Friday, 26 April 2024
Life, the universe, pies, hot-pink bunnies, world domination, and everything
MuseBlog dedicates the rest of this month to the quietest, most graceful, and possibly geekiest of the Muses. (Thanks for your patience. We were held up by, er, software problems.)
Date: May 19, 2012
Categories: At the Top of the Blog, Random craziness
Oh! What a lovely picture!
0
0
Woah! This may be my favorite Random Thread picture yet! I love the code scrolling behind her.
0
0
Look closely at that code. Lady B. informs me it’s the code for MuseBlog itself.
0
0
That is beyond amazing.
0
0
It certainly looks like MuseBlog’s code.
I do love HTML <3
0
0
More ideas about Good Omens The Musical: I might try to write some songs for it. I was thinking maybe the songs could all be to the tune of other songs from musicals/movies? Since it’s hard to convey an original tune through writing, and it’s not like we’d be able to publish this anyway.
0
0
AWESOME!!! I ♥ AEIOU! Aeiou is so cute and quiet.
(P.S. I pronounce her name “AY-you”)
0
0
I pronounce it “Ay-YOU”, but I’ve heard that most people, including Larry Gonick and Crraw, pronounce it “A-E-I-O-U.” That’s not official canon, though; since she’s never pronounced her name herself, it’s impossible to know what’s correct.
0
0
if only we could go back in time to when she could talk. THEN we could know
0
0
It’s really sad who I thought you were talking about when I saw that in the Recent Comments bar…
0
0
Who?
0
0
I know it’s incorrect, but I always use (Austrian) German pronunciation for her name, since I just can’t deal with that many vowels in one word in english. So it sounds a bit like Ai-ooh. But I don’t have anyone to talk about Muse to IRL so it doesn’t really matter.
0
0
Who is Marcelo Mesquita?
0
0
The Brazilian person who wrote the code for the theme, I believe.
0
0
Lovely picture!
It is so hot here. I spent the morning drawing a TARDIS on the road with my friend with chalk. Time well spent.
0
0
i hear a lot of you talking about a “Tardis” what is it?
0
0
This is a fairly late response, but the TARDIS is a time machine things from the television show Doctor Who. It stands for: Time and Relative Dimension in Space.
0
0
Aeiou is my favorite muse.
In other news, I am watching Thor in preparation to see Avengers sometime soon.
0
0
Does anyone have experience with backpacking/camping? I’m looking for a good one-person tent and related gear (sleeping pad, etc.). I want to go on some sort of a trip this summer, probably by myself, and I don’t want to take our family’s four-person tent for obvious reasons. I may also want to try some backcountry camping, which I haven’t done before, so lightweight gear would be good. I’m looking at the Eureka Spitfire 1 and the Eureka Backcountry 1–they both seem pretty close to what I’m looking for, and they have good reviews.
0
0
I don’t have any experience with buying camping goods, but from the backpacking I’ve done, I would seriously question the value of fancy tents. I mean, in terms of protecting you from the elements, a sleeping bag tends to be more handy in the summertime. It may also depend on the place and the kind of wildlife that tends to inhabit it. When I went camping in Yosemite with my aunt, we carried a nice thick tent just because it feels better to be inside of something in bear-infested woods, even if it’s not really useful to protect you from bears; on the other hand, when we went backpacking in New Zealand, where the most harmful wildlife is probably non-indigenous rats, we slept under tarps that we strung between trees.
This is not to say that you shouldn’t get a tent, but I don’t recommend buying a really fancy one and lugging it around if you don’t need it.
0
0
Yes! In terms of backpacking, you definitely want something light. I do agree with Choklit Orange in some ways, especially if you’re not able to make an investment in a quality tent. You can definitely make do with a tarp and some string, although a well-made backpacking tent will be more reliable, comfortable, easier to set up, and much lighter. So if you do have the funds to buy a tent like that, I’d say go for it!
The biggest weight you’ll have when backpacking/camping will probably be your food, so lighter gear is increasingly important when you’ll be camping for a longer period of time (because you’ll have to carry more food with you). I’m not in a position right now to buy a tent of my own, but one good thing to look for in tents is a really functional rainfly. Lots of lightweight tents have a rain fly that extends past the tent to create another little shelter (commonly called a “vestibule” by many tent sellers), where you can keep things like your backpack (if you can’t fit it in the tent) and your boots, so they’ll stay safe and dry.
If you think you’ll ever want to go camping with someone else–take a friend, for example–I would also recommend looking at a two-person tent. It will be a bit heavier, but worth it if you ever want to go with someone else. It’ll also give you more room for your solo trips. I think the final thing to really look at is what sort of weather you expect to experience during your trips. I’d recommend a general three-season tent, which will meet your needs for most of the year; if you’re interested in winter camping, that’s a whole different story. Both of those tents look good — I would personally pick the Spitfire tent because it’s cheaper, lighter, and has a vestibule. If you have the time, you might want to check steepandcheap . com periodically (GAPAs–it’s mostly harmless, I think), which sells outdoor gear at discount prices (set up sort of like Woot), but you have to be patient if you’re looking for something specific. They have tents pretty frequently, though, but their selection varies.
If you’re looking for sleeping bags, I prefer a down sleeping bag, because it compresses to a smaller size and is lighter. However, it is also more expensive, and it doesn’t do its job well if it gets wet (if you’re going to a wet place or don’t want to spend a lot of money on down, synthetic works well, too). As for sleeping pads, some people like the more luxurious Thermarests, but I prefer the small foam pads (Ridgerests, etc.), which are comfortable enough for sleeping and also make really good seats by the fire and lightning pads (also great splinting materials for neck injuries, but hopefully you won’t need that).
Also: if you have any more backpacking/camping-related questions, let me know! I like that stuff. 
0
0
Pan! If you’re around, I do have another question.
Right now I’m leaning towards the Eureka Scenic Pass 2XT, which seems to strike a good balance between a sturdy, well-designed tent and something that won’t completely empty my bank account. If you have any comments on that tent, that’s fine, but my real question is: when purchasing a tent, is it worth it to buy the “footprint” as well? How essential is it? Would a tarp work just as well?
I’m also thinking that, while I definitely want to try backpacking sometime, I don’t think the Grand Tetons are the right place for a first-timer, especially not a first-timer who will be going solo, especially considering the bear population (bear canisters are big and expensive). As such, I don’t think I’ll be buying a backpack this season. If and when I do get one, though, I’ll have plenty of questions for you. Regardless, I’ll be trying to buy gear well-suited for backpacking.
Thanks for the website recommendation–I’ll be keeping an eye on that.
0
0
That tent looks great — it also looks like it will work well for canoe camping if you ever see yourself doing that, too.
I don’t think it’s worth it to buy the footprint. The biggest reason to buy one that goes with the tent is if you want it to fit exactly and only want to use it on the tent…and have the extra money to spend on it. But really, you can use any sort of tarp or ground cloth under your tent (just make sure that you tuck the edges under the tent when you set it up so it doesn’t collect water). Using a tarp is cheaper, and you can also use it for other tents and many other things, such as cooking/gear shelters, “picnic blankets,” etc. If you don’t have a tarp, I have a friend who just got a polycryo ground cloth that she’s been happy with from Gossamer Gear, which is light, sturdy, and well priced. But you can also find good, cheap tarps pretty much anywhere.
Ahh, the bear issue. I’ve been lucky enough in my backpacking locations (well, except for Yosemite) to not have to worry about bears, but dealing with canisters is definitely a pain. But camping is great! If you have light gear, you can probably carry some of it farther into the woods and get a little more isolation, even if you’re not backpacking. And you can always rent a backpack/any other gear if you want to take a trip before you have it all yourself.
0
0
That’s what I figured in re the footprint. I think I have a smallish tarp lying around somewhere–the one we usually use is suited for the big, family-sized tent, but even folding it in half would probably be too much material for a two-person tent.
I might try to borrow a backpack from a family friend and go to a less far-away and less bear-populated location later in the summer, just to try it out for a couple of days. My family’s gone camping a few times every year for longer than I’ve been alive, but it was usually with a pop-up camper with electrical lights, a fan, a little stove, and a sink, so I want to do something more…rugged? My mom and sister refuse to be away from civilization for more than a little while, so I’m looking forward to being able to do some serious hiking.
Thanks again for the help!
0
0
I love the new graphic!
0
0
Delightful graphic – thank you!
0
0
Back home : /
Going back to collegeland at the end of the week though–gonna go back to watch my roommate graduate. Woo!
0
0
Tonight I went with three good friends to my city’s big annual parade. It was fun to have a (somewhat) independent night out on the town, although the spot we chose ended up being between some weird, smoking groups. One of my friends is a princess on the main royalty float, and when we waved and yelled at her, she was so excited that she broke character and did an emphatic wave instead of a nice little princess wave. That was funny. We stuck around until our high school came past and cheered for them too – cheerleaders, band, color guard, and dance team. So many of the dance team girls waved back at us that when those in front stopped, other girls ran into their backs. We caused a serious pile-up.
All of you on MuseBlog has given me such an appreciation for marching bands. I thought of Tess, AL, and you other band kids and kept wondering what band stories those kids could tell. There were also a lot of cool hats.
0
0
Watching Goblet of Fire. Directors, Y U cut out most of David Tennant’s part?
aaaaa eclipse tomorrow aaaaaaaaaaa
0
0
Hello! Agent Lightning here. I know I just posted something rather traumatic on the R+R thread but I am Being Positive! And Agent Hippie is here.
Hello everyone! Agent Hippie here. AL and I have some news about our band trip that we wanted to share in a collaborative post.
So we performed in the morning (had to get up INSANELY early) and it was pretty awesome. Paperclip forgot his music, putting me in a state of extreme nervousness pretty much the whole way. It would have been fine if he didn’t have first trombone part, which nobody else in the section has… 
The performance was pretty weird, because there was only half a band, two judges, and parent chaperons in the audience. The songs all sounded like we could have done so much better on, and I know I made a few stupid mistakes (i.e. playing E natural instead of E flat.)
Yep, I missed my partial in Salvation is Created in the brass choir entrance… other than that, I know it was the best Paperclip and I had ever played it.
Then the jazz combo had to switch out all our instruments, which was more than a bit confusing. (I had to give my trombone to Paperclip, who needed to put his classical trombone away, and then I had to get my tenor sax… and then the other trombone player had to get his trumpet… and then the bassoonists had to get their keyboard and bass) and then we hung out in the warm-up room fooling around until the band director came in going “We were supposed to be onstage around two minutes ago!” and we all rushed onto stage, did sound checks at lightning speed and then started playing. Then we played a transcription of So What. Hippie and I soloed which I think went okay but MO the bass player randomly forgot that we had an extra chorus at the end. But it was technically our warm-up piece which technically doesn’t get adjudicated. Then we played Second Line and then Free-Teca, which was the tricky one because I was playing Freedom Jazz Dance with the alto player, which is super tricky, and also because during the bridge the trombone had the melody except Paperclip didn’t have his music. But it went okay, I think.
By then all the other band members had changed into our bright orange shirts that we had received the day before, so us in the combo rushed to change and met everyone at the buses. After taking role, we set off to the amusement park. We got in our groups and rode lots of roller coasters and it was fun!
Yeah, we went on tons of roller coasters and walked around. It was pretty great because I actually managed to overcome the social pressure and get people in my group (my mom was chaperoning) who were awesome people. I had a good time. Then at the end of the day (AT THE END OF THE DAY… *bursts into song*) we all went down to the theater and they cranked up pop music (I thought these festivals were for the promotion of good music?) and everyone was screaming.
When we finally settled down enough for someone speaking through a microphone to be heard, they started to announce awards. We were first in our category of middle school concert band, but we were the only ones in that category. However, we got a superior rating, which surprised me majorly. (I was still miffed about my bad attack in Salvation :D) Then for the “jazz combo” category, we were the only ones who had entered that category, so jazz combo got first place. But we also got a superior rating and THAT’S WHAT COUNTS. Then for solo awards, the French horn soloist in Salvation is Created got an award, as did the bass and drum solos in our combo. (It was probably from when they were trading fours.)
And then they announced “The grand champion award for middle school goes to the concert band of…OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL!” We were all screaming and shouting and hugging and giving high fives. The award ceremony ended and we headed home. Not much that went on there that AL hasn’t already covered in the R+R thread (I was asleep half the time.)
Yeah, so Hippie’s family was all over the place this weekend so she crashed at my place while I was really steamed over stupid middle school R+R stuff. But now I’m happy and everything so yay.
I think this is a good place to end the post. I love the graphics for this thread!
As much as I can’t wait for high school band, I’m going to miss this band. They’re all such awesome people. And I think it was great that we won this festival seeing as it’s our last year here and the band director is leaving for Singapore and all that.
Whoa, another monsterpost! Cookies for the GAPAs and anyone who reads this.
0
0
Everyone remember the RPGs? Demigod and Medieval Fantasy and Futuristic Dystopia? Hmmm?
0
0
Ah, those were the days.
0
0
Ahhh yes. We need to start those up again. Reminds me of my neophyte days!
0
0
What about the RRRs? 
0
0
Hey Robert, I’m in your city now, unpacking my suitcase!
0
0
Welcome back, KaiYves! I ordered some sunny weather to greet you.
0
0
Aaaaaa!!!!! Best city!
It looks like it’s getting ready for a storm though, Robert, at least where I am.
0
0
Flowers you order don’t last forever, either. It’s the gesture that matters.
0
0
at my house we are expecting hail! 
i am scared of these following storm offspring (from very scary to not very:
1 ) tornadoes
2 ) floods
3 ) hurricanes (we don’t live that close to the ocean)
4 ) hail
5 ) lightning
6 ) thunder
7 ) wind
8 ) rain
9 ) trees falling down
10 ) dust blowing
0
0
I’m guessing that wasn’t meant to be a reply. But I’m sure you’ll come out of the storm fine. *squids*
0
0
well purple panda said it was looking like a storm at there place so… PP started a coversation about storms and i was going along with it
0
0
So. The thing that seems to have finally fixed my broken car window wasn’t the expensive and difficult-to-install window motor and regulator. It wasn’t spending hours scratching my head over and nearly electrocuting myself with the wiring, the solenoids, and the series of connections inside the door and in the fuse boxes. It wasn’t disassembling and reassembling the window tracks and door mechanism. The thing that seems to have finally fixed my broken car window was pouring rubbing alcohol on the switch.
This weekend seems like a microcosm of my life in general. I’m thinking of volunteering for some of those experiments with human hibernation.
0
0
At first I wondered: why would anyone put so much time and effort into fixing a car window? Cars are so essential to life. What if you broke something important? Why not just take it to a repair shop?
Then I realized that arguably my computer is more critical to my life than a car, and I’d take it apart in an instant if it had hardware problems.
0
0
If I’d taken it to a shop, it would’ve been four hundred dollars easily, which I really would rather not spend if it’s something I can do myself. As for breaking something important, it’s a rusty 1992 Accord that I paid zero dollars for. I really don’t care about breaking anything on it.
0
0
Watching the eclipse via pinhole camera. So far it’s just a little chunk out of the top part of the sun, but it does seem like it’s getting darker..
0
0
You’re lucky! My alarm went off at 6 am, like it does every (school) day, and it seemed a bit darker outside but I couldn’t see the sun, since the eclipse was supposed to happen at 6:08.
0
0
Awwwww. I completely missed it. Hmmmmm…. Ah well.
0
0
That solar eclipse was so disappointing. I was totally planning to defeat Fire Lord Ozai, but he wasn’t at home.
On a more serious note, the eclipse was pretty cool! We shone the sun through binoculars so two little crescents were projected on the black sweatshirt we’d spread out; score one for DIY last-minute pinhole cameras. Also, the sun shining through the leaves was shining in crescents on the ground, which was majorly awesome.
We never got to see the sun as a ring around the moon, since we were in the wrong place or something, but the crescents were awesome! Five stars, would see again.
I just wish my firebending powers hadn’t disappeared. CAN’T STOP WON’T STOP
0
0
The eclipse was really cool! We ended up watching it with a pair of binoculars pointed the wrong way onto a file folder. It started with a little crescent cut out in the top right corner, which then grew and grew. At some point, though, the ends of the sun started closing around the moon. At the most complete, the sun made a ring around the moon, which then got gradually distorted as the moon exited.
0
0
Gleeeep, I just saw the eclipse! So flammy. I took this really cool picture of the shadow of a tree, which was composed of tiny little crescents…
0
0
Wish I could have seen the eclipse Too flat here in rural IL to get anywhere high enough–it’d only have been visible at sunset, and there’s trees on the horizon anywhere I’d be able to get to. Alas!
0
0
While derping around on the internet I found fanart of Rivermena, Fluttertam, Ranara, and Jaynebow Dash. I love this person forever.
0
0
Malpplejack?
0
0
Zoe = Twilight
Kaylee = Apple Bloom
Wash = Spike
Book = Umm …
0
0
Zoe = Rebecca
Kaylee = Rosanne
Book = me, of couse
As for Paul — well, I don’t see a Mal-equivalent around here, and it’s hard to imagine him as Wash, so I suppose he must be Jayne.
0
0
But you’re all the heroes of MuseBlog, our GAPAs.
0
0
No, wait, I’m confused. Who’s flying this thing? Oh, right, that would be me. So I must be Wash, and Paul, with his mysterious background and multiplicity of useful talents, must be Book. As for Mal, well, we still don’t have–
Ahem.
…Mal is somebody I can’t talk about.
0
0
The good ship MuseBlog, Cephalopod class, drifting through the starry black. I like this idea.
0
0
“She don’t look like much.”
“Well, she’ll fool ya. You ever sail in a Cephalopod?”
0
0
Looking at sidebar.
See recent posts.
See “She don’t look like much.”
Think “COMMENT ON STABILIZER ARMS”
I NEVER MARRIED
I am so okay with being a gigantic dork.
0
0
But she’ll make point five past lightspeed, kid.
0
0
Since when was Wash not me?
0
0
hold on… isn’t Wash Castle’s alter ego from the alter ego thread? or is wash a player all his own? i am confuzzled…
0
0
I think Castle decided to post as Wash as a joke, because we were on the subject of Firefly.
0
0
Wash is sort of just Castle’s alter ego in general.
But yes, it’s Castle. Hi!
0
0
The Washpocalypse marches on. Juggle ALL the goslings!
0
0
ZO(e)MG! You just made my day. She’s my favorite!
0
0
I am a small black cat and what is this?
0
0
It’s Firefly! Yippee!
0
0
I live too far south to see any of this eclipse. Oh well.
That’s a pretty picture!
0
0
On the other hand, I live in the right time zone to watch the Space X launch as it happens in the early evening!
0
0
Listening to Heart of Life on repeat and wondering why this relates to my life so much.
“You know it’s nothing new,
bad news never had good timing.
But then, circle of your friends
will defend the silver lining.
Pain throws your heart to the ground,
love turns the whole thing around.
No, it won’t all go the way it should,
but I know the heart of life is good, I know it’s good…”
0
0
a song? or a poem? if it’s a song i can emagine the tune!
0
0
I’m staring at the back of AL’s head in Social Studies right now. I’m such a creeper….:)
Hi Al!!! Slacking off on your project? Hmmmmmm…….Me too.
0
0
SFTDP! I entered the wrong email though…..frowny face.
0
0
SFTTP! I did the wrong email again…frowny face.
0
0
oh i do that all the time. instead of .com i enter .net and above is the profile picture i get when i enter .net into my email. i know it’s really weird.
0
0
Jadestone:
Have you taken any physics courses in college? Just curious.
0
0
I have not. I think I should take some at some point, but I don’t have time to and still get a bio and a geo major. My plan is kind of to get those two degrees, and then do physics/any other things I think I need to round out my skills at a community college or online over the summer. I sort of have been thinking that I’d rather take the cool, upper level classes that you can’t really get other places at college, even though physics is something I will almost certainly need for grad school.
Also I think physics is pretty neat! I had a pretty bad physics teacher in high school (they brought an old chem teacher out of retirement for that year because the fired the two teachers from the pervious years) so I barely learned anything then, but as a subject I think it’s really cool. Especially in the way it relates to space. I’ve also taken a tiny not-really-much-of-a-class-1-credit-only class on quantum mechanics at college, and read two or three books on quantum mechanics targeted at people who don’t know much about physics and really enjoyed them.
Any reason you ask other than curiosity?
0
0
I knew one of the professors when we were your age. I ran across a paper of his today and thought about him and you.
0
0
Cool!
Last year when I emailed Vi Hart pictures of the hyperbolic plane I made of seed beads using her tutorial she mentioned she knew one of the professors in either math or physics (not sure which) who’d done the article for Muse with the unbroken lines making pictures (I remember one of penguins quite clearly!). Probably not the same as the person you know but still, a small world!
0
0
Catwoman: The TARDIS is a time machine that takes the form of a 1960’s police telephone box (big blue box). It’s from the British sci-fi show Doctor Who, and a lot of people here are fans! If you have Netflix or Amazon Prime (or are willing to partake in some illicit internet activities) be sure to check it out. Start with the newer seasons: 2005 onwards.
0
0
To heck with everything. I’m going to the Grand Tetons by myself, tentatively scheduled around the week of June 10th. I’ll have to reschedule a dentist appointment, but that’s fine. I’m not sure how long I’ll stay–it’s a two-day drive each way, so if I spend three days in the park it’ll be an even week. I may want to take longer than that to take a different route back home, maybe through Colorado. I could stop by Yellowstone again, but I’ve been there before and it’s absolutely filled with people, so I think I’ll skip it. I may try one night of backcountry camping, though it’s not a huge priority of mine. I’ve purchased a good atlas and a Wyoming map, and I have a route more or less planned out, including the halfway point where I’ll camp on the way there. It almost completely avoids the interstate, of course. I’ve yet to notify the parents–they were both fine with me taking this trip with another person, though I think some hesitation is understandable if I’m going alone. The money’s not an issue anymore, thankfully.
I had to basically physically restrain myself from driving away somewhere this morning. I’m just sick of being stationary. My whole life I’ve never been happier than when I’m moving, be it on a road trip or hiking or on a plane or whatever. I do love Nebraska very much and it will always be home for me, but being stuck here in the suburbs is torture, and I miss the mountains enormously.
My brain’s a bit disorganized lately; my apologies.
0
0
Reply to Catwoman (comment 6.1)
The TARDIS (which stands for Time And Relative Dimension In Space) is a time machine from the popular British TV series ‘Doctor Who’. The show, which has run since 1969, stopped airing, and then started up again a few years ago, features a main character named the Doctor. He is an alien, the last of his kind, and travels in the TARDIS, which can go anywhere in space in time. In episodes, he gets into adventures saving planets (mainly Earth) from malicious aliens, with help from his companions, who travel in the TARDIS with him. This time machine, from his home planet, is a central part of the show and therefore featured in a lot of Doctor Who fan art.
The Doctor, being a Time Lord, instead of dying “regenerates”, meaning that when one actor leaves the Doctor has some sort of fatal experience and turns into what looks like a new man, meaning that they get a new actor. So far, there have been eleven Doctors, the latest one being Matt Smith. There is some dispute as to whether there will be any more regenerations after the twelfth one, as Time Lords only have twelve regenerations. There was, however, an ambiguous incident in which the Doctor may have gained more regenerations, but we won’t really know if he did until it happens- either he dies or regenerates again.
To help it blend in with wherever it lands, the TARDIS has a chameleon circuit that turns the outside into something inconspicuous. In the very first episode, the TARDIS lands in 1950s London, and looks like a blue 1950s London police box. (You can look up photos. They don’t have them any more.) However, in that episode, the chameleon circuit broke and the TARDIS has been looking like a police box ever since.
The interior of the TARDIS changes with pretty much every regeneration of the Doctor, but it remains bigger on the inside. Doors and passages ring a central control console, suggesting a large network of passageways. However, most of the action inside the TARDIS takes place on the main bridge, which is much more spacious than the interior of a normal police box. This is because the TARDIS is dimensionally transcendental.
…Well, you asked what the TARDIS was. You… probably didn’t want that much information. In short: It’s an awesome time machine. Now go watch Doctor Who.
0
0
The worst part of summer so far is boredom. I’m so used to being busy at college, and there’s always events of some sort going on there. Now I’m stuck. I haven’t left the house in days. My siblings are at school, parents busy, and I’m left alone. I can’t drive anywhere.
I’ve been spending my days reading and knitting while watching anime, but my brain….
I want to spend the summer doing something, so I sent out applications to volunteer at the botanical gardens and a nature center in town, but I haven’t heard back from them yet. And I could check the local university for internships if that doesn’t go through. My parents are a little funny about the idea of me getting a job, though.
I’ve been home for nearly a month and i haven’t accomplished anything. I’m ashamed of myself.
0
0
I know the feeling.
0
0
Dear Administrators/Peoples of Epicness,
A good sir named Monkeyboy would like to engage in a delightful game of chess with his good acquaintance Agent Lightning. Is there anyway he can do this without utilizing an authorized account?
With the Highest Regards,
Monkeyboy/BP/L
0
0
No, but they can give you an account without letting you view the paleo threads.
0
0
You now have an account and a game.
0
0
Well, you could play chess with her offline…
0
0
hold on wait stop! your saying Agent Lightning is a… girl???? whoops.
FUDGESTICKS!
0
0
Indeed I am.
0
0
on like, ten diffrent threads i reffered to you as a boy 
ha ha ha… ha……. hmmm
0
0
SFTDP
i guess “Agent Lightning” doesn’t really sound like a girl… just like “Kai D” don’t sound like a boy (hint hint to Kai D so you if you like to change your name)
0
0
I’ve been misidentified under this name before. I don’t really mind because I know it is ambiguous.
0
0
STOP USING SUCH BIG WORDS!!! fudge fudge fudge! FUDGESTICKSSSS!
0
0
There’s nothing wrong with it. Some people, myself included, just happen to think of those sorts of words first sometimes and see no reason to try to think of smaller equivalents. If you don’t understand something someone says here, you can ask what a word means (or look it up yourself); we aren’t obligated to use smaller words to make it easier for you.
0
0
Why do I have a squid? I really wasn’t asking for sympathy…
0
0
i am always sarcastic 
0
0
Then you’d probably enjoy this Stupid Senseless Sarcastic Smiley Story.
0
0
Online dictionaries are good for this.
0
0
It’s fine.
0
0
There is no such thing as too much hummus.
0
0
But there is, and all that is too much for you belongs rightfully to me the Eggernet.
0
0
The RC sidebar didn’t catch the strikeout, so I had the impression for a moment that Cskia = Eggernet.
0
0
The RC sidebar knows things about me that I didn’t.
0
0
What is the Eggernet?
0
0
A network allowing MBers to share delicious food over the internet. Here, have some French toast.
0
0
I read that as, “There is no such thing as too much humans”. Those, I think, would be less suited for Eggernet transport.
0
0
But it would make Kokonventions so much easier! For non-giant space squids or GSSs who want to visit humans, that is.
0
0
stomachache = boredly lounging around on bed and attempting to hypnotize plush Swalot with necklace
0
0
At first I didn’t register the “plush” and I thought you were trying to hypnotize the real Swalot. 
0
0
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! i know all i do here is laugh. im not good for anything but being funny………… AND I LOVE IT! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!
0
0
Hmmm, now that you mention that… *adds to List of Things to Do During English Class*
plush Swalot is offended that you do not consider him real
0
0
hmm. i am seeing if i can get a neat picture here… oh.. here’s one! i might use it sometime ((p.s how i do this is i change my email a little then i click “preview” and vice versa untill a picture comes up that i like))
0
0
IT’S EXACTLY MIDNIGHT!
0
0
Nine days left of school in my entire life.
I need to finish… something, I just know it, I’m missing /something/… Health assignments? English? Cartoon…ing…assignments? When is anything due? What are birds? We just don’t know!
0
0
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! i am sorry i am likely to laugh at peoples misfortune
0
0
How is this misfortune..?
0
0
Schadenfreude is generally not very appreciated in society.
0
0
what’s “Schadenfreude” ?
0
0
In German, it translates literally as “sorrow-joy.” It means taking pleasure in someone else’s misfortune or misery.
0
0
oh! i………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… *long pause*
um…
0
0
DID YOU EVER CLAP WHEN A WAITRESS FALLS AND DROPS A TRAY OF GLASSES
AND AIN’T IT FUN TO WATCH FIGURE SKATERS
DON’T YOU FEEL ALL WARM AND COZY WATCHING PEOPLE OUT IN THE RAIIIIIIIIIIN
IT’S
SCHADENFREUDE
PEOPLE TAKING PLEASURE IN YOUR PAIN
0
0
“Schadenfreude, huh? What’s that, some kind of Nazi word?”
“Yep. It’s German for happiness at the misfortune of others!”
“Happiness at the misfortune of others? …That is German!”
My school is doing Avenue Q next year.
0
0
SHAAAADENFREUDE
MAKIN’ ME FEEL GLAD THAT I’M NOT YOU
0
0
WATCHING A VEGETARIAN BEING TOLD SHE JUST ATE CHICKEN
AND WATCHING A FRAT BOY REALIZE JUST WHAT HE PUT HIS
0
0
what did he put?
0
0
erm
not for your eyes
0
0
0
0
NOTHING
NOTHING TO SEE HERE
0
0
This song is pushing the limits of MuseBloggy good taste.
0
0
hey, at least we aren’t pulling a trekkie monster on you guys
0
0
I LOVE YOU FOR THIS
0
0
Non-natural anti-frizz hair gel.
I smell like a cheap salon and my head feels like a toxic waste dump. I’m not sure what my mom was thinking.
0
0
I’ve noticed several people give their non-MBer friends nicknames with which to refer to them on MB, or at least on the R&R thread (Paperclip and Swalot, for instance). I was wondering if that’s specific to the R&R thread, or if anyone can come up with such nicknames for anyone they know off-Blog?
0
0
Oh, it’s not restricted to R+R. I have a very good friend who I call the Wizard of Oz and he’s not involved in my (lack of a) romance life at all. He’s the Wizard off the blog, too.
(Another example is Rachmaninoff. You’d never guess who his favorite soft-loud player is.)
0
0
OK, thanks. I think I will now start referring to my off-Blog friends by nicknames then. It will save confusion where multiple friends with the same first initial are concerned.
0
0
How to Cook an Artichoke, part 1:
-see that they look pretty at the grocery store. Impulsively purchase some, even though you don’t know how to prepare them.
-ask the internet how it’s done.
-Enter kitchen with determination, and internet-gained prowess.
-Begin.
-Realize this entails effort.
-Sigh dramatically and continue.
-Realize there’s not enough space in the steamer to fit both artichokes.
-Accept the fact that a canning basket would not make a good Large Steamer Alternative.
-Sigh again.
-Find a strainer, and set it up like a steamer, put one artichoke in each pan, and set to steam.
-Post on the internet while you wait, hoping all will go well.
0
0
You must send us the results over the Eggernet, be they delicious or disastrous.
0
0
How to Cook an Artichoke, part 2:
-Wait.
-Wait more.
-Try pulling a leaf off with a fork
-Well, that seemed easy, I wonder if it’s as easy as the internet told me it should be?
-Ponder linguistics and the difficulty of precisely conveying the idea of “easy” over the internet.
-Have a miniature existential crisis.
-Let it cook some more, just to be sure. After all, it’s only been half an hour.
-Pull another leaf off. This one pretty much took no effort, but maybe you’re just used to things being difficult?
-Ponder your existence a little more.
-Decide that it’s done.
-Devour with family
-Post about triumphs online.
0
0
Is it possible to change my profile picture now that I have an account? Just wonderin’
0
0
Your avater is not controlled by your account; go to gravatar (dot) com to change it.
0
0
Thank you
0
0
DUDE!!!! i liked your old one better
0
0
I like it.
0
0
(This is Monkeyboy) SFTDP But just FYI I may be going by L sometimes depending on my current thoughts. Make sure to inform anyone who is quizzical, please
0
0
I’m jelly of everyone who got to see the eclipse, but I’ve been having a great time in Washington so far. (Although they only fixed the Internet at the dorm today…)
Yesterday, we went to the Newseum, and they had an exhibit on Presidential dogs and stuffed Bos in the gift shop! And a wall of TVs that played famous news footage and I memorized the order so that I could try and get photos of the Space Race montage they had and the Challenger crew walkout video. Except I couldn’t get clear ones because video is fast and my camera’s shutter is slow.
And then I went to the Air and Space Museum and it was so great to be back and it smelled just the same as last year, and they added so much to the Moving Beyond Earth gallery, and I was so happy…
Today, we got library cards to the Library of Congress, and then we saw the main reading room– so incredible to actually be there after seeing the drawing of it in “The Inside-Outside Book of Libraries” since I was very, very young. Then we toured the Capitol building and I finished a sentence for our tour guide (“You’ll see a statue of an astronaut over there, that’s Colorado’s John–” “–‘Jack’ Swigert!”)
And then I went to Air and Space again and heard a presentation by the NASA Administrator’s wife and the wife of the head of Roscosmos, and it was very cute and friendly, and Ms. Bolden hugged me! Oh, and I saw the Director of the museum and I thanked him for making it my favorite Smithsonian Museum. And then I took part in a paper airplane contest and lost to a six-year-old.
Also, before I forget– WOOOO! GO DRAGON!
0
0
I want your life.
0
0
Oh, this week is fun, but next week, I’ll start taking classes at the BU DC dorm.
0
0
How do you get library cards to the Library of Congress?!?!? I’ve been trying so long to get to the main reading room but they never let me!
0
0
Stay up laaate paint magic cards yes good
My friend just left though, alas. But still! Internet tv and paint foreverrr
0
0
Yesterday I was in my backyard, just walking around, and a set of neighbors I’ve never really talked to before offered me some plants. They were planting them, but had run out of room, and didn’t want them to go to waste. I accepted the offer and ended with two tomato plants and three bell peppers. It was nice of them to give me the plants, as I’d wanted to plant some tomatoes in the first place and this saved me form having to by them.
Random friendly interactions with people make me happy.
0
0
The best part is when you realize you can create those interactions yourself and make other people happy too.
0
0
car related feelings, part the second:
My parents (who I am beginning to suspect are the best parents ever) decided after some lobbying from me that having a car at school to go to doctor’s appointments / therapy / the Wegmans (grocery store) that I only visited twice last year because of the bus schedule would be appropriate. We’re picking it up from the dealership today. It’s a 2009 Subaru Impreza hatchback with >75K miles. I will feed it gas and clear snow off it when it snows and take care of it <3
tl;dr CAR CAR CAR VISIT ALL THE PLACES
0
0
Congratulations! Subarus last forever if you treat them right. *owns one*
0
0
That’s what I’ve heard! Also that they’re good in snow, which will be useful if winter ever comes in Rochester, unlike this past year where it snowed maybe four times.
I am so excited! The first day it isn’t raining and I’m not busy, I am taking boyfriend to a drive-in movie just because I can.
And of course this opens up possibilities for summer trips (and kokonventions, if I can find someone to drive with me for the >2 hour trips.)
0
0
I just saw a headline that read “Doctor Who Helped Find Bin Laden Given Jail Term.”
I read it as “Doctor Who Helped…” and was very confused until I realized my mistake.
This is probably a sign that I’m far too heavily invested in a certain television show…
0
0
I read it the same way when reading your post.
0
0
Ditto.
0
0
I saw that in the Recent Comments bar and was so confused.
0
0
They’d better take away his sonic screwdriver.
0
0
Maybe it’s a wooden jail.
0
0
You know you’re addicted to MuseBlog when you also read it that way and you haven’t even seen Doctor Who yet.
0
0
You know you’re addicted to MuseBlog when, reading this in the Recent Comments Bar, you immediately know what it is a reply to, and it makes you grin hugely.
You also know you’re addicted to MuseBlog when, immediately after the aforementioned grin, your first thought is “I haven’t smiled so hugely since the last time I was on the Warm Fuzzies thread!” (But of course, that time I was smiling for a different reason.)
0
0
You really ought to, you know.
0
0
Evening concert tonight. *fret fret* *practice oboe*
0
0
I just found out that one of my best friends, who has been seriously dating, is engaged! *squees* *nearly explodes with happiness* *jumps around spinning*
0
0
Congratulations to your friend!
0
0
A few of you may recall that a long time ago, I mentioned a marine biology camp I learned about that was really, really, really awesome but that I could never afford, so I’d have to save money for several years or something if I wanted to make it work. It’s been going well so far, although I haven’t earned much, but now I found out about something else.
It’s a tropical ecology camp. It’s as expensive as 3 weeks of Whale Camp and sounds even better. It’s only for 10th-12th graders, and WC is for 10-18-year-olds, so if I don’t earn enough until the summer after my first year of college (which, due to circumstances, will actually be my junior year), I’ll have to go to Whale Camp instead of this. But if I could earn enough before then…
The trouble is, it’s even farther away. Whale Camp is on the border between Maine and Canada; this is in Costa Rica. So really, it’ll cost about much more than Whale Camp. And it’s only 2 weeks, and it’s the 3-week version of Whale Camp I’m talking about. So I’m not sure if it’d be worth it, but I think maybe so. Anyway, it’s really awesome. I think it’s conceivable that I’d do it instead…
Either way, I’m filled with longing and just wish I didn’t have to wait several years before getting enough money to ever do something like this. If I don’t give up in the meantime. Not that I plan to, but who knows what I’ll be like at 16? I just want to skip ahead to the future–actually, I’ve wanted that since I was 8, but…
0
0
I really hope you can save up enough money to go! They both sound like awesome camps.
And don’t skip ahead to the future. The present should be savored. The future will come with time.
0
0
today i took a trip to a farm and bought some chickens from someone. while i was there she showed me around. it was really awesome too! the lady has emus and peafowl, Guinea fowl, a few mules, a pot-bellied pig, ducks, turky and a few horses. she also has a goat, i loved it!
0
0
We’ve bought chickens this year too!
I named mine Feather, even though it’s a hen.
0
0
Yet more chicken-owners! *highfive*
0
0
aww! what breed? mine are blue/black silkies ((you know the ones with all the fluff on there head))
0
0
Today was the weirdest/worst model UN conference I’ve ever attended. Our committee (about the status of Iran’s nuclear program) was full of people who didn’t care enough to actually debate. They just sat around and took nonsensical shots at one another. The delegate from France decided that he was going to make a sweeping resolution that included everything from the Israel-Palistine conflict to the straight of Hormuz. He vetoed everything else. It was a mess.
The crisis, though, was super weird. So it starts of with Brazil being angry at Iran and advancing militarily toward them. We tabled the crisis. Then Brazil’s government was overthrown and N. Korea was threatened with a nuclear strike, presumably by Iran. Apparently Iran acquired nuclear weapons from a site in Kazakhstan. At this point, our committee chair is kidnapped. We continue to table the crisis. Then Pyongyang is nuked. We table that. Then the crisis committee gives up. It was thougroughly insane.
Oh. That’s a long post. I’m not going to edit it down.
0
0
People actually can get “kidnapped” in Model UN? I thought that was something they made up in Winning London.
0
0
In MUN, anything can happen.
0
0
Yep. Fake guns, bag over his head, the whole shebang.
0
0
On a different-but-somewhat-related topic, we’re doing actual debates in Debate class for the first time, and it’s amusing to watch. Only one of them so far has been between 2 intelligent people who know what they’re talking about.
0
0
Oh, we’re doing debates now too, in English! My issue is illegal immigration/building a wall on the border, and I’ve on the negative side. I love debating; it’s such fun.
0
0
Me, too! What are you opposing, though: illegal immigration or building a wall on the border? Of course it’s possible that you support neither, but even if that’s the case, I’m assuming you’re focusing on one for this debate.
I’m debating about whether evolution should be taught in public schools because apparently, whether it’s real or not is too controversial. I’m on the affirmative side. I’m with a different partner than I started with, though, because my previous partner and I couldn’t find anything to disagree on.
0
0
The concert went well! Now I won’t have to deal with my chorus teacher’s comments ever again.
…For some reason, I am saddened by this.
0
0
I have so much to do
but I just don’t want to do anything
GAH.
On a side note, I’m leaving for Forensics Nationals in Baltimore tomorrow night, and competing on Saturday. Maybe Sunday, if I break! You never know.
0
0
Someone at my school decided that this was “Battle of the Sexes” week, so we’ve been having spirit days. Today was “Twin Day”. Not being satisfied with twins (because clearly we are overachievers), I, my brother, my best friend, my honorary little sister, and that sister’s best friend were quintuplets. We wore jeans old soccer jerseys from back when we all played for the same club. My dad’s joking that he’ll put the picture of us 5 into our family Christmas card to fool recipients into thinking we’ve added 3 more kids.
Tomorrow is “Opposite Gender Day”, so my brother and I have spent the past hour picking out clothes for each other. I taught him “how to tank top” and “how to headband”, and he taught me “how to beanie”. Final outfits, with everything visible being from each other’s closets: He’s wearing a tank top underneath a purple V-neck shirt with purple soccer shorts, black leggings, slides (because none of my shoes fit him and you don’t wear sneakers with shorts), and a sparkly purple headband. I’m wearing his AC Milan jersey with long, baggy shorts, a white VW baseball cap (with my hair tucked under), and Vans that are a few sizes too big.
Yay public education! Yay siblings! Yay for pictures of it all!
0
0
You… don’t wear sneakers with shorts?
Wow, I learned something new today.
0
0
Me, too! I don’t wear sneakers at all, though, so it’s not a problem for me.
0
0
Uh, yeah, that kind of undermines most of my summer wardrobe.
0
0
Oops, text-based communication tone clarification time: you may read that phrase in your best preppy/Mean Girls voice. It’s not a rule, of course, but I’ve heard that said before. Considering the rest of his outfit, though, it would have looked a little strange. At the last minute, he also added two half-coconuts (from when we saw Spamalot) to the ensemble…
Both of us got major props today. A huge proportion of the school’s female population took the opportunity to dress casually, and a few guys here and there wore feminine clothes. Unfortunately, even though the girls won 3 out of 4 dress-up days, the boys brought in more money for the change drive and won the week. Oh well! We had fun.
0
0
“On Fridays, we wear pink.
0
0
…Why don’t you wear sneakers with shorts?
/has nothing but sneakers and character shoes
0
0
I think it has to do with socks–if you’re already wearing shorts, it implies that it’s warm enough to wear sandals and that socks are too warm. Sneakers without socks always seemed more “ok” with shorts than sneakers with socks.
It also gives the impression that you are going to do an athletic activity, which might not be the impression that you’re going for.
0
0
Hummm. I need a project to keep myself occupied or something. I’m afraid to even try to look for a job : /
Tomorrow night I get to go back to collegeland till monday night at least. Going to see my roommate graduate ♥
0
0
Look for volunteer opportunities. If you don’t see one, try creating one. Last summer a college student who was touring my former workplace with her family expressed an interest in photographing some old tools we had in the barn. As it happened we needed to inventory them, so we were happy to let her tackle the job. Then between the two of us, we found projects to keep her occupied throughout the summer. We couldn’t pay her, but she preferred volunteering to being at home all day. (The summer job she had planned fell through.)
Bonus reward: she ended up trying—and succeeding at—some tasks she had no idea she could do. For example, she thought she was too socially unskilled and shy to be a tour guide, but after giving it a go, she found her own style and actually enjoyed taking people around the site.
0
0
One of my teachers thinks I have narcolepsy.
I thought it was too severe to consider, but reading up on it now, I’m not so sure… This is really… Accurate… Yikes.
0
0
Keep in mind that it doesn’t change anything. The severity of any symptoms you have are already exactly as severe as they are, and whether or not you technically have narcolepsy doesn’t make them beter or worse, so if it turns out you do, nothing bad has happened; it just means it’s easier for you to get help for them if you choose–and if you don’t need to, that’s fine, too.
0
0
Well said.
0
0
Hi, folks! I’ve got visitors — three of them, to be precise:
Fiddler here! It’s been a lovely day so far. Pan and I met up and saw a street photography exhibit, then we met Kai, who showed us all around the Air and Space museum. She’s incredibly knowledgeable about every single thing in there. I’m suitably impressed.
Now we’re in Robert’s office for a visit.
Hey, this is Kai. We met in the South Lobby, under the Robert McCall mural, and then we went to the space shuttle gallery. We had so much fun in the Wright Brothers exhibit, and we did all of the hands-on physics demonstrations there. We’ve just been laughing and joking all day and it’s been so great. We found a table at the American Indian Museum right by the waterfall. Robert walked in on us when we were telling each other puns in the lobby of his building. Now we’re talking about hilarious pranks we want to play on people.
This is Pan! As Fiddler and Kai said, we went to the National Gallery of Art, then the Air and Space museum, then the American Indian museum, and now we’re at Science! It was great to learn from Kai as she showed us thorough Air and Space museum. When we were in the Wright brothers exhibit, we saw one of Wilbur Wright’s report cards; apparently he went to Richmond High School, which is right next to my college! So that was really cool to see. Fern and I shared a delicious mini-pie thing at the American Indian museum. And now we’re at Robert’s office! His plants are thriving on the window sill. He’s taking pictures of us from the doorway, and it’s hard to act like we don’t notice.
0
0
Sounds awesome!! WIsh I could be there for all the fun!
Any other plans for the day?
0
0
It was great! I actually just got home from all of our adventures. The three of us hung around for a little bit after we left Robert’s office, then Kai had to leave. Fiddler and I went over to this really cool little secret beautiful place near the Capitol called Spring Grotto. Then I got to see The Taming of the Shrew with Fiddler and her family! It was fantastic!
0
0
And now I’ve just gotten home from our adventures. It was an absolutely flamablamablous day.
0
0
That does sound like a lot of fun! Wish I could be there!
0
0
That sounds so good.
0
0
Here is a photo of Midnight Fiddler, Purple Panda, and KaiYves kokonspiring in my office yesterday. All I can say is: World, watch out!
0
0
So fun!
Also, Panda! You cut your hair! It looks great
0
0
Thanks! I cut it a couple weeks ago, right after I got home — and I had enough to donate!
0
0
Anybody care to write a caption?
0
0
“Mostly Harmless”
0
0
Apt, but I was thinking about dialogue.
0
0
“So big and flat and round…”
“What should we call it?”
“Let’s call it the ground.”
0
0
Well, we were on the eleventh floor. But I don’t remember any whales or petunias.
0
0
Or:
“What about fireworks? Should we set them off right after we march into town, or wait until we’ve ratified the new constitution?”
0
0
“Are you pondering what I’m pondering?”
0
0
“I think so, but where are we going to find a tattoo parlor at this hour?”
0
0
Poit!
0
0
“Especially one where the artist understands Latin?”
0
0
Oh dear lord it’s cute people again.
0
0
We got our ‘fitness test’ scores back in health class. …Six push-ups. As opposed to ten from last quarter.
…I can’t stop giggling. Not sure why.
0
0
…It’s probably bad that I’m impressed by the fact that you can do six push-ups.
0
0
I don’t think they were proper ones (they had to reach down to where your elbows were at a certain angle) but it was either that or put down “zero” as my score.
0
0
Six? Are they completely serious?
I’m not taking Hapkido this month, but the general number was 25 – 60 push-ups and 100 or so crunches. Since I’m not going, I’ve been doing 30 crunches, 30 sit-ups and 20 push-ups twice a day to stay in shape.
I have the feeling that were I to go to public school I would have absolutely no problem in gym/health class. It always amazes me how many people can’t do a push-up, and I know quite a few, so congratulations on being one of the ones that can
0
0
It’s nice that you wouldn’t have any problems in gym and health class, but try to check your smugness and amazement that we can’t all be like you.
Winter of my junior year of high school I was in the best shape I’d ever been in, after three years of (varsity) marching band, in the midst of my second year of varsity fencing. I could still only manage about 25 pushups and 40 crunches, and that was with practices for two hours after school every day.
Winter of my junior year of high school was also when my depression became manifest. This was largely coincidental, but it almost caused me to not graduate high school because of gym and health requirements.
You see, my state requires four full years of gym class and one semester of health class in order to graduate. Health can only be taken in your senior year because there are a limited number of spots and seniors have priority since, of course, they need it to graduate.
My gym teacher senior year suffered under the delusion that we were there because we enjoyed gym. Since it was opposite an AP Physics class, he called the class “AP Gym”. While most teachers allowed you to walk the track instead of playing the sport du jour (a godsend for me, since my reaction to hard objects flying through the air towards me is not to hit them but instead to duck and run away), he graded us on participation and occasionally skill, i.e. whether or not we were eager or at least willing to play tennis, dodgeball, soccer, frisbee, badminton, volleyball, etc. My school’s policy is to not allow switching to a different section of the same level course, because in real life you have to deal with a variety of people and you should get used to a variety of teaching styles. (Actually it’s because if they let people switch sections, some teachers would have no students and some would have classrooms that broke state rules on student-teacher ratios.) So I was stuck with him. I started hiding in the nurse’s office rather than go to gym class. Another relevant policy my school’s gym department had was that you lost eight points off your average for the semester if you didn’t show up or didn’t change for gym (in the public locker rooms). No exceptions. If you’re sick for two weeks, you’re failing. If you have a debilitating illness for more than two weeks, and a doctor’s note to prove it, you were allowed to participate in alternate activities, like writing essays about sports or doing exercises that don’t stress your affected body part. So my psychiatrist wrote on a prescription “must not attend gym class” and my parents gave it to the school. The school ignored it because, as they said, the state required that you have four years of gym in order to graduate. I’m actually not sure how I passed gym first semester senior year; I suspect my parents forged essays on sports for me, although I vaguely remember doing a couple “current event” article writeups. My second semester, I took a fencing course at the local community college for gym credit. I don’t know what I would have done if my family hadn’t had the money to pay for my community college courses in addition to my medical bills, or if my parents hadn’t been available to drive me to the college on a weekly basis when my meds were changing and it wasn’t safe for me to drive, or if the fencing instructor hadn’t let me into her already full class, or if many other things hadn’t worked out in my favor.
Health class, which I also took first semester senior year, was not about testing your physical fitness. Health class was about overall wellness — stress, relationships, drugs/alcohol (don’t do them, you will die), sex (you will get an STD and die, also here are some forms of birth control), things like that. My health teacher was painfully insensitive to the sensitive material she was talking about. I started skipping health class too. They had a system similar to gym class where attendance was a significant part of the grade. Eventually an arrangement was worked out: I would check in with my guidance counselor for “attendance”, read through the slides my therapist had approved, and take a final with triggering questions removed. (I’m still a bit upset that they didn’t replace the removed questions with questions that were similar but not triggering — this led to a section where they removed an essay question on, I later found, what to do if a friend expresses to you that they are suicidal, forcing me to choose two of the remaining two questions to write about, neither of which I knew nearly as much about.)
tl;dr Problems with gym/health class have nothing to do with your level of physical fitness.
Bonus moral: Don’t assume that everyone can achieve the same level of fitness as you, or that it’s their fault if they can’t.
0
0
Thank you. As a person whose motor skills are so impaired that I literally was unable to run properly until 3rd grade (when my mother put time into explicitly teaching me, step by step, what to do) and who has really awful memories of being asked to do things I honestly couldn’t and having to do the best I could and completely failing and being expressly told by gym teachers to “try, please,” (I can’t begin to describe how hurtful that was), I… wanted to say something but was really at a loss for how to put it. You did it well.
(Incidentally, the only reason I’m using the past tense to describe awful gym experiences is because after elementary school, they let you do off-campus PE, which can be going swimming at the Y or taking yoga classes. Unfortunately, the high school I’m going to does require that you take the 2 semesters of PE required for high school graduation in my state on campus, but that school’s PE is… unorthodox and looks bearable, and the teachers might be more understanding than in elementary school, partly because I’m more articulate and can explain my problems better and partly because I now have a medical diagnosis, which means they’re legally obliged to do certain things for me if I ask).
0
0
Also, some people don’t have the benefit of testosterone.
0
0
Eh, gym class can be abominable if the teachers are bad. For instance, I used to do (recreational) gymnastics at a training center and even went to several statewide competitions, but always had to worry about not killing myself at school, because the setup of various apparatuses was completely different, my teacher was fairly incompetent and they forced us to wear thick soled sneakers (even on beam, which was regulation width).
If anything, I’ve gotten worse because of school, since I’ve had to unlearn proper form (for instance, on vault, our teacher insisted that the springboard far too close to the vault- so you can’t jump in a decent arc without slamming into the ahjaks thing, which means you also can’t do any decent acrobatics because you can’t build up much momentum so you won’t get to the necessary height </rant).
0
0
I appreciate your amazement at my lack of physical prowess. [/sarcasm
I’m fairly certain that even back when I was taking gymnastics, I couldn’t do pushups. And it wasn’t that I have no arm muscle strength )well, mYbe it is now), but back then I could scale the ropes to the ceiling, which required arm strength. But I couldnt do pushups.
So you can. That’s great for you. But you don’t need to brag about your abilities and put down those who can’t do all the same physical achievements as you
0
0
At our school, we have to take statewide standardized fitness tests- the very concept of which is of course ridiculous, because it’s impossible to standardize fitness. Different people’s bodies are just too different to average them out. So sometimes, you end up with strange disparities in the requirements. In our district, for instance, 14-year-old girls must be able to do 8.6 push-ups (I kid you not) to pass the test.
Quite aside from the difficulty of measuring six-tenths of a push-up, you can’t expect everyone to have developed those particular muscles to the same degree. I’m one of the best swimmers in my class, but I can barely do eight push-ups. I have classmates of avout the same size and shape who find push-ups very easy, but have horrible problems with sit-ups.
Anyway. Standardized tests in fitness, as in other subjects, are just plain stupid, because they test you to the average of your age group, and of course nobody’s body is exactly average.
0
0
Yes. Although our system a) seperates male and female ‘standards’ and b) has a range (as opposed to a decimal) it is still horribly unfair.
0
0
I can’t do pushups because I have nerve/tendon issues in my wrists that make putting pressure on them excruciating.
0
0
Okay, dudes and dudettes, I think Castle probably gets it. Can we maybe lay off him a bit? You’d almost think he were me the way you all pounced on him.
0
0
OH GOD
NO RESPONSES
SUDDENLY CRITICISM EVERYWHERE
Sorry for all the…something…that this caused. I wasn’t trying to be smug. The amount of pushups someone can or can’t do doesn’t determine their value as a person, obviously, although that would make an interesting premise for a movie.
I started taking Hapkido lessons when I was 7, which was well before my brain started fully remembering things. At that point I was just coming out of school and starting homeschooling. Our gym class in school involved some running and not much else, so I didn’t have a very good idea of other peoples’ athletic ability. Everyone at my class was expected to be able to do physical exercises like that, and consequently I spent more than half my life growing up around people who were in better condition than me, and until I was 13 I had never met someone that couldn’t do a pushup (granted, this is because I don’t walk around asking people if they can do pushups, so it took a while for the situation to present itself).
The way it was presented to me made it seem like such an easy thing to do, and everyone around me could do it, I guess little me just assumed that everyone could and it stuck with me. I’m sorry for making myself seem like a stuck-up idiot (probably not that far from the truth).
The second I posted that I looked back and thought it seemed a little too braggy.
Affirming that are the seven responses that are telling me I’m a stuck up bragging idiot.
Basically, the environment I grew up in never gave me a reason to suspect that anyone couldn’t do a push-up. That fact is not new to me, but I am still surprised by how many people can’t for one reason or another. It just seemed so silly to me to have only 6 pushups as a school fitness requirement. I had a friend that always unintentionally made me feel bad by being really muscular and cranking out pushups in the hundreds.
0
0
Again, I’m sorry. I feel totally annoying and obnoxious and braggy now, and those are qualities I never want to associate with myself.
0
0
Piggy’s right; the responses did go a bit too far. Sorry. Incidentally, despite the fact that I responded, I do not find you a stuck-up, bragging idiot.
0
0
You are absolutely not annoying or obnoxious or braggy.
Re: the post before this: oh god that would be a great movie. *Morgan Freeman voice* In a world… where humans are judged not on the color of their skin but by the muscles of their abdomen… one indoorsy nerd fights for justice.
0
0
I don’t think you’re a bragging idiot at all! Well, what you said sounded condescending, but the tone of the responses was over the top.
0
0
I don’t think that the tone of the responses was “over the top.”
I found Castle’s statements to be hurtful, as physical fitness is something I’ve struggled with. The combination of “Since I’m not going, I’ve been doing 30 crunches, 30 sit-ups and 20 push-ups twice a day to stay in shape.” and the overall tone of the post led me to believe that he expected that level of activity from everyone. As I stated in my first response, I’ve never been able to do that many crunches or push-ups, not when I was at my most physically fit, and definitely not now, when I’ve gone to three fencing practices over the past year and had no other notable physical activity.
With that said, I didn’t write what I did because I wanted to make Castle feel bad. I wrote it because I wanted him to understand another perspective. It’s too bad that he does feel bad about it, but I’m not going to say that my post went too far.
0
0
I don’t think the tone of your response was over the top, but I think there may have been a response or two that was.
0
0
On rereading, I may have misinterpreted it. I’m glad you weren’t trying to make anyone feel bad, it was hard to tell. Pointing out another perspective is good!
And sympathy squids for those who still have the health issues posted about.
0
0
(SFTDP)
Also, Castle’s post itself was actually braggy, I was saying that he as a person wasn’t intentionally so.
And my PE records show an… interesting… range of results for various fitness measurements.
0
0
I was eating pizza at an incentive when I was supposed to do the fitness test.
That says great things about my health, doesn’t it?
0
0
TORNADO WARNING FOR MY AREA! AHHHH!
i am really super-duper scared right now! OMG! PINK BUNIES HELP ME! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
i am scared of tornadoes.
0
0
Oh no! Be safe, Catwoman! *hugs*
0
0
*squid* I hope it’s okay…
0
0
Don’t worry! You will survive! I have had tornadoes go through my area last year, but we were fine.
By the time you get this, they should be over …
0
0
I LIVED!!!! no more tornado warnings blotting out the Television anymore! ugh. thanks for making me feel better musers! 
0
0
Hey guys. You know those little things called finals? Frantically studying, at the moment; algebra is difficult.
Mmkajgfkjod nervous.
0
0
THIS THING
CALLED FINALS
I JUST CAN’T HANDLE IT
THIS THING
CALLED FINALS
I MUST GET ROUND TO IT
OOOH I AIN’T REAADY
CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED FINALS
0
0
Look, just because you’re unschooled…
*grumps and goes off to try and remember algebra*
0
0
I don’t understand troll faces.
They’ve always looked like potatoes to me.
0
0
I saw one on a shirt the other day. People, some things should never escape the virtual world.
0
0
My extremely artistic friend likes to carve/tear them out of cafeteria trays.
0
0
…wow.
0
0
Plastic, permanent ones, or disposable foam ones?
0
0
*praying* oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory oh please let all memory of troll faces decease from my memory
Amen
0
0
How does something decease from one’s memory?
(This is SBF after finals week and tech week combined.)
0
0
I really appreciate that one vertical line where all of the spaces line up.
0
0
Disposable foam ones. She wouldn’t destroy school property for something like that.
It’s also possible I’m getting troll faces mixed up with something else, since I never visit the parts of the Internet where they run rampant, but I don’t think that’s the case.
0
0
I found a fake ten dollar bill with one on it a few weeks ago, and I’m saving it to use on my sister when I get home.
…But other than that, I agree with you.
0
0
My high school chorus concert was this evening. We sang, among other things, Bohemian Rhapsody and a Les Mis medley. It was awesome, and Bohemian Rhapsody is really fun to sing.
0
0
Ohhh wow. I was cleaning out my old bookmarks, and I stumbled across Museblog, just cuz I was curious/nostalgic. I have to say it’s been really nice to see names I remember! I think I was somewhat active around 2007-2008, so I’m pretty surprised to recognize so many. Anyway, figured I’d post for old times’ sake. Keep on doing what you’re doing, Museblog, I have a lot of happy memories of you guys!
0
0
Welcome back, Andrew!
0
0
‘allo!
0
0
Andrew! I remember you from when I was a neophyte on the R+R thread. We miss you!
0
0
Hey I remember you, too! Although I gotta say, I’d rather I wasn’t remembered by my middle school relationship drama. Maybe I’ll stop by here more often
0
0
It’s fine, you won’t be– many of us are fairly new. (I joined around a year ago.)
0
0
I don’t really remember your relationship drama so much as your speculation that I was one of your friends in disguise.
0
0
Ooh. That might actually be worse, cuz that was the friend I was hopelessly in love with then. I think I’ll pay the R&R thread a visit sometime, a lot’s happened since I was last there.
0
0
I suppose that’s a compliment.
Do it! Also, the Welcome, Neophytes thread has a lot of new people to meet.
0
0
Woah. I was going through some archived threads the other day, found a few of your posts. I remember you. I used to go by eragon, if your memory goes back that far.
0
0
Aw, man, it does! I remember you. When’d the name change happen? And I’ve said it before, but it’s an awesome feeling to know that you guys are still here after the past few years.
0
0
he’s thinking of changing it to Wash (is that right?)
0
0
68.4.1 – I think I changed it about two years ago, maybe two and a half. I’m not entirely sure. Yeah, there’s still a good amount of us here that were here then. There’s also some people like TNO that recently came back (like yourself).
68.4.1.1 – I do not plan to change it to Wash, no. I just occasionally post under the name Wash in order to blurt out a Firefly quote or three.
0
0
I think you became Castle on February 23, 2010.
0
0
I have become progressively more annoying as I have grown older.
This is an interesting phenomenon that demands intense speculation and observation.
Thank you, by the way. You four are wizards.
OH GO YOU’RE THE HOUSE HEADS
0
0
Hi Andrew! Your name isn’t very familiar to me, but I was frequently absent from the blog in those days. Welcome back!
0
0
Welcome!
0
0
Welcome back, Andrew!
0
0
So, I graduate high school on Sunday. I wasn’t thinking that it would be that big of a deal, but last night it really hit me that I’m leaving. This is it. I wasn’t really thinking about it at all, but I went to the final band concert last night, and they played May It Be from Lotr. I started crying in the middle of the auditorium. I still have a couple more days before I have to say goodbye to all my senior friends – we have our senior all nighter and such still – but I had to say goodbye to a lot of the juniors today. Saying goodbye to all of my debate kids and my coach was really, really hard. Debate’s been my life for four years, and now I have to move on.
Change is difficult.
I’m going to miss the buildings. I’m going to miss the library. I’m going to miss my debaters. I’m going to miss walking down the hallways and getting hi-fives from four or five different people. I’m going to miss wandering outside during homeroom, because I have nothing better to do. I’m going to miss prayer at the end of the day, the same prayer every day. I’m going to miss the people that I never thought I could love as much as I do. I’m going to miss the friends that I never dreamed I could have. I’m going to miss having a place where I belonged, where I felt safe.
“May it be the shadow’s call will fly away,
May it be you journey on to light of day,
When the night is overcome,
You may rise to find the sun.”
0
0
I understand what you mean.
0
0
Aaargh it’s almost impossible to have more anticipation for the end of the school year than what I have right now. What’s worse is that everybody is getting out already! Noooooo!!! It must be so much worse for people who are used to getting out in the middle of May. Weirdos.
But classes end on Wednesday! And I get Monday off!
0
0
Look on the bright side–your done next week. I still have 5 1/2 more weeks of school, as we don’t have our last final until July 3rd.
The joys of vet school. 
0
0
My Humanities teacher carried out today what I highly suspect to be a social experiment. It was just fascinating to be a part of one!
Essentially what happened in class: she only let us enter the classroom at precisely 9:20, when class started, and all the desks had been arranged into rows, no longer in the familiar table group formation. Every desk had a number on it. The instructions written the board said we weren’t allowed to talk, and to find a desk with a number on it and sit down. She then proceeded to ‘explain’ that she had got into some trouble with the administration for being too easy, giving too many good grades in the class, and not covering enough material; therefore, she was going to change the learning format.
Instead of discussing our novels with our table groups, we had to (silently) write about it as a blog post, and we were told to close our laptops when done. A boy near me finished fairly quickly, and put his laptop down, and she demanded to know why he was done already, look at how much Number 18 (me) had written. She addressed us by our numbers only.
The interesting thing was, I was at the back row so I could see everyone’s computer screens, and almost everyone was actually on task and doing what we were supposed to be doing, more than I think I would usually expect. Then, she said that she had to measure our intelligence, so she would show us a slideshow of images and words relating to our unit, and we couldn’t take any notes but had to sit there and watch. She left the room to “set up the sound” and instructed Number 20 to make sure no one wrote anything down and that no one talked.
We watched the entire slideshow which repeated about three or four times, and then after she had come back she told us to make two columns and write all the words we could remember in one, and all the images in the other. She specifically told us not to analyse or explain anything, just to recall from memory. After that we continued watching the film we’ve been watching the past few classes (Gattaca).
The entire lesson she was strict, allowed no questions, and generally kept a scary persona. Afterwards a lot of students said it was really scary, but especially at the beginning I couldn’t help but find it funny, since this was so obviously an experiment of some sort, possibly relating to our unit. It was absolutely fascinating, though. I’ve always wanted to have a teacher do some kind of social experiment on a class I’m in. I don’t know what’s going to happen next class, but I am slightly hoping she’ll continue this for a few more lessons, just because it’s so interesting to be a part of, instead of revealing everything to us next class.
I’ve come to realise I’m very interested in social experiments (The Third Wave, brown-eyed/blue-eyed exercise etc.) and I’ve never considered it as a something to do in the future before, but I am now.
0
0
The Third Wave really happened? How did I not realize this? There was a book about it, The Wave, in my middle school library that I read in bits and pieces until I’d finished it. I recall it being thoroughly eerie and unsettling. Social experiments are fascinating, but I think I would’ve been scared, like your classmates.
0
0
Yes, the (rather easy to read) novel was based on fact – it actually happened in 1967 at a high school in California.
0
0
Today I’m taking as Geek Day, since it’s both Towel Day and the anniversary of the May 25th revolution (Discworld). Thinking of carrying a towel in my backpack and writing DON’T PANIC on my hand, as well as trying to locate some lilac to wear and writing “how do they rise up” on the other hand.
0
0
And, according to ThinkGeek, the anniversary of the day A New Hope came out. I’m sort of amazed by this coincidence.
Even more amazing? Wednesday I would have totally missed the second reference. Today I totally understand it. I got the book Wednesday, read half of it yesterday and half today. I don’t know how I managed to work that out so beautifully.
Now I’m boiling eggs.
0
0
It’s also the day the Phoenix lander landed on Mars in 2008.
0
0
I was the only one who remembered to bring a towel to school.
0
0
*jumps on finals bandwagon* UGH UGH SOCIAL STUDIES GEOMETRY WHY DO YOU HATE ME UGH
0
0
My mother just sent me an email with the subject heading “how did your meeting with [your advisor] go.” That was the entire message. Sigh.
0
0
I’m sorry, but I genuinely don’t understand why this bothers you. I don’t blame you if you don’t want to talk about it, but if you wouldn’t mind explaining, I’d really like to know.
0
0
I interpreted it as more of a complaint about the email formatting than anyone else.
0
0
Thank you. (And I assume you mean “anything else.”
0
0
It bugs me because it just seems… lazy. And rude, as if she couldn’t be bothered to move the cursor an inch down or tab out of the Subject: field. And my mother is very computer literate so she *knows* how to do it properly (and usually does). That’s all.
0
0
Celebrating Towel Day by lying around crocheting/internetting/listening to the Penguins. Doo-wop ftw.
0
0
Today I was reading The Fault In Our Stars in algebra class instead of doing work, and the teacher got really really caked off at me, started yelling, and signed my little ‘discipline card’ that is normally void of signatures.
I regret nothing.
0
0
WHY DOES NO ONE LIVE IN COLORADO WITH KOKONVENING ABILITIES.
WHY.
MY SUMMER NEEDS EXTRA SPICE.
0
0
Maybe you should call the Old Spice guy
My grandfather lives out in CO. Mebbe I can beg for plane tickets. Denver?
0
0
Watch the Venus Transit!
0
0
In which Choklit brags:
Today our Journalism class had a potluck party. We were also celebrating our last issue, which I have to tell you was awesome, and my graphic and article were on the front page, and I copy-edited everything and managed/edited/layed out an entire section. I made sushi and a vat of baba ganush, and baked a cake which I iced to look like the front page of our paper, and made this fruit tart/pie thing which, if I may say so, came out pretty darn beautiful.
AND NOTHING CAUGHT FIRE.
0
0
I don’t know if anyone has seen this, and the likelihood of my comment getting moderated in time, slim to none (I only just found out 20 minute ago):
Matt Smith. Olympic Torch. Less than one hour. Live stream. *nerdgasm*
http://www.bbc.co. uk/torchrelay /day8
(Allow the linky? Please?)
0
0
Urgh, sorry, I thought I delinked it better than that.
0
0
And by less than one hour, I mean it’s supposed to be about 12:20am central time
0
0
And of course the live cam started with the second runner handing the torch off to the third runner, because Matt Smith was the first runner, and obviously we wouldn’t want to show his run.
So glad I stayed up an extra two hours for that. %&(^R&(^&*
So for those of you who missed it, well, you didn’t miss anything.
0
0
we would like it if you said SFTDP more often
0
0
Actually, I don’t think “we”, a in the ‘blog as a whole, really minded. You may have, but you are one individual and not the ‘blog.
As I was not posting useless, unrelated info in several ‘blog posts in a row, but was rather updating an existing comment with information that was pertinent, SFTDP was not all that necessary, and a lack of it was far, far less obnoxious than, say, two ridiculously long triangular comments in the middle of the random thread.
Not to mention, i daresay that seeing as I’ve been on the ‘blog since you were 4 years old, I might have a better idea of you on ‘blog etiquette, or heck, etiquette in general, seeing as I’m over twice as old as you are.
0
0
The GAPA has to confess that he finds this bloggish banter amusing, in a rolling-eyed way.
Welcome back, Luna! It’s been a while since we’ve seen you.
0
0
I’m enjoying it too. Somehow it reminds me of watching two squirrels bickering.
0
0
Nicely phrased. You’re clearly unbiased here.
0
0
Who said anything about bias? Lack of bias is impossible.
0
0
yes you are the greatest i am a derp… hey that could be a TV show! “the greatest and the derp” what do you think?
0
0
Sort of a soap opera or something like that? I think it could work. Someone should write a plot synopsis.
0
0
even though i don’t like soap opras?
0
0
Can’t we make it a space opera? We’re all squids here.
0
0
If the title’s any giveaway, it’d be a flop worthy of Seussical.
…except I would be ridiculously happy because my FIANCEE
0
0
You’re my wife. This is happening.
0
0
Definitely.
0
0
Using the royal “we” now?
0
0
Researching skin moles on Wikipedia (see my post in Rants and Plaints): “The number of moles a person has correlates with telomere length.” What? Why would that be? It’s uncited, though.
0
0
At a guess, it would be because moles tend to form when DNA is damaged, and the older you get more DNA is damaged. At the same time, as you age, your telomeres shorten. Correlation, not causation, and it would be a fairly imperfect way of predicting telomere length–I can think of half a dozen things that would make this test inaccurate.
0
0
Sorry, but… what are telomeres?
0
0
Short answer: they’re little caps on the ends of chromosomes that prevent loss of the genetic information at the ends of chromosomes during cell replication. More or less.
0
0
My biology teacher always described as “the little plastic bit on the end of your shoelace that keeps it from unraveling.” At which point my brother claims he always shouted, “Aglets!” He’s kind of a smartypants, so it’s probably true.
0
0
There’s a whole Phineas & Ferb episode about aglets
No, I don’t spend my vacations watching cartoons for kids about 10 years younger than me, why would you ask?
0
0
Actually, more like 5 or 6 years younger. At least, 2 years ago, I remember a 7th grader being aghast to learn that I didn’t watch it, too. I was in 6th grade at the time. Of course, this is assuming I’m right about your age. You’re 17-18ish, right?
Aglets were discussed in my first ever issue of Muse, too!
0
0
oh man!!! FINALLY!!!!! IT’S SATURDAY!!!! now i can watch Lost In Space tonight and watch She-Ra this morning! wooooot!
0
0
*Caturday
0
0
So, guys, what’s up?
So even when I’m not on the bog, you guys are a part of my life. In the sense that I have fully-formed conversations with the little Muser copies that exist in my head.
…They tend to be fairly bizarre. One of them ended last night with Jadestone tickling me with her giant squid tentacles and me yelling that there was nothing I hated as much in the world and advancing on her slowly with an axe to chop them off. I’m sorry, Jadestone. Please don’t ever tickle me; it would do horrible things to our friendship. But this is what my brain is like, completely sober and serious.
Another conversation we were talking about MBer families. Lo and behold, I went on Museblog this morning and found that Choklit Orange is dealing with marital issues and Castle just proposed to everyone. YOU GUYS ARE FOLLOWING THE SCRIPT IN MY HEAD. I must have reality-bending powers.
Also, I’m not getting married to anyone. I hereby declare myself to be a maiden great-aunt. Everyone’s maiden great-aunt.
0
0
on the bog?
0
0
In her head.
0
0
Aaand I just realized that bog sometimes used as slang for toilet. Oh typos.
0
0
Oh! I didn’t even notice the typo.
0
0
O.o
…duly noted. No tickles for FantasyFan.
*crosses name off list*
0
0
i love it when someone does o_O
0
0
I am delighted to have you for a maiden great-aunt!
I think I want to be everyone’s first cousin once removed, globe-trotting and showing up unexpectedly, in my biplane, wearing mismatched stockings and classy hats. May you and I sit together at the wedding, saying how beautiful all the brides and grooms look?
0
0
i want to be everyone’s twin sisters.
because She-Ra is He-Man’s twin sister…
do you think i am too much into He-Man & She-Ra?
0
0
I’m just glad someone else my age has heard of She-Ra.
0
0
I’m pretty sure that BattleCatra is not your age. Just sayin’.
Actually, nevermind, we all are pretty close to each other in terms of age when you consider the span of an average human life… And I also suppose in terms of when He-Man and She-Ra were actually airing new episodes.
Oh, woah, a couple of Wikipedia pages later I find that He-Man got a reboot in 2002… I was not aware of that.
0
0
yes i am 10
0
0
Yipes! I didn’t think it was possible for me to be nearly twice as old as any MBer!
I will now sulk and feel old.
0
0
don’t feel very bad… i will be 11 in September. if that will help any
0
0
Nah, fandom is healthy.
0
0
But of course we can sit together. Although I might end up nagging the brides and grooms, along with complimenting them. It’s al right, guys, I do it with love in my heart.
0
0
Oh, and yesterday I got to meet Linda Sue Park.
0
0
TELL US ALL.
0
0
Each year our school has a visiting author, and she came. The Battle of the Books team actually got to meet with her beforehand, since she had written A Single Shard, which was on the Battle list. It was really great and we told her about Battle and then we started talking about the Hunger Games. I don’t own any of her books so instead I got her to sign a sticky note.
Then she gave a presentation to the whole school, which was also quite fantastic.
0
0
I’ve read A Single Shard! I’ve also read a book called Click!, which was written by 10 authors; she was one. Each author wrote one chapter; they were very, um, diverse, though. For example, another of the authors was Eoin Colfer. I love his books, and I love Linda Sue Park’s books, but they’re so different that I when I picked this one up, I was seriously questioning why anyone would want to put them together. It’s actually an excellent book, though! It’s very unique. The other authors–the ones I’ve heard of, anyway–were all excellent, too, although very different still–like the author of Wicked and the author of a hi-fi book about a girl and a… raccoon, I think it was?
0
0
I haven’t read Click yet. I’ll have to!
0
0
My glow poi came! I love them. <3
They do hurt a lot more than my homemade poi, though… I think I'm going to have lots of bruises.
BUT THEY LIGHT UP SO IT'S ALL GOOD.
0
0
Awesome!! What kind are they?
0
0
LED poi balls from home of poi. They’re just the kind with light up balls on strings, because I prefer that aesthetically to the ones in socks.
0
0
i don’t know what you are talking about
0
0
Poi is basically originated an art/dance where you have balls on strings that you spin around in various patterns. It started in Australia, but has since spread. Now it’s a lot more based in tricks and cool things and there’s a lot that glow/light up/can be lit on fire for maximum effect. It’s pretty cool! If you search “poi” on youtube you can get to some cool example videos.
0
0
Fun! I haven’t spun in ages but now it’s summer so I can learn some new tricks
0
0
i will do something here for fun because i like it here! (P.S. yes i did get the idea from another thread)
t
th
thi
this
this i
this id
this ide
this idea
this idea i
this idea is
this idea is c
this idea is co
this idea is coo
this idea is cool
this idea is cool a
this idea is cool an
this idea is cool and
this idea is cool and r
this idea is cool and re
this idea is cool and req
this idea is cool and requ
this idea is cool and requi
this idea is cool and requir
this idea is cool and require
this idea is cool and requires
this idea is cool and requires a
this idea is cool and requires a l
this idea is cool and requires a lo
this idea is cool and requires a lot
this idea is cool and requires a lot o
this idea is cool and requires a lot of
this idea is cool and requires a lot of p
this idea is cool and requires a lot of pa
this idea is cool and requires a lot of pat
this idea is cool and requires a lot of pati
this idea is cool and requires a lot of patie
this idea is cool and requires a lot of patien
this idea is cool and requires a lot of patienc
this idea is cool and requires a lot of patience
this idea is cool and requires a lot of patienc
this idea is cool and requires a lot of patien
this idea is cool and requires a lot of patie
this idea is cool and requires a lot of pati
this idea is cool and requires a lot of pat
this idea is cool and requires a lot of pa
this idea is cool and requires alot of p
this idea is cool and requires a lot of
th is idea is cool and requires a lot
this idea is cool and requires a lo
this idea is cool and requires a l
this idea is cool and requires a
this idea is cool and requires
this idea is cool and require
this idea is cool and requir
this idea is cool and requi
this idea is cool and requ
this idea is cool and req
this idea is cool and re
this idea is cool and r
this idea is cool and
this idea is cool an
this idea is cool a
this idea is cool
this idea is coo
this idea is co
this idea is c
this idea is
this idea i
this idea
this ide
this id
this i
this
thi
th
t
i
i l
i li
i lik
i like
i like t
i like th
i like thi
i like this
i like this!
i like this
i like thi
i like th
i like t
i like
i lik
i li
i l
i
0
0
there’s also this:
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
cc
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
cc
ccc
cccc
ccccc
cccccc
ccccc
cccc
ccc
cc
c
0
0
BattleCatra, no offense, but I think this post might be more suited to the Smilies and Code Tricks thread or somewhere similar.
0
0
oh… sorry
0
0
Perhaps you could cut those down a bit?
0
0
well jeez man! i thought you could post anything you want on this so called “Random Thread” i thought you can post “Random Stuff” on this thread but i apparently have to only talk about my life and school and pets. ok so i wanted to fancy up the place but if you don’t want me to give this place a little style i won’t i will make it as bland as possible. GAPAs please erase those posts where i do this:
cc
ccc
cccc
oops i forgot the bloggers don’t like it when i do that. sorry again.
0
0
BattleCatra, you don’t need to be bland. I think the objections were mainly due to the length. The Random Thread gets long enough on its own without having to scroll through extended comments, especially for those reading on mobile devices that don’t have an easy shortcut to the end of the page.
0
0
Very nice, but could you stop please?
0
0
For the love of all that is holy, calm yourself.
While I admit that those works of text are very cool and a little mind-bending, three triangles are enough to give us an idea of what it looks like.
Protip: export blog post to notepad and save. If post consisting of only the letter “c” exceeds 50 bytes of data, you should probably remove some of them.
0
0
I’M SORRY WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! i dissapointed you as a friend WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
*sniff* well now that that’s over with what’s going on with you?
0
0
Oh, silly. We love you.
We’re not saying you can’t post random things in the random thread. You know how when you’re in public, it’s not cool to pull of your pants and start dancing a jig while drinking alcohol? It’s like that. It’s just sort of general common sense rules for the thread.
We don’t have anything against text triangles. We dislike really long ones, though, because they take forever to scroll through and we get the idea after one or three text triangles.
Mmk? We have nothing at all against you. It takes people a while to figure out how the blog works. You’ve been here a few weeks and you’re already doing really well, not to mention livening the place up. We needed someone with a little more energy.
0
0
ok then i will do a really tiny one:
c
cc
ccc
cc
c
0
0
The key is basically knowing when and where such things are considered acceptable.
Had I posted the example that Rebecca just linked to on the Random Thread, I assure you my fellow Musebloggians would have been extremely displeased.
So if you have the desire to do long ones, then post them on a trinagular sentence thread/smiley/code tricks thread (provided there is one open), and no one will complain–you might even resurrect the fad.
Also, if I might make a suggestion: rarely, when one of your fellow Musebloggians suggests you not do something or “yells” at you for something, are they actually trying to be mean. Some of us are grumpy (myself definitely included), and some of us haven’t been your age for a very long time and we forget that we can’t hold you to the same standard we might hold somebody the same age.
What I’m trying to say, is even when we’re being grumpy and come off mean, chances are we’re trying to help you out with learning the customs of the ‘blog, rather than trying to upset you or hurt your feelings.
0
0
c
cc
c
i wish no one would treat me like a baby anymore (i get enough from my grandma) i always have to be a begginer. i am not good at anything exept video games and computer codes. like, THAT will do me any good
0
0
We were all beginners once. Each and every one of us were a beginner at Museblog, at life, at anything we have ever done or ever will do.
Your videogames and computer codes that you mention you are good at–remember, you were a beginner at those before you became proficient.
So if you could go from being a beginner in those subjects, you can do the same with anything else you set your mind to, including finding a niche for yourself here on the ‘blog, or in the rest of your life.
Nobody is trying to treat you like a baby here. We don’t even know your age if you don’t tell us/haven’t told us. That means here, unlike in real life, your treated based on the maturity you display. In real life your handicapped by your age, and people might automatically dismiss you as just being a kid, but that happens far less here on the ‘blog–generally, you’re treated as the age you act on here. Many of my fellow Musebloggians I’ve mistaken for being as many as 4 or 5 years older than they actually are, because of the way the behave on the ‘blog.
And if it comes across like people here are treating you like a baby, I honestly don’t think that is anyone’s intention.
The same way we have to give you a little bit of room for error, because you are new around here and don’t automatically know what we all expect, you’ve got to give us a little bit of leeway as well. Try and remember that when we “criticize” you (for lack of a better word), that it’s meant to try and help you learn your way around here. Some of us may come across really mean, but most of us aren’t trying to be mean (or if we are intentionally being mean, give us the benefit of the doubt that we’ve been having a really rough week–not a good excuse, but I know that’s the case for me. I’m a jerk when I’m stressed). Please try and consider that the next time someone tell you not to do something, or expresses displeasure in what you’ve done, before taking offense and getting defensive. And also remember–unlike in actual speech, it’s hard to convey emotion/intent through the written word. So what comes across as as mean-spirited in text almost certainly was not intended that way.
Just food for thought.
0
0
that reminds me of He-Man’s “Words Of Wisdom” at the end of every episode
0
0
Ooh, computer codes and video games? That sounds like a great combination! Have you ever tried coding your own game? That sounds cool!
0
0
Actually, if you look at some of the old Triangular Sentences threads, you will see that some of them depend on length for effect. Scrolling them up and down at various speeds can create interesting optical illusions (well, “interesting” is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose). For example, here’s one by Luna the Lovely.
But even the earliest ones threatened to derail the Random Thread, so they quickly removed to a home of their own.
0
0
… It’s not cool to pull off your pants and start dancing a jig while drinking alcohol in public?
OOPS
0
0
Aw, man, guys, don’t complain!
I guess since this thread halfway merged with the Incredible Morphing Chameleon thread, it’s been more devoted to actual conversation. But it’s not called the random thread for nothing! As long as posts have a purpose, even if it’s silly fun, they’re fine!
0
0
We could try dividing it in two again — say, into a Random Talk thread and a Random Silliness thread. But which would get the graphic?
0
0
Each would get half of a graphic.
I’d vote the talky conversations thread.
0
0
Or just make a new edition of Triangular Sentences and Assorted Typographical Diversions? BattleCatra may have a point. We could use a bit of festive decor.
0
0
or yeah renewing this would work. But when we used to have two “random” type threads I really only had time to keep up with one and that ended up being the one I posted on mostly.
0
0
YES THIS
I really don’t think we need two threads though…
0
0
I am going to see The Avengers tomorrow with my dad and brother. *squee*
0
0
I saw it today! And yes, I was confused by Tess’s name right at the start, and yes, I stayed all the way through the extra scenes. It was a very good movie, even for somebody like me who only knows superheroes indirectly through pop culture and who isn’t a huge fan of pure action movies. I liked it a lot!
0
0
I’ve been trying to find the paleo threads, and I can’t seem to. Do they still exist, or have they been abolished while I was off with my head in other places?
0
0
Armada:
They’re still around, but they aren’t very active. Most people don’t bother to log in nowadays. I’ve moved the 2011 (and still current) Muse Academy thread up to the top of the blog to make it more visible.
0
0
Ah, thanks, Robert. I was just struck by a sudden urge to see if anything was still going on on them, so I guess I got my answer.
0
0
Warning: below is a shameless, desperate plea for help with my math project.
We’re supposed to create a unique design with polar graphing. I’ve come up with the equation
r = 2cos(7θ) – 9sin(2θ) + 3cos(θ)
which produces an image of a butterfly that I’m happy with, except it’s rotated 90 degrees clockwise, so it’s a sideways butterfly. Does anyone know if it’s possible to modify the equation so that the butterfly still looks the same, but facing up?
0
0
What happens if you substitute (theta minus 90 degrees) or (theta minus pi/2 radians) for theta everywhere it appears?
0
0
Thanks! I did try that, but to no avail. It’s all right though, I asked my friend and he helped me come up with a different equation that is a slightly differently-shaped butterfly, but the right way up. Thank you anyway!
0
0
Just Wolfram’d it (that word should catch on) and it worked!
0
0
Oh, perhaps I was doing something different wrong. Anyway, I finished the project!
0
0
Just finished watching the last of Tom Baker’s run of Doctor Who. I’m really going to miss his Doctor–he’s been by far my favorite of the Classic Doctor’s thus far. Of course, thus far, each new Doctor of Classic Who has proceeded to become my favorite, after I got accustomed to them. But I’ve got the feeling that Tom Baker may very well remain my favorite of the Classic Doctors. Especially if the writing in future episodes are as bad as Tom Baker’s final episode. Maybe it’s because I was multi tasking (working on a cross stitch) while watching Logopolis, but not only did the serial make very little if any sense and prove itself near impossible for me to follow, it was just all around rather dull. And unlike reviewers on the interwebz, i found there to be nothing moving at all about Baker’s regeneration, except for the fact that, well, it was the end of my favorite doctor’s reign. But that fact was far outweighed by how poorly it was done–the writing made it impossible for me to be moved by regeneration.
I think it would have been much better to end Tom Baker’s time w/ the previous serial, Keeper of Traken, because while not the best serial of Baker’s years, it was fun and interesting, easy to follow, and kept me entertained. Logopolis? Even when I was following what was going on, it was downright boring.
0
0
BACK PAIN WHYYY
uhg seriously ever since I was trying to sleep on the train (unsuccessful) it’s been hurting And that was days ago!
More laying on the floor for me I guess : |
0
0
*empathy squids* My back hurts too, and I don’t even know what I did wrong in my sleep.
0
0
oog my legs hurt because i went on a reeeeeeeeeeeealy long bike ride today. i went at least 4 miles. then of corse then it was four more miles BACK. i will never ever travel that far again! i shouldn’t have in the first place, it’s 92* degrees outside
* unfortunately where i live i gets really hot in summer
0
0
Midwest weather annoys the cake out of me. Seriously. There’s always two to three days that are nice and warm/hot, and then it friggin’ thunderstorms and gets all cold again. I like the thunderstorm part, but not the cold! Be consistent, dangit!
0
0
I hate the midwest weather too, but for the opposite reason….It’s always to caking hot. Take last week–we had a day or two that was reasonably nice, in the low 70s, and now it’s to dang hot, with temps up in the 90s.
I can’t go outside, cuz it’s too hot, and the humidity just makes it hard for me to breathe. I want to go *home*.
0
0
oh… do you live in Wisconsin?
0
0
I go to school in Chicago! But I live in Oregon.
0
0
I got a deck of tarot cards for my birthday! And a manual for interpreting them!
I’ve been playing with them ever since I got them. They’re fantastic– they’re steampunk-themed, but based off of Rider-Waite designs, which actually works really well. I could spend all day just flipping through them.
I’ve been doing readings for some of my friends through the Internet, and it’s super-fun and interesting. Unfortunately, I just got computer privileges taken away after a fight with my parents, so it’ll probably be a while until I can finish the ones I promised to do.
Still excited, though! I wish I could post pictures, they’re so gorgeous.
0
0
Here’s another picture from the Kokonvention mentioned in comment 62.3:
0
0
HI GUYS
I have pretty much come to terms with the fact that I will probably never actually return regularly to MuseBlog for extended periods of time because god, I just don’t have that kind of fondness for the computer anymore or whatever but I do like to pop in every now and then and say hello, like right now.
So school got out and I’m living on my own as an adult, or anyways independently and that’s fun–though not actually as much fun as Collegeland. This is due in large part to the absence of my dear friends, of course, and also the absence of anything which would distract me from the absence of my dear friends. I spent most of my time sewing or working in the college library.
I have also begun to lose interest in novels, which is rather odd–I find I always want to be doing something a little less vicarious. For the same reason I hardly watch any television, with the notable exception of Game of Thrones because it’s awesome.
Also, I got all my hair chopped off. It is quite short now, much shorter than before when it was also pretty short. I am giving up on the bob, which was very nice but getting quite old, and am determined to grow it out to full length and do whatever it takes to make it look good all the time (probably buy some product, whoa).
Yep. I’m going to go wander around some other threads now, hooray!
0
0
aww… i wish you could stay for a while. but that is your choice.
0
0
Hi, Alice,
Fantastic to hear from you.
If you want to go on a crazy psychedelic Muserific journey, head for the random pages, where you’ll see ever-more-fantastic illustrations by Lady Bunniful, and ever-more-random (and fantastic) comments from the MuseBloggers.
0
0
I just noticed in that last comment I used the word “fantastic” fantastically frequently.
0
0
Unfortunately the beautiful moving graphic makes my computer kind of turn into a turtle, I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s the internet here.
0
0
AAAAHHH ALICE NICE TO SEE YOU HI HI HI HI HI
0
0
Good to see you!
0
0
Welcome back, Alice! Even annual updates will gladden our hearts, if they’re all you can manage. It’s always nice to hear how you are tracing out your destiny.
0
0
Oh, I should think they will be rather more than annual, but then, who knows what life will bring and I when I will be bored and have a computer in front of me/be stricken with sudden nostalgia, as these seem to be the two main things that bring me here these days.
My destiny is tracing out pretty well really. I am staying in school, which is nice especially given my taste of not being in school. I still want a painted wagon, and I don’t know if I actually want to go into professional theater but that’s what I’m pretending I’m going to do although in reality I will probably become a theatrical waitress or a theatrical farm-laborer or something. I haven’t been on a tall ship in a depressingly long time; I am thinking I may crew on one next summer, although that is such a long time from now I’m not even really going to think about it for at least three more months. I do sail on the college racing team but racing is not that much fun and what I really want to do is sail around and camp on islands like in Swallows & Amazons but with slightly larger boats.
This summer I am joining the SCA (be it as historically flawed as it may), or at least if I can go to any events which is looking increasingly unlikely. I am also spending a weekend kayaking, going to Ashland, visiting the Oregon Country Fair, working on the lavender farm, and doing a variety of awesome things involving trains as my main form of transportation. It’s going to be pretty cool but I still have three more weeks of ordinary sort of dullness first.
0
0
ALICE!
…hi!
(I am happy to see you here) Stop by when ever you want! I miss you! We all miss you!
0
0
Things that happened to me today
1. Cousins came over, so spent morning cleaning house and preparing for them.
2. My dad’s email account was hacked, so there was quite a bit of drama over that.
3. I received confirmation from one of the organizations I contacted about volunteering. So yay! My summer’s not going to go entirely to waste.
0
0
That’s great about volunteering! What kind of organization is it?
0
0
It’s actually the local botanical gardens. And they said they need volunteers for the Horticulture and Natural Areas, and I’m particularly interested in the Natural Areas part, because I want to be an Environmental Studies major, and it looks like I will be able to volunteer in the area I want to . There’s an orientation 9 days form now, and hopefully after that I’ll be able to start.
0
0
Gah. I could really use my motivation back. Five and a half more weeks of school, and this weekend–and past week–have been an all time low for motivation.
I had three exams last week. The first one, although I studied for it a little over the weekend (not much, my mom and grandma were visiting), I really didn’t start hardcore studying for until about 9pm the night before the exam. My next exam was Thursday, i got out of class at noon on Wednesday, so I had a lot of time. What did I do? I took a nap, I watched the House series finale, I watched the NCIS season finale, finally at almost 4pm, I started studying, and even then, I wasn’t focused. I think I got to bed at 2am that night, to get up at 7:10 for my 8 o’clock exam.
Then my third exam on Friday. Pathology. A five day a week class. Eleven lectures to learn, over 200 definitions to learn. Or, since I study by means of flashcards–a 6 inch tall stack of flashcards. Probably well over a thousand. So I got out of class at 3pm, you’d think, hey, first exam in this class, you really want to do good, you’d start studying ASAP when you got out of class, especially with that much to learn. Yeah. Right. I started fairly soon (had to take a nap, the whole 5 hrs of sleep thing for the last several nights was wearing on me), got a small amount done, maybe made it half way through my flashcard stack. Well, then I decided I had to catch up on the season finale of Criminal Minds. Turns out that was a 2 hour episode. Did that perhaps deter my idiot brain? No. I went ahead and watched the whole thing, even though it was clear at the rate my flahscards were going, and with the amount I was getting wrong, I was never going to be ready for the exam by the time I had to go to bed. I was pulling 50/50 on amount right to amount wrong, which meant I had a good 500 at least cards to go back through and try to get right on a subsequent attempt, but yeah. That little thing called motivation.
And this weekend. I got out of class noon on Friday, with 10 lecture from this week to catch up on and make flashcards for. At least 10 hours of work. And essentially 4 days to do it (b/c it’s a 3 day weekend). Plus an exam to study for, but a relatively easy exam, only 6 lectures on the exam, and lot of it’s pretty straight forward (it’s genomics, it’s not like it’s uber hard like pathology, or bacteriology, or even immunology. Essentially it’s just genetics, and not anything terribly complicated yet. Plus, with the amount of extra credit she’s thrown at us, I’ve currently got half a dozen more points in the class than are technically available).
So basically, I could have done 3 lectures or 3 hours a day, gotten all my flashcards made up, and had more than enough time not only to study for my exam, but to enjoy myself. What have I done? I’ve gotten 1 1/2 lectures done thus far, and no studying for genomics.
*sigh* Yeah, motivation. I need it. Big time. Or I’m going to end up horribly stressed out and/or doing terrible this block, when in reality it shouldn’t be too bad a block compared to previous ones. I’ve managed all A’s and B’s so far in vet school, and while my GPA is still far lower than it’s ever been before (3.556), it’s still, in reality, not terrible, but I know that if I keep up with the studying the night before exams (or at best starting the night before the night before), which to be fair, in previous blocks was, in all honesty, unavoidable, that it’s not always going to work out as well as it has so far. But it’s hard to take that knowledge, and change things, when it’s getting me decent grades. While I’m not at all satisfied with my first exam last week (I hate Immunology–barely got a B on that exam), i got a 97% on my bacteriology exam, and on 89 on the path exam I didnt’ start studying for unti the night before.
And i think one of the main problems with this lack of motivation, is the fact that, since August, I’ve only had 4 weeks of vacation total. Thanksgiving, Spring, and 2 weeks at Christmas. In the past 5 months, I’ve had one week off, because except for spring break, we’ve been going nonstop since January 3rd. And since January 3rd, we’ve had 2 rounds of finals, because at that time we started our charming 8 week blocks–which sounds great, until it hits you that you have finals every 2 months. Then it really blows.
And everyone else is done with school, all the undergrads finished 2 weeks ago, the boyfriend graduated from college two weeks ago, and it’s beautiful and sunny outside (if far too hot), and I’m stuck in school until July 3rd. And even then, I barely get any time off (6 weeks) before it’s back to the hell that is euphemistically known as “vet school”.
Bascially, motivation. I really need it. Desperately.
0
0
And I suppose that would have been better suited to the R&P thread, but such is life.
0
0
Most people take easier courses that give them much more free time. But they don’t get to be vets. The really cool, interesting jobs require a lot of dedication, mainly because of all the stuff you have to hold in your head. Hang in there. If you have to write off half of this summer, remember there will be other summers, when you will be a VET. Keep your eyes on the prize.
0
0
The last night I will spend in my quad in my bed maybe ever
It’ll be really weird living on the same hall next year and SOMEONE ELSE WILL LIVE HERE like in what is now my space? what
and I will see them walk into the room and things
STRANGE I SAY
also it is the last night Becky will be here She graduates tomorrow! Means I have to be up ay 8:30 oops it’s almost 2 guess I should get to bed : /
0
0
I recently realized that MuseBlog will have been my equivalent of Nell’s A Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer from Neal Stephenson’s The Diamond Age.
Speaking of The Diamond Age, you should read it if you haven’t already.
0
0
Ah, you’ve noticed.
0
0
I have several assignments I’ve been having to complete over the course of this four-day weekend, and I’ve come up with the perfect strategy to get them all done.
1) On Friday, I found my copy of the latest issue of Muse, shoved in a pile with the other mail and forgotten by my parents. Every time I finished a third of my biggest assignment, I could read one article.
2) On Saturday, I finished the biggest assignment. I could read one article when I got halfway through my second biggest assignment, and one more when I finished.
3) By Sunday I finished the second biggest assignment. I could read one article every time I finished an assignment. (Muse Mail and the contest results both count as separate articles.)
4) By halfway through Sunday, I had finished reading Muse. Every time I finished an assignment, I could read one chapter of Un Lun Dun.
5) The last of the assignments require a computer, so I’m doing them all on the same day – today. Every time I finish an assignment, I can read one post on MuseBlog, or post one post on MuseBlog.
I have three tiny assignments left. This kind of self-bribery really works!
0
0
Good luck sticking to your strategy. Ooh, I read Un Lun Dun too! It was a while ago, though. I keep on meaning to read something else of China Mieville’s, but I never got around to it.
0
0
Thanks. I did stick to it, and I got all my stuff done on time (despite the fact that I had one more assignment to do than I had realized).
0
0
I read about half before Battle season got in the way. I really need to finish it… it was really good.
0
0
Just got home from Forensics Nationals in Baltimore!!
The whole trip was just awesome. The city is beautiful, and our hotel was only a few blocks away from the Inner Harbor, so when we got there on Friday, we spent the entire day downtown shopping and eating and sightseeing. It was so much fun.
Then, on Saturday, we competed. It was really fun just to be able to perform my prose an poetry sets for others and to see the amount of talent that was there— it was insane. There were so many incredibly good people in each of my prelim rounds.
On Sunday, nobody from our team broke into finals, so we went to watch each of the final rounds: we watched Quarterfinals of Duo (where two people perform a piece with no narrative and a lot of difficult movement and character changes), Semifinals of Dramatic Interpretation (where one person performs a first-person piece with no narrative and acts as several different characters), and then back to the finals of Duo, where we got front row seats in a ballroom packed with about a thousand people. It was insane. Duo is the most widely coveted final event to watch because the talent there and some of the things that the performers do is absolutely breathtaking. Needless to say, I was geeking out. There were pieces that made us laugh hysterically, sob like babies, and feel lucky to be able to watch such amazing talent. I had so much fun!
(Side note: graduating in three days.)
0
0
Congratulations, agrrrfishi!
0
0
Thanks so much!
0
0
So this Forensics Nationals you speak of… it’s not a forensics competition?
0
0
Indeed it is!
0
0
I thought forensics were related to solving crimes. For instance, forensic psychology is criminal psychology, forensic osteology is studying bones to find clues about crimes, and forensic entomology is somehow using insects to solve crimes (although I’ve no idea how that works). But… this sounds like a reading/English competition. Are you reading prose and poetry/interpreting drama to find secret codes or something? Or am I completely wrong about what the word means?
0
0
Forensics in this context is competitive speech and debate. The word comes from the Latin forensis meaning “of the forum” or “public”. From that we get this forensics (public speaking) as well as forensic science (which establishes evidence in a public court). I’m not sure which usage arose first, but I imagine that the two fields were originally the same thing–a person in court would use rhetorical argument to present ens case to the judge. This is just conjecture, but I bet that the two began to split at some point–the rhetoric into public speaking and the argument into scientific investigation–but both fields retained the word “forensic”. I suppose that anyone posting on an internet forum (like MuseBlog) could also say they’re doing forensic work.
0
0
Hmph
I need to make more bread. I have vast quantities of instant oatmeal and so my plan was to make an oatmeal quick bread in addition to my normal bread. I only have white flour for whatever inexplicable reason and when I made my mother’s dinner rolls the other day I found them disappointingly lacking in…substance? Flavor? Whole-wheat-ness? Anyway I have this craving for whole wheat bread and not much enthusiasm for my usual too-sweet white bread recipe (I have modified it a little to make it less sweet but I think it is almost a characteristic of the flour) but I don’t have any whole wheat flour and because I am on the tightest budget ever until June 11th when I get paid (which is odd because I borrowed $100 from my roommate three weeks ago AND I got paid to clean houses and I haven’t bought that many groceries so I just don’t know where all that money went, I guess I spent it all in tiny chunks plus food is so expensive my god), I cannot really justify going and buying a whole new bag of flour for six or seven dollars when I have a perfectly good 2/3 of a bag of flour already. And then I remembered that I am almost out of yeast and then I was like well [insert acceptable expletive here] it I will eat chapatis and quick bread for the next two weeks and it’ll be grand. Chapati PB&J? Hmm. So now I have to find an instant oatmeal quick bread recipe because my collegiate friends and acquaintances gave me all their instant oatmeal.
Living on my own is hard! I’ve always had to buy groceries but never ALL of them. Also, I want fresh vegetables. I think I will make Soup at some point. I went to a party and was given a jar of chicken rice soup so maybe I will use that as a base after I eat most of it. That way I can eat vegetables of some sort.
Food food food it rules my life sort of or my weekends anyway and that is OK because I have nothing better to rule my life. Whee domesticity! I will just go assemble my sewing machine or start darning some socks now. At least I went to the laundromat yesterday so there is no danger of my attempting to wash my clothes in the tub again. There is a very strange appeal to such activities. It is like DIY and making a nice place maybe or maybe I just like cooking and cleaning it is hard to say but one thing is for sure I miss sweeping. Maybe I will go sweep the entire downstairs.
My god what is wrong with me. I think I should go get dressed and maybe I will come to my senses.
0
0
Fifty more posts and I will reach #42 on the Who’s Posted How Much List.
Ready….Start!
0
0
Holy fudgesticks! FIFTY?!?!?!?! feel free to reply to this as much as you want, it will help you out! yay
what is your favorite state?
which do you live?
what pets do you have?
ok somethi’n to reply to to help out! b-bye
0
0
Favorite State: I haven’t been to all of them, so I don’t really think I can answer.
I live in Michigan, technically, but since i go to college in Georgia that’s actually where I spend most of the year.
No pets. I used to have a cat, a long long time ago, and I also had several potted plants. But the plants all either died or became my family’s houseplants, since once I left home I couldn’t take care of them.
Hmm…I never filled out one of those Muser Profiles before. Maybe i should do that, knock another post off the list.
0
0
You live in Michigan? So do I!
0
0
You too? I knew Rosebud did, but I had no idea there were others.
Kokonkokonkokon
0
0
YESYESYESYES. Yes please. You anywhere near the D?
0
0
Fairly close, yes.
Oh, I do hope this can go through without parental trouble.
0
0
Prom. Yesterday. Um.
I don’t really understand what it was supposed to be. I mean, aren’t twelfth graders supposed to go to loads of parties and stuff just as part of their regular social life? Couldn’t they just have organized something by themselves and had a slightly-less-tame end-of-year party?
I guess maybe different places are different… but I’ve gone to maybe three parties before in my life, and I have to say that this one was still kind of tame. It didn’t really seem like the big deal that everyone makes it out to be. 
It probably didn’t help me much that I knew exactly one person there, either.
Caliban is sweet though. We talked about crushes and things on the drive home and that was probably the nicest part of the evening. And some people wore niceish clothes and things, so it wasn’t a complete writeoff.
0
0
my friend is over and i am explaining to her what MB is 
0
0
The operation to recruit more members is a go! Good job!
0
0
Tegan comes off as rather obnoxious, but dear god, I hate Adric. I don’t think I’ve ever dislike a companion as much as I do him. Seven serials of him, and I kept thinking he’d grow on me, from irritating and uninteresting and completely depthless, to someone who adds something to the show. Because he’s not the first companion I’ve initially disliked–Romana, for instance, I found her terribly annoying, always thinking herself better than the Doctor, but she grew on me, and I was beginning to like her rather well even before she regenerated–at which point she lost most all of her residual annoying qualities and became extremely likeable.
But not with Adric. He just keeps getting worse. Instead of growing on me, I come to realize that it wasn’t just that the kid who plays him is a crap actor and can’t pull of a convincing double agent routine, but rather–he can’t do so, because every little “I was just playing the other side and going along with them routine” was utter bollocks. He’s an idiotic, sneaky little turncoat, which is made plainly evident when he tried to help the aliens in “Four to Doomsday”.
So looking forward to his departure.
And as you can tell, motivation still lacking….As evidence by my watching Classic Who instead of catching up on flashcards and studying for my exam tomorrow. Which I really probably should do…..I haven’t studied for it at all yet…..
0
0
Let me warn you– I tried watching Time-Flight because of the Concordes, but after the first 15 minutes or so, it just got really, needlessly, convoluted and silly.
0
0
Unfortunately, there seems to be at least one serial season that is either so confusing/all over the place I can’t follow it, or is just boring. Gotta take the bad with the good, I suppose.
0
0
SPOILER SPOILER TIME-FLIGHT SPOILER NEVER THOUGHT I’D BE USING SPOILERS FOR A SHOW OF WHICH I’VE ONLY SEEN ONE FULL EPISODE BUT THERE YOU GO SPOILER
Concordes are mysteriously vanishing in-flight? Cool, sounds like a great premise!
They’re flying through time portals to the Mesozoic Era? Okay, that’s an interesting twist…
An alien wizard is doing all of this to use the Concorde passengers and crew as slave labor, and he’s creating an illusion that makes them think they’re still in present-day London (even though they’re being used as slave labor, which, presumably, isn’t the case in their present-day lives), except he’s not really an alien wizard, he’s somebody else, and… you know what, there’s probably something better I should be doing.
0
0
Well, in Old Who, what they had to do was essentially, instead of cramming in an enormous plot into a tiny episode, was take a normal length plot and stretch it out to fill every episode. Even by the 5th Doctor, they were desperate for ideas to alleviate the endless filler.
0
0
It’s strange how major unspoken decisions can be made in a five minute conversation.
0
0
Is that good or bad in this case?
0
0
I’m honestly not quite sure. I’ll talk more if anything’s finalized.
0
0
I’ve been very busy the past few days, but I just wanted to tell Fern, Fiddler, and Robert that I really enjoyed meeting up with them!
(Also, Fern and Fiddler, you said you wanted a reminder to look at my TV show idea on the Writing thread, so here it is…)
0
0
KaiYves,
It was fun! Just to keep things straight, however, Midnight Fiddler is Fern. Purple Panda, or Pan, is Clara.
0
0
Ouch. That’s what I get for writing that in a hurry before bed.
0
0
It was great meeting you, too, Kai! And thanks for the reminder!
0
0
Are any MBers in the National Spelling Bee this year? I suppose we’d have heard about it by now.
0
0
I was just 2 people away from getting there.
0
0
I squidded this, but meant to pie it: You were very close! That is something to be proud of!
0
0
I certainly didn’t expect to do as well as I did. I’d won in the district before, but last year, I only got to the third round of the pre-national* bee, which was the first round in which they used dictionary words instead of words from a list. Just before the bee I got 3rd place in, I watched the previous year’s bee online and found that I knew none of the words in even the 5th round! How I managed to be so lucky this year I’ll never know, but I was delighted. Unfortunately, it’s my last year being eligible to participate in spelling bees, so I won’t get another chance, but c’est la vie. (I wish I’d gotten to start at age 6, though. I don’t see why most schools have minimum age requirements, if they have spelling bees at all).
*There isn’t really a name for it–not state, because there are 3 in my state and you go to one, not regional, because some people use that to describe the district bee, and not city or county, because there are 42 counties and I don’t even know how many cities and towns.
0
0
No, but I read an article this morning about the 6-year-old girl who’s competing in it. She sounds very intelligent but still very much a 6-year-old, which I appreciate.
0
0
I read about her, too. (She lives about 20 miles from me.) A future Muser, no doubt.
0
0
Exactly what I was thinking! Maybe we should send her a subscription.
0
0
I’ve always thought that the publishers ought to deliver a huge stack of free issues to the Bee. I told them so for years and years but eventually gave up on it. I still think it’s a good idea, though.
Meanwhile, six-year-old Lori Anne was eliminated in the third round yesterday, but I’m sure she’ll be back. And I hear that one of the girls spelling in today’s rounds is wearing a mockingjay pin. Now, that’s class.
0
0
*flollops happily* I doubt anyone will remember this, but I mentioned on here almost…a…year…ago… (quick pause for disbelieving expression)…that I got into this program my community has. We go on a trip almost every year, starting with eighth grade, and we just learned our trip itinerary.
I am so excited.We are going to the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks and Niagara Falls. Then Pittsburgh. I’ve never been there before (Okay, I’ve been to five states–New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and Massachusetts, I haven’t exactly travelled a lot.) and I’m looking forward to it, mostly because we will be going to a Buddhist monastery and volunteering at a soup kitchen, which should be extremely interesting/enlightening experiences, and also we’re going to be there for the 4th of July fireworks.
We get to go to West Virginia, as well, and we are going spelunking. I can’t wait! We’re going to Amish country, too, so that’s cool.
Anyway, I’m just very excited. It’s going to be a two-week long trip, and that will be the longest I’ve ever been away from my parents, so I’m a little really nervous. Still, I think it’s going to be an amazing experience. I’m really happy it’s happening.!
0
0
Today in band class a guy tried to write on the whiteboard with cork grease
I AM STILL LAUGHING
0
0
Got an A- in Evolution of the Earth! B’s in Vascular Plant Systematics and Human Origins Anthropology. Still waiting to hear back from Earth’s Interior. Reeeaaaally want a B+ there.
0
0
LOOK AT YOU GO!
0
0
“Still waiting to hear back from Earth’s Interior”. I always knew you were awesome, but communicating with the Core is seriously impressive.
0
0
ZOLTAN THE EARTH-FROG AND I SHARE A VERY CLOSE BOND; I CONFIDE IN HIM EVERYTHING I KNOW; IT JUST TAKES A WHILE FOR HIS RIBBIT-VIBRATIONS TO BRING ME HIS RESPONCES
0
0
Hey guys! I need some advice.
As most of you know, my best friend is a girl named Terpsichore, and this week she has tech weeks for her A Capella class, her ballet, and her choir. Additionally, she has a summer job interview scheduled. Basically showing up to it will allow her to get the job; unfortunately, it’s scheduled really close to a choir rehearsal. If she leaves her interview early, she’ll lose the job, but if she gets to choir late, she’ll be kicked out of her choir.
She’s not really having the best week, as you might expect. In fact, she’s been having what she describes as “‘oh my god i’m so pathetic’ attacks”, which, as you might understand, worries me.
Y’all are a group of kind, thoughtful, understanding, intelligent, caring, compassionate people. Can you help me think of something really nice I could do for Terpsichore? It obviously can’t be something that takes up too much time or energy, since she’s overworked and exhausted already. I’m fairly broke, as usual, so I probably can’t buy something for her. I’d just like to do something that could help her relax and feel better about her life.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Advice? Thank you!
0
0
Baked goods spring to mind. I have found that it is very easy to cheer someone up by making a dozen, say, vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting, putting them in a pretty box with a note containing things you like about them (your friend, that is, not the cupcakes), and leaving them on the person’s desk before they get to class.
For the record, baked goods that I find comforting include chocolate chip muffins, cinnamon-caramel twists, and iced brownies with toffee. The ideal baked comfort food is abundant, filling, rich, and unexpected. Thus, a dozen chocolate chip muffins in a nice box is a comforting food, but a single meringue with artfully arranged fruit is not.
0
0
You would be such a good IRL friend.
Cat’s Eye- I don’t have much advice, but *hopeful squid*.
0
0
Like other people have said, baked goods are great, and your writing could make anybody smile. Another idea, you could make her something – a little trinket or charm – to carry with her during this crazy week and squeeze whenever she feels stressed out. That will remind her how much you care even when you can’t be right there with her.
0
0
Cat’s Eye (114)- I think baked goods are always an excellent gift to give, maybe with a handwritten note/poem/novel (depending on how much time you have) about how awesome she is.
The past…ten hours or so I spent at hospice by my grandpa’s bedside; he passed at 11:08. The nurse said she’d never seen anything like it–all his limbs were turning purple, his breathing was very shallow, all the clear signs of impending death, but somehow he stayed cognizant almost till the end, smiling at jokes, responding to yes/no questions, that sort of thing. We were all expecting him to go a few days ago, actually; it’s incredible that he kept fighting this long. The last half hour or so was hard. He was struggling so much to gulp down just a tiny bit of air. My brain needed something to do, so I just counted the seconds between breaths. Three seconds, then five, eventually ten, then a long break of forty-five seconds, one last gasp, and that was it. Luckily my grandma had chosen to go home before that–she could not have handled that last half hour. But my parents and I were there with him, and my sister had been there earlier in the evening when he was still able to look around and talk a little bit. He’s had a hard couple of months, and he never really regained his strength after they removed his colon. It’s a relief that it’s over and he finally let go. The nurse was wonderful–the past week or two she really grew attached to my grandpa and the rest of the family. She said he was a model patient and a very special person, which I think she meant sincerely. After she got off duty at 11:30 she was going to run to Walmart to buy some pop for one of the other residents who didn’t have any family, and she also picked up a six-pack of Miller Lite–a toast to his memory.
I’m just glad it’s over. And he even timed it so that it won’t interfere with my parents’ vacation. Always looking out for others, that man.
0
0
My sympathies. He sounds like a wonderful person.
0
0
I’m so sorry that this had to happen to you.
0
0
No, I’m very glad it happened the way it did. If he hadn’t had troubles digesting food (which caused the weakness that did him in), then after a while his cancer would’ve spread and he would’ve been in pain for months. He didn’t have to go through that, which I’m thankful for.
0
0
I’m so sorry for your loss, Piggy, but I’m glad he stayed with you that long. You and your family are in my thoughts.
0
0
I’m sorry, Piggy.
Even so, there are certainly worse ways to go than surrounded by family and jokes.
0
0
ok guys i have a secret that i want to tell you
in my imagination i am a Muse. Catwoman the Muse and i have this “Magical” stick that i can just wack the ground with to create earthquakes and all that stuff and that i can run really fast and when i do blue fire follows me i believe the Lost In Space robot is with us for a companion and i live in Kokonino country and all that stuff. and i imagine Kokopelli is my friend and we are in a war with the hot pink bunnies and a deserter bunny is our friend and Marvin (from the Pie War Thread) is also a muse as well. there now that i got it all into the open… you can now comment
~BattleCatra
0
0
Sometimes I’m not sure if I’m really smart and lazy or really stupid and lazy in a different way.
Today in math class, I found out that I had an approach to a problem that my math teacher said she’d never seen/thought of before (and it was correct and shorter than her version). Probably because every other student figured that a worksheet entitled “Vectors” would have a solution involving vectors. I’m pretty sure I read the title, but somehow this whole thing didn’t register…
My math teacher looked pretty confused. I’m honestly not sure if this is good (I’m creative, yay!) or if I should worry that I can’t fully comprehend the topic of an assignment. I mean I get vectors, I just thought that every working solution should be equal without one being equaller than others just because it likes vectors like most of the other problems instead of liking equations even though the solution is an equation because solutions and equations should be able to like each-other without having being denounced as “wrong” and having to hide their true feelings and selves all the time because there’s nothing wrong with- I’m starting to understand why I keep getting rejection letters for anything math-related…
*facepalm*
Brain, is this some sort of revenge for the tv we’ve been watching lately?
0
0
First of all, I fully admit that I just had my last day of Algebra 1 and am not really even certain what a vector is, so don’t mistake me for an expert. But it seems to me that your incident has little to do with what you understand of vectors. It might be because you’re really good at math and see solutions that aren’t normally thought of but are solutions nonetheless–or it might be because you think literally (a solution is a solution is a solution) and are too focused on what’s really there to get distracted by labels. Either way, it’s not a bad thing. The latter can cause problems (I know this from experience), but it helps with some things, too. Either way, you’re not wrong; you’re just looking at it differently.
0
0
I think the post came out more pessimistic than I’d intended. I’m still the best at maths in my class and I understand vectors as well. I’ve just never had an oral exam where the teacher looked confused by my answers and it’s not an experience I cherish.
Maths has been one of my favorite subjects overall because I know that if I actually pause to think about the problem and concentrate, I can solve it correctly and 2+2 =4 no matter who the teacher is. But lately, I’ve worried that I’m only good at the type of math taught in school, and, let’s face it, my class isn’t that challenging since I go to a language-oriented school.
I’m afraid that I’m not really good at math at all, just at solving these textbook problems. I was always reassured by logic, and that I could be so far off what my teacher expected just by approaching the problem the way I always do frightened me. I do a lot of things- heck, just about everything- intuitively and the concept that my intuition could be wrong about math is just …wrong and goes against everything I think I know.
I’ll still get an A, obviously, but it’s my peace of mind that was shaken.
0
0
Your intuition isn’t wrong about math. That’s what I was trying to say. It was just different from your teacher’s, which, if anything, proves that you are not “only good at the type of math taught in school.”
0
0
So in science we swabbed what we thought was the dirtiest spot on the school and then put it on agar to see what would grow. I swabbed the lightswitch in the girl’s bathroom. It’s been five days and there is only a tiny bit of mold.
Is it strange that I’m jealous of the people who have samples covered in green?
0
0
You should’ve chosen a computer keyboard or mouse. Those things are filthy.
0
0
You’re right, but that seemed to common. Although I think the most frequently swabbed was the phone the sick kids use in the office…
I wanted to see if they had a frequently used sponge in the cafeteria, but not many people would come in contact with that other than the lunch ladies.
0
0
That would not have been an enjoyable assignment for me. I’m allergic to mold.
0
0
Mine didn’t get much action either. (I swabbed the button on the water fountain in the gym lobby. I thought it would be filthy.)
The girl at our table swabbed the office phone where sick kids call their parents and she had some really great growths.
0
0
Somebody should have done the floor….
0
0
L (Monkeyboy) and I have compiled a Playlist Of My Life, which he began with “Caroline’s a Victim” when he read all my MB posts ever and decided that I was a victim and that Kate Nash describes my life so perfectly.
So far, the playlist includes:
Caroline’s a Victim– Kate Nash
You Can Call Me Al- Paul Simon
Breaking Down– Florence+The Machine
I’ve Got a Secret– Kate Nash
And I just added this one:
Secrets– OneRepublic
((Mainly the titles of the songs for most of them. If you looked on the whiteboard during lunch, you would have seen a little cartoon me decomposing in the beam of a spotlight with the words “I think I’m breaking down again”. ))
0
0
I got my driver’s license today!
0
0
well congratulations! i hope you don’t have any accidents!
0
0
So now you can drive to Kokonventions right of course right okay let’s go.
0
0
I AGREE TO THIS
0
0
Wouldn’t driving to Singapore get a little wet?
Good thing you moved.
0
0
WOOO B+ IN EARTH’S INTERIOR
ZOLTAN THE EARTH-FROG WILL BE PLEASED WITH MY PROGRESS
0
0
Tonight: wake/rosary for my grandpa.
Tomorrow: funeral here and then burial out west three or four hours from here.
Saturday: family friend’s graduation and then lawn-mowing.
Sunday: parents leave for South Dakota for a week.
Then I have a week to prepare for my camping trip. I told my mom that I wanted to go to on a trip by myself this summer, and she was hesitant. Yesterday I mentioned that I was planning to go somewhere after they got back from South Dakota; she seemed okay with it. So I think I’m set. I’ll ask my dad to look at my car with me, make sure everything seems okay, and I’ll get some mountain-driving tips. The site that Pan gave me got me a great deal on an ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2, which should arrive today. It might not be the warmest tent, but I think it should work for me.
But, of course, I wouldn’t be myself without indecision. I’m torn between going to the Grand Tetons and going to southeastern Utah (Canyonlands Nat’l Park, Arches Nat’l Park, Natural Bridges Nat’l Monument, Glen Canyon Nat’l Recreation Area). The Grand Tetons are closer (a two-day drive instead of a three-day drive), but I have been in that area of the country before, while I’ve never been in Utah. I’d be driving through the Rockies either way, so both should satisfy my mountain craving. The weather is a big difference–it’d be cool and probably rainy in Wyoming, and hot and dry in Utah. The latter would make for easier stargazing, which is one of my main goals for this trip. If I went to Utah I could also spend the first night in Greeley with my aunt and uncle, whom I haven’t seen in a while, and then maybe spend the second night at…Dinosaur National Monument? That would divide the trip pretty evenly. Or I could just do a long day and go all the way to Arches. I also need to make sure that there’s enough places to get gas, whatever route I take.
I’m just thinking through this stuff here; feel no obligation to read or respond to it.
0
0
Has anyone heard of the webcomic Odd Quartet?
0
0