Archive for July, 2008
July 31st, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
boxes.
Tossin’ and turnin’…turnin’ and tossin… I tossed and turned ALL night and I dreamed of boxes. Today is the day we load up. I’ve been up since before 5 AM. I figured one of us should get some sleep and it wasn’t going to be either if I stayed in bed. I’ll sleep after we load. I did learn something this morning. Without Jem I would either go broke or stop drinking coffee. Mine isn’t nearly as good as his. Of course, I already knew this, but it was reinforced after the first sip of my morning coffee.
I do not know when we will depart and I don’t know if I am looking forward to it or not. It will be a long drive and I will have Lil Bit (chatterbox) riding with me and helping with the dogs. I have never taken my dogs on a 9+ hour trip, and I’m not too sure how the cat will handle it either. I have a crate and carrier for the smaller two, and the big dogs will just have to behave. I suspect there will be frequent stops, but then that is good for me to get out and stretch.
I hope the house is everything we expect. I have only seen pictures from the realtor and images from Google Maps, Google Earth, and Maps live. No, we did not buy a house without viewing it. We are renting until we know where we want to buy.
All utilities are in our name starting tomorrow. Cable and ‘net will not be available until Monday. What is one to do? I seriously considered a usb air-card for our ‘net access but the cost per month was double what it is to use broadband through the cable provider. I know McD’s offers free access and I’m sure there is a coffee shop nearby. However, there will be lots to do around the house so I’m sure we will be well entertained without our entertainment media. Come to think of it, maybe I shouldn’t have set up the cable/’net until after all my school work was complete.
When you stop by here say a little prayer for our safety and sanity!
Have a great weekend!
July 27th, 2008 -- Posted in Meme |
The meme queen, Tense Teacher, posted a fun meme that she borrowed from Adena. I too love a good music meme so here’s a good thirty minutes of amusement for me. I wish you luck. My musical tastes are rather diverse.
The rules are as follows:
1. Put your mp3 player or computer music player on random.
2. Post the first four lines from the first 20 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing the song (Skip repeat artists and any instrumentals.).
3. Post, and let your friends guess which song and artist the lines come from.
4. No Googling! Don’t cheat!
1. Christopher Robin and I walked along
Under branches lit up by the moon
Posing our questions to Owl and Eeyore
As our days disappeared all too soon
WTG Djembe, (Return to) House at Pooh Corner- Kenny Loggins
2. I need you boo
I gotta see you boo
And there’s hearts all over the world tonight
Said there’s hearts all over the world tonight
With you (Boo)- Chris Brown, guessed by Leesepea!
3. New Orleans ladies
Sassy style that will drive you crazy
And they hold you like the light
Hugs the wick while this candle’s burning
Jem again, New Orleans Ladies- Louisiana’s LaRoux
4. I can’t get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications
Very close Jem, it is Overkill, but it is not the original of Men At Work. It is Colin Hay’s Man At Work version 
Can’t tell from the lyrics of course.
5. You’re all smiles and silly conversation
As if this sunny day came just for you
You twist your hair, you smile, and you turn your eyes away
C’mon, tell me what’s right with you
6. Its late in the evening
Shes wondering what clothes to wear
She puts on her make up
And brushes her long blonde hair
Wonderful Tonight- Eric Clapton, guessed by Leesepea!
7. I never knew there’d come a day
When I’d be sayin to you
Don’t let this good love slip away
Now that we know that its true
Don’t, Don’t you know the kind of man I am
No, said I’d never fall in love again
But its real
And the feeling comes shinin thru
Jem again, Caught Up In You- .38 Special
8. There’s no gravity up here
It’s kind of hard to explain
Every time I’m holding you
It’s like backwards rain, yeah
9. It is so easy to see
Dysfunction between you and me
We must free up these tired souls
Before the sadness kills us both
10. I’ve these dreams of
Walking home
Home where it used to be
And everything is
As it was
Frozen in front of me
11. Who’s to say
What’s impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
12. Way back when
In Sixty-seven
I was the dandy
Of Gamma Chi
Sweet things from Boston
So young and willing
Moved down to Scarsdale
Where the hell am I
I swear I didn’t give him the answers, Jem again. Hey Nineteen- Steely Dan
13. We flying first class
Up in the sky
Poppin.. champagne
Livin.. my life
C’grats to Tense for getting Glamorous by Fergie
14. Three little birds, sat on my window.
And they told me I don’t need to worry.
Summer came like cinnamon
So sweet,
Little girls double-dutch on the concrete.
Tense again with Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Ray
15. Can this feeling that we have together
Oooh, Suddenly exist between
Did this meeting of our minds together
Oooh, Happen just today, somewhere
16. You could say I lost my faith in science and progress
You could say I lost my belief in the holy church
You could say I lost my sense of direction
You could say all of this and worse
WTG Leesepea! If I Ever Lose My Faith In You- Sting!
17. I can’t tell the future but I don’t care
‘Cause as I learn to trust you, it’s enough that You’re there
Enough that You’re there
You’ve given me the faith to live through today
So you can have tomorrow, You can have the next day
You can have the day after, the day after that, Jesus
Jem, music master’s last guess…After This Day is Gone-Bryan Duncan
18. You thought we’d be fine
all these years gone by
now your askin me to listen
well then tell me bout everything
no lies we’re loosin time
19. Here we stand
World’s apart, hearts broken in two
Sleepless nights
Losing ground
I’m reaching for you
20. (This one is too good to just give four lines)
My heart is restless as I wander through this jungle
The trees above refuse to let the sunlight through
And somewhere deep inside I hear the whispered longings
That tell me I was made for more than this
A blinding flash of light falls down into the darkness
Slowly I notice strange new markings on the trail
The crimson drops are calling out to me come and follow
“I am the God who made you, let Me show you how to live”
And I cry…
July 26th, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
As excited as I am to move and start a new position, I’m so not into the prep right now. Maybe it is a little overwhelming, but I think the main issue is that I just haven’t felt like this summer has been a break and now that everything seems settled I am taking the break time. It is difficult to jump in and get it done. I know that once I start I will enjoy working on the various handouts. Years ago I interviewed historian James McPherson for a historiography assignment. He said something then that is very simplistic, but stuck with me…one of the hardest things about writing is getting started. No doubt that is a simple statement, but coming from one of the most respected historians of the day it was a profound statement. Even the big guys have trouble getting started.
Maybe when I no longer hear Hannah Montana in the background and my children are all snug in their beds I will be able to focus on my school tasks. I really do not want to procrastinate to the point of “I work best under pressure anyway.”
July 26th, 2008 -- Posted in Meme, Ramblings |
who stole it from Tense.
How many keys are on your keychain?
Only three but that will change when school starts.
If you were given a canvas and watercolors, what would you paint?
A landscape…it’s all I can do
What do you regard as the most repulsive form of music?
Hate rap, death metal, twangy country and I’m not too fond of bluegrass.
Whose mind, besides your own, would you like to control?
Ahmandinejad makes the list, but controlling just one mind would not be politically beneficial so I guess I must say the same as Annie and choose someone with LOTS of money…after I pay off my debts I would start donating to various causes.
What is the most dangerous occupation?
Crab fisherman! (Or the guys who video the crab fisherman, lol) However, again I think Annie is correct that fireman is right up there. I also wouldn’t like to be a tower dog who fixes the cell towers and such.
What is the first thing you do when you get out of bed?
Open Tiki’s crate.
What do you consider the greatest threat to mankind?
Ignorance. (Agreeing with Annie, but will throw in greed.)
If you could project yourself into the past, where would you go?
Hmmm, initial thought was the week before 9/11 but who would believe you if you told them? I don’t know, I would love to say some historical moment, but I would most likely choose a point where I could be with my Gran again.
What are you thankful you are not doing right now?
I am thankful to not be searching for a job.
What is your favorite kind of candy?
Homemade caramel
What is your favorite thing about the beach?
Sights, sounds, smells and it makes me feel good.
If you were invisible, where would you go?
Anywhere I wanted!
What is one object in your home that you are embarrassed to own?
I don’t think anything makes the list.
Fill in the blank; When I dance, I look like…
an idiot
Who is one person you wish you would have never met?
Yes, we probably meet everyone for a reason, but I have a short list.
What is your favorite fruit?
I love pineapple, but it fresh is best…and I mean tropical fresh, not fresh from the market here because that ain’t fresh.
What is your favorite kind of cookie?
I love tea cakes and sugar cookies, but chocolate chunk is good too.
If you were an evil dictator, where would you rule?
aren’t there enough evil dictators in the world?
What do you need to get right now at the drug store?
I don’t think there is anything we need.
What song do you keep hearing over and over again?
Freeeee credit, report dot com… 
What was the happiest age of your life?
I’m pretty happy right now.
What is your favorite piece of clothing that you own?
My blue comfy pants.
What two words describe your lifestyle?
transition, excitement
Which ocean creature fascinates you most?
Whales, dolphins, and sharks
On a scale of 1-10; how religious are you?
Define religious. We are God followers, but I’m not going to shove it down your throat if that is what you mean by religious.
What historical figure would you most like to have a discussion with?
Washington, but there are really so many
What color looks best on you?
Earth tones is what I choose to wear, but I like black too.
What is your favorite thing about being sick?
Nothing.
Whats new?
Our address is soon to be.
Why are you here right now?
Why are any of us here?
What commercial do you find most annoying?
Free Credit Report, but with DVR I get to skip commercials so it isn’t a huge issue
What was your favorite meal growing up?
Homemade biscuits and chocolate gravy.
If you had to spend the rest of your life in one place, where would it be?
The beach. (ooo, me too)
Fill in the blank; I am so much smarter than…
some, but not others.
What one person or thing reminds you of the 80s?
Cindy Lauper, Boy George, and leggings.
What is college really good for?
Figuring out who you really are and getting the craziness out of your system
Where is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Haiti…there is beauty there if you take the time to see it.
What body part aches you the most right now?
back
When is the angriest you have ever been?
There are a few times that make the list.
What do you waste your time doing?
Reading message boards and screwing around on Facebook. (me too)
On a scale of 1-10; how much do you trust people?
0-5, but Jem gets a 10
If you were forced to choose your own death, how would you die?
In my sleep
On a scale of 1-10; how photogenic are you?
5, I don’t know.
What aspect of your personality could use a little work?
Patience (me too)
What is your greatest addiction?
the net.
What issue are you sick of hearing about?
Celebrities. (me too)
If you were a professional wrestler, what would your ring name be?
Not a problem, wouldn’t happen.
What language would you like to master?
Spanish, but it’s my own fault I haven’t mastered it because I really haven’t taken the time.
What is your favorite dish at a Chinese restaurant?
General Tsao Chicken
Whom would you least likely expect a phone call from?
Usually my mother, but that is happening more lately.
What is the longest you have ever gone without a shower?
Two days maybe?
What is the saddest movie you have ever seen?
Where the Red Fern Grows
What time do you usually fall asleep?
11- just past midnight.
Where is the worst place to be stuck waiting?
On a plane, on the runway. They’ve got you then! (Seriously.)
What is the cutest animal on Earth?
Puppies!
Name one celebrity who has no right being a celebrity.
Paris Hilton (agree)
What hobby have you always wanted to pick up?
Travel
July 25th, 2008 -- Posted in Cheaper than therapy, Ramblings |
We move in 7 days, I start my new job in 18 days, and meet the new students in 26. No pressure, but I have very little prepared for the new year AND my teaching license is inaccurate. They do not have 7-12 certification so I have to have dual 6-9 and 9-12…they only gave me 6-9 on the license. The license isn’t a HUGE issue, but I want it to be correct! The moving stuff is just about taken care of, however the truck will not officially verify until the day before. Um…well…what if they say no? I’m going to pretend that isn’t possible. My FIL is coming for a visit today. GREAT, looking forward to seeing you…pull up a chair spot of floor and relax. We sold our other couch and chair so there is a couch in the den and two chairs in the living room, no dining room table or chairs…should be interesting. We shall survive. I have two card tables and six mildly comfy chairs. I think I will take the floor. Probably good after all this packing, my back is killing me! Back to the school thing lots to do and I have barely started. The summer reading, 1776, has to be finished and prepared for discussion, the course syllabus has to be completed, intro newsletter revamped, examples of “how I want it done” created, website updated, first few chapters noted and prepared for teaching, and a deep calming breath taken. It will happen. When we move there will be a weekend without cable so no temptation to get online or watch TV. I will have to unpack and embrace the books.
To boost my ego, I was again asked to teach a class at the local university. Although I had to decline, it was nice to be asked. I hope teaching college level will be in my future.
Thanks for stopping by, time to tackle the rest of the day.
July 23rd, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
WOW, I almost forgot my own blogoversary! For two years I have been posting on the web. In this time I have met several really great bloggers who entertain me almost daily and who were a message of support through very difficult times. This is my sanity journal and I thank you for sharing it with me.
KONTAN JOU! Happy day!
July 21st, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
I took the girls to see WALL-E yesterday and have to say it was the cutest movie I have seen in a while. It is really surprising how good it was considering dialogue is limited and it is an animated robot love flick.
There are several themes running through this movie and maybe it will help people stand up and take note. I am not exactly what you would call a tree hugger, but I do appreciate the great outdoors and feel that on some level we need to protect the environment, as well as get off our hind-ends and enjoy it. I’m happy to see that it is now cool to be green, but unfortunately the biggest proponents of “green” are hypocrites. Their hypocrisy turns off people who may have the potential to embrace “green” projects. But I digress…WALL-E reveals the world as it could be…covered in trash with people light years away at a space resort lazy, fat, ignorant, and reveling in techno stuff. It really is an indication as to where society is headed and what we embrace.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, either because you haven’t seen the movie or you haven’t been to a movie in so long you have not been overexposed to the WALL-E preview (which was way overplayed), then let me offer a little explanation.
WALL-E is a robot, among many robots, created to clean Earth while the humans are away. Trash took over the land and living on Earth was hazardous. A mega-corporation, BnL, created an army of little box robots programmed to collect trash, compact it into squares, and stack it neatly into skyscraper like piles. For citizens, BnL offered a space resort cruise. Citizens would be waited on hand and foot in a resort atmosphere. There were even seat transporters for those physically unable to walk around and enjoy the resort. Well, 750 years and many captains later, the people on the space resort were all physically unable to walk around the resort and everyone had their own seat transporter. While on Earth the lone WALL-E, and his cockroach friend, had outlasted all the other WALL-E bots and continued toiling away at garbage collection and compaction. WALL-E had also developed a personality. (Think Johnny-5, Short Circuit.)
Axiom, the space resort, had been sending out life searching bots for centuries. Each bot returned from Earth with a report of no life detected…until Eve. Several hundred years after leaving Earth an Axiom captain determined that life on Earth was impossible and the people should never return. This was coded into the resort system to prevent future captains from initiating the return sequence.
Now, when Eve is dropped on Earth WALL-E is immediately infatuated with the beautiful piece of technology. With a good bit of effort he appeals to her good circuits, then offers her a token of his love…a plant that he found under an old refrigerator and had tossed in a boot. Eve was delighted, then went into bot mode where she collected the specimen, notified home base, and shut down. WALL-E was, of course, confused and devastated. He attempted to revive her with solar exposure and carried her with him to various favorite spots only to receive no response. Giving up, he went back to trash collection and compaction, only to frantically rush back to his WALL-E fort when Eve was being collected by the space module.
Since this review surpassed long a paragraph or so ago I will be brief in explaining the rest. WALL-E and Eve spend the remainder of the movie on Axiom attempting to initiate the Earth return sequence by retrieving the stolen plant and helping the captain get it to the teleport thingy, all the while building their personal network connection and falling in love.
The movie is sweet, cute, and has a good message. All this and family friendly too…hard combination to find these days. Another Pixar classic, I have to say two thumbs up.
July 19th, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings, Tech stuff |
WordPress › Blog » WordPress 2.6.
WP has a new release and I must say it has a few features that I like, despite the fact that it has created issues with various themes I like. First, on the site I have linked above there is a quick tutorial (3:29 minutes long) that introduces the new features. I rarely take advantage of the video introductions, but it is certainly helpful to help you get to know what you are working with. It seems WP 2.6 has integrated a scribefire like feature that allows you to add a bookmark or firefox button so you can blog in a new window whenever you find something on the ‘net that you want to talk about. As neat as it is, I still like scribefire which operates within the Firefox browser. If you are still not using FF I have to ask, why? Everyone has their thing I guess. WP 2.6 will also let you know when plug-in updates are available. It is possible other versions did this and I never noticed, but I don’t think so. Many of us like to update our themes frequently. WP 2.6 allows you to preview the new theme in another window before activating it. I like this feature because it lets you see the compatibility of your theme before you agree to use it. The revision feature is really cool. I will not use it often at KontansPlace, but I certainly will be using it with my class websites. You are able to look at revisions, compare them, and choose what works best. Handy tool. If you like gravatars you can assign defaults for those who have not created their universal ‘net image. Cute. There is also a “gear” feature that is supposed to speed things up, but I haven’t tried it yet.
All in all, no major complaints, but then this tech thing is only a hobby, not my life. Like everything else, some like it and some don’t.
July 19th, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
You would not believe the number of people that will get up at 0-Dark:thirty to sort through someone’s junk. Actually, those that did got a great deal on a solid wood, old (you can say antique if you like), full bed frame and a solid wood dining set. There were only three pieces that I was sad to see go, but we just did not have room to hang on to them and it will be at least another year before we do. It is best to simplify life and not having clutter means you are on the road to being simplified.
Maybe you guys are into yard sales, but I am just not successful at finding good deals. That is probably due to the fact that I am not willing to get up at 0-Dark:thirty to look. I have an aunt and uncle that are totally into it and buy everything at rock bottom price. I tell ya, my uncle has talent when it comes to getting a bargain. He’s all about the challenge of a good deal. When we are semi-settled in NC I think I will give it another shot. Not that prices for everything are on the rise it would be wise to try and find good deals. It amazes me how many people sell stuff with the tags still on or still in the original packing. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have money to waste on something I am not going to use. Aunt and Unc are good at finding the new stuff too. Again I say, talent.
Are you into the yard sale thing? Know tricks of the hunt? Know someone who does?
July 17th, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
I know I’m changing themes like most women change handbags but as wordpress requires upgrade and plugins upgrade I keep finding errors in the themes I choose. Just enjoy the different flavors and forgive me. It’s a hobby, what can I say? Should have seen this place when I tried to put a picture in the last post using the “add media” feature. Yikes.
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