The past few months have been a period of reflection for me. Basically, I'm trying to decide on what I want to do next and when 'next' will be.
I could elaborate on and on as to why I've been thinking about these things, but if you've seen me at all in the past couple months, you already know why. And if you don't know, consider yourself to be in a happy state of bliss heretoforth unknown to me.
For as long as I can remember, I have harbored an interest in teaching, specifically at the college level. Here at work, I can teach a class or two, since I have my masters, but I am considering going back for my Ph.D. Potentially in Public Policy, which is a joint Ph.D. with both public policy and political science at IU. I'm starting to ask some questions about the programming and hope to learn more so I can make a decision to apply rather quickly. Seems that January is the deadline for the Fall '09 class.
If you are wondering if I can do that and still work, well, I'm wondering that too. If, and it is a big IF, I end up with a new boss that can appreciate my need to continue my education, I may have an opportunity to work a 4 day workweek, thus freeing up some time to get my classes in. If not, well ... more decisions to be made.
Such is life and the musings of me.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Political email received from Mom ...
I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight.....
* If you grow up in Hawaii , raised by your grandparents, you're 'exotic, different.'
* Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, a quintessential American story.
* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
* Name your kids Willow , Trig and Track, you're a maverick.
* Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.
* Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.
* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Sena te representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
* If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.
* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.
* If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
* If , while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.
* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's.
* If you're husband is nicknamed 'First Dude', with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.
OK, much clearer now.
* If you grow up in Hawaii , raised by your grandparents, you're 'exotic, different.'
* Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, a quintessential American story.
* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
* Name your kids Willow , Trig and Track, you're a maverick.
* Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.
* Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.
* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Sena te representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
* If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.
* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.
* If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
* If , while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.
* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's.
* If you're husband is nicknamed 'First Dude', with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.
OK, much clearer now.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
I miss Sweden
This was the view out our hotel window each day. In the distance on the left you can see a couple of steeples -- these were part of the Royal Palace and the church next door to it. Also, please note the bike/pedestrian lanes on the roads are equally as wide as a traffic lane. Ah, Sweden.
More pictures later ...
Monday, September 22, 2008
Halle Pino's Merry Gang of Bag Ladies
Or perhaps this post should be titled: "How Halle Pino brought us all to the bayou and made a ton of money doing it!"
I went to Halle Pino's Night on the Bayou, a benefit supporting the creation of a Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Community Center here in Indy. As expected, the food was fantastic and the performers were even better. I was able to see some old friends, meet some new ones and laugh long and hard all night long. The only downside -- dear Athena has a tender stomach and finally, finally after the 3rd dose of Pepto did the stomach calm down. Shoowee, that food was spicy and GOOD.
Also went to the Colts game this weekend -- had a great time but oh such a sad ending. :(
Other than that, work work and more work. You know, life.
Be well, all.
I went to Halle Pino's Night on the Bayou, a benefit supporting the creation of a Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Community Center here in Indy. As expected, the food was fantastic and the performers were even better. I was able to see some old friends, meet some new ones and laugh long and hard all night long. The only downside -- dear Athena has a tender stomach and finally, finally after the 3rd dose of Pepto did the stomach calm down. Shoowee, that food was spicy and GOOD.
Also went to the Colts game this weekend -- had a great time but oh such a sad ending. :(
Other than that, work work and more work. You know, life.
Be well, all.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Random thoughts ...
I'll have some friends in town next weekend from La Porte. P and J and their two kiddos will be arriving on Friday and leaving Sunday morning for a weekend of silliness and fun.
I think people who ride out a hurricane are just plain stupid. Seriously, people, you have advance warning, sounds like a doozy, get your happy asses in the car/bus/train/bandwagon and get the frick out of town. It angers me that police and fire department personnel have to risk their lives to save fools. Stay if you want, fine, but be prepared to stay until you can get out on your own.
I liked the rain.
The cats are sleepy and so am I.
The Kenny Chesney/Keith Urban/Leann Rimes/Gary Allan/Luke something or another/Brother Trouble show last night totally rocked. Lucas Oil is a very cool stadium. I like that the windows open. Yes, I am easily amused. I knew the roof opened, had no idea the big picture window opened.
I am not feeling well. GI distress. Blech.
g'night.
I think people who ride out a hurricane are just plain stupid. Seriously, people, you have advance warning, sounds like a doozy, get your happy asses in the car/bus/train/bandwagon and get the frick out of town. It angers me that police and fire department personnel have to risk their lives to save fools. Stay if you want, fine, but be prepared to stay until you can get out on your own.
I liked the rain.
The cats are sleepy and so am I.
The Kenny Chesney/Keith Urban/Leann Rimes/Gary Allan/Luke something or another/Brother Trouble show last night totally rocked. Lucas Oil is a very cool stadium. I like that the windows open. Yes, I am easily amused. I knew the roof opened, had no idea the big picture window opened.
I am not feeling well. GI distress. Blech.
g'night.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Life.
My life has been a bit busier than I had intended it to be this month. I had the crazy idea that I'd slow down because the summer went by in such a blur. Now here it is the 11th of September and I have no idea where days 1-10 went. I think it went a bit like this:
Drive back from La Porte
Go on meet and greet date with new guy (henceforth "Jason")
Meet Scully after work, dinner with Scully and AM, laughs until late
Scully back to Seattle
Work Work Work Work Work
Date with Jason
Date with Media
Media announces he is moving to St. Louis
Laundry/home day
See Nicholas and D9. Watch Nicholas engage in standard 2 year old meltdown. Laugh at him.
Paperwork for side business
Watch football and NASCAR with Jason
Talk to Maestro, discuss his birthday weekend celebration
Set lunch date with FN
Add Halle Pino's Cajun Fish Fry to the calendar
Work Work Work Work
Meet with side business clients
See Jason after his softball games
Date with Jason
Weekend plans: concert. laundry. sleep.
Drive back from La Porte
Go on meet and greet date with new guy (henceforth "Jason")
Meet Scully after work, dinner with Scully and AM, laughs until late
Scully back to Seattle
Work Work Work Work Work
Date with Jason
Date with Media
Media announces he is moving to St. Louis
Laundry/home day
See Nicholas and D9. Watch Nicholas engage in standard 2 year old meltdown. Laugh at him.
Paperwork for side business
Watch football and NASCAR with Jason
Talk to Maestro, discuss his birthday weekend celebration
Set lunch date with FN
Add Halle Pino's Cajun Fish Fry to the calendar
Work Work Work Work
Meet with side business clients
See Jason after his softball games
Date with Jason
Weekend plans: concert. laundry. sleep.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Musings of nothing in particular
Scully, thank you for coming to Indiana and staying with me on Wednesday. You really made my day and I loved my visit with you and AM. Next summer?
The Shark Family -- thanks for a most excellent evening on the deck covered by the bazebo. The libations were fine but the company was finer. November, indeed!
Sister and Boy Wonder -- Nice job on the house. It looks spectacular. I will send along good hopes that it sells pronto-tonto.
Work -- I am tired. Pardon me while my interest in you wanes a bit.
Maestro -- happiest of birthdays, friend. Have a marvelous weekend.
Miss Effie's -- a new blog found on a friend of Maestro's blog. Love love love this. Can totally relate to the millions of peaches put up in my own freezer.
This weekend's tasks:
Clean up garage
Reorganize freezer after great peach experiment of '08
Town stuff
Sleep
Dates (yes, more than 1!)
The Shark Family -- thanks for a most excellent evening on the deck covered by the bazebo. The libations were fine but the company was finer. November, indeed!
Sister and Boy Wonder -- Nice job on the house. It looks spectacular. I will send along good hopes that it sells pronto-tonto.
Work -- I am tired. Pardon me while my interest in you wanes a bit.
Maestro -- happiest of birthdays, friend. Have a marvelous weekend.
Miss Effie's -- a new blog found on a friend of Maestro's blog. Love love love this. Can totally relate to the millions of peaches put up in my own freezer.
This weekend's tasks:
Clean up garage
Reorganize freezer after great peach experiment of '08
Town stuff
Sleep
Dates (yes, more than 1!)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Good weekend overall.
I'm back.
The weekend was overall pleasant with visits with family and friends. I packed a hella lot of visits into the weekend and now am feeling a bit out of it.
In other news, I had a date last night. Yes, I know, a date! Looks like we'll be going out again on Friday, I'll keep you posted if there is anything else to note.
Yes, Media is still in the picture. He may take a job transfer so I'm not sure what's next there. Yes, I am bummed.
Scully is coming to visit tomorrow and I am so excited!!!
Put up another 8 bags of peaches today (Amen, Garwood's Orchard) and five bags of various kinds of peppers. Yes, the freezer is almost full.
*************************************
As for McCain's VP pick, I honestly could not be more surprised. When there is talk of 'baggage' of a candidate, I find it fascinating he picked one with her own baggage claim area. Very very very interesting. Oh, and the 17 year old's boyfriend looks like a Class A Charmer too.
*************************************
If I hear one more discussion of PUMA I may start screaming. I was watching one of the news programs where this woman was going on and on about how the primary election was 'stolen' from Hillary. If I consult my Webster's dictionary for 'stolen election,' I don't find Hillary's face there, I find Al Gore, Florida and Supreme Court nonsense.
When I look at the platform of the Republican Party, I cannot fathom why anyone who once supported Hillary would say: "Hell with Barack, I'm going Republican." Seriously, is there one item on the Republican platform which says equality for all? What about abortion rights? What about gay marriage? What about the war in Iraq? What about health care? Sweet Mary Mother of God, I cannot get this. I have tried and tried.
I have never made any bones about the fact I supported Barack. But if things had gone differently, if it was not Barack up there accepting the nomination but it was Hillary, would you see me wearing a "Democrats for McCain" shirt? Would you see me joining PUMA? Would you see me staying home on election day?
No, No, No. For Fuck's Sake, People, get a Damn Grip. The only question one should be asking themselves is: "Am I prepared to accept another 4 years of a Bush presidency?"
Oh Hell No.
*****************
Rant over. To bed.
The weekend was overall pleasant with visits with family and friends. I packed a hella lot of visits into the weekend and now am feeling a bit out of it.
In other news, I had a date last night. Yes, I know, a date! Looks like we'll be going out again on Friday, I'll keep you posted if there is anything else to note.
Yes, Media is still in the picture. He may take a job transfer so I'm not sure what's next there. Yes, I am bummed.
Scully is coming to visit tomorrow and I am so excited!!!
Put up another 8 bags of peaches today (Amen, Garwood's Orchard) and five bags of various kinds of peppers. Yes, the freezer is almost full.
*************************************
As for McCain's VP pick, I honestly could not be more surprised. When there is talk of 'baggage' of a candidate, I find it fascinating he picked one with her own baggage claim area. Very very very interesting. Oh, and the 17 year old's boyfriend looks like a Class A Charmer too.
*************************************
If I hear one more discussion of PUMA I may start screaming. I was watching one of the news programs where this woman was going on and on about how the primary election was 'stolen' from Hillary. If I consult my Webster's dictionary for 'stolen election,' I don't find Hillary's face there, I find Al Gore, Florida and Supreme Court nonsense.
When I look at the platform of the Republican Party, I cannot fathom why anyone who once supported Hillary would say: "Hell with Barack, I'm going Republican." Seriously, is there one item on the Republican platform which says equality for all? What about abortion rights? What about gay marriage? What about the war in Iraq? What about health care? Sweet Mary Mother of God, I cannot get this. I have tried and tried.
I have never made any bones about the fact I supported Barack. But if things had gone differently, if it was not Barack up there accepting the nomination but it was Hillary, would you see me wearing a "Democrats for McCain" shirt? Would you see me joining PUMA? Would you see me staying home on election day?
No, No, No. For Fuck's Sake, People, get a Damn Grip. The only question one should be asking themselves is: "Am I prepared to accept another 4 years of a Bush presidency?"
Oh Hell No.
*****************
Rant over. To bed.
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