Dream in Blue

2008-12-27T21:55:00.003-06:00

At the request of my family members I apparently need to blog more.Things of note:<3 my family and friends. I've had a great week hanging out with everyone and seeing people I missed and reaffirming some old connections. The holidays were super stressful, but with everyone's help I've almost made it through. Twin and I will be back by Wednesday, and then I can really breathe easy.I still have a

2008-12-07T19:28:00.001-06:00

seriously sucky migraine on Friday put a cramp in all my "catching up" plans.I WOKE with the headache. So not fair. Did nothing to earn it (and Sashafeather, if you put up with that kind of shit every day I am seriously sorry and I don't know how you do it).pain meds held the beast back until 1pm, at which time I realized I hadn't eaten all day. But I had meetings. So I had to wait until 2, ate,

2008-10-17T08:49:00.000-05:00

PHYSICS GRE!!!!!!!!

2008-10-04T21:10:00.001-05:00

Still too crazy busy to write a real post. This is just a wave to say hullo and that I'm still alive.In New Mexico right now. Unexpected. There was a McNair conference down here and since it's a prospective grad school, I got the program to pay for me to come (wayyyy more expensive than I originally thought, though. woosh). The conference was.... average. It was interesting to be here alone; I

2008-08-25T14:13:00.001-05:00

Post AreciboFlew in. Last flight was delayed, then cancelled; I got on a later (1am) flight to my home town and managed to get to bed at like 3 in the morning. maybe 4, I don't remember. My mom and sister completely surprised me with my guinea pig (I thought she was back in collegetown). Saw K. for part of a day (it was fun, and very relaxing), and R. for another part of a day (so much fun! I

2008-08-05T15:15:00.001-05:00

Arecibo Observatory: The Last DayWell, this is it.What a busy five days it has been. My receiver got installed on the dish and observations were made with it. We need to focus it, fix its pointing, figure out what's wrong with the cal and then calculate the Tsys and the SEFD. Which, unfortunately, is not likely to happen before I leave. I wish I had more time, but I've already been here almost a

2008-08-01T08:04:00.001-05:00

Arecibo Observatory, T minus fiveWednesday, they took my antennas and receiver (together called the front-end of a receiver system) up to the platform and installed it on the platform floor inside the dome. BUT they got chased out by our pulsar astronomer, who wanted to use the time for observing even though it was test time. *disapproves*. And yesterday, the carriagehouse (ie, the thing the big

2008-07-30T07:04:00.002-05:00

Arecibo Observatory, T minus seven...A week until I leave! and of course, the result is PANIC and FLAILING and TONS OF WORK LEFT TO DO.Basically, my antennas and receiver box are finished. So today, hopefully! (assuming I see Carlos), we take them upstairs and install them. And if we get lucky and have time, I get to do a scan using a spectrum analyzer as opposed to a full backend receiver. If I

2008-07-23T12:14:00.002-05:00

Arecibo Observatory, Day 61 (I think)Whoosh. Two weeks until I leave, and a lot of that useless, restless feeling is dissipating. Yes, I'm ready to go and really excited to be back. But work is happening! The receiver box is almost done. I just have to:Analyze and write up the LNA conclusionsTell Carlos about any changesAttach copper strips to the plates (once the helix+forms are attached) to

2008-07-16T11:39:00.001-05:00

Arecibo Observatory, Day 54Halfway between productivity and procrastination. I get a bunch done, and then I sit on my computer for hours.I am really looking forward to going home, back to a normal schedule and the rest of my responsibilities.I really really wish I was more motivated.I keep thinking of Tasiha's story, and how even though it can't go anywhere, it's still so beautiful, so powerful.

2008-07-11T09:14:00.001-05:00

And that was followed by an AMAZINGLY productive afternoon. woo!

2008-07-10T07:56:00.003-05:00

Arecibo Observatory, Day 49The end of my 7th week here. Everything still feels like it's a dream.The project is moving forward! My helix antennas are getting constructed and this afternoon we are going to try some noise figure analysis measurements on the two possible types of LNA (and no, I don't quite know what that means).Pluses: I am learning how to work a network analyzer, and I think I will

2008-06-28T06:55:00.003-05:00

Arecibo Observatory, Day 37Today's officially the start of my sixth week, and I am just about half way done.Cool things since last time:Twin came and visited me!!! YAYYY!!! we went to the local Arecibo beach on Saturday and both burned; then on Sunday we tried to find Bajuras Beach and failed, so we went to Crashboat Beach and snorkeled around a sunken ship (so cool! there were tons of awesome

2008-06-17T09:10:00.002-05:00

Arecibo Observatory, Day 26I've picked up the piping for my antennas and sent in a work order to get the ground plates cut. I think today I'll find a caliper and go in and measure the width of that thick copper wire and see what gauge it is, and then talk to Dana about starting to wind it. Hopefully there's a machine that'll make helices if I give it the right dimensions.We only have enough

2008-06-13T09:21:00.002-05:00

I have to say that the coffeeshop arc in Girl Genius is really, without doubt, one of the best things I have ever read in comics. Ever.Girl Genius by itself is a really excellent comic, but that arc? SUPERB. In every sense of the word

2008-06-10T15:05:00.002-05:00

Arecibo Observatory, Day 19Well, last night our last student arrived (in theory... there are other ones scattered about who come at various times in the summer. But now the two cabins on top of the hill are full), so there was a mini party. Afterwards, the sky was so clear (usually it's quite cloudy at night), so Ethan and Ali and I trekked down the hill and up another hill to the optical lab to

2008-06-09T06:45:00.003-05:00

Arecibo Observatory, Day 18La playa, la playa, fuimos a la playa!We went to the beach on Saturday morning. I was the only one ready on time; everyone else was late, but oh well. I'm a morning person.The beach was BEAUTIFUL. soft sand and this gorgeous little bay shielded from most of the waves by a ring of rocks and coral reef. I got to touch coral reef (it's like... porous stone, but covered in

2008-06-05T09:55:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was interesting. I didn't get a lot of work done (oops) but we had our first meeting. People droned on about safety and not doing things alone without contact for medical help. I learned I can take a walk around the telescope whenever I want (so will probably do one this afternoon). We also talked about a whole ton of cool activities that we might do on weekends. So now we have 6 people

2008-06-02T07:34:00.003-05:00

Arecibo Observatory, Day 11An unproductive weekend, no doubt in part due to my lack of internet up at the Cabin. It rained a lot Saturday and a little bit Sunday. We have a new neighbor in the other cabin. He came over a lot and we ended up watching a fair bit of TV. I'm not really the hanging out type person; usually I just want to be left to myself, so it was a little awkward. But it's nice to

2008-05-28T19:12:00.002-05:00

kind've angsty tonight.Project is a little... troubling. In that it looks difficult and I find it a bit hard to understand. But it is, after all, only the first week.More importantly, I've come to realize how much my own happiness depends on having those I care about around me. Twin especially. Friends also.this realization has lead to me being uncertain about how successful I might be in

2008-05-26T15:06:00.003-05:00

Arecibo Observatory, Day 4Had a fun weekend. Went to see the new Indiana Jones movie with lots of people from the observatory. Had a good discussion with D., my second advisor, about what my project might be on. Then I spent all of Sunday reading The Time of the Dark and Trickster's Queen. I also watched portions of Blade. It was very relaxing.This morning I took a hike down the stairs to the

2008-05-23T19:08:00.003-05:00

Arecibo Observatory, Day 1:Got 3 hours of sleep last night. Flights to Chicago and San Juan were easy. Struggled back into my Spanish and managed to find the appropriate taxi driver (pre-arranged), get to a grocery store, and make it up to the observatory.The roads are hellishly close here, and everyone barrels around them at 50, and they're very hilly, and on one side there's a drop off and on

2008-05-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

Well, it was a long haul, but it's over. good riddance to that semester.A few general points:Quantum is over. It was hell and it ate my life and taught me to give up and made me hate physics. With any small amount of luck, I got a B (but no grades posted... cmon, it's been a week!)Cosmo is over. I really enjoyed the class and I think the final went well. Within any luck, an A, but almost

2008-05-05T11:18:00.002-05:00

conclusions from an angry Physics-Club-DiscussionI have a hard time objecting to an opinion (because that is not something which is mine to control)but I can and will object to the people who choose to hold such an opinion (or to the choice to hold such an opinion) if it is an opinion which I vitally disagree with.So, I remarkably disagree with the idea that "middle eastern men are all

2008-04-18T13:45:00.001-05:00

And I am back from the dead! SWEET!Last week was RIDICULOUSLY crazy, mainly because getting to my conference sucked. It takes up WAY too much space to tell the story here so I'll just summarize:1) My flight out of town was delayed an hour because they couldn't find a plane2) Despite running through Chicago's airport, I missed my connecting flight and the subsequent connection3) I got a new

2008-04-06T19:25:00.004-05:00

Today I felt too big for the space I'm in. Not in a sense of me being a large woman, but in the sense that everything loomed over me and pressed too closely. I wanted to kick down the walls, or run screaming along the rooftops. I want to press my face up against the sky and have nothing in my vision but the swirls of silver and blue clouds in the dying afternoon light. I took off my glasses--I

2008-03-23T16:58:00.002-05:00

A Spring Break Summary~Got a really nice message from Stephen (squee!)~Saw Wicked the musical in Chicago with Twin and MN's J. (FANTASTIC!)~Watched all 3 LOTR (eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... left me angsty for days)~Started a new story (it's... interesting. But I'm glad to be writing again)~Read 3/4 of the Protector of the Small series (would've read the last one but I don't have it); Memories of Empire

2008-03-21T14:24:00.002-05:00

Book Review: Memories of Empire, by Django Wexler (SPOILERS)This book focuses on a girl who travels with a powerful swordsman as he attempts to regain his memories and find out who he is, and where he got his sword. On the way she begins to be addressed, helped, and manipulated by an ice spirit. Meanwhile, other spirits (of shadow, fire, and light) manipulate other people in a grand battle for

2008-03-18T07:38:00.002-05:00

Extra thanks to Louise for making me such an AWESOME layout! yay for spring!So far break has been relaxing. I made a list of graduate schools, studied for the GRE, watched Fellowship of the Rings with Twin and Dead Poets Society with Sarah, hung out with everyone Friday night, and read a bunch of books. Looking to add more to that last topic, too.And, by the by, I finally did some writing! After

2008-03-14T13:07:00.002-05:00

*bursts free from the surface of homework*FREEDOM! *gasp* at last!A summary of the week:QM test is over (but it went pretty bad. gaaaaaaaack. I'm kind've numb about it. Just gotta do better on all the homeworks, and that's it :P)Cosmology test is over (it went WELL. it made me feel like I knew what I was doing! It made me HAPPY! dear gods, do you know how long it's been since a test did that to

2008-03-09T17:03:00.003-05:00

Movies coming out in the next year, theoretically, that I want to see:Spiderwick ChroniclesDoomsdayNim's IslandThe Forbidden Citythe next Chronicles of NarniaIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullMeet Dave (maybe)The Happening (maybe)WALL.E (maybe)The Dark KnightInkHeartthe next Mummy movieBlindness... WHAT!!!!??? apparently they are making a movie based off Jose Saramago's FANTASTIC

2008-03-02T19:24:00.001-06:00

Puerto Rico it is. Lots've good rationale.Now, time to try and focus so I can get some work done. BUSY!!!

2008-03-01T08:25:00.000-06:00

REUs I've been rejected from this year:Smithsonian Astrophysical ObservatoryREUs I've been accepted to this year:Wyoming Infrared ObservatoryNational Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green BankArecibo Observatory in Puerto RicoUniversity of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy(AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAWAII! PUERTO RICO!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!)REUs I haven't heard from yet:

2008-02-28T14:01:00.004-06:00

Today I feel: round and slobby. xPThings to do tonight:Finish writing up quantum problems 1 and 2go to sci fi club and have some fun; watch saiunkoku when I get back.To do tomorrow:Call NCUR people about Hotel questionfind that stuff on which dean to email about my bio creditsstudy 4 hours of cosmology (reading and notecards)study 4 hours of qm (reading and notecards)drive Stefimail other

2008-02-26T21:01:00.007-06:00

Well, it's getting on midterm season, and yesterday and today I suffered for having procrastinated so much over the weekend. SO, new rule is: absolutely no webcomics for 1 month.I think this should probably include manga, since that's sort've replacing webcomics in my affections.... to be honest, you never end up rewarding yourself for the work that you DO get done.that's because I consider the

2008-02-18T19:43:00.003-06:00

The word of the day is: Lozenge.Seriously, what an awesome word. Looooozeeeengeee.... it just sounds fantastic.other news of the day: being productive, and downloading Saiunkoku (because I can't find my burned copy of it)oh man. This is a sort've slacker week, without the 85 papers and applications due... but I still need to do the following:do the reading for my shamanism paperWrite a rough

2008-02-04T21:48:00.000-06:00

Chapter 26 7 Seeds:So, I was really excited to read this, since in 25 we connected two of the groups of world-wandering people.And I don't know what to think now. We've connected some other people, but it's crystallized the relation of time between the different groups and now I'm not sure how I feel about itPart of me really enjoyed the ambiguity in the time relation; not knowing if certain

2008-02-02T15:10:00.000-06:00

This was one BUSY week.I killed quantum homework in time (but of course it reincarnated a few hours later.... eesh, the never ending curse).Wrote a very crappy poem called "I Found My Death Under the Coffee Table" for Poetry class and sent it off on timeSubmitted 3 REU applications on Friday alone Did some of my transcribing for African Studies, and finished a chapter (I have one left to edit,

2008-02-02T10:18:00.000-06:00

Manga Review: 7 SeedsIwashimizu goes to bed one night and wakes up to be tumbled into a life-raft with three other people. They end up on an island that is deserted and rather creepy and of course dangerous. This is the story of their survival and figuring out what is happening to themOf course, I don't make it sound NEARLY as interesting as it is.Pluses: I really enjoyed this manga and plan to

2008-01-30T21:55:00.000-06:00

Manga Review: Hakoiri Devil PrincessTeenage boy releases super hot devil chick from a box who will grant him three wishes in exchange for his soul.Okay, listen. I tried.I read an entire chapter of it.An entire, awful chapter. I suffered through it. For you. In the hopes that if I did, you might not have to. So don't!Typical shitty fan-service plotless high-school based wish-fulfillment.Grade: F-

2008-01-30T21:32:00.000-06:00

Manga Review: 07 Ghosts (trying to do no spoilers)07 Ghosts is the story of a young boy named Teito with a mysterious past who is a student for the military. He overhears something which reminds him of his past and is thusly imprisoned by the military. He escapes from them with his friend's help and finds refuge in the church. The church and the military are opposing powers, and Teito gradually

2008-01-30T19:57:00.000-06:00

Manga Review: Confidential Assassination Troop (C.A.T.) (SPOILERS)CAT is a (relatively new??) manga that deals with a twenty-one year old female assassin for hire who is known only as Cat. She apparently works out of the U.S.A.. She rescues a CIA agent from a Russian prison only to kill him for her own personal revenge. While hunting down a Chinese agent to kill, she encounters some Russian

2008-01-29T19:46:00.000-06:00

A Geeky UpdateSo I got bored online, and rather than waste my time making fake money for an internet game (curse you, MechQuest!) I decided to read some manga. I selected, purely at random from some online manga at One Manga, Alice 19th.Alice 19th is the story of a girl, Alice, who is essentially characterized as "the cool girl's younger sister." She is put second to her sister in many ways, so

2008-01-26T17:43:00.000-06:00

To do:Rewrite my essay into 5 different essaysWrite 2 separate, non-related essayssubmit 6 online application formsPrep a few forms for mailingWork on problem 2 of the QM homework setRead QM textbooks (currently have... 3? 4?)Read cosmology textbook chapter 1Shamanism readingpick up poetry books tomorrowmake graphs out of data from work, and send email talking about resultsprint posters at

2008-01-22T16:43:00.001-06:00

Blog About Choice DayAt this point in my life, I would never have an abortion.But that is my choice to make.I may change my mind at some point. I've never been pregnant so I can't speak from experience.But I chooseand I don't ever want someone else to choose for meto tell me what my morals arePerhaps I can have some people guide my moral path,but I want to choose who those people are, and I want

2008-01-19T15:45:00.000-06:00

Reading is deliciousI finished Toni Morrison's Beloved and it was indeed fantastic. Hard to get through, painful and lucid... but very revealing, and sometimes beautiful.I also finished Lirael, and I have to admit I don't like it as much as I enjoyed Sabriel (probably because Sameth is a whiny bitch and I just want to slap him... Lirael herself was great, as is the Disreputable Dog). I started

2008-01-16T11:41:00.000-06:00

I am very, very afraid.Of thisWhose God?

2008-01-16T10:25:00.001-06:00

Everything seems to be going GREATMy mom's situation has a possible very positive out (into a job that's very much nicer than her current one)I got so much stuff DONE yesterday and the day before and the day before that!My room is clean! (gasp!)I heard from Louise and KatieI'm working on applications for REUs and progressing nicelyI don't need to try to get transcripts out of colleges involved in

2008-01-15T15:10:00.000-06:00

Tracey gave me the blog that she actually uses so that is linked now. Yay! How have you been, hon?Not much new here these past few days, just frantically trying to apply to all the appropriate places for summer jobs and getting bored with the applications already. And I haven't even tried to write the essay yet.Things to do, mostly today[] Write essay draft 1, run it by some people[] fill out 3

2008-01-13T21:53:00.001-06:00

So, the AAS meeting was AMAZINGMy poster was quite well received for being about the Gendered Obstacles Faced by Historical Women in Physics and Astronomy. AND I met simply tons of interesting people (lots of whom wanted to offer me jobs or internships at their locations, very nice indeed ^.^). AND I have a ton of swag (anyone want a free Spitzer calendar?).AND, for some interesting reason, my

2008-01-03T13:22:00.001-06:00

I spent a week up in MN, visiting family and friends, and turning my brain off. Then I spent some five days straight reading.I came out of my ... coma, as it were... yesterday at about 7pm, with a blinding migraine, a slight fever, dry lips, and the shakes. Made myself eat some soup (we're running low on food but I'm not shopping until the roommates come back), downed three tylenol, and went to

2007-12-25T12:58:00.000-06:00

Finals are over! Joy! an A in poetry, an AB in WS, a B in quantum, and still waiting for an astro grade (oh please oh please be an AB).I spent three days at my older sister's doing nothing but reading, watching Scooby Doo and the GameCube, and eating delicious food. We celebrated our early Christmas and had great fun. Also, I petted the cat a LOT and had no problem! so as long as I can figure out

2007-12-20T20:41:00.001-06:00

Annnnd the semester draws to a pleasant close. I got an A in poetry and a B in quantum. No grades yet for anything else. ooh, that reminds me, I need to get my short story back from the prof.I got a lot done. Few things left:Make a list of REUs, prep to apply (some might be due Jan 1st, after that I'm okay for half a month)Study for and take the WS exam (eh. I feel very apathetic about it... I'm

2007-12-15T19:11:00.001-06:00

know why I don't get anything done.It's because my "hour of studying" goes something like this:10 minutes arranging a study sprint on aim and getting my chats to let me be for an hourwork for 5 minutesget really into a song for 3 minutesget distracted by trying to spin my pen or balance something else for 1 minutesrealize I kind've need to go to the bathroom, so wander offpick up some garbage on

2007-12-15T17:41:00.001-06:00

I've reached the stage in my recovery from my NP addiction where, when I look back, part of me goes, "damn, I was good at that," but I also feel a lot of disgust simultaneously. The ridiculous quantity of time and effort and concern that I put into it ... literally stunted me, kept me from advancing in anyway except within NP. I can almost not understand how I found it all fun.3 times in the past

2007-12-13T10:34:00.001-06:00

Up until 3am working on the Astro project this morning = BAD. especially because I had to get up at 7am to go to the library to work.We did finish though. We ended up all working on separate computers and then today Abby is going to combine all the parts. Bless you, Abby.So, with an A on the final (hopefully), I might get an AB for this class. Heck, maybe even an A. PLEASE help me ace the

2007-12-12T07:26:00.001-06:00

AAAAAAH!!! they made HOGFATHER into a movie??????and it got released in November here in the states????AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!Edit: I don't think it's showing at any of the local theatres. NO!!!! WHY MUST YOU TORMENT ME SO???

2007-12-11T21:25:00.000-06:00

Accomplished this week:Finished last quantum homeworkWent to MadCityWriters and it was fun!Finished last spare poetry workshop assignmentEdited a big chunk of my short storyFinished 2 WSGC papersFinished WS extra credit paperTallied caloriesDid 1/2 of 1/5 astro problemsFigured out problem 1 of part 1 of astro projectFigured out parts 2 and 3 of astro projectTyped up a little bit of astro

2007-12-08T23:11:00.000-06:00

Today:Hung out with Roommates and Friends, v. goodPurchased awesome books (darnit, I tried not to)Saw the Golden Compass (many parts very good, some parts pretty bad. I'd see it if I were you)Did not go xmas shopping as planned (darnnation!)Watched Battle Royale (pretty disturbing)Managed to piss off my family and feel very lonely at SciFi ClubI don't know what it is.... I'm just feeling down of

2007-12-06T08:02:00.000-06:00

It is -5 F out. brrrr... I don't have long underwear but I wore pajama pants under my jeans today, and I can mostly feel my legs.I took the car to the shop last night. It was the scariest drive of my life: as I drove gradually the heat shut down, then the internal lights, then the headlights, turn signals, ABS brakes, parking brake, and airbag. I'm so amazed and grateful that the car didn't die

2007-12-01T19:40:00.001-06:00

The Trials of Saturday:So, I got up and peeked outside--no snow! I took my time, ate breakfast, packed lunch, got my things together, got out the front door and... snow everywhere. In the hour between waking and leaving it put out about 3 inches. Very impressive.It was an interesting trek to work and a more interesting one to the Physics room after work. By that time about a foot had accumulated,

2007-12-01T19:39:00.000-06:00

Quantum Homework: doneWS Paper: draft 1 done and writing center editing gainedAstro homework: begun problem 1/4Twin-time: complete and wonderousLabwork: uhhhhh I didn't get credited in the email for my role in the data reduction we did today; they didn't even sign it from me, even though I got them started and explained stuff. Maybe I'm being sensitive, but it looks like I wasn't even there :PFun

2007-11-28T07:56:00.001-06:00

A quick early-morning minute to blog:Things Looking Up:My Astro homework got pushed back until Tuesday (HALLELUJAH)I ran for the bus (I didn't think I could actually run!) and caught it, and wasn't burned out afterwardsMy trip-planning for AAS is moving along nicely; I registered, and I got the hotel lined up, and I'm working on getting the travel plan... (just have to remember to go see the STA

2007-11-25T11:50:00.000-06:00

Today I looked at myself and thought, "Damn, I do look good." And I do. And I'm glad of how I look. Today is a weird day for it. I spent all week lamenting how poorly I've been doing with the whole dieting thing and struggling with the fact that I do, now, care about something like my weight (a care I've spent my whole life denying or ignoring).Anybody who thinks I don't look good isn't paying

2007-11-20T09:58:00.001-06:00

well, last week was hell and everything since then was pretty fun.Friday night I went out with my mom and sister for supper and then hung out at Louise's with Cal and her and watched Gintama, which was ridiculously hilarious. I approve! Then I came home and hung out with the roommates.Saturday we acquired groceries. JOY! then I promptly made brownies and spent all evening watching movies with

2007-11-09T06:42:00.001-06:00

Friday: Quantum Homework 8 dueSunday: Astro Homework and Astro Project big time workMonday: WS examTuesday: Astro Homework dueWednesday: Quantum Homework 9 due (gah!)Friday: Quantum ExamAAAAAAGH! SHIT SHIT SHIT!not enough time for ANYTHING.I need to stop judging the progress of my life based on other peoples' progress.So what if my grades aren't as good as other people's? They're still pretty

2007-11-04T07:46:00.000-06:00

I feel really drab about Nanowrimo this year.Probably because I can't let myself do the real version; I need my free time, but most of all I need the brain space.So it turns out there's only a finite number of things I can hold in my brain at once, and doing something like quantum, IN DEPTH, while also holding IN DEPTH quantities of writing knowledge (that is, holding most of the story in the

2007-10-27T08:08:00.000-05:00

What a long and somewhat depressing week.Quantum Midterm did not yield pleasant resultsThere were some unfortunate problems with Astro MidtermI had to have my ass saved by a friend on Friday in terms of Quantum HomeworkI turned in a downright hideous WS paperIn more upsetting news, I couldn't get off of work to go hang with the friends this weekend as planned.Oh, and the Quantum Tutor I've been

2007-10-19T10:06:00.000-05:00

It very much irritates me to study with a group of people for things like Quantum or Astro, mainly because of their pessimism. Everyone in the group is so quick to label the upcoming test as impossible, hard, and ridiculous. The most common thing I hear is "it doesn't matter what you do, you're fucked."This has recently started to irritate the crap out of me. Maybe it's because of the fact that

2007-10-15T07:50:00.000-05:00

Scroll down and watch a Tsunami of Bunnies. This is amazing:http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/play-doh/sony-bravia-ad-showcases-mick-keef-and-a-tsunami-of-bunnies-306942.php?autoplay=true

2007-10-14T08:16:00.000-05:00

It's been a busy half-month.Highlights:Earlier:Trying to stay on a decent diet and not succeeding very well (sad)The McNair Grad Application Retreat was amazing and I learned a TON about writing the paper and other things (YAY) and got through two drafts of the personal statement (yay!) with lots of work left to be done.WS Midterm went decently well; I'm sure I did at least average (ehh)Geek.kon:

2007-10-01T21:36:00.000-05:00

Untitled Bronze #1, oil on bronze She rests, naked on the cold cement floor,eyes cast down under the yellow ceiling light,and everything about her is silent and real. Real toes, real elbows, real nipples puckered with museum-chill. Bronze. Woman.Human.Flesh. Caught, lips half-partedas if she were waiting to speak,or just waiting. If you wait, too, museum-silence closing around you,until even your

2007-10-01T21:35:00.000-05:00

I am thinking about working on a book of poetry that will be called "Poems about Women" or something like that.Mainly because 95% of the poems I write are focused around a woman or a girl or something like that.weiiiird.I am really enjoying my writing class AND it's easy. yay!Poem for this week (lyric)Assignment #2 (20 pts): Construct a 3-D Model of the Earth (due: 9/21/07)I.The girl recreates

2007-09-28T06:56:00.000-05:00

Smashed my finger with a windowFell on my face after mistaking not-a-step for stepHaven't yet finished any of my major 4 things-to-do-before-tripNo time to do the extra credit for quantumVery low on sleep due to laundry system suckingMissed Scifi ClubGetting into the really really busy month-long period of time in which I have basically no free timeWill have to miss Writing Critique GroupFight

2007-09-25T07:55:00.000-05:00

So I was poking through my writing last night and I realized it has been over a year since I worked on Tbook or Tasiha stuff.This put me to wondering whether or not I could salvage her and her story. At this point in time, I'm having particular trouble with the whole premise of the story: it relies too heavily on the idea of gods and goddesses and chosen ones, as it were (even though in the end

2007-09-23T20:40:00.000-05:00

Let's talk about race.The literature that I've read, which I have to admit is sparse, tells me a minimum of two things to talk about race: recognition of my own white privilege, and a willingness to take an active role in the discussion.I can understand the first. It's hard to act on, but I am aware of my own privilege, the knowledge that others approach me differently because I am white. I know

2007-09-22T21:36:00.000-05:00

NANOWRIMO NEWS:They announced the rest (I think?) of the pep-talkers for this year's Nano:Sue GraftonGarth NixNaomi NovikNeil GaimanSQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I <3 Neil Gaiman! I <3 Garth Nix, he wrote Sabriel, pretty much one of my favorite books ever. I <3 Naomi Novik, she did that new dragon/ship series called Temeraire.AMAZING!!so amazing that I'm just going to have to try to do Nano this year

2007-09-22T13:59:00.001-05:00

Sunday: Productivity! (seriously amazing, I think I learned how to study and applied it for the first time in my lifeMonday: Angst! (unrequited love sucks, I think I may have been projecting my daydreams onto someone I know and then being disappointed whenever that faltered, plus I realized the significance and insignificance of being physically close to someone. Also, the Twin was angsty too so

2007-09-17T21:10:00.000-05:00

So, this week's theme for Poetry was Controlling Metaphor/Subtext; and it helped me put out three poems, to be edited. fwee.------this is the one I ultimately submitted for editing------Trappings I thought at first that she was an angelThose wings softly folding out from her shoulder blades,Disappearing along the curvature of her spine. Then I found the bones of tiny thingsUnder her chair one

2007-09-17T20:52:00.000-05:00

Weekend Highlights:* Going to the nutritionist was simultaneously depressing (S. says I might have issues with the power dynamics of situations involving new people whom I see as authority figures. yay S.), and very enriching (the difference between weight loss and weight gain is only ~ 100, maybe 200 calories a day; I can have more calories a day than I thought I could have; I'm at the peak of

2007-09-12T06:52:00.000-05:00

Things in which I am involved:QuantumSolar System AstroPoetry WorkshopWomen's HealthMy Labexercisingliving in an apartmenthanging out with my familyBeing TutoredLibrary WorkSciFi ClubGeek.Kon Planning CommitteePhysics ClubWomen in Physics ProgramWriting Critique GroupProcrastinationMcNairTRIO... this is problematic. I literally don't have enough time at night to get stuff done. I know it's ideal

2007-09-08T10:14:00.001-05:00

There comes a time in every writer's life when one begins to realize how much one is truly indebted to other writers. I know no writers who are not simultaneously avid, desperate readers. At a certain point one sits back from the page, pen lax in hand, and thinks for a moment of the glorious stories that have come before, of the people who made such an impact on our own stories. Truly enervating,

2007-09-06T07:56:00.000-05:00

*I acquired a slew of books on Geek Tour on Monday (squee!)*Found out that Astro couldn't be moved so I had to drop fencing: sabre (NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOES!) and take theatrical instead (it looks kind've interesting).*Mostly arranged for my Quantum tutor but there are a few remaining difficulties that I have to work out. Quantum looks haaaaaaaaaaard (sadness)*Talked to Jacki this morning; she is

2007-08-27T09:43:00.000-05:00

Moving sucksbut it's almost over.I just have to unpack, and pick up a few boxes and random things from my mom'sPaddy might move in today.guinea pig is freaked out and hiding under her blanket. Or maybe she's finally sleeping. Poor thing *pats her head*I missed Geek-kon yesterday; I had totally intended to go but no thanks, I'm oblivious. dang nabbit!more book reviews coming, I hope

2007-08-22T11:16:00.000-05:00

Monday: Aside from reading HP7 and Hero and the Crown, I went out with Jacki and some friends to Applebee's. And we kept giggling. Don't know why.Tuesday: More of the same. I eventually made it downtown to pick up the Serenity RPG. I can't wait to role some characters. Then in the evening I picked up Katie and we went out to supper and then saw Stardust. Lots of fun *hugs Katie* squee!

2007-08-20T09:04:00.001-05:00

Sunday: Putzed around in the morning; watched the rest of the Packer game that my dad had tivo'd. Then in the afternoon, we went to the casino. Don't ask me why. I play slots and I have a straaaaaaategy but I couldn't find a machine that allowed me to use said strategy. Lost the $ my dad gave me. He won at poker, and gave me some more money (shameless man), and then we found the what appeared to

2007-08-19T11:17:00.000-05:00

Book Review: Assassin's Apprentice by Robin HobbPlot Summary: The bastard child of the King-in-Waiting throws a wrench in the workings of the royal court when his father decides to abdicate because of his existence. Raised on the edges of the very court he has thrown in disarray, skilled in both the Skill and the Wit (antithetical ways of communicating with humans and with animals), Fitz teeters

2007-08-19T10:54:00.000-05:00

Wednesday: The trip up the conference was fairly unremarkable, except for some construction, a fantastic sunset, and a few interesting detours. We stopped at a gas station that was not actually a gas station and almost got stuck in some wet cement. Abby liked the countryside.Thursday: I lost my cell phone early in the morning. The conference was actually fairly boring so I finished reading a book

2007-08-13T19:45:00.000-05:00

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHmoving is stressful.I am pretty much all moved out now. I won't be able to move *in* to the new place until the 26th when I get back from my trip. But my apartment is empty, save for my trip necessities and some obscure little things (like a fan, and a water pitcher, and that rack that you hang off your shower, and some cleaning supplies). Tomorrow I'll get up and go there

2007-08-10T09:25:00.001-05:00

Well, I'm now into that "awkward" stage of moving... you know, when you're almost out of boxes and all you have left is the stuff you plan on using over the next few days, or those strangely shaped objects like hangers and posters...Errands to complete today:[] cash in all change except for enough to do one load of laundry + dryer[] find a place to drop my cameras off at to get them developed.

2007-08-07T18:59:00.000-05:00

And we have a new blog layout! how pretty!The picture is from Volume 3 of Shin Angyo Onshi, a manga I'm reading... it's a pretty dark manga so the whole warm attitude of this picture is a bit misleading.The room is starting to look bare but it isn't completely done yet. I still have to do my various statues and picture frames, my dvds, ps2, and snes, a dozen textbooks, some batteries, and some

2007-08-06T21:56:00.000-05:00

- I forgot to renew/send in my robert c. byrd scholarship app, or even postpone it (SHITSHITSHIT) so I sent them an email. We'll see what they say.- I tried to "get organized" all day... found my organizing from the inside out book, read some of it, and decided it would have to wait until I moved in (oh well)- Packed 15 boxes (yay!) and a large duffle bag (so heavy I might have to leave it for

2007-07-31T21:45:00.000-05:00

Been a pretty successful couple of days!The paper's rough, whole, patchy version of the second draft is done. It's 45 pages long and needs editing. I'm waiting to hear from my mentor as to whether or not I fail at writing history papers, or succeed. Either way, it's a huge relief to have so much of it done, all my thoughts in order, and a lot of references lined up.Parts I'm worried about:The Lit

2007-07-24T06:37:00.000-05:00

The Random Three1. Three things that scare me: insects, tornadoes, death2. Three people that make me laugh: Robin, Louise, Katie (Jacki n Rachel too)3. Three things I hate the most: selfishly intolerant people who can't open their eyes and see through someone else's experience once and a while, war n povery n world sickness that no one wants to care about because they have more important things

2007-07-22T21:37:00.001-05:00

We went again last night, stayed past midnight. The Milky Way is gorgeous; we saw more shooting stars and more satellites, and I'm getting pretty good with our summer constellations. The moon turned orange on the horizon, and when it finally set we heard coyotes hooting and howling as if in joy; the rounded, piercing screams made me shiver. The galaxy (and the glow from the city, even this far

2007-07-21T06:45:00.001-05:00

Warning: This Post May Contain Shopping, Star Gazing, and Guinea Pigs.Yesterday was great, despite the fact that I did not actually get much done on The Paper.I went shopping with Amanda from work. I don't really go shopping because it's not really my way of entertaining myself; I usually only go to the store to buy things I need. But Friday was definitely shopping--looking for something general

2007-07-20T10:40:00.000-05:00

Spent today so far procrastinating horribly and also doing some permissions things for Geek.kon. What a hassle. It takes so much time just to hunker down and do these infinitesimal things that I want to go crazy. Apparently, however, it's preferable to writing The Paper.Speaking of not writing The Paper, I wrote some fanfic last night! it's my first, and it's probably not very good, but at least

2007-07-16T20:24:00.000-05:00

Oh man! What a fantastic day!-I have 10 pages of my paper done and enough to write about for there EASILY to be 20 more-I got to do a little writing of my own for the Dragon Voices story-I had a 20 minute walk this morning and spent 35 min on the ellipticals at the gym-I had a salad for supper-RPG'd with Stephen <3productive! I feel good! I feel--Er, didn't you promise to email that thingy to

2007-07-16T09:01:00.001-05:00

92% GeekMingle2 - Free Online Datingbwhahahaha!

2007-07-14T13:57:00.000-05:00

Here it is!Madison Convention for all things geekyeah, yeah, overload, I know. I just did a lot of work for it this week so I'm really excited.