Remembering that you had fabulous notes for your training session tomorrow, from when you did the same training sessions last year, and NOT REMEMBERING WHERE THEY ARE IN YOUR CLOSET!!!!
grumble, grumble...
Update: Thank God I am a packrat... And why are there no notes on the first session that I have to teach?????
Friday, March 31, 2006
Weird
I am feeling pretty antsy tonight. Part of it is the fact that I am still really tired. I also just got back from a shopping trip to replace the microwave. I ended up with something a little smaller than I had wanted, but I got a GE. Hopefully it will last a little longer than the last one...
And my living room was destroyed by a certain eleven-year-old who thinks that Lego bricks need to be scattered all over in order to be used properly. And I have too much crap in my bedroom. But what is really bugging me is that I forgot the laundry soap.
In order to get back to normal, I am going to set my timer and work through my list:
1. Living room: All kid stuff to my son's room, and straighten up. --- Done
2. Sort laundry --- Done
3. Go over training stuff for tomorrow afternoon.
4. Work on special podcast for tomorrow!
5. Go to sleep at a decent time.
There. Now I have order in my life.
And a new microwave!
And my living room was destroyed by a certain eleven-year-old who thinks that Lego bricks need to be scattered all over in order to be used properly. And I have too much crap in my bedroom. But what is really bugging me is that I forgot the laundry soap.
In order to get back to normal, I am going to set my timer and work through my list:
1. Living room: All kid stuff to my son's room, and straighten up. --- Done
2. Sort laundry --- Done
3. Go over training stuff for tomorrow afternoon.
4. Work on special podcast for tomorrow!
5. Go to sleep at a decent time.
There. Now I have order in my life.
And a new microwave!
I should know better...
Never eat just a salad for lunch, especially if all you have to put on it are green olives and dressing.
My stomach is trying to eat itself, and I have an appointment to help teach someone something in a few minutes.
Food....... need.... foood...........
My stomach is trying to eat itself, and I have an appointment to help teach someone something in a few minutes.
Food....... need.... foood...........
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Eek - it's almost done!
Okay folks. The podcast is being saved, and will be listened to one last time before uploading. I need to check that everything is where I wanted it, and that I don't have any weird crap going on.
Okay, first bit of weird stuff fixed...
Ooo, I forgot promos... for this one, anyway. I will have to be downloading some for later...
Okay, last bit of junk fixed!! I think it turned out okay...
Just saving, then will get it into iTunes, and uploaded in a few minutes...
Okay, first bit of weird stuff fixed...
Ooo, I forgot promos... for this one, anyway. I will have to be downloading some for later...
Okay, last bit of junk fixed!! I think it turned out okay...
Just saving, then will get it into iTunes, and uploaded in a few minutes...
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Kids. Amazing.
So about 20 minutes after I sent my son to his room with a cold washcloth for his eyes, so he could calm down, he suddenly announced that his headache was gone, and that he was happy again.
!!!!!
Sure, he's still ticked off about what happened at school, but he is otherwise back to his normal self.
I, on the other hand, am having a harder time with this. I am going to attempt to cheer up. I'll probably work on my podcast a bit more, in a vain attempt to post it before tomorrow morning. I'll probably listen to the new Kleptones release, maybe even get a little exercise.
Anything to get my mind back to the place it was this afternoon before he called.
!!!!!
Sure, he's still ticked off about what happened at school, but he is otherwise back to his normal self.
I, on the other hand, am having a harder time with this. I am going to attempt to cheer up. I'll probably work on my podcast a bit more, in a vain attempt to post it before tomorrow morning. I'll probably listen to the new Kleptones release, maybe even get a little exercise.
Anything to get my mind back to the place it was this afternoon before he called.
Pop.
That's the sound of my little bubble of happiness being blown into smithereens.
My son always calls when he gets home from school. It's the touchstone of my afternoon. It means everything is going well, and we get a brief chance to talk about the day. When I answered the phone this afternoon, it was anything but good.
At first I couldn't understand what he was saying. Sometimes he jokes, or talks like he's speaking into a walkie-talkie, complete with static. Today, all I heard was sobbing.
It took awhile to understand what he was saying, but I heard the words "fight", "hurt", "J--" , "made fun of," and "I-- jumped on my back".
"Are you hurt?" I asked, franctically trying to figure out what was going on, while simultaneously shoving things into my bag and shutting things down.
"I don't know..."
"Hang on, I'll be home in five minutes."
When I got home, he was curled into a ball on the couch. His eyes were swollen, red and purple, and looked like someone had given him two black eyes. "Are you hurt? Did you get into a real fight? What happened?" I fired off questions as I sat down next to him, and checked for other signs of injury.
He explained that a former friend called him "mentally challenged," among other things, and told him that he acts like a kid, and that everyone who sits at this former friend's lunch table thinks the same thing.
That's what triggered this. It wasn't specifcally that this kid was saying things, which was bad enough, it was that one of my son's best friends also sits at that table. It was the thought that this other kid was also in on the "bash my son" thing that made the dig that much worse.
The fight was all verbal, shouting in the hall after band, but stung enough that as soon as school got out, my son just couldn't take it anymore. He had his anger to get him through his last class of the day, but as soon as he got on the bus, it all got to him.
I had him relate as much as he could about what happened, so if/when this bully's mother calls (the odds are good), I would know exactly what my son said in return. No mistake, this kid has crossed the line. It seems like he lies more than he tells the truth, and is verbally abusive. Our policy to this point has been to just ignore him, be the better person, but obviously it did not work.
I just can't wait until this evening. I am a coward. I hate confrontation. But right now, I want to calmly explain to this kid's mother exactly what has been going on, and why the kids aren't friends anymore. When I saw her in February, she honestly thought that they were still getting along just great. I have to be honest, I want to find the right words to tell her as gently as possible what happened. The boy needs help, badly, and I let this slide for way too long. It's not going to be easy to say or to hear.
At this point, I just want to curl up in my bed and cry myself...
My son always calls when he gets home from school. It's the touchstone of my afternoon. It means everything is going well, and we get a brief chance to talk about the day. When I answered the phone this afternoon, it was anything but good.
At first I couldn't understand what he was saying. Sometimes he jokes, or talks like he's speaking into a walkie-talkie, complete with static. Today, all I heard was sobbing.
It took awhile to understand what he was saying, but I heard the words "fight", "hurt", "J--" , "made fun of," and "I-- jumped on my back".
"Are you hurt?" I asked, franctically trying to figure out what was going on, while simultaneously shoving things into my bag and shutting things down.
"I don't know..."
"Hang on, I'll be home in five minutes."
When I got home, he was curled into a ball on the couch. His eyes were swollen, red and purple, and looked like someone had given him two black eyes. "Are you hurt? Did you get into a real fight? What happened?" I fired off questions as I sat down next to him, and checked for other signs of injury.
He explained that a former friend called him "mentally challenged," among other things, and told him that he acts like a kid, and that everyone who sits at this former friend's lunch table thinks the same thing.
That's what triggered this. It wasn't specifcally that this kid was saying things, which was bad enough, it was that one of my son's best friends also sits at that table. It was the thought that this other kid was also in on the "bash my son" thing that made the dig that much worse.
The fight was all verbal, shouting in the hall after band, but stung enough that as soon as school got out, my son just couldn't take it anymore. He had his anger to get him through his last class of the day, but as soon as he got on the bus, it all got to him.
I had him relate as much as he could about what happened, so if/when this bully's mother calls (the odds are good), I would know exactly what my son said in return. No mistake, this kid has crossed the line. It seems like he lies more than he tells the truth, and is verbally abusive. Our policy to this point has been to just ignore him, be the better person, but obviously it did not work.
I just can't wait until this evening. I am a coward. I hate confrontation. But right now, I want to calmly explain to this kid's mother exactly what has been going on, and why the kids aren't friends anymore. When I saw her in February, she honestly thought that they were still getting along just great. I have to be honest, I want to find the right words to tell her as gently as possible what happened. The boy needs help, badly, and I let this slide for way too long. It's not going to be easy to say or to hear.
At this point, I just want to curl up in my bed and cry myself...
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Most valuable lesson in podcasting:
Learning how to mute out your "Ah"s and "Um"s on the fly...
I have the beginnings of a podcast right now, and hopefully, before the evening is out, my first mini-cast will be posted to my space on SwitchPod.
Yeah...
I have the beginnings of a podcast right now, and hopefully, before the evening is out, my first mini-cast will be posted to my space on SwitchPod.
Yeah...
Culinary Disasters
As if having dinner boil over in the oven yesterday wasn't enough, I popped my leftovers in the microwave for dinner tonight, only to have the microwave up and die.
Great.
Not a breaker. The hair dryer worked in the outlet, so all is good there.
My beautiful microwave is dead. Totally dead.
Now I have to try to warm up our leftover chicken and pasta in the oven... Maybe the stove top would have been a better choice?
Great.
Not a breaker. The hair dryer worked in the outlet, so all is good there.
My beautiful microwave is dead. Totally dead.
Now I have to try to warm up our leftover chicken and pasta in the oven... Maybe the stove top would have been a better choice?
Monday, March 27, 2006
Maybe 9:40 pm isn't the best time to decide to start doing my taxes...
It was the longing for a new computer that did it. All shiny, sexy, and fast...
The Federal taxes are done, and the state forms are downloaded and ready for tomorrow. I don't know why, but I was more confused about the whole process this year than last. I think I was too tired to properly do this, but I will recheck things tomorrow night.
Good: I made money last year.
Bad: I made too much money last year.
Good: At least I don't owe federal taxes! Yay, refund!
Bad: No new computer.
Oh well. I really hope that I get a state refund, too.
Looks like I may have to take my chances at the warehouse sale after all...
Update: WTF??? You still can't save the state form???? Why have a fillable PDF if you can't save it??? What happens if your computer crashes in the middle of typing your complex tax info? You have to start over. It's 2006, people. I give up. I am going to bed. I will do the state form tomorrow night, when I can finish the whole thing. Erg...
The Federal taxes are done, and the state forms are downloaded and ready for tomorrow. I don't know why, but I was more confused about the whole process this year than last. I think I was too tired to properly do this, but I will recheck things tomorrow night.
Good: I made money last year.
Bad: I made too much money last year.
Good: At least I don't owe federal taxes! Yay, refund!
Bad: No new computer.
Oh well. I really hope that I get a state refund, too.
Looks like I may have to take my chances at the warehouse sale after all...
Update: WTF??? You still can't save the state form???? Why have a fillable PDF if you can't save it??? What happens if your computer crashes in the middle of typing your complex tax info? You have to start over. It's 2006, people. I give up. I am going to bed. I will do the state form tomorrow night, when I can finish the whole thing. Erg...
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Chickens!
Okay, so I was going to wait a little longer to write about this weekend, but I really want to get this down before I forget all of the great things that we did.
Friday night:
We arrived at Seven B well after dark. It was impossible to see much beyond our headlights, and the lights near the barns. We unloaded the troop gear into the kitchen (yes, full kitchen, w00t!), then set up our personal gear. Troy brought his vcr and DVD player, along with a ton of movies alphabetized, even! ;) The kids played basketball in the half-court on the second floor of the barn (where they were going to sleep), then came down later for a movie. I slept reasonably well, nice and warm under the heating vent. :)
Saturday, early, early morning:
My alarm was set for 6:30, but starting at about quarter to six, several of the kids made trips to the bathroom (did I mention, REAL BATHROOMS?), and I had to dig through the first aid kit for one of them (the big D. Who used the last of the pepto and didn't tell anyone?). I went back to bed for another half hour.
6:30 am. I woke up, and happened to catch a glimpse through the window. OMG. The barn is located near a string of small lakes. Absolutely beautiful. My sleepiness vanished, and I got ready for the day as quickly as possible. We kicked the kids out of bed shortly after 7:00, by sending our acting leader up to play basketball with them. When one was a little lax about getting up, another adult and I grabbed the ends of his cot and moved him out from under the hoop. We played a pick up game, with about four different teams. Lots of fun.
After breakfast and clean up, we let the kids play basketball a bit more, and then decided to take a hike. We spent about an hour and a half walking around the area, looking at the animals, the flower beds, the swans (Lancelot and Elaine, former tenents of Lake Laverne on the ISU campus, where they were known for chasing students to the point that they had to be replaced by more docile mute swans). We explored ruins near the river, located a trail we wanted to follow later, and in general enjoyed seeing what the ranch had to offer. I saw lots of emerging shoots, and a new types of plants just appearing (including one with the tiniest blue-violet flowers, growing on the gravel parking area).
When we got back to the barn, some played horseshoes, while others played shuffleboard (fun!).
After lunch, which was late, and clean up, we gave the kids some time to, surprise, play basketball. At 3:30, we set out for what we hoped would be a five-mile hike.
No, we did not end up on the news. ;)
When we discovered that the path looped back towards the barn, we decided to go off of the trail. The kids had a great time with this. We were basically following the river, exploring, and taking the time to enjoy nature. In an area where the riverbank dipped to the river's edge, we found a ton of clam shells, which surprised me, as I hadn't really thought about clams being able to live in Iowa. I found a beautiful shell that had a pink pearly lining, and a couple of other ones that were also very nice. My son ended up with about 10 (great....). The river was pretty low, or we would have missed out on that opportunity. Shell collecting and skipping rocks, and discovering animal tracks in the sand...
About this time, we decided to head back. I was never really worried about finding our way home, but dusk was approaching, and we had already walked more than an hour. We learned how to tell how much daylight was left using our hands.
The boys swear that the big black dog we encountered led us back to the ranch, and they may be right. ;)
Once we got back, we rested a bit, then it was time to gather the eggs for breakfast.
Okay, you can stop laughing! I was set up, I tell you! I will get even. Oh yes, I will get even... :) Word of advice: When you are learning how to get eggs from a nest, when there are about a dozen chickens in the pen with you, keep an eye on what the third person in the pen is doing behind your back. That way, when the chickens decide that they really want out, you are prepared. I still have no idea why that one chicken went over my arms, between me and the nests...
Oh, and make sure that you have an audience. At least I did not panic, and just stood still while being swarmed by killer chickens. ;)
I don't even want to think about how much lasagna and garlic bread I ate for dinner. It was good. Very good. So good that I had to go shoot baskets to work off some calories after dinner.
Later, we sat down to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I kept dozing off, and I saw a couple of the other adults doing the same, to the amusement of the kids, as occasional snores slipped out. No one protested bed time, although I was a little dismayed, as I slipped into my sleeping bag, when I heard the distinct noise of the kids playing basketball, again. They tired quickly, though, and by 11, all was quiet.
I slept like a rock until the alarm went off at 6:30 this morning.
This was the best campout to date. I know that they all can't be like this, but it would be a good model to follow. We had a good mix of free time and activites, we kept busy, the kids worked well together, and learned a lot. The group itself was great. Not a single discipline problem, no one acted out, everyone got along pretty well, and no one got sick or hurt. (Yippee!!!) I enjoyed being around the other adults in the group, too. Very fun!
Yikes! Look at the time! I had better get to bed, after taking a couple of tylenol for my aches and pains.
I really hope I don't have to do anything too physical at work tomorrow. ;)
Friday night:
We arrived at Seven B well after dark. It was impossible to see much beyond our headlights, and the lights near the barns. We unloaded the troop gear into the kitchen (yes, full kitchen, w00t!), then set up our personal gear. Troy brought his vcr and DVD player, along with a ton of movies alphabetized, even! ;) The kids played basketball in the half-court on the second floor of the barn (where they were going to sleep), then came down later for a movie. I slept reasonably well, nice and warm under the heating vent. :)
Saturday, early, early morning:
My alarm was set for 6:30, but starting at about quarter to six, several of the kids made trips to the bathroom (did I mention, REAL BATHROOMS?), and I had to dig through the first aid kit for one of them (the big D. Who used the last of the pepto and didn't tell anyone?). I went back to bed for another half hour.
6:30 am. I woke up, and happened to catch a glimpse through the window. OMG. The barn is located near a string of small lakes. Absolutely beautiful. My sleepiness vanished, and I got ready for the day as quickly as possible. We kicked the kids out of bed shortly after 7:00, by sending our acting leader up to play basketball with them. When one was a little lax about getting up, another adult and I grabbed the ends of his cot and moved him out from under the hoop. We played a pick up game, with about four different teams. Lots of fun.
After breakfast and clean up, we let the kids play basketball a bit more, and then decided to take a hike. We spent about an hour and a half walking around the area, looking at the animals, the flower beds, the swans (Lancelot and Elaine, former tenents of Lake Laverne on the ISU campus, where they were known for chasing students to the point that they had to be replaced by more docile mute swans). We explored ruins near the river, located a trail we wanted to follow later, and in general enjoyed seeing what the ranch had to offer. I saw lots of emerging shoots, and a new types of plants just appearing (including one with the tiniest blue-violet flowers, growing on the gravel parking area).
When we got back to the barn, some played horseshoes, while others played shuffleboard (fun!).
After lunch, which was late, and clean up, we gave the kids some time to, surprise, play basketball. At 3:30, we set out for what we hoped would be a five-mile hike.
No, we did not end up on the news. ;)
When we discovered that the path looped back towards the barn, we decided to go off of the trail. The kids had a great time with this. We were basically following the river, exploring, and taking the time to enjoy nature. In an area where the riverbank dipped to the river's edge, we found a ton of clam shells, which surprised me, as I hadn't really thought about clams being able to live in Iowa. I found a beautiful shell that had a pink pearly lining, and a couple of other ones that were also very nice. My son ended up with about 10 (great....). The river was pretty low, or we would have missed out on that opportunity. Shell collecting and skipping rocks, and discovering animal tracks in the sand...
About this time, we decided to head back. I was never really worried about finding our way home, but dusk was approaching, and we had already walked more than an hour. We learned how to tell how much daylight was left using our hands.
The boys swear that the big black dog we encountered led us back to the ranch, and they may be right. ;)
Once we got back, we rested a bit, then it was time to gather the eggs for breakfast.
Okay, you can stop laughing! I was set up, I tell you! I will get even. Oh yes, I will get even... :) Word of advice: When you are learning how to get eggs from a nest, when there are about a dozen chickens in the pen with you, keep an eye on what the third person in the pen is doing behind your back. That way, when the chickens decide that they really want out, you are prepared. I still have no idea why that one chicken went over my arms, between me and the nests...
Oh, and make sure that you have an audience. At least I did not panic, and just stood still while being swarmed by killer chickens. ;)
I don't even want to think about how much lasagna and garlic bread I ate for dinner. It was good. Very good. So good that I had to go shoot baskets to work off some calories after dinner.
Later, we sat down to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I kept dozing off, and I saw a couple of the other adults doing the same, to the amusement of the kids, as occasional snores slipped out. No one protested bed time, although I was a little dismayed, as I slipped into my sleeping bag, when I heard the distinct noise of the kids playing basketball, again. They tired quickly, though, and by 11, all was quiet.
I slept like a rock until the alarm went off at 6:30 this morning.
This was the best campout to date. I know that they all can't be like this, but it would be a good model to follow. We had a good mix of free time and activites, we kept busy, the kids worked well together, and learned a lot. The group itself was great. Not a single discipline problem, no one acted out, everyone got along pretty well, and no one got sick or hurt. (Yippee!!!) I enjoyed being around the other adults in the group, too. Very fun!
Yikes! Look at the time! I had better get to bed, after taking a couple of tylenol for my aches and pains.
I really hope I don't have to do anything too physical at work tomorrow. ;)
Progress is being made...
Yes, I have the pieces of the mock-up cut out, for the Sheriff's doublet. I would have had them sewn together, but I sort of fell asleep on the couch this evening. :) This is pretty straight forward, no fancy stuff. Just a mock-up to see if the body will fit. I also need to figure out if the sleeves are going to be too tight for sword fighting. I may have to slash them at the elbow, to keep the look of a long sleeve, with allowance for movement. We'll have to see about that later.
"Hey Mom, did you know that oysters* have teeth???"
I had so much fun this weekend that my facial and side muscles ache from laughing and smiling. It goes well with the fact that my legs hurt, and I can't raise my arms over my head. :)
There are so many things to blog about.... I will post an update later this evening, once I've had time to think a little more.
What story to tell first... hmm???
*: Clams, actually...
There are so many things to blog about.... I will post an update later this evening, once I've had time to think a little more.
What story to tell first... hmm???
*: Clams, actually...
Friday, March 24, 2006
What do you get when you introduce a geek to a new technology?
Answer: Someone who stays up too late two days in a row, even though she is going to have a very busy and physically demanding weekend.
Glow-in-the-dark dodgeball????
Glow-in-the-dark dodgeball????
Thursday, March 23, 2006
So, this podcasting thing is going to take a little more time that I thought it would...
I am going to attempt to not be perfectionist about it, or it will never get done. The goal right now is to create a little teaser-cast, about 5 minutes or so. An introduction of sorts. I've already lined up free hosting at SwitchPod. I can upgrade to regular hosting if for some reason people actually like this little podcast, and I start getting actual traffic.
Right...
I've got a direction I want to go, I sort of have a loose plan in mind. This will be unscripted. There will be editing involved, and that is where the kinks are starting to come into play. My goal is to spend no money on this little side project. I will do everything with free tools, or stuff that comes with MacOS X. I do not have the latest Garageband yet, so I won't have access to those nifty little podcasting tools for awhile.
The goal is to just have fun!
Right...
I've got a direction I want to go, I sort of have a loose plan in mind. This will be unscripted. There will be editing involved, and that is where the kinks are starting to come into play. My goal is to spend no money on this little side project. I will do everything with free tools, or stuff that comes with MacOS X. I do not have the latest Garageband yet, so I won't have access to those nifty little podcasting tools for awhile.
The goal is to just have fun!
Cool.
Not only did I have enough laundry soap to do all three loads of laundry on my list, I also found something really cool in the roll of quarters I got on Tuesday night...
A quarter that is from 1940!
The raised edges are mostly worn away, and it's not the sandwiched metal type. I haven't seen one of this era before. It's like a time machine, in a way. How many people have handled it since 1940? This was around during WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Persian Gulf War I, 9/11, Afghanistan, the Iraq War...
A lot of history in a small, silver coin....
A quarter that is from 1940!
The raised edges are mostly worn away, and it's not the sandwiched metal type. I haven't seen one of this era before. It's like a time machine, in a way. How many people have handled it since 1940? This was around during WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Persian Gulf War I, 9/11, Afghanistan, the Iraq War...
A lot of history in a small, silver coin....
Holy Crap, I'm making a podcast...
Okay, so this talking to myself thing is pretty fun! I downloaded "Audacity," a freeware recorder and editor for MacOS X, and have been playing with it for an hour or so. Loads of fun. I have no idea if any of this will ever see the light of day, but it's amusing for the moment.
(crap, it's midnight...)
(crap, it's midnight...)
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
"I walk this empty street..."
Having a good time listening to something that we are not supposed to have because someone said we couldn't. Well worth the searching and clicking a ton of broken links before finding one that worked...
Favorite Quote for Today
This is /.*
What do you expect? Political discourse at a level greater than (and I quote) "Neener neener neener"?
ConceptJunkie (24823)
*: [SlashDot, for the uninitiated]
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