in line with my interests, and better aligned with what I actually want to do at work.
Some background, I interned and worked at a small NASA subcontractor, and primarily assisted with analysis work associated with Hubble Space Telescope (HST) - then I was offered assistance with going back to school for my Masters Degree, so I took the opportunity. Because I had only just graduated (May '07), and had already enrolled in the accelerated program, I ramped up the course load, and I'll graduate again this May with a Master's in Mechanical Engineering.
[Even more background, a graduate program is 10 courses - because I was in the accelerated program and did it immediately after my bachelor's, 2 courses are double counted in both degrees, so now you drop the requirement to 8 courses post grad. In anticipation of wanting to continue my education, I took an extra course as an undergrad, drop the requirement to 7 courses post grad. I took 3 courses fall semester, and now I'm taking 4 courses in the spring semester. Think about that. 4 grad level classes. Also to note, fall semester I worked 3 days a week, TA'd a course, and had the 3 classes. This is still hard, but the time commitment is different. (I grade for 3 classes)]
Speaking of --- I have class. (Computational Methods)
I'm still waiting on my new work to get back to me about my clearance (and whether I have it). Once that goes through I can get a start date, and then post graduation I'll be ready to roll. I'm excited for the new work, I really think it is in line with my interests, and better aligned with what I actually want to do at work.
Some background, I interned and worked at a small NASA subcontractor, and primarily assisted with analysis work associated with Hubble Space Telescope (HST) - then I was offered assistance with going back to school for my Masters Degree, so I took the opportunity. Because I had only just graduated (May '07), and had already enrolled in the accelerated program, I ramped up the course load, and I'll graduate again this May with a Master's in Mechanical Engineering.
[Even more background, a graduate program is 10 courses - because I was in the accelerated program and did it immediately after my bachelor's, 2 courses are double counted in both degrees, so now you drop the requirement to 8 courses post grad. In anticipation of wanting to continue my education, I took an extra course as an undergrad, drop the requirement to 7 courses post grad. I took 3 courses fall semester, and now I'm taking 4 courses in the spring semester. Think about that. 4 grad level classes. Also to note, fall semester I worked 3 days a week, TA'd a course, and had the 3 classes. This is still hard, but the time commitment is different. (I grade for 3 classes)]
Speaking of --- I have class. (Computational Methods)
Endeavour
So here it is, a new blog/journal/writing - general-update-on-my-life text space. The last few failed (and were subsequently deleted) due to inactivity, and the previous Xanga versions (nothing against it, and it's 'private/public' feature was nice, if something else similar exists here I'll have to locate it) failed as well, because they were primarily written as a diary, and diaries tend to have private thoughts and musings, and when they become public, and are read, they hurt people.
Moving on! and some general notes; because I like it to be semi-private (it's the internet!), at least slightly anonymous- I'm going to use my middle name, and I'm using an alternate email. The blog address and the email are of different references, so for the in-the-know, maybe you'll enjoy it.
Moving on! and some general notes; because I like it to be semi-private (it's the internet!), at least slightly anonymous- I'm going to use my middle name, and I'm using an alternate email. The blog address and the email are of different references, so for the in-the-know, maybe you'll enjoy it.
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