The New Plan

So here's what Keith and I are up to now...
A Great Leap in the Dark
Will probably be making most posts over there.

I don't think it counts as spring break unless you're somewhere warm.

This was in my PCC Inbox today.

Hey Everyone,

I know that with spring break half over you have got to be bored to
tears and really excited for the term to start anew. Because I know
how much you miss all the studying I am sending you the syllabus for
next term and the schedule so that you can get started on everything.

I hope you are having a wonderful time and don't worry this boring
vacation will be over before you know it and we can get back to having
fun.

ed

Well, it is spring.

And on Saturday night

I was changed forever.

We had tickets to see Les Claypool downtown.
A guy outside the theater was selling mushrooms.

Best live show ever, I don't know if I'll ever top it.

Amygdala-licious.


by lakbossa on Flickr

He is an amazing musician and he puts on
a stellar show. Costume changes and a dozen
different instruments.


by friedpixphoto on Flickr



by dgans on Flickr

You can hear his newest record here.
And an interview on NPR here.
And a video bit with him fishing in Idaho here.

Stop Making Sense

Sunday morning
motivational cleaning
music:
The Talking Heads

Monday sucks.

Just a little venting (in random order):

• I have a test Wednesday that I am 100% unmotivated to study for,
  
• I still don't know what I'm doing with the rest of my life (post-OHSU rejection),
  
• it's COLD! in here (although the new arrangement is very homey),
  
• I just found my shrink is "out of network" which means instead of $40/week it's $200/week (yeah, like I have that kind of money)
  
• the sink is full of dishes even though Keith washed them yesterday,
  
• I have to work a 10-hour shift tomorrow,
  
• I don't have enough USB ports to run the optical mouse and the external hard drive...

Ok, I feel like taking a nap.

But I will study instead. Because that's what an adult would do.

And I'm trying to be an adult about all this crap.
But it's hard.

Mia didn't want in the pic.

all paths are possible

I am listening to Rancid's Rejected. LOUD.

I'm taking my rejection letter from OHSU as a sign that I need to go a more non-medical route. I am good with big picture stuff, I am super right-brained. I could apply next year and wait to see if I get in. But I choose to find a different path.

The application deadline for fall semester @ PSU is April 1.

...
Meanwhile I am still working on my Theory of Everything.
...

inspiration via Funksteena

Sauvie Island Sunday

We took a Zipcar (Flexcar's new pal) to Sauvie Island. (Sans dogs. We have to put them in a crate and we gave ours to the neighbors...) No problems with the Zipcar other than I have to re-learn to drive every time I get behind the wheel. It is not like riding a bicycle. I think I am still gun shy from the Prius Accident. The sky was clear and the sun was out. It was great to get out of the city. We found several possible bike rides and planned to get the bikes new tires and tuned up. We found a caboose right off the road on the way and decided to explore it. Now Keith wants to live in one. It was pretty cool. Then we drove around the island and came home. Pictures below.



Acceptance/rejection letters from OHSU are going out in the mail this week so in a few days I will be dealing with crushing disappointment or crushing pressure.

Do. Not.

PANIC.

Mid term tomorrow
9:30a.m.
I go study now.
Listen to my study music.


To relax, let's think about February 2006, shall we?





Ahhhhh...that's better.

Linky

chameleon-off: changing colors to signal others, not hide from predators


more information for my Theory of Everything: dark fluid


metal rubber: from Science Daily again, my new favorite blog


thinking about moving next summer; the dogs need a yard

beautiful algae


Uma Thurman's dad Bob is a famous Buddhist scholar;
in this 12:00 video he teaches how we can
use the internet to become enlightened
(the best of TED)


currently reading:
The Road


if you have Charles Bonnet Syndrome
you might see floating faces!

Back in the swing

Made it back home to Keither after a roadtrip to So.Oregon for a funeral. It's always a relief to not die while we're apart. It's much better to get back home. I felt relieved as soon as I was back in Portland. I had to ride the MAX home since there wasn't time to drop me off. The roads on the way home were terrible most of the way and it added quite a bit of time to the commute. Had some good chats with the family.

sunset at other rest stop (Friday p.m.)

power out @ rest stop (Sunday a.m.)

No work and only part of school this week. Lecture's been canceled both days due to weather/cold/snow. And I took Mon & Tues as bereavement days. (2) 10-hour days this week and then the weekend. Feels off. But I'm taking advantage of Doing Nothing.

Keith turned 39 Monday. We don't get each other presents or cards usually, it's not expected anyway. But I told him at the end of the day that I felt badly--like I should've done more for his birthday. What if he changed his mind and really did want something. I asked, he said nothing in particular.

My bank ate my student loan refund check today. I told my shrink I was getting itchy to spend some money on a new tattoo. But I have to be responsible, whatever that is, and pay some bills first. But you can be guaranteed my tax refund money will be spent on personal decoration. Having big chunks of money delivered in the mail is bizarre. Makes me lust for new tattoos, new computers, new things of all kinds that I don't really need. We're talking about saving money to move to some place that has a yard for the doggies. They need to be able to go outside more. Lazlo reminds me with his head on my lap, nudging my arm with his nose. Small whines. Pathetic look.

Still waiting to hear from OHSU. I've made several possible scenarios in my head and my response to them, although I'm sure one exists that I haven't thought of. Aside from my fears and concerns about going to OHSU, if I get in I'll be super excited so just forget I had any reservations.

"...the whole notion that someone has a 'career'
instead of just doing whatever you feel like doing
at any given time has always amused me
when it didn't make me wanna vomit." (Lester Bangs,
"An Instant Fan's Inspired Notes:
You Gotta Listen," 1980)

Through, apparently, no fault of my own I've been promoted at work to a position that is very conducive to my outside interests/school/day dreaming. No supervision, really. No production quotas. Cool smart people to work with. It's nice actually, I appreciate that my universe is conspiring with me in this way. Especially since I've recently become obsessed with finding A Theory of Everything. I have been assured by a medical professional that I am not "committable," so just go with it. So I spend a lot of my work days reading The Internets. One of the theories out there is String Theory, but no one knows of a way to prove it. And I certainly don't claim to be able to figure out how to do that---physicstalk puts me into a coma. However, quantum mechanics is a very interesting field to me and I've started keeping a notebook of information I think is related or can later be incorporated into a ToE. Mostly science, but also sociology, and the paranormal. I had an awakening a few weeks ago and I've been heading down this path ever since. It feels ridiculous to be thinking about such abstract and seemingly useless ideas, but what else do I have to think about? I mean Daily Life can only occupy so much of my brain capacity. So I am actively seeking information on: string theory, parallel universes, the paranormal, ADD, neurology, anatomy of the brain, DNA vs. RNA, consciousness, infinity... please contribute if you can. Did you hear about this surfer dude with a Ph.D. who submitted his ToE? To varied reactions.

We joined Flexcar and it appears they let us join. There was some concern on my end that the unfortunate incident with the rental car would keep us from joining. For all intents and purposes we should receive our Welcome Package in the mail this week or next. Which means: day trips out of the freakin city, buying items that are too large to carry home, taking the dogs to other dog parks and the river, etc. maybe even Sauvie Island!, grocery shopping outside of our walking radius (WinCo!) It's surprisingly cheap. Well, it all depends on the type of car you want and how long you need it, but it seems like it will be a good fit for us.

map of locations of available cars in PDX

funeral flowers

class was canceled so I studied in the cafeteria

I will moderate in 2008.

Yes, that's right. 2008 is all about moderation.
That may be challenged if I get into OHSU.
But a good practice nonetheless.

Here's a look back at 2007.