October 27, 2005
I dunno about that, but the re-examination of the day's events sure as hell is true...
So last night before bed, I watched Criminal Minds on CBS, which is about a group of profilers that travel around catching psychopaths. I also did some blog reading and emailing.
Therefore it's not surprising that I dreamed I was part of a team of detectives chasing some bad guy (who I never caught), however, the other detectives included Michele, Bou (who for some reason was blonde....), Phin (a large, orange goldfish. Don't ask), and Christina. And we were riding around in an old yellow school bus. Not sure where that came from. I think Juliette and Joanie and Paul were there too.
I think AcidDude might have been the bad guy, but we never caught him before I woke up.
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October 26, 2005
At work I'm trying to review Physics lab software so that we can include some simulations into the lab experience next semester, reading a book on non-traditional paths to college, and trying to chase down the information for the class I'm teaching next semester.
Outside of that I finally got through to the cable company (Charter's live chat option is great!) and am set up for an install on Friday afternoon. Not bad. I just get to work from home on Friday. I'm hoping by then I can get the materials to start planning my class and do that while I wait.
Other than that, very very distracted waiting to hear what the surgeon has to say about my Dad. Start up those prayers and good wishes again. Last time it worked great, we got reasonably good news from the pathology report.
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October 24, 2005
Among the other items my parents brought this weekend (read: unloaded on us poor kids) was a cup at a time coffee maker that dispenses into its own travel mug. She got it as a promotional gift for a book fair or something, and as her caffeine addiction is usually sated by tea rather than coffee, she passed it along to me.
Yay!!!!
I am on cup number 3 as we speak. Ghirardelli Chocolate Hazlenut coffee with Coffee-Mate Cinnamon Vanilla. Mmmmmmmm.
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October 22, 2005
Clearly these kids are too stupid to know how NOT to get caught. I'd like to point out a few things they can do to keep from getting caught:
1. You're 12 or 13. You don't know what the word "albeit" means. Or the word "allotropic". Or the word "criticality". Is that even a real word????
2. You're AMERICAN, so you don't spell using "oxidises", "grey", or "colourless". Not to mention "Aluminium".
3. Changing the color of the text doesn't make it any harder for me to google the OBVIOUS copied phrases in your paper, like "Plutonium has assumed the position of dominant importance among the transuranium elements because of its successful use as an explosive ingredient in nuclear weapons and the place which it holds as a key material in the development of industrial use of nuclear power."
You need a PhD to write a run-on sentence like that. Hell, I have a PhD and I can barely make sense of it.
4. When you cut and paste text that includes links, try to remove the underlines and change the text color to match the stuff you actually wrote, mm'kay?.
5. Utterly ruining the grammar of the sentence doesn't stop me from googling and catching you cheating. (ex: "He was impressed by the vivid colors of the chromium compounds, and such a joy after the endless colorlessness of sodium and potassium compounds." ain't a good way to hide the sentence "He was impressed by the vivid colors of the chromium compounds, such a joy after the endless colorlessness of sodium and potassium compounds." An eighth-grader DOES NOT use words like "endless colorlessness" anyway, duh.)
6. When cutting and pasting from two different sources, be sure you don't include the same information twice. This is a dead giveaway that you have no idea what's on your paper.
7. When cutting and pasting, try not to get the "Back to the Top" link at the bottom of the page.
8. Mr. DH is smarter than you. He knows when you are talking straight out your ass. Mrs. DH is also smarter than you, and she is VERY GOOD with Google. Keep these things in mind.
At least 4 of the little turds are going to get referred to the counselor. After I found the pages they copied from, I bookmarked them, and when we take the computer upstairs, DH is going to print them out. I wrote the URLs of the "suspected" sources on the papers marking the plagiarized text, as well.
Moral: Don't cheat, but if you do, only use sources you COMPLETLY understand and proofread, dammit!!!
I can't believe how easy it was to catch the little fuckers.
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10:28 PM
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October 21, 2005
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October 20, 2005
But I digress. One of the topics between 8:30 and 9 was the NBA dress code, and the special guest that called in to discuss it was none other than Sir Cheese and Broccoli (Charles Barkley).
Interestingly, he immediately dismissed the whining of several NBA players, including Allen Iverson, that individuality was more important, or that as other players have alleged, the new code was racist. Charles said, "It's not about racism. Every other league has a dress code, every workplace has a dress code, why can't the NBA?"
This is true. Sure, I can wear jeans and birkenstocks to work, but they must still be neat and clean, and I need to wear something nicer if I have a meeting.
Then he went on to say something very significant, which was this, "Young blacks look up NBA players. We can't have a bunch of black millionaires going around dressed like thugs because the kids see that and they think it's ok to dress like thugs. Young black kids aren't going to be able to get jobs if they dress like thugs"
...
"But it is racial, too. We have a lot of problems in the black community today. If you get good grades, you get accused of acting white, if you dress nice, you get made fun of. Why is that? Why can't a young brother look nice? We need to tell these black kids that it's ok to do well and look nice. Maybe these NBA players can help us do that"
It was very refreshing to hear this point of view, which has been all but ignored in this latest brouhaha. Cheese is right. A kid in a throwback jersey and pants around his hips is less likely to get a job than a kid in a t-shirt and nicely fitting (if ratty) jeans with the same qualifications, and both are less likely to get a job than the 3rd kid who wears slacks and a tie to his interview. Even for McDonalds. I find it both telling and sad that these players would rather flaunt their wealth as a mark of their personal style than accept their responsibility as role models to the black community. Barkley went on to say that there's a time and a place for that kind of dress and behavior, and that the time comes when tthese guys need to step up and be men and take responsibility. Kids wear throwback jerseys. Men don't. He asked the host if he could imagine himself (Barkley) going to a parent-teacher conference in a throwback. This got a lot of laughs.
Barkley made another point: This is all about $$. Big money in sports comes from corporate dollars: Sponsorships, Commercials, Luxury Suites. The NBA can afford to risk alienating a few kids or slowing sales of $350 throwback jerseys because presenting their players as professionals courts earns $350,000 more corporate dollars from another sold commercial spot. And that's the $$ they want.
Maybe this is just me, looking in on this debate from the outside, but it is, in a nutshell, really an example of some of what's wrong with society in general. Individualism and wealth have become so important that people have forgotten what's appropriate. When businessmen and women dress, they hold themselves to a certain standard of what is appropriate. Not only because it is expected of them, but because it is a mark of respect to the people thet work with that they dress in such a manner. If I walked into a business meeting in ratty jeans and sandals, the people I was meeting would feel disrespected. Wouldn't you? These men are also professionals and businessmen. They should dress accordingly as a measure of respect for the people they interact with, in this case, other players, team administration, and the fans. It is appropriate.
This extends to other parts of life too. When you see someone that needs help, do you ignore, or offer? To offer to help is appropriate, even if it's something as simple as opening the door for a colleague that has his/her arms full, yet each of us can probably count on both hands the number of times we've seen some one too wrapped up in themselves to notice.
Or turning off your cell phone. I try very hard to NOT use my phone in public, and I make sure it's off in meetings, classes, and other places where it would be inappropriate to chat on the phone. If I need to speak to someone while I'm in a restaurant or store, I try to speak low and cover my mouth so others are not disturbed.
Here's the thing. Standards used to be important. Somewhere along the line, individualism became more important and standards went out the window. Now everyone is an individual and everyone is special. Maybe it's time that we realized that what makes things work is a balance between the two.
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October 18, 2005
Arrived at work around 9 am, and met with HR for my benefits orientation. Then I went to the clinic where I had my physical to get my TB test read. Of course negative. Then back to work for a sit down with my new Supervisor and finally I was introduced to my new office. It's about 5x8 with a real window and a door. Bookshelves and a HUGE filing cabinet that I got the keys to today (yay!). It's also in the back corner of our little group, so I can see and hear all of the comings and goings (no more sneaking up on me because my back is to the room). It's also mine alone, so I can shut the door and work or listen to the radio or whatever, and no one can bitch at me. There's also a bulletin board and a white board.
Spent nearly the entire day bending the computer to my will (single click files, firefox extensions, RSS feeds) and installed my brand new printer. Yay! New printer.
I have a hella cool chair too. Better than DH's pathetic teacher chair in his classroom. Although his computer has a bigger monitor....
Holy crap. I just realized this is a wireless keyboard and mouse. I can write from across the room with my feet up on the window.
Today I brought in my big box o' toys and made the office look a little more like home. Now I need to bring in the posters (same picture, but the caption on mine reads "They've saved more lives than 911") and my coffee cups and we'll be good to go.
I need some freaking coffee. But I'm not gonna go down the street to Whorebucks.....
Ok, back to work.... I can't believe they pay me for this stuff!
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October 14, 2005
Then down to the HR office to finish up the employment forms and take my ID pic. I'm good to go except for my benefits orientation on Monday, and getting my office and keys.
I'm so excited. I can hardly wait for that first paycheck..... I wonder if they do direct deposit....
I'm going to try to celebrate tonight by going out to get my moisturizer while it's still Clinique bonus time.....
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October 13, 2005
Up at 5 am when DH's alarm went off
Took DH to school at 7 because he left his bike there yesterday
Home briefly to change out of PJs, then over to the Pasadena DMV. The place opens at 8 am, I was there at 8:07 and I still had to wait. Only about 5 minutes though.
Dropped $25 to get my license renewed and a new picture taken, although I am partial to the pic of me at 17 with glasses, frizzy hair, and braces.
Then over to the Pasadena Municipal Services to get the dog licensed. The vet told me several weeks ago that ALL I needed was a Rabies certificate, because it states that the dog is spayed and the Vet signed it.
WRONG. The dude there told me in no uncertain terms he needed a separate Certificate of Sterility. Great.... the vet who spayed her is in Carrboro, NC. SO...... I haul back over to our new vet, and the Vet tech who helped me was thoroughly confused as to why I should need the spay cert. when no one else ever seems to ask for one. However, after we reckoned up the spay date, she printed one for me, and I was on my way.
Good Karma: I found a parking spot with 23 minutes on the meter when I got back!
I stood around in there for 18 minutes waiting for the guy to get the info in the computer and then paid $10.07 to get the dog legal.
I got home at 9:30. Rather than feeling accomplished, I've got a headache.
Did I mention that DH's school, the DMV, and the Vet are all on the other side of town, and that our house and the City Services building are on the other? I could just feel the money draining out of my wallet as I used up the gas.....
I still have to go down to Alhambra to Costco to get prescriptions refilled for the first time since we moved.....
After all that, maybe some laundry.....
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10:20 AM
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October 11, 2005
If you pray, I'd appreciate a few for my family for good health and that things work out for the best for us.
If you have my number, call me. I could use a hug.
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12:50 PM
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October 10, 2005
After a few hitches and a bit of electrical tape, we went out on the water. The weather was beautiful, with a light wind and moderate swells.
Of course, this means that we were bumping up and down through the swells. Note to self: Next time don't sit up on formerly broken tailbone..... I ended up having to lay down on the deck rather than land on my butt every 2 seconds.
We went to Two Harbors and then pulled Ed around on skis. Later we anchored in a cove where I distinguished myself by jumping in the water and having a system shock freak out. Then I did my best Sea Lion impression hauling myself back up into the boat and pinching my arm on the side of the boat.
Don't ask. I was utterly useless and pathetic yesterday. I feel bad for everyone that had to put up with me.
Then I treated myself to an hour's lie out on the deck to dry. Good thing no one got a shot of me with my face covered.....
Then we cruised down south of Avalon and back before coming back to LB. The ride back was actually better, a surprise since the seas are usually rougher in the afternoon.
Halfway back, we stopped and rode around, playing with these guys:
There was a large pod of perhaps 30 of them swimming up to the boat and playing in the wake.
The rest of the trip was uneventful except for a couple of wake crossings and Ed's hat flying off..... Sorry, dude!
Anyway, despite SPF 45 I am a mess. Well, half a mess. I look like Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face, half white, half red. I was cozied up to the starboard side of the boat, and it shielded half of my body from the sun....
But it was totally worth it. Glad I don't have to go to work until next week 
Bill has more great dolphin pics here....
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October 06, 2005
The house was owned by the grandon of Armand Hammer and his family, and they had put over $30 Million into renovating and restoring the house to its former glory.
You might be familiar with the house as it "starred" in episodes of Murder, She Wrote, Rocky V and especially, the Batman movies. Michael Keaton and Val Kilmer each lived there as Bruce Wayne. Interestingly, Adam West's Bruce Wayne did not. He lived down the street at 380 San Rafael. That house still stands, although it was a near miss. The prompt and professional response of the Pasadena Fire department saved the fire from spreading down the entire Arroyo under Santa Ana conditions.
The whole story is here.
Before:
After:
both images courtesy Newsreel/NBC4TV
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October 05, 2005
The story should be on the 5/5:30/6 news, and may be carried elsewhere.
Is it me, or does the exhibit look WAY TOO MUCH like the AF1 hangar in the arctic base in Perfect Dark?
Sorry, I've just been exposed to too many N64 games (although PD was pretty good, loved the alien "Elvis")
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October 04, 2005
Here's my day (up to 3pm):
Over to my future employer to drop off my transcripts since they didn't make it over there in the mail on time.
From there, back down the freeway to Target to get a trash can for the downstairs bathroom, more Hallowe'en candy, and a card and a birthday present for Baby Xrlq.
Then to Ralph's for some groceries. How ironic is it that a VERY popular grocery store is named the same thing as puking????
Then home, to put away groceries, call UNC Hospital patient accounts (they keep sending bills even though I paid my last bill and their computer shows a $0 balance) before their office closed at 5pm EDT, and make my driver's license renewal appointment (YAY for DMV appointments!).
Next, out the door again. First to the Caltech recycling center to dump the last of Mt. Boxmore (the last HUGE pile of boxes from the unpacking), then to Whole Foods to pick up some things to replenish the stockpiles in the fridge (I can SERIOUSLY recommend the bulk chocolate chips. Yummy) and replace the things we left behind in the move. And a couple of indulgences from the deli for dinner tonight
I am a little disappointed. This WF is much bigger than the one in Chapel Hill, but it was hard to find some of my favorite things, and some of the prepared foods that were our favorites (the lasagna etc.) were AWOL. 
Nice wine and beer section, though.
Then, I confess, I did stop at Whorebucks. It's right next to Whole Foods. Venti Pumpkin Spice Frappucino. Which I really liked. Be sure to get it with whipped cream.
Finally, home again to put away the things from Whole Foods. And if you're reading this, DH, your favorite things from WF are waiting for you. One on the counter and one in the fridge (hint, hint)
Just looking at what I wrote makes me tired..... I couldn't do this every day and tote kids around too.... Sheesh.
Ah shite. I forgot to get the makeup that I ran out of and wrapping paper. I even had a frickin' list!
Well, maybe I'll get DH to go out with me AGAIN tonight.
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October 02, 2005
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