Thursday, February 21, 2008
Thinking good thoughts
I've been frustrated with a co-worker for some time. After looking at the situation from several different angles I've concluded that it's a waste of my time to be angry. I'm now thinking good thoughts. Instead of letting things get to me I'm focusing on what I do like about this person. The list is short, but I'm working on making it longer.
Friday, February 15, 2008
3 Day Weekend
I've been very busy at work these last few weeks helping HR interview and hire for 3 new classes of 7 - 9 people per class. Fortunately in the AV there are many, many people looking for work! We had over 300 resumes for 23 positions. 16 of the 23 job openings are for a 2:00 pm to 10:30 pm shift. I was surprised to find so many people interested in working such hours. I suppose work is work. If those are the hours it's better than being unemployed. The other shift we hired for is 6:00 am to 2:30 pm. That's a very popular shift and more people are interested in those hours... but it also pays less than the mid-shift by over 75 cents an hour.
I'm just relieved that we've managed to fill all of the positions, and as a reward to myself, I'm taking Monday off!
I'm just relieved that we've managed to fill all of the positions, and as a reward to myself, I'm taking Monday off!
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Statistics
Years ago I attempted (twice!) a statistics class online with the University of Phoenix. I've since left UOP in hopes of attaining higher education from a place that actually expects its students to perform at a higher level. Enter: AVC (Antelope Valley College).
AVC is local, has a very nice physical campus, and it's super affordable! My text book cost almost as much as the class itself! It's convenient to get to and from, it offers a wonderful selection of classes and offers them at times when I can actually attend.
Last Monday (2/4/08) I sat in on my first lecture at AVC. The statistics class is from 6:00 pm to 10:05 pm. I'm usually in bed by 8:30 - 9:00 pm, so I knew it was going to be tough, but hey, that's life. Until... I heard there was a Saturday morning class from 8:00 am to 12:05 pm. Today I attended it (same professor) and liked it much better than the Monday night class. It's held in a different class room with very comfortable chairs (this is important when your ass is planted in it for FOUR hours!). Also, the clock in this room works and it has tables instead of a tiny little desk-like surface which only accommodates a couple of items at once.
I added the Saturday class and dropped the Monday class. This process was quick AND painless. The more I deal with at AVC and discover, the more I like it. Perhaps I'm just a physical and social being so a live campus is just more exciting than sittin' in my pj's conversing online with some 19 year old who knows next to nothing about the subject matter cause he or she doesn't have any real life experience to relate to, like I encountered at UOP. Perhaps it's just the newness of finally going back to school (again!) and doing something with my life. Perhaps its none of these things. Whatever it is, it's good to be back in school and on a path that will serve me well.
By the way, my professor, Dr. Richard Sieger, is amazing! He is a little bouncy when up at the white board, but a lot of fun and very passionate about stats. I couldn't have found a better teacher if I tried searching for one. I'm so, so very pleased that I'm actually looking forward to the next class?! And, to use the word "fun" to describe statistics was something I'd never have done before taking Dr. Sieger's class.
Bring on the numbers! Can't wait to make another histogram! Woo hoo it's data grouping time! (Hmmm, wonder if I should seek medical attention?)
AVC is local, has a very nice physical campus, and it's super affordable! My text book cost almost as much as the class itself! It's convenient to get to and from, it offers a wonderful selection of classes and offers them at times when I can actually attend.
Last Monday (2/4/08) I sat in on my first lecture at AVC. The statistics class is from 6:00 pm to 10:05 pm. I'm usually in bed by 8:30 - 9:00 pm, so I knew it was going to be tough, but hey, that's life. Until... I heard there was a Saturday morning class from 8:00 am to 12:05 pm. Today I attended it (same professor) and liked it much better than the Monday night class. It's held in a different class room with very comfortable chairs (this is important when your ass is planted in it for FOUR hours!). Also, the clock in this room works and it has tables instead of a tiny little desk-like surface which only accommodates a couple of items at once.
I added the Saturday class and dropped the Monday class. This process was quick AND painless. The more I deal with at AVC and discover, the more I like it. Perhaps I'm just a physical and social being so a live campus is just more exciting than sittin' in my pj's conversing online with some 19 year old who knows next to nothing about the subject matter cause he or she doesn't have any real life experience to relate to, like I encountered at UOP. Perhaps it's just the newness of finally going back to school (again!) and doing something with my life. Perhaps its none of these things. Whatever it is, it's good to be back in school and on a path that will serve me well.
By the way, my professor, Dr. Richard Sieger, is amazing! He is a little bouncy when up at the white board, but a lot of fun and very passionate about stats. I couldn't have found a better teacher if I tried searching for one. I'm so, so very pleased that I'm actually looking forward to the next class?! And, to use the word "fun" to describe statistics was something I'd never have done before taking Dr. Sieger's class.
Bring on the numbers! Can't wait to make another histogram! Woo hoo it's data grouping time! (Hmmm, wonder if I should seek medical attention?)
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Screamin'!
The wind is screaming. All night I could hear it and it seems it will continue all day. In fact, it's so loud I can barely hear any vehicles driving by.
The dogs won't even go out in it?! Crazy animals. I don't much like the wind either... but come on girls, you have fur coats. My poor baby is running to the store, I said I'd wait at home. Guess I'm no better than the dogs.
Hubby needed to purchase a few things to watch The Game later today. I'm staying home to stamp my little heart out. Maybe make some chocolate truffles and other baked goods, depends on how motivated I feel.
I was invited to watch the Heads on Fire Guys (that's what the helmets look like anyway) play some other fellas in tight pants, but it's just not my thing. I'd rather have a pajama day and hang with the critters.
While the wind screams on, I'll be in my PJ's, toasty warm, stamping cards, maybe even do some baking, as the doggies and kitties sleep. What a perfect end to the weekend.
The dogs won't even go out in it?! Crazy animals. I don't much like the wind either... but come on girls, you have fur coats. My poor baby is running to the store, I said I'd wait at home. Guess I'm no better than the dogs.
Hubby needed to purchase a few things to watch The Game later today. I'm staying home to stamp my little heart out. Maybe make some chocolate truffles and other baked goods, depends on how motivated I feel.
I was invited to watch the Heads on Fire Guys (that's what the helmets look like anyway) play some other fellas in tight pants, but it's just not my thing. I'd rather have a pajama day and hang with the critters.
While the wind screams on, I'll be in my PJ's, toasty warm, stamping cards, maybe even do some baking, as the doggies and kitties sleep. What a perfect end to the weekend.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Rain
My first winter in the AV was very dry, hardly any rain fell. This year there has been a steady supply of the wet stuff. Not the earth pounding sheets like we had in TN, but a soft, gentle falling of drops. It's quite pleasant. The nearby mountains have been generously sprinkled with snow, even the foothills, it seems, are receiving their fair share.
I HATE snow. However, even I must admit it is pretty on the mountains. I sure as heck don't want any of it creeping down to the streets I drive on. My experience is people don't drive very well in dry conditions, so wet rainy or snowy streets is just a wreck waiting to happen. Especially when people are sooooooooooooooo busy talking on their cell phone, or worse, texting while being inconvenienced with having to drive.
With all this rain I'm expecting a spectacular spring filled with poppies and other beautiful wild flowers. Last spring we drove out to a park to experience the local beauty of our environment, only to find a lot of dirt and three tiny poppies hanging on for dear life. The winds in the AV can be quite violent, ripping plants out of the ground and depositing them far, far away.
Looking forward to being overwhelmed by gorgeous orange expanses as far as the eye can see. Bring on spring, I'm ready for warmer days!
I HATE snow. However, even I must admit it is pretty on the mountains. I sure as heck don't want any of it creeping down to the streets I drive on. My experience is people don't drive very well in dry conditions, so wet rainy or snowy streets is just a wreck waiting to happen. Especially when people are sooooooooooooooo busy talking on their cell phone, or worse, texting while being inconvenienced with having to drive.
With all this rain I'm expecting a spectacular spring filled with poppies and other beautiful wild flowers. Last spring we drove out to a park to experience the local beauty of our environment, only to find a lot of dirt and three tiny poppies hanging on for dear life. The winds in the AV can be quite violent, ripping plants out of the ground and depositing them far, far away.
Looking forward to being overwhelmed by gorgeous orange expanses as far as the eye can see. Bring on spring, I'm ready for warmer days!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Garden Gnome Giuliani
Too cute to be prez, but hey, with that forehead he could power a sundial in our backyard! Actually, he looks more like one of Santa's little elves. Either way, the dude keeps pandering for votes and it's pissing me off. Not that making him into an elf/gnome was any hint of my disdain.
Too simple
My hubby can litigate complex legal issues but a damp blanket in the dryer is beyond his area of expertise. When encountering such an incident he concludes, "Ah, yes, the best way to handle this is to put the clean, yet damp, blanket on top of the dusty, dirty dryer." Way to go honey. Next time, please leave it in the machine and let it finish doing its thing. Then, when it's completely dry, remove, fold, and place in the dresser draw in the guest room. You can do it sweetie, I believe in you.
Damn it's cold out!
It's windy and cold. Of course, that's to be expected in the desert. And, drinking cold beer, while standing outside talking with the neighbors doesn't help. But, I wasn't about to pass up an opportunity to to hang with our friends.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Herman's feeling better
Poor ol' Herman (all of 2 months old) was very, very ill. He kept giving me the Blue Screen of Death and just dying for no reason. We did some stuff (OK, the hubby worked most of the magic) and now Herman's back. I just hope he's here to stay. I don't want to lose everything AGAIN?! I didn't save much, but that's not the point. I was foolish enough to think that a new computer wouldn't crash 5+ plus times in just 10 weeks time. Very frustrating.
Now I know better. Well, knowing better and actually doing something with said knowledge are two very different beasts. I like to think I'll be more responsible this time around and back up my data, but lets face it, that's unlikely, I'm lazy!
Now I know better. Well, knowing better and actually doing something with said knowledge are two very different beasts. I like to think I'll be more responsible this time around and back up my data, but lets face it, that's unlikely, I'm lazy!
Friday, January 04, 2008
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