docoflove1974

Could be worse: like a run-away police horse killing a football fan or a deputy falls asleep behind the wheel, killing two world-class cyclists As for the car ads...for a while now Saab has had a promotional tag line: we're born from jets. I guess the thought is that by us knowing that, it'll make us realize that Saabs are fast cars and fun to drive. Or that they fly past airplanes...one or the other. Kia and Hyundai are big into tricking us into thinking that their cars are the equal to Mercedes, Lexus and the like. Um, yeah. Just read Consumer Reports or any of the major car reviewers...they're nothing like them. Not even close.

Sounds like a plan! Hope the money really does go to that girl and her family! (Sorry, that's the cynical side creeping in.)

Welcome, Nephele and Herius, my dear friends! Enjoy the festivities! Why, Herius, such a *ahem* display of fortune you have brought with you today! I do hope more people stop in...a party is never the same without plenty of new and old friends!

That's true for learning any foreign language, that knowing one's own (native) language and the grammatical structure of it facilitates learning of other languages when we're adults. This is quite true in the case of English, where there is little inflection on various nouns and verbs...and then learning a language which is quite inflected (like Latin)!

I've had too long a week. Students harassing me to let them into class when there aren't enough benches...the government putting restrictions on me and telling me what to do in my own arena...my sandals not quite fitting right this week (no clue why). So, well, hell with it! It's the Day of Venus (by some calendars), and I feel the need to feel pretty! **Claps twice, and out come the parade of beautiful clothes...sandals...adornments. Picks the beautiful white and lilac number, the golden sandals...and, yes, I think so, the pretty amethyst hair pins** Ooooooooh way better! Now...time for the festivities to begin!!! **Claps once, and the servants start bringing out food from all the known regions of the world, and amphorae of wine...then take their places around the room** Hmmmmm...I'd better take a couple of precautions...I remember the last party I had.... **Nods to Valenius, the head of security, who has hidden plain-clothes officer on the prowl, lest there be too much unruliness.** Well, one must take precautions....one never knows who will show up! Now...I wonder how long before Nephele comes in and livens things up! I do hope she doesn't speak in tongues again, trying to gleam money off of unsuspecting souls. And Caldrail...I hope he gave up his baby-eating habit...or at least sobered up a bit. Then again, he was such fun at the end...until he tried to destroy my villa. Perhaps their Royal Highnesses, the Emperor and his Lovely Lady, will make a presence? I hope they weren't too offended last time. Hmmmmm...who else will stop by? Come one, come all! Plebs and Patricians!

It worked for Baldrick....

I don't think this has been posted before...apologies if it has been. ___________________________________________________________________ Parts of a giant, exquisitely-carved marble sculpture depicting the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius have been found at an archaeological site in Turkey. Fragments of the statue were unearthed at the ancient city of Sagalassos. So far the statue's head, right arm and lower legs have been discovered, high in the mountains of southern Turkey. Link: BBC News

September works, too...that's the start of the harvest festivals, there's a change in the winds. Here September is still quite warm, but wonderful. And school...it always started the day after Labor Day for me, but then in high school it started to creep up. This year our community college started on 18 August! But, hey, it's all good

That's typical to have ~120 credits/units to graduate. Most universities I've been around have recommended that freshmen don't take over 12, since they are adjusting to the collegiate lifestyle. But, hey, I'm sure you'll do fine! I mean, if that's what they recommend, then go for it!

That's still quite a bit of a load for the first semester. Hope it all goes well!

Wow...how many units is that? Hopefully you're not overloading...never a good idea in your first year.

It's hard to come up with a 'favorite month', but if I had to, it'd be August. Let's weigh the facts: PRODUCE!!! The tomatoes right now are unreal...just the most amazing thing ever. I know people swear that canning tomatoes helps 'seal in the goodness,' but even the most awesome canned tomatoes pale in comparison to the goodness at my farmers' market right now. Holy Christ, I eat them as fruit. And that's nothing to say for the peaches and nectarines (surprising, as we didn't get quite that much rain this year), the corn (absolutely to die for!), the cucumbers...oh Lord, I can't stop! Two weeks ago I bought too much...my eyes and my nose were way bigger than my menus. But it's been fun to create different salads, sides, and mains with the veggies I have. Weather: Now starts some of the best weather in the San Francisco Bay Area. Warm during the day, hot inland, but with a cool breeze once the sun goes down, and the fog rolling in, covering us with that cool blanket. Start of school: Ok, I'm a bit sadistic, but I love my job. As I told a neighbor recently, I get paid for doing what I love: talking, thinking, and helping people learn. How in the hell is this bad? Ok, it'd be great if I did this with a single full-time position, but it could be a lot worse. I love the schedule, I love the interaction with new students, and I love working with my colleagues. I don't like vague instructions from state and federal groups telling us they want 'data' and 'outcomes'...and then not really giving us a concrete idea as to what we want. Just in my department alone, you have 2 PhDs, a former software engineer, and two researchers...we know what data are...and how nebulous they can be. Clearly they want results...so here they are! What do they mean? Oh...didn't get that far yet.... August is the start of change in the academic world...new full-time positions start to pop up...new academic years start...new hires come in and add to the department...new students come in with new questions and new perspectives on assignments. Some say the calendar starts anew in January...I say it starts in August.

But "It's A Small World" would be so fun! (not) So I'm guessing that after that would be an Ancient Greece/Athens park, Ancient Egypt...yikes. At times capitalism needs a reboot.

Pay heed to the word of Sir Charles of Barkley, the Round Mound of Rebound, the Joker to Michael Jordan's Kindgom: (from Wikipedia...and it's accurate!)

Uh, being a professor just about anywhere pretty much implies a lower base salary than most expect. It's the consulting work and grant money that augment it.

Yeah, I had some reservations in general about the program, but these two elements in particular stuck in my craw. Having read a bit about the 3rd and 4th century issues between the Romans and the Goths, the depictions by this program really sounded overhyped. Now that you mention this, I swear that some of the 'historical clips' they showed came from other History Channel presentations. I know I've seen some of these actors and sets before!

Last night History International (US) showed a 'documentary' called "The DarkAges," and in typical fashion nowadays the voiceover narrator was a bit over-the-top on some of the comments. The experts interviewed were fine enough, but there were some comments by the narrator which I had questions about: --Alaric's siege of Rome was portrayed as being two years long (continuously), and that because of the length of the siege there was drastic starvation which caused cannibalism. Really? I was under the impression that, while not exactly easy to endure, the Gothic siege wasn't nearly as drastic as the Vandal destruction of Rome. (This was all narrator comments; none of the experts interviewed were hinting at this.) --Clovis was portrayed by both the narrator's comments and the experts as an

Best score: 37920 And that game is way too addicting!

So why was a lead coffin used? Was this common practice? Does it provide embalming or preserving elements beyond what other materials do? Also, I thought it was common for there to be cremations in the Hellenic cultures...or am I mistaken?

Yikes...I'd better break out the sun block, then...no more swimming... *eek*

My mom's cousin is named 'Barry George'...don't like the guy, either. Not a stalker, more of a nincompoop. As for your 'naughty weekend'...I'm guessing going on an educational (yes?) excursion is contrary to the unemployment office? Like, you're not allowed to converse with colleagues? Yikes...

Ok, I'm back. Here's the gist of things: Wednesday: we all get in around 9am, take the shuttle to our hotel in Queens. Since we can't check in yet, we decide to change and take the subway out to Yankee Stadium. The bad news: since we have bleacher seats that day, we can't tour around the rest of the stadium, but that's ok. The game went well--Yankees won convincingly--and the bleachers were just as I love them: great crowd of people, lots of kids, and a good time all around. (And no alcohol sales in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium? Seriously?) Actually, one element which was a bit dour: a young 20ish woman came in and sat behind us, plastered (or, as I term it, chemically altered), with her friend in tow. She was completely incoherent--prolly high more than drunk--and going on and on and on and on. Communism, freedom of speech...there were a few topics touched upon. There were several day camps in our section, and this 'lovely lady' was cussing a blue streak for no reason. She was ultimately 'asked to leave' (aka kicked out), and her friend could not have been more embarrassed. Otherwise, loved the bleachers! But my mom, my brother and I were so tired from the red-eye and running around that we didn't go to dinner at the swanky Manhattan joint we planned...instead we opted for the hotel, a shower, and going down the street to a steakhouse. Great dinner, but we were beat! Early bed time. Thursday: ok, this part is well explained by Neph. Neph is by far one of the coolest chicas I've ever met, and I can't wait to get back to NYC for a proper tour. My mom got the biggest kick out of her and John, and we both agree that they were awesome tourguides. After we left her, Mom and I met up with my brother at Yankee Stadium. We got there as the gates opened and went to Monument Park. For those who don't know, they have shrines for Yankee greats, both retired numbers of players and plaques noting their accomplishments. It's a beautiful tribute to baseball players (and some front-office people) of yore. Another good game--Yankees lost by a lot--and we got back to the hotel late. Shower, and sleep...a long drive the next day! Friday: 4 hour drive to Cooperstown, NY, to the Baseball Hall of Fame. And what a place! If you even like baseball, let alone love it like we do, it's a must-see. Cooperstown is truly a small town, common to upstate New York. The HOF is not that big a building and complex, but it's amazing what they have. They have relics and pieces from the earliest days of the game (late 1800s), plus pieces from the most famous moments and players of the game. The hall with the plaques of those enshrined was by far the most touching...I found myself tearing up at those recently-inducted who have supplied me with an entire childhood of memories. But still, to read the plaques of Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, and so many, many more, well, honestly there isn't a word for it. If you love a sport, to go to it's 'hall of fame' is truly breathtaking. This was no different. So, after spending a few hours there, we had dinner in town and went back to our hotel room the next town over. Saturday: woke up to...DOWNPOURING RAIN!!! That was fun (not). But got out ok, and had a 3 1/2 hour drive to Boston. We thought we out-ran the rain, and we did, but when we had to go to the game at Fenway Park, it caught up with us. Eh, it's all good...a $10 plastic poncho worked well. Anyway, we stayed on Beacon Street, not far from the park, and enjoyed a beautiful evening once the rain cleared. Bleacher seats again in Fenway, and it was WAY better. No offense, Yankee Fans, but "Sawx" Fans have you beat. Very lively crowd (in a good way), tons of fun...felt like I was back at AT&T Park watching my Giants. (With beer sales! Wooooooooo!) Red Sox won (and beat the snot outta my brother's A's...HA HA!), and we went back to the hotel. Sunday (today): woke up, got out of bed, ran a comb across my head...oops, sorry, Paul. Anyway, went to the airport to leave. We all had noon-time flights--Mom flew back on a different airline than my brother and I. We ended up volunteering to be bumped, and got a $300 voucher and first-class all the way back home for the trouble...but we got in at the same time as we would have. So now I have $300 to spend on American Airlines...hmmmmmmmmmmm.... So, when I have time, I'll post more pictures. Gotta combine them with the ones my mom and I took with her camera, and those of my brother. It was an outstanding trip, but I'm weary. Tomorrow I gotta buy food (ack! the cupboard's bare!) and pick up my cat from the boarder. But I am without words to describe the entire trip...it was spectacular!

Oh, as soon as the asphalt gets dotted with raindrops, people drive like idiots here...so who knows. How do we cope? Most people drive!

The line between Sacramento and San Jose in the summer, the rails get so hot that they warp, and the trains have to slow to a crawl. I used to hate taking the train home in college during the summer. In the winter, because some of the tracks are along a slough and the delta, there's flooding and that also slows down the train. But when one doesn't have a car, one doesn't have much choice!

Out frickin standing!