Wombat Musings
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Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in the "Jonathan Schattke" journal:[<< Previous 20 entries]
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02:40 pm
[Link] |
Bad Decisions May Be Contagious
http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2009/1110/2
It seems a "nuetral party" has to be someone who really has nothing to do with you.
Oh, and that link won't work after December 8th.
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02:07 pm
[Link] |
Sturm und Drang
Let's see...
On the 31st, Connie had a party. I had dragged Connie to the NonTraditional Student's Association party the evening before, and invited a lady we met there to Connie's party. At Connie's party she and I hit it off, and Connie, for some bizarre reason, got angry.
Well, she tried to be friendly to Connie over the next week, and pried into my business. Come this monday, she made some decision, and decided to kiss me. Which plan she executed Tuesday - at Connies. Connie got very angry.
Well, I ended up explaining to her that I was likely not going to have to time and attention to spare for her, and a little bit about what I believe about myself, and she left.
Connie, however, is not calm yet. And so I am leaving her alone for a while. Maybe she'll calm down in a week or so.
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09:08 am
[Link] |
this and that
I've been meaning to update here more often, but I seem to keep getting distracted.
I switched back to Trileptal from Risperdal, and I think it has helped a lot. I can now sleep through the night again without taking a sleeping pill, and the mild feeling of agitation or nervousness is gone.
School is going pretty well, Calc II is harder than I expected. In fact, for the first time, I've gotten Ds on tests. In Physics, I got a D on a test after coming back from the Feast of Tabernacles, and getting very little sleep the night before. I think I really need the lectures to learn for tests (because you can't just go and look up anything during a test, to double check whether what you remember is right, a habit I have gotten into.)
The Feast was joyous in Eminence. I didn't think I was doing anything different, but people were impressed by my actions, and said so to me. Someday, I guess, I'll understand.
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04:16 pm
[Link] |
Term-erity
I'm just starting the fall term here at Missouri Western. Technically, I shouldn't be, since I still don't have the official transcript from DeVry, but they didn't put a hold on my account in the Registrar's office, so I'm not going to bring it up to them. I'm still going to try to get the transcript, but if they won't stop me, I won't stop myself.
I've gotten into Calculus II, Physics I, Chemistry I and Intro to Programming (Java). I talked with the Honor's Program director, and she's getting the Chemistry I changed to Honor's Chemistry I, which I want because I demand the best from myself, and so expect my teachers to demand it of me, too. This time, my schedule has a good hour between classes, giving me time to take care of necessities, and maybe study or read. My schedule is pretty loose, ending up before 2PM 3 days a week. 18 credit hours in a normal term is just idling for me.
On Tuesday, we finally helped Sheila and Jim get the last things out of Herb 'n Oils, and Thursday we helped them paint the place. It was a lot of work, but I wasn't doing anything anyway. I've been hanging out with Connie, a friend of theirs from their SCA days.
Saturday evening, I stayed up 'til 4AM gaming, playing a Zombie Apocalypse game. Since Gabe might close up Gamer's Haven, I probably should check into setting up a weekly gamer's club here at the college.
Current Mood:  cheerful
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09:38 am
[Link] |
The End
Well, last night, after Sonia complained about things instead of being thankful, I tried to get to sleep, but she kept watching a movie in the other room at high volume. Annoyed, I went in to talk with her, and in the ensuing non-versation I asked if she even liked me. "Not when you're being like this" was her answer, which really was the wrong answer. I collected my things and left forever.
I know, many of you will think this was too late, that I should have done it long ago. All I can say is it took a lot of insult for my love to wither.
Current Mood: peaceful
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01:04 am
[Link] |
Kiersey Personality Type
just because I like taking it fairly often...
Personality test results
Ta-dah, your personality type is
ESTJ!
| Extraverted (E) 50% |
Introverted (I) 50% |
| Sensing (S) 50% |
Intuitive (N) 50% |
| Thinking (T) 50% |
Feeling (F) 50% |
| Judging (J) 50% |
Perceiving (P) 50% |
I spent Wednesday taking Sonia to the doctor, then shopping. It took a lot longer to get her home than I expected... we left the house at 8:30 AM and did not get home until 5:30.
Today I started with an appointment with Vocation Rehabilitation. Went over the FAFSA results, and V.R. is going to try to convince the D.o.Ed. to rehabilitate my loan, which would stop the payments while I went to School. Then Shiela, Jim and I went over to watch Coraline at Connies, where I am still now, watching the extra feature.
Later, I helped Shiela and Jim pack up their store... bagging their bulk herbs and spices today. Other than standing for a long time, it was easy work.
Current Mood: chipper
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02:06 pm
[Link] | Got my grades, A in Early U.S. History, A in Medieval English Lit, and a B in calculus, for a GPA of 3.54; I'm satisfied.
Spent some time moving Sonia in to her place; the place is crowded with boxes and piles of stuff, and her dog Sheba has had some incontinence, so it's not the nicest place to be these days. But, she lets me do my laundry there, so that saves a few bucks. And she's occasionally good company. All told, the time I spend with Sonia is a loss, but when you love someone, you don't take a balance sheet.
The USDA has a rural development fund, which I easily qualify for. This will allow me to fix up the house, which is a very good thing. I am tired of living in my RV and not having internet. Having a home and the money to set it up right is really important to me.
I've registered for Physics and Calculus II for the fall, I want to toss in additional classes to fill out to at least 18-20 hours, but need to have a faculty adviser help me out, and the faculty is all on vacation for early August. I am not freaking out, though, as I only need to add one more class for "full time" status, and I'm sure something in the requirements and eligible transfers list will be open. The two classes I've scheduled are nicely filling my mornings, leaving afternoons and evenings free.
My laptop's power connector broke, I have not sent it in yet, and so I'm using public library computers and campus computer lab systems to access the internet. I don't like it, it's terribly inconvenient. I don't know whether to have Gateway fix the system, or just buy a netbook with a tiny hard drive and put in my drive from the Gateway. I really like the 17" display, but the screen has a few dead spots. I suppose it will depend on the repair cost.
I sold some cards over the weekend, so I went out to eat this morning at IHOP. Their Florentine Crepes were tasty, but poorly presented - just a sprig of parsley would have helped. Then I ordered their new Nutella crepes. The strawberries were too much - too sweet and overpowering, the flavor of the canned strawberries in syrup overpowering the Nutella. Plus, they prepare them with the crepes folded into quarters, instead of rolled, which means you have a harder time eating them neatly, and the flavors aren't melded well. So, I'm full but somewhat disappointed.
I hardly know what to do with my time. Going to school was so busy, I didn't have time to goof off. I would be going to Chicago, to visit and hook up with the 25th year reunion which is in two weeks, but I probably can't afford to take the trip. I'll have to see where I'm at after paying the property tax bill and contracting for insurance on the Van and house.
Current Mood: full
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04:38 pm
[Link] | Getting into the 3rd week of July, and having three classes, I am surprised I am still energized. Normally, this is about "crash time" - when the induced "high state" collapses and I have to deal with having no enthusiasm. About a month after that, I'll drop into fugue state, and be barely able to even do things which need no initiative.
So, I got an 'A' on my first exam in English, and took the second exam there earlier today. Yesterday was the midterm in History. Friday was Calculus Exam 2. Simple paper for History is due Thursday, and Monday I get to write an in-class review. Then, we hit finals, next week.
Whew, what a whirlwind, but just the sort of thing that I excel at: push me hard, and I soar!
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05:41 pm
[Link] | First, something to amuse you:
| wizwom's Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 8 |
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| Average number of words per sentence: | 17.25 | | Average number of syllables per word: | 1.39 | | Total words in sample: | 4622 | | Another fun meme brought to you by rfreebern |
My laptop's power connection broke; I'm dithering over whether to replace it or send it in for repair. I've been dissatisfied with it's heat management and the graphics driver keeps crashing. I like the raw processing power of the Core 2 Duo, but cannnot let the chip run at speed without the system crashing because of a motherboard heat threshold set 20 degrees too low. Yet I am not confident that these issues would not trouble an new laptop. And I don't know whether I could easily transfer the 250GB HD I got earlier in the year over.
School is going well, although I'm somewhat overwhelmed by the volume of information in History and Calculus. We finally got to indefinite integration today, which is pretty cool. The exam in English Lit was a breeze today.
Current Mood: chipper
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04:57 pm
[Link] | Settling in, the actual daily reading is a lot less, the classes just started a load to be ready for day 2. Probably, somewhere, I could have gotten syllibi for the courses and actually prepared the weekend before; instead, I went in as a "lamb to the slaughter," having not a clue what to expect.
I think so far, I'm running a 'C' in Calculus, which is decent, but I'm actually improving as the term goes. I think the focus required to manage the three classes is helping a LOT. But I'll know for sure on Monday when I get today's quiz back.
My history professor is hitting us with lots of one and two question 2 or 4 point quizzes. And I've been approved to do my Term paper on a book about the Mexican War. Thankfully, he let me use the shorter book of the two I had selected.
English is trudging slowly through; the teacher is spouting the received view, and I am learning what she'll expect me to say; she's not looking for revision of the established line from a 200 level student. "Grendel was a giant" I say - and she says we can't know what manner of beast it was. "Names meant things back then, I wish we knew what all these names translated to" I say, and she says names still mean things. And so on, ad nauseum.
I never thought of myself as a forceful or aggressive person, but my demeanor this first week in these has been extremely forward, possibly overly so. I have aroused the ire of at least two students, who think I'm stepping all over what they say. I tried sitting far back in history today, which I think helped me realize there is a whole class of student. That and me not being very well versed in the history of the colonization period, so I am eagerly learning.
Current Mood:  hyper
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10:05 pm
[Link] | Wow, I didn't expect to add TWO classes which give me two hours of reading a day. I am beginning to suspect I may actually have to WORK for these college credits. This is going to be FUN.
Feeling much, much better, thank Y'hvah. So with Fridays and Sundays to do the Hard Stuff, I should manage quite all right.
Oddly, the toughest course, scholastically, will be the history course. But I seem to have a good rapport with the teacher.
Current Mood: cheerful
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02:54 pm
[Link] | As birthdays go, this last one was dismal.
As classes go, Calculus has a lot of curves.
As dwellings go, summer living in an RV is hot.
Being ill is a pain.
Current Mood: amused
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10:30 am
[Link] | My first week of class went well; I recognize that I will have to work a little bit to get back into the swing of mathematical manipulation.
Went down to a place in Independence, Monty's Book Swap. Lots of used books, used games and some new stuff. Packed in tight. Disorganized, I miss the old Bookzeller in Naperville.
Jim and I then tried to find the martial art camp his wife went to, but we didn't have enough information, as the address on the map she printed for me did not exist. And then no one picked up the phone at the number she gave us.
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06:46 pm
[Link] |
Registered!
I sallied forth this morning at 10, to get my ducks in a row and get some classes to start on Monday.
I learned that the registration didn't start until 3 PM. Oh, joy. So a couple hours at the library, and then I wandered over to Herb and Oil. Shiela was glad to see me, and we talked about what I could do to contribute to my health. Around 2, she asked me to watch the store for a few minutes while she ran over to get a sandwich, and she brought me one back.
So, we arrange for me to stop by tomorrow and see if I can get her computer's sound working, and I head off to register. In the initial line, I chat with a guy who's just retired from the Army after spending 21 years as a Tank mechanic. He's going for an E.E., seems to be a very cool guy, should be a pleasure to study with him.
I lay out for Calculus, Medieval English Lit, and Early American History (that being one of the few courses offered in the afternoon). 11 Credit hours, which seems promising.
Denied the Calc, I swap the Lit and schedule a remedial math. Then I go get my ID and books. I find a math professor then, and show him my readiness report V.R. prepared, and my transcript. He O.K.s the Calculus. Then it flags the number of hours, since 9 is "full time." The registrar assistant goes to confer with the dean's assistant. She comes back, and I'm ready to go.
Back over to the bookstore, where I grab the correct textbooks, and check out just under the 6PM closing time.
Busy, busy, busy.
Current Mood: accomplished
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07:32 pm
[Link] | Helping Sonia move more occasional pieces and shelves to the storage locker, and we find the roof has leaked, fortunately only ruining one box.
So, we get a new locker which is DRY, and move everything we had in the old to it. Lots more work than I was expecting. Really drained us both. Sonia tried to take a nap, but was too worked up.
Current Mood:  tired
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02:15 pm
[Link] | Monday, I ended up getting my other tooth a filling fell out of extracted. It came out in two pieces, since one root was curved. Today, while eating a grilled cheese sandwich, I felt something against the next tooth on that side, and fished out a shard of tooth about 1/8" long. in coming out, though, it reopened the wound, which was healed enough to chew comfortably on that side.
Sonia finally got a storage locker, and we're getting stuff to it. It has helped her morale to no feel like she's spinning her wheels and going nowhere.
Current Mood:  sore
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10:44 pm
[Link] |
Exploding Pasta Sauce of Dooom
Today was a day of relaxation.
I went out back and burnt up some windfall branches from the trees.
A neighbor from Rosendale stopped by and said she wanted the Mobile Home. Just what I needed. I told them I'd like 2000, but had no idea what it was worth, ended up settling for $500.
Then I made dinner, some tricolor rotini, California mix vegetables, and a jar of parmesan alfredo sauce, which I microwaved. And then I went to get the sauce... which was burbling, which I expect. I lifted the plastic cover I used off, and started taking the bottle out... and it exploded. I am very, very fortunate I have glasses. I have second degree burns on the bridge of my nose; I had splatter on my glasses, all over the front of my clothes... and the microwave was coated in a most amazing way.
Now, I don't think it will keep me from microwaving spaghetti sauce, but I'm certainly going to be more careful.
Current Mood: surprised
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02:25 pm
[Link] |
Tom Lehrer Selling Out Lyrics
Selling Out is easy to do,
It's not so hard to find a buyer for you.
When money talks, you're under it's spell,
ah, but what do you have when there's nothing left to sell?
Selling out (I'd rather call it compromise)
is easy to do (sometimes you have to close your eyes)
It's not so hard (being rich is no disgrace)
to find a buyer for you. (put on your shoes and join the race)
When money talks, (it has a very soothing voice)
you're under it's spell, (its up to you to make the choice)
ah, but what do you have when there's nothing left to sell?
[over] (before you know it there'll be nothing left to sell!)
You can't always break the rules, people who try are fools,
When you get older, maybe then you will see.
I've always found ideals, don't take the place of meals,
That's how it is and how it will always be!
It's so nice to have integrity, I'll tell you why,
If you really have integrity, it means your price is very high.
So remember when you start to preach, and moralize,
That we all are in the game and brother it's name is compromise!
[2nd, 3rd and 4th verses sung in harmony]
because no one else has it on the internet
Current Mood: amused
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08:07 am
[Link] | The judge and prosecutor didn't drop the charges or lower the fine, although they did give me until mid July to pay.
It has been cool and rainy the last couple days. Next time its even somewhat dry, I need to get out and burn the branches that came down over the winter. Back on Monday, I gathered some sticks and burned them in the hollow stump in front of my house, which burnt up about half of it when it was all done.
I boned some split chicken breasts, and marinated them in teriyaki sauce. I at the smaller pieces - the rib mea and other scraps - that night, and let the thicker breasts marinate another full day. Then I made a meal of that, and some teriyaki sobe noodles. Sonia said it was good.
Sonia is continuing to confuse me; she came in yesterday morning and slept here a few hours - yet she still is packing stuff to try to move out. She's purposefully distancing herself from me, but then will sit and have longer conversations than we had when we were lovers.
Sheila invited me to come to her Karate class; I guess I'm going to. It is something active to do.
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08:37 pm
[Link] | Had an aura migraine today. It started out with being overly emotional, I had a small bout of tremors, and then the spaciness and pressure inside my head. I took aspirin and had a coke, and let it pass.
On Monday, I finally got my Missouri Driver's License, and Plates for the RV. That was 110 dollars. It would have been more, but I fixed a couple leaking seams in the exhaust system myself.
I had an appointment with the Family Guidance center director today; they were setting me up for case management, since their Psychiatrist is no longer working with them. I have also talked with the Good Samaritan Mission about Psych services, I've got an appointment there in June.
Really all I need is to have pills for depression and mania- and possibly anxiety - at hand, to take when I need it, and to have a therapist I can get in to see if something major happens. Speaking of which, I need to call and set up an appointment with Gloria.
Tomorrow, I g to court for a ticket for not having license plates. I hope the prosecutor will drop the case.
Current Mood:  distressed
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