Goal of the Week

I usually save this for a Friday post but I thought I'd give myself a little extra time. Not much mind you given that I'm going to be going to bed in about 1/2 an hour.

This week's goal is to read lesson 4 for my Cattle Nutrition course. It's the last lesson and then I have to do the assignment and then I'll be done the course which means I can apply for December graduation. Yay more graduation.

Once I'm done the course I'll have to decide on my next course of education. Do I take Psych courses by distance ed? You can do almost an entire psych degree through DE so I wouldn't have to quit my job or anything. Do I wait until summer and take my Lab pre-reques? This would in fact, require me to quit my job and I wouldn't be eligible to start the lab program until fall 2010 anyway. Or do I study my but off to write the GRE so that I can apply for Grad school? Which would happen either Fall 2009 or 2010. So many choices. The only things I've decided is that I plan to do something more. I love learning.

Dream Diary Episode 5: I hope I never have that dream again

Last night I had not one but two dreams about work. The first one was not so much about work but two of the guys I work with. I don't even remember all of the details I just remember waking up and going "what the hell was that?"

Explanation:This one is pretty easy to explain since a couple of days ago at coffee break we were discussing that I never checked out any of the guys that I hang out with at work. One of them then accused me of being a lesbian. Which if you read this blog you'd quickly find out I'm not. Then someone mentioned that me and one of the other guys would be "perfect for each other". So clearly my mind was trying to determine what would happen if we actually did get together. Damn logical brain. Let's just hope this isn't a recurring dream because that might actually mean something.

The second one was actually related to a job that I recently applied for but am now considering not interviewing for. Let's just say that the dream showed me what would happen given the most likely outcome of the interview process.

Explanation: Again pretty self explanatory. I fear change. At the same time I'm always looking for a change. So this was my subconscious saying perhaps you'd better re-think this career change thing.

What's a girl to do

I'm so confused. I went from excited to scared to worried in a matter of about 15 minutes.

Every couple of weeks I get the idea that perhaps it's time to take myself out of the corporate world and wander back into academia. I've now been out of school for about a year and a half and I've saved up a little actually a very little bit of money but enough to pay for one semester of my Master's degree anyway. After that I'm sure I can get funding for the rest of it. Anyway, I had convinced myself that it was too late to apply for next September as one my top choice has a December deadline for fall admission, but then I found out that some of the other schools I'm considering have deadlines as late as June.

So my first issue is to school or not to school. There's the whole "what would a Master's degree do for me?" thing. Sure it's something that I want to do but do the benefits of doing it now outweigh the costs of quitting my job and leaving all the friends I've made at work. At the same time perhaps this isn't a big deal. Not that it wouldn't make me sad but in reality I'm probably going to have to move on from here anyway.

So the second issue then is am I just looking for an escape from my current position. I think the answer to this one is a resounding yes. Last week I was ready to quit and seek training for a medical profession. This week I'm looking at continuing on my current career path that I also give up on every other week.

Oddly enough, even though I'm not looking to do anything for almost a year I really have to move fast to get stuff done. There is the testing, and the gathering of references and the transcript ordering. It's a mess.

I just don't know if it's the right time yet.

Things I've Learned from Reading Blogs

The boys at work tend to give me a hard time about my obsession with the blogs. I think the issue actually comes more from the fact that I know things weeks before they do an they're a little jealous. I also mentioned some of the "things you can't unsee" that have come up on some of the blogs I've read.

One of the nice things about blogs is that you can be as involved as you want to be. There are several blogs that I read only for readings sake and have no desire to comment on. One of these is Deadspin. I'm a regular reader but not once in all of the time that I've been reading it (roughly 2 years) have I ever had the desire to "audition" to comment. I do however comment regularly at Ladies... and of course I write my own blog. Outside of the sports world I also enjoy my politics and often visit sites that are part of the Blogging Tories blog roll. I very infrequently comment on some of those blogs. And then there is TechKnitting which I like to find knitting tips for when I'm trying out new patterns and am frustrated when they don't work out.

Phrases I need to find a way to work into everyday conversation:
Attainable Hot - I used to describe Tony Romo as regular people hot, this is a much more articulate way of saying it.
Cutlerfucker - Seriously I did a bit of a spit take when I read that one.
Politicalism - I can't remember where I picked up this one but it's really a violent reaction to an opposing political opinion.

Got a blog you think I should check out? Let me know in the comments

Why I hate fantasy football

I joined a Fantasy Football League at work this year. I was actually pretty psyched that the boys asked me to join. I'm also currently leading the league. So what's not to love, right?

Well this week my opponent in head to head has 4 players from my favorite team (I have none by the way). This makes it awfully difficult for me to cheer for the Colts knowing that every time someone on the Colts who isn't Peyton Manning touches the ball he's probably getting fantasy points. My fantasy team is also done for the week so I don't really have any excitement about tonight's game.

I hope the game ends 3-0 in favor of the Colts. At least he doesn't have Vinatieri kicking.

Who Needs Two Computers Anyway?

It's times like these that I'm really glad that I went out and bought myself a notebook computer. It looks like I really messed up my desktop. My technologically inclined brother says it's either a power source issue or a motherboard issue. Both of which are going to cost a pretty penny to fix.

You see I accidentally unplugged my computer while it was on. It's kind of a long story which involves the speakers that it's attached to and my annoyance with sounds when I'm sleeping. But it's really going to mess with my morning routine which includes things like watching stuff that I've downloaded and checking my e-mail. I can do that last one easily enough, but damn.

All I'm Asking For is a Little Consistency

Once again Drew Brees put up Ginormous numbers this week. Which is good because Denver is on a bye week so I had to play him in fantasy football. Not only did the Saints score a ton of points but they also beat the Chargers. I think I've mentioned that Philip Rivers is a giant douche. It would be nice though if Brees could at least be a little consistent. I mean I won last week's match up but only barely.

I won't actually know the results of this week's matchup until Tuesday because my opponent has 3 guys starting in the Monday night game. But I do know that I shouldn't have played Plaxico Burress since you know didn't start. I even checked to see if he was starting this morning and there was nothing to say that he wouldn't. Frick! It's still probably a better choice than Braylon Edwards.

Also can Tony Romo please get better? I really need better production out of Marion Barber. Although given that Romo is dating Jessica Simpson I'm sure this injury is making him stupider. I can just imagine brain cells being lost every time she talks. On the plus side I know that my opponent this week would have normally played Romo and he got stuck with Roethlisberger instead.

Because I feel like the Tim Tebow tag doesn't get used enough

At some point when I was in the beginning crushing stages I decided that I would likely need a Tim Tebow tag. I've used it a whole once in conjunction with a jorts tag. But since I'm bored and this tag doesn't get enough use and his shirt is REALLY tight in this picture:

One other random note there is a guy at my work who likes to pretend he's Tim Tebow because I once told him that he kind of looks like him. In fact he called me one day at work pretending to be Tim Tebow. Funniest conversation ever.

And so it begins

As you know I'm not a huge fan of my job. It has it's good days and it's bad days. I would be really sad to leave some of the people I've met at work. Even sadder if I wasn't there to collect when I win fantasy football (you know if Drew Brees and Jay Cutler don't crap out on me like they did last week). At the same time I think perhaps it's time to cut the cord.

I've watched five of my former classmates crawl up the ranks at my workplace each making more money than I do all because I was willing to settle and scared to try something else. Well I've just fixed up my resume for an internal posting and well if that doesn't work out, hell I've got an updated resume so I might as well test the waters.

Maybe I'll get scared and not be able to actually take that leap. Actually that's the most likely scenario. But I'd like to believe that if it came to it I would be able to do it but I have issues with change.

Because I haven't mentioned him in almost a month

Here's some Jay Cutler pouty face. This is the new official face of my work day.

God he's cute. You know now that I look at it again I think perhaps he's stoned. Any thoughts on the use of marijuana to treat diabetes?

Nothing Like A Week Off To Give You A Little Perspective

I take it back.

I'm so very bored

Here I am on vacation with nothing to do. You'd think it would be awesome but actually I'm really bored. I would nap but I'm going to see my cousin's baby in just under 2 hours and I'm afraid I'll miss my bus if I nap (I don't do alarm clocks), I've already read a 1/4 of my book this morning, I could work on my assignment but I just don't want to and as far as sports go well there is a replay of a World Cup qualifying match but really I just don't care enough about soccer.

Goal of the Week

First an update on last week's goal of the week, the right mitt is finished so now I just need to attach the dummy strings. The problem I have is the thickness. Just attaching a single strand of yarn probably won't provide the strength I need, but my attempts to use an I-cord leave a large lump running across my back.

As for this week's goal, I'm on holidays so no goal this week just relax and enjoy my vacation.

Thank you

I just wanted to give a public shout out to a friend who helped me today when I was on the cusp of a breakdown. Thanks for taking time out of your day to help a friend.

OH MY GOD!

I promised myself I wouldn't write anything political today BUT this needs to be seen by people who don't watch the news or follow politics at all.

Some of you are still considering who you're going to vote for take a second to watch this before you cast your ballot. Some of you have already voted, you can't go back on it now but you should still watch the video.



And this man could be leading our country just five days from now. I hope anyone that was considering voting Liberal will at least throw thier support behind Jack Layton after this.

When did that happen?

Okay despite my constant complaining I've discovered today that I actually like my job. Well just a little bit. I think the shift happened when I took over one of our new programs. I think that perhaps management (and my co-workers) are perhaps starting to see that I'm pretty darn competent. Also it seems that the outside world (that is outside our office) like dealing with me. I even had a glowing review from one of my co-workers from another department.

So maybe the issue was never really the work but the way that I was always being beaten down by others in my department. It's funny what a little confidence will do.

Why October 14 will determine my life path

First a little public service announcement. As most of you are now aware there is a Federal election going on. If you haven't gone to vote in the advanced polls make sure you get out on Tuesday. Same goes for Americans though you still have some time to decide.

Okay on with the show. Has anyone noticed this "global economic crisis" that's going on? Can you name me one place that it has yet to really hit hard? If you guessed Canada well that *ding,ding,ding,ding*.

This is likely to change if the Liberals are able to implement their Green Shift plan. In a time where there are very few world economies that are still managing to hold their own Canada has. There is one sector in particular which is showing growth, the oil industry. Taxing oil companies (which are the big target of the Green Shift) is one sure fire way to limit future growth, tax them too much and they might leave all together.

If we were in a booming economy and not heading toward an imminent recession I would say vote however the hell you want, seriously vote communist if you want. But if you vote Liberal to stop a Conservative majority (which quite obviously not going to happen at this point anyway) you're being dumb. If the Liberals win this election it will prove to me that the Canadian public is full of dumb people. Now I believe in democracy so if more Liberals are elected to government than Conservative that's the will of the people. But I don't want to live in a country full of stupid people.

A couple of notes before I end here:
1) I was probably always going to leave Canada, I just never really thought it would be this soon
2) If someone is willing to take my bet I'm willing to bet $10 that the Green Shift will not be implemented in it's entirety (or likely at all) before the next election.

Why I don't feel the Need for Charitable Giving

Damn election, it's making me think about things. Also it's time for my company's annual charity campaign where they try to entice us to sign up for payroll deductions to give to charity. There is one guy at work that we tease about his scrooge-like attitude when it comes to stuff like this, but this election has got me coming around a bit to his way of thinking.

See I already give charitable donations through payroll deductions, although you might call it income tax. Now I've taken a public finance course so I understand that somethings are just better off being public goods. Fine, great agreed. But really 1/3 of my annual income (which is not the greatest sum in the first place) goes back to the government to spend as they please. And spend they do. Funny though how if you take away that 1/3 of my income I suddenly have as much disposable income as those considered low income who receive payments from the government to top up their incomes (not to mention live in subsidies housing).

I'm not sure that I'm all for a progressive tax system but even if I was, this clearly is NOT it. Don't get me wrong I definitely donate to charity when I could afford it, but I prefer to choose which ones I donate too. Not be told by the government that my money will be going to support their causes.

Warning: Political Content Ahead

I'm amused. I love elections because they provide a reason for people to talk about the way that they view the world. It doesn't really matter which side of the political spectrum you're on, your opinions are important. Informed opinions are even better.

I just checked out the Liberal Green Shift calculator . It's kind of fun. Seems strange to me though that I would get an extra $150 for living in a rural area, when that really means that I'm going to have drive EVERYWHERE and there isn't a hope in hell of reducing carbon emissions by say taking public transit for example (which I do in the city). As it turns out the GreenShift would give me an extra $362 per year. Or less than $1 per day. Wait a second isn't that what it costs to feed a starving child in Africa? My favorite part is under the "how much will it cost me" tab. It will increase "some" energy costs. Right so I'm paying more for gas, hydro, and heating, but I shouldn't worry because $362 should be enough to cover it. HA!

I also can't help but enjoy this little bit of geeki-ness. Sure I hate math, but I enjoy mathematical theory, which may just be why I studied economics in the first place.

Here's some more food for thought, if the Conservatives lose this election (which based on the most recent polls isn't a complete impossibility), Stephen Harper will likely (read: definitely) be turfed as Conservative leader and then who will the Liberals and NDP accuse of eating babies? I wasn't a party member during the last leadership convention (nor am I one now for that matter), so I can't remember who was up against Harper but if they chose someone with a slightly more moderate image, likely from the PC side of the party it might not be long before we see another Conservative government. One that's likely to keep things interesting for a long time.

Goal of the Week

Normally I do the goal of the week on a Friday night but I'm giving myself an extra day because if next week is anything like this week it's going to need it.

This week's goal of the week is to finish my right mitten. I'm knitting myself a pair in preparation for the cold weather that we all know will be upon us all too soon. This time I'm committed to putting dummy strings on them so that I don't lose time every time I take off my coat. I already did the matching scarf and if I'm really ambitious and learn how to cable I may even do a matching hat.

Gossip

I have to admit that I normally love gossip. Not malicious gossip but just stuff that I know that not many people know. So maybe it's not gossip so much as inside information. But lately I find that my inside information simply leaves me enthusiastic about my life prospects and then angry and bitter when things don't seem to play out the way I think they should.

I realize that out in the real world I have no control over what other people do or how my organization set their policies but the end result usually leaves me more baffled than anything else.

I also find it difficult to talk to people when I know something is going to happen that they don't yet know about. It's kind of like trying to throw a surprise party for someone without telling the suprisee what's going on. I manage to do it, but just barely.