toroidal'naya kamera magnitnoi katushki

Some people actually understand this stuff! And, what's really cool is I'll be having dinner with one such person Oct. 29th. Is the 29th yet?

Gotta be more specific

The hubby and I have been complaining about how much we'd love to be able to move back to Cali. How much we miss the weather (or rather lack thereof), wine tasting, Trader Joes, our friends, normal drivers, and streets laid out in an easy to follow grid pattern. Then, wouldn't you know it???? An opportunity comes our way. A job for Erik in Cali... in Lancaster. Lancaster is not a place either of us particularly like, but hey, it's NOT TN. So what to do? We want to move back, but not to Lancaster exactly. We were thinking of the Santa Barbara area, maybe San Diego, or way, while we're dreaming, why not San Louis Obispo - you know, places we'll never be able to afford. So, I guess the next time we dream of moving back West we need to be more specific, cause when you makes wishes and if they're not specific you'll get Lancaster.

Tomorrow's RET discussion: Can a Robot Have a Mind

The better question: can a True Southern have a mind? After narrowly surviving many near-death experiences on the back roads of TN and witnessing how Southerners behave at Wal-Mart I truly wonder.

Anyway, I digress... I'm looking forward to meeting with the other transplants and debating issues that will likely arise from the discussion.

Paralegal in the making...

I'm doing it, learning it, kind of getting it... Right now it's fun. O.k., so day 1 was fun. We'll see what days 2, 3, 9, and 17 bring. But one thing is for sure all that stuff the hubby kept talking about (damages this, liability that, discovery here, pleading there, blah blah blah [I unfortunately have the attention span of a gnat]) it's all coming together. Hopefully I'll feel the same way upon completion of the course. Right now some of it is scary and intimidating... but that's why I'm learning this stuff, so I can draft memoranda, correctly file, research case law, understand interrogatories, correctly cite, and all that other junk. Woohoo I think I can feel the wrinkles forming on the ol' brain as I write... - well, not really, that would be pretty creepy if I could. Ick.

Fusion - Not just for the super-smart anymore

Two weekends ago Erik and I went to lecture at the Rationalists of East TN (RET) and met many new and interesting folks. The RETs are of all ages and educational backgrounds. This past weekend we attended a party (Sat. night) and a book club meeting (Sun. night). After both events I felt completely energized and excited... it was incredible to be surrounded by such like-minded people. Granted, many different view points are represented which can lead to some pretty entertaining discussions. But anyway, what really knocked my socks off was meeting a physicist who explained some of what he did do which was fusion stuff. He drew a little diagram and explained it in such a simple, straightforward manner (I wish I could explain it as easily as him). Very cool. He's my new 2nd in line hero (after the hubby of course). The hubby and I invited him and the Mrs. over to dinner and I can't wait! There must be at least a 30 year age difference between us but when you're talking fusion - who cares?! It was awesome, I can't wait to learn more. Oh, and the Mrs. is also very cool, she works at a high school in the library. They both have sharp wit, which initially was very unexpected. They're grandparents right out of a Norman Rockwell painting!

We of course also like the professor and his wife - another RET couple who are also very cool and fun. We're in the process of setting up a dinner date with them too. It's wonderful to be able to interact with so many different people again. In CA we took it for granted. It has taken us almost a year to find friends (not including the super-duper Klickas of course!). We were considering moving back to CA... but we left there for a reason and at this point returning just isn't possible. Probably just as well.

Death and dying

With Aunt Bert's situation being what it is, mom and I write daily about our futures and what may happen as we age, if we become ill, etc. My mom studied to be a mortician and is fascinated with death. I do not share the same level of fascination as my mom, but she and I do openly talk about death and dying, which I think is healthy. It happens. To everyone. Everyday people die. Mom, me, you, no one is exempt from death. I do not fear death or worry about it, nor does my mom. Perhaps because of her attitude towards it I have similar beliefs. But, with regard to such matters I do know that I want a living will. I do not want machines keeping me alive. My mom feels the same way, but does not have a living will (yet - and neither do I) and I hope the day never comes that I have to make such a decision about anyone I love and care about. I hope death comes quickly and painlessly for me and those I love. Watching a love one die takes it toll on both the living and the one leaving life.

I just hope I remember to show Erik how much he means to me and not forget as our daily lives bog us down with timelines, deadlines, responsibilities.... I hope we have adequate arrangements made for the critters. I hope I remember to focus on what is important and not the fact that the house needs dusting (again) or that the floors need sweeping (again) or that the dishes haven't been loaded in the dishwasher, etc. While these are things that need to be done, I just want to strike the right balance and not get overwhelmed by the things that WILL NOT matter when my ashes are blowing in the wind and visiting all the places I never made time to see while still breathing.