A professor with a sense of humor.....

Please note : explicit language!

This is one of the videos my anthropology professor uploaded to our

class for this week......omg......

I guess this proves that some anthropologists have a sense of humor!

:-)

Enjoy ~ 365 

Danger! Will Robinson! (arms waving about...)

The "original" cast of Lost In Space (bing)

If you were a kid during the mid 1960s, you probably watched this charming science fiction series which only lasted 3 seasons (but remember that a "season" was a lot longer then).  My sister and I loved it.  And when I say charming, I do mean charming.  Sure, Dr. Smith was evil and did bad things, and they were fighting for survival on an alien planet, but it never seemed terribly dangerous. 

The diabolical Dr. Smith

Granted, I haven't watched it since I was a kid ~ I've never actively sought out the reruns, which are undoubtedly somewhere ~ Netflix, Amazon, You-tube ~ I only recall the feeling I had as a kid, which was family fun entertainment, not serious or terribly exciting in the world of special effects.  To me, the funniest character was the robot, with it's arms waving about, stating the infamous line "Danger, Will Robinson!!" whenever there was a threat of some kind. 

But, there's a new version of Lost In Space on Netflix that just recently made it's debut.  And wow, it's very high tech, and not as "family friendly" as the original.  We've watched 4 episodes so far, and other than a slightly slow start, plus the adjustment of a much richer story line, we are enjoying it immensely.  

Yeah, the strange thing on the left is the new robot.....

Dr Smith (in the center) is a woman in this version!

I only hope we can be judicious about watching it, and not binge it in two days.  There are 10 episodes in season 1 ~ I hope you have Netflix so you can watch!

Love, 365

The search for the perfect pillow.......

(bing images)

How is your pillow?  Do you like it or hate it or is it love?  While watching Sunday Morning they featured a story on the guy who makes "My Pillow" ~ who was apparently a drug addict at one point, and now hires people who have been down on their luck, or had been addicts themselves.  Kind of a feel good story.  I've never bought one of his pillows, but I've bought my share, trying to find the perfect pillow.  And no, I don't have the perfect one yet, but what I have will do.....

The sheer number of pillow types boggles the mind.   Down, down alternative, memory foam, latex, feathers, buckwheat hulls (is rather crunchy), kapok fiber (which is apparently highly flammable), microbead, water (yes, water), cotton, wool......the list of different types of pillows goes on and on.  

Remember when a friend or family member told you they've found the perfect pillow?  You go out and find one only to discover you hate it?  Yeah, me too.

How about the prices?  We're talking anywhere from $20 to the dizzying heights of nearly $4,000 for the Van Der Heist custom pillow, where a physical therapist will come to your house and do a 3D scan to produce the perfect pillow for you.  Oh, and if you have a bit more money, you can have 24k gold fabric on it.  You're kidding right?  I suppose this is for people who have personal trainers and dietitians and plastic surgery on a regular basis.  

So there you go.  It seems there is no end to different types of pillows with their own schtick (organic, orthopedic, etc) which makes it very difficult to find the one that doesn't make your neck hurt, or tangle your hair so that when you wake up it looks like you've decided to go with dreads.

Love, 365

Getting on.......

Paleolithic cave art (Bing)

As I sit here at my desk, I can't help but be a bit ashamed of how unorganized I can be when working on research.  Chaos reigns.  The mind whirls with possibilities and yet is quick to discount a book or journal article for relevance to the project.  Of course, part of that is my penchant for procrastinating. But this time I can't put all the blame on myself, but of circumstances.  I know why I took 2 classes, and at the end it will be worth it, but I am too busy right now.  Ugh.

I do give myself some down time, but then berate myself for being so lazy.  While I'm sketching out my paper outline (which is due tomorrow), I'm doing laundry and making the bed, emptying the dishwasher.....just for an excuse to get up.  The good news is that the outline will make writing the paper more efficient and maybe easier.  I'm glad she asked for it, as I might not have done it otherwise.  

The desk in question :-(

I will need to knock out the rest of the outline tomorrow, so that I can spend some time doing research for history.  If you know of any resources for architecture by the CCC in the 30's (western U.S.), please don't hesitate to let me know as I am running into a lack of information.  I have no idea yet how many pages we'll have to read for class, but late tomorrow I will start printing it up.  Sometimes I print it at work, but it doesn't seem right, so I don't do it very often.  I was printing a rather long article from my anthropology class and our accountant tried to print something at the same time.....it was a bit awkward, as you can imagine.  

The good and bad news is that my coworker (yeah, the loud one) will be gone for two weeks.  That's good because I really could use a break from her, and bad because we will be short one person for two weeks, which just puts the rest of us under a bit of a strain.  We'll get through it, I'm sure.  

The other good/bad news is that I have 3 weeks left to write these two papers.  After the semester is over, I'm spending a lot more time outdoors.  My summer class doesn't start until July 2nd, and I'm looking forward to 6 weeks of less time in front of this damn computer.......

Love, 365

Bird song........

Mourning dove

Canyon Wren

Chipping sparrow

I probably missed a few birds, but it is immensely cheerful and uplifting to hear their busy songs.  

My home office is on the front side of the house, upstairs.  Our neighborhood is fairly quiet.  We don't get a lot of road noise since it's a small cul-de-sac that if you mistakenly turn in, will spit you back out on the main road in a few moments.  The birds hang around our house to rest in the aspen tree, and splash about in the small fountain by the front door.  

As I sit hear typing (and trying to figure out which birds are out there singing), much of the chatter is gone.  Time for breakfast........

Love, 365

Trouble on Pine Street........

Here we go.......(bing images)

Romeo has Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disease of the thyroid.  Has known of it for 3 years, but lately is becoming more concerned about some of the other health issues that can result from it, like diabetes.  His blood sugar was high at his last Dr's appt.  They put him back on his statin, which he wasn't happy about.  So, he's going to do whatever he can to avoid the diabetes drugs, so he has decided to become an Atkins aficionado.  Which means carbs are the enemy.  Of course, lots of people have lost weight on this diet, and Romeo knows I'd like to lose a few pounds, so has lassoed me into it.  Which is OK, for the most part.  But now I'm resorting to healthy dessert foods.  Like grapes.  Or strawberries.  There are no cookies, chocolate (I know, right???), etc. in our house right now, nor in the foreseeable future.  Poor me.  Perhaps I'll lose weight against my will, haha.

I had a terrible migraine on Thursday, likely facilitated by the horrible allergy season I'm experiencing.  This allergy shit is serious business.  I spent nearly all of Friday sleeping on and off due to how awful I was feeling ~ although part of that is the migraine too.  Now I'm feeling better thanks to living better through chemicals.  Eating a tablespoon of honey (hey! I do have honey in the pantry for dessert - whoo hoo) is for the birds at this point.  When I was originally tested, early blooming stuff is on my hot list.  Forty years later, it appears that hasn't changed.  Sucks, huh?

Most depressing is that after I could finally look through the UNM summer schedule, there is not one history class that fits into my schedule.  The only one that works I took last year.  The other two are Monday through Thursday for two hours daily.  No way can I work that into my work schedule......and remain employed. :-/.    I did find one class that might work, but it's not history, so I need to meet with my advisor to see if this class could be substituted for a history class.  If not, then my hope of graduating in December is dashed, because I couldn't find two history classes for the fall that works into my schedule either.  I'm crossing my fingers.  Wouldn't hurt if you did that too........

Love (achoo!!), 365

Cheating......

While doing research for the 2 (yes two) research papers I have to write in the next 6 weeks, I ran across some adds that offer to write your paper.  No matter if it's an essay, research paper or whatnot, they will do it.  For a price.  The one in the photo above it somewhat subtle.  Some of the others are less so....

This one is not so subtle.  But cheap is relative.  Out of curiosity I checked on what it would cost me to have a 7 page essay written....it was $140.  

I have to admit that if you have a spare couple hundred dollars, it might be tempting.  Except, it's cheating.  If your professor found you out, they'd fail your ass.  Which is what should happen.  But I don't have a scholarship riding on my performance.  I can see the scenario, can't you?  But it's still cheating.

If I do well ~ or even if I don't ~ I want it to be my work.  So, although I checked into it out of curiosity, it's not for me.  I also figured that if you've already turned in a few papers, one that doesn't reflect the style of writing you were turning in might be a giant red flag.  Oh, uh.  Busted.  At the same time, when there are thirty essays to grade times how many classes they teach, you just might get away with it.  

Of course not everyone can afford to dish out that much money for a paper each time one comes due. These options are geared for wealthy kids, whose parents give them plenty of spending money or credit cards.  Even when cheating it's geared for that upper class.......

Love, 365

There's no such thing as civilized discussion I guess.....

(bing images)

Doesn't it drive you crazy when someone posts something on FB or blogger (or wherever) and after the first few positive comments it begins to turn into a "word brawl".  Calling people stupid, moronic, etc., and suggesting that they should educate themselves before they comment are all the norm.  I don't typically insert myself into those discussions because they're fruitless.  It usually continues to go downhill, especially if you reply to one.  There are times when it gets downright nasty.  

Why do people do this?  We can't have a conversation?  And why are we surprised that kids bully each other in school when they have the example adults are presenting?  Sadly, bullying on the internet is common.  Probably because it's easy when you don't have to look in the eyes of someone standing right across from you.  That makes it easy to call you/me/them stupid, crazy, uneducated, etc.  

Yeah, you guessed it.  I asked a simple question on one of the blogs I sometimes read.  I did sort of ask for it I guess, as the topic was guns, and tempers flare pretty high whenever we pose a question that insinuates that just maybe you don't need a semi-automatic weapon.  Just so you know, I posed a simple question "Why do you need one?".  The answer from many was disturbing.  "Because I can".  

I was called many names.  I was told I should educate myself before I shoot off my mouth (even though it was just a question, it appears many thought my question was a commentary).  Some thought I was jumping on the Parkland HS bandwagon ~ which I wasn't.  I think it's within their rights to demonstrate, although I don't think in the long run any guns will be banned.  Take a gun away from an American?  Please.

Guess I learned a lesson there: don't ask for clarification when the answer is "because I can".

Love, 365

How typical........

Sudan, the last male white rhinoceros (Bing images)

No doubt you've heard the stories of Sudan ~ the last white rhino (or the last male white rhino).  

Before he died, veterinarians and preservationists? collected his sperm in the hopes they could bring back his species.  Really.....they're going to spend thousands of dollars to bring back a species with the sperm of one single specimen.  There's not enough diversity in a single specimen's DNA for this to be a successful idea.  

This reminds me of the cockamamie plan to use the DNA of saber tooth tigers and clone one.  

We have to face the facts: people are stupid.  They believe that the powder made from a white rhino's horn will cure cancer.  The poaching of rhino's went into over-drive after a rumor that a Vietnamese official was cured with the substance.  These poachers weren't just killing rhino's.  They were also stealing rhino heads from collectors and museums.  One little rumor has finished off an entire species.  Not that this is anything new to our own species, which is apparently willing to erase an entire species off the face of the earth based on a rumor.  

The money spent on the likely fruitless endeavor of using the sperm of an extinct species as a way to bring it back would be better spent educating the people who believe the impossible.  Maybe a new rumor should have been put out there ~ green jelly beans placed in the left ear on a new moon will cure cancer.  Hmmmmmmm.  

Love, 365

Submission and greed.....

(Bing images)

I haven't been on a scale in our 6 months.  That doesn't mean that I don't know what I weigh....my clothes tell me.  Over the past 1 1/2 years I've put on a few pounds, and I've noticed some of my clothes are too tight to wear comfortably.  If I break down (because I haven't done laundry, haha) and wear one of "those" pairs of pants, I'm uncomfortable all day long, so I started putting them in the spare closet, and if they still don't fit (despite my efforts) six months from now, then I'm donating them to Goodwill.   So, the submission part refers to my finally going out to buy clothes in the next size, without beating myself up about it ~ which is tough for nearly every woman on the planet, because many of us feel we should look like the women in magazines, or that one person you know who never puts on a pound and weighs the same she did 20 years ago.  Argh......

Romeo never says a word.  I even asked him if a new pair of jeans looked ok, and he gave me a stare and said "you have to decide if you like them".  I laughed, then he laughed, and I decided I did like them......

************

I received my second essay (history class) on Wednesday.  He gave me an 89.  Not bad, but the first thought that ran through my head was "he couldn't have given me one more freaking point?".  Here's where the greed comes in. I have already reviewed my GPA, and know that if I get a B in this class it won't change it one bit.  So, it's ok ~ I tell myself.  I don't need to get an A in this class to graduate summa cum laude.   I consider this class relatively easy simply because other than the occasional quiz, we don't have exams.  We're writing.  Have you read much of my blog?  You know how I feel about writing ~ I think I'm a decent writer, but each and every word that goes down on paper is ripped out kicking and screaming.  I obsess.  I re-write.  Etc.  At one point I realize there's nothing else I can do and I turn it in.  I've finally reached the point that I don't think about it after turning it in until I get the grade.  So, I'm happy enough with an 89.  Really.

************************

"90% of consumers say that positive online reviews influence their buying decisions"

(Bing images)

Do you read reviews?  I do...Amazon, etc.  I pride myself on checking out the reviews of products before buying, although I read them with a grain of salt as well.  Now I hear that there are companies out there that post fake reviews.  And I'm not surprised at all, in fact probably like most of you, I've had my suspicions.  If I'm looking at a product and suspect that the reviews are just a little "too good", I'll do another search.  

Oh, but everything you read on the internet is true, right?

Love, 365

Goodbye, Stephen Hawking

(Bing images)

This week we saw the death of Stephen Hawking.  He finally lost his battle with ALS, after having lived with the disease longer than any other patient.  But that's not his contribution to the world.  What do we know of his accomplishments?  No much....at least I barely understand them.  The fact that he would just think and work out that math in his head astounds me. 

~He proved Einstein's theory of relativity.

~He developed mathematical proof for black holes.

~He redefined the Big Bang theory.

~He proved the universe has no boundaries.

Much of his work was in tandem with others: Roger Penrose, James Bardeen, Brandon Carter.  

One of his statements I've always pondered was his thought that we should not "invite" alien civilizations to come to our planet (which he believed was highly probable).  His thought was that they would be interested in our resources, and not in helping us with new technologies.  

At any rate, rest in peace, Stephen.  Your brilliant mind and positive attitude will be missed.

**************************************************

School starts up again tomorrow.  I thought I should check on readings I might need to do and discovered ~ to my dismay ~ that there are 36 pages of readings for history.  Guess I know what I'll be doing this afternoon.  And so it begins, the next 7 weeks will likely cause me to challenge my life choices, hahaha.  

What college is doing for me:

~increased my self confidence

~broadened my horizons

~proving to myself that I can accomplish my goal

~I'm smarter than I thought I was 

Love, 365