May
31
2008
Theme: Self | Next Week: Bad Hair
This is probably one of my favorite “self” photos, taken my my good friends Ray and Terrie. I was visiting them two summers ago in their camphosting position in Salmonberry Park in Alsea, Oregon. Ray helped me fashion a walking stick (which I’ll probably depend on for stability this summer) and put an agate he had found by the ocean and polished at the top near the handle.
Those carefree days of summer are amongst the happiest in my life. Even though we keep in touch by e-mail, I miss Ray and Terrie everyday…
May
30
2008
- For me apathy is the opposite of creativity.
- Eat, Pray, Love was the last excellent book I read.
- I like fill-ins because they’re a nice way to understand other bloggers.
- In nature I like looking at interesting landscapes.
- I honestly haven’t decided yet who should win the US elections.
- The last time I laughed with all my belly was apparently long ago since I can’t remember.
- And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to doing a little shopping, tomorrow my plans include looking for Satillo tile for my master bedroom and Sunday, I want to clean the inside of my RV!
May
29
2008
One of my favorite books is Blue Highways: A Journey into America, by William “Least Heat” Moon (a.k.a. William Trogdon). It’s old and tattered, but I find myself turning to it when I need a “boost.” Trogdon loses his job as a university professor and his troubled marriage ends on a cold day in the midst of winter.
His “reply” to this challenge in his life is to convert an old van with bare necessities, and travel on secondary roads (blue highways on old maps) for three months throughout the United States. He documents his travels by keeping a diary (hence the book) and photographing people he encounters along the way.
“A man who couldn’t make things go right could at least go. He could quit trying to get out of the way of life. Chuck routine. Live the real jeopardy of circumstance. It was a question of dignity.”
Now you know my secret inspiration. Especially now, I have the feeling that I can’t make things “go right.” I know there is another side to the pain and struggles I have been going through lately, and I won’t always feel “dark and twisty,” although “bright and shiny” isn’t my ultimate goal.
So, in a couple of weeks I’m going to “just go,” if only for a few weeks. Hopefully, my wrist will be better by then. I hope I can manage my digital SLR, but I’ll resort to my “point and shoot” if needed. However, at this point I’m more concerned with surviving.
May
27
2008
OK, you thought you were going to get some “really good dirt!” No, this isn’t regarding my private life, but rather some “personal information” which was inadvertently shared with the public.
My school district uses a web based Special Education program for students. The program includes features that generate via the user, Diagnostic Reports, Individual Education Plans (I.E.P.’s), etc… When the program was introduced, there was a training session and the district used our Social Security Numbers for SPED employees to log on to the program.
Earlier this month, it seems that the former data analyst (who now works part-time) accidentally posted staff and student personal information from a confidential SPED database to an unsecured website. The Special Education Automated System (SEAS) information was online from April 29th until May 5th. The LCPS information can be read here, and the Las Cruces Sun-News write up here and here.
Needless to say, this has created a huge problem for the school district. Each staff member and student who were affected received one year of “complimentary” credit monitoring for protection from identity theft, and a certified letter explaining the incident.
Not a good thing - not at all…
May
26
2008
Manic Monday is hosted by the incomparable Fleur de Lisa
Do good things come to those who wait?
- While it seems that some people live “charmed lives,” the majority of us have to work for “good things.”
You are never given a wish without being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however.
- from “Illusions, The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah”
Your best friend’s spouse is being unfaithful. Would you tell your friend? If so, how?
- The spouse will eventually find out. If I did “tell,” it would be in an anonymous manner. Friendships have been destroyed over lesser matters…
Which part of your body do you like the least? Would you change it through plastic surgery, if possible?
- My upper arms aren’t as toned as I’d like them to be, although I can only work on one at the moment. I’ve actually lost ten pounds and would be in pretty good shape if everything were more toned.
