Hey Lance,
Guess what? Karma's a bitch. You dump the mother of your children who stayed with you when you had cancer for someone else, and then you dumped her just as she gets diagnosed with cancer too. You dump people the wrong way, it's going to come back and bite you in the ass. Except this time, it was your bike (you know, that thing that you trust most in the world, that held you up when you had your cancer) and now you're broken on the inside. You get what you deserve, asshole. http://www.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/03/23/cycling.armstrong/index.html
Monday, March 23, 2009
What is this? Two posts in as many days???
I totally forgot to mention several things in my post last night. Perhaps because for some strange reason I decided to try what a shot of rum would taste like (It tastes terrible, never do it). Actually, it probably was like half a shot--maybe 15 mL? Suffice it to say, I think I burned the first several layers of my esophagus off as well as created an ulcer the size of Massachusetts in my gut. If there was anything that's not me living in my throat, honey, it's dead now. On top of the effects of a drink that is 40% alcohol by volume, rum tastes like shit. I mean, it has this bizarre sweet thing (I know, it's from sugarcane) combined with the potency of the alcohol that left my mouth in pain. I'll happily stick with my lighter alcoholic brews.
But anyways, I got my job at the state parks for this summer, so if you come down to Cheyenne Mountain state park at all on a Friday or Saturday, I'll be taking your money! I get to wear the cool park ranger outfits and have a badge and radio and all. And you have to give me money...that I kind of get to keep since I'll be paid $8.02 an hour.
In other news, I'm a total blithering fool, and I think I am finally getting that. I'm more determined after the last week that I've had (more like weekend, really), to affect a permanent change in my life. I'm tired of this, and I'm ready to stop it. I guess it factors into the reasons I have for wanting to move. Washington D.C. doesn't have the effects of Colorado Springs, and a new environment is a new opportunity to affect what I so desperately need in my life, more than ever. I say Washington because I have not heard anything (STILL?) from Boston. Ireland would be more ideal, but with the Fed deciding to print a trillion dollars to weaken the dollar even more (SERIOUSLY? STOP PRINTING FUCKING MONEY!!!!), the dollar-euro ratio is going to PLUMMET. If the Europeans thought that they were going to have few American tourists this year, wait until that money floods the market. I would not be surprised to see the ration reach $2.00 per 1 Euro.
I could all too easily go and live in Europe. Despite the fact that they are far more liberal than I am, there is something about the overwhelming sense of history, culture, and vibrancy in Europe that is eroding here in the US. I'm just saying.
But anyways, I got my job at the state parks for this summer, so if you come down to Cheyenne Mountain state park at all on a Friday or Saturday, I'll be taking your money! I get to wear the cool park ranger outfits and have a badge and radio and all. And you have to give me money...that I kind of get to keep since I'll be paid $8.02 an hour.
In other news, I'm a total blithering fool, and I think I am finally getting that. I'm more determined after the last week that I've had (more like weekend, really), to affect a permanent change in my life. I'm tired of this, and I'm ready to stop it. I guess it factors into the reasons I have for wanting to move. Washington D.C. doesn't have the effects of Colorado Springs, and a new environment is a new opportunity to affect what I so desperately need in my life, more than ever. I say Washington because I have not heard anything (STILL?) from Boston. Ireland would be more ideal, but with the Fed deciding to print a trillion dollars to weaken the dollar even more (SERIOUSLY? STOP PRINTING FUCKING MONEY!!!!), the dollar-euro ratio is going to PLUMMET. If the Europeans thought that they were going to have few American tourists this year, wait until that money floods the market. I would not be surprised to see the ration reach $2.00 per 1 Euro.
I could all too easily go and live in Europe. Despite the fact that they are far more liberal than I am, there is something about the overwhelming sense of history, culture, and vibrancy in Europe that is eroding here in the US. I'm just saying.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
My now weekly posts...
To all of my like 1 or 2 readers out there, if you really care about reading something from my witty hands more frequently, you should know that reading other people's blogs is a major motivating factor for me to write more....
So a year, heh? Both hard to believe, and something that I wish I could go back to. This week has not been terribly helpful, but I think after today, things will be improving...
I seriously want to go to Catholic University of America right now. The history courses they are offering next semester are fantastic, plus they're offering Gaelic I, which I desperately wish to take. Money is going to decide it all, I fear. I did decide, however, that if I somehow get a seriously substantial scholarship, I am going to fly to the DC area in early April for a couple of days to really see if I could live there for 2 years. When I was supposed to be going to Boulder, I went, be really didn't look at the place and found it too big, stifling, and liberal. I'm not Rush Limbaugh, but I'm one of those old-fashioned types where sex belongs in a bedroom (not a dorm room!), where drinking should never be excessive, and the rigor of debate is best applicable when ad hominem insults are thrown out. I wonder frequently if Catholic would be the opposite. I mean, I understand there are instances where it is unjustified to require by force of law a woman to carry a child to term, but the only cases I see it morally acceptable is when both lives are threatened (e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ectopic_pregnancy). However, sometimes morality cannot justifiably intercede on certain choices--a woman who is raped for example. It is more noble for the woman to carry the child, but I could never justify REQUIRING her to do so.
I also am quite liberal on same-sex marriage. The way I see it is that marriage under the auspices of the state is when two consenting adults form an exclusive agreement that includes shared living space, shared finances, and shared responsibilities in the care of children. If that is maintained, there is no fear of pedophila, bestiality, or polygamy from occurring, because they all violate the idea of a marriage contract. Incest would be harder to wrangle out, because then it's like "what if two siblings agree to this kind of a contract". My answer would be that the overall wellbeing of society would be so seriously damaged by the kinds of deformities that incestuous offspring might bring that it justifies inhibiting siblings, parent-child, etc being banned. Not to mention that I do not really consider myself Catholic. I've been hopping around in my beliefs for the last three or four years now. My general progression went from Catholic-->Eastern rite Catholic-->Eastern Orthodox-->Anglican-->Episcopalian-->Deist-->Agnostic-->Atheist-->Agnostic-->Humanistic Deist. I tend to believe that there is some higher power, but I don't know that it is active in the course of our existences.
Not to mention that I've figured that if the original Catholic faith in which I was brought up is right, I would rather be judged on the quality of my character, the generosity of my actions, against the meanness of temper and the proneness to human failing than on the basis of what I believed. In other words, judge me for what I do, not what I think.
I would wonder how that would correlate to the most "catholic" university in the country? How would I turn down all the invitations to rosaries, bible studies, etc., without offending people extraneously? How would I avoid the constant pressure to at least outwardly express a renaissance of those catholic sentiments I once had? Notice how I say avoid and not rise above---I have no intention of giving into peer pressure (never have done it before), and my conviction that the Catholic church in the US is fundamentally corrupt will not change.
In other, more exciting news, Ireland won pretty much everything in RBS6Nations--Grand Slam (winning against all other nations), Triple Crown (winning against all other teams on the British Isles), Championship (most points, beating all tiebreakers). I really want to buy a championship jersey, but Kaleena quite rudely mentioned that this would violate my money-hoarding tendencies...here are the AMAZING highlights of Wales v Ireland, played in Cardiff on Saturday...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFbe7vvEqjA. I seriously cried watching that. DAMN, I wish I was in Cardiff.
That's all I really have to say...
So a year, heh? Both hard to believe, and something that I wish I could go back to. This week has not been terribly helpful, but I think after today, things will be improving...
I seriously want to go to Catholic University of America right now. The history courses they are offering next semester are fantastic, plus they're offering Gaelic I, which I desperately wish to take. Money is going to decide it all, I fear. I did decide, however, that if I somehow get a seriously substantial scholarship, I am going to fly to the DC area in early April for a couple of days to really see if I could live there for 2 years. When I was supposed to be going to Boulder, I went, be really didn't look at the place and found it too big, stifling, and liberal. I'm not Rush Limbaugh, but I'm one of those old-fashioned types where sex belongs in a bedroom (not a dorm room!), where drinking should never be excessive, and the rigor of debate is best applicable when ad hominem insults are thrown out. I wonder frequently if Catholic would be the opposite. I mean, I understand there are instances where it is unjustified to require by force of law a woman to carry a child to term, but the only cases I see it morally acceptable is when both lives are threatened (e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ectopic_pregnancy). However, sometimes morality cannot justifiably intercede on certain choices--a woman who is raped for example. It is more noble for the woman to carry the child, but I could never justify REQUIRING her to do so.
I also am quite liberal on same-sex marriage. The way I see it is that marriage under the auspices of the state is when two consenting adults form an exclusive agreement that includes shared living space, shared finances, and shared responsibilities in the care of children. If that is maintained, there is no fear of pedophila, bestiality, or polygamy from occurring, because they all violate the idea of a marriage contract. Incest would be harder to wrangle out, because then it's like "what if two siblings agree to this kind of a contract". My answer would be that the overall wellbeing of society would be so seriously damaged by the kinds of deformities that incestuous offspring might bring that it justifies inhibiting siblings, parent-child, etc being banned. Not to mention that I do not really consider myself Catholic. I've been hopping around in my beliefs for the last three or four years now. My general progression went from Catholic-->Eastern rite Catholic-->Eastern Orthodox-->Anglican-->Episcopalian-->Deist-->Agnostic-->Atheist-->Agnostic-->Humanistic Deist. I tend to believe that there is some higher power, but I don't know that it is active in the course of our existences.
Not to mention that I've figured that if the original Catholic faith in which I was brought up is right, I would rather be judged on the quality of my character, the generosity of my actions, against the meanness of temper and the proneness to human failing than on the basis of what I believed. In other words, judge me for what I do, not what I think.
I would wonder how that would correlate to the most "catholic" university in the country? How would I turn down all the invitations to rosaries, bible studies, etc., without offending people extraneously? How would I avoid the constant pressure to at least outwardly express a renaissance of those catholic sentiments I once had? Notice how I say avoid and not rise above---I have no intention of giving into peer pressure (never have done it before), and my conviction that the Catholic church in the US is fundamentally corrupt will not change.
In other, more exciting news, Ireland won pretty much everything in RBS6Nations--Grand Slam (winning against all other nations), Triple Crown (winning against all other teams on the British Isles), Championship (most points, beating all tiebreakers). I really want to buy a championship jersey, but Kaleena quite rudely mentioned that this would violate my money-hoarding tendencies...here are the AMAZING highlights of Wales v Ireland, played in Cardiff on Saturday...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFbe7vvEqjA. I seriously cried watching that. DAMN, I wish I was in Cardiff.
That's all I really have to say...
Monday, March 16, 2009
Who would want to hear about my life anyways?
Tomorrow is Saint Patrick's Day, everyone, so I must say "beannachtai na feile padraig agus go mbeannai dia duit"! Everyone make sure to wear your Irish pride on your sleeves and to drink enough Guinness to supplant American companies from the list of top brand loyalty companies (I think Coca Cola is #1; Guinness is #3).
I know I have not updated much in recent weeks, but really I have very little to say. I mean, I finally recovered (mostly) from being diseased. I still have this weird coughing thing that I am doing, but hopefully that will go away soon.
In great, fantastic, amazing news, Ireland is really close to winning the RBS 6 Nations championship. After beating Scotland and Wales' dismal game against Italy, Ireland will either win the rugby championships with a win or by a loss of less than 13 points against Wales. The unfortuante thing is that the match is being played in Cardiff, so the Welsh will be out in full force against the Irish.
I also got to go to Jack Quinn's for the first time. It's not like the pubs I went to in Ireland, although that's probably because they seat you (unheard of on the other side of the pond) and the pub is filled with Americans rather than the Irish.
This time of year is definitely making me miss the Emerald Isle.
In other, less fortunate news, I was rejected from Iowa. I'm not terribly surprised by this, considering that, oh, one of my recommendations came in over a MONTH late. The letter politely told me that my interests were incompatible with those of the department. I'm just glad to know that I wasn't one of the first rejected, I suppose. I still have yet to hear from Boston College, but given how fantastic that school is institutionally, I would not be surprised if I were to be rejected there too.
This leaves me with a few options. I have been admitted to CU-Boulder and to Catholic University. Fortunately, I should hear about finances before time to consider European applications begins. Over there, I would probably apply to Uniersity College Cork and NIU-Galway. Like I've said, I'm not a huge fan of the idea of living in Dublin, though I loved Cork and Galway to no end. My other option that I am seriously considering is pursuing an MBA at UCCS. It would cost me, almost literally, an arm and a leg, but it's something that will give me a job while I pursue something I am more interested in accomplishing.
Money looks to be the killer here.
Speaking of money, my situation is not so dire as it was before when I got back from Ireland. I have successfully paid back my parents the money they gave me towards my trip (they won't take it, so I use the money to pay some of their bills. It would be going there anyways).
I also have over $1800 saved, which is almost halfway to my savings goal for the year. My net assets should be around $10,000 by the end of the year.
I went to work today. It wasn't fun, but I'm all that much clsoer to finishing my project. I found out though that I basically have three sets of data (out of like 150) that are total crap. I don't really want to repeat them, but I kind of promised that I would have the 19 cell lines done. Then again, they promised to me that I would be paid the right amount. I could just say that I intended to go back and re-do them when I hit the other drugs. Maybe I'll do it with my two week notice. I dunno. It's all confusing.
I am also ALMOST caught up with my lab notebook.
I have a job interview tomorrow with the state parks service....I'm nervous....
I know I have not updated much in recent weeks, but really I have very little to say. I mean, I finally recovered (mostly) from being diseased. I still have this weird coughing thing that I am doing, but hopefully that will go away soon.
In great, fantastic, amazing news, Ireland is really close to winning the RBS 6 Nations championship. After beating Scotland and Wales' dismal game against Italy, Ireland will either win the rugby championships with a win or by a loss of less than 13 points against Wales. The unfortuante thing is that the match is being played in Cardiff, so the Welsh will be out in full force against the Irish.
I also got to go to Jack Quinn's for the first time. It's not like the pubs I went to in Ireland, although that's probably because they seat you (unheard of on the other side of the pond) and the pub is filled with Americans rather than the Irish.
This time of year is definitely making me miss the Emerald Isle.
In other, less fortunate news, I was rejected from Iowa. I'm not terribly surprised by this, considering that, oh, one of my recommendations came in over a MONTH late. The letter politely told me that my interests were incompatible with those of the department. I'm just glad to know that I wasn't one of the first rejected, I suppose. I still have yet to hear from Boston College, but given how fantastic that school is institutionally, I would not be surprised if I were to be rejected there too.
This leaves me with a few options. I have been admitted to CU-Boulder and to Catholic University. Fortunately, I should hear about finances before time to consider European applications begins. Over there, I would probably apply to Uniersity College Cork and NIU-Galway. Like I've said, I'm not a huge fan of the idea of living in Dublin, though I loved Cork and Galway to no end. My other option that I am seriously considering is pursuing an MBA at UCCS. It would cost me, almost literally, an arm and a leg, but it's something that will give me a job while I pursue something I am more interested in accomplishing.
Money looks to be the killer here.
Speaking of money, my situation is not so dire as it was before when I got back from Ireland. I have successfully paid back my parents the money they gave me towards my trip (they won't take it, so I use the money to pay some of their bills. It would be going there anyways).
I also have over $1800 saved, which is almost halfway to my savings goal for the year. My net assets should be around $10,000 by the end of the year.
I went to work today. It wasn't fun, but I'm all that much clsoer to finishing my project. I found out though that I basically have three sets of data (out of like 150) that are total crap. I don't really want to repeat them, but I kind of promised that I would have the 19 cell lines done. Then again, they promised to me that I would be paid the right amount. I could just say that I intended to go back and re-do them when I hit the other drugs. Maybe I'll do it with my two week notice. I dunno. It's all confusing.
I am also ALMOST caught up with my lab notebook.
I have a job interview tomorrow with the state parks service....I'm nervous....
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Recovery, at long last
So I've been sick since Monday, which is the main reason why I have not updated. Monday was essentially spent in some kind of coma, sleeping throughout the day. Tuesday was something similar.
I did receive fantastic news that I was accepted at Catholic University, though I heard nothing about financial assistance. If I had to choose between Boulder and Catholic, the final decider will be money. Plain and simple.
Wednesday thru Friday were recovery days, where I felt good enough to resume my daily walks, but not as long as I would have liked. Involved were much coughing, sneezing, and blowing of my nose...
So my news is essentially flat.
However, my progress on publications this week looks to be good. I've cut a grand total of 50 pages out of my thesis so far (I probably need to cut 10 more, I'm reading it after getting off of this) , and Ihave to send the edited copy to my professor today. We'll discuss, but my aim is to submit next Friday..
With respect to biochemsitry, I have just a few more corrections to make on this paper and we should be sending it off this Friday.......perhaps exciting?
I also got a job interview to work for Cheyenne Mountain State Park next Tuesday. I'm going to apply at the zoo and for another job on campus, methinks. If I get these interviews and they offer me the job, I'm instantly quitting my lab job.
That's really all I have to say right now. Perhaps tonight I will feel more motivated to post something.
I did receive fantastic news that I was accepted at Catholic University, though I heard nothing about financial assistance. If I had to choose between Boulder and Catholic, the final decider will be money. Plain and simple.
Wednesday thru Friday were recovery days, where I felt good enough to resume my daily walks, but not as long as I would have liked. Involved were much coughing, sneezing, and blowing of my nose...
So my news is essentially flat.
However, my progress on publications this week looks to be good. I've cut a grand total of 50 pages out of my thesis so far (I probably need to cut 10 more, I'm reading it after getting off of this) , and Ihave to send the edited copy to my professor today. We'll discuss, but my aim is to submit next Friday..
With respect to biochemsitry, I have just a few more corrections to make on this paper and we should be sending it off this Friday.......perhaps exciting?
I also got a job interview to work for Cheyenne Mountain State Park next Tuesday. I'm going to apply at the zoo and for another job on campus, methinks. If I get these interviews and they offer me the job, I'm instantly quitting my lab job.
That's really all I have to say right now. Perhaps tonight I will feel more motivated to post something.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
To what lengths must I go to post???
Geez, I have to take such bizarre internet routes to be able to post anything these days. First blogger says that I can't blog because of weird cookie regulations on my computer, but I go to other blogs and see that I'm logged in, so I come over here, and whamoey, I can post.
There are several tidbits of yay news worth mentioning, some of those yays are sarcastic...
The first sarcastic yay is that my sister brought a fun disease home, and I'm pretty sure she gave it to me, because my lymph nodes are the size of basketballs, and they only do that when I get sick. That's my weird disease thing, which is a lot better than hers, because no matter what, when she gets sick with something, she pukes exactly 4 times in one night. If it's a head cold, she pukes, if it's pneumonia (which she's never had, but I'm just saying), she's vomiting.
The second sarcastic yay is that I still haven't found another job. I've applied for a few, but I really badly want to get out of the whole lab situation ASAP. I don't have a hell of a lot of work left to do there, but I want to have something lined up so I can quit. However, in disappointing news, one of my sets of data looks like total crap. I don't know whether to go back and redo the experiments or not. On the one hand, I have to deal with all the other lab people and their shit, but on the other hand, if I don't redo it, then they'll probably think worse of me, and if I put them down for references, then they'll give me bad refs. Any thoughts?
Onto the actually good yays!
First, I finished my taxes, and I'm getting about $525 back! Well, I say that, but in all likelihood, I don't think I'll see my Colorado state taxes, because the state is in so much debt this year. Whatever. My US ones are filed, and I should get that money back this week, so I can FINALLY pay off my credit card...
Second, I got a lovely piece of mail a couple of days ago from the University of Colorado at Boulder Department of Classics recommending me for admission to their program! It still has to clear through the dean, but at least I'm not flat out rejected, like I likely will be from the other universities...
Third, I've lost weight in the last couple of weeks. I gained a bit when I came back from Ireland, but it's all gone now. WOOT.
Fourth, Ireland beat England at Croke Park in 6 Nations Rugby, maintaining our position in first place in the division. Secondly, France beat Wales, so Ireland has a legitimate one game advantage on the field, plus the points differential goes to Ireland. Remaining games include against Wales (the defending champion), and against hapless Scotland. A win against Scotland, and Ireland virtually guarantees its position in the championship game!!!
Fifth, if things work out, Ray might be taking a but of a road trip this summer...depends on financial situation. But basically, if I get a full ride at a graduate school, I'm going to take a road trip to see all of the states west of the Mississippi that I have not yet seen (Idaho, North Dakota, Minnesota), Wisconsin, and all of the Trans-Canadian Highway from Vancouver to Thunder Bay. I figure it would take me about a week and a half to do it (10 days), and if I time it well, I won't be spending much on hotels. Unfortunately, we have absolutely no family in that part of the country. But I really want to knock off a bunch of states and a country while I have the chance. If not that, then I would probably go to the Bahamas or some place in the Caribbean.
Ugh, I have to work tomorrow...
There are several tidbits of yay news worth mentioning, some of those yays are sarcastic...
The first sarcastic yay is that my sister brought a fun disease home, and I'm pretty sure she gave it to me, because my lymph nodes are the size of basketballs, and they only do that when I get sick. That's my weird disease thing, which is a lot better than hers, because no matter what, when she gets sick with something, she pukes exactly 4 times in one night. If it's a head cold, she pukes, if it's pneumonia (which she's never had, but I'm just saying), she's vomiting.
The second sarcastic yay is that I still haven't found another job. I've applied for a few, but I really badly want to get out of the whole lab situation ASAP. I don't have a hell of a lot of work left to do there, but I want to have something lined up so I can quit. However, in disappointing news, one of my sets of data looks like total crap. I don't know whether to go back and redo the experiments or not. On the one hand, I have to deal with all the other lab people and their shit, but on the other hand, if I don't redo it, then they'll probably think worse of me, and if I put them down for references, then they'll give me bad refs. Any thoughts?
Onto the actually good yays!
First, I finished my taxes, and I'm getting about $525 back! Well, I say that, but in all likelihood, I don't think I'll see my Colorado state taxes, because the state is in so much debt this year. Whatever. My US ones are filed, and I should get that money back this week, so I can FINALLY pay off my credit card...
Second, I got a lovely piece of mail a couple of days ago from the University of Colorado at Boulder Department of Classics recommending me for admission to their program! It still has to clear through the dean, but at least I'm not flat out rejected, like I likely will be from the other universities...
Third, I've lost weight in the last couple of weeks. I gained a bit when I came back from Ireland, but it's all gone now. WOOT.
Fourth, Ireland beat England at Croke Park in 6 Nations Rugby, maintaining our position in first place in the division. Secondly, France beat Wales, so Ireland has a legitimate one game advantage on the field, plus the points differential goes to Ireland. Remaining games include against Wales (the defending champion), and against hapless Scotland. A win against Scotland, and Ireland virtually guarantees its position in the championship game!!!
Fifth, if things work out, Ray might be taking a but of a road trip this summer...depends on financial situation. But basically, if I get a full ride at a graduate school, I'm going to take a road trip to see all of the states west of the Mississippi that I have not yet seen (Idaho, North Dakota, Minnesota), Wisconsin, and all of the Trans-Canadian Highway from Vancouver to Thunder Bay. I figure it would take me about a week and a half to do it (10 days), and if I time it well, I won't be spending much on hotels. Unfortunately, we have absolutely no family in that part of the country. But I really want to knock off a bunch of states and a country while I have the chance. If not that, then I would probably go to the Bahamas or some place in the Caribbean.
Ugh, I have to work tomorrow...
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