The Granddaughter

This one makes me laugh

 

Adorable

 

This one is way too cute

 

Latest books and movies

I can't sleep. I've been lying in bed for hours. I've been to the bathroom. I've drank water. I got something to eat. I tried reading. That almost always works when I'm in bed. Not this time. I just can't get to sleep. So I thought I might as well do something.

Here's a list of books I've been reading and movies I've watched since my last update. Most of these (except the Ian Fleming books) came from the library. I've been hitting the James Bond stuff up a lot. I've been a fan for a long time and have already seen all of the older Bond movies numerous times. Some more than others. Sean Connery's Bond is the best. There are some good Bond movies with Roger Moore, but his Bond doesn't have the same impact for me. It probably comes from seeing the earlier Bond movies on TV at a fairly young age and being enthralled by them. The very first Bond movie, Dr. No, is my favorite. The Moore ones are sometimes much sillier. I do like The Man With the Golden Gun with Christopher Lee. He was one of the best Bond villains. And it had Herve Villechaize! I think that one of Moore's best. And Live and Let Die was pretty good and has the best theme song. His earlier ones were more of what I expected Bond to be like. The books are quite different from the movies. I remember trying to read them when I was younger and I didn't really like them then. I do now. There is more Bond ahead, as the library has many more DVDs and my housemate still has about five or six more Bond books to read. The library probably has more, but I may get burned out on them before I get to that stage. So many books, so little time.

    BOOKS

• Dr. No (Bond)
• Thunderball (Bond again)
• The Man With the Golden Gun (more Bond)
• On Her Majesty's Secret Service (even more Bond)
• Great and Minor Moments in Oregon History (not Bond!)
• The Fastest Motorcycles on Earth: The History of Land Speed Record Motorcycles  (for speech research and for fun)
• The Four Agreements: A Toltec Wisdom Book (reading now - amazing little book)
• View To A Kill (reading now - Bond, of course)
• Rich Dad, Poor Dad (reading now)
• Great Jobs for Environmental Studies Majors (just browsing)
• Green Careers: Choosing Work for a Sustainable Future (just browsing)
• Poverty and the Environment: Understanding Linkages at the Household Level (not started yet)

     
    MOVIES

• Dr. No
• Firefly (TV series on DVD)
• Fast Times At Ridgemont High
• From Russia With Love
• Thunderball
• Diamonds Are Forever

Big Giant School Update!

So I think that I've pretty much decided that I am going to change my major to environmental studies. I saw an academic advisor today and got some information about transfer degree requirements for PCC and Portland State University. I changed my mind on some of the classes I'm going to take in the fall. I'm going to take my second of the two required chemistry courses, CH 105. I'll also be taking Statistics I  (MTH 243). And an elective that sounds interesting, Environmental Science: Chemical Perspective (ESR 172). There is a series of 3 of these ESR classes (with field trips!!!) that also include Biological and Geographical. I may try to take the other two in the coming terms. I'll also take the Biology (2 req. - BI 211, 212, 213) and the Socialogy (204) classes later. And there are 3 other ESR classes required that I will need to take soon, but they are at other campuses. I am looking forward to these classes, but not the commute.

My speech on Tuesday about motorcycle land speed records went pretty well. Better than I thought it would. Everyone has to bring a VHS tape for recording their own speech. I still haven't watched mine. I need to soon because we have to evaluate ourselves.  We also have to evaluate 2 others in the class. I've almost got those both done. Part of that is saying complimentary things about the speaker and their speech and one of mine was painfully horrible. She was so nervous. It was painful to watch. I felt bad for her. I think the whole class was. I hope she does better next time. Our next speech is a persuasive one. I'm thinking about advocating tiered operator licensing for motorcycles, much like Germany and some other European countries. And/or charging more to register larger cc bikes. And mandatory training to get an endorsement. I'm not sure yet though. I changed my mind numerous times for my first speech. I'm trying to stick with things that I am familiar with and know more about than most people. It worked for the first one.

Because of what we've learned and done in my scholarship classes, I completed my first application for the PCC Foundation scholarships. It's all done online, except for sending recommendation letters. I faxed two of those today from the Career Center at school. I will probably revise one of the 500-word essays. I have until Friday, Nov. 6 to do that. I'm just waiting for feedback from the writing teacher, which will happen in class on Thursday. You could only apply to two (or three if one was less than $900) of these particular scholarships. I applied to one that is $2000, but there is only one available. You need a 3.5 GPA for it, so I think my chances are better than normal. And I applied for another that is $1000 and has 25 awards, so that one seems like an even better chance. OSAC scholarships come next.  I'll probably end up applying for 15 or more scholarships. I should get at least a few out of that. And I will have the matching funds from NAYA in about 3 or 4 months. With my contributions that will total $3000.

Economics is going OK. Lots of graphs and curves to remember. I got a 43 (high 'B') on the first exam. That was exactly the class median grade and more people got that exact grade than any other. The instructor commented that it was a pretty high average. I did kind of horrible on drawing some of my graphs. I was nervous for this test and didn't feel as prepared for it as I could have been. Right now we are learning about the 4 market models: pure competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, and monopoly. This is more interesting to me than the supply and demand stuff. I got to talk to the instructor for a while after class on Friday. We started talking about what I used to do and it turns out that I may have worked on her or her husband's BMWs at Portland Motorcycle. And we talked a little about our kids and going to college, etc. I did this because I want to ask her for a letter of recommendation. And it's good to start making more connections with people. I need to do more of that. I loaned her an economics-related book that I read a while back and found interesting. Economics is sometimes called "the dismal science". This book confirmed that. But, I'm realizing more and more that the description fits. Even so, I'm glad that I am learning it.  It would be nice to take the Macro version of this class. She is teaching it next term. I think I'll get an 'A' in this one and would likely do it again in that one. I know what she expects and what the tests will be like and it uses the same textbook (saves $100 or more).  bu it's not a requirement. But it's what's in the news now, I'm interested in it, and I'd understand the current economic situation much better. I guess I could wait on the math. It's the last one required for the transfer degree. I might even try to take an alternative at PSU. They have four different classes that will satisfy the requirement. I'll have to look into this a little more.

Almost 1 a.m.? Really?

What to do?

I'm really starting to freak out about what my major is going to be. I need to make a decision soon. Registration starts on Nov. 20 and I don't want to take classes that aren't going to help me when I make the jump to a 4-year college. More and more I'm leaning towards environmental studies. There is a lot less math involved. I'm finding that the math doesn't really interest me all that much. But the research and investigation side really does interest me. With environmental studies, I'll be much more likely to be able to spend time outdoors during school and whatever job I might get after school. I like the idea of that. I really don't want to be stuck in some cubicle crunching numbers or doing mind-numbing research for some big company no matter what it is that they do. The pay may ultimately be less, but making a ton of money is pretty far down the list for me. I just want to make enough to be comfortable and have enough left over every month to be able to save for retirement. And I want to have a job that is satisfying to me and one where I look forward to going to work. A job where I can feel like I'm actually making a difference. I think I may have already made my decision and am just trying to talk myself into it. I was so excited about the renewable energy thing that I'm a little disappointed in myself for not going in that direction. I also know that no one else will think badly of me if I change. It's all in MY head. Anyways, if I go forward with the environmental studies I think I'll be taking Biology 211, Math 243 (Statistics), and Sociology 204 during the next term. I think I may go talk to an academic advisor on Friday to see if I can get a bit more clarity on this.

Now I'd better get back to actual schoolwork. I still have half a chapter of economics to read for tommorow's class(and understand - that's the hard part. So many graphs!).

I need more time

I busted my ass over the weekend and got a lot of my homework done for this week. But I still haven't practiced my informational speech very much yet.  And I have to give it on Tuesday. Yuck. At least it's on something I know about - Motorcycle Land Speed Records. It will be interesting to say the least. It needs to be 5 to 7 minutes long. I've been having a hard time getting it down to that and have to leave out a LOT of stuff. I'll be glad when it's done. Only two more to go after that. I still hate public speaking, but it's getting a little easier. I'm not sure that I should have signed up to give it on the first day available. I could have had another week to work on it.  It seemed like a good idea at the time.

I am going to try and work on the Sportster some more this week. It's been nearly two weeks since I have worked on it. I'm still trying to solve some electrical problems with the starting circuit. I need to replace some of the wiring going to the starter relay that I repaired quite a few years ago.  I hope that fixes the problem. I will be so happy when I get it going again.

I keep feeling like my head is going to explode. I hope it doesn't. Who would clean up the mess?

No! I am NOT just wasting time! I hope.

I hope this works out OK.  I hate social networking sites but I have come to realize that they are now a important part of the arsenal for my future (doesn't that sound lovely?).  I now have profiles (still very limited though) on Facebook, Linked In, and Twitter (oh the horror!).  Maybe I will even manage to do something on them once in a while.  Sometimes I hate technology.

More looking around

Portland State University has an Enviromental Science and Management Department that looks like it could have some programs for me.  I haven't given up on OIT, I just want to have some options and make sure that I am going to like what I do after I graduate.

http://www.pdx.edu/esm/

An interesting bit of information, at least to me.  The 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon. Number 2 happens to be NAYA, who I am working with for my educational IDA.  They really are great.

OregonBusiness.com - October 2009

When Pigs Attack!!!

Do you personally know anyone who has gotten the H1N1 virus (swine flu)?  I didn't until about 5 minutes ago.  Lilly (my granddaughter) was just diagnosed this morning.  Fortunately, Katrina (her mom), has been on top of Lilly's health care.  It took several trips to different doctors (insert derogatory statements about Medford here) for this to be figured out.  She got a flu shot 2 days ago, but it was already too late by then.  And Lilly can't have Tamiflu, so Katrina is making sure that Lilly stays hydrated and her temperature doesn't go up too much.  I'm not all that worried about this.  I truly believe that the seriousness of this has been completely blown out of proportion by the media.  Out nation's love of things that scare us and getting freaked out about every little thing has not helped either.  I do think that people should be informed about things like this, but they should do some actual research. Getting your news/info from Glenn Beck and Fox News does not count.  Try getting your information from credible sources.  That should apply for everything.  And just because someone has the same opinion as you do doesn't mean squat.  Use your brain.  Critial thinking really does work!

Happy Hallowchristweenmas!!!

I iz smart!

I kept getting invitations to join Phi Theta Kappa in my school email. And I kept blowing it off. But I finally went to an informational meeting today. PTK is an honors society for 2-year colleges where the only requirement is that you have a 3.5 GPA or higher. I have that. Apparently this is a fairly prestigious organization that can carry a lot weight when it comes to getting scholarships, letters of recommendation, international travel/service opportunities, and even for helping to get a job or make business contacts later on. It costs $80 to join, but it seems like it would more than pay for itself with the opportunities that it presents. So I will fill out the application and turn it in tomorrow. Here's to the future!

Community Service

I started volunteering at Free Geek earlier this year. My friend, Mary Kate, works there and I thought that it would be a worthwhile thing to do some volunteer work there. Their main thing is refurbishing and recycling computers and other electronic devices. I think it is a valuable and worthwhile endeavor, but unfortunately it just wasn't a good fit for me. I stopped going about 6 months ago and have been concentrating on school instead. But I really wanted to do something else to help out in my community. I considered places like the Multnomah County Humane Society and the Audubon Society and others, but never really felt much of a connection to them, even though I support what they do. Last week, while I was on my way home, I saw the building that houses the Community Energy Project and wondered what it was that they did. I looked at their website and thought that this might be something that I would want to help with. They have various services like a Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and a home weatherization program. Their In-Home Weatherization Program was what I was interested in. This is basically a program where low-income families, the disabled, and the elderly can qualify for free basic home weatherization, like sealing drafts and putting up vinyl storm window kits. I went to an orientation last night and my first day of work will be on Friday. I already feel good about myself.

Light as a feather!?

I finally weighed myself this morning. What a surprise! The last time I did this (about 3 months ago) I was really disgusted with myself. I was up to a whopping 285 pounds! I put on a bunch of weight over the past year after getting laid off. This morning the scale said 270. Although I haven't really been eating any better than I was before, I have tried to stop eating out as much. And I am a lot pickier about where I go. I very rarely eat fast food anymore. My new favorite place is Thai Noon on Alberta St. I love their yellow chicken curry. Although these kinds of places are a little bit more expensive than fast food, it is a lot tastier and since I only eat out about once a week now, it's actually a lot less expensive than it was before. No more $5 pepperoni pizzas from Little Caesars or Ultimate breakfast sandwich combos from Jack in the Box. I even eat veggies now (although still not like I should). And I have been trying to walk at least a couple of times a week. Who knew? Eating less crap and a little bit of exercise seems to go a long way for me. Now if I can just get down to under 250. Maybe even 225? I haven't weighed that much since my early 20's. If I could keep losing just 5 pounds a month I could conceivably get to that by next summer.

Computers Gone Wild!

My computer has been acting crazy. I hope something is not going bad, like the hard drive. I need to back up all of my pictures and documents SOON! I keep not doing this and I keep losing stuff every time I lose a hard drive. It seems to be about every three years or so and that's getting close to how old mine is. I'm using my laptop right now. I don't use it that much. I mainly bought it for school (used from Free Geek - and cheap!) and use it sometimes, but haven't really gotten into the habit of using it regularly. I really have no reason not to.

"People don't resist change. They resist being changed." Peter Senge

Oh great! My laptop just started making a funny noise. Not very loud or all of the time, but a noise none the less. Good thing I haven't yet bought the new battery it needs.

Isn't technology great!

Even more GPZ expenses

Once again, I should have known something like this would happen.

I went over to Erik's earlier this week figuring since he had an air compressor that I could quickly and easily change the clutch basket on my Kawasaki. I took the right side fairing off (easy), removed the clutch cover (easy), and took out the clutch springs and pressure plate (again easy). The basket was wobbly (should be pretty much solid) and had contact marks on the outer edge of the basket fingers from the back side of the crankshaft counter-balancer automatic chain adjuster (did you get all of that?). No wonder it was so noisy. Good thing I had those nearly new parts. I started to take the friction discs and steel plates out and noticed that the outer tabs of the friction discs had considerable wear on them. I guess it had been longer than I remembered since I had inspected the clutch parts. So, now that's all going to be on hold again until I decide that I just need to spend the $75-$85 or so for new discs and springs. I can just clean up the steel plates and reuse them. Oh yeah, I nearly forgot. Even if the clutch discs were fine, I couldn't have finished the job because Erik didn't have the 30mm 1/2-inch drive impact socket that I needed, that for some reason I just knew that he would have (I have one in my tool box in storage. Doesn't everybody have one?). It's taking me a while to get used to not working on my bikes in a pro shop setting with all of the tools and supplies I need nearby. I don't like it.

I'm a quitter

I just couldn't do it. 5 classes were just too much for me to handle. The amount of homework I had was unreal. Most of my classes were suffering because I wasn't able to spend enough time studying and doing homework. I made my decision during the last half of trigonometry class on Thursday. I realized that what the teacher was talking about was making less and less sense to me. It was obvious that I was headed for trouble. So I dropped that class today. Today was the last day you could drop a 12-week class and get your full tuition back. It was a big relief when I decided what I was going to do. I was disappointed, but it was the smart thing for me to do. I'm also starting to consider other career paths. I haven't decided to drop the whole renewable energy thing, I'm just weighing all of my options. School is definitely expanding and changing the expectations and goals that I have for myself. And I want to make sure I'm heading in the right direction. I wish I had started this a lot sooner.