Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Insanity level Yellow
The boss and other useless individuals have left. Makes life a little easier.
Plus I have like 15 minutes till I can hit the door.
:-)
Plus I have like 15 minutes till I can hit the door.
:-)
Insanity
Todays insanity level is: orange
Red = Call the asylum and bring the coat with the very long sleeves
Orange = Danger Will Robinson or I see crazy people
Yellow = Did you see that? It was a stress induced tick
Green = I reject your reality and substitute my own
Blue = A vicodin and a Bahama mama make for a b!tchen day
WOW – I was looking at some Insulin pump info and going through the laborious and nearly dambing process of insurance filings when I was linked back to this blog site. It is amazing the number of people who write about the big D. Not much in my ramblings about my own struggles, but I think it will be here eventually. It has its moments!
And once again proof that I have too much crap in my head to have a blog.
Skip when you will, I know I do!
***Note to Self***
Need to get to the gym
Need to get to church
Not feeling centered and these things help.
WORK:
I don’t know how we are going to afford it but I need to get a new MP3 player. I had to break out my little iPod Shuffle. As I don’t have the stuff to upload songs, I am stuck listening to my workout music. Lack of music makes work just a bit more taxing, but enough to really wear me down.
It’s the end of the month and we have to close out the billing for our group. This is always a process that seems to flow downhill – just like the stinking nasty dung that it is. I am still working on a crap project. The outcome of which is so obvious that it was dumped before I was 10% done, but I can’t stop working on it. How much sense does that make? ANSWER: less than zero!
It’s a war, a war of attrition.
I keep fighting, but it never seems like I make progress. Sure there are times when I am ahead, but there are plenty of times when I am very behind. Now is one of those times when I am feeling behind. I have been here for an hour and a half and still have not gotten anything accomplished. Between the emails and the coworker questions, I have not done any of my division work.
I need to get through this despicable PEAKS6 project. I ran out of tolerance yesterday after almost 6 hours of work. Today, I can’t even get started.
2 MSDSs in less than 20 minutes and it is allotted 60 minutes. I can’t ever say that these document updates are not just old hat. Too much of an easy thing might not be good either.
So I just had to go back into an assessment I wrote just after I started. It is horrid. It is hideous and bad and wrong and grossly misleading. Of course it was peer reviewed by my boss and approved by the “most knowledgeable approver” which in itself says so very much. There are lots of things that are just plain bad. Goes to show how much I have learned since starting here. I have unearthed vast amounts of research, all of which is now part of our standard training. I think I have made huge contributions to the group, and I sure think that my myriad of knowledge is a vital asset. There isn’t anybody else in the group that has my technical skill and my ability to comprehend the greater picture. Not to say that some of my coworkers can’t do it, but they are in positions that do not allow them to do so. Jim and Tom are brilliant, but are locked into environments where they can’t conceive of the big picture. They do not have to work with the external clients. They are never subjected to the deadlines or time constraints of my position. Tom is endeavoring to write a risk assessment, his first, but it is so screwed up. He devoted 7 hours to the labor, and it is going to need 11 to fix it. The boss was right when he said it would take less time to start over.
Thank-you God that I was not saddled with that task.
With all that I bring to the table, it does not seem like it is a valued commodity. My offers of continued service for the foreseeable future have been cold (well cool). All I would need is the ability to access the systems from remote locations (like school and home), but it has been refused. It’s not a technical issue as we have several consultants who have this access. Hence it’s unwillingness to grant access. I am told that I would need to have a 3M computer, as that is the only way to have the license be valid. OK then give me a laptop and we are all good. NO – can’t (truth = won’t) do that, so much for value of my abilities.
One thing is true; there will be less resistance to the crazy impulses and poorly thought-out decisions.
HOME:
I got up this morning and tried to get some DVDs in order to mail back. In the process I was going through them and came upon a bunch of DVDs. They were blank and resembled the blanks that I have downstairs. So a quick (and quiet) look yielded that they were in fact mine. So now I am wondering why they were going through my DVDs? I can only imagine…
MUST ROAST MORE COFFEE TONIGHT!!!!!
PSYCHOLOGY:
So I received an email from a friend I met in school. We were both on the same level within the program, which is to say we were much more successful, and have been somewhat critical of the program. The method and means by which they function were flawlessly lacking. Examples were: grade reports that were weeks late, insufferable administrative activities (clueless more often than not), academic problems – instructor who was woefully lacking, whimsically flexible academic standards, and the list goes on.
I frequently made large efforts to accommodate the requirements of the assignments (took time off from work, drove assignments to where they needed to be, library research for multiple sources, page requirements, etc.). These efforts are what I consider to be “A” type efforts. I got my assignments in on time. I sought out additional required references. I utilized the required forums and communication channels. I received almost perfect marks, but the problem is that so did many of the others in my cohort. “A” work is not what it is cracked up to be.
And once again proof that I have too much crap in my head to have a blog.
Skip when you will, I know I do!
***Note to Self***
Need to get to the gym
Need to get to church
Not feeling centered and these things help.
WORK:
I don’t know how we are going to afford it but I need to get a new MP3 player. I had to break out my little iPod Shuffle. As I don’t have the stuff to upload songs, I am stuck listening to my workout music. Lack of music makes work just a bit more taxing, but enough to really wear me down.
It’s the end of the month and we have to close out the billing for our group. This is always a process that seems to flow downhill – just like the stinking nasty dung that it is. I am still working on a crap project. The outcome of which is so obvious that it was dumped before I was 10% done, but I can’t stop working on it. How much sense does that make? ANSWER: less than zero!
It’s a war, a war of attrition.
I keep fighting, but it never seems like I make progress. Sure there are times when I am ahead, but there are plenty of times when I am very behind. Now is one of those times when I am feeling behind. I have been here for an hour and a half and still have not gotten anything accomplished. Between the emails and the coworker questions, I have not done any of my division work.
I need to get through this despicable PEAKS6 project. I ran out of tolerance yesterday after almost 6 hours of work. Today, I can’t even get started.
2 MSDSs in less than 20 minutes and it is allotted 60 minutes. I can’t ever say that these document updates are not just old hat. Too much of an easy thing might not be good either.
So I just had to go back into an assessment I wrote just after I started. It is horrid. It is hideous and bad and wrong and grossly misleading. Of course it was peer reviewed by my boss and approved by the “most knowledgeable approver” which in itself says so very much. There are lots of things that are just plain bad. Goes to show how much I have learned since starting here. I have unearthed vast amounts of research, all of which is now part of our standard training. I think I have made huge contributions to the group, and I sure think that my myriad of knowledge is a vital asset. There isn’t anybody else in the group that has my technical skill and my ability to comprehend the greater picture. Not to say that some of my coworkers can’t do it, but they are in positions that do not allow them to do so. Jim and Tom are brilliant, but are locked into environments where they can’t conceive of the big picture. They do not have to work with the external clients. They are never subjected to the deadlines or time constraints of my position. Tom is endeavoring to write a risk assessment, his first, but it is so screwed up. He devoted 7 hours to the labor, and it is going to need 11 to fix it. The boss was right when he said it would take less time to start over.
Thank-you God that I was not saddled with that task.
With all that I bring to the table, it does not seem like it is a valued commodity. My offers of continued service for the foreseeable future have been cold (well cool). All I would need is the ability to access the systems from remote locations (like school and home), but it has been refused. It’s not a technical issue as we have several consultants who have this access. Hence it’s unwillingness to grant access. I am told that I would need to have a 3M computer, as that is the only way to have the license be valid. OK then give me a laptop and we are all good. NO – can’t (truth = won’t) do that, so much for value of my abilities.
One thing is true; there will be less resistance to the crazy impulses and poorly thought-out decisions.
HOME:
I got up this morning and tried to get some DVDs in order to mail back. In the process I was going through them and came upon a bunch of DVDs. They were blank and resembled the blanks that I have downstairs. So a quick (and quiet) look yielded that they were in fact mine. So now I am wondering why they were going through my DVDs? I can only imagine…
MUST ROAST MORE COFFEE TONIGHT!!!!!
PSYCHOLOGY:
So I received an email from a friend I met in school. We were both on the same level within the program, which is to say we were much more successful, and have been somewhat critical of the program. The method and means by which they function were flawlessly lacking. Examples were: grade reports that were weeks late, insufferable administrative activities (clueless more often than not), academic problems – instructor who was woefully lacking, whimsically flexible academic standards, and the list goes on.
I frequently made large efforts to accommodate the requirements of the assignments (took time off from work, drove assignments to where they needed to be, library research for multiple sources, page requirements, etc.). These efforts are what I consider to be “A” type efforts. I got my assignments in on time. I sought out additional required references. I utilized the required forums and communication channels. I received almost perfect marks, but the problem is that so did many of the others in my cohort. “A” work is not what it is cracked up to be.
Perhaps that makes me the fool.
I could have slopped assignments together. I could have asked for more time. I could have half-a$$ed the courses. Of course I could not do any of these things. I figured out a long time ago that it didn’t serve me well to do so, but in my efforts to get into graduate school I was competing against these same academic oafs.
The silver lining is that none of the cohort members gained acceptance into schools that I did not (Not talking about you Rob – Their decision was a steaming pile of monkey crap), and I got into a school that none of my cohort was accepted too (again with the monkey crap). I doubt that my academic success had anything to do with my acceptance. If it had, then all those “A” students should have been offered a spot.
An undergraduate degree in psychology is not worth the paper it is printed on.
FOSTER CARE:
I just received a call from my lovely and wonderful wife who tried to tell me about an important meeting she just got out of, but the kids were trying to cram 20 pounds of sh!t into a 10 pound bag. They were told that the van holds 7 people (six and the driver) and that was all that she was going to transport, but when she stopped to pick up kids a gang assaulted the van. It’s simple, if you don’t have a seatbelt it is not safe, it is illegal, it is foolish for you to ride. It ain’t gonna happen.
The arguments for an overflowing van were next to come…”its just to blah, blah, blah”
That is when she had to hang-up and deal with the problem.
I swear that they wait for her to be on the phone to try and sneak something past.
HUMOR:
Sign over a Gynecologist's Office:
"Dr. Jones, at your cervix."
**************************
In a Podiatrist's office:
"Time wounds all heels."
**************************
On a Septic Tank Truck in Oregon:
Yesterday's Meals on Wheels
**************************
On another Septic Tank Truck:
"We're #1 in the #2 business"
**************************
At a Proctologist's door:
"To expedite your visit please back in."
**************************
On a Plumber's truck:
"We repair what your husband fixed."
**************************
On another Plumber's truck:
"Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber."
**************************
On a Church's Billboard:
"7 days without God makes one weak."
**************************
On a Plastic Surgeon's Office door:
"Hello. Can we pick your nose?"
**************************
At a Towing company:
"We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows."
**************************
On an Electrician's truck:
"Let us remove your shorts."
**************************
In a Non-Smoking Area:
"If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action."
**************************
On a Maternity Room door:
"Push. Push. Push."
**************************
At an Optometrist's Office:
"If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."
***********! ***************
On a Taxidermist's window:
"We really know our stuff."
**************************
On a Fence:
"Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive!"
**************************
At a Car Dealership:
"The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment."
**************************
Outside a Muffler Shop:
"No appointment necessary, we hear you coming."
**************************
In a Veterinarian's waiting room:
"Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"
**************************
At the Electric Company:
"We would be delighted if you sent in your payment.
However, if you don't, you will be."
**************************
In a Restaurant window:
"Don't stand there and be hungry. Come on in and get fed up."
**************************
In the front yard of a Funeral Home:
"Drive carefully. We'll wait."
**************************
At a Propane Filling Station:
"Thank heaven for little grills."
**************************
And don't forget the sign at a Chicago Radiator Shop:
" Best place in town to take a leak
The silver lining is that none of the cohort members gained acceptance into schools that I did not (Not talking about you Rob – Their decision was a steaming pile of monkey crap), and I got into a school that none of my cohort was accepted too (again with the monkey crap). I doubt that my academic success had anything to do with my acceptance. If it had, then all those “A” students should have been offered a spot.
An undergraduate degree in psychology is not worth the paper it is printed on.
FOSTER CARE:
I just received a call from my lovely and wonderful wife who tried to tell me about an important meeting she just got out of, but the kids were trying to cram 20 pounds of sh!t into a 10 pound bag. They were told that the van holds 7 people (six and the driver) and that was all that she was going to transport, but when she stopped to pick up kids a gang assaulted the van. It’s simple, if you don’t have a seatbelt it is not safe, it is illegal, it is foolish for you to ride. It ain’t gonna happen.
The arguments for an overflowing van were next to come…”its just to blah, blah, blah”
That is when she had to hang-up and deal with the problem.
I swear that they wait for her to be on the phone to try and sneak something past.
HUMOR:
Sign over a Gynecologist's Office:
"Dr. Jones, at your cervix."
**************************
In a Podiatrist's office:
"Time wounds all heels."
**************************
On a Septic Tank Truck in Oregon:
Yesterday's Meals on Wheels
**************************
On another Septic Tank Truck:
"We're #1 in the #2 business"
**************************
At a Proctologist's door:
"To expedite your visit please back in."
**************************
On a Plumber's truck:
"We repair what your husband fixed."
**************************
On another Plumber's truck:
"Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber."
**************************
On a Church's Billboard:
"7 days without God makes one weak."
**************************
On a Plastic Surgeon's Office door:
"Hello. Can we pick your nose?"
**************************
At a Towing company:
"We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows."
**************************
On an Electrician's truck:
"Let us remove your shorts."
**************************
In a Non-Smoking Area:
"If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action."
**************************
On a Maternity Room door:
"Push. Push. Push."
**************************
At an Optometrist's Office:
"If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."
***********! ***************
On a Taxidermist's window:
"We really know our stuff."
**************************
On a Fence:
"Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive!"
**************************
At a Car Dealership:
"The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment."
**************************
Outside a Muffler Shop:
"No appointment necessary, we hear you coming."
**************************
In a Veterinarian's waiting room:
"Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"
**************************
At the Electric Company:
"We would be delighted if you sent in your payment.
However, if you don't, you will be."
**************************
In a Restaurant window:
"Don't stand there and be hungry. Come on in and get fed up."
**************************
In the front yard of a Funeral Home:
"Drive carefully. We'll wait."
**************************
At a Propane Filling Station:
"Thank heaven for little grills."
**************************
And don't forget the sign at a Chicago Radiator Shop:
" Best place in town to take a leak
Monday, July 30, 2007
Finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. We had a Harry Potter Weekend where I played the audio files through my stereo system. My wife and I absolutely loved the experience. I have such fond memories of being read too, as does she. I also find it very claming, probably because bed time was the preferred time for a book, and it sooths the soul. I know I could have finished it in half the time it took to listen to it, but it was such fun. I simply can’t think of a better way to have experienced it.
“Simply can’t” or “Simply Perfect” or even “Simply huge” Simply is one of those words that JKR can’t do without.
The kids were in simple agony (to use the JKR style). The eldest was either sleeping or PS2-ing and that left the younger to struggle against himself for entertainment (My son was absent from the scene). The youngest was tortured. He has such trouble being alone with his thoughts. He can’t stand to be board, as he is confronted with his demons and all the pain. It must be like an emotional iron maiden that begins to close when he is quiet. You can see the pain in his face, it's nearly unbearable. As the quiet grows and he is subjected to his own feelings he suffers.
This child does not know things like joy, happiness, and bliss, at least not from an emotional stand point. The feelings that we strive to for most of our lives are completely absent in him. They are not mute or less or even ignored, in him they are missing all together. I think that most of us can not imagine an existence where these feelings don’t exist. If you put your mind too it, I can delve into that idea, but it is a very frightening place to traverse. What must the world look like to a child who cannot love and where the very concept is foreign? Look around and begin to see what that must appear to be like for him.
Imagine, if you will, the scene of a mother scolding her child for lifting a bit of gum from the local grocery store. You sees a growing child who is being educated in a lesson of morality. The advice is coming from a safe and caring figure in their life. The child is ashamed of his behavior, because he displeased his mother. He revels in seeing her pleased and dreads causing her to be displeased. The scene may conclude with the child having to go back to the grocer and apologize for this action, or may even have to try and make amends for his transgressions. The mother’s love is motive for her harsh tone and her desire to raise a good descent man is her motive for the scolding.
Now imagine, if you can, what this scene would look like if there was no such thing as love. The child was trying to indulge in something that is pleasing, a sweet treat. The parent is prohibiting that simple indulgence. The child is being punished and subjected to abuse. The mother is trying to control the child’s behavior so that SHE does not get into trouble. The child is being trained through abuse, much the same way one might use a choke collar on a dog. The child is forced, by a bigger tougher bully of a person, to suffer humiliation as he is forced to apologize for his actions. The mother is a sadistic jailer and the child a helpless prisoner being denied basic indulgence.
The second scenario is how my youngest foster child sees life. The frightening thing is that he believes everybody functions in the same way. All of our actions are self-centered and his subjugation is for our gain. Once you are that twisted around and closed off, I am perplexed as to how to reach him.
I spend a great deal of time thinking about how to help this child. He is nearly an adult, but in an emotional way is never going to be ready to be a part of society. He is suffering. An animal that is threatened and fearful is likely to lash out. In that way he is dangerous.
“Simply can’t” or “Simply Perfect” or even “Simply huge” Simply is one of those words that JKR can’t do without.
The kids were in simple agony (to use the JKR style). The eldest was either sleeping or PS2-ing and that left the younger to struggle against himself for entertainment (My son was absent from the scene). The youngest was tortured. He has such trouble being alone with his thoughts. He can’t stand to be board, as he is confronted with his demons and all the pain. It must be like an emotional iron maiden that begins to close when he is quiet. You can see the pain in his face, it's nearly unbearable. As the quiet grows and he is subjected to his own feelings he suffers.
This child does not know things like joy, happiness, and bliss, at least not from an emotional stand point. The feelings that we strive to for most of our lives are completely absent in him. They are not mute or less or even ignored, in him they are missing all together. I think that most of us can not imagine an existence where these feelings don’t exist. If you put your mind too it, I can delve into that idea, but it is a very frightening place to traverse. What must the world look like to a child who cannot love and where the very concept is foreign? Look around and begin to see what that must appear to be like for him.
Imagine, if you will, the scene of a mother scolding her child for lifting a bit of gum from the local grocery store. You sees a growing child who is being educated in a lesson of morality. The advice is coming from a safe and caring figure in their life. The child is ashamed of his behavior, because he displeased his mother. He revels in seeing her pleased and dreads causing her to be displeased. The scene may conclude with the child having to go back to the grocer and apologize for this action, or may even have to try and make amends for his transgressions. The mother’s love is motive for her harsh tone and her desire to raise a good descent man is her motive for the scolding.
Now imagine, if you can, what this scene would look like if there was no such thing as love. The child was trying to indulge in something that is pleasing, a sweet treat. The parent is prohibiting that simple indulgence. The child is being punished and subjected to abuse. The mother is trying to control the child’s behavior so that SHE does not get into trouble. The child is being trained through abuse, much the same way one might use a choke collar on a dog. The child is forced, by a bigger tougher bully of a person, to suffer humiliation as he is forced to apologize for his actions. The mother is a sadistic jailer and the child a helpless prisoner being denied basic indulgence.
The second scenario is how my youngest foster child sees life. The frightening thing is that he believes everybody functions in the same way. All of our actions are self-centered and his subjugation is for our gain. Once you are that twisted around and closed off, I am perplexed as to how to reach him.
I spend a great deal of time thinking about how to help this child. He is nearly an adult, but in an emotional way is never going to be ready to be a part of society. He is suffering. An animal that is threatened and fearful is likely to lash out. In that way he is dangerous.
Tips from the Redneck Book of Manners................
***General***
1. Never take a beer to a job interview.
2. Always identify people in your yard before shooting at them.
3. It's considered poor taste to take a cooler to church.
4. If you have to vacuum the bed, it is time to change the sheets.
5. Even if you're certain that you are included in the will, it is still considered tacky to drive a U-Haul to the funeral home.
*** DINING OUT ***
1. If drinking directly from the bottle, always hold it with your fingers covering the label
2. Avoid throwing bones and food scraps on the floor as the restaurant may not have dogs.
*** ENTERTAINING IN YOUR HOME ***
1. A center piece for the table should never be anything prepared by a taxidermist.
2 Do not allow the dog to eat at the table no matter how good his manners are.
*** PERSONAL HYGIENE ***
1. While ears need to be cleaned regularly, this is a job that should be done in private using one's OWN truck keys.
2. Proper use of toiletries can forestall bathing for several days. However, if you live alone, deodorant is a waste of good money.
3. Dirt and grease under the fingernails is a social no-no, as they tend to detract from a woman's jewelry and alter the taste of finger foods.
*** DATING (Outside the Family) ***
1. Al ways offer to bait your date's hook, especially on the first date.
2. Be aggressive. Let her know you're interested: "I've been wanting to go out with you since I read that stuff on the bathroom wall two years ago."
3. Establish with her parents what time she is expected back. Some will say! 10 :00 PM; others might say "Monday." If the latter is the answer, it is the man's responsibility to get her to school on time.
4. Always have a positive comment about your date's appearance, such as, "ya sure don't sweat much for a fat broad."
*** WEDDINGS ***
1. Livestock, usually, is a poor choice for a wedding gift.
2. Kissing the bride for more than 5 seconds may get you shot.
3. For the groom, at least, rent a tux. A leisure suit with cummerbund and a clean bowling shirt can create too sporty an appearance.
4. Though uncomfortable, say "yes" to socks and shoes for this special occasion.
*** DRIVING ETIQUETTE ***
1. Dim your headlights for approaching vehicles; even if the gun is loaded,and the deer is in sight. 2. When approaching a four-way stop, the vehicle with the largest tires always has the right of way.
3. Never tow another car using panty hose and duct tape.
4. When sending your wife down the road with a gas can, it is impolite to ask her to bring back beer.
5. Do not lay rubber while traveling in a funeral procession
***TWO REASONS WHY REDNECK MURDER IS HARD TO SOLVE***
1. All the DNA is the same.
2. There are no dental records.
***General***
1. Never take a beer to a job interview.
2. Always identify people in your yard before shooting at them.
3. It's considered poor taste to take a cooler to church.
4. If you have to vacuum the bed, it is time to change the sheets.
5. Even if you're certain that you are included in the will, it is still considered tacky to drive a U-Haul to the funeral home.
*** DINING OUT ***
1. If drinking directly from the bottle, always hold it with your fingers covering the label
2. Avoid throwing bones and food scraps on the floor as the restaurant may not have dogs.
*** ENTERTAINING IN YOUR HOME ***
1. A center piece for the table should never be anything prepared by a taxidermist.
2 Do not allow the dog to eat at the table no matter how good his manners are.
*** PERSONAL HYGIENE ***
1. While ears need to be cleaned regularly, this is a job that should be done in private using one's OWN truck keys.
2. Proper use of toiletries can forestall bathing for several days. However, if you live alone, deodorant is a waste of good money.
3. Dirt and grease under the fingernails is a social no-no, as they tend to detract from a woman's jewelry and alter the taste of finger foods.
*** DATING (Outside the Family) ***
1. Al ways offer to bait your date's hook, especially on the first date.
2. Be aggressive. Let her know you're interested: "I've been wanting to go out with you since I read that stuff on the bathroom wall two years ago."
3. Establish with her parents what time she is expected back. Some will say! 10 :00 PM; others might say "Monday." If the latter is the answer, it is the man's responsibility to get her to school on time.
4. Always have a positive comment about your date's appearance, such as, "ya sure don't sweat much for a fat broad."
*** WEDDINGS ***
1. Livestock, usually, is a poor choice for a wedding gift.
2. Kissing the bride for more than 5 seconds may get you shot.
3. For the groom, at least, rent a tux. A leisure suit with cummerbund and a clean bowling shirt can create too sporty an appearance.
4. Though uncomfortable, say "yes" to socks and shoes for this special occasion.
*** DRIVING ETIQUETTE ***
1. Dim your headlights for approaching vehicles; even if the gun is loaded,and the deer is in sight. 2. When approaching a four-way stop, the vehicle with the largest tires always has the right of way.
3. Never tow another car using panty hose and duct tape.
4. When sending your wife down the road with a gas can, it is impolite to ask her to bring back beer.
5. Do not lay rubber while traveling in a funeral procession
***TWO REASONS WHY REDNECK MURDER IS HARD TO SOLVE***
1. All the DNA is the same.
2. There are no dental records.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
I worked on my MP3 player all last night. I unscrewed the cover (and the long expired warranty). There was a surprising amount of coffee in the workings. I had only a small amount of hexane and some isopropyl alcohol to clean it, but I set about the task.
I used a whole pack of cotton swabs to clean the works.
Long and the short is that my player now seems to operate. It turns on like normal. The buttons still work and don’t stick, but for whatever reason the track advance buttons still change the volume and the volume buttons advance the tracks. It appears to work – Thank God!
I don’t know how long it will last, so an iPod is in the near future!
Deadly Hallows has arrived. I spent time as I worked with the MP3 player transferring the CDs. I think I will convert them to MP3s and copy them to a DVD. Could take it to work to play and enjoy. Hence, I have hours of not having to think while at work.
Right now I am playing the files through my network. The files are on my desktop, but are being played through my Tivo, and thus my stereo. It’s really cool. I also have access to the files on this computer and could transfer them to my Xbox 360. Technology is a nice thing.
I want to get some time on my Xbox 360 and a little chance to play Guitar Hero II. I have a couple of songs from GH1 downloaded on my Xbox and would live to give that a try. Of course that means I have to stop listening to HP:DH.
I used a whole pack of cotton swabs to clean the works.
Long and the short is that my player now seems to operate. It turns on like normal. The buttons still work and don’t stick, but for whatever reason the track advance buttons still change the volume and the volume buttons advance the tracks. It appears to work – Thank God!
I don’t know how long it will last, so an iPod is in the near future!
Deadly Hallows has arrived. I spent time as I worked with the MP3 player transferring the CDs. I think I will convert them to MP3s and copy them to a DVD. Could take it to work to play and enjoy. Hence, I have hours of not having to think while at work.
Right now I am playing the files through my network. The files are on my desktop, but are being played through my Tivo, and thus my stereo. It’s really cool. I also have access to the files on this computer and could transfer them to my Xbox 360. Technology is a nice thing.
I want to get some time on my Xbox 360 and a little chance to play Guitar Hero II. I have a couple of songs from GH1 downloaded on my Xbox and would live to give that a try. Of course that means I have to stop listening to HP:DH.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Fate of the Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox USB2.0 MP3 Player:
IT DOES NOT WORK! crap!
I was trying to think when I picked up this little beauty. It was not long after I started to work here, so we are talking about after 2002. It must have been mid 2003. I would guess that I have used this thing everyday I am here, and some of the days are nearly 8 hours. I can tell you that without this little toy I would never had survived here and would never have been able to complete the TSCA 8e project.
I have run the batteries dry so many times, I can’t even hazard a guess. It certainly shows, as a full charge lasts only about 6 hours, where when new a full charge was good for about 20 hours.
It currently contains about 4000 tracks, my whole CD library plus some gems my friends have provided.
It has traveled more miles than a Grand Cannon Burro and suffered more abuse.
And now it is failing.
Yesterday it would not even turn on. Today it powers up, but fails to play properly. I either get sound on only one headphone or it sounds like I am in a deep well. The track-wheel is less responsive and kind of gummy as are the buttons. I also noticed that when I press the track advance (or back) button the volume is sometimes changed rather than the track. The volume buttons are unaffected.
OK – I think I can clean up the track-wheel and buttons. If I power down the device and use a non-polar solvent (like hexane) I should be able to clean it. The biggest issue is the failing headphones. I may be able to clean them with a solvent, but as the connection is internal, I can’t be certain. I may be able to change the equalizers and make it sound more “normal.”
All of these things I am going to try later (like after lunch), when I can get some solvent from the lab.
Please let t work. I can’t stand working here without music, and I am not sure this will solve my problem.
Can’t tell you the headaches in migrating my music to another platform…
Well I tried the solvent and now the dumb fu@king thing won’t even turn on.
I put it in the lab drying oven, but I don’t have regular access to that room, so I can’t just up and try it whenever I feel the urge. I am waiting to a co-worker to get done with a meeting to get back into the lab.
Fork
Fudge
Frock
I can’t take listening to Miss Congenial talk to her mother any longer.
IT DOES NOT WORK! crap!
I was trying to think when I picked up this little beauty. It was not long after I started to work here, so we are talking about after 2002. It must have been mid 2003. I would guess that I have used this thing everyday I am here, and some of the days are nearly 8 hours. I can tell you that without this little toy I would never had survived here and would never have been able to complete the TSCA 8e project.
I have run the batteries dry so many times, I can’t even hazard a guess. It certainly shows, as a full charge lasts only about 6 hours, where when new a full charge was good for about 20 hours.
It currently contains about 4000 tracks, my whole CD library plus some gems my friends have provided.
It has traveled more miles than a Grand Cannon Burro and suffered more abuse.
And now it is failing.
Yesterday it would not even turn on. Today it powers up, but fails to play properly. I either get sound on only one headphone or it sounds like I am in a deep well. The track-wheel is less responsive and kind of gummy as are the buttons. I also noticed that when I press the track advance (or back) button the volume is sometimes changed rather than the track. The volume buttons are unaffected.
OK – I think I can clean up the track-wheel and buttons. If I power down the device and use a non-polar solvent (like hexane) I should be able to clean it. The biggest issue is the failing headphones. I may be able to clean them with a solvent, but as the connection is internal, I can’t be certain. I may be able to change the equalizers and make it sound more “normal.”
All of these things I am going to try later (like after lunch), when I can get some solvent from the lab.
Please let t work. I can’t stand working here without music, and I am not sure this will solve my problem.
Can’t tell you the headaches in migrating my music to another platform…
Well I tried the solvent and now the dumb fu@king thing won’t even turn on.
I put it in the lab drying oven, but I don’t have regular access to that room, so I can’t just up and try it whenever I feel the urge. I am waiting to a co-worker to get done with a meeting to get back into the lab.
Fork
Fudge
Frock
I can’t take listening to Miss Congenial talk to her mother any longer.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
So I was just told that I am NOBODY. It is frequently said that NOBODY is perfect. Well, you do the math!
I went to the trouble of making a nice pot of coffee this morning. Good beans and a fresh grind. Got some cream into the thermos and took off for work. Got there and my bag was soaked with cream laden coffee. About half the volume of coffee had leaked into my bag. My MP3 Player, PDA, Blood Glucose Meter, USB Memory Key, Various Papers, Security Badge, and a bunch of other stuff was soaked with coffee. What a huge mess, and just a perfect metaphor for my day: Nice pleasurable home to sloppy nasty mess at work
I had an hour long task of taking everything out of my pack and cleaning it, but now I can’t turn on my MP3 Player – I pray that it is just because it is wet and will work once dry!!!! If it doesn’t, I am going to have to find a way to tell my wife, I am buying a new MP3 Player tomorrow (and that ain’t ain't no small bit of change). I can’t live without out it. Sitting with the headphones on (and not playing) keeps some of the endless questions at bay, but I need the music to block out the conversations!!!!
Oh, my God! The conversations are awful. I can’t take it……[BANG]…..OK so my finger gun does not fire real bullets, but neither does it stop the prattle and chatter. I am going to have nightmares about kitchen tiles, children b!tching about plastic lunch-boxes, idiots trying to decide if they should go to a baseball game, random questions about basic job functions (from people who have been here long enough to know better), and a billion other conversations. The quite of the tomb allows for every little bit of conversation to travel endlessly.
[BANG]
Still didn’t work, but can’t blame a guy for trying.
When you ask someone “How’s it going?” or “How are you?” do you really want an honest answer?
If you get one what do you do with it?
I went to the trouble of making a nice pot of coffee this morning. Good beans and a fresh grind. Got some cream into the thermos and took off for work. Got there and my bag was soaked with cream laden coffee. About half the volume of coffee had leaked into my bag. My MP3 Player, PDA, Blood Glucose Meter, USB Memory Key, Various Papers, Security Badge, and a bunch of other stuff was soaked with coffee. What a huge mess, and just a perfect metaphor for my day: Nice pleasurable home to sloppy nasty mess at work
I had an hour long task of taking everything out of my pack and cleaning it, but now I can’t turn on my MP3 Player – I pray that it is just because it is wet and will work once dry!!!! If it doesn’t, I am going to have to find a way to tell my wife, I am buying a new MP3 Player tomorrow (and that ain’t ain't no small bit of change). I can’t live without out it. Sitting with the headphones on (and not playing) keeps some of the endless questions at bay, but I need the music to block out the conversations!!!!
Oh, my God! The conversations are awful. I can’t take it……[BANG]
[BANG]
Still didn’t work, but can’t blame a guy for trying.
When you ask someone “How’s it going?” or “How are you?” do you really want an honest answer?
If you get one what do you do with it?
New Rule:
Stop saying that teenage boys who have sex with their hot, blonde teachers are permanently damaged. I have a better description for these kids:...lucky bastards.
New Rule:
If you need to shave and you still collect baseball cards, you're gay. If you're a kid, the cards are keepsakes of your idols. If you're a grown man, they're pictures of men.
New Rule:
There's no such thing as flavored water. There's a whole aisle of this crap at the supermarket, “water - but without that ‘watery’ taste.” Sorry, but flavored water is called a soft drink. You want flavored water? Pour some Jack Daniels over ice and let it melt. That's your flavored water.
New Rule:
The more complicated the Starbucks order, the bigger the a$$hole. If you walk into a Starbucks and order a "decaf grande half-soy, half-low fat, iced vanilla, double-shot, gingerbread cappuccino, extra dry, light ice, with one Sweet-n'-Low and one NutraSweet," ooh, you're a huge asshole.
New Rule:
Stop sending me that pop-up ad for Classmates.com! There's a reason you don't talk to people for 25 years. Because you don't particularly like them! Besides, I already know what the captain of the football team is doing these days: mowing my lawn.
New Rule:
Don't eat anything that's served to you out a window unless you're a seagull. People are acting all shocked that a human finger was found in a bowl of Wendy's chilli or when a guy get all fat from eating 90 meals at McDonalds. Hey, it cost less than a dollar. What did you think you were getting? Trout? Morels? Lobster? Just because they make Dockers that will fit on your double-wide a$$ does not make it healthy, smart or fashionable.
New Rule:
Just because your tattoo has Chinese characters in it doesn't make you spiritual. It's right above the crack of your ass. And it translates to "beef with broccoli." The last time you did anything spiritual, you were praying to God you weren't pregnant. You're not spiritual. You're just high.
New Rule:
Competitive eating isn't a sport. It's one of the seven deadly sins. ESPN recently televised the US Open of Competitive Eating, because watching those athletes at the poker table was just too damned exciting. What's next, competitive farting? Oh wait. They're already doing that. It's called "The Howard Stern Show."
New Rule:
I don't need a bigger mega M&M. If I'm extra hungry for M&Ms,
I'll go nuts and…well…I don’t know…maybe…eat two.
New Rule:
If you're going to insist on making movies based on crappy, old television shows, then you have to give everyone in the Cineplex a remote so we can see what's playing on the other screens. Let's remember the reason something was a television show in the first place -- the idea wasn't good enough to be a movie.
New Rule:
No more gift registries. You know, it used to be just for weddings. Now it's for babies and new homes and graduations from rehab. Picking out the stuff you want and having other people buy it for you isn't gift giving, it’s the white people version of looting.
New Rule:
When I ask how old your toddler is, I don't need to know in months: "27 Months." "He's two," will do just fine. He's not cheese, and I didn't care in the first place.
Stop saying that teenage boys who have sex with their hot, blonde teachers are permanently damaged. I have a better description for these kids:...lucky bastards.
New Rule:
If you need to shave and you still collect baseball cards, you're gay. If you're a kid, the cards are keepsakes of your idols. If you're a grown man, they're pictures of men.
New Rule:
There's no such thing as flavored water. There's a whole aisle of this crap at the supermarket, “water - but without that ‘watery’ taste.” Sorry, but flavored water is called a soft drink. You want flavored water? Pour some Jack Daniels over ice and let it melt. That's your flavored water.
New Rule:
The more complicated the Starbucks order, the bigger the a$$hole. If you walk into a Starbucks and order a "decaf grande half-soy, half-low fat, iced vanilla, double-shot, gingerbread cappuccino, extra dry, light ice, with one Sweet-n'-Low and one NutraSweet," ooh, you're a huge asshole.
New Rule:
Stop sending me that pop-up ad for Classmates.com! There's a reason you don't talk to people for 25 years. Because you don't particularly like them! Besides, I already know what the captain of the football team is doing these days: mowing my lawn.
New Rule:
Don't eat anything that's served to you out a window unless you're a seagull. People are acting all shocked that a human finger was found in a bowl of Wendy's chilli or when a guy get all fat from eating 90 meals at McDonalds. Hey, it cost less than a dollar. What did you think you were getting? Trout? Morels? Lobster? Just because they make Dockers that will fit on your double-wide a$$ does not make it healthy, smart or fashionable.
New Rule:
Just because your tattoo has Chinese characters in it doesn't make you spiritual. It's right above the crack of your ass. And it translates to "beef with broccoli." The last time you did anything spiritual, you were praying to God you weren't pregnant. You're not spiritual. You're just high.
New Rule:
Competitive eating isn't a sport. It's one of the seven deadly sins. ESPN recently televised the US Open of Competitive Eating, because watching those athletes at the poker table was just too damned exciting. What's next, competitive farting? Oh wait. They're already doing that. It's called "The Howard Stern Show."
New Rule:
I don't need a bigger mega M&M. If I'm extra hungry for M&Ms,
I'll go nuts and…well…I don’t know…maybe…eat two.
New Rule:
If you're going to insist on making movies based on crappy, old television shows, then you have to give everyone in the Cineplex a remote so we can see what's playing on the other screens. Let's remember the reason something was a television show in the first place -- the idea wasn't good enough to be a movie.
New Rule:
No more gift registries. You know, it used to be just for weddings. Now it's for babies and new homes and graduations from rehab. Picking out the stuff you want and having other people buy it for you isn't gift giving, it’s the white people version of looting.
New Rule:
When I ask how old your toddler is, I don't need to know in months: "27 Months." "He's two," will do just fine. He's not cheese, and I didn't care in the first place.
Statesboro, GA - Jerry Littleton was killed when his pickup caught fire after overturning and hitting a tree. The passenger, his cousin, 18-year-old Mitchell Hendrix, was still alive, but fire was racing through the vehicle. James Burdette, and two other workers, were heading in for the day after making a service call. The septic company workers saw the wreck and turned around to help. As unconventional as it was, the men doused the fire with 1500 gallons of raw sewage for about ten minutes. It's illegal to release sewage on the ground, but the men say there was no other way to save him. Firefighters had not yet arrived on the scene. Hendrix was pulled from the wreckage, and airlifted to a Savannah hospital. Currently, he is in critical, but stable, condition at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
So most of these are just random thoughts of mine, this one will be no different!
Even if I tried to stay on a single topic, my mind tends to drag and shanghai other ideas into the picture. Perhaps this very mental activity is why people accuse me of intelligence? When you work with a bunch of dim type A…
And now for something completely different:
Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
--Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
So my father arrived at my house last night. He informed me of his intentions to visit last week, but he also said he was arriving yesterday. So my beloved went to great troubles to have a wonderful meal, and then no guest. That was just fine with me, as her cooking is heavenly and thus more divinity in my belly. To top off the crab-crap sandwich of not showing up, I am suffering from allergies and my wife has a cold (perhaps allergies, but perhaps not).
About 2:45 yesterday, I got a voicemail saying he was in town and wanted to know if we were going to be home. Almost told him we had plans, but decided to make nice. He said he would come over between 5 and 5:30. Truth be told, he showed up after 6 (almost 6:30). Well he toured the property, sat in my mustang and sat on the deck. We talked about nothing much. His wife’s ex-brother-in-law John and John’s alcoholic cancer suffering wife were the main topics. Keep in mind, I have never met either of them and probably never will, but I guess stories will be stories.
At a little after 6:30 we went to a supper club (use that term just for the Pace technical recruiter, as she laughs out loud every time she hears it). We had an over priced dinner, that I didn’t have to pay for. The kids were in perfect form – if you want to make an argument for mandatory chemical sterilization, and parenting licensing. Now understand that this is a quiet place and the kids were trying to shout each other down and swearing like sailors. There was a nice late 40s couple a few tables over; they just sat back and watched the display of insanity.
It would not have surprised me if one of them would up and spit on the floor. The real crazy in all of this is that they were not nearly as bad as they often are. I would say ½ the volume and ¼ the vulgarity. Well my dad, as a social worker, has worked child welfare. He also raised a pair of daughters, one of which tried to stab the other to death; of course it is worth mentioning that she had to first kick down the bathroom door to get to her sister. He was not phased, but that does not make it all right.
I am completely off the Benadryl (Diphenhydramine hydrochloride – just for Maria). I am suffering much less. Still have some of the sinus pressure, but very manageable. I hope that the lovely and talented Mrs. Anderson is not afflicted with a cold, but rather allergies and they abate VERY quickly. I do think that the Clairiton is messing with my blood sugar.
Maria was trying to use this material as a sleep aid, but went out and purchased Claritin and could not figure out why she could not fall asleep.
WORK:
Let’s play the blame game. First the problem – the assessments our group (myself included) are turning out are unacceptable. The “quality” of the assessment needs to be increased. My first issue rests directly on the idea of how quality is defined. Assessments are complicated and large documents. They are not so much big stacks of paper, but more piles of data. Lots of information is packed into each sentence. I would assume that quality refers to the employment of this data and subsequent interpretations. If the data is correctly utilized then the assessment has quality. Thus omissions of data or less precise use of the data would result in a lower quality assessment. In my most recent reviews, I have not received comments about data. No corrections were made in reference to my use, or utilization of data. In fact, all of the recent comments have surrounded grammatical and syntax errors. Obviously my idea of quality is incorrect. The definition of quality is resolved through grammar. If this is the measure of quality of our assessments, then we need to look at fault – as there is a huge problem with grammar.
The assessors are at fault. The individuals writing the assessments are not “excellent” writers. Criticism of word choice and syntax has been abundant. So the blame is on the author, but for the employer is offering positions to people who are not specialists in English composition. Most of the people hired are educated in a science field. In fact the requirements for the position are centered on science education. No requirements are specified for flawless English. Thus the blame is not the author but rather the employer. If they required greater ability in use of the English language, then quality would be higher. The employer does not accept this argument based on the fact that qualified applicants must have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree (in our case some of the worst “quality” comes from group members holding MS degrees). This prerequisite, in the employers mind, should be high enough to ensure the ability to use the English language. Thus the blame is upon the university(s) as they are failing to educate to a high enough standard. If the college systems were more demanding in terms of writing ability then the “quality” would be high enough. The university systems require the same degree of writing intensive courses as always. In most cases the writing requirements for graduation have increased significantly. So the university system is not to blame, but rather the actual educators who are passing students who cannot write. The college professors are at fault for ever slipping requirements in writing requirements. The professors disagree because the level of criticism in writing is strictly defined. In my last college courses papers were marked off for “countable errors.” A countable error was any grammatical or syntax error. An “A” paper could have no more than 5 countable errors before being down graded. Hence a “B” content paper would be awarded a “C” if it also contained 6 countable errors. This standard was adopted by the university and thus the professors doing the grading from the publishing industry. The publishing industry criteria are somewhat difficult to obtain and the justifications for setting the standards is even more problematic, but headless of that, this level of “quality” is defined as professional and at the university level the top 10% of the students. Hence it’s the publishing industry that is responsible for the poor “quality” in our assessments. Let pick specifically Time Magazine.
Perhaps the university should have adopted different standards. Perhaps the employer should have required applicants to complete a writing test. Perhaps the authors should campaign for increased standards in academics. Perhaps the criteria for “Quality” are unrealistic and only set at this level because the reviewers don’t have the technical expertise (knowledge) to review anything else. Perhaps it’s because the position of administrative assistant no longer requires English classes.
Oooo that’s it! Our society (those who read Time) is to blame! We don’t have the traditional, sexist, stereotypical position of secretary, and thus a significant amount of writing is not being reviewed by people. Rather it is being peer reviewed (for technical merit) and passed on. The people who are doing the reviews are not qualified to correct English problems (only technical) and when it reaches a level where "quality" is being questioned the people doing the reviews are only able to comment on the English (because they have no ability to understand the technical aspects). If all of the writing went through secretaries then you would have a review on a non-technical level, by someone who was educated in English rules and syntax (and trained). Then should errors be found the blame does not fall back to the author (who is doing a good technical job), but rather to a busy and invaluable secretary. – PROBLEM SOLVED – GET ME A SECRETARY...with big, round, perky…typing skills.
Even if I tried to stay on a single topic, my mind tends to drag and shanghai other ideas into the picture. Perhaps this very mental activity is why people accuse me of intelligence? When you work with a bunch of dim type A…
And now for something completely different:
Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
--Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
So my father arrived at my house last night. He informed me of his intentions to visit last week, but he also said he was arriving yesterday. So my beloved went to great troubles to have a wonderful meal, and then no guest. That was just fine with me, as her cooking is heavenly and thus more divinity in my belly. To top off the crab-crap sandwich of not showing up, I am suffering from allergies and my wife has a cold (perhaps allergies, but perhaps not).
About 2:45 yesterday, I got a voicemail saying he was in town and wanted to know if we were going to be home. Almost told him we had plans, but decided to make nice. He said he would come over between 5 and 5:30. Truth be told, he showed up after 6 (almost 6:30). Well he toured the property, sat in my mustang and sat on the deck. We talked about nothing much. His wife’s ex-brother-in-law John and John’s alcoholic cancer suffering wife were the main topics. Keep in mind, I have never met either of them and probably never will, but I guess stories will be stories.
At a little after 6:30 we went to a supper club (use that term just for the Pace technical recruiter, as she laughs out loud every time she hears it). We had an over priced dinner, that I didn’t have to pay for. The kids were in perfect form – if you want to make an argument for mandatory chemical sterilization, and parenting licensing. Now understand that this is a quiet place and the kids were trying to shout each other down and swearing like sailors. There was a nice late 40s couple a few tables over; they just sat back and watched the display of insanity.
It would not have surprised me if one of them would up and spit on the floor. The real crazy in all of this is that they were not nearly as bad as they often are. I would say ½ the volume and ¼ the vulgarity. Well my dad, as a social worker, has worked child welfare. He also raised a pair of daughters, one of which tried to stab the other to death; of course it is worth mentioning that she had to first kick down the bathroom door to get to her sister. He was not phased, but that does not make it all right.
I am completely off the Benadryl (Diphenhydramine hydrochloride – just for Maria). I am suffering much less. Still have some of the sinus pressure, but very manageable. I hope that the lovely and talented Mrs. Anderson is not afflicted with a cold, but rather allergies and they abate VERY quickly. I do think that the Clairiton is messing with my blood sugar.
Maria was trying to use this material as a sleep aid, but went out and purchased Claritin and could not figure out why she could not fall asleep.WORK:
Let’s play the blame game. First the problem – the assessments our group (myself included) are turning out are unacceptable. The “quality” of the assessment needs to be increased. My first issue rests directly on the idea of how quality is defined. Assessments are complicated and large documents. They are not so much big stacks of paper, but more piles of data. Lots of information is packed into each sentence. I would assume that quality refers to the employment of this data and subsequent interpretations. If the data is correctly utilized then the assessment has quality. Thus omissions of data or less precise use of the data would result in a lower quality assessment. In my most recent reviews, I have not received comments about data. No corrections were made in reference to my use, or utilization of data. In fact, all of the recent comments have surrounded grammatical and syntax errors. Obviously my idea of quality is incorrect. The definition of quality is resolved through grammar. If this is the measure of quality of our assessments, then we need to look at fault – as there is a huge problem with grammar.
The assessors are at fault. The individuals writing the assessments are not “excellent” writers. Criticism of word choice and syntax has been abundant. So the blame is on the author, but for the employer is offering positions to people who are not specialists in English composition. Most of the people hired are educated in a science field. In fact the requirements for the position are centered on science education. No requirements are specified for flawless English. Thus the blame is not the author but rather the employer. If they required greater ability in use of the English language, then quality would be higher. The employer does not accept this argument based on the fact that qualified applicants must have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree (in our case some of the worst “quality” comes from group members holding MS degrees). This prerequisite, in the employers mind, should be high enough to ensure the ability to use the English language. Thus the blame is upon the university(s) as they are failing to educate to a high enough standard. If the college systems were more demanding in terms of writing ability then the “quality” would be high enough. The university systems require the same degree of writing intensive courses as always. In most cases the writing requirements for graduation have increased significantly. So the university system is not to blame, but rather the actual educators who are passing students who cannot write. The college professors are at fault for ever slipping requirements in writing requirements. The professors disagree because the level of criticism in writing is strictly defined. In my last college courses papers were marked off for “countable errors.” A countable error was any grammatical or syntax error. An “A” paper could have no more than 5 countable errors before being down graded. Hence a “B” content paper would be awarded a “C” if it also contained 6 countable errors. This standard was adopted by the university and thus the professors doing the grading from the publishing industry. The publishing industry criteria are somewhat difficult to obtain and the justifications for setting the standards is even more problematic, but headless of that, this level of “quality” is defined as professional and at the university level the top 10% of the students. Hence it’s the publishing industry that is responsible for the poor “quality” in our assessments. Let pick specifically Time Magazine.
Perhaps the university should have adopted different standards. Perhaps the employer should have required applicants to complete a writing test. Perhaps the authors should campaign for increased standards in academics. Perhaps the criteria for “Quality” are unrealistic and only set at this level because the reviewers don’t have the technical expertise (knowledge) to review anything else. Perhaps it’s because the position of administrative assistant no longer requires English classes.
Oooo that’s it! Our society (those who read Time) is to blame! We don’t have the traditional, sexist, stereotypical position of secretary, and thus a significant amount of writing is not being reviewed by people. Rather it is being peer reviewed (for technical merit) and passed on. The people who are doing the reviews are not qualified to correct English problems (only technical) and when it reaches a level where "quality" is being questioned the people doing the reviews are only able to comment on the English (because they have no ability to understand the technical aspects). If all of the writing went through secretaries then you would have a review on a non-technical level, by someone who was educated in English rules and syntax (and trained). Then should errors be found the blame does not fall back to the author (who is doing a good technical job), but rather to a busy and invaluable secretary. – PROBLEM SOLVED – GET ME A SECRETARY...with big, round, perky…typing skills.
Monday, July 23, 2007
It was a bit of a taxing weekend. My allergies were acting up. I have had episodes of allergies in the past. Most every summer, I have a few days where I convince myself I am coming down with a cold and then “dodge a bullet”. When in reality it is seasonal allergies that are getting the better of me. About 5 years ago, I had such a rough time of it, I went in to see my physician and he prescribed pills (Claritin). That really did the trick – beat the soar throat and head-ache.
This would be the third week of suffering. I finally started taking Benadryl. It works, but also makes me so sleepy that I missed most of the weekend. All Sunday I just sat in my chair and watched Star Wars movies. I started on a Claritin regiment on Sunday. With luck this will help me through this rough patch and all will be better.
It happens to my wonderful wife as well. She gets hit (hard) by allergies, but mistakes them for an illness. She has Flonase for her symptoms. I just can’t do the whole nasal spray. First of all, if you have ever had the pleasure of being around Flonase, it smalls like wild flowers have vomited on a florists shop after drinking a bottle of perfume. It’s overwhelming to be near, let alone shoot it up your nose. I think I would vomit! I was so desperate for relief, I did consider trying it. I was stopped by the label telling me that it takes days to be effective.
I was going to bring the Benadryl to work today. I could have taken a couple of tabs when I got hear and spent the whole day in torpor. This would have been great, but I have a mountain of work that needs to be addressed. With luck I can get through a bunch of it today and tomorrow. I expect the pile to grow because I have meetings all tomorrow afternoon and most of the day Wednesday.
So I made a nice pastrami and cheese sandwich for lunch today. All last week I was pretty bad for budgeting and had nothing left over for saving. I consider it a successful week because I wasn’t over budget, but I really need to save a few bucks (so when the spending goblin comes over for lunch, I can pay for his soup). At any rate, I made a lunch for today as I fixed my breakfast. The thinking is if I can take lunch a few days this week it will really cut down on the $ hemorrhage. It was a nice sandwich. Spicy Jack mustard, Co-jack cheese, and pastrami made a nice sandwich. I bagged up some carrots and a few leaves of home grown lettuce and was set. I filled the thermos and loaded it all into my bag. Then I went to take a shower. Failing to close my bag, the little black puppy decided that the sandwich was too good. He ripped open the bag and ate it. I came down to nothing but dog slobber and plastic bag bits!
Didn’t have the energy or the time to make another one!
I guess the puppy wanted it more than I did. I generally take him into the bathroom when I shower, or let him run around outside, but not today. Either that I close my bag, or put it in a place where he would not be able to get to. All in all, it was a pretty bone head move.
This would be the third week of suffering. I finally started taking Benadryl. It works, but also makes me so sleepy that I missed most of the weekend. All Sunday I just sat in my chair and watched Star Wars movies. I started on a Claritin regiment on Sunday. With luck this will help me through this rough patch and all will be better.
It happens to my wonderful wife as well. She gets hit (hard) by allergies, but mistakes them for an illness. She has Flonase for her symptoms. I just can’t do the whole nasal spray. First of all, if you have ever had the pleasure of being around Flonase, it smalls like wild flowers have vomited on a florists shop after drinking a bottle of perfume. It’s overwhelming to be near, let alone shoot it up your nose. I think I would vomit! I was so desperate for relief, I did consider trying it. I was stopped by the label telling me that it takes days to be effective.
I was going to bring the Benadryl to work today. I could have taken a couple of tabs when I got hear and spent the whole day in torpor. This would have been great, but I have a mountain of work that needs to be addressed. With luck I can get through a bunch of it today and tomorrow. I expect the pile to grow because I have meetings all tomorrow afternoon and most of the day Wednesday.
So I made a nice pastrami and cheese sandwich for lunch today. All last week I was pretty bad for budgeting and had nothing left over for saving. I consider it a successful week because I wasn’t over budget, but I really need to save a few bucks (so when the spending goblin comes over for lunch, I can pay for his soup). At any rate, I made a lunch for today as I fixed my breakfast. The thinking is if I can take lunch a few days this week it will really cut down on the $ hemorrhage. It was a nice sandwich. Spicy Jack mustard, Co-jack cheese, and pastrami made a nice sandwich. I bagged up some carrots and a few leaves of home grown lettuce and was set. I filled the thermos and loaded it all into my bag. Then I went to take a shower. Failing to close my bag, the little black puppy decided that the sandwich was too good. He ripped open the bag and ate it. I came down to nothing but dog slobber and plastic bag bits!
Didn’t have the energy or the time to make another one!
I guess the puppy wanted it more than I did. I generally take him into the bathroom when I shower, or let him run around outside, but not today. Either that I close my bag, or put it in a place where he would not be able to get to. All in all, it was a pretty bone head move.
Psychology:
I was taking the kids to work over the weekend and was told by one of the boys that he thought it was fine to lie to everybody. He did not see a problem with lies as he “knows” everybody lies to him all the time. The perverted thought process is that because he lies to everybody, everybody must lie. He places no value in honest responses. Using people and manipulating people are necessary for him to survive and thus everybody does it to survive.
I try to deal with people honestly and generally I am successful. As an integrated and relatively functional member of society, I know that lies are part of life. What could be described as white lies are part of social grace. Additionally, I use lies to protect my kids and make life easier. As an adult I have the privilege, and the responsibility, to protect these kids; lies are sometimes the easiest method of protection.
The conclusion is that it is a matter of easy that I use lies with the kids.
I am wrestling with lying to this kid. It may be best to deal with him in only truth, but this opens the door to harsh reality. EXAMPLE: I am not willing to do XYZ because I don’t want to be around someone who is abusive. This creates a feedback of more abuse and deepens the cycle. If I am busy or tired, or have a million other reasons, then I don’t have to be battered with a billion reasons why his actions were perfectly justified and how I am so wrong.
Ok, so I just re-read what I wrote and it is pretty obvious that I am lying to him in order to avoid being abused by him. This is a perfect example of why I need to write many of these things down.
Lies for my own protection v. truth and abuse:
I am trying to predict the effects of total truth with this child. He is old enough, to where he should know better, but obviously is so damaged that he can’t yet grasp normal social interactions.
He is very abusive, but has a messed up construction of self-esteem. He begs and fishes for positive feedback. This is frequent when he cooks or bakes. It was when he would do house work or chores, but the feedback was usually pretty poor.
This created a problem of positive feedback for a poor job, thus repeating the poor job.
This child is vengeful and nasty. We need every tool to manage his behaviors. He is a huge problem in simply existing. (I blame his mother).
Over the past few days he has been trying a new tactic with my wife. He is trying to be extra nice to her, but then is hitting her up for immediate consequences. He offer to help, but then asks for something. She sees right through it and has called him out on every occurrence. This just starts the fight cycle. It quickly degrades into negative reinforcement for his “nicer” (and I use that term loosely) behaviors.
Psychology:
I see him as turning into an Anti-Social Personality Disorder. The question I am wrestling with is if he is past redemption. Is he a lost cause?
I know that on the present course he is a goner. He is not getting mental health services that will impact him. No offense to his individual counselor, but I doubt the sessions are anything other than stonewalling and manipulation. I pity his counselor; he must forced into a constant exercise of anti-manipulation. This kids likes to cheat. The rules of life are his favorite target. Let’s take his issues with driving. He is in foster care and the agencies involved do not allow children to get their drivers license. There are a number of reasons, but the end result is a big fat NO. Well, he wanted to take Driver Ed. over the summer. I was willing to pay for half of the class ($200 total) and thought that is was education that would serve him well later (like when he turns 18 and can get a license). We talked many times about the fact that he would not be able to get his license until he was 18, and that he would not be able to practice drive unless he was with his mother. This is one of the ways the agencies try to get 16 year old kids to spend time with parents. As Bush (sr) says “Not gonna happen”. Well he worked the rules around in his head and convinced his brother to “sponsor” him. This would be perfectly legal, but for the agencies rules. So when this topic came up, he informed me that he would be driving with his brother. I explained that he was endangering visitation with his brother, as the agencies could and would disallow contact with his brother. He retorted with the idea that he was given permission by the court to see his brother, and thus interpreted it as a right to contact. When I explained the error in his interpretation he simply said that “it will happen” (he will drive with his brother). At this point I realized that I was not going to correct his faulty thinking (based on lots of experience in this area), but instead of just dropping the subject I asked him if jeopardizing his contact with his brother (sister-in-law and niece and nephew) was worth the drive. He said “yes, as they [the agencies] won’t be able to stop me”. He was already scheming up a pack of lies to try and manipulate the situation and get what he wanted.
I have tried to roll back many of our conversations to a level where he is unable to use most of his tactics. I keep beating him over the head with a question until he answers. I use the broken record technique to just keep hitting him with a question. I refuse to engage in other talks until the question is answered, and I try and resist biting on any abusive or antagonistic behaviors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I was taking the kids to work over the weekend and was told by one of the boys that he thought it was fine to lie to everybody. He did not see a problem with lies as he “knows” everybody lies to him all the time. The perverted thought process is that because he lies to everybody, everybody must lie. He places no value in honest responses. Using people and manipulating people are necessary for him to survive and thus everybody does it to survive.
I try to deal with people honestly and generally I am successful. As an integrated and relatively functional member of society, I know that lies are part of life. What could be described as white lies are part of social grace. Additionally, I use lies to protect my kids and make life easier. As an adult I have the privilege, and the responsibility, to protect these kids; lies are sometimes the easiest method of protection.
The conclusion is that it is a matter of easy that I use lies with the kids.
I am wrestling with lying to this kid. It may be best to deal with him in only truth, but this opens the door to harsh reality. EXAMPLE: I am not willing to do XYZ because I don’t want to be around someone who is abusive. This creates a feedback of more abuse and deepens the cycle. If I am busy or tired, or have a million other reasons, then I don’t have to be battered with a billion reasons why his actions were perfectly justified and how I am so wrong.
Ok, so I just re-read what I wrote and it is pretty obvious that I am lying to him in order to avoid being abused by him. This is a perfect example of why I need to write many of these things down.
Lies for my own protection v. truth and abuse:
I am trying to predict the effects of total truth with this child. He is old enough, to where he should know better, but obviously is so damaged that he can’t yet grasp normal social interactions.
He is very abusive, but has a messed up construction of self-esteem. He begs and fishes for positive feedback. This is frequent when he cooks or bakes. It was when he would do house work or chores, but the feedback was usually pretty poor.
This created a problem of positive feedback for a poor job, thus repeating the poor job.
This child is vengeful and nasty. We need every tool to manage his behaviors. He is a huge problem in simply existing. (I blame his mother).
Over the past few days he has been trying a new tactic with my wife. He is trying to be extra nice to her, but then is hitting her up for immediate consequences. He offer to help, but then asks for something. She sees right through it and has called him out on every occurrence. This just starts the fight cycle. It quickly degrades into negative reinforcement for his “nicer” (and I use that term loosely) behaviors.
Psychology:
I see him as turning into an Anti-Social Personality Disorder. The question I am wrestling with is if he is past redemption. Is he a lost cause?
I know that on the present course he is a goner. He is not getting mental health services that will impact him. No offense to his individual counselor, but I doubt the sessions are anything other than stonewalling and manipulation. I pity his counselor; he must forced into a constant exercise of anti-manipulation. This kids likes to cheat. The rules of life are his favorite target. Let’s take his issues with driving. He is in foster care and the agencies involved do not allow children to get their drivers license. There are a number of reasons, but the end result is a big fat NO. Well, he wanted to take Driver Ed. over the summer. I was willing to pay for half of the class ($200 total) and thought that is was education that would serve him well later (like when he turns 18 and can get a license). We talked many times about the fact that he would not be able to get his license until he was 18, and that he would not be able to practice drive unless he was with his mother. This is one of the ways the agencies try to get 16 year old kids to spend time with parents. As Bush (sr) says “Not gonna happen”. Well he worked the rules around in his head and convinced his brother to “sponsor” him. This would be perfectly legal, but for the agencies rules. So when this topic came up, he informed me that he would be driving with his brother. I explained that he was endangering visitation with his brother, as the agencies could and would disallow contact with his brother. He retorted with the idea that he was given permission by the court to see his brother, and thus interpreted it as a right to contact. When I explained the error in his interpretation he simply said that “it will happen” (he will drive with his brother). At this point I realized that I was not going to correct his faulty thinking (based on lots of experience in this area), but instead of just dropping the subject I asked him if jeopardizing his contact with his brother (sister-in-law and niece and nephew) was worth the drive. He said “yes, as they [the agencies] won’t be able to stop me”. He was already scheming up a pack of lies to try and manipulate the situation and get what he wanted.
I have tried to roll back many of our conversations to a level where he is unable to use most of his tactics. I keep beating him over the head with a question until he answers. I use the broken record technique to just keep hitting him with a question. I refuse to engage in other talks until the question is answered, and I try and resist biting on any abusive or antagonistic behaviors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Antisocial personality disorder is defined as, a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15, as indicated by three (or more) of the following:
Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure
Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults
Reckless disregard for safety of self or others
Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain steady work or honor financial obligations
Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another
DSM-IV-TR lists the following additional necessary criteria:
The individual is at least 18 years of age.
There is evidence of conduct disorder with onset before age 15 years.
The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of schizophrenia or a manic episode.
Common characteristics of people with antisocial personality disorder include:
Persistent lying or stealing
Recurring difficulties with the law
Tendency to violate the rights of others (property, physical, sexual, emotional, legal)
Aggressive, often violent behavior; prone to getting involved in fights
Inability to keep a job
A persistent agitated or depressed feeling (dysphoria)
Inability to tolerate boredom
Disregard for the safety of self or others
A childhood diagnosis of conduct disorders
Lack of remorse for hurting others
Superficial charm
Impulsiveness
A sense of extreme entitlement
Inability to make or keep friends
Lack of guilt
Recklessness, impulsivity
Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure
Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults
Reckless disregard for safety of self or others
Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain steady work or honor financial obligations
Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another
DSM-IV-TR lists the following additional necessary criteria:
The individual is at least 18 years of age.
There is evidence of conduct disorder with onset before age 15 years.
The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of schizophrenia or a manic episode.
Common characteristics of people with antisocial personality disorder include:
Persistent lying or stealing
Recurring difficulties with the law
Tendency to violate the rights of others (property, physical, sexual, emotional, legal)
Aggressive, often violent behavior; prone to getting involved in fights
Inability to keep a job
A persistent agitated or depressed feeling (dysphoria)
Inability to tolerate boredom
Disregard for the safety of self or others
A childhood diagnosis of conduct disorders
Lack of remorse for hurting others
Superficial charm
Impulsiveness
A sense of extreme entitlement
Inability to make or keep friends
Lack of guilt
Recklessness, impulsivity
Friday, July 20, 2007
All things Harry Potter:
Well the countdown continues.
I could check the amazon.com site and see exactly how long till it hits, but I won’t.
The book has even made it to National Public Radio. They ran a “local” story looking at adults who were getting a little nutty over the release. Well, in truth, the story was about how HP has fit into their lives, but what we got was nutty.
Butter Beer
8 oz cream soda
2-3 tbsp butterscotch syrup (or butterscotch schnapps for the alcoholic version)
2 tbsp milk
--Whisk ingredients together. If desired, it can be heated in a microwave, but not too much, or the soda will go flat and not taste quite right.
My son continues to comment on that fact that his parents are crazy over HP. Now it is true that we are excited for the release of the last book, and that we went to the movie(s) the day they opened, but I don’t think he has a leg to stand on. He was the only student in the history of our school system to ever be threatened for reading too much. His personal library is huge, and most of the tombs within have been read several times. He has pervasively invaded both my and my wife’s libraries. As for his comment on our excitement – “Hello Pot? This is kettle. Your black.”
Let not forget that there were request to buy more than one copy of the book, so nobody had to wait for my wife to finish.
So the big questions!
The six previous books have create a vast number of unresolved questions. Like, who is going to be a couple, who is going to die, how can Harry kill Lord Voldemort, is Dumbledor really dead, is Snape evil, what will happen to Draco Malfoy, which squib will cast spells, and many others.
JKR has been questioned numerous times as to the fate of the characters and people have been weaseling to get answers. Untold masses have been (over)analyzing the text for clues and breadcrumbs. All of these loose ends must be ties up in a book that is not even the largest in the series.
My predictions:
Who is going to be a couple?
Harry and Ginny
Ron and Hermione
Neville and Luna
Who is going to die?
Lord Voldimort
Lucious Malfoy
Hagrid
Bellatrix
Other are certain, but I would not bet on which
How can Harry kill Lord Voldemort?
Destroy the remaining Horcruxs and ten go for the gold – the real question is what and where are these magical items
Is Dumbledor dead?
YES
Is Snape evil?
No, but he is a bit of a bast@rd
What will happen to Draco?
Dead or alive, he will try to get out from under his family and fail.
Which squib?
Filch
Is there Christian allegory?
YES – The infamous Christian artifacts are represented in the story, and there are many references to Arthurian legend. But it won’t be enough to assuage those who fear words like witches and magic.
The issue of devil in Potter is one of my favorite debates to get into. Coming from a good Christian home and having attended a Bible college (and getting a minor in bible studies), I enjoy talking to people about the Devil and Mr. Potter.
For the record, as if you could not have guessed, I do NOT think Harry Potter is a tool of the devil, any more than CBS’s CSI: Miami. I have spoken with a variety of people on the topic and those people have closed minds, and are anti-society. That is to say they are insulating themselves from society with their faith. They band together with likeminded individuals and use faith in the Lord to shield them from the world.
Now I understand that a Christian must not allow corruption from the fallen world to taint their soul, but withdrawing from the world is not way in which to do that. To me that is cutting off your nose to spite the face. These individuals are by far and large evangelical Christians, and if you are hiding from the world behind a wall of “perfect faith” where is the proselytizing (evangelizing) that we are all commanded to do?
There is an ancient military strategy that instructs to know your enemy. This means that if you don’t know what you are up against then your efforts to defeat it are in vane. This should be critical advice to those who speak out against Harry Potter. Without ever reading a book or becoming aware of what is within HP, how can you possibly know what you are fighting against?
Those who are critical without reading are fighting against words. All Americans know how fruitless it is to wage war against words. The idea that JKR uses words like witchcraft or wizard, does not make these texts the work of the devil. If it did then the entire Chronicles of Narnia would have to be burned at the stake (or like a steak). The pretense that C. S. Lewis was writing a text that made Christian ideas easily accessible to your people is an evangelical version of a corrupt sheriff’s trumped up charge. Only in light of literary dissection does the allegory become clear. The same arguments for Lewis cannot be twisted to prosecute Rowling. Harry Potter has messages of love and friendship and huge moral decisions. It presents good Christian ideas and beliefs. Her story is a coming of age tale that has nearly ubiquitous appeal to a whole generation.
If Evangelical Christians want something to read to their children that encourage strength of character and vehement defense of ideals there is no better choice that Harry Potter. On top of that if you want to encourage the isolation of those of faith, there is a perfect literary model built right into the story. What more could you ask for?
Stop criticizing what you don’t understand or retreat behind your walls of faith and keep to yourself.
All of those people who honored me by explaining their views and allowing me to challenge them, I offer you thanks.
Well, it was a pretty good day. I have to yet go home and do some role-playing therapy with the kids, but then it’s the weekend
Well the countdown continues.
I could check the amazon.com site and see exactly how long till it hits, but I won’t.
The book has even made it to National Public Radio. They ran a “local” story looking at adults who were getting a little nutty over the release. Well, in truth, the story was about how HP has fit into their lives, but what we got was nutty.
Butter Beer
8 oz cream soda
2-3 tbsp butterscotch syrup (or butterscotch schnapps for the alcoholic version)
2 tbsp milk
--Whisk ingredients together. If desired, it can be heated in a microwave, but not too much, or the soda will go flat and not taste quite right.
My son continues to comment on that fact that his parents are crazy over HP. Now it is true that we are excited for the release of the last book, and that we went to the movie(s) the day they opened, but I don’t think he has a leg to stand on. He was the only student in the history of our school system to ever be threatened for reading too much. His personal library is huge, and most of the tombs within have been read several times. He has pervasively invaded both my and my wife’s libraries. As for his comment on our excitement – “Hello Pot? This is kettle. Your black.”
Let not forget that there were request to buy more than one copy of the book, so nobody had to wait for my wife to finish.
So the big questions!
The six previous books have create a vast number of unresolved questions. Like, who is going to be a couple, who is going to die, how can Harry kill Lord Voldemort, is Dumbledor really dead, is Snape evil, what will happen to Draco Malfoy, which squib will cast spells, and many others.
JKR has been questioned numerous times as to the fate of the characters and people have been weaseling to get answers. Untold masses have been (over)analyzing the text for clues and breadcrumbs. All of these loose ends must be ties up in a book that is not even the largest in the series.
My predictions:
Who is going to be a couple?
Harry and Ginny
Ron and Hermione
Neville and Luna
Who is going to die?
Lord Voldimort
Lucious Malfoy
Hagrid
Bellatrix
Other are certain, but I would not bet on which
How can Harry kill Lord Voldemort?
Destroy the remaining Horcruxs and ten go for the gold – the real question is what and where are these magical items
Is Dumbledor dead?
YES
Is Snape evil?
No, but he is a bit of a bast@rd
What will happen to Draco?
Dead or alive, he will try to get out from under his family and fail.
Which squib?
Filch
Is there Christian allegory?
YES – The infamous Christian artifacts are represented in the story, and there are many references to Arthurian legend. But it won’t be enough to assuage those who fear words like witches and magic.
The issue of devil in Potter is one of my favorite debates to get into. Coming from a good Christian home and having attended a Bible college (and getting a minor in bible studies), I enjoy talking to people about the Devil and Mr. Potter.
For the record, as if you could not have guessed, I do NOT think Harry Potter is a tool of the devil, any more than CBS’s CSI: Miami. I have spoken with a variety of people on the topic and those people have closed minds, and are anti-society. That is to say they are insulating themselves from society with their faith. They band together with likeminded individuals and use faith in the Lord to shield them from the world.
Now I understand that a Christian must not allow corruption from the fallen world to taint their soul, but withdrawing from the world is not way in which to do that. To me that is cutting off your nose to spite the face. These individuals are by far and large evangelical Christians, and if you are hiding from the world behind a wall of “perfect faith” where is the proselytizing (evangelizing) that we are all commanded to do?
There is an ancient military strategy that instructs to know your enemy. This means that if you don’t know what you are up against then your efforts to defeat it are in vane. This should be critical advice to those who speak out against Harry Potter. Without ever reading a book or becoming aware of what is within HP, how can you possibly know what you are fighting against?
Those who are critical without reading are fighting against words. All Americans know how fruitless it is to wage war against words. The idea that JKR uses words like witchcraft or wizard, does not make these texts the work of the devil. If it did then the entire Chronicles of Narnia would have to be burned at the stake (or like a steak). The pretense that C. S. Lewis was writing a text that made Christian ideas easily accessible to your people is an evangelical version of a corrupt sheriff’s trumped up charge. Only in light of literary dissection does the allegory become clear. The same arguments for Lewis cannot be twisted to prosecute Rowling. Harry Potter has messages of love and friendship and huge moral decisions. It presents good Christian ideas and beliefs. Her story is a coming of age tale that has nearly ubiquitous appeal to a whole generation.
If Evangelical Christians want something to read to their children that encourage strength of character and vehement defense of ideals there is no better choice that Harry Potter. On top of that if you want to encourage the isolation of those of faith, there is a perfect literary model built right into the story. What more could you ask for?
Stop criticizing what you don’t understand or retreat behind your walls of faith and keep to yourself.
All of those people who honored me by explaining their views and allowing me to challenge them, I offer you thanks.
Well, it was a pretty good day. I have to yet go home and do some role-playing therapy with the kids, but then it’s the weekend
Sometimes the mind, for reasons we don't necessarily understand, just decides to go to the store for a quart of milk.
--Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, Northern Exposure, Three Doctors, 1993
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well as this is a major element in my newly chosen field, I have more than a few words about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD (and some strong opinions).
I have met dozens of kids diagnosed with ADHD. Out of the whole bunch only two were correctly labeled. These two responded to medication. When they imbibed caffeine, they became calmer and quieter. The effect of speeding up those portions of the brain that were affected was so obvious! As a foster parent I have heard tale of many children who stop taking their drugs and their energy level decreases, they are more ordered, and have longer attention spans.
Current research hypothesizes that ADHD is a result of a portion of the brain that has significantly less blood flow. Think of this as slowing down the brain engine because it has less fuel to run. By adding chemicals that cause vasodilatation and increased activity, these starved engine parts get a boost, thus relieving some of the symptoms of ADHD. The actual cause is linked to genetics and a propensity for dopamine transporters to be in excess in certain parts of the brain.
The problem is not with the kids, but with the parents, schools, and doctors. Many school systems are putting enormous pressure on parents to seek medical attention for ADHD. In some cases parents are being told that their child will not be allowed back into school (which is a huge violation of legal rights and ethical boundaries). I don't want to burden the teachers with chaos or vile children. The teachers are responding to crisis, and their job is hard enough without adding doctor to the list.
As a country we are putting diagnostic and essentially prescription power into the hands of teachers. The same teachers who are overworked, underpaid, and pressed into extraordinary single parent roles for 30 kids. If it were me I would want every tool in the box to maintain even the smallest degree of sanity. The teachers are responding to the issue, but I blame family doctors who can't know enough to make such a diagnosis.
Your family physician is not well equipped to diagnose ADHD. They can only take second-hand information and make a guess. Most of this information is not appropriate, as it is based all or in significant part on teacher evaluation. As a parent, I would insist on a brain scan and attention span and behavioral testing. Improper diagnosis leads to children being placed on amphetamines. There is a reason a black market exists for these drugs, should we be handing these pills out like candy?
A study done by the School of Public Health in New York found that the language used to describe kid’s behaviors was paired with the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This means that the same syntax is used. The problem is that the kids being described were not suffering from ADHD.
While I am jabbing doctors, they need to stop pushing antibiotics for colds. Be a man and tell the parents that there is no magic pill. They may not think of you as a living deity, but then they will also stop creating MRS!
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV-Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), the following criteria must be met for a person to be diagnosed with Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I - Either A or B:
A) Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:
Inattention
1. Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
2. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
5. Often has trouble organizing activities.
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
7. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
8. Is often easily distracted.
9. Is often forgetful in daily activities.
B) Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:
Hyperactivity
1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
2. Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
3. Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
4. Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
5. Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".
6. Often talks excessively.
Impulsivity
1. Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
2. Often has trouble waiting one's turn.
3. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).
II - Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age 7 years.
III - Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school/work and at home).
IV - There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning.
V - The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).
--Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, Northern Exposure, Three Doctors, 1993
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Well as this is a major element in my newly chosen field, I have more than a few words about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD (and some strong opinions).
I have met dozens of kids diagnosed with ADHD. Out of the whole bunch only two were correctly labeled. These two responded to medication. When they imbibed caffeine, they became calmer and quieter. The effect of speeding up those portions of the brain that were affected was so obvious! As a foster parent I have heard tale of many children who stop taking their drugs and their energy level decreases, they are more ordered, and have longer attention spans.
Current research hypothesizes that ADHD is a result of a portion of the brain that has significantly less blood flow. Think of this as slowing down the brain engine because it has less fuel to run. By adding chemicals that cause vasodilatation and increased activity, these starved engine parts get a boost, thus relieving some of the symptoms of ADHD. The actual cause is linked to genetics and a propensity for dopamine transporters to be in excess in certain parts of the brain.
The problem is not with the kids, but with the parents, schools, and doctors. Many school systems are putting enormous pressure on parents to seek medical attention for ADHD. In some cases parents are being told that their child will not be allowed back into school (which is a huge violation of legal rights and ethical boundaries). I don't want to burden the teachers with chaos or vile children. The teachers are responding to crisis, and their job is hard enough without adding doctor to the list.
As a country we are putting diagnostic and essentially prescription power into the hands of teachers. The same teachers who are overworked, underpaid, and pressed into extraordinary single parent roles for 30 kids. If it were me I would want every tool in the box to maintain even the smallest degree of sanity. The teachers are responding to the issue, but I blame family doctors who can't know enough to make such a diagnosis.
Your family physician is not well equipped to diagnose ADHD. They can only take second-hand information and make a guess. Most of this information is not appropriate, as it is based all or in significant part on teacher evaluation. As a parent, I would insist on a brain scan and attention span and behavioral testing. Improper diagnosis leads to children being placed on amphetamines. There is a reason a black market exists for these drugs, should we be handing these pills out like candy?
A study done by the School of Public Health in New York found that the language used to describe kid’s behaviors was paired with the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This means that the same syntax is used. The problem is that the kids being described were not suffering from ADHD.
While I am jabbing doctors, they need to stop pushing antibiotics for colds. Be a man and tell the parents that there is no magic pill. They may not think of you as a living deity, but then they will also stop creating MRS!
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV-Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), the following criteria must be met for a person to be diagnosed with Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder.
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I - Either A or B:
A) Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:
Inattention
1. Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
2. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
5. Often has trouble organizing activities.
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
7. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
8. Is often easily distracted.
9. Is often forgetful in daily activities.
B) Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:
Hyperactivity
1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
2. Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
3. Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
4. Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
5. Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".
6. Often talks excessively.
Impulsivity
1. Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
2. Often has trouble waiting one's turn.
3. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).
II - Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age 7 years.
III - Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school/work and at home).
IV - There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning.
V - The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Thoughts for today:
Lactose intolerance is a fad. – It’s a fad for parents, the kids a re miserable, but the parents are "with it" in terms of popular culture.
Chicken, Turkey, Peacock, Grouse, Quail, and Partridge are Galliformes and if you are a poultrinarian you should eat all of these.
There is a count-down timer on Amazon.com to track the release of Harry Potter The Deathly Hallows. It counts down by the second, but the book is released by time zone.
I had a performance review today, but we never talked about my performance.
Lactose intolerance is a fad. – It’s a fad for parents, the kids a re miserable, but the parents are "with it" in terms of popular culture.
Chicken, Turkey, Peacock, Grouse, Quail, and Partridge are Galliformes and if you are a poultrinarian you should eat all of these.
There is a count-down timer on Amazon.com to track the release of Harry Potter The Deathly Hallows. It counts down by the second, but the book is released by time zone.
I had a performance review today, but we never talked about my performance.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Ron is going to live - there I put it in (electric) ink. He is fine
Harry may perish, but the odds are against it. If he goes it will have to be for higher moral reasons and for huge payoff. The villain can't win - JKR would be killed for that, and there is no worse way to die than be trampled o death by a mob of 10 year-olds.
...but what about Hermione???
Harry may perish, but the odds are against it. If he goes it will have to be for higher moral reasons and for huge payoff. The villain can't win - JKR would be killed for that, and there is no worse way to die than be trampled o death by a mob of 10 year-olds.
...but what about Hermione???
Names are vitally important in Rowling's world.
Sirius = dog.
Lupin = wolf.
Pettigrew = small ("petite") + enlarge ("grew").
There are probably a hundred significant examples. So, Hermione is in serious danger. Shakespeare had his Hermione appear to die but come to life at the end. However, in the play on which he based "The Winter's Tale" (Pandosto), Hermione died. Hence the foreshadowed event may have already happened when Hermione Granger was petrified in Chamber of Secrets. Should JKR being more of a Pandosto girl, Hermione is in serious trouble.
Sirius = dog.
Lupin = wolf.
Pettigrew = small ("petite") + enlarge ("grew").
There are probably a hundred significant examples. So, Hermione is in serious danger. Shakespeare had his Hermione appear to die but come to life at the end. However, in the play on which he based "The Winter's Tale" (Pandosto), Hermione died. Hence the foreshadowed event may have already happened when Hermione Granger was petrified in Chamber of Secrets. Should JKR being more of a Pandosto girl, Hermione is in serious trouble.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
So a friend of mine from school just packed up his family and move 1300 miles to a new school. He was admitted to the PsyD program and it is a great opportunity, but I don’t think I could do it.
They had to quit their jobs, find a home for a dog, sell their house, and pull up and move. The idea is just unsettling.
I really enjoyed his company in class and was really hoping he would be in my program at Argosy.
God definitely had other ideas.
That’s really the key to doing this – it couldn’t be my decision, I would have to have some sign from above. They definitely did, but the timing was anything but peaceful.
I know I am going to have to go somewhere for an APA approved internship. It will likely be somewhere nobody has ever heard of, but I have hopes for New Orleans.
He messaged me to tell me he has arrived safely and that he will be set up for Xbox 360. Somehow I have to figure out how to get him to try Guitar Hero (as it s the best game ever).
We have previously only played Gears of War (a very good game), but he wants me to try Rainbow 6: Las Vegas. I also have Lost Planet and Metal of Honor 2. I am working through Lost Planet. That game is tough, but cool (no pun intended). I have Halo 2, but I know if I break that out, the kids would never leave me alone. I also ramp up the risk of them stealing the console and playing it when I’m not looking.
Reading back, it is quite obvious that the kids in our care are in need of a jail like setting.
I’m their jailor and we are pressed into service running a detention facility.
Huge error in purpose there! The courts, county and mental health care systems are responsible for the shift. At the very center of the problem are foster parents who are over zealous to take kids, and these kids are not ideally suited for anything more than a bars and guards facility.
How guilty am I of this? Pretty guilty.
I just have such a hard time closing the door on a kid. Of course, adults are on their own. Kids should have the chance to change.
They had to quit their jobs, find a home for a dog, sell their house, and pull up and move. The idea is just unsettling.
I really enjoyed his company in class and was really hoping he would be in my program at Argosy.
God definitely had other ideas.
That’s really the key to doing this – it couldn’t be my decision, I would have to have some sign from above. They definitely did, but the timing was anything but peaceful.
I know I am going to have to go somewhere for an APA approved internship. It will likely be somewhere nobody has ever heard of, but I have hopes for New Orleans.
He messaged me to tell me he has arrived safely and that he will be set up for Xbox 360. Somehow I have to figure out how to get him to try Guitar Hero (as it s the best game ever).
We have previously only played Gears of War (a very good game), but he wants me to try Rainbow 6: Las Vegas. I also have Lost Planet and Metal of Honor 2. I am working through Lost Planet. That game is tough, but cool (no pun intended). I have Halo 2, but I know if I break that out, the kids would never leave me alone. I also ramp up the risk of them stealing the console and playing it when I’m not looking.
Reading back, it is quite obvious that the kids in our care are in need of a jail like setting.
I’m their jailor and we are pressed into service running a detention facility.
Huge error in purpose there! The courts, county and mental health care systems are responsible for the shift. At the very center of the problem are foster parents who are over zealous to take kids, and these kids are not ideally suited for anything more than a bars and guards facility.
How guilty am I of this? Pretty guilty.
I just have such a hard time closing the door on a kid. Of course, adults are on their own. Kids should have the chance to change.
Middle of last week I roasted up some Sumatra Tabu Jamu Sidikalang coffee beans. They have rested for a couple of days and now are being turned into some of the greatest coffee!
The coffee is described as bright. I think bright is a visual term, but the taste is wonderful. I took a thermos full this morning and when it was gone I was down-right sad.
I have to get to roasting some more coffee tonight.
This bean roaster is really fun. It is just a started model and only roasts enough coffee for about 12 cups (per run), but it makes some great coffee. We have done mostly lighter roasts with it, but this last batch was a dark roast and it was the best we have yet made.
I was reading about how to roast more beans in this model and because the roasting chamber is glass, it needs to cool down after each batch. The solution is to have 2 chambers and cool one while the other is in use.
Another chamber is $20+S&H, but I think it is worth it.
Should I win the lotto, one of the things I want is a larger roaster (like a rolling drum) that can do a pound at a time.
I am a coffee, wine, cigar snob. Oooo wine and a cigar tonight! If it doesn’t rain I am all over that one.
I think I have a nice Black Swan Merlot and a CAO Amazon.
And Another Thing…
I spoke with some relatives of my foster son, who confirmed that they are giving him cigarettes. HE has huge problems with this smoking. Not only is he under 18, he has a smokers cough, he also has been banned from school sports because of all the tickets (and thus violations of the athletic code). Their justification for giving him tobacco is that if they don’t he will steal it (and thus they will be out even more). As money is very tight for them, I can deal with that, but they should either not leave their cigarettes out (when he s around) or not have him over.
Why would you consistently invite someone over who steals from you?
What else is he stealing (if they had money I would bet it would disappear)?
The coffee is described as bright. I think bright is a visual term, but the taste is wonderful. I took a thermos full this morning and when it was gone I was down-right sad.
I have to get to roasting some more coffee tonight.
This bean roaster is really fun. It is just a started model and only roasts enough coffee for about 12 cups (per run), but it makes some great coffee. We have done mostly lighter roasts with it, but this last batch was a dark roast and it was the best we have yet made.
I was reading about how to roast more beans in this model and because the roasting chamber is glass, it needs to cool down after each batch. The solution is to have 2 chambers and cool one while the other is in use.
Another chamber is $20+S&H, but I think it is worth it.
Should I win the lotto, one of the things I want is a larger roaster (like a rolling drum) that can do a pound at a time.
I am a coffee, wine, cigar snob. Oooo wine and a cigar tonight! If it doesn’t rain I am all over that one.
I think I have a nice Black Swan Merlot and a CAO Amazon.
And Another Thing…
I spoke with some relatives of my foster son, who confirmed that they are giving him cigarettes. HE has huge problems with this smoking. Not only is he under 18, he has a smokers cough, he also has been banned from school sports because of all the tickets (and thus violations of the athletic code). Their justification for giving him tobacco is that if they don’t he will steal it (and thus they will be out even more). As money is very tight for them, I can deal with that, but they should either not leave their cigarettes out (when he s around) or not have him over.
Why would you consistently invite someone over who steals from you?
What else is he stealing (if they had money I would bet it would disappear)?
Monday, July 16, 2007
Oh Boy, What a freakingly bad day!
Not only did my foster son get no consequences fro braking into a car and stealing cigarettes, but an old project came back to haunt me (further), and the crazy of work was beyond measure.
IS THERE A FULL MOON?
Has someone released stupid putty into the local water supply?
I am at a loss for words. I guess I will need to circle back on this topic and cover it when I have a little more perspective – plus I have a sliver in my index finger and typing hurts!
As for Foster child – the court just told him that if you steal and get caught, it’s ok we won’t do anything. I wonder if he already repeated the behavior, or is he going to wait until dark?
Not only did my foster son get no consequences fro braking into a car and stealing cigarettes, but an old project came back to haunt me (further), and the crazy of work was beyond measure.
IS THERE A FULL MOON?
Has someone released stupid putty into the local water supply?
I am at a loss for words. I guess I will need to circle back on this topic and cover it when I have a little more perspective – plus I have a sliver in my index finger and typing hurts!
As for Foster child – the court just told him that if you steal and get caught, it’s ok we won’t do anything. I wonder if he already repeated the behavior, or is he going to wait until dark?
Thursday, July 12, 2007
So I saw the movie (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix). It was a very good movie.
It was jam-packed with great action.
The special effects were brilliant, vibrant, and awe inspiring.
I would have even been happy paying the $8.75 for a regular admission.
I will buy the move and add it to my collection and I will happily pay $20 for the DVD.
On the down side:
There was little chance for character development. Several new characters were introduced and we didn't get to know them as well as we have int he past. I think we know Moaning Myrtle better than we know Luna Lovegood.
There were huge holes in the presented plot. For anyone who has read the book, this is a non-issue, but I can't imagine seeing the movie and following it, without that background.
There was little chance for the beloved character interactions. The magical world of witches and wizards was mute (or muted) in this film, as was a lot of the humor.
That may not actually be a down side as the film was darker and humor would dispel (or is that dispell?) that effect.
All in all it was a Good movie (****)
It was jam-packed with great action.
The special effects were brilliant, vibrant, and awe inspiring.
I would have even been happy paying the $8.75 for a regular admission.
I will buy the move and add it to my collection and I will happily pay $20 for the DVD.
On the down side:
There was little chance for character development. Several new characters were introduced and we didn't get to know them as well as we have int he past. I think we know Moaning Myrtle better than we know Luna Lovegood.
There were huge holes in the presented plot. For anyone who has read the book, this is a non-issue, but I can't imagine seeing the movie and following it, without that background.
There was little chance for the beloved character interactions. The magical world of witches and wizards was mute (or muted) in this film, as was a lot of the humor.
That may not actually be a down side as the film was darker and humor would dispel (or is that dispell?) that effect.
All in all it was a Good movie (****)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix opens today. I went so far as to Fandango.com my tickets. I am ducking out of work a little early to see it (well for matinee rates). I am also awaiting the last book in the series Harry Potter and the Deadly Hollows.
I never really considered myself a big fan of HP, but if you look at my behaviors I definitely am.
I picked up the mugglenet book on the seventh book. It has been very interesting reading. I am impressed with the rational and well constructed arguments within the text. The mugglenet book also makes me realize that JKR is a nut who has put way too much time into the world of wizards.
Not that I don’t enjoy the detail, but wow – overkill!
The attic full of mysteries is almost beyond measure. There are about 20 chapters, each with a mystery (or cluster of mysteries) that needs to be explained in the 7th book.
Some of my personal favorites.
à The pieces of Vold’s soul. Where are they and what are they?
-The Diary
-The Ring
-The Locket
-The Cup
-The serpent
-Unknown
-Is there a Seventh?
à Is Harry one of those pieces?
à The realization of the prophecy.
All of these are cool. The level of detail in the arguments surrounding the issues is also amazing. Mugglenet dissects the books, but also collects transcripts from interviews, copies of chatroom discussions. New release test, and anything else that could be useful. If I were JKR I would be just a bit creeped out by the level of scrutiny. I would also me very flittered it the depth of interest in a piece of fiction.
I am personally interested in the idea that JKR has a Christian theme to the story. Mugglenet has adopted a theory about allegory to authoritarian legend. These links centers on the analogy to the greatest Christian artifacts and the parallels with HP. Holy Grail, Lance of Longinus, Stone Tablet, etc…are all represented in the founding wizard houses. JKR has been nearly silent on the ideas of Christianity and her writing, but her critiques have been more than outspoken (annoyingly loud – free speech and all). As the characters celebrate all the regular Christian holidays (although Easter is conspicuously absent and Halloween is notoriously present) the issue of religion is less than a minor theme.
I never really considered myself a big fan of HP, but if you look at my behaviors I definitely am.
I picked up the mugglenet book on the seventh book. It has been very interesting reading. I am impressed with the rational and well constructed arguments within the text. The mugglenet book also makes me realize that JKR is a nut who has put way too much time into the world of wizards.
Not that I don’t enjoy the detail, but wow – overkill!
The attic full of mysteries is almost beyond measure. There are about 20 chapters, each with a mystery (or cluster of mysteries) that needs to be explained in the 7th book.
Some of my personal favorites.
à The pieces of Vold’s soul. Where are they and what are they?
-The Diary
-The Ring
-The Locket
-The Cup
-The serpent
-Unknown
-Is there a Seventh?
à Is Harry one of those pieces?
à The realization of the prophecy.
All of these are cool. The level of detail in the arguments surrounding the issues is also amazing. Mugglenet dissects the books, but also collects transcripts from interviews, copies of chatroom discussions. New release test, and anything else that could be useful. If I were JKR I would be just a bit creeped out by the level of scrutiny. I would also me very flittered it the depth of interest in a piece of fiction.
I am personally interested in the idea that JKR has a Christian theme to the story. Mugglenet has adopted a theory about allegory to authoritarian legend. These links centers on the analogy to the greatest Christian artifacts and the parallels with HP. Holy Grail, Lance of Longinus, Stone Tablet, etc…are all represented in the founding wizard houses. JKR has been nearly silent on the ideas of Christianity and her writing, but her critiques have been more than outspoken (annoyingly loud – free speech and all). As the characters celebrate all the regular Christian holidays (although Easter is conspicuously absent and Halloween is notoriously present) the issue of religion is less than a minor theme.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
I just received a call from the two main troubled teens in my home. First, they called me at work. As I would rather have them check in for permission than just do whatever the f*ck they want, I am trying to be pleased. The problem is that I can’t become involved in a horrid pointless debate about the merits of rules and natural consequences. I take the calls but remind them at another time that they should evaluate the reasons before dialing.
Second, the grounded child wants to go to school and weight lift. Although the father in me wants him to go and get some exercise and activity, he is grounded. I gave him permission to go, but wanted to know the details of his activity. My reasons were to have him state his intentions and then be accountable for them. He needs to know that he broke the trust and this is a direct consequence to having a lack of trust. The devil is in the details and I am going to be there as an active sentinel against his bad decisions.
Third, the child who obtained the contraband materials wanted to know what happened to the speakers on the computer. He said, “…not with your fancy words or anything like that. Plain English. What did you do to the speakers?”
I told him “I disabled them.” Was that plain enough? He wanted an account of what was disabled so he could activate them again. It had nothing to do with why, but rather only what he wanted.
The fact is that he plays music obnoxiously loud and after repeated occurrences of the issue, I had to take the speakers away. The reason I took the speakers away were two fold: Primarily, the music is obnoxious and loud; secondary, the speakers could be damaged by excessively loud music.
Psychologically –
He concluded that if he could use another speaker (someone else’s speaker) then he would not be running the risk of damage, hence it was fine. The whole issue of too loud and repeated obnoxious instances was never even considered.
When I asked him about it, he didn’t even come up with that as a possibility. I don’t know if he is truly obtuse or is intentionally ignoring that issue. In either case he doesn’t feel the consequences are just.
This is the child, which in a perfectly quiet and empty house, turns the TV up such that you can clearly hear it outside.
I can remember back to my childhood. When my mom was away, I turned up the stereo to levels she did not tolerate. I was never allowed to do that when she was around. When I had my own “boom box” I would take it outside, but still get yelled at for playing music too loud, as it would disturb the neighbors. She was right of course, and I conformed to her wishes. Our kids, turn up music at all hours of the night and growl and complain when told to turn it down. Then they either don’t turn it down enough or turn it back up a few minutes later.
I expect kids to toe-the-line and naturally cross it from time to time, but this rag-tag bunch takes great pains to always be over the line.
The loud one (Oooo, that’s a good name for him) then launched into a rant about how just solving the problem is something he gets yelled at for and is unacceptable. He then tells me how I lied about something. I think it was about telling him his solutions were unacceptable and then I go and do it. Technically speaking, if that were true, I would be a hypocrite not a liar. It is my recollection hat he was talking abut a time in which he did something to someone else’s stuff and was told that was unacceptable.
Psychologically –
He is placing himself on an equal footing with the parents (foster parents) and home owners of the house. Second, he failed to grasp the issue of his actions and my responses with my stuff.
POW – a metaphorical smack with a huge stick, right up side their heads.
On to Work –
I am at war with stupidity.
This job has so many things wrong with it.
A minor one is as follows:
I was told that the sentence, “Atmospheric material is expected to react via indirect photolysis and degrade, the estimated half-life for this reaction is 20.5 hours.” needed to indicate that the hours were daylight hours. This issue I have is that anyone who does not know what this sentence is talking about will not gain the insight needed by adding “Daylight” and those who do understand the sentence will think not need the added specification.
This may seem like a fairly minor thing, but it required more than an hour of my day to reach a conclusion, where I had to add “of sunlight.” In truth this one instance is minor, but it is an example of the theme of problems we have here. These assessments are not doctoral theses. The addition of “of sunlight” does not educate those readers who do not have the background, and it does not add anything to those readers who do.
Our group is doing work for the corporation and its business units (called divisions). The divisions directly request work from us in support of regulatory and product stewardship needs. Our group is managed by another structure all together. We are managed by corporate employees who do not have a stake in any of the business ventures of the company. Our managers do not depend upon corporate sales and production to get paid.
Yes indirectly that need sales and there is a benefit to being autonomous and separate from those factors, but if you loose sight of the reason you are separate, the self-importance factor conjurers up other reasons. Understand that this company places great esteem in the award of a doctoral degree. This kind of emphasis is not in itself problematic, but rather it is fertile soil for problems to grow from. As it applied to this team, when the PhD mind set is applied to this culture you get a problem. The problem is the expectation that this work is PhD level. Unfortunately it is possible to do research and authoring to PhD levels, but it has little value the company as a whole.
The team managers are looking for thesis style assessments on chemicals and products, but the divisions need only a quick look at the materials to flag any environmental issues. In other words the self-important PhD mentality is trumping the needs of those people who are requesting, utilizing, and plying for our work.
An example is acetone. Acetone is nail-polish remover and is manufactured and used in huge quantities all over the world. When it is used it tends to volatilize and thus enters the atmosphere. In the atmosphere it undergoes indirect photolysis and degrades. The half-life for this material is somewhat subjective, but ranges between a couple of hours to several weeks. The divisions need to know that if they use acetone, it will go to the atmosphere and degrade. The times are insignificant to their needs. It would be different if it went into the air and killed birds or depleted the ozone layer. As it doesn’t their done. Our management looked at the acetone assessment and said we need to add several complicated reactions that were just published. These papers detailed the way in which acetone degrades. I bet you can guess what the conclusions of the papers were – acetone goes into the air and degrades!!!!!!
As group members we have to get the assessment on acetone approved (company stamp of acceptance), and we need it fast, so we have to add the papers and their conclusions. This exclusively serves the PhD mind-set and fails the people who are paying for the work. Yet the management does not see it this way. They hold self-important views and hubris on the order of Zeus himself.
The push for more information is into being balanced with the returns of investing time to do such work.
The simple economics is that we are forced to add volumes of superfluous information to assessments that are more expensive.
Then on top of that our assessments are rarely (if ever read by the divisions). Here we are beaten into assessments that are excessive and verbose which are never being read. Of course our group still reads them, hence we are writing for each other????
I am filled with joy for my work. (That was sarcasm – you might need this if you are one of my children!)(they tend to use it but not understand it)(REMINDER TO SELF: all the good child psychology and behavioral modification techniques clearly state that sarcasm is counterproductive and should be avoided)
Shall we run down some of the other issues?
- constantly changing standards and directives
- hidden agendas
- a depth of work that is superfluous
- management in abstention
- client who is your boss
- multiple bosses
- demeaning and degrading attitudes towards the groups abilities
- previous history of being lied about and lied too
- second class citizen status
- inability to successfully address problems (or an inability)
- non-adherence to Standard Operating Procedures
- heavy handed management
I have not heard a good or kind word spoken about this place in quite some time. If this is the truth then I think I need to start speaking some. Hard as it may be, it makes a real impact.
Second, the grounded child wants to go to school and weight lift. Although the father in me wants him to go and get some exercise and activity, he is grounded. I gave him permission to go, but wanted to know the details of his activity. My reasons were to have him state his intentions and then be accountable for them. He needs to know that he broke the trust and this is a direct consequence to having a lack of trust. The devil is in the details and I am going to be there as an active sentinel against his bad decisions.
Third, the child who obtained the contraband materials wanted to know what happened to the speakers on the computer. He said, “…not with your fancy words or anything like that. Plain English. What did you do to the speakers?”
I told him “I disabled them.” Was that plain enough? He wanted an account of what was disabled so he could activate them again. It had nothing to do with why, but rather only what he wanted.
The fact is that he plays music obnoxiously loud and after repeated occurrences of the issue, I had to take the speakers away. The reason I took the speakers away were two fold: Primarily, the music is obnoxious and loud; secondary, the speakers could be damaged by excessively loud music.
Psychologically –
He concluded that if he could use another speaker (someone else’s speaker) then he would not be running the risk of damage, hence it was fine. The whole issue of too loud and repeated obnoxious instances was never even considered.
When I asked him about it, he didn’t even come up with that as a possibility. I don’t know if he is truly obtuse or is intentionally ignoring that issue. In either case he doesn’t feel the consequences are just.
This is the child, which in a perfectly quiet and empty house, turns the TV up such that you can clearly hear it outside.
I can remember back to my childhood. When my mom was away, I turned up the stereo to levels she did not tolerate. I was never allowed to do that when she was around. When I had my own “boom box” I would take it outside, but still get yelled at for playing music too loud, as it would disturb the neighbors. She was right of course, and I conformed to her wishes. Our kids, turn up music at all hours of the night and growl and complain when told to turn it down. Then they either don’t turn it down enough or turn it back up a few minutes later.
I expect kids to toe-the-line and naturally cross it from time to time, but this rag-tag bunch takes great pains to always be over the line.
The loud one (Oooo, that’s a good name for him) then launched into a rant about how just solving the problem is something he gets yelled at for and is unacceptable. He then tells me how I lied about something. I think it was about telling him his solutions were unacceptable and then I go and do it. Technically speaking, if that were true, I would be a hypocrite not a liar. It is my recollection hat he was talking abut a time in which he did something to someone else’s stuff and was told that was unacceptable.
Psychologically –
He is placing himself on an equal footing with the parents (foster parents) and home owners of the house. Second, he failed to grasp the issue of his actions and my responses with my stuff.
POW – a metaphorical smack with a huge stick, right up side their heads.
On to Work –
I am at war with stupidity.
This job has so many things wrong with it.
A minor one is as follows:
I was told that the sentence, “Atmospheric material is expected to react via indirect photolysis and degrade, the estimated half-life for this reaction is 20.5 hours.” needed to indicate that the hours were daylight hours. This issue I have is that anyone who does not know what this sentence is talking about will not gain the insight needed by adding “Daylight” and those who do understand the sentence will think not need the added specification.
This may seem like a fairly minor thing, but it required more than an hour of my day to reach a conclusion, where I had to add “of sunlight.” In truth this one instance is minor, but it is an example of the theme of problems we have here. These assessments are not doctoral theses. The addition of “of sunlight” does not educate those readers who do not have the background, and it does not add anything to those readers who do.
Our group is doing work for the corporation and its business units (called divisions). The divisions directly request work from us in support of regulatory and product stewardship needs. Our group is managed by another structure all together. We are managed by corporate employees who do not have a stake in any of the business ventures of the company. Our managers do not depend upon corporate sales and production to get paid.
Yes indirectly that need sales and there is a benefit to being autonomous and separate from those factors, but if you loose sight of the reason you are separate, the self-importance factor conjurers up other reasons. Understand that this company places great esteem in the award of a doctoral degree. This kind of emphasis is not in itself problematic, but rather it is fertile soil for problems to grow from. As it applied to this team, when the PhD mind set is applied to this culture you get a problem. The problem is the expectation that this work is PhD level. Unfortunately it is possible to do research and authoring to PhD levels, but it has little value the company as a whole.
The team managers are looking for thesis style assessments on chemicals and products, but the divisions need only a quick look at the materials to flag any environmental issues. In other words the self-important PhD mentality is trumping the needs of those people who are requesting, utilizing, and plying for our work.
An example is acetone. Acetone is nail-polish remover and is manufactured and used in huge quantities all over the world. When it is used it tends to volatilize and thus enters the atmosphere. In the atmosphere it undergoes indirect photolysis and degrades. The half-life for this material is somewhat subjective, but ranges between a couple of hours to several weeks. The divisions need to know that if they use acetone, it will go to the atmosphere and degrade. The times are insignificant to their needs. It would be different if it went into the air and killed birds or depleted the ozone layer. As it doesn’t their done. Our management looked at the acetone assessment and said we need to add several complicated reactions that were just published. These papers detailed the way in which acetone degrades. I bet you can guess what the conclusions of the papers were – acetone goes into the air and degrades!!!!!!
As group members we have to get the assessment on acetone approved (company stamp of acceptance), and we need it fast, so we have to add the papers and their conclusions. This exclusively serves the PhD mind-set and fails the people who are paying for the work. Yet the management does not see it this way. They hold self-important views and hubris on the order of Zeus himself.
The push for more information is into being balanced with the returns of investing time to do such work.
The simple economics is that we are forced to add volumes of superfluous information to assessments that are more expensive.
Then on top of that our assessments are rarely (if ever read by the divisions). Here we are beaten into assessments that are excessive and verbose which are never being read. Of course our group still reads them, hence we are writing for each other????
I am filled with joy for my work. (That was sarcasm – you might need this if you are one of my children!)(they tend to use it but not understand it)(REMINDER TO SELF: all the good child psychology and behavioral modification techniques clearly state that sarcasm is counterproductive and should be avoided)
Shall we run down some of the other issues?
- constantly changing standards and directives
- hidden agendas
- a depth of work that is superfluous
- management in abstention
- client who is your boss
- multiple bosses
- demeaning and degrading attitudes towards the groups abilities
- previous history of being lied about and lied too
- second class citizen status
- inability to successfully address problems (or an inability)
- non-adherence to Standard Operating Procedures
- heavy handed management
I have not heard a good or kind word spoken about this place in quite some time. If this is the truth then I think I need to start speaking some. Hard as it may be, it makes a real impact.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
--Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955), (attributed)
I am still pissed about my backpack being vandalized.
The whole thing is stupid. My son is well past the line of reason and has no inclination or desire to come back into the folds of reality. I have extended multiple olive branches, as has my wife, and everyone is burnt to ash by his radical anger. All I can do is continue to offer my assistance on a path back, but all of the consequences are making it even harder for him. This bully attitude will be extended because he does not want to face them. I am thinking that we need to continue to increase the stakes. He should not be allowed to attend several of the up-coming functions. I would love to prohibit his attendance to his pseudo-sisters graduation beach party. I would love to stop visits to his bio-mom. All of these are simple “vacations” from his consequences and they should be suspended. Of course if I suspend them, I will be injuring those people he is not allowed to see. They are not mentally healthy enough to understand that this is what he needs. I need to think about it more. My emotions are getting in the way.
On a related note, I locked my son out of the computer. As part of his consequences for getting drunk he will not have computer privileges. It took me several days to get to locking him out, but it is done. When he discovered it he came up to find out why – as if he didn’t know. I told him in no uncertain terms and then he flew off the handle. I must add that I also changed his log-in picture to ‘Captain Morgan’. This admittedly was a nasty little jab, but I was pissed. I should have refrained from the poke at his stupid activities. I was (and still am) quite angry. He wrecked a $150 backpack, tore a huge hunk of drywall out, and has been a royal pain in the butt for weeks. What can I say? When he expressed dislike for the picture, I went to the computer and removed it. Now I got cursed out enough times to make a sailor blush, but I still removed it.
The real issues all comes down to the fact that he needs to get a handle on his behaviors. He can do this! He has the ability to not curse out people. He is filled with anger and hubris and sadness and pain and all other manner of unpleasant emotions, he does not want to deal with them and is acting out to avoid it.
All of these things are not healthy and need to stop as soon as possible.
Funny, but I was not even angry at his drinking last week. I am concerned for his activities, but most of all I am disappointed in him. He failed at a test of life, but not because he tried and had the wrong answer, but because he gave up and would not even try. I am angry now! He is crapping all over the people who love him (misery loves company) and he is running out of control. He would tell you that he is fine and if we would all just leave him alone he would figure it out (and well and he would be enormously successful). As a father, I can’t just throw in the towel. I also can’t turn away from the train wreck. On the other side, I can’t sit by and not react to his outlandish actions and choices. Nor can I deal on them. He has come to these crossroads before and he has (successfully) negotiated a compromise to the terms of his sentence. I am sure he is counting on that, thus he is going to run and continue to be an jerk for a while. Thinking he can lump all the consequences together and beg for reduction.
At this point I can’t do that. Perhaps it’s because I am pissed, or perhaps it’s because I know its not good for him, but in either case he needs to feel the ramifications of his choices and actions. The father part wants to protect him from himself. That part wants to yield on the punishment.
I want to take him to HP:OoP. I also want to take him camping. I want to play Guitar Hero with him. I want to play paintball with him. I am not going to, but I still want to.
Lord help me on this one!!!!
On the psychology front –
My wife was having some anxiety and stress over where out life is headed.
She has to find a job, in a brand new field.
This is very stressful and somewhat premature as far as the grand scheme goes.
I see huge advantages to her getting into the workforce now. She will be getting valuable experience and is again going to be a proven commodity. It is something she can put on her resume and also then garner references for future applications. BUT THIS DOES NOT MAKE DOING ANY EASIER.
Additionally, she is translating all of this “stress of change” into dollar signs. Not that it can’t impact our budget (and it most certainly will), but the doom and gloom scenarios she is fixating on make the situation so much worse (and dramatic, perhaps melodramatic).
Not to say I don’t resist and fear change.
***Its human nature to do so***
I am perpetually curious about those people who thrive on change and embrace upheaval (and are sane). That is for another day.
I am so sympathetic for my wife, but I don’t know what I can do to ease her stress and sooth her anxiety. I tried to put it into perspective for her. I tried just listening and I even bluntly asked her what she needed me to do. I keep repeating that I am with her through all of this, but just being with her is not the magic elixir she needs.
Hence I feel rather useless.
Clinically she needs to go through this. She needs to search herself for the strength to apply and interview for jobs. She needs to grow in her self-assurance. She can only do this through the pain of doing.
If I were her therapist I would be well off to tell her to go out and do and to put her on the clock to do it. She would benefit by doing and not spending countless sleepless night worrying about the problems. No external advice or comfort can take away the stress and worry. Nothing can be said to make it all better.
The panacea she is looking for is DOING!
As a husband
I feel helpless. I want to fix her problems and stand between my lovely wife and anything scary. I would gladly take on all of this to spare her the doing. If it mattered I would stay at this festering hell hole of a job, but of course it doesn’t. We need additional income, and I can’t seem to make it. For all that I am “smart” boy to I fell stupid! ALSO: helpless, inadequate and quite a failure. She was going to stay home and do the lead on foster care. It so happens that that is a wonderful job, for me.
So trying to keep perspective on the issue
She wants to be an RN (and beyond). I don’t want to do this job anymore. I want to work with the kids (even when I get angry). I think I would be good at the psychologist thing. This change is for the best. She will be an excellent nurse, and this is something she wants to do (I question this, but for reasons I am not going to get into today). I trust in God to guide me through my life. He has done a great job so far, and so much better than me.
Oh well – I can keep working long these lines, but I have other things that need my attention, so I will put this on hold until later.
--Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955), (attributed)
I am still pissed about my backpack being vandalized.
The whole thing is stupid. My son is well past the line of reason and has no inclination or desire to come back into the folds of reality. I have extended multiple olive branches, as has my wife, and everyone is burnt to ash by his radical anger. All I can do is continue to offer my assistance on a path back, but all of the consequences are making it even harder for him. This bully attitude will be extended because he does not want to face them. I am thinking that we need to continue to increase the stakes. He should not be allowed to attend several of the up-coming functions. I would love to prohibit his attendance to his pseudo-sisters graduation beach party. I would love to stop visits to his bio-mom. All of these are simple “vacations” from his consequences and they should be suspended. Of course if I suspend them, I will be injuring those people he is not allowed to see. They are not mentally healthy enough to understand that this is what he needs. I need to think about it more. My emotions are getting in the way.
On a related note, I locked my son out of the computer. As part of his consequences for getting drunk he will not have computer privileges. It took me several days to get to locking him out, but it is done. When he discovered it he came up to find out why – as if he didn’t know. I told him in no uncertain terms and then he flew off the handle. I must add that I also changed his log-in picture to ‘Captain Morgan’. This admittedly was a nasty little jab, but I was pissed. I should have refrained from the poke at his stupid activities. I was (and still am) quite angry. He wrecked a $150 backpack, tore a huge hunk of drywall out, and has been a royal pain in the butt for weeks. What can I say? When he expressed dislike for the picture, I went to the computer and removed it. Now I got cursed out enough times to make a sailor blush, but I still removed it.
The real issues all comes down to the fact that he needs to get a handle on his behaviors. He can do this! He has the ability to not curse out people. He is filled with anger and hubris and sadness and pain and all other manner of unpleasant emotions, he does not want to deal with them and is acting out to avoid it.
All of these things are not healthy and need to stop as soon as possible.
Funny, but I was not even angry at his drinking last week. I am concerned for his activities, but most of all I am disappointed in him. He failed at a test of life, but not because he tried and had the wrong answer, but because he gave up and would not even try. I am angry now! He is crapping all over the people who love him (misery loves company) and he is running out of control. He would tell you that he is fine and if we would all just leave him alone he would figure it out (and well and he would be enormously successful). As a father, I can’t just throw in the towel. I also can’t turn away from the train wreck. On the other side, I can’t sit by and not react to his outlandish actions and choices. Nor can I deal on them. He has come to these crossroads before and he has (successfully) negotiated a compromise to the terms of his sentence. I am sure he is counting on that, thus he is going to run and continue to be an jerk for a while. Thinking he can lump all the consequences together and beg for reduction.
At this point I can’t do that. Perhaps it’s because I am pissed, or perhaps it’s because I know its not good for him, but in either case he needs to feel the ramifications of his choices and actions. The father part wants to protect him from himself. That part wants to yield on the punishment.
I want to take him to HP:OoP. I also want to take him camping. I want to play Guitar Hero with him. I want to play paintball with him. I am not going to, but I still want to.
Lord help me on this one!!!!
On the psychology front –
My wife was having some anxiety and stress over where out life is headed.
She has to find a job, in a brand new field.
This is very stressful and somewhat premature as far as the grand scheme goes.
I see huge advantages to her getting into the workforce now. She will be getting valuable experience and is again going to be a proven commodity. It is something she can put on her resume and also then garner references for future applications. BUT THIS DOES NOT MAKE DOING ANY EASIER.
Additionally, she is translating all of this “stress of change” into dollar signs. Not that it can’t impact our budget (and it most certainly will), but the doom and gloom scenarios she is fixating on make the situation so much worse (and dramatic, perhaps melodramatic).
Not to say I don’t resist and fear change.
***Its human nature to do so***
I am perpetually curious about those people who thrive on change and embrace upheaval (and are sane). That is for another day.
I am so sympathetic for my wife, but I don’t know what I can do to ease her stress and sooth her anxiety. I tried to put it into perspective for her. I tried just listening and I even bluntly asked her what she needed me to do. I keep repeating that I am with her through all of this, but just being with her is not the magic elixir she needs.
Hence I feel rather useless.
Clinically she needs to go through this. She needs to search herself for the strength to apply and interview for jobs. She needs to grow in her self-assurance. She can only do this through the pain of doing.
If I were her therapist I would be well off to tell her to go out and do and to put her on the clock to do it. She would benefit by doing and not spending countless sleepless night worrying about the problems. No external advice or comfort can take away the stress and worry. Nothing can be said to make it all better.
The panacea she is looking for is DOING!
As a husband
I feel helpless. I want to fix her problems and stand between my lovely wife and anything scary. I would gladly take on all of this to spare her the doing. If it mattered I would stay at this festering hell hole of a job, but of course it doesn’t. We need additional income, and I can’t seem to make it. For all that I am “smart” boy to I fell stupid! ALSO: helpless, inadequate and quite a failure. She was going to stay home and do the lead on foster care. It so happens that that is a wonderful job, for me.
So trying to keep perspective on the issue
She wants to be an RN (and beyond). I don’t want to do this job anymore. I want to work with the kids (even when I get angry). I think I would be good at the psychologist thing. This change is for the best. She will be an excellent nurse, and this is something she wants to do (I question this, but for reasons I am not going to get into today). I trust in God to guide me through my life. He has done a great job so far, and so much better than me.
Oh well – I can keep working long these lines, but I have other things that need my attention, so I will put this on hold until later.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Welcome to my little Blog.
In a mad world only the mad are sane.
--Akira Kurosawa (1910 - 1998)
For a Monday this has been a smooth day. I spent the whole morning in meetings of one type or another. Can’t say I ever like to do that, but what is an insignificant little cog to do???
So my son has been in a snit for the past few weeks. It started with him being snubbed and ditched by a couple of girls he liked (crush upon). They seem to call and message him all the time, but he never expresses any interest in relationships. Always keeping them at arms length is the Modus Operandi. Now there are reasons he is doing this, but the consequences are that he is left watching girls he likes and wants to date, running off with other boys and making out.
As dad I can’t say that I mind delaying his physical relationships – considering that another child we took care of just knock-up his 18 year-old girlfriend.
As for my son, he has all of this ugly negative emotional stress inside him, and has no clue what to do with it. He thus lashes out at all of those people who care about him. From a psychological stand point, he is trying to protect himself from more emotional pain by walling up his heart, but he is lashing out against his mother and me (along with some others).
Well I am just sick and tired of his owly behaviors. He has been pissed off and is taking it out on us. He yells, screams, stomps his feet – well in truth he curses us out and vandalized our stuff.
Many attempts have been made to broach the topic and all result in him getting pissy and yelling obscenity. I have better luck talking to him that his mother, but we are both being abused. On a car ride yesterday, I asked him what was making him yell at us. He said that it was our assumption that something was wrong that was pissing him off and that is why.
Well if that isn’t putting the cart before the horse.
I then tried another tactic and he yelled at me that his mother was the one always pissing him off, but yet his mother was not in the car…
Again, not the real reason.
To put a capstone on the whole bad attitude, his mother and I came home the other night to quite a scene. He was only in his boxers and little Todd and the Twins were peeking at the world; he had a neighbor girl and two other friends over and he was stinking drunk! So there we are looking at a bunch of drunken teens, two of whom are almost sitting on top of one another, and my son plastered. He was so drunk that he had yacked all over the bathroom (several times).
NICE!
So the three friends slink out of the house as fast as possible and still opening the doors.
Thank-god for his mother – she know right off that he was three sheets to the wind. She confronted him with the facts and busted him. He was so drunk that he was having trouble standing and talking. I don’t think I wanted to see it, but she sure pegged that one right.
He was so busted and then launches into a justification for his actions
“All kids do it. So what is the big deal?”
His mother came back with – yep, all kids do it and all get grounded for it.
Of course I never drank and never was grounded, but that fact never seems to help with parenting my own kids.
(I think my mother had it pretty easy – I never got into trouble – perhaps a wasted opportunity on my part?)
His mother wanted to tell him to drink a bunch of water, but I talked her into letting him sleep it off and be as hung over as possible. He was still throwing up in the morning. I jabbed at him with smoked oysters and pickles, and just cooking lots of food. A friend said she would have awoken him at 6:30 in the morning with loud music and a vacuum. I would have loved to do that, but I didn’t want to get up at that time!
My sleep preempts a good life lesson – oh well, I figure up-chuck is bad enough.
So he has basically been a royal ass. He is laying it on pretty thick (well worse than ever before), as he is trying to pick fights and be hurtful. God give me the patience to put up with his crap and the ability to help end this as fast as possible.
At any rate, he is grounded until the apocalypse. Which he is not invested in! He decided to go running around to friends this morning. Guess we will have to come up with something really good. Can’t wait till school starts!
In a mad world only the mad are sane.
--Akira Kurosawa (1910 - 1998)
For a Monday this has been a smooth day. I spent the whole morning in meetings of one type or another. Can’t say I ever like to do that, but what is an insignificant little cog to do???
So my son has been in a snit for the past few weeks. It started with him being snubbed and ditched by a couple of girls he liked (crush upon). They seem to call and message him all the time, but he never expresses any interest in relationships. Always keeping them at arms length is the Modus Operandi. Now there are reasons he is doing this, but the consequences are that he is left watching girls he likes and wants to date, running off with other boys and making out.
As dad I can’t say that I mind delaying his physical relationships – considering that another child we took care of just knock-up his 18 year-old girlfriend.
As for my son, he has all of this ugly negative emotional stress inside him, and has no clue what to do with it. He thus lashes out at all of those people who care about him. From a psychological stand point, he is trying to protect himself from more emotional pain by walling up his heart, but he is lashing out against his mother and me (along with some others).
Well I am just sick and tired of his owly behaviors. He has been pissed off and is taking it out on us. He yells, screams, stomps his feet – well in truth he curses us out and vandalized our stuff.
Many attempts have been made to broach the topic and all result in him getting pissy and yelling obscenity. I have better luck talking to him that his mother, but we are both being abused. On a car ride yesterday, I asked him what was making him yell at us. He said that it was our assumption that something was wrong that was pissing him off and that is why.
Well if that isn’t putting the cart before the horse.
I then tried another tactic and he yelled at me that his mother was the one always pissing him off, but yet his mother was not in the car…
Again, not the real reason.
To put a capstone on the whole bad attitude, his mother and I came home the other night to quite a scene. He was only in his boxers and little Todd and the Twins were peeking at the world; he had a neighbor girl and two other friends over and he was stinking drunk! So there we are looking at a bunch of drunken teens, two of whom are almost sitting on top of one another, and my son plastered. He was so drunk that he had yacked all over the bathroom (several times).
NICE!
So the three friends slink out of the house as fast as possible and still opening the doors.
Thank-god for his mother – she know right off that he was three sheets to the wind. She confronted him with the facts and busted him. He was so drunk that he was having trouble standing and talking. I don’t think I wanted to see it, but she sure pegged that one right.
He was so busted and then launches into a justification for his actions
“All kids do it. So what is the big deal?”
His mother came back with – yep, all kids do it and all get grounded for it.
Of course I never drank and never was grounded, but that fact never seems to help with parenting my own kids.
(I think my mother had it pretty easy – I never got into trouble – perhaps a wasted opportunity on my part?)
His mother wanted to tell him to drink a bunch of water, but I talked her into letting him sleep it off and be as hung over as possible. He was still throwing up in the morning. I jabbed at him with smoked oysters and pickles, and just cooking lots of food. A friend said she would have awoken him at 6:30 in the morning with loud music and a vacuum. I would have loved to do that, but I didn’t want to get up at that time!
My sleep preempts a good life lesson – oh well, I figure up-chuck is bad enough.
So he has basically been a royal ass. He is laying it on pretty thick (well worse than ever before), as he is trying to pick fights and be hurtful. God give me the patience to put up with his crap and the ability to help end this as fast as possible.
At any rate, he is grounded until the apocalypse. Which he is not invested in! He decided to go running around to friends this morning. Guess we will have to come up with something really good. Can’t wait till school starts!
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