Member News - Page 24

Anastasia Beaverhausen · #**576** 12-22-2009, 12:29 PM

Dragar · #**577** 12-22-2009, 12:59 PM

My chosen career (astronomy and particle physics) has just had its funding cut by 25%. I'm glad I didn't properly try to apply for one of the prestigious (and rare) postdoctoral fellowships as they just got axed entirely this year.

So now I need to decide what to do. Do I stick with academia in the UK, knowing my country appears to be trying to kill my subject off? Do I leave the country in search of work? Or do I find some industry job while I am not (too badly) tainted by the stench of academic research?

LadyShea · #**578** 12-22-2009, 05:54 PM

Congrats!!

Ymir's blood · #**579** 12-30-2009, 08:00 PM

I am back online after a horrifying extended weekend. An ice storm hit Boone on Christmas day while we were in Raleigh at the parent's house. We came back on Saturday to find that the lights were out and half of tree was in the driveway. For heat we had the fireplace supplemented by a portable kerosene heater. If the not for the amount of fuel it used, the heater would have been primary. My back is still killing me from chopping wood.

:timber:

The power finally got turned back on yesterday, but a bunch of electronics stuff was messed up, including my computer and router. I took my computer to the shop this morning and they fixed it before noon. As I suspected/hoped it was just the power supply, so nothing was lost. The router was actually fine, its power supply (external) was shot, but my brother found an old universal adaptor in my bag o'electronic parts so now I have internets once more.

:woohoo:

Otherwise the list of power spike casualties include the monitor heater (we have portable electrics for backup now) a slew of video and stereo components, the microwave, dehumidifier and some smaller stuff. Strangely enough, some things survived despite being on the same power strips as casualties. We still have a working DVD player, VCR and TV, though my receiver is shot. Unfortunately among the casualties was my alarm clock/CD player, the first Christmas present that pesci gave me.

The driveway is mostly passable now, thanks to the CHAINSAW :chainsawjuggle:

I bought. The chainsaw however needs to have its chain put back on due to um, operator error.

Ymir's blood · #**580** 12-31-2009, 01:53 PM

Oh, and I seem to have come down with some sort of cold. From my long history of it and the lack of aches or fever, I'm guessing that it's a sinus infection. I've made an appointment to see the doctor just before noon.

Angakuk · #**581** 01-11-2010, 04:31 AM

I had a big day today. We had a combined service, with all three congregations participating, and I was formally installed as the pastor for this three-point ministry. I have been pastoring two of the congregations for the last 20 years. I have been pastoring the third congregation, which is larger than the other two combined, since the beginning of October, on an informal basis.

The high point of the day took place during the potluck following the installation service. One of the church members gave an unsolicited testimonial about what it has meant to him and his family to have me as their pastor over the past twenty years. This big tough farmer and former rodeo bull rider had tears in eyes as he spoke and I had tears running down my cheeks by the time he was finished. It was really quite moving. Also, the temperature today was in the 20's (farenheit) and the sun was shining. Taken altogether, it has been a very encouraging and affirming day.

Deadlokd · #**582** 01-18-2010, 04:35 AM

I tried to find the "What's up with you?" thread but search refused to consider 'up', 'with' and 'you' and returned no results. This is more a passing scribble rather than news.

Anyway, I'm off to Rockhampton again for residential school. Clinical Pathology (haematology) this time. See you at the end of the week.

Dingfod · #**583** 01-19-2010, 05:08 PM

I'm on sabbatical from :ff:

effective immediately. I realized I have to do this when I thought about telling everyone to go fuck themselves, not just Yuckus. I do not know when or even if I will return, not that I will actually be missed anyway, not really. Have fun, kids.

Flying Buttress · #**584** 01-22-2010, 03:57 AM

Wow, it's been ages since I posted here, and a LOT has happened:

I got riffed from a job I loved

I was unable to find a decent job within a decent distance from home. So, I started looking at jobs out of commuting range. One particiular intrigued me, so I called to inquire, and was invited to apply.

Then, within the span of 5 days, I:
Got asked to interview
Cancelled interviews scheduled for that same day, and drove out, and interviewed
Got offered and accepted the position, and
MOVED!
This was after 20 years of living in the same town, 18 in the same house. Just up and did it! Since them I've bought a house, and am in the process of furnishing it.

More than once I've wondered what the hell I was thinking, but there's no turning back now.

Tanda · #**585** 01-27-2010, 05:33 PM

Long time for me, as well.

It's been almost a year since our son, Brett, passed away. The first 6 months was hell, but we are recovering nicely. Our two remaining boys have learned to depend on each other and get along well. Joe and I have weekly date nights scheduled so that we can work constantly on our relationship (not that there was anything wrong with it, but crazy things happen when you've been through such trauma!). For example, Joe is in seminary now, but I'm a borderline Athiest. :shrug:

We're doing everything we can to create fun and lasting memories for our boys so that when they get older they do not just see the illness and death of their big brother.

I have so much catching up to do here. I hope everyone is well and happy!

Tanda
:panda:

P.S. Congrats, F.B.!! That's an exciting change!!!

Deadlokd · #**586** 01-29-2010, 10:41 AM

I went in to get a hernia repaired yesterday afternoon. The operation went well, they did a laproscopic repair this time so I don't get a huge scar. Well, they were going to discharge me last night but for the life of me I couldn't urinate so they catheterised me and kept me in overnight. That was really uncomfortable. I don't recommend it. If it's on your to-do list scrub it off. It was mainly the American man nurse yanking it out that was uncomfortable. HNe was an arrogant prick. I was in a ward with three elderly women and he was very condescending to them.

I'm home now, a little sorer but repaired.

wildernesse · #**587** 01-30-2010, 07:20 PM

We have a closing date for our townhouse, which means I will be moving to Texas soon! (I hope!)

Dingfod · #**588** 02-06-2010, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dingfod

I'm on sabbatical from :ff:

effective immediately. I realized I have to do this when I thought about telling everyone to go fuck themselves, not just Yuckus. I do not know when or even if I will return, not that I will actually be missed anyway, not really. Have fun, kids.

I'm back, but not healed, nor heeled, still in pain, still a grouchy old fuck. Too bad, I got bored.

Tanda · #**589** 02-06-2010, 06:19 AM

Been thinkin' about 'cha, Ding. :hug:

Angakuk · #**590** 02-07-2010, 03:20 AM

Welcome home Dingleberry!

Plant Woman · #**591** 02-13-2010, 09:05 PM

Another one of my photographs made the cover of a magazine. I collaborated with another writer and she wrote a proposal and I photographed the subject on spec. We tried 3 different magazines until the last one bought it. I learned one was chosen for the cover. Hooray! As for the other two magazines? If you snooze you lose!

Shake · #**592** 02-16-2010, 05:46 AM

Our house is officially listed as of Feb 15th! The realtor thinks it will go quickly, too.

Ymir's blood · #**593** 02-16-2010, 07:50 PM

I don't know if this really belongs here, but I feel the need to put it somewhere. One year ago today, pescifish called me to tell me about her arm going numb. The next day we exchanged text messages and then I heard nothing more for the rest of the week, when her sister called me from the hospital and then again later that night when she put her on the phone.

Ensign Steve · #**594** 02-19-2010, 02:08 PM

We have photos from our Puerto Rico trip and our recent Snow Day.

I'm not going to do a trip report, but I will tell you that beyelzu lost his wedding ring in the ocean on the first day, so by all means :hoot:

at him mercilessly.

Puerto Rico Honeymoon - a set on Flickr

Snow Day! - a set on Flickr

SharonDee · #**595** 02-21-2010, 12:27 AM

So I went and bought the convertible I promised myself. (See Midlife Crisis Car thread.) The weather cooperated, sending me a nice sunny day in the 60's to drive it home in.

More pretty days! I need more drive time. Fuck winter!

S.Vashti · #**596** 02-22-2010, 04:08 PM

My offer on a house has been accepted. It's a cute little Cape Cod in Kenosha. :house:

Now I have to get my stuff together, get it inspected, talk to the bank, produce some money, and well, hopefully close by the end of March.

(oh, please, please pass inspection!)

irukandji · #**597** 02-23-2010, 04:59 PM

i think i have elsewhere on the boards mentioned that my youngest child, the only one still at home, is a 16 YO FtM transgendered boy well into the second year of his transition, following the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association's Standards of Care established protocols of "living the life" of felt gender and engaging in therapy with a gender therapist

step next is HRT, hormone replacement therapy.... so after months of trying to locate willing and qualified medical professionals to even return my emails and phone calls, the planets are aligning for him....

he had already left for school when the call from a pediatric endocrinologist's office came who would be willing to provide follow-up after his assessment at the U of Minn's Program in Human Sexuality... mar 31/apr 1

i am chewing on my own heart.... it is what he wants and desperately needs and deserves in order to live HIS life

but in order for that to happen, i have to say goodbye to that face.... :sadbye:

it is terribly good news

ji~

Shake · #**598** 02-26-2010, 04:55 AM

Just finished the winter quarter of school. Now I get a nice break until March 8th when the spring quarter starts up.

wildernesse · #**599** 03-01-2010, 04:22 PM

We made it safely to Houston and the vast majority of things are off the truck and strewn around our apartment. Just about everything looks like it will fit, so my spatially challenged mind can chill out now.

Zehava · #**600** 03-05-2010, 05:22 PM

My company still does not have a signed contract with the outsourcing vendor (HP). A contract that was supposed to be signed before the end of last year. Then mid-January then mid-February, then 2 weeks ago then 1 week ago, then.... well you get the idea. Now the contract signing is "imminent" and they still expect a complete transition by the end of August.

There is some good news, we do know who is going to be re-badged as an HP employee on this contract. Holy fucking surprise it is the senior management team. Total fucking surprise there. 20 people out of ~380 being outsourced have guaranteed jobs and they are mostly the people in favor of the outsourcing. Don't you just love corporate America?