I defended my dissertation this morning. Let's just say it wasn't a rousing success.
I'll spend a few months making corrections and then submit the final file for approval.
Some day, I hope to be finished writing this thing!
I'm off to snowy Prague...brr!
I have the viva voce for my thesis (defense for my dissertation) on Saturday morning at 9 AM--2 AM in Birmingham. You can dream of me! :)
I have the viva voce for my thesis (defense for my dissertation) on Saturday morning at 9 AM--2 AM in Birmingham. You can dream of me! :)
The present is best understood by studying the past.
-Sharyn Mccrumb
-Sharyn Mccrumb
Today brought a nice visit with Renaissance woman Edifice Rex. I also got some of her amazing pottery:
Then more studying:
Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.
-Henry Doherty
Then more studying:
Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.
-Henry Doherty
To study history means submitting to chaos and nevertheless retaining faith in order and meaning. It is a very serious task, and possibly a tragic one.
-Hermann Hesse
-Hermann Hesse
Those who do not study are only cattle dressed up in human clothes.
-Chinese proverb
-Chinese proverb
Real knowledge, like everything else of value, is not to be obtained easily. It must be worked for, studied for, thought for, and, more that all, must be prayed for.
-Thomas Arnold
-Thomas Arnold
I really, really need to clone myself, or something.
Is it the weekend yet??
Is it the weekend yet??
I was going to post about MLK and civil rights in Birmingham, but I think I'll write about my hike instead.
The weather was nice today (60 F/15 C), so we hiked to the lake. But the ground was wet, since it was thawing out from the cold last week.
I guess the creek was a bit high, or (more likely) I was a bit clumsy: I slipped and fell while trying to cross the creek. Oops!
I came out with a decent bit of mud on me, and some pain in my ribs. Ouch!
We continued to slip and slide our way down to the lake, when suddenly we heard the dog let out the most awful shriek you can imagine. We went running down to the lake see what was the matter. When we got to the lake, it was eerily quiet. The dog was nowhere to be seen.
I know it's hard to believe, but there are actually alligators living in this lake. After looking and calling for the dog for several minutes, we really feared that he had been eaten by an alligator.
When we had about given up hope, we saw the dog bounding along the opposite bank of the lake. He was fine--and we never did figure out what all that noise was!
I guess I'm going to have to head back to work tomorrow to keep myself--and the dog--out of trouble!
(photo stolen from Max, who was crazy enough to go outside)It's official: The first 15 days this year were the coldest in recorded history in Birmingham. The average temperature was only 29.7 F (-1.4 C). Brrr!!
That may not be too cold to people from more Arctic climates (including Prague, average January temperature only 23 F/-5 C), but it's certainly colder than normal in Alabama!
Usually we hike a lot in the winter, because the vegetation is dead and the snakes are hibernating. This month, though, we've just stayed inside. Well, that and walked on ice-covered ponds--an unusual sight for this part of the world!
The power company is telling everyone to expect bills double and triple the normal amount for this month. I'm scared to see what mine will be, but I'm grateful for the availability of heat--even though I did have to turn on the back-up gas heaters and space heaters to stay warm!
It's finally warmed up a bit now, and 40 and 50 degree temperatures (4 and 10 C) are feeling wonderful! Now to get my hat and gloves out again for my trip to Prague in a few more days....
I think Keith...or possibly Lina?
Thanks for visiting my blog! I'm studying very, very hard right now. Please disregard my previous post.
:)
Thanks for visiting my blog! I'm studying very, very hard right now. Please disregard my previous post.
:)
what I've been doing
working
looking at news from Haiti
reading blogs
eating leftover Christmas candy
resting
wasting time on Facebook
what I should be doing
studying
studying
studying
studying
studying
studying
working
looking at news from Haiti
reading blogs
eating leftover Christmas candy
resting
wasting time on Facebook
what I should be doing
studying
studying
studying
studying
studying
studying
I watched people make fish print pillowcases, using real fish.
I drove by an Alabama landmark (for good or for bad).
I came home and saw the remnants of last week's snow on the ground. Apparently we had a good dusting on the mountain.
Oh, and I went to a bunch of meetings too. Fun.
Apparently someone with an email address very similar to mine posted an ad for an airline customer service representative on craigslist. So far I've received 67 emails about the position.
Out of curiosity, I looked at the emails. I couldn't believe how awful many of them were. A few excerpts are below. I'll spare you from snarky commentary on each one--they pretty much speak for themselves.
Spellcheck, anyone?
I am very inesterested.
I believe I am a perfect candiate for you.
i have my resume attatched.
I am responding to the add on Craig's List.
yuo can contact me at this e mail.
i am very intrested in this position.
You won't find a better person for this postion.
I am interested in the job u posted up on craigs list.
Objective: [TO ACHIEVE AND BE SUCCESSFUL AT EVERTHING I DO IN LIFE.
Grammar 101
I'm very much interested for the position.
attach is a copy of my resume.
I am very interested in the job position that i seen on craigslist.
i'm really interest on the job that you post in the Internet.
Periods. needed.
hi there I am very intrested in you postion please let me know where I need to go to fill an application out at thanks
Hello my name is [DELETED] i think i would be great for your company because my training in Business Administration , i have a great customer service skills Very friendly and ready to learn any thing new.
I will be eagerly anticipating your response my resume is attached hope to hear from you soon.
my name is [DELETED] i am interested in postion please let me know where to go to fill out application.
BUT I LOVE CAPS LOCK!!!
I WOULD BE INTERETED IN APPLYING FOR THIS JOB!! PLEASE LET ME KNOW MORE.
PLEASE CONSIDER ME FOR YOUR AVAILABLE POSITION. I AM A RETIRED [DELETED] AND CAN PASS ALL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND DRUG TEST. I AM HONEST AND DEPENDABLE AND CAN WORK ANY DAYS AND HOURS. I AM A NON SMOKER AND NON DRINKER. I HAVE A B CLASS C D L WITH A CURRENT D O T PHYSICAL AND A CLEAN DRIVING RECORD.PLEASE CALL ME !! THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!!!
Say what?
I have been wanting to get my foot in the door with an airline for a while. I think it would be a fun interesting experience in life. I go by my middle nae [DELETED].
I noticed your ad on craigslists I was wondering if this job is full-time I would like to apply for it but I need to know if its fulltime because I have a distance to drive and I need to know before I apply thank you
I do have a resume but I don't fell comfortable just giving it to just anyone.
While I have no direct airline experience, my father worked for an airline and I am a frequent flyer. I have been at my current job for over a year and the drive is grueling, so please let me know if you would like me to send you my resume.
I am currently on a contract assignment with [DELETED] as you see the email address ,this contract ends in 6 more days. So I am writting you on my lunch you can contact me here or my cell.
Here is my other contact information. Sorry that I didn't include that in the previous email. I sent it while grabbing for my laptop as it slid to the floor.
is there such a job out there or is this a scam
hello how old do u have to be to do this and can u tell me more plz?thanks
A rose by any other name
Name_Nameresume33part2[1].doc
NAMENAME[1][1].RESUME09BUF10.doc
Fun with the thesaurus
May it be acknowledged from my enclosed resume: various skills would deem me an excellent addition to the company and team. All extracurricular attributes were self –taught and strengthened upon and during employment with previous institutions / franchises, thus to obtain greater experience for future appliance in other ventures.
Previously; I was a contingent employee with [DELETED], where an acquired aptitude for multitasking arrays of customer service/ cashiering/ culinary experience deemed interchangeable. My aspiration however is to grow with a company that grants the sincere consideration of my experience. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my credentials with you at a mutually convenient time. If intrigued, feel free to contact me via the phone listed above, or email address.
Out of curiosity, I looked at the emails. I couldn't believe how awful many of them were. A few excerpts are below. I'll spare you from snarky commentary on each one--they pretty much speak for themselves.
Spellcheck, anyone?
I am very inesterested.
I believe I am a perfect candiate for you.
i have my resume attatched.
I am responding to the add on Craig's List.
yuo can contact me at this e mail.
i am very intrested in this position.
You won't find a better person for this postion.
I am interested in the job u posted up on craigs list.
Objective: [TO ACHIEVE AND BE SUCCESSFUL AT EVERTHING I DO IN LIFE.
Grammar 101
I'm very much interested for the position.
attach is a copy of my resume.
I am very interested in the job position that i seen on craigslist.
i'm really interest on the job that you post in the Internet.
Periods. needed.
hi there I am very intrested in you postion please let me know where I need to go to fill an application out at thanks
Hello my name is [DELETED] i think i would be great for your company because my training in Business Administration , i have a great customer service skills Very friendly and ready to learn any thing new.
I will be eagerly anticipating your response my resume is attached hope to hear from you soon.
my name is [DELETED] i am interested in postion please let me know where to go to fill out application.
BUT I LOVE CAPS LOCK!!!
I WOULD BE INTERETED IN APPLYING FOR THIS JOB!! PLEASE LET ME KNOW MORE.
PLEASE CONSIDER ME FOR YOUR AVAILABLE POSITION. I AM A RETIRED [DELETED] AND CAN PASS ALL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND DRUG TEST. I AM HONEST AND DEPENDABLE AND CAN WORK ANY DAYS AND HOURS. I AM A NON SMOKER AND NON DRINKER. I HAVE A B CLASS C D L WITH A CURRENT D O T PHYSICAL AND A CLEAN DRIVING RECORD.PLEASE CALL ME !! THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!!!
Say what?
I have been wanting to get my foot in the door with an airline for a while. I think it would be a fun interesting experience in life. I go by my middle nae [DELETED].
I noticed your ad on craigslists I was wondering if this job is full-time I would like to apply for it but I need to know if its fulltime because I have a distance to drive and I need to know before I apply thank you
I do have a resume but I don't fell comfortable just giving it to just anyone.
While I have no direct airline experience, my father worked for an airline and I am a frequent flyer. I have been at my current job for over a year and the drive is grueling, so please let me know if you would like me to send you my resume.
I am currently on a contract assignment with [DELETED] as you see the email address ,this contract ends in 6 more days. So I am writting you on my lunch you can contact me here or my cell.
Here is my other contact information. Sorry that I didn't include that in the previous email. I sent it while grabbing for my laptop as it slid to the floor.
is there such a job out there or is this a scam
hello how old do u have to be to do this and can u tell me more plz?thanks
A rose by any other name
Name_Nameresume33part2[1].doc
NAMENAME[1][1].RESUME09BUF10.doc
Fun with the thesaurus
May it be acknowledged from my enclosed resume: various skills would deem me an excellent addition to the company and team. All extracurricular attributes were self –taught and strengthened upon and during employment with previous institutions / franchises, thus to obtain greater experience for future appliance in other ventures.
Previously; I was a contingent employee with [DELETED], where an acquired aptitude for multitasking arrays of customer service/ cashiering/ culinary experience deemed interchangeable. My aspiration however is to grow with a company that grants the sincere consideration of my experience. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my credentials with you at a mutually convenient time. If intrigued, feel free to contact me via the phone listed above, or email address.
I'm feeling much better than I did during the fall, although I still get tired from time to time. Apparently it may take several months for me to feel completely back to normal.
I don't think I've ever taken a sick day from work until I got mono. I'm the kind of person who just keeps going and ignores most aches and pains. But that didn't work for mono.
I was really surprised by how awful I felt. I thought with mono I would just be tired a lot. Actually, for about two months I was very weak and sometimes could hardly get out of bed and walk around. It was terrible!
And then some of the yucky feelings lingered for weeks and weeks longer. However, I knew the whole time that it wasn't anything really serious--so that was good.
Here are a few observations I made while I was sick:
People's responses varied. A lot.
Lots of people were very kind and concerned about me. They sent me cards and messages and frequently asked how I was doing. A few people ignored me, or seemed to think I should just snap out of it. From this experience, I determined to be more compassionate to people who are sick. Most aren't just being lazy or seeking attention!
It was difficult to live so far from town.
Several people offered to bring me meals, but I hated for them to have to drive 45 minutes to my house. It was also hard being so far away from work. By the time I got up and drove to my office, I usually felt terrible. I couldn't keep up my normal schedule.
It was difficult to be by myself.
I felt really awful and had a hard time cooking or doing much anything else. I wished for a roommate, a husband, or just my mother to come check on me. It got depressing lying in bed all day by myself. On the positive side, I didn't infect anyone else!
I take my health for granted.
I've never really thought much about being healthy (or sick). I was surprised at how quickly I could become sick and unable to participate in my normal activities. Then just when I thought I was better, the mono feelings would come again. I like to think that I'm in charge of my own life, but I definitely couldn't control whether I was sick or not. Good health is a blessing that I've taken for granted for too long.
I'm very glad to be feeling better now, but I want to continue to remember those with chronic conditions or other serious illnesses. Far too often, I drift through life without learning from my experiences. I don't want that to be the case this time.
And by the way, if you have an adult friend who gets mono, be kind to them. They may feel really bad for a really long time!
I don't think I've ever taken a sick day from work until I got mono. I'm the kind of person who just keeps going and ignores most aches and pains. But that didn't work for mono.
I was really surprised by how awful I felt. I thought with mono I would just be tired a lot. Actually, for about two months I was very weak and sometimes could hardly get out of bed and walk around. It was terrible!
And then some of the yucky feelings lingered for weeks and weeks longer. However, I knew the whole time that it wasn't anything really serious--so that was good.
Here are a few observations I made while I was sick:
People's responses varied. A lot.
Lots of people were very kind and concerned about me. They sent me cards and messages and frequently asked how I was doing. A few people ignored me, or seemed to think I should just snap out of it. From this experience, I determined to be more compassionate to people who are sick. Most aren't just being lazy or seeking attention!
It was difficult to live so far from town.
Several people offered to bring me meals, but I hated for them to have to drive 45 minutes to my house. It was also hard being so far away from work. By the time I got up and drove to my office, I usually felt terrible. I couldn't keep up my normal schedule.
It was difficult to be by myself.
I felt really awful and had a hard time cooking or doing much anything else. I wished for a roommate, a husband, or just my mother to come check on me. It got depressing lying in bed all day by myself. On the positive side, I didn't infect anyone else!
I take my health for granted.
I've never really thought much about being healthy (or sick). I was surprised at how quickly I could become sick and unable to participate in my normal activities. Then just when I thought I was better, the mono feelings would come again. I like to think that I'm in charge of my own life, but I definitely couldn't control whether I was sick or not. Good health is a blessing that I've taken for granted for too long.
I'm very glad to be feeling better now, but I want to continue to remember those with chronic conditions or other serious illnesses. Far too often, I drift through life without learning from my experiences. I don't want that to be the case this time.
And by the way, if you have an adult friend who gets mono, be kind to them. They may feel really bad for a really long time!
I don't really have any interesting pictures or stories, but...happy new year, everyone!
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