A glimpse into my edjamaction, here for you is the first part of the pre-paper for my literature review.
It is well documented that in the United States and other industrial nations around the globe obesity is a growing issue. Beginning around 1980, the rate of obesity rapidly accelerated from its previous small incremental growth line (Finkelstein, et al 2005). The U.S. is at the forefront of the trend with an estimated three out of ten people being obese (Caban, et al 2005). Other countries have identified similar growth rates, but none have reached the percent of heaviness found in the U.S (Millar, et al 1987). Being at the forefront of this issue should give great cause to invest in finding an answer, finding a way to turn it around.
The growing obesity issue fits perfectly into applied sociology and will be a perfect textbook example of personal trouble versus public problems in the future. Many individuals are suffering from excess weight as a personal problem. Few can see the larger societal forces that have helped push them towards being a statistic. It is far easier for individuals to look at their own lives to try and pin point the cause. Undoing that cause (if possible) though is unlikely to completely solve the problem. Jane started eating out more as her schedule became busier and started to gain weight. Jane can attempt to eat out less, however her schedule will still be hectic and she is likely to relapse. Society is invested in its population’s (and Jane’s) good health. It needs healthy people to be a healthy, growing society. Being obese increases a person’s likelihood of bad health and puts them at risk of developing several serious diseases, all of which lends itself to a shorter lifespan, higher medical costs, and lower productivity (bad for economy) (Finkelstein, et al 2005). Imagine the state of the U.S. if one third of its population were constantly in and out of the hospital with mortality rates on the rise and unstable economy.
A review of current literature is essential to identify the societal forces that helped cause the increase in obesity and any work conducted to disclose individuals’ perceptions of their weight gain. The results of any published reports of actions tried will be examined. This can be used to develop ideas, programs, and policies that can counter the obesity trend to answer the question of how to turn the tide?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
everyone is a gamer
there have been no posts lately for two reasons: 1) i had a big midterm that was the only test i have all semester, so i studied like hell for it, b) Dylan bought me a copy of Sims 2 Castaways. i'm not sure how smart that was.
when i was a little me, my parents had a SNES and i loved to play Sim City (i don't remember exactly which one). i think i liked starting with nothing and building it into something. starting with a few little buildings and turning it into a thriving metropolis. and then of course destroying it with a tsunami or godzilla. as a teen the original The Sims came out. i liked that well enough too. being that age i liked designing my own house, working to buy things for it. i bought a couple of the expansion packs, but then it got to be too much. too many add ons. (greedy money business types :( )
so i went on hiatus again. i have since started dabbling in casual games because they fit my busy life. Sims Castaways is a little more casual. i've been playing for a half hour here and a hour there. the little story of being stranded on an island gives the game more meaning and purpose, so i've rather taken with it.
hard core gamers will probably never read me again because of my profession to be a casual gamer, they can stuff it for all i care. just because i do not play the way they do does not mean i love video games any less. my theory is that everyone is a gamer.
i do not believe there is a person in the world who does not like to play. it is just a matter of finding the right game for them. for a great while the video game industry has been focused on catering to core gamers, but their time is ending. after all the first video game was pong, definitely a casual game. the number of non-traditional gamers (and their pocketbooks) is much bigger than the number of core gamers.
so i say onto you: take a break, play a game, and feel the stress melt
when i was a little me, my parents had a SNES and i loved to play Sim City (i don't remember exactly which one). i think i liked starting with nothing and building it into something. starting with a few little buildings and turning it into a thriving metropolis. and then of course destroying it with a tsunami or godzilla. as a teen the original The Sims came out. i liked that well enough too. being that age i liked designing my own house, working to buy things for it. i bought a couple of the expansion packs, but then it got to be too much. too many add ons. (greedy money business types :( )
so i went on hiatus again. i have since started dabbling in casual games because they fit my busy life. Sims Castaways is a little more casual. i've been playing for a half hour here and a hour there. the little story of being stranded on an island gives the game more meaning and purpose, so i've rather taken with it.
hard core gamers will probably never read me again because of my profession to be a casual gamer, they can stuff it for all i care. just because i do not play the way they do does not mean i love video games any less. my theory is that everyone is a gamer.
i do not believe there is a person in the world who does not like to play. it is just a matter of finding the right game for them. for a great while the video game industry has been focused on catering to core gamers, but their time is ending. after all the first video game was pong, definitely a casual game. the number of non-traditional gamers (and their pocketbooks) is much bigger than the number of core gamers.
so i say onto you: take a break, play a game, and feel the stress melt
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
cool breeze
This is Maia watching a car leave. Fall is coming to Florida. This means I can start opening my windows again because the humidity is bearable if existent. I love the change of seasons. The coming of fall always makes me want to play outside. In particular, I feel like playing soccer. *sigh* dear old times, care free times, cat times
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
the after
I'm feeling very thoughtful today, very much inside my head. Today is an anniversary. On this day last year a good friend, Dylan's best friend in fact, was murdered. The friend's death though will always bring a chill with it because we were supposed to be at his house that night. I'd rather not go into the details. Having them typed out here will not do the world any good.
His death brings to mind the other losses I have suffered. It was about this time three years ago when my grandfather passed away from cancer. This led me to the last time I saw my great-grandmother alive. I saw her on the way to his funeral then less than six months later she passed away. And the first loss, my father was fourteen years ago.
The only thing I can be thankful for is that I had an opportunity to see each of them a short while before they left. I have a good last memory.
His death brings to mind the other losses I have suffered. It was about this time three years ago when my grandfather passed away from cancer. This led me to the last time I saw my great-grandmother alive. I saw her on the way to his funeral then less than six months later she passed away. And the first loss, my father was fourteen years ago.
The only thing I can be thankful for is that I had an opportunity to see each of them a short while before they left. I have a good last memory.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
school days
For one of my classes, I had to read an excerpt (chapter 1) from the book This Book is Not Required by I. Bell & B. McGrane. The first chapter deals with grades and their use in school systems and how much trouble it causes children and how it reverberates through the rest of their lives.
One paragraph that really struck me goes along the lines of: if grades disappeared 95% of people would stop learning all those things they dislike (conjugating verbs, organic chemistry, etc.). The system says this is exactly why we need grades, so people will learn. What would probably happen though is that after awhile people would become interested in learning again. They may think of something and wonder how it works and then they will go and find it out in their own way.
What it brought to mind: when I was a younger me in the K-12 system I worshipped the coming of summer just like everyone else, anything to be out of the classroom everyday. To be a master of me, so long as my parents approved. After 4-6 weeks of summer break though I became insufferably bored. I would then proceed to set up my own school. I did my own work in math, english, literature, science, and some times a foreign language. I switched topics when I wanted and worked at my own pace. I did not have to listen to other students' low-level questions. I even got my siblings to participate to an extent.
I would support a change in the grading system. I think my ideal system would be High Pass/Pass/No Pass. The No Pass is essential. It eliminates the negative implications of fail. Pass means you mastered the material. High Pass should not be given lightly. It should go to those who went above and beyond and took what they learned to another level. It would help relieve some of the pressure on kids. Maybe more of them would take an interest in learning. I wonder what it would take to convince school systems to give it a try.
On a similar note, I was sitting in a café studying and overheard the cashier talking with a friend. She started studying at a community college and took a couple history classes there. She loved the history classes. She sat in class, listened to the teachers, memorized the material, and parroted it back on the test. So after two years she transferred to the University as a history major. Now she hates her classes. All she does is read books and write papers and she doesn't understand why. I wanted to walk up and shake her. 'You are taking 4000 level classes, you are expected to show that you can think and reason and critique ideas. What kind of history related job did you think you would get that would not need those abilities?' *sigh*
I'm going to watch Eureka.
One paragraph that really struck me goes along the lines of: if grades disappeared 95% of people would stop learning all those things they dislike (conjugating verbs, organic chemistry, etc.). The system says this is exactly why we need grades, so people will learn. What would probably happen though is that after awhile people would become interested in learning again. They may think of something and wonder how it works and then they will go and find it out in their own way.
What it brought to mind: when I was a younger me in the K-12 system I worshipped the coming of summer just like everyone else, anything to be out of the classroom everyday. To be a master of me, so long as my parents approved. After 4-6 weeks of summer break though I became insufferably bored. I would then proceed to set up my own school. I did my own work in math, english, literature, science, and some times a foreign language. I switched topics when I wanted and worked at my own pace. I did not have to listen to other students' low-level questions. I even got my siblings to participate to an extent.
I would support a change in the grading system. I think my ideal system would be High Pass/Pass/No Pass. The No Pass is essential. It eliminates the negative implications of fail. Pass means you mastered the material. High Pass should not be given lightly. It should go to those who went above and beyond and took what they learned to another level. It would help relieve some of the pressure on kids. Maybe more of them would take an interest in learning. I wonder what it would take to convince school systems to give it a try.
On a similar note, I was sitting in a café studying and overheard the cashier talking with a friend. She started studying at a community college and took a couple history classes there. She loved the history classes. She sat in class, listened to the teachers, memorized the material, and parroted it back on the test. So after two years she transferred to the University as a history major. Now she hates her classes. All she does is read books and write papers and she doesn't understand why. I wanted to walk up and shake her. 'You are taking 4000 level classes, you are expected to show that you can think and reason and critique ideas. What kind of history related job did you think you would get that would not need those abilities?' *sigh*
I'm going to watch Eureka.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
pondering
I have been pretty busy the past week, but that is not why I have not been posting. I am trying to decide what I want to do with my blog. Somehow I feel into the 'Dear Diary' route and I know I do not want to do that. I hate that. If I get into that, then writing feels like a chore and I want to write to release among other things.
In the mean time I let anyone out there read the personal statement I had to write for class. It is mostly about why I wanted to do a master's degree and what I expect. So enjoy.
A Personal Statement
I have always been a knowledge seeker. Even as a child, the jobs that appealed to me the most were those that seemed to ‘know everything’ and so for the longest time I desired to be a teacher or ‘imparter of knowledge’. As my wisdom of the world grew, my interests developed, and I knew more of myself. I could not be happy standing in a classroom day after day merely passing on knowledge, though I still see it as an important aspect. (Knowledge that belongs to one person is worthless.) My main career interests now point towards in the vague direction of medical sociology.
Things I know I like: medicine, sociology, people, the well being of everything from a person to a community to the world. My future is somewhere in this list. I think it may lie in public health, possibly developing educational programs or policy. I am trying to find out more to lift the fog that veils it. To this end and others I decided pursuing a Master's on sociology would be a very worthwhile endeavor. My background in sociology is weak; a master’s degree will increase my knowledge and be a step towards pinning down my career. Should a doctorate be part of my path, this will also help me attain it. There are none, if any, cons to me getting a masters degree.
I know University. I did my bachelor’s here. I think that will give me an advantage while working on my master’s. I already feel comfortable here and do not have to adjust to living in a new place. This frees my energies to mapping my career, figuring out what I will do after finishing. I hope to find faculty with open doors, willing to guide, and who do not mind answering questions. The prospect of attending conferences and being immersed in sociology culture is thrilling. I think the other graduate students will form a family, helping each other and providing a complaint department. With them I will find people who can truly sympathize with my experiences.
My chief concerns during this period are finding research I can participate in and financing not just school but life costs. I hope I will not have to choose between putting gas in my car or food on my plate. I will be ecstatic if my income can cover both of those and some entertainment expenses. While I am not certain research will be part of my long term career, it is something that I greatly desire to participate in during graduate school. To be a creator of knowledge would fulfill one of my personal goals for my life. A lack of funded projects in my area of interest may hinder this. In the end, I expect to be satisfied and become a more rounded, well-defined person by completing my masters at University.
In the mean time I let anyone out there read the personal statement I had to write for class. It is mostly about why I wanted to do a master's degree and what I expect. So enjoy.
A Personal Statement
I have always been a knowledge seeker. Even as a child, the jobs that appealed to me the most were those that seemed to ‘know everything’ and so for the longest time I desired to be a teacher or ‘imparter of knowledge’. As my wisdom of the world grew, my interests developed, and I knew more of myself. I could not be happy standing in a classroom day after day merely passing on knowledge, though I still see it as an important aspect. (Knowledge that belongs to one person is worthless.) My main career interests now point towards in the vague direction of medical sociology.
Things I know I like: medicine, sociology, people, the well being of everything from a person to a community to the world. My future is somewhere in this list. I think it may lie in public health, possibly developing educational programs or policy. I am trying to find out more to lift the fog that veils it. To this end and others I decided pursuing a Master's on sociology would be a very worthwhile endeavor. My background in sociology is weak; a master’s degree will increase my knowledge and be a step towards pinning down my career. Should a doctorate be part of my path, this will also help me attain it. There are none, if any, cons to me getting a masters degree.
I know University. I did my bachelor’s here. I think that will give me an advantage while working on my master’s. I already feel comfortable here and do not have to adjust to living in a new place. This frees my energies to mapping my career, figuring out what I will do after finishing. I hope to find faculty with open doors, willing to guide, and who do not mind answering questions. The prospect of attending conferences and being immersed in sociology culture is thrilling. I think the other graduate students will form a family, helping each other and providing a complaint department. With them I will find people who can truly sympathize with my experiences.
My chief concerns during this period are finding research I can participate in and financing not just school but life costs. I hope I will not have to choose between putting gas in my car or food on my plate. I will be ecstatic if my income can cover both of those and some entertainment expenses. While I am not certain research will be part of my long term career, it is something that I greatly desire to participate in during graduate school. To be a creator of knowledge would fulfill one of my personal goals for my life. A lack of funded projects in my area of interest may hinder this. In the end, I expect to be satisfied and become a more rounded, well-defined person by completing my masters at University.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
new books!
I didn’t mean to be gone for so long. At first I was busy and then writing kind of fell from my mind. Sorry, shame on me.
I had a pretty nice three day weekend. I think all weekends should be three days. I feel like I have time to get everything done AND relax. Then there are the benefits of having four day weeks, less commuting, power saving, etc. I think shorter weeks would also make it easier for people to have multiple jobs or work on their own business on the weekend.
Friday Dylan and I went over to Evan’s to see his new place. He finally moved off campus and is renting a room in a house. He needed to get off campus; he spends too much time working with SGA. Two girls moved in as well, I hope they do some decorating or something, because right it has that ‘guy’s’ place feel. We had fun though, ate pizza, played Munchkin, and drank hard lemonades. Maybe a little too much fun. I didn’t wake up Saturday until after 11am. We were good Saturday and cleaned the apartment. And then we played again. This time we had a few friends over here. The boys played Super Smash Bros. The girls chatted. I needed to do some catch up with Cassie. She went home to MA all summer. Not fun, but doesn’t matter anymore cause she’s back!
My favorite day was probably Sunday. We slept in again, though not as late. I made breakfast and we surfed the morning net. Then shopping! I am normally not a big shopper. I get annoyed at things, tired of the hustle and bustle, but I also usually have to be pretty careful about how much money I spend. The wallet clamp was feeling looser this weekend, though I spent enough to put it back on. I spent it on good things! The Linens-n-Things not to far from here is closing, so everything is marked down. I bought some new bath towels, bathmat, silverware, vacuum pack bags, and some little things. None of it was must have, but it was kind of needed.
Then we went over to Borders. I love books. If I could I would build my own library and live there (probably). I was very excited though because last summer two books that I wanted came out in hardback and now they have finally come out in paperback. The first is: Thursday Next, First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde. Thursday works for Jurisfiction, policing inside novels. I discovered the first of the series 2-3 straight years ago and was able to read through them, but then ran out of material. (Which led me into the Sookie Stackhouse series, but I have to talk about that in another post.) The second book is: The Dark River by John Twelve Hawks. It is the second in a trilogy (a magic number for some reason). It is a Big Brother sort of story with some spiritual/philosophy stuff. Reviews should not be too far off.
I had a pretty nice three day weekend. I think all weekends should be three days. I feel like I have time to get everything done AND relax. Then there are the benefits of having four day weeks, less commuting, power saving, etc. I think shorter weeks would also make it easier for people to have multiple jobs or work on their own business on the weekend.
Friday Dylan and I went over to Evan’s to see his new place. He finally moved off campus and is renting a room in a house. He needed to get off campus; he spends too much time working with SGA. Two girls moved in as well, I hope they do some decorating or something, because right it has that ‘guy’s’ place feel. We had fun though, ate pizza, played Munchkin, and drank hard lemonades. Maybe a little too much fun. I didn’t wake up Saturday until after 11am. We were good Saturday and cleaned the apartment. And then we played again. This time we had a few friends over here. The boys played Super Smash Bros. The girls chatted. I needed to do some catch up with Cassie. She went home to MA all summer. Not fun, but doesn’t matter anymore cause she’s back!
My favorite day was probably Sunday. We slept in again, though not as late. I made breakfast and we surfed the morning net. Then shopping! I am normally not a big shopper. I get annoyed at things, tired of the hustle and bustle, but I also usually have to be pretty careful about how much money I spend. The wallet clamp was feeling looser this weekend, though I spent enough to put it back on. I spent it on good things! The Linens-n-Things not to far from here is closing, so everything is marked down. I bought some new bath towels, bathmat, silverware, vacuum pack bags, and some little things. None of it was must have, but it was kind of needed.
Then we went over to Borders. I love books. If I could I would build my own library and live there (probably). I was very excited though because last summer two books that I wanted came out in hardback and now they have finally come out in paperback. The first is: Thursday Next, First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde. Thursday works for Jurisfiction, policing inside novels. I discovered the first of the series 2-3 straight years ago and was able to read through them, but then ran out of material. (Which led me into the Sookie Stackhouse series, but I have to talk about that in another post.) The second book is: The Dark River by John Twelve Hawks. It is the second in a trilogy (a magic number for some reason). It is a Big Brother sort of story with some spiritual/philosophy stuff. Reviews should not be too far off.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
results = eh
It was a decent first day as first days go. I am very glad I didn’t have to work, but then I always try to take the first day of school off. I find it makes me feel less stressed. If I were to go to work, then I would mostly be worrying about setting things up for school. It also allows for emergencies (paper work, ugh) and long lines. I got all my ducks in a row yesterday, talked to the assistant director for advice, said hello to other faculty I know, and made lots of notes to myself. Things are a little uncertain still with my advisor, but I have plans to talk to Dr. Estrata this week so that I have someone else to see. I have been getting the feeling that grants are not very plentiful in the sociology department which is not something I am used to. A spot in my head is starting to send out a ‘look for a job’ signal. Maybe I’ll take a peek. The universe has always provided me an income source when I need it.
I need to choose an elective class, but I cannot decide. My choices are Environment and Society or Teaching Sociology. I have a side interest in environmentalism and the green movement, but the course has several books and presentations. The teaching class will be more hands on and has no book. I was leaning towards environment, but it will be heavy discussion which leads into my problem with graduate courses in general. I like discussions, but I am not a night person. I get home, have dinner, and used to do homework before going to bed at a decent hour. I avoided night classes as an undergrad because I fall asleep in them. I can’t sit still without nodding off. I can’t have caffeine because then I cannot sleep. What am I supposed to do? All of the grad classes are at night!
I got that last thought out and now my brain has run off. Too much thinking the past two days. I can still feel little half thoughts trying to buzz, but they aren’t connecting. So I’m going to play Cake Mania 2 which only involves tapping little icons.
I need to choose an elective class, but I cannot decide. My choices are Environment and Society or Teaching Sociology. I have a side interest in environmentalism and the green movement, but the course has several books and presentations. The teaching class will be more hands on and has no book. I was leaning towards environment, but it will be heavy discussion which leads into my problem with graduate courses in general. I like discussions, but I am not a night person. I get home, have dinner, and used to do homework before going to bed at a decent hour. I avoided night classes as an undergrad because I fall asleep in them. I can’t sit still without nodding off. I can’t have caffeine because then I cannot sleep. What am I supposed to do? All of the grad classes are at night!
I got that last thought out and now my brain has run off. Too much thinking the past two days. I can still feel little half thoughts trying to buzz, but they aren’t connecting. So I’m going to play Cake Mania 2 which only involves tapping little icons.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
it is nigh
It has been very busy around here trying to get things in order for the start of the semester. Dylan was asked at last minute to teach a new section of a class that was overflowing. He spent most of Friday running around filling out paperwork. He’s very nervous about it, partially because he has such little time to prepare. Did I mention the class is brand new? Never offered before at the university? I would be nervous too. I know Dylan can do it, my only concern is if he has the time or if he makes the time where it will come from. . .
Other events are minimal and the normal mundane activities. Evan, the birthday boy, came by late yesterday to hang out and help christen the new HD television. We decided to name it Shiggy, for Shigeru. Of course the boys wanted to play Super Smash Bros. I even played a little. I felt like with the large screen size I could actually see the characters, but that didn’t help my three year old level fighting skills. Since Evan is twenty-one now, we played the winner takes a shot of brandy. Brandy only because it has been sitting around for awhile. After I stopped playing I took half shot penalties. The only thing I don’t like about having people over is I talk to them to long. I got so tired I was nodding off, but topics kept coming up. In the end Evan left about 2 am and I didn’t wake up until noon.
Dylan and I escaped from the world to see Tropic Thunder. I thought it was really funny, not a perfect movie, but funny. I liked the mix of fiction with reality, all the references. The cast worked together so well. I felt guilty for loving Tom Cruise, but he wasn’t his usual self. I won’t say any more. I hate to spoil things.
I would love to stay and think out some of the brief theories mentioned, however there is a mountain of laundry calling my name to be folded. So Super Folder signs out to do battle.
Other events are minimal and the normal mundane activities. Evan, the birthday boy, came by late yesterday to hang out and help christen the new HD television. We decided to name it Shiggy, for Shigeru. Of course the boys wanted to play Super Smash Bros. I even played a little. I felt like with the large screen size I could actually see the characters, but that didn’t help my three year old level fighting skills. Since Evan is twenty-one now, we played the winner takes a shot of brandy. Brandy only because it has been sitting around for awhile. After I stopped playing I took half shot penalties. The only thing I don’t like about having people over is I talk to them to long. I got so tired I was nodding off, but topics kept coming up. In the end Evan left about 2 am and I didn’t wake up until noon.
Dylan and I escaped from the world to see Tropic Thunder. I thought it was really funny, not a perfect movie, but funny. I liked the mix of fiction with reality, all the references. The cast worked together so well. I felt guilty for loving Tom Cruise, but he wasn’t his usual self. I won’t say any more. I hate to spoil things.
I would love to stay and think out some of the brief theories mentioned, however there is a mountain of laundry calling my name to be folded. So Super Folder signs out to do battle.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
the other side of the mountain
Ow. Dang it. F***. Those are some of the words that are almost continuously running through my head. Yesterday I fell going down the stairs. I blame Fay . . . and the sandals I was wearing. Nothing broke, but I am rather bruised. The worst ones are my elbow and the upper right side of my back. My back didn’t feel bad yesterday, but today I can feel the strain in every movement causing the words I began with.
I had orientation today for my new Masters degree program. It was ok, just an overview of the program and a little tour of the department. It was a little boring, but worth hearing from some one’s mouth than just reading online (no paper!). I found out why I haven’t heard from my advisor. Unfortunately, she had a family emergency and it is uncertain if she will be back this semester. Just my luck. I will have to pick a temporary advisor. Good news: there is another professor who does similar work. Bad news: I may not be able to do grant work. I really hope that I can short term grant work with the temporary advisor because otherwise I will have to find a short term job. My current internship is ending. Ack!
Not much else to say right now because the majority of my day’s activities will be tonight at a friend’s birthday party. It’s being held at a local pizza parlor. I don’t know most of the people going which means I get to wear my socialite mask and pretend I am an amazingly outgoing person until I get home and collapse on the couch to watch more of the Olympics.
I had orientation today for my new Masters degree program. It was ok, just an overview of the program and a little tour of the department. It was a little boring, but worth hearing from some one’s mouth than just reading online (no paper!). I found out why I haven’t heard from my advisor. Unfortunately, she had a family emergency and it is uncertain if she will be back this semester. Just my luck. I will have to pick a temporary advisor. Good news: there is another professor who does similar work. Bad news: I may not be able to do grant work. I really hope that I can short term grant work with the temporary advisor because otherwise I will have to find a short term job. My current internship is ending. Ack!
Not much else to say right now because the majority of my day’s activities will be tonight at a friend’s birthday party. It’s being held at a local pizza parlor. I don’t know most of the people going which means I get to wear my socialite mask and pretend I am an amazingly outgoing person until I get home and collapse on the couch to watch more of the Olympics.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
oh rainy day
Ha ha ha. More unexpected family has found me on Facebook! I am very grateful to live in this internet connected world. So much is only a click away and I am not a good pen pal, in snail mail form that is. I feel very sorry for the postal system. I wonder if they knew or expected email, the spawn of satan (in their eyes). I am not a big Trekkie, but I have watched a fair bit of it and I think it has several great ideas. Will ever become the Federation? Probably not, but I do hope and believe we can become a more peaceful, balanced world. Email and the interwebs seem like a step in the right direction.
On another note, Tropical Storm Fay hit Florida today. I didn’t think it would be anything more than a lot of wind and rain. My only concern was it might bring down some trees and power lines for a few hours. So far that hasn’t happened. People will complain about kids missing a day or two of school but the schools were right to close. I don’t think they could have really guaranteed the safety of kids getting to and from school. In the process, I got a day off work. I got a little more cleaning done and relaxed. It has been like a weekend in the middle of the week. If there is ever a vote for four day weeks, I will be all for it! I have several theories about why four day weeks are better, but that can wait for another time. I have stuff to get ready for tomorrow.
Have some fun and relax!
On another note, Tropical Storm Fay hit Florida today. I didn’t think it would be anything more than a lot of wind and rain. My only concern was it might bring down some trees and power lines for a few hours. So far that hasn’t happened. People will complain about kids missing a day or two of school but the schools were right to close. I don’t think they could have really guaranteed the safety of kids getting to and from school. In the process, I got a day off work. I got a little more cleaning done and relaxed. It has been like a weekend in the middle of the week. If there is ever a vote for four day weeks, I will be all for it! I have several theories about why four day weeks are better, but that can wait for another time. I have stuff to get ready for tomorrow.
Have some fun and relax!
Monday, August 18, 2008
a surprisingly good week
I had good feelings about last week and it followed my assumptions delightfully well. My parent’s health insurance company is being changed, so I can get back on the plan! This left me with $1200 that I had not expected to have. What to do with it then? Buy a brand spanking new laptop.
I know this sounds rather impulsive but it’s not. My laptop hasn’t worked in nearly eight months and the desktop I used alternatively stopped working about a month ago. I have proof that it was fated too. After I decided that I should use the extra money to buy a laptop, I discovered the one I wanted was on sale with bonus offers. When I went in the store to look at it, an acquaintance was there working and showed me a better deal. The universe just seems to have put everything in order for me to get Flo (yes, from Diner Dash), my new Gateway laptop that I’m writing this on.
Other good things: one of my cousins that lives in Virginia joined Facebook and found me. Do you have a family member that you click with so well, you almost consider them more of a friend? Noah is like that. The sad part is we live several hundred miles apart, so we rarely see each other. Every time we do see each other, it’s like we were never apart. Now that he’s old enough to be more online, I anticipate many virtual conversations.
Excellent weekend: A going away party (for good reasons), a night of Munchkin, and a family dinner. Though all of this equals too much sugar from the desserts at everything. The vibe all weekend was fantastic. I was even productive and rearranged some furniture. All in all this should set up for a nice start for the school year.
I know this sounds rather impulsive but it’s not. My laptop hasn’t worked in nearly eight months and the desktop I used alternatively stopped working about a month ago. I have proof that it was fated too. After I decided that I should use the extra money to buy a laptop, I discovered the one I wanted was on sale with bonus offers. When I went in the store to look at it, an acquaintance was there working and showed me a better deal. The universe just seems to have put everything in order for me to get Flo (yes, from Diner Dash), my new Gateway laptop that I’m writing this on.
Other good things: one of my cousins that lives in Virginia joined Facebook and found me. Do you have a family member that you click with so well, you almost consider them more of a friend? Noah is like that. The sad part is we live several hundred miles apart, so we rarely see each other. Every time we do see each other, it’s like we were never apart. Now that he’s old enough to be more online, I anticipate many virtual conversations.
Excellent weekend: A going away party (for good reasons), a night of Munchkin, and a family dinner. Though all of this equals too much sugar from the desserts at everything. The vibe all weekend was fantastic. I was even productive and rearranged some furniture. All in all this should set up for a nice start for the school year.
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