In which we flirt and talk about the things we can't believe have transpired in our lives.
So the alternate universe in which I go to nursing school is approaching saturation. That is because the first of the five semesters of the WGU nursing pre-licensure bachelor's program is a pre-program. I guess you could say I'm in the ante-nursing-pre-licensure program.
I suppose they maybe want to make sure you are online learning compatible before they technically admit you. That way their rate of people admitted who don't finish the program is less?
I do meet people from time to time who confess to being not online learning compatible. It takes making yourself stick to a schedule to work on classes every day.
I first thought seriously about nursing school in 2007, but then we moved to Utah where there were more hurdles to cross getting into nursing school. And then in 2010 I became pregnant again, and in 2013, when that baby was diagnosed with autism, I kind of got interested in going back to school. I guess we had been thinking about adopting a younger child but with the diagnosis, that no longer seemed like as good of an idea. Also, after I turned 40, putting a couple of years into prerequisites no longer seemed like a big deal.
I guess there's something that also fit in with this, which is that my husband went to law school in 2010 and he finished in 2013. I don't think I could have gone to school while he was also going to school. He's finally full time self employed with that, as of this month (well, not full time, but he ended his other full time job he'd been at for 9 years.)
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Next week is the one year anniversary since I started working at General Motors.
Talk about surreal events in my life. I still often pause and wonder at the direction my life has taken.
I've also begun editing my book after a multi-year pause, with plans to do something with it next year (and my GM connection might actually help with that, as it turns out my boss went to high school with several people who now write for major TV shows, he offered to set up introductions when the time is right to try to get me an agent).
And in the next couple weeks I'm launching a website devoted to cataloging, reviewing, educating and promoting on Michigan's hard cider industry, with hopes of making it the Go To Place for all things Michigan hard cider as the industry continues to grow here.
A year ago I would have told you these were all pipe dreams.
Oh I forgot to flirt.
Hey there pooka. Sup? Posted by JanitorBlade (Member # 12343) on :
Heh. Awesome, both of you.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Awesome.
I went back to school at age 39 and became an LPN. I am considering going back for my RN, but I had an....unusual....development when I went back to school. Despite being many many years ago, ALL my non-science and math courses transferred to the new school. Including the 4 F's I got when I just up and said F$%K IT and joined the Army in 1992.
So despite having a 3.78 GPA in nursing school, my overall GPA is only about a 2.6....no where NEAR good enough to get into a public program wiht wait lists already 3 years long.
But private schools want 32G to 42G for a 16 month bridge program....and starting RN's make LESS than what I make now as a 5 -6 year LPN.
Sure....in the long term it would work out, but I am not sure it makes sense at age 45.
My wife and I also had a baby girl about 2 1/2 years ago, and she is amazing. Takes after her mom, thank God. I love being a dad even more than I love being married,which I didn't think was possible. Jenni almost died 3 times in labor (I say this as a nurse who knows exactly how close, mind you) so she will more than likely be our only child.
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
It's a little crazy to think it's been 14 years since I registered on this site. I had just spent 9 months abroad in England, Scotland, Greece, and Turkey after graduating Rutgers the prior May - and had come back just in time to attend the 2001 OSC Writer's Workshop in Greensboro.
That's when I met a ton of jatraqueros (and officially became "real" before I was even registered), who directed me to this site.... including Olivet, Slash the Berserker, Jenny Gardener, John Keats, misstammy, and a few others (almost none of whom post here anymore).
In that time: - Worked at White Wolf Publishing in Atlanta and later freelanced on a handful of books (a job I got in part because of a connection I made at the writer's workshop) - Taught algebra, math, and social studies to 6th-9th graders for 4 years - Worked at MetLife for 9 years (so far) - Met my future wife (2005) and got married (2009) - Had twins (2013) - Lost my father to complications from pneumonia (2014) - Bought two houses (just closed on my second one last month, and hope to sell my first this month) - Traveled to 6 countries and 25 states
Been a pretty full decade plus.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
Hah, this is amusing. Nice to see old "faces."
As I wrote previously, I've been living in Europe now for 7 years, and have a wife and son, now 14 months old (the son, not the wife).
I have been working the last few years for a startup accelerator, where I became a partner last year.
The past few years I've been fantasizing about opening my own bar in Prague. Only it wouldn't be a normal bar, you see. It would be a "KinoBar," which means that it would be a bar which is also a cinema, showing classic movies and maybe other popular events, with an eclectic atmosphere. It's just a dream right now, but it's been something I've been mulling over and discussing with a few friends for a while now. Maybe we'll make it a reality one day.
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
That sounds cool, Orincoro - there's a place sort of like that out in Portland, Oregon. Good luck with it!
quote:Originally posted by Orincoro: Hah, this is amusing. Nice to see old "faces."
As I wrote previously, I've been living in Europe now for 7 years, and have a wife and son, now 14 months old (the son, not the wife).
I have been working the last few years for a startup accelerator, where I became a partner last year.
The past few years I've been fantasizing about opening my own bar in Prague. Only it wouldn't be a normal bar, you see. It would be a "KinoBar," which means that it would be a bar which is also a cinema, showing classic movies and maybe other popular events, with an eclectic atmosphere. It's just a dream right now, but it's been something I've been mulling over and discussing with a few friends for a while now. Maybe we'll make it a reality one day.
Open it by next summer and I can visit. I'm planning to be in Europe for two weeks next year and I'm seriously considering Austria/Czech Republic for one week of the trip. I'm waffling between that and France
Posted by Vadon (Member # 4561) on :
Hello, friends!
These days, I think of this site like I view facebook for most of the folks I knew in high school. I lurk and neurotically question whether it's creepy to comment or even like these threads after being disengaged for so long.
I never did a landmark post, mostly because I never liked my post count. It was over-inflated by many posts in the "Last Post Thread." I don't think that counts as contributing quality content.
So here's the bullet points and my very-mini-landmark of my life since I joined Hatrack:
-I finished middle school. (I registered young!) - I finished high school. - Moved to Washington State. - Took some time off to settle in and establish residency. - I went to college. - Took some time off periodically to work on some political campaigns. (School ain't cheap. Had to make that tuition up some how.) - Graduated college with a degree in philosophy. - Decided to work a year or two to save up for graduate school. - Got a job as an office assistant. I was then promoted to the company's technology manager. Now I'm the company's training director. -My "year or two" has now turned into three years out of college so far. Still don't know where I'll be in a couple more years but I'm pretty comfy.
... And that's all I have to say about that.
I still love swinging through here once every couple weeks to see what's new.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn:
quote:Originally posted by Orincoro: Hah, this is amusing. Nice to see old "faces."
As I wrote previously, I've been living in Europe now for 7 years, and have a wife and son, now 14 months old (the son, not the wife).
I have been working the last few years for a startup accelerator, where I became a partner last year.
The past few years I've been fantasizing about opening my own bar in Prague. Only it wouldn't be a normal bar, you see. It would be a "KinoBar," which means that it would be a bar which is also a cinema, showing classic movies and maybe other popular events, with an eclectic atmosphere. It's just a dream right now, but it's been something I've been mulling over and discussing with a few friends for a while now. Maybe we'll make it a reality one day.
Open it by next summer and I can visit. I'm planning to be in Europe for two weeks next year and I'm seriously considering Austria/Czech Republic for one week of the trip. I'm waffling between that and France
Certainly you should let me know either way. Aren't we friends on Facebook? If not, I think you know my name- I remember yours.
ETA: Forget France. It's nice and all, but you'll be paying 3X more for EVERYTHING. Traveling in France has become horrendously expensive, with the trains costing more than renting a car, and the hotels just insanely expensive, not to mention food.
Czech is shockingly cheap for Americans, and offers just as much cool history and stuff to see, without the huge crowds, gridlock traffic, and sweaty tourists everywhere. You can get from Prague to Vienna and on to Salzburg in half a day, and on the way you can see Cesky Krumlov, or take a day in Karlovy Vary in the mineral baths, or visit "Czech Switzerland" for a day as well. There is a lot to see.
[ November 05, 2015, 05:17 AM: Message edited by: Orincoro ]
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
My oldest daughter got married this year. This is awesome and a bit surreal for me.
My second oldest is a senior in high school and just landed a full tuition academic scholarship - she wants to major in biology and go on to medical school. She's pretty awesome.
As for my twins - my son loves the history of ancient Rome and is doing some independent research into the Punic Wars. He is smart enough to make people with advanced degrees feel really inadequate after several minutes of conversation with him.
My youngest daughter is something of an athletic phenom - her club soccer team just won the state cup and will move on to regional competition in June. They had a goal differential of 47-7.
I lost 74 pounds last year and fit into clothes I never thought I would ever wear again. It's pretty cool to be feeling healthy and looking better is a good bonus.
I was offered my dream job - the pre-AP English teacher job at the school where my kids attend in my hometown and 2 miles from my home. And...I turned it down.
I teach at a small Title I school with a high percentage of children of migrant farm workers whose first language is not English. I absolutely love my job and my kids and didn't want to leave. Lots of people called me crazy. I just smiled and went to work with the kids I love. And, started a pre-AP program with my kids to show that they are just as bright and capable as the wealthier kids in my hometown. And they're doing amazing
So, yeah, things are all good in my life right now.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by Orincoro:
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn:
quote:Originally posted by Orincoro: Hah, this is amusing. Nice to see old "faces."
As I wrote previously, I've been living in Europe now for 7 years, and have a wife and son, now 14 months old (the son, not the wife).
I have been working the last few years for a startup accelerator, where I became a partner last year.
The past few years I've been fantasizing about opening my own bar in Prague. Only it wouldn't be a normal bar, you see. It would be a "KinoBar," which means that it would be a bar which is also a cinema, showing classic movies and maybe other popular events, with an eclectic atmosphere. It's just a dream right now, but it's been something I've been mulling over and discussing with a few friends for a while now. Maybe we'll make it a reality one day.
Open it by next summer and I can visit. I'm planning to be in Europe for two weeks next year and I'm seriously considering Austria/Czech Republic for one week of the trip. I'm waffling between that and France
Certainly you should let me know either way. Aren't we friends on Facebook? If not, I think you know my name- I remember yours.
ETA: Forget France. It's nice and all, but you'll be paying 3X more for EVERYTHING. Traveling in France has become horrendously expensive, with the trains costing more than renting a car, and the hotels just insanely expensive, not to mention food.
Czech is shockingly cheap for Americans, and offers just as much cool history and stuff to see, without the huge crowds, gridlock traffic, and sweaty tourists everywhere. You can get from Prague to Vienna and on to Salzburg in half a day, and on the way you can see Cesky Krumlov, or take a day in Karlovy Vary in the mineral baths, or visit "Czech Switzerland" for a day as well. There is a lot to see.
Apologies but I actually don't remember your real name
If you remember mine and you'd like to friend me on Facebook though, I'd love to pick your brain about what I might see and do on a trip to your neck of the woods.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
I added you. In my experience, people really enjoy the Czech Republic because it's much more laid back than western Europe. Sort of like visiting New Mexico or Colorado instead of the East Coast. Everything is a bit more people centered, and the scale is smaller, so you don't feel lost in the crowd as much as in the bigger countries.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by Orincoro: I added you. In my experience, people really enjoy the Czech Republic because it's much more laid back than western Europe. Sort of like visiting New Mexico or Colorado instead of the East Coast. Everything is a bit more people centered, and the scale is smaller, so you don't feel lost in the crowd as much as in the bigger countries.
In general that sounds much more our style. We tend to stay away from big cities and prefer out west where it's more outdoorsy. Does Czech Republic have any National Parks or natural wonders worth seeing?
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
Yes, Czechs are very outdoorsy, similar in that way to the Austrians. The big draws here are Kayaking, Rafting, and "trekking," which is like hiking, but more in the sense of cross country walking, because there are not as many mountains as in Austria.
A really fun thing to do is walk from town to town and stop in village pubs on the way. It is a very common activity so you will meet with people on the same route, and there is a huge network of walking paths interconnecting most villages. There are specific routes you can look up with the best views and the best places to stop. I can recommend a few for you.
The biggest nature attractions are Czech Switzerland, which is a rocky mountainous national park in west Bohemia, and Cesky Raj (Czech Paradise), which is North East of Prague, a sub-alpine mountain range dotted with villages and castles, and lush green forests. It's similar in character to sub-alpine portions of Austria. Czech Republic has no substantial alpine zones.
In the south, in Moravia (a region that used to encompass most of central Austria and central and southern Czech Republic), is a lowland area with many beautiful walking paths and the Czech wine country. There you would find vineyards in all the villages, and wine-tastings everywhere. It's not like Napa in scale, but there are quite a few decent wines for a good price. Czech wine is fruity and usually sweeter than Calfiornia or French wine. It's not world class, but it has its charm.
People also love to bike, and there are a few cross-country routes that are favored by many bikers. What you have to keep in mind with this region is that unlike Austria or Switzerland, is that virtually every portion of the Czech Republic has been settled or managed by people for many centuries. There is no wilderness, but there are vast forests that have been planted around castles and locks, and wind-breaks that have been built up around grasslands. You will find the character of the land to be pleasant, and there are paths leading from virtually anywhere, to anywhere else. It's not wild, but it is pleasant and beautiful.
[ November 22, 2015, 11:32 AM: Message edited by: Orincoro ]
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
so Czechs are basically boulderites eh
Posted by Threads (Member # 10863) on :
I joined Hatrack as a junior in high school. It's pretty crazy trying to think back to that time and I don't think I can really put myself in the same mindset that I had back then. I liked to debate online (a lot) and may have been kind of annoying. Anyways, I'm not sure how to weave the major events in my life into a story so here's a brain dump:
I graduated high school and went to Cornell. I had the same great group of friends from age 5 till graduation so this was the first time I had to make new friends.
Fortunately, I quickly became best friends with one of my suitemates. He was (and is) the nicest person I have ever met. Anyways, his dad joined a fraternity in college and made some lifelong friends and this guy was determined to do the same thing. I thought it was an absurd idea because we were polar opposites of stereotypical fratboys, but I still went back early in the spring for rush week just to check it out. I was *not* planning on joining a fraternity but I tagged along with my friend and we found ourselves connecting really well with one house. We ended up joining and, in retrospect, I'm very surprised and grateful that my parents went along with it. They did not want me to do it but they still paid for it because they trusted me and knew it was something I really wanted to do.
Fraternity life itself was a rollercoaster. I know it's probably weird to emphasize this as a big thing in my life but I really had to learn to deal with a bunch of things that I had never been exposed to before. Long story short: I made some great friends and together we helped keep the place running despite having to deal with some serious BS and bottom-of-the-barrel individuals.
I had been planning to go to grad school but I got an internship at Google the summer of my junior year and I liked the work environment so much that I ended up accepting a job offer. That meant moving out to California, which brings me to where I am now. It's been great for the most part but I'm still trying to find a path towards a family / permanent partner / whatever I find in life. I still meet up with my college friends 2 - 3 times a year and I think we'll continue to keep in touch as we age.
This year has been rough because my mom passed away from cancer. The cancer was slow growing and we were blessed to have over 10 years together since her initial diagnosis. Still, the end was really bad. She lost everything - mental and physical - week by week until the end. I was very fortunate to be able to take time off from work to spend the last couple of months helping my dad take care of her. My dad's family really came through and helped out as well.
This Thanksgiving will be my first major holiday with my dad but without my mom. I think my dad is planning to move out to California. He grew up on the west coast and most of his family is out here. We will see.
/brain dump
Wow, it's great to still see familiar faces here and read about how everyone's life has progressed. I think it's pretty special that a forum like this (and sakeriver) can exist and pull back the same folks for years and decades.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
quote:Originally posted by Samprimary: so Czechs are basically boulderites eh
And the beer thing is probably another parallel, so yeah.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Ten years ago is about when I began to taper off my active paticipation here. So let's see... I married a woman I met here. Moved with her to Iowa, then to Minnesota as she transitioned from being a pastor to being a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. She just finished it this year and did an amazing job. Looking forward to where that leads us all.
We have two boys now ages nine and seven. Absolutely love being their dad and showing them the proper way to pun, make noises, and fake a few accents.
I switched from a very small company to a large one (over 1000 people) in my industry and I'm really enjoying things like regular paychecks and bonuses.
Had renters destroy a house and beat us out of thousands in rent, but finally digging out of that hole soon...we hope.
Stopped caring much about cars. They turn to soup here in the Midwest.
Posted by JanitorBlade (Member # 12343) on :
I've loved seeing the Scopatz clan grow over the years.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Hey Belle! Congrats on all the cool stuff! Nice to see you.
Thanks Blade!
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
It's good to see people posting here. Makes me smile to see so many familiar old names.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
It's nice to visit. Hatrack holds a special place in our family's life.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Also, about 8 months ago my wife and I bought a 4 BR 2 bath house in FL. We love it here, and love having our own place.
Although compared to having a daughter it isn't very important. Posted by DoctorsAdvice (Member # 13347) on :
Awsome man ,, Congrats on all the cool stuff! And Happy New Year 2016
Posted by JanitorBlade (Member # 12343) on :
Awesome, Kwea. Posted by 777 (Member # 9506) on :
I became a Hatracker (Jatraquero?) in my 'senior' year. In reality, I'd entered homeschooling in the eighth grade and I'd started taking college classes at the age of sixteen, so I don't know if traditional class status counts for my history. I'd been lurking and posting on the Workshop side of the site for about two years or so by that point.
Regardless, I ended up out at Southern Virginia for a few semesters, then in western Pennsylvania for two years, and then back at SVU for my undergrad in English. I tried really hard to get into a class with OSC, but he had that stroke of his the day before his class began. Total sadness, but it worked out in the end.
Now I'm out in Provo because it's cheap, and in an English MA at BYU because I don't have a clue about what I want from my life. Probably writing or some such. I'm in a watercolor class for kicks.
This is the first time I've visited these forums in nearly seven months, and it's sort of devastating seeing how much it's shrunk since I began lurking so many years back. But that's just what life does: it shrinks and ebbs and thickens and tightens in unpredictable ways. I'm just glad to have had the Hatrack experience during that time, however fleetingly.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
Humble brag.
Posted by Dr Strangelove (Member # 8331) on :
So I have no idea why I randomly thought of Hatrack again for the first time in years, but I come back and see this thread! Perfect!
I was never incredibly active on here, but nonetheless Hatrack played a pretty huge role in my life. I started lurking/posting in highschool (I think?) one of my favorite memories was Hatrack helping me bake a cake to ask a girl out for Valentines Day. Well, she's my wife now and has been for almost 7 years. No kids yet, but we've been talking seriously about starting that next adventure in our lives soon(tm).
Hatrack and people I met from here also were there for me through the worst of the worst of my depression. I won't relive the whole sordid time here, but I still credit mackillian with possibly literally saving my life by talking to me on AIM in a time of crisis and pushing me to go get help. These days I've built a rather insanely awesome group of friends and resources to get me through the hard times, have helped friends through similar hard times, and have even given several talks on dealing with depression. Long story short, I'm alive and loving it.
The other major thing that happened is that I am now quite literally "Dr." Strangelove - I received my PhD in History in May 2015. It was a long but rewarding process. I got to spend about a year in total in Europe researching, and I was able to teach about a dozen courses over my graduate career, which was fantastic and a dream come true. I didn't immediately get a job when I graduated, which isn't perhaps too surprising given the sad state of the job market. But I do have an interview this week that I am very excited about. I also am today finishing up what should be the last step to getting my adapted dissertation under contract as a book with a major publisher.
Not much else big that comes to mind. I've taken up bouldering (in gyms - I still live in Florida). I also just got back from PAX South, and might end up trying my hand at tabletop game design. Overall life is good. I'm not necessarily where I thought I'd be, but that's ok. This past year, post-PhD, has been an interesting adventure of figuring out what to do now that I'm "grown up" and not in school anymore. I always wanted to be a professor, and am still pursuing that goal. But I'm also more and more comfortable with alternatives, realizing that I can and will be happy with just living a full life and not getting bored. As far as the specifics, I'll figure something out, I'm sure .
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
It's been so long since I posted here, even intermittently, that all of my profile info is incorrect. I don't live in New Orleans anymore, I don't webhome at entropicalisle.com anymore (RIP), and I'm no longer a struggling musician.
Well, I'm still a musician, but not struggling.
I own 3 rental properties now, and have been consulting for Big Oil for 5+ years now. They pay me good money even though the industry is hemorrhaging currently.
I am based out of Nashville these days, and I still write and record music. My main project currently is building a cabin on some land I own (chronicled on my instagram [/jtspangler]), and trying to decide how soon I can go to Indonesia or Europe for a month or two.
It's good to see some old faces around here.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
After decades of rejections, I started selling short stories. Quite a few of them, in fact. If you subscribe to Daily Science Fiction, one of them will hit your mailbox Monday.
I also became a vegetarian.
These facts are unrelated.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I'm flummoxed by my inability to "like" posts here.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Ooh, here's one: Remember the Dingle thread? The lady that wrote that story is a friend of a friend now. (Actually, she's friends with quite a few of my friends.) I, um, don't mention that story.
Posted by Jake (Member # 206) on :
Oh god, yeah, I remember that. That was hilarious. How did you put it together and realize that she was the author of the story?
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I'm not sure what made me search up the thread to see who wrote the story, but two or three years ago I did . . . Maybe a feeling. Like ten years ago or whenever that was publishing seemed like this distant world inhabited by mythological creatures, and the closer I got to that world the more I began to realize that A) all these people were human beings, B) they (we) all google themselves (ourselves) and this author would certainly have stumbled across this thread at some point, and C) publishing is actually a pretty small world where everybody is at most one degree of separation away. So I sussed out the thread, and then when one of my friends mentioned another friend she was doing something with I was like . . . crap! It's THAT person!
Posted by krynn (Member # 524) on :
So many names I recognize, and so many I still don't see. I last posted on December 17, 2013. I don't remember when I joined Hatrack, but I know it was early because I have a 3-digit member #. Much life has happened since then. I had a Brazilian foreign exchange student live with my family in highschool and we are still friends. I've been down to Rio twice to visit. I went to Kennesaw State University in GA, and was able to travel to Hong Kong and Tokyo with my awesome older sister. My older brother and his family live in Asheville, NC. That city is now one of my favorite vacation spots. After graduating from college I wanted to move as far from GA as I could. I ended up staying here all this time for a girl I crushed on in college. We split two days ago, which is related to why I even came back to check this site. We remain friends, but it's still sad. One of the most surprising things I've noticed in these years are how my friends have grown. Seeing the ones I didn't expect to make something of themselves who turn out to be a great success by finding their own nontraditional path. I'll be lurking and sometimes posting around here, but I look forward to reading all your great posts and cathing up again in the future.
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
Glad to see everyone doing well!
I've been in NYC for most of the last decade since I posted regularly--I have two sons--9 and 1.5, I've been working at Columbia University and loving it, and my wife just got into med school, so we're abandoning the Northeast this coming June and just bought a house in Seattle.
It doesn't feel like a decade, because I still run into jatraqueros in real life (and stalk you on Facebook). But it's been a while even since the last WenchCon--5 years maybe?
Posted by Eduardo_Sauron (Member # 5827) on :
Still here, still alive. My personal life is quite nice right now. Happily married, father of 3 feline sons and daughter. Working full time as a tenured literature professor. Even visited USA a couple of times. My country (Brazil) is a mess right now, though, and that is a bummer.
It's nice to know that this place, although much depleted, still exists. It helped me through a lot.
Hugs and kisses, people.
Eduardo
Posted by Stone_Wolf_ (Member # 8299) on :
feline = fine?
Posted by Jake (Member # 206) on :
Frisco, is your wife the person who posted on sake as queenjahmay, years ago?
Posted by Eduardo_Sauron (Member # 5827) on :
Stone_Wolf_ => No, feline is correct. No human sons and daughters. Only three beautiful cats. ;-)
Posted by Stone_Wolf_ (Member # 8299) on :
Ahhh! Gotcha
Posted by zlogdanbr (Member # 13374) on :
I am from Brazil too Eduardo. I am a newbie here though.
As for how Brazil has been going... Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
Wow, I can't believe how less active this place now is. It's a little sad. I used to post here every day when I was in high school. It's crazy to think that was 13 years ago that I graduated...
I remember leaving this place quite a few years back saying I think I spend too much time on the internet. I got fit, married and had a son. I remember PSI Teleport congratulating me on getting old haha.
I'm now a master mechanic at an Acura dealership and working hard improving my career. I'm not a highly educated person like many of the people here, I feel like my career has been very strong.
I feel like this was my home in my younger years. I haven't keeping up with this place at all but it popped in my head the other day and thought I'd check in. You know, it's kinda funny how much I've learned in my years growing up after high school. I think back on some of the things I posted here and sometimes I'm quite embarrassed haha. Frisco and I had an argument (at least that's what I thought for my part) and he was just messing with me. I remember he told me once he remembers it quite fondly.
I spend a lot of my developmental years using this place as a sounding board. So much of my life and perspective has changed.
I left because I went and got married and had a kid. Sadly, due to circumstances out of my control, I'm now divorced despite my best efforts to prevent that from happening. But I do get my 4 year old son more half of the time so that's a huge blessing. Gotta take the good with the bad right?
So whoever is reading this, thanks for all the varied perspectives and conversations over the years. I miss the discussions and the "fluff" of this place.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Good to see you, Nick. Congrats on the job and kid.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jake: Frisco, is your wife the person who posted on sake as queenjahmay, years ago?
Yes, to my recollection. Or she was at that point in time.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
quote: I remember PSI Teleport congratulating me on getting old haha.
That does sound like something I would have said. I'm sorry to hear about your divorce but I'm glad to see you around. I've been mostly offline for years, working on creative projects, but I do pop in now and then.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Holy Smokes! Check you all out. I just wandered on in to see what was up because I was feeling at loose ends, having just finished earning my Master's degree in Strategic Communications. My son is now 22, an Apache helicopter mechanic in the Army and newly married. He and his wife have two precious lab puppies. I love seeing the familiar names and the updates. I really miss the "Icecream" thread. I have no idea who to flirt with, so here's a for everyone.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Hi Shan! I'm sure Bob would be happy to do an ice cream compatibility profile for your son and new daughter-in-law if you want one.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Really?!?!?! *squeal of delight* I'll see if the two lovebirds will tell me their 1) fave flavor icecream, 2) preferred icecream container/bowl and 3) toppings . . . That would be fun to print out and send to 'em. Framed. With appropriate icecream clipart . . .
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Hey everyone!
I live in Israel, and I'm teaching English at a democratic elementary school. In addition, I conduct two acappella choirs, write blog posts for hi-tech companies, sell flowers at the farmers' market, perform in musicals, teach voice lessons, fill in as the tenor of a barbershop quartet in a swanky Jerusalem hotel... yeah, I'd say I've been keeping pretty busy.
Great to read up about what you are all doing!
Posted by Tinros2 (Member # 13389) on :
Um... Hi! New account, because I honestly could NOT remember the actual login name or password for the old one, and I KNOW I don't have access to the email I used to register. Same Tinros, different account, back after... 8ish years?
I first registered when I was... 14, which would have been in 2002 or early 2003. Since then... went to college, Bachelor's in Psychology, tried grad school, grad school didn't go so well (I left after two semesters to work for a while and get some of the financial stress taken care of), struggled with mental illness, got it under control, and graduated 3 weeks ago with a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling. I take my license exam in two weeks (gulp).
Personally, the boyfriend and I just picked out a ring, and he's waiting on the jeweler to finish sizing it before I can equip and gain the fiancee upgrade. I'm looking forward to it.
Still in Ohio, still spending my time with books and video games. Sometimes I do grown-up stuff like pay bills, but I much prefer to cuddle my cat and relish the fact that my degree is worth something now. Had a couple major surgeries, one in 2010, one last fall, that fixed a bunch of health problems I'd had, which means I'm finally exercising and losing weight.
Something randomly got me thinking earlier today about the "bar" thread we had going on a while back. Bunch of made-up drinks themed around Ender et al., and I remember creating a "junior" menu because I was too young at the time for alcohol. Anyone else remember that?
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Congratulations on your (near) engagement, Tinros!! So exciting!
Now that I've updated everyone on what I'm doing, a week ago I discovered that my job is on the line... they're trying to fire me from the school, based on a personal vendetta the principal has against me. It's ridiculous and baseless and it has been a very hellish week. I even have a lawyer who has looked at all the facts and doesn't understand how anyone can invent stuff like this... my work is solid and I have received no negative feedback at all, at any point. And the principal is the only one who thinks I shouldn't be there. The vice principal agrees that I'm doing a great job. And the kids love me, and I get along with the parents. I get only compliments. So this sucks.
Yuck.
Posted by Stone_Wolf_ (Member # 8299) on :
Ewww...I really hate it when people in authority use their power based on personal preference. It is beyond unprofessional & into egotistical BS.
**Unsolicited advice warning**
Just remember who YOU are, and the great job you do & don't stoop to his level.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Hi, Tinros. Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Thanks, Stone_Wolf. I got fired yesterday, officially.
Though now I've been calling parents to let them know and they're all up in arms and writing angry letters to the principal... so I guess it's not over 'til it's over? Posted by Stone_Wolf_ (Member # 8299) on :
Ouch! I'm SO sorry!
Got a union rep or lawyer?
Do they have any helpful tidbits?
Because I doubt that those letters will help considering they are going directly to to the man w/ a problem w you.
Maybe ask the parents to write to the superintendent?
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I doubt the situation is reversible, mainly because of an inherent flaw in my school's structure. It's a private school, and the parents who send me their kids each day are the same ones who get to stand behind decisions about whether or not to keep me employed. It's a very flawed system.
Also, we don't actually really have a superintendent.
On second thought... I'm pretty sure a lot of the functionality of the school is not only problematic, but possibly illegal...
Posted by Stone_Wolf_ (Member # 8299) on :
Lawyer up!
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I did.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Raia, I forgot to say "hi." More importantly, that sounds awful. I'm glad you have professional legal advice.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Thanks CT.
A quick update:
Yesterday, I told the kids that I would be unable to continue next year, and that it was against my will. They started rioting in the school, hanging picket signs all over the place. Not one kid wasn't in tears or up in arms about the situation. I feel like that speaks for itself...
Democratic school and all, but the principal can ultimately do what she wants. It's infuriating. And now she's lying to parents so I'm losing the support of those parents who supported me to begin with. And I'm not allowed to respond to public e-mails she sends about me with things in them that aren't true or contain only partial information.
This is one of the most upsetting situations I've found myself in.
And now I have to write 90 pages of student evaluations, and I'm finding it impossible to focus.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Hey, may I ask what's being said about you at all? Why is this principal so set against you, and what is she telling people to turn them against you?
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I just got an e-mail from one of the parents who own the school, telling me it was extremely unprofessional of me to use the kids' emotions against them for my own selfish gain.
The principal is spreading lies about my being a monster, about my unprofessionalism, about my doing whatever I can to sabotage the school by taking advantage of innocent kids... it is really unbelievable the level to which she is managing to stoop.
She's set against me because she made the decision to fire me, by herself and early on (based on a personal dislike), and then handled a "fair" instance in which I was able to prove my case and so on so that I would leave with my tail between my legs and she could do whatever she wanted. Instead, sure of the solidity of my work and unsure of the reasons I could be fired, I took legal counsel who told me that the process she initiated was illegal, unfair and liable. Not one person has had anything negative to say about me all year, not one person has observed me in a lesson or had a conversation with me about my work, and therefore as an employee of three years I deserve to be given all the facts and examples and be given an opportunity to make right before these steps are taken.
When I told her this, not only did she not act according to what she was legally obligated to do, in response, she was NOT ABLE TO COME UP WITH ANY VALID REASON WHY MY WORK IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. I invited her to please provide me with all the facts so I can try to understand and prepare a response. She was unable to do so, and instead began relying on lies and slander, which she both put in writing in legal documents and spread through the community of parents.
I, on the other hand, have compiled a fat file of documents that prove my case, and show that my work is solid and that people are happy with what I'm doing.
After I told the kids, she took a ride on the so-called "malicious step I took against her" (though I was careful to not mention her name, or say anything derogatory or undiplomatic in any way, and even defended her against angry kids), and is telling all the parents about my selfishness in using their kids in this way. She told me that I really should put the well being of the kids first, something that she neglected to do when she baselessly fired their favorite teacher, after knowing that the other teacher who is responsible for them is also leaving the school.
I have a huge legal case against them. If I wanted, and if I didn't care about the kids so much, I could shut down the school. Her entire case is built on lies and manipulation. And it's a democratic school, so she's not even legally supposed to have the autonomy to do whatever she wants, and hire and fire people based on her individual judgment. But she is currently in a position of power and I'm not, and therefore can do as she pleases.
I will note, as well, that I spoke with several parents who were behind me and said they don't understand how this decision could possibly have been made, who now won't speak to me after what she has told them since Thursday.
Hence my anger and general upset.
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
Sorry to hear that. I hope something better comes along.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Thanks, Derrell. Actually, it did, since my last update... but I'm still angry and upset about the previous one.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I'd still sue. Good luck either way.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
Since I started this thread, like 6 years ago, I did nursing school. Halfway through that I started working at the school. So when I finished my BSN, I enrolled in MSN. That kept me pretty busy until November. I've mostly been playing Freecell since then.
Next week I start my psych mental health nurse practitioner certificate, which is a program that will let me provide general level psychiatric care.
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Nice to see old "faces." ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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![[Wave]](graemlins/wave.gif)
![[Hat]](graemlins/hat.gif)
![[Wall Bash]](graemlins/wallbash.gif)
![[Kiss]](graemlins/kiss.gif)
for everyone.