Hey Dan

Registration is coming up for Maymester. That means about 6 more weeks before a short break in classes and summer classes. I am really kind of bummed today about school because of this. You see, I stared looking at what I need to take this summer and it is about a years worth of classes. This semester I took only two classes that is a nice light load. Over the fall I took four classes and almost killed myself. Hence three classes should be my workable load. With summer being shorter make it two over the summer, and three each for fall and winter. That is a total of eight classes or about 24 credits a year. That puts me in classes for another three and a half or four years, at least. Depressing to think about when it hit me I will graduate at 42 years old. This make me want to push harder and do more, even when I know it will be bad. I know it is my own fault and I am proud of what I have done. However, some days I want to it to be easier, not much just a little.

Posted by Dan at 03:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

"I like K, she is my friend, she taught me to make jam, please stop kicking her husband in the balls." ~Shaggy.

Posted by Dan at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

A friend sent this and I had to share...

Over The Hedge

Posted by Dan at 04:08 PM | Permalink

Normal it is hard to get me to brag about anything I have done. However, I would like to now take a moment to brag about a math test. Last semester I took my first math class is 20ish years. Laterally I had forgotten how to do fractions. The class kicked my butt. In the end I made a C and was proud of it. This semester, I am again taking a math class as I will be for the next 10,000 years. This time I am doing really well, partly because I struggled so hard last semester to catch up. Just before spring break the class took the second of 4 exams. On the first, I scored a 67%, a score that was 7% above the class average. This exam I scored the class high with an 87%. The test was hard, the class average was a 71%. I could have done better, but I am well above my own expectations and the curve. I am proud of myself and happy with the work I am doing. *happy dance*

Posted by Dan at 02:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A friend made a strange request this morning. She asked me to tell her something pretty. This is part of a series beautiful/odd moment in the last couple of days. It started Sunday when someone complimented me on the amount I smile. My responds was a moment of unintentional introspection. I told them about struggling with depression which made them want to hug me. Truth, I could have used it. With that in mind my mind, on Monday as I was driving to class when the NPR media project “This I Believe” played an essay from Andy Blowers who struggles with depression. He said something that hits home for people who battle depression and live. He said “I believe pain tells us something critical about ourselves and life: that developing strength and empathy and bravery is more essential than our personal comfort.” It was a strange moment of odd beauty.

So today I get an IM from a friend asking me to tell her something pretty. While I had something, I did not feel like it reached that everyday Zen moment. With this in my mind I drove out to grab some lunch. I took a back road near the office to avoid freeway traffic. There I came up on a lump moving slowly across a road frequented by cement trucks and back road racers. It was a river turtle. It was easy for me to avoid him, however the truck behind me and the SUV coming the over way were never going to see him. I stopped my car, jumped out and scooped him up, dodging drivers who looked at me like a loon. As I put him down on the other side of the road, it hit me. Once again the universe was following my thoughts and feelings. It was another moment of odd beauty.

Posted by Dan at 03:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Everything we well. My mouth feels like it was mugged, but I am good. Painkillers are great. One and I can tough it out, two and I feel like I cound eat a stake. (K vetod that idea) They make me a little loopy, but the numbness is gone and I can eat pudding and yogurt. The bleeding has been the onlu thing I have had an issue with. With my mouth numb I missed the area where I should have put them and felt like I was going to drowned until K figured out what I had done. Most of the day has been spent sleeping. Now I am off to try to be awake for a couple of hours before bed.

Posted by Dan at 08:05 PM | Permalink

I am getting my wisdom teeth removed this morning... sigh... good bye solid food... for now.

Posted by Dan at 08:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Mike and I first met at his audition for faire. He must have been 11 or 12 years old, a little quite but energetic kid. He made cast and over the next couple of months he impressed nearly every person he worked with. Over the next several of years, I became his mentor, teacher and friend. He never failed any challenge I put in front of him. Most people I know would agree with me on that. Yesterday he called me to tell me he has been accepted as a trainee in the Fort Worth Fire Academy. I am as proud of him as were he my own brother.

Posted by Dan at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)