| Flying Again |
[Aug. 10th, 2009|02:18 am] |
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I'm sitting in PDX, on the floor since my computer requires an electrical source at hand. Flying back to Michigan, it's sad but necessary. I'll be back in December. |
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| Mea Culpa |
[Jul. 29th, 2009|04:00 pm] |
Back in Waldport, I tend to update this the most when I am traveling. Maybe that's the time that my life is interesting... Trying to remember how to type in Qwerty is tough, though the word Qwerty itself is easy. I must apologize, not only have I been remiss in my writing, par for the course for me, but I have also neglected to read LiveJournal since at least when my computer went kaput. For those who didn't know, my computer broke late in May. Hard drive scratch, but when I got that replaced I couldn't use my restore disk, been using Linux in the mean time. I'll be in Corvallis most of next week, by the way.
Kenny
PS Isn't 'j' in an absurd place? |
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| Leavin' On a Jet Plane |
[Jan. 7th, 2009|09:01 am] |
Reporting in from PDX on my way back to Michigan after a much appreciated an enjoyed winter break. It was wonderful to be back in the pleasant city of Corvallis, but this too must end. Just signed up for my Math Learning Center hour for the next semester. All in all it looks like I have a quite acceptable schedule.
Made it to the airport and through security fine, so my travel woes are likely over until Lansing. Apparently I wasn't put on an early enough flight to make my connection in Seattle, I thought I was on a 7:00 flight, the system thought I was flying out at 7:30, so to rectify the situation I will be on a 6:30 flight, amazing how much air traffic there is between Portland and Seattle. Well that's it, catch you on the flip side. |
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| Back in Corvallis |
[Dec. 18th, 2008|07:53 pm] |
As I mentioned, I did intend to post more from East Lansing, so my OSU friends would still know my doings. This did not really happen, its ok, I spent the term either working on math or relaxing pretty much, so this could have been boring to read about. However, having posted to Xanga I thought that the least I could do was to put the post on LJ as well. I don't know that I'll start to post regularly, I also doubt people are reading this anymore, and yes there is a causal relation. However, being back in Corvallis (with nothing to do on this wonderfully melancholy day) put me in the mood to write. "Back in Corvallis?" one might ask (although hopefully you've had a little more information about my life than that). Indeed, having graduated from OSU I have thrown myself into the meat grinder known as the MSU (Michigan State University) math doctoral program. Gone are the days of expecting myself to get A's, I was estatic to receive a B (or 3.0 as MSU grades are reported) in my Real Analysis test, I believe I had good answers to 2 of the 8 questiongs on the final, yikes!
But MSU is over 2,000 miles behind me now (apparently the snow is stalking me thought, ick, I had thought to have a break from this). I spent a few days visiting a fellow OSU alumni and ex-roommate (if you know me you ought to know who this is) up in Victoria at the beginning of the break. This was a pretty cool experience because Victoria really captures the big urban center feel (buildings tall and close together, rather than endless parking lot-scapes), and it was great to see him again. Plus, I enjoy visiting Canada, so much math involved in shopping (exchange rate). The latter part of the visit was made more interesting due to the icy death trap that roads and sidewalks became, ce la vie.
Now I'm back in Corvallis, at least until the weekend, and then for another week around New Years. Although I enjoy being here, it is a little saddening for at least two reasons. Visiting is not the same as living here, there is a much stronger feeling of transience to the experience, as well as a loss of independence that comes as part of being someone else's guest. I appreciate my host, but over the past week I realized how much I value the independence I developed during my time at OSU and carried with me to MSU. In fact, loosing regular interaction with my friends has probably pushed me to become even more independent, though this is not a sure thing. Visiting also strenghthens the already powerful emotional connection I feel to this place and its residents of the past five years, I imagine that this will make it hard to once again return to East Lansing (which is a lovely place in its own right, a bit spread out to be pedestrain friendly though). My consolation is that what I am attached to is the Corvallis, or OSU, or even McNary or UHC, community that existed in the past, and even were I to remain here this community is, if not gone, then at least morphed into something that is sometimes unrecognizeable to an extent that scares me.
As I felt in my last year at McNary, if I remain in one place too long, whilst others move around me, I will become a part of the past rather than the present. This is a fate that I prefer to avoid. |
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| Back in Michigan |
[Sep. 4th, 2008|04:30 pm] |
It's a little warm, and I'm having my first real day off since school started. Not much to report so I'll post a poem instead.
What gives worth to a life, is it money or fame
Can it come through luck, or by winning a game
If you're smart and you study 'till you know all your books
Or if your features are striking and you have good looks
Can you look back on your life and truthfully say
That you are at peace with yourself on your dying day
Is worth measured by love, sex, honor, or greed
How many napkins possessed how many laurels received
Can we measure the worth of one human's life
Be it in court with a lawyer or at night with a knife?
Money is lost and fame passes with time
Games are for fun lucks not worth a dime
Brains are so fragile, knowledge slips away
We all know how long our good looks will stay
Love, sex, honor, and greed, both feat and fault
They need not consume they can be brought to a halt
If society kills, takes a murderer's life
Who will console his family, daughter and wife?
I propose that worth deals with none of these things
But concerns the care shown to our fellow human beings. |
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| Awwww! |
[Aug. 31st, 2008|03:05 am] |
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Karen got married today! I laughed (at funny kid pictures of her and Matthew in the slide show), I cried (when she walked down the aisle, then I didn't really stop the rest of the ceremony), I saw people who I haven't seen in about four years (and some I had seen more recently but was still glad to see, actually I met a second cousin for the first time I believe, and saw an Aunt for the first time in 10 years, very good family time), I was in the church for 10 hours. It was exhausting and exhillerating, now I fly back to Michigan in 22 hours (well, to San Fransisco first). |
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| Back in Oregon |
[Aug. 29th, 2008|01:29 am] |
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That is the good news. My lousy cell phone failed to add the minutes I (think) I bought, so I have no cell phone. Weeeeee, I HATE this moronic technology! Cell phones bite! I'm tired and a little stressed about this, maybe I'll feel differently about this worthless junk when I feel better. |
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| Once more into the breach |
[Aug. 28th, 2008|02:39 pm] |
Well, I'm flying out for my sister's wedding. Yes indeed, little more than two weeks after my arrival in the grand land of Michigan, I am going to fly another 3.5 thousand miles in the space of 4 days. Which reminds me, I should subscribe for a frequent flyer plan. I like the Lansing airport, it is small and quiet. I also love the feeling of getting through security and knowing that, until I return to the world at large, I am free to wander through any airport in the United States. Well, here we go again on our own.
P.S. Window seats for both flights in this trip, and I'm not taking a red-eye this time (unlike my flight back to Lansing). Woo hoo, I get to gawk at America. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 24th, 2008|10:27 pm] |
Someone pointed out that I had not updated since Orlando, ooops, I got to MSU just fine. I failed to find free wireless in the Detroit airport, thus foiling my plan to update from there. When I reached Lansing I decided that I wanted to conserve my battery power in case I needed some of it to get me to campus. When I finally reached campus I guess I was just too relieved to think about it.
Last week was TA orientation, which went fairly well. It was a good chance to meet the other graduates in the program. I am teaching College Algebra this semester, which is both exciting and somewhat intimidating. Well, that about sums it up, I am going to prepare for tomorrow. Wooo! Go Spartans! |
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| Hello from cloudy Orlando |
[Aug. 14th, 2008|03:52 am] |
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As my Oregonian buddies may or may not know, I-5 northbound was closed "yesterday" (Wed. 8-13) due to truck fires(?). What may be unknown is that yours truly was desperately attempting to use this road to reach PDX before his 10:00 PM flight. Eventually we got off in Albany and took back-country roads through Independence to Salem, at which point I-5 was flowing again. However, this caused my planned 6:30 arrival at PDX to become an actual 8:50 arrival! Fortunately I made it with time to spare. Now, as my title hints, I am sitting in Orlando, very thankful that airports are air conditioned. There may be more updates today as further travel occurs. Adios! |
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| Poetry |
[Aug. 12th, 2008|12:00 pm] |
I know that I said I was going to dribble out the poetry, in order to prolong the period that I did not need to be creative. However, today I am giving a special two-for-one offer, for three reasons: 1) As I also mentioned, I am cleaning my room out (a not at all fun task fyi), and poetry I put on the Internet(s) is poetry I can get rid of the hard copy of; 2) One of the poems is Christmas themed, while I could pass it off as early enough to regift ;), I'm going to be honest enough to say that Christmas in August is lame, so you deserve another poem; 3) I really like the second poem.
Amidst family and sleep and holiday joys
And playing with all my new big kid toys
I must admit with a heavy sigh
I went and let Christmas slip right by
For my Christmas wish is in past tense
Or for all your Christmases hence
Many your heart be free and your cares be light
May you always find family a welcoming sight
May Christmas remind you the true gift is giving
And wonder fill each day of the life you are living
Hope your Christmas was merry and friends close at hand
I'm sorry I didn't participate as I had planned
I wasn't on time it makes me quite sad
For instead of all the nice things that I've had
My favorite gift is the friends that I have made
Yet my gift for you I've horribly delayed
When we return I'll give it you see
I'll hide who I am you won't know it's me
And I want you to know in this season of love
It is my dear friends that I'm thinking of
This poem is done fare you well see you soon
I hope that these thoughts come as a boon
Until I see you may you be of good cheer
Enjoy your holiday and blessings for the new year.
See, it isn't even a Christmas poem, it's a belated Christmas poem, ironic how early it is, I should just claim it was for 2007. In all honesty, I cannot remember writing it, so it may even be the work of another, but it was definitely printed from the family printer and it sounds like my style, so I feel fairly secure claiming it. Anyway, next!
The daylight dies its Phoenix death
The sun sinking into horizon's cleft
Light seeps away 'til only darkness is left
The dread domain of the night
The voice so familiar the song so old
Which tarnishes silver yet burnishes gold
Even time stops in awe of the power behold
The Powers which rule the night
The moon's silvery beams a star's cold light
These spirits avoid on their maniacal flight
Dancing in darkness their one true delight
The perilous dances which hold fast the night
And mortals who dance, do they ever return
To tell of the chill so cold it will burn
And speak of the unearthly lovers for which they yearn
The terrible temptresses of the night
Or do their bodies forever remain in some deep forest glade
Where no sort of light could ever invade
To touch upon the trapped souls arrayed
Prisoners in the strong-house of the night
Pray that you never need share in their plight
For far from certain it is that He of great might
Will ever relent and send forth His redeeming light
To the wretched wrecked souls consumed by the night. |
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| Leavin' On a Jetplane |
[Aug. 5th, 2008|05:03 pm] |
Yes indeed, I have left Corvallis. Fie upon those of you who secretly thought I would never make it. Albertt does a better job of recounting our epic moving-out journey, so I will not bother.
Since I will be moving to Michigan in about a week, I have decided that I should begin posting more often here. That way people who are still in Corvallis, or who went elsewhere but decided not to join me in Michigan, can find out how I am doing. I also found a book of my high school poetry, and some other poetry on my computer, what I like of it I will be posting, properly spaced out so that I don't need to write anything new soon ;). In sum, stay tuned for I have exciting plans!
In contrast to my exciting plans, my Waldport plans are to sort through the things that I have in my trailer, trying to decide which must be stored and which I can get rid of. I must clean the Augean Stable of my own making :(! |
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| Poem Time |
[Aug. 2nd, 2008|04:35 am] |
This was written for a poetry program put on by Nick Graham (my RA) freshman year at OSU. The prompt was to work in the words "fire," "enlighten," and "painting." I channeled something quite interesting here I think:
You pretentious porker, you stuck up swine
Laughing and grunting as you grotesquely dine
Amongst your stolen splendor, the paintings on your wall
I hope I see your shattered corpse when your illusions fall.
You think you know what life is you pretentious fool
You are naught but some real man's puppet tool
And how I long to be there when you lose your place
When he cuts the strings and you smash your stupid fat face.
I'll laugh to see you burning on my hatred's fire
Your bloated, bigoted body on its funeral pyre
I'm writing you to enlighten you, you will surely die
You moronic ignoramus, transcendental dupe, this you can't deny.
How I'll laugh and giggle, cavort with manic glee
As I dance, your corrupt cadaver rotting under me
I hope the worms don't choke on your putrid mass
You've caused enough harm in life, you unmitigated jackass! |
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| In Memory of Gary Gygax |
[Mar. 5th, 2008|01:16 am] |
Gary Gygax, one of the co-founders of the Dungeons & Dragons game, died yesterday. Although I did not begin playing D&D regularly until last year, he has still had a profound impact upon my life. Sometime when I was in elementary school I was in the library, perusing my favorite spot, YA Sci-Fi (Young Adult Science Fiction), when what should I spy but a row full of new books from a series I had never heard of. Not knowing what they were I picked one to see if they were any good. The book, Red Magic, the series, Forgotten Realms. I still berate myself for not checking all the available books out when they were conveniently in one spot.
Although they are young adult books, the Forgotten Realms still is a very important, if mythical, place for me. In the Forgotten Realms I found some of my favorite authors, RA Salvatore, Jeff Grubb, and Kate Novak, some of my favorite heroes, Drizzt Do'Urden and the Heroes of Icewind Dale, Cadderly, and Alias, danger, adventure, the importance of friends and love, vocabulary words, wonder, and a home away from home. It turns out that the Forgotten Realms are based on the D&D game, so, indirectly Gary Gygax is responsible for a large part of my childhood.
Thank you Gary Gygax, you are one of my rainbow connections. |
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| (no subject) |
[Sep. 6th, 2007|04:08 am] |
Found in back of MTH 231 notebook from Fall 2003, beginning of my Freshman year:
Now I take my books to class
Soon I hope they all shall pass
If I sleep before it's done
I hope to wake ere next's begun
Now I sit in my hard seat
Upon next row I rest my feet
It's kind of strange I'd almost swear
Can't fall asleep in this rigid chair
But now I lay me down to sleep
I need good grades my scholarships to keep
I think I'm fine for while awake
No important thoughts my teacher spake
Now I dream of things unknown
Strange math symbols never shown
The beauties of math cause me delight
As my soul takes a relaxing flight
Now I start and suddenly rise
Whipe hard sleep from bleary eyes
Woken by the footsteps as my peer passes
My soul then sinks, I have three more classes
Now I take my books to class
Soon I hope they all shall pass
If I sleep before it's done
I hope the wake ere next's begun |
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| (no subject) |
[May. 10th, 2007|11:59 pm] |
Your results:
You are Derrial Book (Shepherd)
| Derrial Book (Shepherd) |
| 85% |
| Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic) |
| 70% |
| Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic) |
| 60% |
| Wash (Ship Pilot) |
| 50% |
| Alliance |
| 40% |
| Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command) |
| 30% |
| Inara Serra (Companion) |
| 30% |
| Malcolm Reynolds (Captain) |
| 25% |
| River (Stowaway) |
| 25% |
| A Reaver (Cannibal) |
| 20% |
| Jayne Cobb (Mercenary) |
| 10% |
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Even though you are holy
you have a mysterious past.
 |
Click here to take the Serenity Personality Quiz
No, can't. Too much hair! |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 13th, 2006|05:03 am] |
I have finally set up a base camp here in Cauthorn. I have the essentials, clothes and computer, but my computer is of the laptop variety, so as to be more convenient. I think I have decided to do without my desktop, as it is a metric pain in the neck to move, but the jury is still out on my TV and fridge. On one hand this is good practice for that time in my life, which I feel will come when I decide I have recieved enough formal education, when I live on the "road" (or whatever form of trasportation, rail, plane, whatever) for a while. On the other hand, living without both fridge and dining center will be a bit odd, and I really only get to use my TV when I'm not RA-ing, so it would be a waste not to. The weather is currently a reason to leave these things where they are dry.
I have been using the weather for a couple days as my reason not to pull my base of operations over here, and I must admit it isn't a bad reason. I got soaked coming over here, but I came up with the brilliant idea of putting my dry stuff (everything that I don't use to shower basically) in the giant garbage bags we have. This seems to have worked fairly well, as my sheets are dry. My room here is awesome, which is partially a reflection on the room and partially a reflection on my expectation of Cauthorn. I moved in and opened both windows without either falling out! (This is a joke about last winter break) I have wireless, probably from the dining center that I overlook. That is a minus to this room, the view is rotten, but that is to be expected from the west side of campus, the whole place has an urban feeling. I am very lucky I have had so many rooms looking over the lovely field across Jefferson, it keeps me sane and is lovely to watch when people play games in the spring. Even when I was switched to the south side of the building I had "my tree" outside the window (I kind of miss my tree this year). Oh well. The best is last, the room has a little table! This is something I have been longing for for a while. Yes, I suppose I could clear off a desk and use it but, first, that would be very difficult (you'd have to see the desk), and second, it would be a bit too heavy to be easily moved, which is a prime benefit of a small table (such as the one I now have, snap!) :).
Since I get wireless I can stay connected here and still connect with my desktop when I'm in McNary, life is good. Hiking around campus checking doors (my task for the break) is quite tiresome, but I have always enjoyed walking (though company would be nice) and I bet I'll be in better walking shape (maybe even better dancing shape, I can hope right?) by the end of this! This is Cauthorn headquarters signing out! |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 1st, 2006|07:42 pm] |
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Okay, a couple got married right outside my window 10 minutes ago! Wow!! I sat at my window and watched, it was very cool. Even though the wedding was steriotypically evangellical (I can't explain, either you understand what I'm saying or you don't) it was so weird watching people get married. It gave me the heebie-jeebies, in a kind of sweet, melencholic way. There is too much other stuff for me to work up the courage to start writing about it, so this is all you get, sorry :(. |
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| 1) My evening 2) Feminism and The Church |
[Jun. 3rd, 2006|04:44 am] |
Stupid birds. Duty = disinfectant. Solved the loud music plus stranger problem, a friend and I sat on the bench by Milam and listened from there, couldn't see Amadon, but that isn't the point is it, the way they blast music made that optimal listening distance. I feel that I enjoy Amadon's CD music better than the live music, but the bass and/or the bass drum was far too loud today and that obscured the real sound of the songs. Still, I went to a concert which pleased me, and we even ventured far enough forward to be in the center of the quad, where a McNary group was, for the last two songs, I am soooo out of control.
Other music happened today as well, between Kant & 19th Century Philosophers and Data Structures I was walking through the library quad on my way to Owen when what should I hear but the groovin' of a xylophone choir. I love xylophone choir music! Turns out there was a Feminist Fair at the Women's Center. While I was rapturing, standing there listening to thrumming xylophones, I was thinking about my reaction to the concept of "Feminism". This topic was brought to my mind because I realized that as soon as I got close enough to read the sign detailing what the event was, which was fairly close considering my eyesight, I immediately felt slightly uncomfortable. If you are about to be offended because of your deep feminist principles, please hear out my next few sentences. I realized that feminism makes me wary and uncomfortable, see the previous defensive sentence, and amazingly enough, this is the exact feeling "Christianity" inspires in my. I do not wish to offend your Christian sensibilities either, I consider myself one who aspires to be Christ-like, though I fail regularly and frequently. I hope I make it abundantly clear that I deeply believe in and try to live out, most of, the principles publically espoused by both moderate Christians and moderate feminists. The thing is, as institutions, organizations, and en masse, I have had some painful run ins with both groups, and both groups have this uncanny power to, every once in a while, throw something out that shatters my feeling of self worth. Humility is definitely a virtue, but having some self esteem is probably for the best. It is probably because I feel that both groups are so important that they have so much power to wound me, they are kind of like family in that regard. Just thought I'd share that interesting revelation, it amuses me that I view The Curch and Feminism is such a familiar way. Who needs sleep is playing right now, how appropriate, why do I do this? |
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| 1) Weekend Plans |
[Jun. 2nd, 2006|03:20 am] |
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I am posting my weekend plans here, I have an exciting weekend I think (barring unbelievably unlikely disasters the likes of which I seem to have every so often). If you are interested feel free to read, but I wanted to write it out so I get it straight in my head. Here's how it will break down. Tomorrow is Friday, and I kind of have classes all afternoon, additionally Amadan is kicking off the Battle of the Bands at 5:00 and they have a driving Celtic sound I love, so I intend to go listen to them. I have had this intent before though, and I usually get there then wig out and turn around. The normal response I have when confronted with a faceless mass of strangers. Whatever I decided, I'm on duty in the evening, thus endeth my day. Saturday I have awesome plans and am not on duty because I found a saintly fellow to trade with me. Sunday is the Star Wars stuff, and I am on duty as it is my normal night. There is some homework that must be accomplished and some reading that should be accomplished in this span of time, not much time left in the term, crumpets! |
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