Welcome Back

Wow. It's a bit freaky to me that I can completely forget that this blog exists, and yet it does. It's not that I don't understand how technology works... I do. It's just weird. Weird that I started this thing years ago (at least, it seems like years ago to me), and I feel like I've grown into quite a different person since that time. Yet, there is still this record of old me, a person who no longer really exists.

As for an update... I don't know where to begin.
I went to school, I finished school (hooray masters degree), I went to school again (hooray graduate certificate) and then I got a job.
I'm still with SV (three years tomorrow).
I still miss Dad terribly.
I'm still wondering what to do with my life.
I joined a book club.

I'm very proud of this job I have. It's like a thing that I did all by myself, on my own merit and skill (I don't have very many of those "things"). Apparently, my application for this position was one in over 100. I never thought I had it in me. I'm always terrified of competition. I'm mostly proud about proving to myself that I am able to get an interesting, decent job and am becoming more and more self-reliant.

The downside of this is that I really do miss being a graduate student. I miss the schedule, the academic camaraderie, and most of all the myriad of learning opportunities. By myself, the hunt for new and exciting and relevant information is much lonelier and more difficult. There is no one to challenge me, question ideas, or help me talk through concepts. At least there's SV. He and I have some very funny conversations about things like statistics and society and neurons and the state of higher education. We seem to be in a never-ending intellectual boxing match (PSYCH vs. SOC, round 85). He's intelligent, and he questions things, and he doesn't let me get away with thinking I'm always right (a trait which I loath and adore, depending on the day). He also values my ideas and seeks out my opinions.... something that is only possible because he actually understands what I'm talking about and how I talk about things.
But enough about that.

I am unbelievably behind in my new technology acquisition. I'm not sure yet if I actually care. My phone does not connect to the internet. We have a converter box hooked up to our 20-year-old TV. I play DVDs using a PS2 which I 'borrowed' from my sister a few years ago. I do have an ipod, but it's ancient; Apple no longer makes a model with such a small amount of memory.
My friends and family are all chatty about DVR (which, when I first heard of this, I though it was DDR, that dance game), droids and iphones, kindle and competitors, and whatever the heck kind of new TV is hot these days.

I think my money is much better spent on food and travel... and in the coming month, Christmas presents.

Wishin' and Hopin'

... for a snow day.

The forecast predicts "around 12 inches" of snow for the metro area here in this fine city. That would be great... then school could be cancelled and I could read two chapters of Survey Methodology! (YES!)

Dinner tonight with NS. I look forward to discussing theses, RA work, why Texas is confused on Super Tuesday, and all other things sociological... along with good food of course.

I finished watching Band of Brothers and all the included extras. It's SO amazing! There's a documentary on the extras disk that is basically one big interview of the remaining men of Easy Company who fought in WWII starting on D-Day an ending at Hitler's Eagle's Nest when the war finally came to a close. Very powerful.
Once again, I highly recommend this series (a warning: there are 10 episodes plus extras, so you'll need some time to watch it all - or you could just procrastinate on all your other work and watch the entire thing in three days like I did).

To finish off this post on a happy note... please check out you tube links for the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Superbowl Half-time show in all its glitter and glory.
I'm convinced that the epic performance generated so much happy energy that it helped the Giants defeat Goliath (also known as the Patriots led by evil robot Tom Brady).

PS - Heartbreakers summer tour tickets ON SALE NOW!!!
PSS - Bonnaroo line up will apparently be announced at midnight. Here's hoping for some good headliners.

Winter Update

I haven't felt like blogging much at all lately.
I haven't felt like doing anything except sleeping and watching DVDs.

Speaking of DVDs, I rented Band of Brothers and am currently through episode 7. It's great! I recommend it - unless you're not into watching war movies.

I think I'm starting to get back into the swing of things at school. My schedule is so different this semester that it has been difficult to switch my brain back into scholar-mode... but I'll get there... I hope.
I revamped my thesis topic. I think I have a new, better one... and hopefully a better dataset. We'll see.

The highlight of my week (and the finanical low) was buying my TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS tickets for their tour this summer. (YES!!!!!!!) I'll be at two (yes, two) shows in July. I got 7th row tickets for one, 16th for the other (thanks to my membership in the TP Highway Companions Fan Club!).
Those tickets (and those stupid ticketmaster fees) really emptied my wallet... but I've rationalized this purchase decision by repeating to myself my list of things that I'm willing to spend good money to experience...
1) Quality food
2) Good live music/concerts/music festivals
3) Travel

I'm sure that list will change when my living and family situation does... but as a young person with few real obligations, this list does me good.

And I can't wait for the TOUR! I also can't wait for the Superbowl half time show this weekend! YES!!!!!!!

I guess it'll be February soon. My old mantra ("February SUCKS!") has made its way back into my consciousness... although, since last February really took me by surprise by not sucking, I'm slightly optimistic this year that the shortest month may actually have some good it in - if I just look hard enough.
We'll see. I'm not going to be too optimistic, just in case February's old sucking tendencies reappear.

Oh, and I went to southern California. It was kinda cool. Here's a picture to brighten up the page.

Ruby Slippers

Wishing I was Dorothy Gale right about now.... or at least a girl with some magic ruby slippers to get me home. This past semester has been a bit of a trip... minus munchkins and talking scarecrows. In total, my three final papers were over 70 pages (and that's not counting the mountain of statistical output that I had to email to my professor because I didn't want to kill so many trees).

In the end though, I think this semester has been my best semester (with the possible exception of when I took sociological theory as an undergrad). I'm learning so much here and becoming much more confident with my skills.

Today is my last day of work before I head back 'home' to see the family and friends. I'm very excited. We're holding the first big family Christmas gathering since my grandpa got sick four or five years ago. (Still not done Christmas shopping... this may be an issue, but I'm fresh out of good ideas. What do you get the techie brother who has everything?)
I'm hoping to get a glimpse of my friends in the twin cities too.

Starting to fret now and then about "THE FUTURE"... since once again I have less than a year left before my clear future path becomes a big black void. What to do about life after graduation, work (REAL work!) and relationships... where should I go? what should I do? should I bring anyone with me on this journey?
I suppose these questions will be answered in due time.

Happy Holidays.

Turkey

Back again from the abyss, although my unfinished final papers are calling sadly from the innards of my computer.
I hosted my first ever holiday meal at my own place... it was nothing too fancy - just mom, sister, and me. We did eat a lot of great food. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of our feast. Fortunately, they left me with ALL of the leftovers (and YES, I actually eat leftovers!)
The family left early Friday, and I've been hanging out here by myself since then. Both roommates are gone, celebrating with various relatives. I'm attempting to get homework done here, but mostly I have succeeded in putting off that homework by feeding my vacationing landlord's fish and deranged cat, staring at my mini fiber-optic Christmas tree (just put it up today), and playing LOUD music and singing at the top of my lungs (which I rarely get to do anymore since I'm rarely home alone).
Songs of choice for this music festival include "Next to you, Next to me" by Shenandoah and "How Long" by the Eagles. Shhhhhhh. I'm awesome. Currently listening to some Grateful Dead (not singing, because let's face it, I just can't sing like Jerry Garcia).

Getting excited for Christmas. I blame commercials I saw during the football game on Thursday, and of course, the all-Christmas music radio station that I came across yesterday. "Jingle Bell Rock" will be in my head once again this year, like every year, until January.
No money for gifts this year. Not with my graduate student salary. Also wondering how I will survive the California trip without funds, but looking forward to it anyway.

Nothing too interesting has happened since I was last wrote here. Oh, we're out of butter, and I keep forgetting to buy some. That's something...

OOH! I downloaded the "Stumble!" browser application from Firefox, and it's really neat! I recommend it, with a warning that it will increase your time spent procrastinating on the computer (but so does minesweeper... and Stumble! is much more interesting).

That said, I'm off... Happy Holidays.