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.

Work Sucks!

Each day I discover that I like my job less and less. In fact I hate it. It's not challenging, there are profound "what we have here is a failure to communicate" issues, the right hand doesn't realize there is a left hand, the left hand keeps falling asleep, the right leg was amputated, the left leg is broken, so we have no leg to stand on! Mostly we just sit it out and we don't even do that very well. Also, some of the people who work there seem to have NO aspirations, no dreams, no goals.... it's like a giant vortex for loosers. Have a dream? Don't worry the P-Factory will suck it right out of you! Have a goal, don't worry the P-Factory will put a quick end to it and you too will become a gray zombie-like teleservices rep. You too can be a phone monkey, you only need to know three simple phrases:

"Would you like to super-size that handle?"
"Need screws with that?"
"That's not my job." Then transfer the person to someone else.

Sounds glamorous you say? Exciting? You betcha! That's why our turnover rate is so high, so everyone can enjoy the fun of being chained to a phone. Call now, operators standing by to transfer you to someone who doesn't know how to spell their own name!
Sounds too good to be true - huh? But it isn't. Really. Unfortunately...

Look Mom - No Cavities!!!!

Well I went to the dentist and not a single cavity! I asked, "Are you sure? Really? I haven't been to the dentist in over a year, maybe two!"

"Nope, no cavities, everything looks good."

Whew! I'm so glad since I don't regularly floss... I have no idea how this can be since I LOVE, crave, and chow down on sweets? Very odd, but I'm not going to complain. In fact, I think I'll celebrate with a big ol' hot fudge sundae. mmmmmm mmm mm.

Paralegal

The Paralegal Open House thingy was great. I went into thinking, "nah, not now, got too much going on. Is this program really worthwhile. I'm so close to finishing up my BA, this is just gonna get in the way... blah blah blah." But, by the time it ended I was ready to sign up right then and there! For reasons too many to list here, I was very impressed with the program and what it all entails. I realize it will be a lot of hard work, but I'm used to that.

I've applied for a student loan through SallieMae, just waiting to hear back. I know that come January 17th (2006) and I've not only survived the program, but successfully completed it (gotta think positive!), I'll then have opportunities to open new doors that will provide more professional opportunities for me than what I am currently doing. And, come February I can either start back up with UOP and finish my 5 remaining courses or enroll full time at UT to just knock it out. I'll quit the P-Factory, overlap Paralegal Program with BA course load for only a week, two tops. So, I should still be able to complete my BA by May as originally intended.

Very exciting to have options... something other than, "Sir, which 6 shelves? That model only comes with 4. Yes, 4. Right, so you need more than one of which shelf? The top shelf, ... o.k. the middle, no not the middle,... fine. So, the bottom shelf then? Sir, there are only 4 shelves total. You said you needed 6." - that was a real call ladies and gentleman, honest to God. This call took over 45 minutes. 45 minutes of my life I'll never get back...

Being a paralegal is looking better and better each minute!

Nuttin' Much

I feel like I haven't posted in awhile and fear the Blog police will hunt me down. So, quick update. Work continues to suck, especially since P-Pod has left :-(

School's going well, I think. Haven't gotten my week 3 grade yet. Pray for me.

I've applied to UT, so I'm just waiting to hear if they'll take me or not.

I'm interested in a Paralegal Certificate program. Planning on attending the Open House to learn more about it. Sounds interesting and I'd love to know more about what the heck hubby's doing all day. I understand the emotional crap he has to deal with (clients with a lot of baggage, people just plain sue-happy and wanting to get even, etc. etc.), but I'm actually intrigued to know about all these "forms" "documents" and other special legal dodads. So, who knows... maybe I'll become a paralegal. I just don't think the legal world is ready for me.

Gotta get a house and build up equity. There seems to be a big storm brewing... gotta plan, gotta prepare, gotta be ready!