Football?! I am- I've been waiting for a long time. And our season opener against long-time rival Browns was everything we could have hoped for. Maybe not everything, but it showed a promising start. It was good to see the boys pull it together under Coach Tomlin, though I will miss seeing the Quivering Chin of Cowher- and the spittle that flies out of his mouth when he yells!!
It was also fun just to see the Browns lose. Living in an area that contains a proliferation of Browns and Steelers fans, we like to squash their team pride as early as possible. Not very challenging as they know how bad their team has been. But it is sweet that they're loyal fans; any true Steeler fan can tell you how bleak things can and have looked. That's why we're so obnoxious when all goes well!!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
People
Lately, I have been very sick of people. I would like to say that only certain people have been irritating, and that's true to a degree, but unfortunately, it seems that the majority of my interaction has been w/those people.
Everyone wants something. For free. And they don't want to exert themselves at all to get it. And they all expect me to deliver.
And since when, if you want something from someone, are you a rude jackass while in pursuit of what you want? Oh- and since when is it that we "need" everything; people can no longer distinguish between things that are required for living and things that are desired.
Martyrs. You know who you are. You are the people who, when doing the job you're paid to do, you act as though you're going out of your way and being put upon by all. I have no use for martyrs in any sense of the meaning. And I will not feel for you.
I could worry about offending my adoring public with my obvious derision and scorn toward the majority of humankind...but it doesn't take a genius to know that the one (few) person who might be reading this is already quite aware of how I feel about people- and knows exactly who falls into what category.
Rock on.
Everyone wants something. For free. And they don't want to exert themselves at all to get it. And they all expect me to deliver.
And since when, if you want something from someone, are you a rude jackass while in pursuit of what you want? Oh- and since when is it that we "need" everything; people can no longer distinguish between things that are required for living and things that are desired.
Martyrs. You know who you are. You are the people who, when doing the job you're paid to do, you act as though you're going out of your way and being put upon by all. I have no use for martyrs in any sense of the meaning. And I will not feel for you.
I could worry about offending my adoring public with my obvious derision and scorn toward the majority of humankind...but it doesn't take a genius to know that the one (few) person who might be reading this is already quite aware of how I feel about people- and knows exactly who falls into what category.
Rock on.
Friday, August 24, 2007
The ancient art of ageing
When did it happen? All of a sudden, I've become the person who is susceptible to the hangover, the person who feels it the next day. I don't like this development at all...
So I was out w/Erika last night and was witness to her paltry attempts to flirt w/a guy...it would be embarrassing if it weren't so funny. I finally felt bad enough for her that I got involved, went and got the group thing going so that we hung out the rest of the night...and now I'm paying for it. We had a good time, went to a new bar, shot some horrid pool. Stayed out past close- which I so rarely do anymore. But anyway, I found myself wondering last nght- will she ever develop the ability to get to know someone to whom she's attracted, or will she spend the rest of her life coming across as a total idiot?! Do we ever master those things w/which we struggle or are there certain things we'll never get?
I thought about all the things I've spent my life "working" on w/o developing any discernable skill- and there are quite a few. Then I contemplated family and friends- who has improved at what over the years. Then I realized it. While we've all improved in very small ways at certain things, there are many ways we've all given up even trying. We have gotten too comfortable w/the concept of not being good in that arena- to the point where we make jokes about it, but never work to change it. Is that age?
Maybe that's what it is. Youth is optimism- you have time to work at everything so you pretty much assume you'll eventually be able to do or accomplish whatever you want. With age supposedly comes wisdom; I think that with age comes prioritization. I know now that no matter how much time/effort I'm willing to spend, there are certain arenas in which I'll never shine. I also know that I've been fortunate enough to work at quite varied endeavors and master those- so it can be done. But now it's a simple equation...
desired goal = energy + ambition
and it's simply amazing how rarely I get it together enough to really try.
So I was out w/Erika last night and was witness to her paltry attempts to flirt w/a guy...it would be embarrassing if it weren't so funny. I finally felt bad enough for her that I got involved, went and got the group thing going so that we hung out the rest of the night...and now I'm paying for it. We had a good time, went to a new bar, shot some horrid pool. Stayed out past close- which I so rarely do anymore. But anyway, I found myself wondering last nght- will she ever develop the ability to get to know someone to whom she's attracted, or will she spend the rest of her life coming across as a total idiot?! Do we ever master those things w/which we struggle or are there certain things we'll never get?
I thought about all the things I've spent my life "working" on w/o developing any discernable skill- and there are quite a few. Then I contemplated family and friends- who has improved at what over the years. Then I realized it. While we've all improved in very small ways at certain things, there are many ways we've all given up even trying. We have gotten too comfortable w/the concept of not being good in that arena- to the point where we make jokes about it, but never work to change it. Is that age?
Maybe that's what it is. Youth is optimism- you have time to work at everything so you pretty much assume you'll eventually be able to do or accomplish whatever you want. With age supposedly comes wisdom; I think that with age comes prioritization. I know now that no matter how much time/effort I'm willing to spend, there are certain arenas in which I'll never shine. I also know that I've been fortunate enough to work at quite varied endeavors and master those- so it can be done. But now it's a simple equation...
desired goal = energy + ambition
and it's simply amazing how rarely I get it together enough to really try.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Out of touch
Well- so much has happened...I am a graduate school drop-out. And you have to kind of sing that to the tune of Grease's Beauty school dropout- adds some flair. I started (barely) the Master's program at Pitt and then realized that online courses sooo weren't for me- also realized that library science isn't for me. I am and always will be a literature person. If you want me to read hundreds of pages of text, I want characters and a plot!! I guess I'm pretty spoiled. Anyway, I'm probably the first (maybe the only) person whose family's response is "Congratulations- we knew it wasn't for you!!" But I figured I'll continue the blog, just for kicks. Now to get back in the habit...
The summer's flying by and I have yet to get any decent trips in. I'm supposed to go to Maryland at some point to visit some friends- but I'm thinking that won't happen until the fall. That's OK, though- they have a cabin in the woods so fall would be a beautiful time to visit...
Other than that- yardwork, work, housework, playing w/my niece and nephew have taken up my time...oh, and getting my toe chopped really put a damper on the summer, too! But that's behind me and it's time to look ahead- to a job search. Now that I've decided not to pursue library science as a career, working in a library seems to be a waste. I could have a real salary at McDonald's!! So to save up some dinero for grad school, I have to get a more lucrative daytime gig...so wish me luck!!
The summer's flying by and I have yet to get any decent trips in. I'm supposed to go to Maryland at some point to visit some friends- but I'm thinking that won't happen until the fall. That's OK, though- they have a cabin in the woods so fall would be a beautiful time to visit...
Other than that- yardwork, work, housework, playing w/my niece and nephew have taken up my time...oh, and getting my toe chopped really put a damper on the summer, too! But that's behind me and it's time to look ahead- to a job search. Now that I've decided not to pursue library science as a career, working in a library seems to be a waste. I could have a real salary at McDonald's!! So to save up some dinero for grad school, I have to get a more lucrative daytime gig...so wish me luck!!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Life during grad school...
So- I'm still totally overwhelmed by the assignments/criteria for my first semester of grad school- and I'm completely wondering what in the world I was thinking to get involved. But then the reality of the world intruded- I was served w/papers to testify as a witness to the beating of an innocent, older man. Another time I didn't want to get involved but did anyway, simply because it was the right thing to do.
I was raised by people who believed very much in accountability and community. It never would've occured to me beyond the age of 5, to not totally own up to my mistakes. We're all human; mistakes happen, it's what one does w/those that helps define that person. Do you accept it and learn from it? Or do you look for someone, anyone else to blame? I quickly realized that the latter is a total waste of time- and it still astounds me that so many people spend pretty much 24/7 in that pursuit.
Anyway- let me try to find my topic again...when we saw the incident where the man was victimized, I wanted to be like everyone else and "just stay out of it." But people were blatantly lying to try and justify this horrendous act- and that made me ill. So I got involved. And now I have to testify. While I'm not thrilled at the prospect of acting out a Grisham scene at the local magistrate's office, I am happy to help right a wrong. Of course, we'll see how I feel about that tomorrow!! :)
And w/grad school- while I'm wondering just what I've done to myself or gotten myself into- part of me has been dormant, awaiting a new challenge. I keep telling that part to just go back to sleep and let me get out- but it never really seems to listen. Being involved is never easy- but it sure does keep things interesting.
I was raised by people who believed very much in accountability and community. It never would've occured to me beyond the age of 5, to not totally own up to my mistakes. We're all human; mistakes happen, it's what one does w/those that helps define that person. Do you accept it and learn from it? Or do you look for someone, anyone else to blame? I quickly realized that the latter is a total waste of time- and it still astounds me that so many people spend pretty much 24/7 in that pursuit.
Anyway- let me try to find my topic again...when we saw the incident where the man was victimized, I wanted to be like everyone else and "just stay out of it." But people were blatantly lying to try and justify this horrendous act- and that made me ill. So I got involved. And now I have to testify. While I'm not thrilled at the prospect of acting out a Grisham scene at the local magistrate's office, I am happy to help right a wrong. Of course, we'll see how I feel about that tomorrow!! :)
And w/grad school- while I'm wondering just what I've done to myself or gotten myself into- part of me has been dormant, awaiting a new challenge. I keep telling that part to just go back to sleep and let me get out- but it never really seems to listen. Being involved is never easy- but it sure does keep things interesting.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Starting somewhere
OK- well the semester has officially kicked off!! In addition to the numerous other challenges of a web-based graduate program, I find out we have to blog. Everyone keeps telling me that with all this you just have to start somewhere...so be it.
I'm an ecclectic reader who has never been a fan of textbooks though I'll read and ejoy almost any other nonfiction material. I'm discovering just how inept and unversed (?) I am in techno-speak. I can tell this program is going to be extremely difficult for me just by looking at my course syllabi. I've already gotten frustrated by the sheer volume and magnitude of software to be downloaded or installed as well as the number of accounts to be set up...
Well- OK. Not a very auspicious beginning, but it's done. Sort of. I just hope we're not to maintain this for the duration of the program!
I'm an ecclectic reader who has never been a fan of textbooks though I'll read and ejoy almost any other nonfiction material. I'm discovering just how inept and unversed (?) I am in techno-speak. I can tell this program is going to be extremely difficult for me just by looking at my course syllabi. I've already gotten frustrated by the sheer volume and magnitude of software to be downloaded or installed as well as the number of accounts to be set up...
Well- OK. Not a very auspicious beginning, but it's done. Sort of. I just hope we're not to maintain this for the duration of the program!
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