Month: February 2009

Dad-da

I’ve got some mighty big news to share.  I’m going to be a father for the second time in my life.

We found this out several weeks ago, but wanted to wait until the first appointment.  We didn’t want to tell the world, just to tell them that there are problems and so on.

The news has been both shocking and exciting.  It means I have many things to do around the house in preparation for the new child.

I have to remodel our downstairs to move my office down there.  I then have to remodel the new nursery to make it hospitable for a child.

There’s much to be done, and the clock is now officially ticking.  The due date is October 6th – I believe.

Must Find Happy Place

Nothing seems to be going right lately.  The things that normally bring joy to my life have disappeared or are disappearing.  It’s hard to wake up in the morning when you don’t have a lot to look forward to.  The only thing I have currently that brings some potential light at the end of the tunnel are my classes.

Education is sought after more than skills at this point.  At least in my experience.  I learned this the hard way and it’s really doing a number on me.  There was an opening at my job in Technology Services at the Kelley School of Business.  It’s almost exactly what I do, with a few other added responsibilities.  I’ve been here just one month shy of a year now and I thought I would be a good fit.  The only caveat, they wanted someone with at least an associates degree which I do not have.

They must have thought I was a good fit as well, because I almost immediately was asked for an interview.  It went extremely well.  I thought it was only a matter of time before the job would be offered to me.  Then my boss’s boss wanted to speak with me, it was regarding the position.  They offered it to someone who had “more rounded experience.”  They said she “can give a different perspective that nobody else in the department can.”  While I understand they have to do what’s best for the department and not myself, it didn’t hit me until today – the day she started.

There is really nothing I can do to make myself happy but continue my education and hope to find something someday.  The only real issue bugging me is that I know that day won’t come soon enough.

This on top of all of the other issues I’m facing.  I need a new computer & printer, I am on a deadline for remodeling the basement and old “office.”  I need to start planning a summer job or load up on classes for the summer semester and get a large student loan to cover the lack of income.

I feel like I haven’t moved forward at all, but just taken a few dozen steps back since I started on my own back in 1999.

My only solace at this point is my love affair with ROX and computers in general.  The computer doesn’t care about how much money I make or any of the other human conditions.

If only life were this simple.

Goodbye Baby Tat

Baby Tat (named by Taylor) was originally named Olivia and then named Baby by our friends Jeff & Sara who we got her from.  They have numerous cats (8 or so) and she didn’t get along with another alpha kitty in their household.  We decided to take her from them to possibly give her a better living environment.

Furby, Baby Tat and Oreo

Our other cats, Furby and Oreo were mixed on the addition of a new roommate.  Oreo loved it, and we eventually started calling the two “lovers.”  Although they couldn’t consummate their relationship they acted very much like a couple.  Furby is the embodiment of a “grumpy old man.”  He is an alpha kitty as well.  The two would sometimes get along, but most of the time fought to the bone.  Those fights would sometimes rattle the house.

Baby Tat has been showing her distress by leaving bombs all over the house.  When I say bomb, I really mean feces.  We know there is nothing physically wrong with her, but nothing we tried to do would help or solve this situation. 

Out of frustration, we gave her a new home.  A gentleman came over Sunday to meet her, and they seemed to make a connection.  She stayed in his arms (which she wouldn’t do that long for any of us.)  He grew up with a cat and missed the companionship.  He doesn’t have any other animals at home either, which is a big plus for this princess.

Although the house is a bit quieter, and there seems to be an empty hole where she used to be.  I believe she will be better off.

We miss you Baby Tat!

So Far…

So far my classes at Ivy Tech Community College have went well.  There have been a few glitches, which I will explain further, but overall it has been a good experience for a change.  This has been the typical time frame where I “fly the coop.”

My math course, MATH-050 (Basic Algebra) is quite boring.  My skills lie between this course and the course between it (MATH-111 [Intermediate Algebra]).  My instructor is also the head of the department that deals with disability issues and I think it spills over into her teaching style.  While I do not have any learning disabilities I can see how this style can help those who need it.  The rest of us feel like we’re in grade school.  One thing that I have issues with is some of the coursework.  She has assigned us to “write 5 things from” a book, “Managing the Mean Math Blues” and two videos.  All of these focus on one  main thing, study skills.  It seems a little off for a math course to assign reading material not directly related to the course itself.

My Visual Basic Course, CINS-113 (Logic, Design and Programming) has been going great!  I enjoy the instructor and the coursework.  My only concern is that the instructor does not write the tests, the head of the department does.  The tests are based solely on the book and not what we speak about in class.  While I am reading the book, it is impossible to remember all the terms and items needed.

I’m hoping to not work this summer and load up on courses so that I can hopefully finish this degree a little sooner.