Great Walk with Julie.

Julie, a colleague from SEW, and I have been walking every Wednesday for the past month or so. It's so great seeing her and even better because she tells me about her work and I get to hear about my folks again.
Another plus is that I am getting up, getting moving and it's motivating me to get exercising on other days too. I am now exercising 3-4 days a week for an hour at a time.
But the best part is transforming a work relationship into a friendship. I never thought I'd say such a thing, but Julie's amazing.

If you can't go out to dinerr with out assaulting someone one

Don't go out to dinner.

I went to Alton's last night. We got seated next to the window and the people in the booth next to us we obnoxious. Loud to the point where we could barely talk,ourselves..I know them intimately now if you know what I mean. They were already done when we got there - they asked our waitress for a box while she was still talking to us. And they stayed through most of our dinner. Talking very loudly.
When they were ready to leave the loudest of the bunch walked over to me and grabbed my arm. Not touched, not gently tapped, grabbed me hard enough to leave imprints of all of her fingers in my arm, a half hour later they were still there,, she grabbed me so hard. And told me me that I needed to move..because the woman who was hitting my chair all through my dinner wanted to get out. No, pleasantries - no whatever, just move. and she tried to lift me out of the chair.
Look, I don't care what your problem is - if you can't go out to dinner with out assaulting someone - stay the freak home.

Gotta Love Google

Try this one yourself.

Google Maps

Walking Directions

Type in The Shire where is asks from
and Mordor where it asks to

and let google do it's thing.



Tolkien would love it.

Posted This on George Takei's FB page a while ago

In response to slang words describing developmentally disabled people being used as insults towards those who beat a gay man. Frankly - I lost a lot of respect for Takei on this one. IF you want people to respect what you are - you need to extend the same respect to others.

This is deplorable hate every where is deplorable....including the hate in this thread. You're all very righteous in your indignation but you're not seeing where you are feeding the hate in our world with your name calling. For instance:
6 February at 20:13 · Like · 1
Andi Andrzejewski
faggot - in at least one post as an insult

Fucktard= contraction of fucking retard,in one post...because using someone's medical diagnosis as an isult is hateful.

imbicile = a word used to descibe a particular group of people with moderate to severe developmental disabilities...again hateful to use a medical condition as an insult

morons,braindead= again medical diagnosis as insults

idiot = see above

pussies - so it's ok to use slang for woman's body parts as insults.

douchebaga===um ok so now womewn's hygine utensiles are ok to use as insults.
6 February at 20:13 · Like · 1
Andi Andrzejewski Shame on all of you using and tolerating such words. And while I stand againd against the actions and words in this video I also stand against the words used here.
6 February at 20:14 · Like · 4
Andi Andrzejewski
Ronny.....why do you think they needed to change because people liked to use them as insults. We keep coming up with new terms,because folks use these definitions as insults and as hate. Calling someone idiot, imbecile, moron is no different than calling them a retard...which is now having to be legislated out of medical use because people like to use that as an insult. ( Rosa's Law, ever heard of it? )- and I have recently heard kids use the terms developmentally disabled and autistic as insults -- so do we have to loose more terms to the haters? All of the words I objected to are words that have been used to describe people that are different. No I will not stop calling for an end to the use of medical diagnosis as insults. Just because people of hate have made these words insults does not change their original meaning. Using these words is not that different from any other word that is being objected to here.
I am surprised and saddened that Mr Takei, allows words like that here. You can slam me all you want but words do matter and their meanings don't change just because you want them too, or because they are used as slang for stupid, if you look up those words in Webster's the FIRST definition pertains to those with mental disabilities...so my point stands and your objection reveals more about you than it does me - or those you are using as insults.
6 February at 22:10 · Like · 2

waiting for grades

I took my last exam last Thursday. I am just waiting for the results - grades due Friday the 18th. I am so worried. sigh.

Finals Week

I turned in my last paper today. Thursday I have my last exam. Now comes the hard work of finding a job.
The main problem I have right now now is that I am so angry and I have no real idea why. Sometimes I am not even angry about something I am just angry, no wonder I have high blood pressure at the moment...gotta get that down. Gotta exercise and loose weight and adjust my attitude. For my own sake.
Maybe a break from school will help. Maybe exercise will help. I don't know. Sigh

last week of classes starts

My post for last week is on another blog - it was for school. :)
This is my last week of classes for um undergrad career. I can't wait to end this semester. I have not been this unhappy as a student for a long time. mainly due to the security freak at the science museum. I will not be going back for some time - if ever, as a volunteer. Too bad, I used to enjoy it.
sigh

So disheartened

I really have no heart to write even,,, I am learning to hate BMS because of the security jerk. He wants to over ride the CEO as to where I allowed to park. Mark has said I can park in the museum lot Dennis the security jerk says no I have to walk in from Best Street. At the shortest it is a 1/3 mile walk in at longest 1/2 mile. Umm, yeah..my leg is all swollen already. This walk is not happening.
Last week little security jerk wanted to rifle through my purse. So not going to happen. My female stuff, cell phone, wallet, and pain meds *barely* fit, the thing is 8.25X5.5X2.5, it barely closes with that in it. And I would not steal from anywhere, but especially a place that I loved that much.
Not anymore I am counting down the days til this internship is over and I will be gone.
They loose...I loose... oh well. I give up.

Wipocalypse 2012 Update Post

I actually did nothing crafty this monthy. Between being sick and college I have had little time to do anything,,,this is the last month or so of classes and I am likely not going to get to craft much this month either.

Sorry.

Haven't written in a while.

Nice week actually, even though there's been a few bumps in the road but I am finally making headway with my history paper. My work for the Folklore paper is done except for the round up and I still don't have a title yet. But I have been having a right ball in the archives with Danny and Peggy and that's made a whole host of difference.
My work with the historical society is going better and I am happier as a whole - probably because I am making headway with everything and I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders now that I am making progress finding interviewees for this paper, wish me luck writing it

A bit more time to write today.

The clue game was such fun, we had really good partners. The rule was that only the person who had the clipboard was able to ask questions to the "Witnesses" So I had the clip board = and I suggested that we switch off with it. Everyone but one person went with it - she came off as being very spoiled and pouty. Oh well, her loss.
The rest of us really had a ball with the whole thing and one of the louder folks looked at me at the ends and said that Tricia and I made the game with the share the clipboard thing. That was nice to hear.
In other news I am having a hard time getting started on my paper for History just because the teacher is such a jerk. He is prejudice against whites, hateful and intends to steal our papers from us and donate them, along with the interviews we do for the paper since this has to be primary documents and such rather than just research in a library. It could be fun but it's being ruined by the fact that we are being told what we have to research and then having it stolen from us. Seriously can't stand this guy.
My folklore paper is almost. I need a way to wrap it up and a title. Sigh.
The touch tank project is going ok, I have a grant for $400 to buy animals and supplies for it from Buffalo State. It's going to be great. I want to get a small tank for myself at home someday.
I am applying to Buffalo State for grad school and I am trying to get a job.
Gotta go for now!

Clue Game at the Science Museum

The Science Museum had their first actual adults only event and hosted a game of "Clue?" - like the board game from the 70's It was such fun and we really lucked out with most of our team mates. It.was.so.much.fun!
I hope they do it again...I'll be there!

Bad Day. Not a bad week

It's just not been a good day - from work at the Historical Society going so sloooowly to the jerks at Best Buy not knowing what they actually sell and my music lesson being held up because the teacher before Greg and I being entitled and jerky it's been a bad day.

But not a bad week over all. Worked at the Science Museum Monday, cataloging and having fun with Doug, and played with the touch tank...applied for grad school tuesday and Sunday mom and I took a ride out in the country - not took terrible over all

WIPocalypse Post For March

This is how far I've gotten. I am thinking most will have to be ripped out as it has a distinct slant. I will see what happens with it in the coming month.

Sigh

The Korean War seems so long ago, right?

This will take the long way around, but bear with me.

This semester I have a class called Folklore and Folklife, or ANT244W at my college. The first half of the semester is a study of the Occupational Folksong of the Vietnam Vets ( Airforce, in particular). It's really hit home for me.

I grew up during the hottest part of this war, we had friends and neighbors who served during this war and one who never came back.
I knew him because of his kids, Pamela, Debbie and David. Pam was a few years young than I and just a joy to know, she had a sense of fun and long brown hair that often flew behind her, as if trying to keep up with her and brown eyes that shone with laughter, and a joy of life. Debbie was just behind Pam, as I recall, lo these many years later, and David was just a mite. I remember David toddling out in just a diaper when we lived down the street from each other.
Years later, after we moved, I'd see Pam and Debbie at the Ice Rink or after school, around town, nice young ladies who always had a smile and a kind word.
But Mr Taylor- I remember seeing him in his uniform a couple of times, he must have been home on leave just after boot camp or something, but he was a proud daddy and loved to see his kids and their friends playing - or so it seemed to 8 year old me. I remember him picking Debbie off her bike and tossing her in the air and catching her as if she weighed nothing - a smile on both their faces. The memory has stayed with me for 4 decades. I don't know why.
Not long after that - we heard he was dead. And that, too has stayed with me, I've never forgotten him. Nor has my younger brother. I can't even say why, but I think of him often.
One of the things that was popular in certain circles during the later years of the Vietnam War was P.O.W. bracelets - with the names and capture dates ( and often service numbers) of the Men and Women who were being held prisoner by the VietCong/North Vietnamese..I wore one 'til it literally fell apart. I kept the one piece I could find for years. I'll bet I have it packed away somewhere, still today.
This class, the songs, the men singing them and the memories have moved me to tears and I decided to try and find out where on the "Wall" ( the Vietnam Memorial Wall Monument) Mr Taylor was...and I did.
This is what I found on the "virtual wall"

Raymond Ralph Taylor Jr
Chief Warrant Officer

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Lancaster, NY
Date of birth: 06/01/1939

This whole page © Copyright 1997-2012 www.VirtualWall.org, Ltd.

MILITARY DATA
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: W1
Rank: Chief Warrant Officer
Note: Posthumous Promotion as indicated
ID No: 066302435
MOS: 100B: Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot
Length Service: 12
Unit: AVN PLT, HHC, 2ND BDE, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV

CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 08/18/1969
Incident Date: 02/12/1970
Casualty Date: 02/21/1970
Age at Loss: 30 (based on date declared dead)
Location: Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Non-hostile, died of illness or injury
Casualty Reason: Helicopter - Pilot
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land

URL: www.VirtualWall.org/dt/TaylorRR01a.htm

ON THE WALL Panel 13W Line 042



Mr Taylor - you are not forgotten.

While I was researching that I came across a site called The P.O.W. Network (http://www.pownetwork.org/) that has info and things about P.O.W.s from all wars from WWII to present. So I decided to get a P.O.W. Bracelet to replace the one I ruined.

I had figured I'd get one for a Vietnam Vet, since that was the era when they were made, but I got browsing through the page and found out that there are still men who were taken prisoner in Korea that are unaccounted for - they are still considered P.O.W.s and with the state of relations between North Korea and everyone else ~ we truely don't know if they are alive or dead. My Daddy served in Korea, so I got a Bracelet for a Korean War Vet and I got Trish one for a Vietnam Vet since her Daddy served there.
This is whose Name I have:


FRENCH, WILLIAM L USA 13306412 PFC MIA 11/30/1950 PULASKI, VA

The Korean War seems so long ago - for some it's still not over.

Bring them all home!





















http://www.vietvet.org/folk.htm

Miserable Day at the musem

They had a thing at the science museum that C - would have loved. I called I asked since a cash bar was advertised and was told "No Brian, said we'd turn kids away"
I had been asked to help set up and take down but I made crystal clear that I would be enjoying the damn program. While I was helping before hand D, my supervisor sends me down stairs to get some posters - and as I get out of the fucking elevator a woman with a kid slams me against the corner of the elevator door and says CSI is here tonight, where? I try telling her and she get pissy because she can't go upstairs. I told her that's fine she can use the elevator, but she has to go TO the stairs to get there and then turn to her left and go through those doors..and she gets pissy again and I told her again she could take the elevator and go through it again. She gets it, then informs me that the man in charge promised her that someone would show her kid the touch tank, um no.
I told her that the touch tank was closed for the night and that all lights were turned off upstairs and she tells me that B PROMISED her that there would be a volunteer to show her kid the tank during the program. Not happening and I told her that that part of the museum was closed and she needed to find out from B what was up
and went to get what I needed to.
I get back upstairs and there are at least 10 kids - most younger than C, who I had been told would be turned away. I questioned it and got told "We made exceptions for some special cases."
I was LIVID and sat down. J comes over and sits and starts commenting on all the little kids - knowing I was upset about that very thing,...so I responded that they were there because we could NEVER have a 21 and over thing. J commented that we have Starlights and I said NO - there are kids at that too, even the vendors bring kids to it - and are given special tours and things that even paying customers don't get. And B chimes in with "What's your problem?" at that point I looked at him and said "YOU." and walked out.
Not the best way to handle it, but honestly - if I were not interning for a grade this semester - I'd cut up my membership card and never go back.

A quote from a facebook friend.

The day is ending. Did I leave a trail of kindness or a litany of complaints? Was anyone's burden lighter today? Is any person happier or does anyone feel cared about because our paths crossed? Only a few hours remain before bed time. How shall they be used?~~Ngawang Thekchen

I like this thought. How much better would the world be if we could live it?

Not much to say.

Let's see, no job yet. School's not going well. I have one classmate that is so entitled and so needy that she thinks everyone needs to put her first and she's 49! I had a meeting with the teacher scheduled for Tuesday immediately after class and she decided that SHE needed that time so I NEEDED to let her take that spot and when I told her No. She pushed and pushed and pushed until I told her "No. I. do. not. You WANT me to but I don't NEED to. She is now so offended that she won't look at me and she ahs outright slandered me to the teacher. Luckily this is a teacher I hang out with and she knows these are all lies.

I have also held on to the conversation on Facebook and can pass it on to anyone who asks.

History has turned into "Whites are Schmucks" and everything I suggest as a topic is vetoed by this teacher. sigh.

Folklore is a pain in the butt. Besides the above mentioned student being in the class I am lost as to expectations and how to approach the paper.

I am adjusting to the Historical Society. I am loving the Science Museum. And I have been told to apply for an Undergrad Research Grant for my project at the Science Museum last semester. So I sent that in yesterday. And I am considering joining the History Honors Society.

I am tired all the time. So long til next week.

Wipocalypse 2012 Update Post

A day late and not much progress. I am in a wrist brace for 6 weeks due to a work injury that never healed correctly. It's going to be slow going on this. This is my progress from when I signed up.

Hopefully, though I'll be able to finish it on time. I want to give it to Ryan exactly a month from now.

Skipped Last week.

Trying to post once a week for 6 months- skipped last week because I was so upset about carp at school. So starting posts again today. Sigh. more later, when I update for Wipocalypse 2012,likely tomorrow.

50 questions

These questions have no right or wrong answers.

Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? 100
Which is worse, failing or never trying? never trying

If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do? because some things have to be done.

When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? no


What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world? war



If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? museum work





Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing? both,, i am preparing myself to to do what I beleive in for a job


If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently? I would not have

To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken? 80%


Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? doing the right thing
You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do? stand up for her
If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be? live

Would you break the law to save a loved one? yes

Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity? yes


What’s something you know you do differently than most people? interact

How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy? manners
What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back? Play tullochgorum with Kyle. I can't play Tullochgorum....yet

Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? of course, everyone is

If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why? Cape Breton, my heart is there.

Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? yes and no

Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton? worried genius - that's what I am anyhow.


Why are you, you? because of the experiences I have had.



Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend? yes

Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you? when a friend moves

What are you most grateful for? the opportunity to live




Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones? loose th e olds ones,because then the baggage would presumably go with them


Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first? depends on what we are talking about...the the truth of the nature of reality..no. THe truth of do these pants make me look fat? yeah, I think so


Has your greatest fear ever come true?yes
Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now? yes. it was the death of a friend

What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special? the farm....being there with people I loved in a beautiful place

At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive? at the museum

If not now, then when? after I get some sleep

If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose? about 120 lbs

Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever? yes, with Stewart

Why do religions that support love cause so many wars? because people have different ideas about love

Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? yes, sometimes. The Nazis were evil. the KKK is evil. real love is good.

If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job? hell, ya - I think that in this economy my keeping a job that I would not need would be morall wrong

Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing? work I enjoy doing

Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before? no

When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in? I am living that in going back to college.

If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? family

Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? no


What is the difference between being alive and truly living? doing things with love and passion

When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right? as soon as you are sure of what is right

If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? because it hurts

What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you? I wouldn't - I am not one that truely cares about what others think- what I think is another matter.

When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing? last night



What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love? many people and yes



In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that? yes. for all three, I think



Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you? both.

I've joined Post Crossing

I've joined postcrossing.com - it's a random post card exchange with folks around the world. It could be fun. So far I have sent 4 to Russia, 2 to the US, 2 to Germany, and 1 to China. None received yet. I'll let you know if this works and post pictures of the cards.

Tentative card list and blanket pic

Ok,,,

The tentative card list is

Mac Morin
Kim Fraser
Kyle MacNeil
Sheumas MacNeil
Stewart MacNeil
Lucy MacNeil
Ryan MacNeil
Boyd MacNEil
Jamie Gatti
Mr and Mrs Barnes
and if I can get through that there may be one more



The Blanket's size as it now.



Stitch detail

Thank you in !0 languages

One of my goals was to learn thank you in 10 languages. I had a few and added a few for my 10

French - Merci
Greman- Danke
Spanish Gracias
Italian- Grazie
Mandarine- Xie Xie
Sign ( like Blowing a kiss)
Latin gratias tibi ago
Polish Dziekuje
Icelandic Takk
Scots Gaelic- Tapadh leat

and a friend gave me these

Thank you in ten, Spanish Muchas gracias, Swahili Asante sana, Mandarin Xie xie, Cantonese Doh je,Tibetan Tujechhe, Nepali Dhanyabaad, Indonesian Terima kasih or Makasih, Portuguese Obrigado/a, Mongolian Tand ikh bayarlalaa and finally Hopi Is kwha kwha this last one is a best guess

Wipocalypse 2012

Find out about it here:

I joined up so here's my list short tho it is

I prefer to work on "smalls" and Crochet:

Finish Ryan's Blanket - Crochet

Christmas Angel Cards for the "Crew" usually 8-12 people depending who makes the list for the year.

the Santa piper ornament

the Santa in front of the fire ornament

One pair of socks via knitting ( new skill for me)

the reason this is so short is that I am in my last semester of college. I graduate in MAY!!

Thanks to Belinda for alerting me to this challenge


I've also joined the 101 things in 1001 days challenge It sounds like fun

Care to join me?

Great Backyard Bird Count.

I have a niece who is 6 and who knows more about birds than most adults I have ever known. She has wanted to be an ornithologist since she first heard the word and well before she could pronounce it.

Well the Audubon Society has a yearly bird count and this year I want to do it with her. It involves 15 minuets or more of counting the birds in your yard on any of 4 days in February and sending the Data in. She'll love it 0 Colin her brother will tolerate it, but he'll deal.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Happy New Year

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year. May this year be good to you all