Getting my writer's block gone.

569 posts on this blog later, you'd hardly believe I have writer's block on occasion but I do.  Right now, it is for my grad school essays.  I know better.  I know they ought to have flowed like so much Mississippi River by now but ... nada.  A few paragraphs I hate.  A few sentences I like.  Mostly a bunch of crap-ola that doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

It is time I pulled my head out of my ass and did it right.

I don't suppose starting the essay with "please please please pick me me me me me me me" will do though, right?

Damn.  back to writing.

And the Rest of the Story

The Megabus adventure fell a little flat as there was a fairly major car accident on I-65 which managed to shut down the interstate for 1.5 hours. 

I was nearly late for my appointment -- but it turned out wonderfully.  "I look forward to seeing your application" -- said the director of graduate studies.  :) :) :) :)

had dinner with Hoosier Guy, his mom and his best friend ... it was a wonderful evening and not nearly as nerve-wracking as I had made it out to be.

had Thanksgiving at Sister and Boy Wonder's house -- 17 people in all.  I was ready for peace and quiet shortly thereafter.

Friday was my contribution to the U.S. economy.  I bought a whole lot of stuff.  :)

Saturday I returned back to Florida, glad to see sunshine and 80 degrees.

Sunday was laundry and hanging out with friends at a beachside bar.  Toes in sand, beer in hand, oh happy days. :) 

Now I'm back to work.  Lots to do, not many hours to do it.

Brought to you live ... from the Megabus!

Today's whirlwind of a trip is to Chicago to visit the University of Illinois-Chicago.  I rode the ICE (Indy Commuter Express) bus down from Carmel this morning with Boy Wonder to downtown.  Then I wandered over to the City Market where I had breakfast with Lu, where we discussed all things in life, including men.

Now I'm on the Megabus. 

For the uninitiated, this is a non-stop bus service from downtown Indy to downtown Chicago that can be booked for as low as $1 one-way.  My trip today was $29, as I had to reschedule yesterday's trip to better accommodate the friends/family visiting schedule and also to fit in a trip to IU. 

The Megabus is a double-decker bus, that has wifi. Yes, dear readers, I am on a bus, rolling down Ohio St. in Downtown Indy, on my laptop, live blogging from the bus.

Bus travel, incidentally, is no different from air travel.  Same level of dumbass-ness is prevalent. 

There are 110v jacks on the bus, so my laptop isn't even without power.  I'm loving this. 

I'll be working on my admissions essays on the bus this morning.  How fab is that???

*************
Yesterday's visit to IU was intimidating.  Each college I've visited has had a different feel.  American was friendly, GWU was impersonal, IU was intimidating.  I am curious what UIC will be.

Reasons for intimidation: 8% acceptance rate of Ph.D. candidates for starters.  Yes, I said eight percent.  And of course that freaks me out.  I mean, really, I'm gonna have to score not just a home run but a grand slam to get in that place and I really think it may be the best fit for me so far.  They could  easily do a policy program with grant effectiveness (which is what I want to study) without much effort at all.

Now to visit UIC.  I wonder what they bring to the table? 

All the schools I've chosen to apply to are all top 20 schools -- my masters came from a top 20 school so I want the same level of Ph.D,.  Sure, I could get in somewhere else but I don't want to -- seems like I should be selective in my program as ultimately I want to teach and it seems that without a good school as my background that may be hard to do.

Onward and upward.  To Chicago I go.

Back Home Again .... In Indiana ...

I returned back to the home state on Saturday.  I've missed it here.

I missed most of the fall leaves, although there are still a few stubborn trees that won't give up. 
I've missed my family -- haven't seen Sister and Boy Wonder since July.
I've missed my friends -- haven't seen most of them since July.

The next few days will be a flurry of activity.  This weekend was pleasant, as it was a whole lotta time with Hoosier Guy, showing him "my" town, and then a lovely afternoon/evening at Sister and Boy Wonder's home, complete with a yummy dinner. 

Today is a trip to my former workplace (Ivy) to visit with friends, then to lunch with some *other* former coworkers from my time at the State, then to Indiana U to visit with the head of the Ph.D. program for my degree field.  The first two options for today -- so excited I could burst.  The third option?  Bursting, not sure if it is excitement or nerves.  :)

Indiana U is tied at #2 in the nation with Harvard for my degree field.  I would love to go there but almost feel it is a long shot.  This will not preclude me from doing the royal suck-up while I am there though ;)

Wish me luck.

Just another day in paradise ...

My workplace gets weirder and weirder by the day.

About six weeks ago, the Executive Vice President walked out.  Yeah, just like it looks -- no notice and lots of upheaval after.  Since that time, the jockeying for power/influence has been overwhelming.*

I try not to play office politics.  I try to just do what I do (and do it well), then attempt to go home at a reasonable hour.  Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. 

Either way, I'm outta here by the end of April 2011.  Off to greener (?) pastures ... somewhere ... Chicago, Bloomington, DC, Seattle, Portland ...


* during this blog post, I had two visitors.  One being my "big" boss (the VP) and one being another VP. 

It's My Birthday ...

Okay, so technically today isn't my birthday.  Tomorrow is.  At 1:28 a.m. on November 14, I'll turn 37. 

It has been a most interesting year.

I have traveled extensively.
I have enjoyed my life more.
I have made decisions about my future.
I have met someone who excites me, interests me and makes me laugh*
I am happy. 

It isn't as if I wasn't happy in my 35th year or "happier" in my 36th year, it is just the gradual observations that life is what you make of it and you should try to enjoy every moment.  I've embraced "me" this year in a number of new ways.  Moving to Florida during my 35th year was a test of my endurance -- could I endure being away from family and friends, in a fairly foreign location, to be pummelled by heat, to be attacked by ants, fake people and being alone? 

Being away from friends and family has brought me greater strength and greater longing -- I miss the change of seasons and the smell of burning leaves.  I miss seeing my sister for lunch.  I miss running up to my mom's house for the weekend.  I miss visiting favorite places with my dearest friends.  In turn, I've gained some incredible friends (Mary, Lee, Mary's parents, just to name a few), gained appreciation for a great place to retire (not live), had my blood thinned through excessive heat for months at a time and learned that the Midwest isn't just a destination or a flyover point on the map, it is home to me.

So here's to my 37th year -- to grad school applications, new beginnings and a renewed sense of hope for all things possible.  Cheers!  (clink!!)

*Hoosier Guy: thanks for being you.

Fellow Blogger Welcome Wagon

Well, hello there Gonzo Mama -- thanks for stopping by ye olde blog and joining as one of my followers.

http://www.thegonzomama.com/

If you really want to see one I enjoyed, check this one out:

http://www.thegonzomama.com/2010/10/tricks-of-trade-off.html


The Gonzo Mama is a friend and former classmate at Cottey.  She is Superwoman (in sunglasses), SexyMama (with the 7 kiddos and fab husband), and AwesomeChick (all the time) rolled up into one fancy package.

She also can make you laugh so hard you spit out delicious gin and tonics.  This I know as a fact.

You can catch her in the blogroll -- and please do.

I think my brain is turning to mush.

This love thing -- wow -- I had forgotten how much my brain would turn into mush.

I think of the Hoosier Guy all the time, wondering what he's doing, if he's having fun, what's the next funny story/comment he'll share. 

My working brain -- mush.  Pure mush. 

I am not complaining.  No.  No Freaking Way. 

I'm Observing.

I observe that the Hoosier Guy keeps my mind active and thinking, even when we are apart, based on the conversations we've had the day, night or week before.  We are constantly talking, constantly communicating in such a way I feel like I know him better now than I would have over six months of casual, once-a-week dating. 

I also observe that I'm happy.

:)

Anticipation

Anticipation is one of the sweetest and, alternately, most suffering words in the English language. 

It is the siren song of activities to come, the wishful thinking of future moments, the sweet smile of happiness-to-be.

It is also the waiting, the countless hours "until" ... and calendar-marking.

I anticipate .... so very much.

Go Colts!

Happy Sunday!

Life as I know it.

Let me digress for a moment to discuss my past.  Not something I often think about, as I consider that 'lessons learned' and try, very hard, to move on to happier, newer things.

I've spent an awful (and I do mean awful) amount of time with guys that were terrible for me in one way, shape or another.  Sometimes I knew it right away (and did the drop-kick out the door) and sometimes it was more insidious -- and I didn't know until later, much later, that they were just Not For Me.

I've also been blessed to date some pretty cool guys who remain my friends today.  D9, Jason -- just to name a few -- have been a mixed bag on the dating front, but as friends -- oh hell yeah, I enjoy them.  D9's son Nicholas is a constant source of amusement for me and I've enjoyed seeing him grow up from just a baby to a walking-talking-constantly moving 4 year old machine. 

All this being said, nothing has quite prepared me for Hoosier Guy.

No pedestal, please -- no, he self-describes as a 'regular guy.'  He's witty, sharp, verbally spars with me, makes me laugh and adores his kids.  I find myself saying 'wow' a lot -- not because I don't have words, but because nothing else seems as apt to describe him.  I called him a unicorn last night -- I've heard his kind exists (and seen it, in friends like Sharkfamily's Jay, Tom, PM, MND and the Angel -- just to name a few), but I've never had one of my own.  Now that is a wow for me.

I don't know what the future will bring, but what I do know is that I want him in mine.  Yesterday, just as I was walking into GWU for my meeting, we were talking.  He said the following: "I don't want you to go to the school that is most convenient [for me], but to the best school.  Good luck today." 

So.  Yeah.  Wow.

Someone that doesn't want to hold me back.
Someone that respects the fact that I have friends of all kinds.
Someone that makes me laugh.
Someone that makes his role as a father a main priority in his life.
Someone that verbally spars with me.
Someone that makes my day when he calls.

Yeah.  I'm blessed.  And you can't wipe this smile off my face with a nuclear blast.

Quotables ... because I can't stop laughing.

one, courtesy of Hoosier Guy, on describing a friend's issues with women: "When he smells vagina, his brain melts"

and

two, courtesy of PM and the Angel: PM: 'I heard on NPR that a study was conducted by NPR and Pew Charitable Trust that married men masturbate more than single guys" The Angel responds: "No way, I'm single, and I know better."

bwahahahahahaahahaha

The College Visits (Thus Far)

While I was in DC this week, I made a point to make appointments with both American University and The George Washington University to learn more about their Ph.D. programs in public administration.  I'm trying to visit them (6 schools) all before the application deadline although that doesn't look realistic right now for the Seattle and Portland schools.  Those may be January.

So anyway.

I should state that all six schools are contenders.  All of them are top 30 schools, all of them are within a few ranking points of the other and all of them would be great on a resume.  Really, this is going to come down to "fit" and financial package.  For those of you that aren't aware -- being a Ph.D. student often pays.  Literally.  I could get a fellowship for teaching and/or research that would pay me a stipend as well as give me -tuition free-.  Yes.  So, obviously I am looking hard and doing my best to sort out where I'll go.

First visit was yesterday -- to American U.  I met the advisor for all Ph.D. public affairs programs.  He is staff (not a professor) but truly understands the process and the ways in which the program works.  We had a meeting scheduled for eleven (for an hour) and I was in there the better part of an hour and a half.  We chattered back and forth like magpies, with each moment bringing new and different ideas, thoughts and plans to the table.  Suffice to say, we got along famously and he encouraged me to apply.  He later walked me to a class (that was in session) and asked if I wanted to stick around until the prof had a break.  I said yes, and sat in the hallway listening in to a lecture. 

At the break, I walked into class, introduced myself and the professor was warm, engaging and interested in me being there.  Asked me all sorts of questions, flattered me (they were talking about grants and he said he wished he had me in there as a guest lecturer) and was really open to the notion that I'd email him and learn more.  I left on Cloud 9. 

So.

I should also mention that I made this appointments about 6 weeks ago when I knew I'd be in DC at this time.  I wanted to give a long enough lead time for a good appointment slot and also so I'd have an opportunity to meet with someone one-on-one.

I arrived at my appointment today at GWU and met with not only an advisor, but another potential Ph.D. student.  Yeah.

The advisor hands me a packet of stuff that includes their master's program stuff (I asked her if she wanted it back [because I HAVE the masters in what they offer] and she said, no, this is the general packet we give everyone).  The meeting lasts less than an hour, isn't very engaging or personable (because she has two prospective students to talk to), and basically leaves me with a very sour taste in my mouth for GWU.  She was helpful (in a general way) but wasn't selling the notion of my application (or the other student's application) at all.  I mean, seriously, you have two potential Ph.D. students (who have their master's) and you can't be bothered to organize a freakin' packet of material to exclude the master's stuff.  Lazy.  Fucking Lazy.

I should state at this point that of ALL SIX schools, this is the one that I (of course) have the best contacts.  My mentor knows the head of the frickin' department.  One of my professors this year is an alum.  Oh yeah.  Not Pleased.   Boooo Hiss to GWU. 

So I'm not sure they have made the "apply" list any more.  American -- oh hell yeah.  GWU -- damn it, I'm disappointed in you.

He gets a name.

The Potential Love Interest has been on my radar day and night for weeks -- yes, dear Readers, weeks.  I can't possibly describe it in any other term than: unbelievable.

As all good players in this game I call a blog, he needed a blog name.  Hell, if he was gonna stick around here for more than a few weeks, he ought to get a name -- all the cool kids do.  I asked him if he had any names in mind and he said it would mean more if *I* would pick it.  OH the pressure -- to be creative on a blog name without just popping one off.

I thought of a couple of names which may or may not have worked.  Some were appropos, some were silly, some were just ridiculous.  One, however, made me laugh and is a pun of sorts: Hoosier Guy. 

So, Hoosier Guy, welcome to the bloglist. 

To answer some brief questions from the readership:

1. Yes, he is a Hoosier. 
2. Yes, we have known each other for some time.
3. Yes, he makes me laugh and smile
4. Yes, we've been talking online, offline, phone and text for weeks.
5. Yes, I can't wait to see him again -- and that is soon.

Things I've seen, things I've done ... while in DC

I love D.C. 

Love this city -- enjoy every damn minute I'm here.  I was first here back in 1996 when I was dating a guy that lived here (no need to comment on that, the only good that came of it was the all-access pass I had that week as he worked for a Senator (in the pre-9/11 days) and I went where people certainly aren't allowed to go now).   Seeing the city that first time cemented a love affair that just hasn't stopped.

Each time I'm here I try to see something else, something different. 

This time: National Portrait Gallery, "Old Town Trolley" tour and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. 

The National Portrait Gallery is best known for having all the presidential portraits.  Each of these was interesting in its own way -- Clinton's was very art nouveau, Nixon's was very flattering (done by Norman Rockwell) and LBJ's was "legislative" focused, which wasn't out of character for him.  I loved walking through and seeing them all.

The funny part of this was -- well -- to get to the presidential portraits you had to go through a whole series on the human form.  So basically it was nothing but 'penis-land' before seeing the Presidents, which was actually kinda ironic and funny given that: a) the Presidents are all men and b) you'd think with the propensity of many of the Presidents to have a mistress (or many), the nudes would be women. 

Also at the Portrait Gallery, an exhibit on Norman Rockwell -- courtesy of George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg.  Yep, two of the biggest moviemakers ever are also two of the biggest fans of Norman Rockwell.  It was moving -- in fact, it moved me to tears in some -- and gorgeous. 

The Trolley Tour -- I confess to having taken these in Key West and in St. Augustine from the same tour company.  They have actual driver/narrators (rather than taped narration) so each tour is different and unique, with the "basics" being covered by each driver and also liberty allowed for extra facts.  Consequently, some drivers talk a lot, some a little, but either way you get a good dose of "what's what" on the tour.  Worth the money every single time.

The Museum of Natural History has dinosaurs, animals, displays of man evolving, ocean displays, and a gems/minerals display among many other things.

The Hope Diamond.  It's big, sure.  Blue.  Sparkly. Attractively showcased.  However, and this is a big however, I actually enjoyed the rest of the gems/minerals display more.  Those were far more beautiful than the Hope. 

Dinos were cool.
Animals were awesome.
Man-evolving was fascinating.
Ocean display was way cool.