bugsii

Yeah, I know.  But, two are small jobs.  Here they are in no particular order:

1) Graduate Teaching Assistant
2) Graduate Research Assistant (small one!)
3) Intern at the Department of Ed. (small one, as of today)
4) Substitute teacher/Leader of after-school technology program (hmm, that sounds like two, but I refuse to have five jobs).
5) Does student count?  Crap.

So, the other day, when I looked at my schedule and was trying to decide if I could indeed take the job to lead the after-school technology program at a local private school, I thought, something has got to give.  And that something, I thought, was going to be my job at the department of ed.  And it is, sort of.  But, this morning, when I was walking in to give my two weeks, I had an idea.  See, I felt bad because there are couple things that I do that are tech-related and I didn’t want to leave the already depleted gifted section in the lurch.  So, I thought, I could just do those little tech-related things from home for just a couple of hours a week.  I am not going to go into the office after next week any longer and I’m not going to be working on anymore projects.  Still, this is starting to sound sketchy to me.  Did I make the right decision?  Time will tell.  In the meantime, I’m excited at the opportunity to work with kids again.

And now I’m wondering how crazy my taxes will be next year.  Why do I do these things?

This post is going to be like the OG blogs where geeks would post links to cool stuff on the internet.  There have been some things tech-related that I’ve been thinking about and wanting to share, and since it is 11pm and I need to go to work tomorrow, here they are in list form:

1) I heard this story on NPR about how there’s this whole new business where websites are tracking your information online and selling it to other companies who use it to figure out your habits and what you want to buy.  This doesn’t really freak me out.  I know it’s going on, but I never pay attention to ads on websites (at least I think I don’t).  In the story, the woman being interviewed talked about how she was being followed around by a pair of shoes that she had put in her “cart” online, but then had never bought.  The ad for the shoes would show up on almost every page she browsed.  When I heard it I thought, yeah right lady, but then, because of this story, I started looking at the ads more closely and I realized that I’m being followed by a package tour to India!  It’s everywhere!  And I think it’s working…

2) A local school district is lifting its ban on cell phones. I think this is interesting because I think it’s going to happen sooner or later anyway.  Cell phones are part of us now, aren’t they?  I would be sort of ticked if I could never even check my phone during the day at work.  I’m not on it all the time, but if someone in my family needs me, I know.  Plus, when I’m in school and don’t have my laptop, I use my wikipanion app to look up words and theorists I don’t know and take (very short) notes.  Banning cell phones is not the solution.  I use it appropriately and kids can use it appropriately.  Maybe we should teach them?  Ah ha!  It’s coming people.  Cry a river, build a bridge, and get over it (a good quote from one of Ms. Ray’s former students).

3) A note on hulu and other ways we don’t watch TV in real time (or on the right day) ever any more… I mean really, how many people watch a show the day it’s on, at the right time, and sit through all the commercials?  If you still do this, I feel sad for you being subjected to the tyrannical television timetables and those sneaky brain-washing commercials!  Get a DVR asap or get on the interwebs and watch as you please.  Or don’t watch, but don’t watch in real time for goodness sakes.  Anyway, long story short, I’m never worried about seeing a show at the right time, and many of the shows I watch involve people being voted off (don’t judge) and when people mention the results to me or POST IT TO FACEBOOK, it kind of drives me bonkers (but it’s not just people, the results are online, mentioned on other shows, etc.).  Here’s my point, watching shows whenever you want, good; everyone in America being on different television schedules, problematic.  What will we ever do to solve this very important problem?  It might be more important than peace in the Middle East.  Oh, what a world.

4) Okay, this one’s less petty, but maybe just as ridiculous.  Steganography!  What’s that you say?  No, it’s not how to draw a stegosaurus.  It’s this thing people are learning to do to manage multiple and possibly conflicting audiences online.  For example, now that kids are on facebook and they are friending their friends, classmates, and… their mom, they are figuring out ways of saying something what they want to say without freaking their mom out, but in a way that their friends (maybe just their close friends) will understand what’s really going on.  danah boyd explains it much better here.  I think it’s supercool.  Here’s her explanation of the word steganography:

Steganography is an ancient technique where people hide messages in plain sight. Invisible ink, tattoos under hair on messengers, and messages embedded in pictures are just a few ways in which steganography is employed.

Doesn’t it make you want to write a mystery novel right now?  Yes.

Okay, I’m loopy.  Must sleep!

-Attend a vastly different religious service-

This week’s challenge is to attend a vastly different religious service.  Since it’s the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, I decided that I would like to visit a mosque.  And, with all of the nonsense going on surrounding the Muslim Center to be built near ground zero, I think it’s a good time to get some perspective and to remember that freedom of religion is part of what makes America great.  As a person that went through 12 years of Catholic school and that has visited Jewish temples and many Protestant churches, lived with girls of several faiths, including Hinduism, Protestantism and Judaism, and has had many friends of various faiths (including Islam) and friends with no faith, I think this is very important.  As I decided on my challenge this week, I actually started to wonder what I meant by “vastly different” anyway.  A Muslim service probably isn’t “vastly different,” but I suppose it depends on your perspective.  Anyway, I got in touch with a friend in my program at OSU that has been in several of my classes (and who happens to be Muslim) and he has graciously invited me to a few different services this weekend, and he even enlisted a female cousin so that I could hear a female perspective.  One of those services involves breaking the daily fast, which means food, delicious middle-eastern food, and I’m pretty excited about that.  I look forward to being able to write about this experience at the end of the week.  Stay tuned.

Oh, and is anyone with me?!

Yesterday we drove down to Cincinnati so that we could celebrate my mother-in-law, Joyce’s, birthday.  Dan also need to get some work time in with his Dad because Angelone Arcade has four more orders!  First, we went to Jess’ house for lunch and a delicious homemade ice cream dessert.  Here’s Joyce opening up her Coach gifts:

The rest of the day was spent with family hanging out, stopping at the outlets to be sure Joyce got what she wanted, and then eating dinner at a Mexican restaurant.

On a side note, since Dan was downloading pictures last night, we finally have nice pictures from the Reds’ game on flickr (see piictures tab for all the new ones!) and I really like this one of Uncle Ray, a lifelong die-hard Yankees fan.  When in Rome.

Today, I worked from home at Pete and Joyce’s house.  They have a nice deck in the back.  I consider it a good day at work when I get to be barefoot all day. 

This week’s challenge was to ask what people think about me and “just listen.”  And now that I’m thinking about how to write a post when I’m supposed to “just listen,” I think that I should write an un-post.  So, I will share an anonymous snippet from each person, minus my usual commentary.  This was a mix of family, old friends, and new friends.  I appreciate everyone who responded to my silly request!

What do you think about me?

“I also know you are very sensitive and question yourself a times.  You seem quite independent but I think you need people around you.”

“You have been my rock really in my adult life since dad died.”

“You are your own worst critic.  Fearful of what others think.  Adventurous, not afraid to try new things.”

“I like that you are working on this [new thinking] because even though we’re not together, it kind of makes us closer, since so many people don’t think about anything, and it certainly makes the both of us odder ducks, together.”

“I love the fact that you don’t know how special you are. Don’t roll your eyes at me!”

“You’re reading and writing and getting things done not because you need to fulfill a requirement, but because you genuinely want to know more about your field and about what’s out there in general.  At the same time, and maybe because you spent time as a teacher before you enrolled in your current program, you want your information to be relevant.  I suspect you have little patience with theories or ideas that are completely abstract and ungrounded.  (This is why I enjoy your posts in which you talk about what you’re reading in conjunction with your everyday life — you refuse to be one of those hoity-toity academics.)”

“What I like most about you is your desire to learn, talk about stuff, and challenge yourself.”

Okay, just a little commentary: I think I thought that when I asked people what they think of me, that I would hear more negative things, which was sort of stupid to think because who’s going to be completely honest and tell you negative things?  No good would come of that, really.  Especially since I am apparently quite sensitive (a fact I like to hide).  I wouldn’t do that to another person either, so it was kind of a silly idea.  But, I guess I just wanted to point out that I didn’t really mean this to be an ego-stroking activity.  Regardless, it was nice of people to take some time to let me know how they view me.  It opened my eyes and made me appreciate them and myself a little more (and even made me cry a few times).  Thank you, I needed that.

The past two days have been a bit crazy.  And my head is spinning and I can’t release the tension in my head muscle (you know what I mean).

Friday morning I had an interview with a small, but prestigious private all girls school in Columbus to be a substitute teacher.  I really miss being in the classroom and I feel like this would be a good opportunity to do it once in a while (since it’s a small school, I don’t imagine there would be a sub needed every day).  But, when I was there, they offered up an after school program, to help their Lego team this year.  The Lego team programs these Lego bricks and other moving parts to get through an obstacle course and then they go to a competition.  It’s a nice-sized stipend and my schedule is much more open this year as I don’t need to take classes, but I’m also gone/busy a lot in September and October what with vacation, five conferences and, oh yeah, my oral defense.  So, I’m not sure they’ll want me when they see my availability, but even so, I’m not sure I should take it since I’ll be super busy.  But, a team of girls who want to do programming?  Hello.  This is so up my alley.  Hmm, we’ll see what they say.

Anyway, after all that excitement, I had to get my 16 mile run in on a Friday afternoon (I usually run Saturday morning) because Dan and I had signed up to run the Crew 5k on Saturday morning and Sunday we are going to Cincinnati for Joyce’s birthday.  Since it was so hot outside, I went to the rec center and alternated between a 1/8 mile track and treadmill.  It was pretty boring, but I did it and it’s done.  Then, I had to come home, shower, and get to work on some analysis for the project I am currently working on with a professor.  I only fell asleep once!  But, it took me until 7:30pm to get everything I wanted to get done finished and I was exhausted after that.  Funny thing is, Dan’s been super busy at work too, and he didn’t get finished with work until 7:30pm either.  We both need spa treatments.  But, instead, I made dinner and went to bed early. Hurrah!

This morning was the Crew 5k and Dan and I finished at a very leisurely pace.  It’s so nice to run with my husband because I don’t have to be jealous of all those perky running couples.    Even though our finishing times were lame, it was worth it for the free shirts.  They were nice this year!  They also give you free tickets to the game in the evening, but Dan has a Street Fighter tournament (What can I say?  It’s the truth.) and there are thunderstorms forecast for the evening, so I am staying home.  After the race we went out to eat at The Best Breakfast and Sandwiches again and the waitress told us that we were becoming regulars.  I like that idea.  Then, I dropped Dan off at his tournament and went grocery shopping.  This afternoon, I made my head spin again by trying to make plans for all five conferences I need to attend.  I’m still not sure if I even registered for one.  The jury and an email is out.  Then, I decided that I should start a Columbus vegetarian food blog, which led me to search the internet and make discoveries (like this Columbus vegan blog and this Columbus vegetarian blog), and also to decide that I didn’t need one more thing to do.  See, this is why Dan shouldn’t leave me alone.  I get ideas!

When it was time for dinner, I called the Happy Greek to get some takeout and walked down to pick it up, only to see that there was some sort of festival blocking High Street.  Turns out, the Gay softball league (or something close to that) is having their world series here this weekend.  There were rainbow flags everywhere and it made me appreciate my diverse neighborhood and the fact that I run into festivals when I’m just trying to pick up some take out.  Everyone loves the Short North.  I can’t blame ‘em. 

I’ve never felt as lazy as I did today.  I had to drag myself out of bed (which took about an hour), convince myself to go running, force myself to start revising (only to fall asleep again) and then tear myself away from stupid judge shows to get back to revising.  I have no idea why I was so unmotivated.  It was no good.  I did eventually get through both exams as planned, though I still want to go back over one one more time.  I fear I will never feel finished, but I need to take these things to kinkos (although I’ve been thinking about lulu) next week for sure.  I also picked up my and Dan’s race packet for the Crew 5k this Saturday (Dan is running with me!) and registered for Bergamo (There’s a poststructural feminist pre-conference workshop.  Woot!).  So, I should feel at least somewhat accomplished on this laziest of days.

In the evening, just before I picked up Dan at the airport (yay!), I found the movie Examined Life on Netflix on demand and was intrigued.  It is a really cool documentary that gives ten minutes to eight different philosophers to talk about the examined life.  I had read three, so it was kind of neat to see them move and talk (imagine!), rather than just read their words.  Cornel West is hilarious.  Judith Butler looks a lot different than I pictured her in my head and Slavoj Zizek is manic to say the least.  And, I liked them all, though not all of them share my budding philosophy.  Peter Singer, who I had never heard of, was also an interesting guy and gave me something to think about.  He gave this scenario where you see a child about to drown in a river and you look around for their parents and no one is there to help except you, but you have nice, expensive shoes on, so if you do save the child, you will ruin your shoes.  When given this scenario, Singer explains that everyone says that, of course, they would save the child and ruin their shoes.  But, he then points out that we often buy expensive shoes when that money could help save a child’s life in a developing country.  He thinks that we should think about the river scenario as we decide how to spend our money, but more importantly, how we choose not to spend our money.  This made me think that I should start donating to a good cause rather than buying so many clothes (not that I’m really a clothes horse or anything, but I have way more than I need), but this gets tricky because if I started to save more money, I’d probably want to put it into savings for our house fund or for our future security.  I would probably do that before I donated to an organization regularly.  It’s selfish, but I really think that’s what I would choose.  It makes it seem uglier when I have to compare clothes/savings/security with a life.  Hmm.

Good flick.  Now rent it! 

Bah.  I worked today.  Then, I had to wait in a really long line to get my FBI background check.  I’m thinking about substitute teaching a bit this coming year, so I had to get it done.  They have very weird limited hours at the ESC and apparently every new teacher in the the greater Columbus area was sent to get their background checks done today.  Good thing I brought a book.  Tonight, I just hung out at home, read on the porch a bit, ate some leftovers, watched some telly.  I’m feeling kind of cruddy and ronery (Kim Jong-Il style) though.  I miss my partner.

Today, my big plan was to complete the final revision on two of my exams.  First, I had to run 7.5 miles.  I did that (a little later than I planned), showered and got to work.  I was rereading on the porch and the sun was starting to get a little uncomfortable, so I came inside to sit on the couch and cool down.  I was about halfway finished with my reading of the first exam when I slowly slumped over, suddenly feeling every one of those 7.5 miles.  I reached up from my slumped position to grab the blanket from the back of the couch and wad it up for a pillow.  I took a nap.  When I woke up, I felt even further behind and also hoped that my drooping eyelids had nothing to do with how interesting my paper was/is (of course it couldn’t).  But after that nap, I felt pretty good and really got into the revisions.  So much so that I completely forgot that I was supposed to be on a webinar for ODE at 2.  I remembered this at 3.  Oof.  It wasn’t life or death or anything, but I felt like a flake regardless.  Anyway, after revising that first paper, I was feeling pretty impressed with myself.  Sure, there were corrections to make, but those block quotes that I was worrying about 5 weeks ago fit just as I’d hoped and didn’t seem to take up as much room as I once thought.  It even sounded nice.

I headed to a coffee shop for my second paper and that was a little less successful.  It required some more rethinking and I’m also not very happy with the flow.  It sort of has to do with the nature of the question, but the paper is dry and choppy.  It doesn’t sound lovely and I like papers to sound lovely if I can manage it.  An older guy at the coffee shop butted in during my (apparently obvious) struggle to ask if I was editing my own paper or someone else’s.  When I told him it was mine he said, “You sure are giving that a lot of thought.”  Ha.  I’m so transparent.  Anyway, I think I’ll be returning to that one again… maybe tonight.  These papers are sort of becoming my babies (giving them so much thought and all), and I’m starting to think that it will be hard not to be offended when I have to orally defend them.  Time will tell.

-Ask what others honestly think of you (and just listen)-

This week’s challenge is to ask what others honestly think of me and then just to listen to what they have to say without inserting any protest or explanations.  I think what I wanted this challenge to be about is some honest feedback.  You know how sometimes you think you come across one way to people only to find out later that you have been putting out something completely different?  I’m hoping that I can take what people say, reflect on it, and improve myself.  I’m going to ask just a few people since I feel kind of weird about putting people out.  I think I better do this via email since I won’t be able to see everyone in person and I don’t want to put anyone on the spot either.  I think email will let them think for a minute, avoiding some awkwardness.  I’m  feeling really nervous right now.  Eeks.  What will you say?