Post-Schna-ulations

Where does the time go?

I think that this is officially the longest blogging hiatus I have ever taken. I went from sitting at a desk for at least half the day, five days per week (up until Thanksgiving) to sitting at a desk ONE day a week and having more to do than I could possible accomplish in 8 hours. My other job keeps me away from the computer most of the time, and the dogs keep me busy when I'm home. I've debated putting the blog on a more permanent hold, but it helps me keep in touch with several people simultaneously - instead of letting unanswered emails sit in my inbox for weeks at a time.

So, here's the brief update:
New job is going great. The commute is pretty brutal, but worth it. I need to learn to be more assertive and confrontational (in a good way).

I have discovered the joys and pains of Red Bull. Getting up at 5:30 in the morning just doesn't work well with me.

Old job is still good - sort of. Days like today make me want to throw my computer out the window. Mostly it's difficult because I'm only here once a week, so keeping track of what is going on from week to week is difficult. I counted, and I am stuck in the middle of no less than 7 different analyses/papers/studies. That doesn't even count the others that are more peripheral to what I'm doing, that I still have to be somewhat aware of. Still, I think I want to continue working here indefinitely (as opposed to just until they hire someone to replace me).

Dogs are great. Sadie is probably in the 55 pound range now and starting to act like a real dog. She learns fast and, for the most part, is very good. This week, she discovered that she can easily get on the bed, which she does at every given opportunity. We're trying to keep her off the furniture, and she won't ever be able to sleep on the bed (with Pancho and the two of us, there is just no room!), but we let her lay up there from time to time. In about a month, she'll be at the age where we'll begin the real training (beyond "sit" and "stay" basically). She's already learning now to walk better on a leash, though she has a ways to go yet. I will post update pictures soon. Pancho is still on his diet and has been getting MANY comments about how good he looks. We're very proud.

School is school. While there are aspects of my classes that I really like, I continue to be irritated by several of my classmates. And don't get me started about the Stats class I'm taking....NO GOOD! Still, this semester has involved a lot more hands-on work, and in general is going well. I have begun to talk to more of my classmates (who DON'T irritate me!), which has really been good for keeping things fun and not as stressful.

LHPJ and I never see each other. Most nights we have our hour of "wind down" time, which usually involves making food, sitting on the couch, and doing nothing. We both are transitioning into being more morning people, with great difficulty. Over the summer, I will essentially be working 4 different jobs (two part-time jobs and two 100-hour (each) practica), but won't have class, so hopefully we'll have some time then.

I am in one wedding and playing in two others between now and September. I will also (hopefully) be playing in a wind quintet, starting soon. Fortunately, this is going to be a very laid back and fun group - nothing stressful. We're going to try to perform once near the end of the semester.

Hmm...I feel like I'm leaving out something, but can't imagine what else I could be doing. I intend to make a more concerted effort to post at least a couple of time per week.

One more thing: I am currently reading Oliver Sacks' "An Anthropologist on Mars" and it is FANTASTIC! This is the second book of his that I have read (and I did see the film "Awakenings", based on another of his books), and I really can't speak highly enough of him. He is unique amongst his colleagues in the way that he writes about brain damage and conceptualizes the nature or state of being (and change/loss)- to put it VERY simply. His other book that I have read, and that I love, is "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat".

Okay, time to get back to work. *sigh*

posted by Schna @ 11:46 AM