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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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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09:51 pm
[Link] |
Star Trek Review
Star Trek - no additional title, none needed.
This ends up being a twist the time-line story, using the time-travel tropes shown in other movies. Massive time-line changes happen, and People Must Be Heroic. The acting was excellent; much better than that in any of the previous movies, or any of the series.
Because of time-line twisting, all of the characters from the original trek are re-cast, and their lives are modified to a great extant. The movie ends, predictably, with good old NCC-1701 flying with Captain Kirk taking over from Admiral Pike, and all the old names in their places.
The plot was action-packed, with starship battles, and phasor fights, and hand-to-hand combat. Big nasty alien monsters even get packed in. A few twonkies show up, such as Spock having red blood on his lip in a childhood scene, and the Enterprise's bridge being a 21st century techno-weenie's wet dream, and the transporter effect being super-prettied. Even the hull of NCC-1701 herself gets a make-over to suit model-building of 2008, rather than 1964. These cannot be explained by the time-line change, you just have to decide it's not important. Kind of like when you watch Enterprise, you have to just ignore the continuity breeches.
It was a fun movie, with some good humorous scenes, and a James Kirk with a little more reason to be a wild card. Spock gets to be emotional. Bones gets in some of his taglines, and we learn why he's called that.
I give it 4-1/2 stars, but I'm a trek fan. Non-fans might give it 3.
Current Mood: chipper
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11:44 pm
[Link] |
My Perfect Woman
It's a trite idea: describe the woman who would be perfect for you.
( Read more... )
Pro 31:10 Who does find a capable wife? For she is worth far more than rubies.
Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband shall trust her, And he has no lack of gain.
Pro 31:12 She shall do him good, and not evil, All the days of her life.
Current Mood: morose
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09:13 pm
[Link] |
Archangel Oracle reading
Just on a lark, I responded to a person saying they were giving readings from this "deck."
Claircognizance, Archangel Uriel: "Pay attention to thoughts and ideas that come to you, as they are answered prayers."
"You've prayed for answers, and they've come to you in the form of repetitive thoughts telling you to take steps and make healthy changes. Don't discount your thoughts, or think they're just dreams or common knowledge. Your thoughts are tuned to high frequencies right now, and are trustworthy inspirations. You're tapped in to that Divine wisdom right now, and it's important to notice and record your thoughts. Then act upon these answers to your prayers."
Relationship Harmony, Archangel Raguel: "We angels are opening the hearts of everyone involved. Arguments and conflicts are being resolved now."
"Your prayers for personal peace have been answered, and you are to be commended for your role in ushering peace into this situation. Visualize everyone involved (including yourself) being cooperative and openminded, even if particular persons aren't usually this way. Trust the inner guidance you receive, and know that changes are sometimes uncomfortable but often necessary. Ask me to help with any aspects of relationships that need healing. Know that all relationships ultimately have blessings, growth lessons, and love at their core, even if appearances seem otherwise. Stay focused upon this truth as much as possible."
Compassion, Archangel Zadkiel: "Soften your heart with respect to this situation, and all the people involved, including yourself."
"I can help you forgive yourself and others, or to compassionately see everyone's point of view. You needn't change your stance or behavior. It simply means approaching the situation with a loving heart, which empowers you and allows creative solutions to pour forth."
So, as I understand it, the message is "trust yourself and the Eternal, and have patience."
Lev 19:26 'Do not eat meat with the blood. Do not practise divination or magic.
Operative phrase:
לא3808 תנחשׁו6049 ולא3808 תעוננו׃5172
H5172
נחשׁ
nâchash
naw-khash'
A primitive root; properly to hiss, that is, whisper a (magic) spell; generally to prognosticate: - X certainly, divine, enchanter, (use) X enchantment, learn by experience, X indeed, diligently observe.
The forms of nachash go to H5175; all are about the hissing. Even H5174 is about hissing, as in cast brass.
I think the last part of this verse is about spying, not magic.
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09:05 pm
[Link] | Am I the only one sorry they missed "Talk like Shakespeare day"?
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09:15 pm
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Wierdness
I got back from Texas, and called Sonia to see if it was OK to drop by and do laundry (I wanted to bleach my whites, which didn't help).
Church's dad had died Friday. So I've spent the week watching the house and her dog. And being all weird every time she shows up to get something. It still makes me feel happier to be around Sonia than alone. Which really sucks.
Mrs. Church is developmentally disabled; none of her children are particularly capable. So Sonia is, once again, being the capable one. Which seems to be a role she thrives in, but she needs a few minutes of being cared for.
And that's where I've come in, this very strange week. She could have come back to stay here days ago, but I think she likes having me here. She has let me give her back rubs and talked for hours about things.
All in all - strange.
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01:41 pm
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International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Wretch Day
International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Wretch Day seems to be a time for writers to share writing. Which may or may not be a good thing. In any case, I have written.
Technically, it's only for publication quality work posted free. So sue me.
So...
I Should Have Known Better
I should have known better, I really should have, but it is hard to mistrust a butterfly. This particular butterfly, however, I should not have trusted. It was highly carnivorous. The planets around other stars were like that.
I wasn’t a greenhorn, so falling to a deadly butterfly was really an ignominious defeat. If I somehow survived, I would be laughing stock, and probably never work as a guide again. Oh well, I had been planning to settle down anyway.
The poison was working – I could feel it numbing my extremities. Recognition of this fact was making the wait before the butterfly laid its deadly eggs in my torso excruciating. Like a child waiting for daddy to come home after being especially naughty, I waited for the other shoe to drop.
Now I had started the day in the usual way, taking my tour in the morning to the various sights Epsilon Eridani IV offered the tourist: the Marble falls, the Auburn cliffs, The canyon of the Elizabeth River (2 kilometers deep, and 19 wide), mount Edward. I thought I’d take a stroll and have a picnic there. I expected the butterfly migration to be over – I guess the warmth of a volcanic caldera was allowing the butterfly to stay on long after those of the lower regions had flown to the equatorial zones for the winter. So, I was likely to be dispatched by a butterfly.
Now I have lost feeling in my lower arms and legs. I can see my outer left wrist, because I was crossing over to open my lunch. It’s been 20 minutes. I’m glad the poison is slow acting – likely because I’m 3 times larger than any indigenous life form. The dumb butterfly doesn’t even realize that I’m not good food for it’s larvae – I’ll kill them, but they will eat my guts nonetheless. Over an hour to be missed, another hour while the try to call me; the homing device in my car needs to be tracked then, call it four hours before they can get to me. The voracious larvae might not be completely dead by then. Luckily I’ll be wholly numb.
The hospital bill will be horrendous. And I’ll be on a concentrated protein diet until my replacement intestines are ready – on Earth; the colony is not ready yet for such a procedure. I really should have known better.
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06:36 pm
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Days of Unleavened Bread
It took all the way until Wednesday the 8th for them to finish my carb rebuild. And, unfortunately, there's a vacuum leak inside it, whih they can't fix, so it's time for a new carburetor.
But, I didn't have time to get that done, as I had agreed to pick up Fammie Likanu in Stillwater, OK and bring him down to Lake Whitney, TX for the days of unleavened bread. Feeling bored, I drove out of town after loading my stuff in my RV, leaving about 6 PM. The RV is having real trouble, it doesn't like being floored, so I run at 55 mph the whole way. I napped in Oklahoma about 1 AM; and was up at 6 and on the road again; I missed the exit, and made it to Fammie's place at 10:30. Only to find it's an apartment, no names on the mailbox, and no idea which unit is his. So, I yell for him, and he opens his door in a couple minutes. We load up and gas up and head on out. As we're passing through Oklahoma City, I have him drive so I can nap, which turns out to be a bad idea. He doesn't figure out how to baby the vehicle, and things go wrong.
We get down the road, and the van is acting very badly... barely any power, a slight headwind, and it stutters out. I take over, can't get up to highway speed, and take us off at the next exit. We limp into the next junction, and find a muffler guy who does general repairs who takes a look at it. He test drives it, decides the Catalytic converter is clogged, and the back pressure is causing the loss of power. We wait around for him to get to it, then he does the job, removing the cats, and replacing the muffler, and charges me $125. Now money is tight.
So, back on the road, going 55 again. We get down to lake Whitney State Park about 1 AM; Worley and John Pahl were also delayed, and arrive at the same time. Worley has rented, aty the last minute, their meeting hall, which is quite a good sized place with a nice kitchen, all for $125 a day. There, we have a memorial supper and foot washing, and we go to sleep.
The next day, a couple families show up, and Worley and JP go off to buy a lamb. Around 3pm (I guess following the reports in the NT) they kill the lamb, which doesn't make a peep, and start dressing it for roasting. Meanwhile, the oven is in use, making unleavened bread. Come 8 pm, everything is done, the lamb has gotten cold, and we finally eat passover.
The families stick around through the weekend, and on Tuesday, we drive down to visit John Sparks, and climb the Enchanted Rock. Something has scoured this granite rock, not just in the last couple hundred years, but over and over again. It's mostly barren, but the few spots where dust can collect have got enough soil to have wildflowers, grass, even trees growing in them. We stay overnight at the Spark's farm, and Worley and I climb the rock again in the morning.
Back at Lake Whitney, things are getting less peaceful. Worley starts to get agitated with John Pahl, and thunderstorms contribute to the dour feeling. All in all, the last couple days go badly. After Sabbath is over - actually, after the stars have come out, to satisfy Fammie's scruples - we load up and drive out, leaving about 9 PM. Around 1 AM we stop and catch a nap, and I'm back in the saddle around 3 AM, getting Fammie home about 6 AM. Then I drive north, sleep in a rest stop for a couple hours, and get back into St. Joe about 5 PM.
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